Attending the live summit is FREE, plus each speaker will provide a complimentary digital gift!

The focus of my conversation with Marilyn is Human Trauma and The Reactive Dog: How Co-Regulation Can Support Healing at Both Ends of the Leash. We’ll talk about nervous system states, how dog and human nervous systems communicate with each other, how a somatic consent practice can support a sense of safety, and we will practice a co-regulation exercise that will help you find a calm state right now.

Monday, June 5 through Friday, June 9, 2023. Stay tuned for more details & the registration link!

New workbook - coming soon!

My Co-Regulation Workbook has 50 downloads! I had so much fun creating that workbook that I decided to make another one, and this time I need your help to get it off the ground.

This new workbook is called Sensory Safety Planning and was born out of my own struggles with including Muggins in social activities. Because of my neurodivergence, social interactions that include Muggins were overwhelming and I would freeze, preventing me from giving guidance to Muggins or asking others for support. By reflecting on the sensory experience, I have learned to develop a plan so that I can know what to say, use tools to feel more grounded, make requests for help, and set boundaries so that Muggins behaves better and everyone involved feels safe and connected.

Now, I am almost ready to share this workbook with you! But I need some testers to use the workbook and give me specific feedback so I can make sure it reflects the quality of my work and that it is truly supportive for you.

5 workbook testers get a FREE workbook!

Click below to send me your email address and I will send you a digital copy of the workbook. You will have 2 weeks to complete it and provide me with specific feedback and / or a testimonial. I will update the workbook based on your feedback (before it goes up for sale on my website) and I will use your testimonials on my website and socials to market the workbook. Only 5 free copies available!

By clicking above, you will send an email to Sharon to request a free digital copy of the Sensory Safety Planning workbook, under the agreement that you will complete the workbook and provide specific feedback and / or a testimonial via email by Friday, May 19, 2023.

I don’t know about you, but when my dog suddenly wakes from sleeping to bolt to the window and project a booming alarm bark, it really freaks me out! I am sensitive to loud sudden noises, and when they occur, my nervous system responds by shifting into a fight-or-flight state. I gasp, jump, cover my ears, feel angry, and sometimes yell. And when I wasn’t aware of this, I would reflexively yell AT Muggins. But when Muggins is letting out this alarm, they are also in a fight-or-flight state, which means that they don’t feel safe. And when I yell in response, I am confirming that the environment is dangerous.

So what do I do? With practice, I learned to follow these 3 steps:

1. Take a breath! As soon as I gasp or cover my ears, that’s a cue for me to take a deep breath (or three!). This deep breath calms me and prepares me provide support to Muggins.

2. Get some high value treats. By walking to the fridge to get some cheese, instead of first going to Muggins, I am giving some calming movement input to my body and I am making sure I have the tools I need to help Muggins.

3. Validate your dog’s feelings. When your voice is saying “be quiet!” the sound you are projecting is telling your dog that they are not safe. But, if you say “yes, that IS scary!” your voice will sound different - it will sound like you are in a social connected state (because you will be!) and your dog will feel seen and heard in their experience, which helps them feel safe and social connected, too (and that leads to calm!)

Wait, what about the cheese? Of course! The final step is to use the treats to practice something that draws your dog’s attention away from the window or rewards them for responding to the sound of your voice. You might start by just handing your dog some cheese (put it right under their nose), and keep doing so one piece right after the other (fast fast fast!). Soon, your dog will be paying more attention to the cheese than to what was out the window. And yes, this is easier said than done (especially in those unexpected and frightful moments), so make sure to practice BEFORE your dog is in that alarmed state.

I’m looking for 2 new coaching clients this month!

Available dates for FREE 30-minute affinity calls:

Tuesday, May 9 at 11am EST

Saturday, May 13, at 12pm EST

Monday, May 15 at 4:30pm EST

Consulting is also available!

Behavior - specializing in aggression, reactivity, & anxiety

Animal Assisted Intervention Best Practices

Adoption of Assistance or Emotional Support Dogs

Sessions are 60 min each, conducted virtually, with sliding scale pricing.

Thank you so much for being here.

Please use the code COLLAB to get 10% off any services.

Many thanks for reading this - I look forward to collaborating with you!

In warmth and light,

~ Sharon ~