Dog Training on Low Energy Days Jump to recommended products On those days when your energy is low, how does it affect your dog? We all have them. Maybe you’re sick. Maybe life has been draining. Or maybe you’ve simply been overscheduled for too long. This is real life. But your dog’s needs don’t pause […]
Caring for Your Dog When You’re Running on Empty Read More »
What ADHD Brains (and Dogs) Can Teach Us About Arousal This month, we’ve been focusing on building habits that support loose-leash walking.Before we go any further, let’s pause and look at why movement can sometimes make focus harder — not easier. Most owners walk their dogs to calm them down. But in many cases, movement
Movement Doesn’t Calm — It Activates Read More »
This week, our goal is to build better walking skills by training a dog who wants to stay close to you. I call this magnetizing the position. When you train a dog to want to stay near you, building attention on walks becomes easier — and far less frustrating. Instead of constantly reminding, correcting, or
Habits That Help Build Your Dog’s Attention on Walks Read More »
The beginning of a new year often inspires us to start fresh—new projects, new routines, new habits. For many dog owners, one of the first things on that list is loose leash walking. And honestly? I get it. No one enjoys being yanked down the street. Walking your dog shouldn’t leave your shoulders sore or
Habits That Help Build Loose Leash Walking With Your Dog Read More »
A realistic reset for dog owners—especially distracted, overwhelmed ones. It’s the day before New Year’s Eve. And like clockwork, I just signed up for a weight-loss Facebook support group. A new year always feels like the perfect time for a fresh start—a chance to create new habits and finally do the things we’ve been meaning
Why New Year’s Resolutions Don’t Work (and What to Try Instead) Read More »
Week 5 in our Exercises For Focus Series If you’ve been working through the exercises outlined in the first four weeks of our Exercises for Focus series, you’re probably starting to notice real changes — calmer behavior, quicker check-ins, and more intentional engagement. But then you start walking… and suddenly it feels like all that
Building Your Dog’s Focus While Walking Read More »
Week 4 in our Exercises for Focus Series If you’ve been working on building your dog’s focus amid distractions—as outlined in our Week 2 exercise—you’re ready for the next step: proofing your dog’s focus with distractions. Proofing is how we help dogs respond to familiar cues even when the picture changes. Dogs don’t automatically understand
Proofing Your Dog’s Focus With Distractions (Without Pressure) Read More »
Dog toys for training and engagement How can you tell you’re on a blog written for neurodivergent dog lovers by a neurodivergent dog trainer? I’m sharing my favorite dog Christmas gift ideas less than one week before Christmas. The good news? Your dog does not care if these show up on December 25th… or the
Last-Minute Dog Gifts I Actually Love (From Tug-E-Nuff) Read More »
Week 3 in our Exercises For Focus Series. See Week 1 and Week 2. This week, we’re taking a look at something dog owners often overlook—but something that quietly supports every other part of your training. Building calm in dogs makes it easier for them to focus and respond. Before we move forward, it’s important
Mindful Monday: How Building Calm Helps Your Dog Focus Read More »
If you follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn, you already know that I lost my heart dog this week. Havoc’s passing has affected me in ways that I’m still processing, but it also reminded me just how much she reshaped my life simply by being in it. The truth is: she’s a dog I
Learning to Slow Down: Mindfulness Lessons From My Heart Dog Read More »
