Monica has been in basically every dog sphere to ever exist, from rescue and shelter work, to dog sports, pet dog training, obedience classes, and even into the world of specialized behavior trained in gait, posture and ADL analysis. To give her the credit she deserves for all of her extensive education, check out her impressive CV here!
Passion has driven Monica to further her understanding and education around the holistic approach to our interactions with our dogs. Reducing behavior struggles with an eye to relationship first is a top priority for the families and dogs that Monica works with. She explains how looking at the whole dog is key; through the use of ethical learning methods, environmental adaptations, management, and meeting the needs of the dog, Monica can guide handlers towards improving life with their best friends!
Following 25 years of fostering dogs and several years running a state licensed quarantine, Monica continued pursuing studies in ethology, body language, aggression, enrichment, separation anxiety, fear, affective neuroscience, pain and behavior, and so many more areas to bolster the holistic approach to training and bonding with our favorite furry companions.
With all of these factors in mind, it was inevitable that Monica developed the Sensory Explorers teachings and practices. In Sensory Explorers, your dog is encouraged to engage their sense of smell, sight, taste, touch, and hearing, as well as proprioception and the vestibular system in a safe and specifically designed space. The dog is given the freedom to interact with items of their choosing, at their own pace, boosting their feeling of choice and control, which in turn can increase confidence and lower stress levels. With hundreds of different items, textures, sounds, and structures, Monica designs the most epic safaris for dogs to discover every nook and cranny. By having the humans take a back seat and allow their dogs to drive the sessions, patience and understanding is cultivated, leading to deeper bonds and a softer approach to training in the future.
BlueDog is so excited to be hosting Monica and her truly inspiring and insightful teachings Memorial Day weekend. Monica will be presenting a live Zoom webinar on Friday, May 23rd at 7pm. At the webinar, she’ll be breaking down what it means to be a Sensory Explorer, provide at home actionable steps to improve guardian/dog well being, and prepare students for in person sessions on Monday, May 26th! The Zoom presentation will be purchasable as a standalone if you’re unable to attend in person sessions. You will also have access to the recording with your purchase in case you can’t make it live! For those interested in reserving a session with Monica, the Zoom will also prepare you for what to expect at your time slot in Stadium Plaza.
If you’re interested in more information about this exciting event and want to be notified when registration goes live, please email us at hello@bluedogpetcare.com or call us at 978-208-7933.