From Spinning to Self-Regulating: Kaya’s Journey to Calm

From Spinning to Self-Regulating: Kaya’s Journey to Calm

You’ve tried everything. The endless walks, the new toys, maybe even a special diet. But still, your dog struggles with anxiety, turning everyday situations into a whirlwind of stress for both of you. You dream of calm walks, confident greetings, and a happy pup who can relax by your side. If this sounds familiar, you’re in the right place.

At Summit Dog Training, we believe in empowering adventures for dogs and their humans through positive reinforcement. We know firsthand the challenges that come with a dog who struggles with big emotions, and we're here to share how we helped Julianne and her sweet Mini Aussie, Kaya, transform their lives.

Ready to see how positive reinforcement can help your dog thrive? Contact the Summit Dog Training team with your dog training questions today!

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From Spinning to Self-Regulating: Kaya’s Journey to Calm

Meet Kaya, a Mini Aussie with a heart full of big feelings. When Julianne first came to Summit Dog Training, Kaya was a whirlwind of excitement and anxiety. She struggled with self-regulation, often "spinning out of control" in various situations. Life with Kaya before training was a constant challenge. Julianne described her as, “a ball of constant anxiety with destructive tendencies and uncontrollable on walks.”

Julianne's goals for Kaya were clear: 

1. A dog who could focus, even with distractions like other dogs, people, or fast-moving vehicles.

2. Kaya to be able to self-regulate her anxiety and not have to rely on Julianne 100% of the time.

3. For Kaya to be able to walk calmly on a leash. 

The Summit Dog Training Approach: Tailored Support for Big Feelings

At Summit Dog Training, we understand that every dog is unique, and their training journey should be too. For Kaya, we designed a comprehensive training plan utilizing several of our key services, focusing on building her confidence and teaching her valuable coping mechanisms. Julianne engaged in both group classes and individualized guidance to address Kaya's specific needs as she grew from a young dog to a confident adult:

• Private Lessons: First, Julianne utilized Summit’s online private lessons for guidance during Kaya’s transition of being adopted and in a new routine. The first step in every training journey is asking for help! During our online lessons together, we learned more about Kaya’s behaviors and assisted Julianne with management ideas in her home while they settled in together. 

• Smells Like Teen Spirit: This Level 1 group class is specifically designed to help adolescent dogs navigate their "teenage phase" with confidence and self-control. For Kaya, this was crucial in addressing her over-excitement and anxiety, teaching her foundational behaviors like polite greetings and how to handle "big feelings" in various environments.

• Loose Leash Walking: In this Level 2 group class, we worked with Julianne and Kaya to teach Kaya to walk politely on a leash, fostering a more relaxed and connected walking experience. 

• Agility Foundations: Agility is a fantastic way to build focus, body awareness, and a strong bond between dog and handler. The foundational skills and mental stimulation that come from agility work provide a structured outlet for Kaya's energy and help her learn to channel her excitement into productive tasks.

• Educational Workshops: Julianne also took initiative to teach herself how to support Kaya by attending multiple workshops and events at Summit Dog Training. 

The Transformation: A Calmer, Happier Kaya

The dedication of Julianne and the expert guidance from the Summit Dog Training team led to an incredible transformation for Kaya. Today, life with Kaya is dramatically different and much more peaceful:

• Anxiety under control: Kaya's anxiety is now manageable 95% of the time! She has learned invaluable self-regulation skills, demonstrating a remarkable ability to process her feelings.

• Calm and collected on walks: Loose leash walking is now the norm, making walks enjoyable for both Julianne and Kaya. The pulling and lunging that once made walks a struggle are largely gone.

• No more destructive behaviors: The pacing, indoor accidents, and destructive chewing are a thing of the past. Kaya no longer needs constant supervision to prevent unwanted behaviors.

• Polite greetings: While she still gets excited when people visit, Kaya has learned to sit for greetings, allowing for calm and enjoyable interactions instead of jumping and overwhelming guests. 

• Improved barking control: Her barking is much more controlled, and Julianne has developed effective strategies for calling her away from distractions like people walking by the fence.

Julianne's heartfelt testimony speaks volumes about the impact Summit Dog Training had on their lives:

"Summit is extraordinary!!! I’m not sure where I’d be had they not been there for me. The trainer's expertise in working with dogs with trauma and high anxiety is absolutely incredible! Every trainer we worked with gave me more skills to use. Thanks to Summit, Kaya has learned how to deal with her feelings and has become a wonderful dog!!! I am forever grateful to them for all of their help. I find myself recommending them often to people I run into on our walks. Thank You!"

Your Dog’s Adventure Awaits!

