Introducing: Canine CORE Method
When I first began training dogs, I approached it the way many people do in the beginning—I followed what I had been shown. I emulated my mentor, applied the techniques I was taught, and worked within an existing framework.
But over time, something started to shift.
After working with hundreds of clients and their dogs, patterns began to emerge. I saw where traditional approaches were effective, and where they consistently fell short. More importantly, I began to notice that behavior could not be fully understood—or meaningfully changed—without addressing the underlying state of the nervous system.
From this, my own approach began to take shape.
I initially called it the Canine Core Method, drawing inspiration from the “core exercises” of Natural Dog Training. But the word core also came to represent something deeper—the dog’s emotional and physiological core. The internal state that organizes behavior, rather than the behavior itself.
Over time, this method has evolved into a more refined framework grounded in somatic awareness, nervous system regulation, and biological fulfillment—for both dogs and their humans.
To reflect this, I developed the CORE acronym:
C — Connect with your dog’s energy
This refers to developing awareness of your dog’s autonomic state and meeting them there. Rather than imposing expectations, we begin by sensing—reading body language, energy, and emotional tone. This is the foundation of attunement and co-regulation.
O — Operate within the window of tolerance
Every nervous system has a range within which it can function effectively—where learning, connection, and regulation are possible. When a dog is outside of this window (either hyper-aroused or shut down), training is not accessible. Our role is to recognize these thresholds and work within them, not against them.
R — Reflect on internal states and take responsibility for your emotions
Dogs are highly sensitive to the physiological and emotional states of the humans they live with. Through processes like co-regulation and emotional contagion, your internal state directly impacts your dog’s nervous system. This requires an ongoing practice of self-awareness—recognizing how your own stress, tension, or dysregulation may be shaping your dog’s behavior.
E — Engage with your dog’s natural drives to offer biological fulfillment
Behavior is not random—it is driven by innate needs. Dogs require opportunities to express species-specific behaviors such as chasing, biting, chewing, digging, and exploring. When these drives are unmet, they often manifest as what we label “problem behaviors.” By channeling these drives appropriately, we support both regulation and fulfillment.
These CORE principles form the foundation of my work.
Without them, training becomes mechanical, inconsistent, and often ineffective. Techniques may produce temporary results, but they do not create lasting change because they fail to address the underlying system driving behavior.
This means that before we talk about obedience, manners, or behavior modification, we have to shift our perspective.
Your dog’s behavior is not “good” or “bad.” It is an expression of their current nervous system state.
And just as importantly, it is often a reflection of the relational field you share. Dogs do not exist in isolation—they are constantly responding to the emotional and physiological environment around them. What you carry—your stress, your regulation, your presence—matters.
Once we begin to understand behavior through this lens, the work changes.
Instead of trying to control or suppress behavior, we focus on creating the conditions for regulation. We learn to work within the dog’s window of tolerance—and our own—supporting both systems in moving toward greater flexibility, safety, and connection.
We will connect with and engage your dog's energy through their natural drives. This ensures that before we start putting demands on them, we have fulfilled their biological needs. Biological needs are not limited to food/water/exercise. Biological fulfillment also includes satisfying your dog's specific level of drive, need for contact and connection, and their unique desire to overcome resistance. Some dogs may also have strong hunting/seeking behaviors, or a desire for conflict (bully breeds).
Before you train, evaluate the CORE and revisit as necessary.