Why I do what I do?
I started Loyal Pawrenting because I’ve seen what happens when good intentions meet misunderstanding.
In shelters, I’ve watched incredible dogs lose hope simply because no one knew how to listen to what they were trying to say. In homes, I’ve seen families blame themselves—or their dogs—for problems that were really just miscommunications between two species.
I do this work because I believe education changes everything.
When a guardian learns to see behavior as communication instead of defiance, a bridge forms. When a child learns that dogs have emotions, preferences, and fears, compassion takes root. Those lessons ripple outward—creating a world where empathy becomes instinctive, and welfare begins long before a dog ever enters a shelter.
My purpose is to nurture that ripple.
Through relationship-centered coaching and family education, I help humans and dogs rediscover each other—not as owner and pet, but as partners. Because when we raise the next generation of guardians to lead with curiosity and kindness, the future of animal welfare looks brighter than today.
Values
The core values of Loyal Pawrenting are centered around creating a nurturing and supportive environment that fosters emotional growth, resilience, and strong relationships. Here are the key core values:
Safety & Security
Ensuring dogs feel physically and emotionally protected to build trust and bonding.
Trust & Attachment
Strengthening secure attachments through consistent, caring interactions.
Empathy & Understanding
Recognizing and responding to dogs' emotions with compassion.
Consistency & Boundaries
Establishing clear boundaries and routines to provide stability and confidence.
Playfulness & Connection
Using play for learning, enrichment, and building joyful interactions.
Acceptance & Curiosity
Embracing each dog's individuality and seeking to understand their behaviors without judgment.
Positive Reinforcement
Focusing on non-punitive, gentle strategies that teach and guide, rather than punish.
Emotional Resilience
Helping dogs manage stress, regulate emotions, and develop confidence.
Principles
I follow the HEARTS Principles, a framework originally developed by experts worldwide to support at-risk and adoptive families of children. Interestingly, these principles align perfectly with modern research on animal welfare and are embraced by progressive dog professionals. HEARTS takes into account a dog’s physiological, emotional, and medical needs when creating individualized care plans, much like we would for a child. It also mirrors key elements from established frameworks, like those of Abraham Maslow and Jaak Panksepp, ensuring a holistic, compassionate approach to each dog’s well-being.
| Acronym | |
|---|---|
| H | Heal the body |
| E | Enrich and optimize the brain |
| A | Appropriate environments with felt safety |
| R | Respectful and secure relationships |
| T | Teach sensitivity and positively |
| S | Support the individual |
In practice, this might mean starting with addressing any physical discomfort before working on behavioral goals, or creating calm environments before introducing new skills. This approach means your dog learns faster because they feel safe, and you see lasting results built on trust rather than fear.
#Training treats
🦴#TrainingTreat of the Week 👶🐶
Babies grow, dogs age, adjust at every stage.
This @familypawsofficial phrase is one of my favorites because it reminds us that relationships are dynamic, not static.
Your dog’s needs, comfort levels, and preferences will shift over time, just like your child’s. What works today might not tomorrow, and that’s okay.
🐾 A senior dog may need more rest.
👶 A crawling baby brings new movement and sounds.
🔄 Adjustments aren’t setbacks—they’re part of growing together.
Make space for those changes with curiosity and compassion. The more we observe, listen, and adapt, the stronger and safer the bond becomes for everyone. ❤️
✨ Expecting a baby or raising little ones alongside your dog? I’d love to help you build a plan that works for your unique family. Send me a message to learn how together, we can support your dog—and your child—at every stage.
#LoyalPawrenting #FamilyPaws #DogAndBabySafety #ParentingWithDogs #RespectTheRelationship #DogsAreFamily #TrainingWithEmpathy
🦴 #TrainingTreat of the Week 🚫🐶
Not every dog enjoys hugs, kisses, or being pet by surprise—and that’s okay.
Your dog should always have the option to say “no thanks” to interactions they don’t like.
💬 Turning away?
🐾 Ducking your hand?
👀 Giving the side-eye or lip licking?
Those are your pup’s unsubscribe buttons. Respecting them builds trust and helps your dog feel safe in your care. 💖
Boundaries aren’t a rejection—they’re a request for understanding. 🐾
#LoyalPawrenting #BoundariesMatter #DogConsent #TrainingWithRespect #ListenToYourDog
👇 Spanish Translation can be found in the comments ❤️
🦴 #TrainingTreat of the Week 🛏️🌳
After a hike, a trip to the vet, a playdate, or even a long walk in a new place, your pup needs time to decompress.
Just like us, after a big day, dogs benefit from quiet time to reset their nervous system. 🧠💤
✨ Plan chill-out sessions after exciting adventures.
Think cozy naps, snuffle mats, or calming music.
