Meet Dogs Halfway

09/08/2026

What’s Walter telling us?

08/29/2026

Most “common knowledge” about dog behavior is centered around control. A dog’s emotional state isn’t considered. We are supposed to “command” dogs to do (or not do) something and force compliance if they don’t cooperate.

After 10 years of participating in that mindset, I wanted more for my dogs and our relationship, and I was sure others felt the same.

It starts with thinking of dogs as sentient beings with a complex emotional state and innate needs that aren’t met with food or walks.

Equally important is learning to understand what our dogs are telling us. Dogs are constantly communicating. Humans have difficulty recognizing this because dogs are physical communicators. They “speak” with their behavior.

Lily Chin’s insightful and entertaining guide to better human-dog relationships is a fantastic place to start.

08/28/2026

If your puppy’s been home more than a few weeks and still having regular accidents, before you take them out more frequently, think about the last 3 accidents.
What was your puppy doing 5–10 minutes before each one?

Where do most accidents happen?

What time of day do accidents tend to occur?

Puppy behavior, location, and the timing of accidents can tell you a great deal about how to complete your puppy’s house training in the most effective, efficient way.

I’ve you feel like you’ve tried everything, but continue to struggle with indoor accidents, my Puppy House Training Reset is designed to provide affordable, one-on-one, immediate house training solutions to get your puppy on track.

This is a focused 60-minute, one-on-one consultation designed to identify what’s behind your puppy’s accidents, what changes could be the most effective in your home, with your lifestyle, and how to prevent indoor accidents. Prevention is by far the most effective way to teach puppies where they should eliminate in the shortest amount of time.

Stop guessing. Get a clear, personalized plan of action.
https://stan.store/DogCoach

07/29/2026

We loved this workshop. I learned so much about understanding Pepe, and how to communicate so he understood me.

Worth 3 times this amount easily.

07/27/2026

Loving and living with a reactive dog can be a stressful experience for their humans, largely due to the seemingly unpredictable nature of their behavior, and understanding why they become “triggered.”

That’s why I created the Reactivity Foundation Workshop, a 2 week, coaching-guided program that helps guardians establish a foundation of understanding and communication with their dog, so everything they undertake afterwards is more effective, and more likely to “stick.”

I’m offering a very special price ($100 savings!) to the first 5 guardians that commit by July 28th.

The Reactivity Foundation Workshop includes:

🐾 A one-hour, live video, private behavior assessment�🐾 A written assessment summary with personalized recommendations�🐾 Educational videos and handouts�🐾 Two weeks of text and/or email coaching support, to help implement your plan�🐾 A follow-up, private video call two weeks later to keep you moving forward
Plus, I’m here to guide you, every step of the way!

Total cost for the first 5 confirmed participants: $150

I’m happy to answer your questions, and make sure this is a good fit for you. Please message me here, or email me at: [email protected]

I look forward to joining you and your pup on this healing journey.

SantaMonicaDogCoach.com

06/17/2026

Your dog doesn’t owe strangers the right to touch them.

There are so many reasons the answer might be no to a person wanting to engage in physical contact. And an explanation isn’t always necessary.

Only the handler knows what’s right for them and their dog at that time.

09/26/2025

Your dog’s behavior is a direct reflection of your relationship.

The best-trained dogs are the ones who trust their humans.

Training isn’t about control, it’s about connection. A dog who feels safe and understood is far more willing to listen, learn, and cooperate.

Trust is built through:

💎 Consistency and clarity
👟 Meeting your dog’s needs (physical and emotional)
🧀 Reinforcing the behaviours you want to see
🚦 Respecting your dog’s boundaries

When trust comes first, training stops feeling like a battle — and starts feeling like teamwork.