Blog — training advice

Moving Well = Feeling Well Your dog is asking one simple question:“How much energy can I move with you?” Dogs are wired for movement. When prey drive or play drive is activated—they need to move.When fight or flight energy kicks in—they need to move.When they feel excitement, attraction, or curiosity toward another dog, person, or environment—that energy needs somewhere to go. And in those moments, you need to become the outlet. Because asking a dog in that state to sit still, make eye contact, or hold a down-stay doesn’t resolve what they’re feeling internally. It may suppress the behavior temporarily,...

The Somatic Hound Podcast is all about how to use somatic technology with your canine companion, helping you and your best doggie friend co-regulate and live a happy life together! I was honored to speak with Karishma Warr from Calm Canine Academy, all about biological fulfillment for your dog and how this affects their nervous system.     Subscribe on Spotify Support the show

When you listen to your dog, your dog learns to listen to you. But what does that actually mean? It goes deeper than obedience. It’s not about commands—it’s about connection. Your dog is incredibly attuned to your internal state. In many ways, they reflect your nervous system back to you. When you’re tense, rushed, or overwhelmed, your dog feels it. When you’re grounded, present, and calm, your dog feels that too. So the relationship starts with you. When you learn to listen to your own body—when you slow down, regulate your breathing, and create habits that support your well-being—you send...

It’s completely normal to feel frustrated, irritated, or even disappointed at times when working with your dog. After all, dogs don’t speak our language, and communication can be challenging. On top of that, most dogs come with their own quirks—and some come with deeper emotional struggles like fear, reactivity, or anxiety. But here’s an important question to sit with: Can you love your dog exactly as they are, right now? Can you accept them with their flaws, their fears, and their imperfections—without immediately trying to fix or change them? This doesn’t mean you don’t train or set boundaries. It means...

The Problem Your dog starts “talking smack” at another dog. My dog reacts. Your dog escalates. Then the neighbor’s dog joins in—and suddenly we’ve got lunging, barking, and a full-blown neighborhood bark party. Sound familiar? The real question is: why does it escalate so quickly—and how do we stop it? What We Need to Understand 1. Dogs read body language instantly Long before dogs get close to each other, they’ve already assessed posture, tension, movement, and intent. This happens in a split second. 2. Dogs are better at this than we are Body language is their primary language. Their survival...