Because every great party needs an after-party nap. 😴🐾
#LoyalPawrenting #RestIsTrainingToo #PuppyRecoveryTime #DogCareTips #AfterAdventureNap
👇 Spanish Translation can be found in the comments ❤️
🦴 #TrainingTreat of the Week 🙅♀️🐶
Dogs may not use words, but they absolutely say “no.”
Growling, lip licking, turning away, freezing, cowering—these are all signs your dog is uncomfortable or overwhelmed.
✋ Respect those signals.
Consent isn’t just for humans—it’s how we build trust with our pups, too. 💖
When we honor their boundaries, they learn they’re safe with us—and that’s the foundation of a great relationship. 🐾
#LoyalPawrenting #ConsentBasedTraining #DogBodyLanguage #TrustYourDog #TrainingWithEmpathy
👇 Spanish Translation can be found in the comments ❤️
🦴 #TrainingTreat of the Week 🍽️🧩
Mealtime doesn’t just have to be about calories—it can be about confidence, too! 💪🐶
Using puzzle toys occasionally during meals turns feeding time into thinking time.
Your dog gets to problem-solve, slow down, and feel a sense of accomplishment with every bite.
✨ Because feeling accomplished really does taste better!
#LoyalPawrenting #PuzzleFeeding #EnrichmentForDogs #TrainingTreats #MentalStimulationMatters
👇 Spanish Translation can be found in the comments ❤️
🦴 #TrainingTreat of the Week 🐾
When a dog “misbehaves,” it’s easy to label them as stubborn, disobedient, or defiant... 😤
But what if that “disobedience” is really just a signal that something’s off?
Before correcting the behavior, ask yourself:
💤 Are they tired?
😨 Are they scared?
❓ Are they confused?
😩 Are they overwhelmed or bored?
Dogs don’t act out for no reason—every behavior is a form of communication. Often, it’s a cry for help we haven’t yet understood.
Meet the need, and the behavior makes much more sense. 💖
#LoyalPawrenting #CompassionOverCorrection #DogTrainingTips #BehaviorIsCommunication #NeedsNotNaughtiness
👇 Spanish Translation can be found in the comments ❤️
🦴 #TrainingTreat of the Week 💭🐾
When your dog chews your shoe, barks nonstop, or ignores a cue, it’s tempting to ask:
“How do I stop this?” 😩
But here’s a more powerful question:
“Why is this happening?” 🤔
Chewing might mean they’re bored, teething, or stressed.
Barking could be frustration, excitement, or fear.
When we pause to understand the why behind the behavior, we unlock long-term solutions—and a stronger connection. 🧠💖
Because real change doesn’t come from punishment—it comes from insight.
#LoyalPawrenting #DogTrainingTips #TrainWithEmpathy #UnderstandYourDog #CompassionOverCorrection
👇 Spanish Translation can be found in the comments ❤️
🦴 #TrainingTreat of the Week 💡🍩
Let’s be real: if you leave a donut on the table and your dog eats it… is that bad behavior or just smart scavenging? 🤷♀️🐶
Instead of waiting for your dog to make a “mistake,” set them up for success!
That means managing the environment before temptation strikes:
✅ Keep food out of reach
✅ Use baby gates or crates when needed
✅ Provide chew toys or enrichment to redirect energy
🧠 Prevention is so much easier—and kinder—than correction. Because when we change the environment, we don’t have to change the dog. 💖
#LoyalPawrenting #PreventionNotPunishment #DogTrainingTips #SetThemUpForSuccess #PositiveDogTraining
👇 Spanish Translation can be found in the comments ❤️
MY #PawsitiveInfluences
This week, I want to shine a light on someone who’s had a massive impact on how I think, learn, and connect with others in the dog behavior world: @familydogmediation Kim Brophey, applied ethologist and founder of Family Dog Mediation®. 💛
One of the things I admire most about Kim is her constant reminder to “leave your ego at the door.” In a field that can sometimes feel competitive or guarded, Kim has built a welcoming community where trainers and behavior professionals can show up authentically, ask questions without fear, and share ideas with openness and curiosity.
Thanks to her and the L.E.G.S. model, I’ve learned to stop looking at behavior in a vacuum. I now see the whole dog—their learning, environment, genetics, and self—and that shift has made all the difference in how I support families, especially in the sheltering space.
Meeting Kim in person at the 2025 L.E.G.S. in Motion Conference was such a full-circle moment. Her warmth, brilliance, and generosity only deepened my respect for the work she’s done—and the movement she’s sparked. ✨
Thank you, Kim, for showing us what true leadership and community look like. You are a true #PawsitiveInfluence. 🐾
Interested in enrolling in the L.E.G.S. course? Learn more here: https://kimbropheylegscourses.thinkific.com/pages/pro-landing-page
#FamilyDogMediation #LEGSmodel #DogEthology #RelationshipCenteredTraining #ShelterDogsMatter #DogBehaviorSupport #LoyalPawrenting #LoyalToLearning
👇 Spanish translation in the comments ❤️
🌟 #PawsitiveInfluence 🌟
This month, I want to highlight the incredible impact that Dr. Rox at Arkle Veterinary Care had—not only on my journey as a trainer, but on my relationship with my pup, Coco.
