My approach to life is all about BALANCE: a lifestyle defined by me; one that meets MY (& my pup’s) needs & allows for an even distribution of energy to all aspects of MY life. Notice I didn’t say equal - that’s because the right amount of balance for all of us looks & feels different. Again, we’re all different & have different needs.

Now, in life (especially life with a dog), balance is everything - you must become the best you, be that you, & take care of that you before becoming what your pup (or anyone else) needs. Living this way creates a confidence in you that your pup will respond to & engage with more readily. So the work with & for your pup really starts with YOU!

Pawrents who have a balanced mindset, approach, & lifestyle foster healthy, balanced relationships where needs are met and teaching & learning results in progress. Just like for humans, stress does not equal longevity, and a stressed out (overexcited, nervous, reactive, aggressive, fearful, or anxious) pup is not a healthy pup. You must be able to balance autonomy & affection with structure & accountability. All pups (including nervous & fearful ones) need this!

Now, how you provide this balance & what balance looks like depends on you & your pup because like I said before, we (including our pups) are all different & have different needs. Some pups can have more autonomy while others need more structure - it’s just the way it is. And yet, when we do provide the above, we create safety, which fosters the confidence & courage your pup needs to become the best version of themselves.

As a former teacher & teacher coach (of 13 years), with a BA in psychology & MA in teaching (& two credentials), I’ve done & continue to do the work required to become the best version of myself & the best leader for myself, my pups, & now, YOU! I’ve also earned certificates & taken courses from a variety of expert dog trainers, culminating in Sean O’Shea’s 7-Day Shadow Experience in New Orleans in November 2022, where I shadowed Sean (a world-renowned dog trainer, author, and teacher) and his team at The Good Dog Way.

Here’s one way I achieve balance and do me: My Crafts

Developing your leadership and fostering a healthy relationship with your pup is the foundation for developing a balanced mindset (and behavior), improving learning (and learning experiences), strengthening obedience (and manners), and, ultimately, achieving results with your pup.