Course Details
Do you have a dog with "big feelings"? Arousal isn’t good or bad—it’s just energy. But for easily stimulated dogs, that energy often leads to a loss of focus. In this session, you'll learn that managing arousal is a highly teachable skill. Instead of just suppressing excitement, we will use a specific toolkit of play and self-control games to teach your dog how to shift gears.
You will learn exactly when and how to intentionally bring arousal up to successfully shift your dog's focus, and how to bring it back down so they can think clearly. These games will give your dog the skills to navigate their emotions in sports, training, and everyday life.
About the Instructor:
Christina (She/Her) has been helping dogs and their humans understand each other for almost 30 years. She has successfully competed in numerous dog sports and loved her time working with her blind therapy dog Maxi. Christina's true passion is working with dogs who have "big feelings." She loves helping these intense, passionate dogs learn to thrive both at home and in the world.
Professional Highlights
- Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant (IAABC)
- Professional Canine Behaviour Consultant (PPG-Accredited)
- Co-instructor of the Aggression in Dogs: Real-Life Solutions course
- Host, Aggression in Dogs: Mentor Sessions (2023–present)
- Featured in the IAABC Journal onTeaching Polite Play
- Featured on The Bitey End of the Dog podcast (2022, 2025)
- Podcaster: Something to Wag About (co-host) and Something to Trot About (host)\
- Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner
- Family Dog Mediator (LFDM-W, L.E.G.S.® Applied Ethology 2022–2023)
- Co-founder of Legion of Dogs (2021–2023), a free resource for multi-dog households
- BSc in Computer Science
