The Truth About Balanced Training

Raising a Resilient Dog: How to Build Confidence and Emotional Strength

In a world full of unpredictable experiences—strangers, loud noises, new environments—dogs, just like people, need emotional tools to navigate it all. That’s where resilience comes in. A resilient dog isn’t a dog who never feels fear or anxiety, it’s a dog who can bounce back from stress, adapt to change, and recover from challenges with trust and confidence.

Resilience doesn’t just happen. It’s built intentionally over time through safe exposure, emotional support, and thoughtful guidance. Whether you’re raising a puppy or helping an older dog through past trauma, it’s never too late to help them become more emotionally adaptable.

What Does Resilience Look Like in Dogs?

A resilient dog may:
🐾 Recover quickly from startling events
🐾 Adapt well to new people, dogs, or environments
🐾 Handle minor frustrations without meltdowns
🐾 Take social or environmental feedback without shutting down
🐾 Try again after a mistake

In contrast, a dog lacking resilience may become overwhelmed, avoidant, or even reactive when life gets a little uncertain. READ MORE.

Sniff, Sip & Listen: An Herbal Dog Day Out

Sniff, Sip & Listen: An Herbal Dog Day Out is your chance to relax, learn, and enjoy some tail-wagging fun with your pup by your side. The event kicks off the night before with a live webinar led by Canine Behavior Specialist Nikki Ivey, where you’ll dive into how dogs use body language to avoid conflict and communicate more effectively.

Then, join us the next evening at Urban Dog Bar, Nashville’s favorite off-leash hangout, for a special book reading and signing with Canine Herbalist Rita Hogan. Rita will share highlights and insights from her new book on holistic dog care, offering practical ways to support your dog naturally from the inside out. While you sip on your favorite adult beverage and enjoy great food, your dog can play freely in the off-leash area—making this as fun for them as it is for you.

Plus, you’ll get to observe a mini dog communication session, giving you real-time insight into how dogs express themselves in social settings.

It’s the perfect mix of education, enrichment, and good old-fashioned fun—for both ends of the leash!

WEBINAR: Understanding Body Language for Anxious and Fearful Dogs

August 10th, 6pm CST
$24.99

Get Tickets HERE

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For as little as $5 a month, you can receive exclusive content such as how-to videos, personal talks with Nikki, and more. Plus, you will be supporting the DogSpeak podcast. Here’s a sneak peek of the content you may see.

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