What’s next for virtual classes?

We will be zooming in on the nervous system for my next class called Everything But The Words! This 2-hour class will support you in becoming aware of the subconscious communication that occurs between your and your dog’s nervous systems so that you can recognize and communicate your needs, effectively interpret your dog’s behavior, and proactively reduce stress for both of you.

Some experiences with anxiety…

As I make progress in building human canine collaborative, I have been experiencing an increase in anxiety. For me, this looks like not having an appetite, trouble falling asleep, waking too early, feeling really self-critical, and being irritable.

Muggins feels this rise in anxiety. The day after the Intro to Co-Regulation workshop, Tom poked his head into my office with a concern that Muggins was biting their nails and wouldn’t respond to redirection. This may sound like a familiar symptom of anxiety…for humans, but this was something that we had never seen in Muggins before.

While nail biting can be a sign that something might be physically wrong with the body, excessive grooming and self-mutilation behaviors can also be signs of anxiety in dogs. Since the day that Tom alerted me to this behavior, Muggins has been observed to bite their nails several times per week, Thankfully (so far) they have not caused any real damage, but both Tom and I are significantly concerned.

So what can be done?

Any time a brand new behavior comes up, the first step is a trip to the vet to rule out an underlying medical condition

Muggins has an appointment on Monday to explore the potential medical side of their new behavior.

In the mean time…

While we are waiting to see what the veterinarian says, I make sure that Muggins experiences a consistent daily routine bolstered with stress-relieving activities.

These activities include:

• sniffing, and lots of it! (we play hide and seek, sniff on walks, and find food that I toss in the yard)

• walking

• chewing when transitioning between a “together activity” and “alone time”

  • A recent conversation with Nikki (a canine nutrition expert at The Canine Health Nut) shed some new light on safe chewing items. Nikki says to use the “Rule of Thumb” to determine if a chew is too hard (and therefore a risk for a cracked tooth). This rule means to press your thumb nail into the chew - if you can make a dent, it’s safe!

• and…

…addressing the underlying anxiety

The first step to address Muggins’s underlying anxiety, is to address my own anxiety. Think of it like this: when you are on an airplane and the masks come down, you need to put your own mask on first before helping others. If you don’t, you will run out of air and you won’t be able to help anyone.

If I am not okay, Muggins will not be okay.

Some things I do to address MY underlying anxiety include:

• breathing with Muggins for at least 5 minutes every day

• practicing Yoga

• working with an amazing neuro-art therapist

• sleeping with a weighted blanket

• journaling

• taking breaks from work to walk or play with Muggins

• meeting with my dear friend Meenadchi to breathe and release those negative thoughts

The strategies that support me and Muggins, might also help you and your dog, or you might have completely different strategies that you find helpful. Each of us (and each of our dogs) is unique. We have different daily routines, different sensory preferences, and different needs.

Co-regulation Coaching is a service to support you in cultivating skills to know what you need and to help you build a toolkit of daily strategies so that you and your dog can experience decreased stress and anxiety, and so that you can both do the things you need and want to do everyday.

Want a taste of Co-regulation Coaching?

I am offering free “mini” coaching sessions to new IG followers over the next few weeks. Head over to my instagram by clicking the link below. Hit “follow” and wait for a DM from me (or send me a DM) and I will get you the link to sign up!