Hi collaborator, 

The other day a client emailed me to celebrate a breakthrough she’d had with bathing her very fearful and touch-sensitive dog.  

She said, “I was just so excited because I’ve tried other things in the past and they haven’t worked!”

I’ve heard my other clients share similar experiences and I started to wonder…what is leading to these breakthroughs?

What came to mind is: Sensory Diets. 

A Sensory Diet is a customized daily routine with activities that give the body specific types and amounts of sensation so that you can feel organized, grounded, safe, and able to meet the day’s demands. Sensory Diets also include eliminating painful or uncomfortable sensations, while identifying supports or accommodations to alleviate stress from things that can’t be eliminated.

Sensory diets are effective because they help the body feel safe.

Human experiences like sensory overload, meltdowns, panic attacks or dissociation shift the body into a state where you can’t access the thinking part of your brain – this is why it’s so hard to use words or ask for help in those moments. (It’s also why you can’t “just relax” when someone suggests that you try this - ugh!)

Dog experiences like reactivity, anxiety, and aggression shift their bodies into a non-thinking state, which is why your dog has a hard time listening to your cues in moments of intense reactivity, or why they can’t stop barking even after you’ve explained to them that the cat across the street isn’t going to hurt them (anyone else struggling with reactivity to cats? lol)

I know you still wish your dog would just calm down when you tell them to – believe me, so do I! It can be so challenging, especially when their barking and reactivity is contributing to your sensory overload.

But there is a way to get to that calm state, and it might be easier than you think.

I know you’ve already tried everything, but if you haven’t yet tried a Sensory Diet, your breakthrough could be just one click away.