Choosing the right vet is not just about medical expertise—it’s about finding someone who understands and prioritizes your dog's emotional well-being, especially if they’re prone to anxiety.

While vets and vet techs do their best with the resources and tools they have, they don’t always get the full picture or see what happens behind the scenes at home. That's why it’s so important to remain curious, empathetic, and respectful while advocating for your dog’s needs.

​Here are five essential questions to ask when selecting a vet for your anxious pet. These will help ensure that the clinic not only takes care of your dog’s physical health but also makes them feel comfortable and safe during every visit.

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Love languages, a concept popularized by Dr. Gary Chapman in his book "The 5 Love Languages," refer to the different ways individuals express and experience love. According to Chapman, there are five primary love languages: Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch. Each person has a primary and sometimes secondary love language, which dictates how they prefer to give and receive love from others.
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These love languages provide valuable insights into understanding and strengthening relationships, as they emphasize the importance of expressing affection in ways that resonate most deeply with the other person/being.

While initially applied to human relationships, I believe the concept can also be applied to how we show love and affection in our relationships with our pups! Understanding this not only strengthens the bond between you but also helps maintain a healthy and happy relationship long term, something referred to as building social currency. 

In this post, I want to help you explore the same five Love Languages and how they may be spoken or received by your dog so you can determine which ones your dog values most.

Physical Touch, Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, and Gifts. 

By understanding these, you can ensure a more fulfilling and rewarding relationship with your family pup.

FINDING A TRAINER & COACH FOR YOUR FAMILY AND DOG: A Round-Up of Tips from your fellow dog-loving community

Searching for the perfect trainer and coach for your dog can be a daunting task. But, by looking out for specific red flags and green flags on their website and social media, as well as in your communication with them, you can find a trainer that you and your family can feel good about. This guide about how to find a good trainer aims to provide you with a round-up of tips from professionals and your fellow dog moms and dads.

Sometimes it feels like an all or nothing situation. "Well, if my dog is never going to love the Vet, we should just get it over with".

With a bit of understanding and some home-taught skills, you can make the next Vet visit a little happier. You'll turn this potentially stressful situation into a smoother and more comfortable experience for both you and your pup.

​Here is a overview to help you understand how I recommend navigating down the Vet Prep Path.

I'm going to share my 5 Relationship-Focused Building Blocks to Better Behavior with you to help you figure out where you might be getting stuck and how to re-establish your foundation.

When it comes to training and behavior change in your living, breathing, 4 legged family member, there can be a lot of behavior problems that come into play.

Whether you're dealing with fear of people, leash reactivity, fear of new places, separation anxiety, poor manners, barking, biting, noise phobia, fear of the vet, or are starting with a new puppy or dog... your relationship with your dog and with the behavior process is where it all begins.

​All behavior needs a solid foundation, built in trust, safety, and agency. 

Just in case you've ever felt stuck in a rut when trying to think of quick and easy enrichment activities for your dog, I have put together 10 of my favorites in one video for you. 

Remember, enrichment should never be optional for our companions. It's a necessity for their well-being and mental health, just as it is for ours... But that doesn't mean it has to be hard or just another thing to "add to the list" of all the other things you have on your task list.

Does your dog leave the house wired for a walk? Or maybe when he comes home, he's a little extra revved up and struggles to regulate his emotions?

​He might run the zoomies immediately AFTER he gets home. He might get mouthy, picking on you or his housemates, get destructive with toys or beds, jump and attention seek like crazy? You are not alone!