Episode 118. Both Ends of the Leash: Evolving as a Pet Parent with Sylvie Savage

What if it’s our end of the leash that needs to change?  When we’re struggling with our dog’s behavior, Sylvie Savage wants us to consider that it might be the human end of the leash that needs to evolve.

In her new book Unleash: How to Evolve from Dog Training to Dog Parenting, Sylvie encourages us to examine our guilt, judgments, expectations and dysregulation – and how these human traits impact our relationship with our dogs. 

As a Human-Canine Relationship Specialist, Sylvie is quick to tell us that she’s not a dog trainer – and she doesn’t want you to expect more from your dog.  Instead, Sylvie gives us a crash course in how to truly see, appreciate and honor our dog’s own individuality.

Have you ever thought about your values as a Pet Parent?  And whether your actions align with your values?  

Sylvie vulnerably shares with us the mistakes she made with her dog, Mollie, when she wasn’t acting in alignment, along with the exercise she developed to help us avoid harming our bond with our dogs.

Sylvie & I discuss:

  • Her early experiences with animals in her life;

  • Our expectations for our dogs and where these might originate from;

  • Sylvie’s differing experiences with her dogs, Oscar and Mollie;

  • Examining your values as a pet parent;

  • What is dysregulation? And how is it affecting our relationship with our dogs?

  • Dog Mom Guilt – when is it actually a good thing? And when is it toxic?

  • How Sylvie’s book helped me validate some of the choices we’ve made for our dogs;

  • Meeting our dog where they’re at;

  • How our dog’s health affects their behavior;

  • The connection between our dog’s body language and their emotions;

  • How Sylvie started working in the pet world.

Find Sylvie & Unleash:

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