Sound Dog Connection

Ann is an angel and my scared and reactive border collie mix knew that right away. Her space is thoughtfully designed so that your dog can feel safe exploring it. Ann is a dog behaviorist, which is very different from the obedience world I came from. We have not been doing dog "training" in the sense that I was used to and it has been exactly the break from the behavioral demands and commands that my girl needed. Training with Ann is more like a discovery of your dogs experience, so you can understand what is causing the reactivity and start on reprogramming the associations with the triggers. I can't tell you how much my heart soared the moment my border collie mix was not scared and defensive, rather totally able to take a treat and disengage with the dog while it was right next to her. Literally, their bodies were touching and she was happy to look up at my daughter and I and sniff the ground. Hallelujah. The games Ann has taught me to build up positive association in my dog's world and the sniff walks we are taking now are changing everything with our dynamic and her self-confidence. The combination of what Ann's taught me so far and listening to the audiobook, Inside of a Dog, has helped me to understand my dog immensely. It's pretty wild to realize how much I anthropomorphize(d) her experience and what that caused me to miss. Thank you!

I just completed the Paws To Connect class on dog anxiety and co-regulation, and I can’t recommend it enough. I walked in hoping to better understand my dog’s anxiety and reactivity, and I left with a completely new perspective — not just on my dog, but on myself. The class helped me approach my dog’s big feelings with more compassion and clarity instead of frustration. I learned practical tools to support his nervous system and, just as importantly, healthy coping strategies to regulate my own. The focus on co-regulation was incredibly powerful — it shifted the way I show up for my dog every day. If you have an anxious or reactive dog (or just want to deepen your connection), this class is truly invaluable.