Hello!

 

I’m Lori.

 

Who I perceive myself to be and how you see me are two distinct perspectives.

 

To me, I'm just a person who was offered unique opportunities to collect over 20 years of experience in animal behavior!

 

To you, I represent a resource for understanding your dog's "language" and learning how to use it to modify their behavior.

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 My Journey

 

In my early twenties, I was working as a veterinary technician, but needed a part-time job.

 

While exploring local job opportunities, I stumbled upon an opening at a dog daycare. “Hmm, dog daycare. What on earth is that?”

 

That turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me!

 

I was suddenly surrounded by 20 to 30 large dogs with minimal guidance on how to manage the situation!

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Sink or swim

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I’m a swimmer! I’ve always loved the water!

 

With no choice but to adapt, I had to learn how to navigate this new environment if I wanted to succeed.

 

Initially, my instinct was to stay close to the dogs, ensuring I was nearby in case anything went awry.

 

Day after day, I immersed myself in these dog groups and began to observe their interactions.

 

Eventually, a light bulb went off in my mind. What if I interacted with them as they do with one another?

 

I began using body blocking when I sensed they were getting a bit too rowdy... and guess what? It worked!

 

Every day, I tried something new based on their behaviors, and I was amazed!

 

I had discovered how to communicate with them without using words!

 

 Expanding My Knowledge

 

After a few years, I started training dogs on the side, eager to expand my knowledge (not realizing I had already learned so much from the dogs).

 

After reading books and conducting research, I began following the “by the book” training methods. It was okay, but I found that while dogs learned the skills, they still struggled with behavioral issues.

 

I faced similar challenges while training the puppy I had adopted.

 

Feeling lost, I began experimenting with my dog, combining what I had learned from the daycare with his training.

 

Oh... my... gosh!!!

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It was as if a whole new world unfolded between us!

 

He started learning things in no time! The behavioral challenges (like lunging at dogs during walks, experiencing major anxiety, and not responding to commands) began to dissipate.

 

Skills alone weren't sufficient.  I had started communicating with him in HIS language.

 

Now, we truly understood each other!

 

He could express his feelings, and I was able to assist him with whatever made him uncomfortable.

 

I guided and protected him so he wouldn’t be overwhelmed by anxiety or the need to cope alone.

 

From that moment on, I knew what I needed to do.

 

These dogs I was training required their owners to truly understand them.

 

The neat tricks—like learning to heel, sit, stay, turn around, and wait—were just part of the equation.

 

They can certainly learn new skills, but what they really need is our understanding of their canine nature and our willingness to learn this.

 

They’ve learned so much about us and how we operate… it’s time for us to learn how they function.

 

Yours truly,