I’ve always written for the same reason I’ve studied behavior: to understand what’s underneath what we can see—and then find a way to share that understanding with others.
Over the years, that work has taken many forms: books, magazine articles, online courses, masterclasses, educational programs, social media posts, and the occasional story that needed to be told.
Different formats. Different subjects. Different seasons of my life. But most of it begins with a question—or something I notice that makes me stop and look closer.
What’s really happening here?
And then I follow it.
Dog Training’s Missing Link
The Human End of the Leash
Dog training has spent a very long time looking at the dog.
The Human End of the Leash turns the lens around.
Because the dog is only one half of the conversation.
Four years in the writing, this book goes deeper into the whys beneath what we see—what drives responses, reactions, choices, communication, and behavior on both ends of the leash—and into all the things happening at the human end of the leash that conventional dog training so often leaves out of the conversation.
The book goes deeper into
behavior · psychology · attachment · trauma · nervous-system awareness · emotional health · human patterns · relationships · responsibility · perception
Before the work turned toward the human end of the leash, I was writing about the everyday realities of living with, understanding, and teaching dogs.
My Dog, My Buddha marked a shift—from writing primarily about what we teach dogs to exploring what they might be teaching us.
Some books come from a different place. These are the ones the work asked me to write from the heart, not the head.
Little Todd Finds His Forever Home
The first book in the Forever Home children’s book series—the story of how one of those four dogs found his way to me.
The Forever Home series is ongoing. Each dog has a different story. Each became a huge part of mine.
Articles and essays exploring canine behavior, the human–dog relationship, health, rescue, and the many things happening beneath what we can see.
I am a contributing writer for Animal Wellness Magazine.
Beyond Obedience: Why Your Dog Needs Behavioral Training Too
February 27, 2023
Obedience training and behavioral training are distinct types of teaching, and pet parents who want well-rounded, well-behaved dogs that are happy, calm, and relaxed must focus on both.
Read ArticleEnergy in Dog Training and Why It Matters
June 12, 2023
Energy is the language of life, but it is one of the most neglected ingredients in dog training and behavior. Ignoring the energetic piece of the puzzle can mean more stress, strain, and struggle on both ends of the leash.
Read ArticleThe Causes and Effects of Canine Trauma and Helping a Dog Heal
October 3, 2024
Canine trauma is an internal response to distressing external events, unique to each dog. A look at the causes, how trauma manifests, and how to help a dog through it.
Read ArticleThe Walk: The Human-Canine Relationship
The walk is one of the most honest reflections of the human-canine dynamic. What goes on outside closed doors serves as a reflection for what goes on behind them.
Read ArticleThe Challenge with “Aggressive” Dogs and Rescue
A sensitive look at “aggressive” behavior, the trauma dogs experience when given up on, and the responsibility that falls on both ends of the leash.
Read ArticleWhy We Must Reframe the Public Dog Park
Most trainers advise against dog park visits. A look at what the dog park should represent versus what it too often is, and why we must rethink how we use it.
Read ArticleThe Great Dog Food Dilemma
The fundamentals of nutrition are the same for dogs and humans. A look at what real food means for our dogs, and the difference between feeding and nourishing.
Read ArticleRedefining “Behavior” in Dogs
July 1, 2019
PACKFIT breaks “behavior” into classroom behavior and real-world, functional behavior, and makes the case for a holistic approach that speaks to all four intersecting bodies of a dog’s being.
Read ArticleDogs and the Detriment of “Story”
How the “stories” we attach to our dogs — especially rescue dogs — can keep the past alive and prevent forward movement, and why understanding the dog in front of us matters.
Read ArticleState of Mind: Conditioning the ON and OFF Switch
November 15, 2021
Working dogs are bred to work, but classical conditioning around the kennel door can create problems. A look at conditioning both the “on” and “off” switch — excitement and calm — to maximize potential and improve quality of life.
Read ArticleMeet Kimberly Artley
July 3, 2023
An interview profiling Kimberly Artley and the story behind PackFit — her mission, her “game-changer” dog Lobo, and the unconventional holistic approach that grew from that experience.
Read ArticleThe original Zen of Dog Training article series, published in The Virginia–Maryland Dog and The Virginia–Maryland–Washington DC Dog Magazine.
The Zen of Dog Training: Part 1
Dog. Canis Lupus Familiaris. Man and Woman’s Best Friend.
The Virginia–Maryland Dog · Winter/Holiday 2014
Read PDFThe Zen of Dog Training: Part 3
What dogs bring genetically as a breed
The Virginia–Maryland Dog · Summer 2015
Read PDFThe Zen of Dog Training: Part 4
Environmental Impact
The Virginia–Maryland–Washington DC Dog · Fall 2015
Read PDFThe Zen of Dog Training: Part 5
Walk Like a Boss
The Virginia–Maryland–Washington DC Dog · Winter/Holiday 2015
Read PDFThe Zen of Dog Training: Part 6
Exercise—Good For the Body, Great For the Mind
The Virginia–Maryland–Washington DC Dog · Spring 2016
Read PDFThe Zen of Dog Training: Part 7
(Real) Food is Medicine
The Virginia–Maryland–Washington DC Dog · Summer 2016
Read PDF