Where behavior meets real life and dogs get to be dogs.
This is where I share insights from the trail, stories from the training room, and real-world behavior advice for dogs who don’t always fit in the box. Whether you’re navigating reactivity, diving into decompression walks, or just trying to understand what your dog’s really telling you, I’ve got you.
Science-backed, judgment-free, and a little muddy. Just how we like it.
The Stress Duo: Adrenaline and Cortisol in Your Dog
Stress is not always a bad thing for dogs. Exciting events like training sessions, competitions, or even chasing a squirrel all spark a natural stress response. Two key hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, play a major role in how your dog reacts and recovers. The trick is knowing how these hormones work together, why recovery matters, and what you can do to support your dog after a big event.
Understanding Drive, Arousal, Motivation, and High Energy in Dogs: What They Are and Why It Matters
Drive, arousal, motivation, and energy are often used interchangeably in dog training, but they mean very different things. In this post, I break down what each one really looks like in practice, and share how my dog Roulette embodies all four while staying responsive, clear-headed, and successful in high-arousal environments like IGP.
Not All Reactive Dogs Bark and Lunge: Understanding Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn
Learn how reactivity shows up in dogs through fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses. Not all reactive dogs bark or lunge. Some shut down or appease.