Happy Walks for Happy Dogs

We’ve had lots of fun walks this week. Happy faces, soggy faces, and “having the time of my life!” faces:


Always Learning – Co-regulation to keep calm

Jack Russell cuddles

This week I have been reflecting on co-regulation. Our bodies naturally mirror the body language of those around us (for the geeks out there, this is due to mirror neurons). This might explain why the yawn is so catching! We can use this to our advantage when we are feeling big emotions: having someone with a calming presence nearby can help us to regulate those emotions and stay calm ourselves.

We can use this knowledge to benefit our dogs. For example, if they are scared by a loud noise, we can speak calmly to give them reassurance. It works with the positive feelings too. Does your dog sometimes go a bit hyperactive? Try sitting quietly and see if they copy you. This is the one situation where I actively recommend getting your phone out for some scrolling time, since it helps us to sit still!

If you’d like to learn more, please get in touch for a 1-2-1 masterclass.

Let me know if you’ve had any examples of co-regulation that have worked with your dog.


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