When my husband and I moved to Smyrna in 2022, Coco’s first local vet visit was with Dr. Rox. Because Coco was born during COVID, all her early vet visits happened without me by her side. That first appointment, where I was finally able to join her, broke my heart—Coco barked, her eyes were filled with fear, and I could feel her asking me why I would put her through that. She felt betrayed...
Instead of brushing it off or labeling her as “stubborn” or “aggressive,” Dr. Rox recognized Coco’s anxiety and reassured me that it was not “normal” and not something we had to just accept. She referred me to a Fear Free trainer (more on that in a future post!), welcomed us for Happy Visits, and built a supportive team (shoutout to Rebecca, Grace, and Abe 💚) who treated Coco with patience and understanding.
Because of their care, Coco now knows what to expect at the vet—she happily cooperates, even for blood draws! More importantly, I learned how to advocate for her, understand her body language, and strengthen our bond.
I will forever be grateful to Dr. Rox and her team for showing me that with the right support, vet visits don’t have to be scary—they can be empowering. 🐾✨
That is why Dr. Rox is my #PawsitiveInfluence. 💙
📸 In the photo: Dr. Rox and I with Riley at her last veterinary check-up. Riley has her favorite snuffle mat with her so she can choose to step away and engage in an activity if she wants—a reminder that even small adjustments can make vet visits less stressful and more supportive.
https://www.arklevetcare.com/
#PawsitiveInfluence
🐾 This month, I want to give a special shoutout to #PawsitiveInfluence: Cat Harbord—because her work has deeply inspired me and continues to shape how I show up for dogs and their people. 💙
For context, I had the privilege of taking Cat’s Pooch Peacebuilding course earlier this year—before meeting her in person at the 2025 L.E.G.S. in Motion conference. The course completely shifted my understanding of conflict. Rather than something to avoid or fix, Cat reframed conflict as a catalyst—an opportunity for transformation, growth, and connection between humans and dogs.
Created by @catharbord , the founder of ImPAWsible Possible, Pooch Peacebuilding draws on systems theory, behavioral science, and relationship-centered work in the most profound and practical way. It helped me make sense of things I felt but couldn’t yet articulate, and gave me tools I now use every day in my practice.
I’m currently working toward my Pooch Peacebuilding Certification, and Cat’s teachings continue to ripple through my work, my mindset, and my heart. 🌱
Thank you, Cat, for your generosity, your brain, and your soul-deep belief in dogs and the people who love them. I’m so grateful to be learning from you. 🌀
📚 Curious about Pooch Peacebuilding? You can learn more at @impawsiblepossible or visit www.impawsiblepossible.com
#DogTraining #PoochPeacebuilding #DogBehavior #LoyalPawrenting #LEGSInMotion #SystemsThinking #WithScienceWithHeartWithPurpose
✨ Last night, I had the absolute honor of having dinner with none other than Jennifer Shryock—the incredible owner of @familypawsofficial! 🐾👶
Family Paws is an educational program that supports families with dogs during pregnancy and the early childhood years. Through their resources and courses, professionals like me are gaining invaluable insight into child development, dog behavior, and how to guide growing families in creating safe, respectful, and harmonious homes for everyone—human and canine alike.
Jennifer, thank you so much for taking the time to connect with me, share your wisdom, and offer guidance on the families I’m currently working with. Your dedication to both kids and dogs is nothing short of inspiring—way to be a #PawsitiveInfluence! 💛
We urgently need more Family Paws Educators here in Georgia. Where’s my community at?! 🙋♀️
If you’re a trainer, behavior consultant, shelter professional, or just passionate about supporting families with pets, please check out her course. As someone who volunteers in the shelter world, I can tell you—far too many dogs are surrendered simply because families don’t have the right support when they’re expecting a baby or navigating toddlerhood.
Let’s change that. 🌟
https://www.familypaws.com/services/for-dog-professionals/
An Ethological Perspective
In my approach to dog training, I draw on Kim Brophey’s “LEGS” framework, which stands for Learning, Environment, Genetics, and Self. This approach goes beyond traditional methods by considering the whole picture of your dog's behavior, including their natural instincts, genetic traits, and the environment they live in.
By integrating the LEGS framework with traditional behavior analysis, I aim to create personalized training plans that not only address specific behavior issues but also strengthen the bond between you and your dog. This holistic approach is essential for fostering a deeper connection and ensuring a happy, well-adjusted life for your furry friend.