April Pawz

​In my last post, I talked about the Reset Word—the "Emergency Brake" for a dog entering the Red Zone. But once you pull that brake, you need a place to go. You need an Anchor. ​In a previous role at a veterinary hospital, I was a liability to the schedule. I was "The Notorious Late Employee." Most HR departments would have followed a standard disciplinary track: Verbal Warning, Written Warning, Termination. They would have focused on Mandatory Compliance—trying to force a change through fear...

In my previous post, we talked about the "Correction Trap"—that frustrating cycle where you feel like all you're saying is "No." But what do you do once you realize you're in it? I learned the answer years ago, not from a dog trainer, but from a Veterinarian I worked for while I was a Vet Tech. I’ve always been someone who gets overwhelmed or distracted easily. In the high-stakes environment of a vet clinic, being distracted can be dangerous. When I would start to spiral or lose my focus, my...

In the world of professional Canine Handling , we have a saying: "What gets rewarded, gets repeated." ​It sounds simple, right? But I’ve lived the alternative, and I know exactly how it feels to be on the other end of a "lead" that only knows how to yank. ​Recently, in a company I worked for, it felt like every time I turned around, there was a new order. New rules, new demands, and always a threat attached: If it isn’t done exactly like this, there will be disciplinary action. When your...