Dog training code for nervous system regulation
I conducted a session with a former client the other day back in D.C. (*all clients receive heavily discounted sessions for life*).
As Life always teaches us (...especially these last years), the one constant is *change.*
Along with most of the nation, life has changed for Blu's "mom" in big ways. Rent increased, so she and her mother are having to move into her boyfriend's parents' house (what's happening in the world is crazy. 4 generations living under one roof is becoming a must in order to survive ... and the new norm. People having to group together because "life" is simply unaffordable right now. They're fortunate they have this option!). This, and she's also with child (Blu's going to be a big brother to a bouncing baby - human- boy).
As you can imagine, all the change going in his human's life (hormonally, added stress and anxiety of external circumstances, preparing for the unknown and unfamiliar, etc.) has impacted her nervous system--- and has also impacted Blu - which is being expressed through behavior.
Nervous system dysregulation has become the norm. Not just because of unresolved and unrecognized childhood trauma below the surface, but the trauma of these last years.
When our nervous systems are dysregulated.... when we don't feel safe.... it's *impossible* to help anyone else feel safe. No matter what we say. No matter what we do. And isn't this at the very core of what we all want to know and feel? Both human and dog?
Our nervous systems carry both an electrical and a chemical charge that's felt by others (especially dogs).
Regulated nervous systems send the message that "all is okay" and "we are safe."
Dysregulated nervous systems send the message that "there's danger" and "we're unsafe."
Someone who has a regulated nervous system can help another with a dysregulated system feel calm, grounded, and safe (this is called "co-regulation"; more commonly referred to in dog training lingo as "being calm and confident").
Dogs aren't just an excellent judge of character... but of nervous system regulation (this is also the beauty of - *true*- Service Dogs. Not all dogs have the genetic make-up, dispositions, and ability to do what these dogs do. Their bombproof nervous systems and training enable them to help us regulate). This is how their behaviors are a form of feedback.
We had a wonderful session, and it was so good to reconnect! Since there's quite a bit going on, we'll be meeting a few more times- but I have no doubt we'll get everyone back on track <3
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We go deeper into this in our newest book, "The Human End of the Leash: Dog Training's Missing Link". Pre-order this here:
https://packfit.thinkific.com
To help with nervous system regulation, an invaluable device I've been using (daily) is the Pulsetto (and they're having a 50% off sale right now!). It's a vagus nerve stimulator, and I can say with absolute confidence it's one billion percent effective (especially in moments of anxiety and overwhelm): https://www.packfit.net/trusted-partners