Kaya's story is a beautiful example of how positive reinforcement training can empower dogs to overcome challenges and truly thrive. It’s about more than just teaching commands; it’s about understanding your dog’s emotions, building trust, and providing them with the tools they need to navigate the world confidently and calmly. We believe that with the right support, dogs can learn to manage their "big feelings" and enjoy a more fulfilling life alongside their human.

If you’re a dog parent facing similar challenges with your furry friend, know that you’re not alone, and there is hope! Imagine enjoying peaceful walks, confident greetings, and a deeper bond with your happy, well-adjusted companion.

Ready to start your dog’s transformation journey? Whether it's a specific group class or if you're seeking more personalized guidance, contact the Summit Dog Training team today to discuss your training needs and discover how positive reinforcement can help your pup live their best life!

Mastering Emotional Regulation: Signs of Stress in Your Dog and How You Can Help

Mastering Emotional Regulation: Signs of Stress in Your Dog and How You Can Help

By: Hannah Barnes

Ever wonder what's going on in your dog's head? Dogs, just like us, experience a kaleidoscope of emotions – joy, fear, anxiety, and everything in between. And just like us, they need healthy ways to manage those emotions. That's where emotional regulation comes in!

Emotional regulation, simply put, is the ability to handle those big feelings effectively. It's not about suppressing emotions, but rather about experiencing them fully and having the tools to navigate them in a healthy way.

In this post, we’re diving into signs of stress in dogs and ways that you can easily support their ability to self-regulate.

Summit Dog Training offers positive reinforcement-based training classes to address a wide range of behavioral challenges. Our certified, professional dog trainers utilize known outlets for emotional regulation to help dogs work through their emotions and expand their world into the classroom and beyond. Get started today!

Why is emotional regulation important for dogs?

Think of it like this: good emotional regulation is like having a superpower for your dog. It helps them:

• Conquer stress & anxiety: Life can be stressful! Emotional regulation helps dogs manage stress and anxiety, leading to a calmer, happier pup.

• Build healthy, respectful relationships: It helps them communicate better with you and other furry friends, reducing conflict and strengthening bonds.

• Make smart choices: A well-regulated dog is better equipped to make good decisions, even in challenging situations.

• Boost overall well-being: Emotional regulation leads to a more balanced and content canine companion.

Spotting signs of stress:

Your dog might already be a master of emotional regulation, using these techniques:

• Licking: Licking naturally releases endorphins in your dog’s system, promoting relaxation.

• Yawning: Not always a sign of tiredness, yawning can help regulate breathing and heart rate, reducing your dog’s stress.

• Shaking off: Literally shaking off the stress!

• Chewing: A classic stress reliever, chewing provides a positive outlet for anxious energy.

• Sniffing: Deep sniffing for 10 or more seconds can lower heart rate and boost dopamine, helping your dog chill out.

Is your dog stressed?

Knowing the signs that your dog is dealing with stress is crucial to your ability to help them cope. In addition to the above signs of stress, keep an eye out for:

• Lip licking (also called tongue flicking)

• Whale eye (seeing the whites of their eyes)

• Sudden stiffness in the body or individual body parts

• Prolonged staring

• Drooling

How you can help:

Become the expert on your dog’s body language: Learn to read your dog's subtle cues. They're talking to you, even without words!

• Provide outlets: Giving your dog something to chew on, lick, or sniff provides them with an appropriate outlet for emotional regulation. Lick mats, snuffle boxes, and chewies from your local pet store are all wonderful options.

• Create a safe space: Provide a designated safe space where your dog can retreat when feeling overwhelmed. This could be a crate, bed, or quiet corner in your home. This space should be accessible to your dog at any time.

• Minimize stressors: Loud noises, unfamiliar people, or chaotic environments can trigger anxiety. Do your best to keep things calm and predictable.

• Physical contact: Sometimes, a gentle touch can work wonders, but pay attention to your dog's response. Not all dogs find touch comforting in stressful situations. If they move away or lick your hand until you stop touching them, they may not find touch helpful in their current state.

• Stay calm: Your dog is highly attuned to your emotions. If you're stressed, they'll feel it too. Practice your own emotional regulation techniques! Provide yourself with ways to manage your own stress, like fidget devices or breathing exercises.

• Seek professional help when needed: When in doubt, it may be a good idea to consult a vet to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to your dog's emotional challenges. If your dog's emotional issues are severe or persistent, seek professional help from a certified dog behaviorist and/or training professional.

By understanding and supporting your dog's emotional well-being, you're not just training a dog, you're nurturing a happy, healthy, and resilient member of your family.

Is your dog struggling with big feelings? Summit Dog Training offers positive, solutions-oriented classes led by certified professionals. We help dogs learn to regulate their emotions, build confidence and unlock their full potential both inside and outside the classroom. Contact us today!