Episode 114. Help Your Dog Feel Safe with Andrew Hale’s Dog-Centered Care

What’s more important to you: What your dog does?  Or how your dog feels? This question is at the core of Andrew Hale’s Dog Centered Care approach.

An emerging thought leader in the dog training world, Andrew draws on his background in human psychology to place empathy and a deep understanding of a dog’s emotional experience at the heart of his work. He’ll even share with us his biggest ethical dilemma with the field of dog training.

You might want to have a notebook handy as Andrew breaks down concepts for us such as: his “safety first” protocol, his Learn – Support – Teach mantra, and how the 3 A’s of psychology relate to dog training.

Andrew and I also discuss common challenges faced by pet parents, including the cycle of conflict triggered by a dog's reactivity, and how to emotionally navigate those moments when tough decisions must be made for your fearful or reactive dog, such as an emergency vet visit.

You can find Andrew in his Dog Centered Care Facebook Group or YouTube channel.

Andrew & I discuss:

  • His mother’s lifelong influence on his relationship with dogs;

  • His “Safety First” protocol means physical, emotional and social safety;

  • Safety should also mean safety to communicate feelings – which in dogs is through their behavior;

  • Who decides what behavior is “good” or “bad”?;

  • Understanding the “conflict cycle” when a human is triggered by their dog’s reactivity;

  • The 3 A’s in psychology and how these apply to dog training;

  • How Andrew went from working in psychology to becoming a dog trainer;

  • Andrew’s biggest ethical dilemma as a dog trainer;

  • Why training shouldn’t be the most important goal of the first year of a dog’s life and what should be instead;

  • Andrew’s Learn – Support – Teach mantra;

  • Shifting from a task-oriented to a care-oriented relationship with your dog;

  • How pet parents should navigate stressful times with our dogs;

  • Andrew’s work with reactive, aggressive and dangerous dogs - and what we can all learn from this

Where to Find Andrew:

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