🕵️‍♀️ Being Your Dog's Detective and Advocate

Katie Powers, CPDT-KA, FFCT
Apr 26
3 min read

It was a long winter, and I spent it swimming in continuing education—learning, refining, and expanding—to provide you with the most accurate, effective, and humane information available about dogs.

With spring came the puppies, and with them, an influx of people struggling with their dogs—and dogs struggling with their people. I'm happy to be here for those who want to learn, to do better, and to build real relationships with the sentient beings in their homes, not just “pets.”

Providing this blog, along with my virtual and in-person behavior services, is one way I help the greater good. I invite you to join me in evolving. To treat your dog like the full, feeling, incredible being they are.

Your dog is constantly communicating with you. Every flick of an ear, every sudden freeze, every head turn, every excited wiggle—it’s clues, information. Clues to how they’re feeling, what they need, what they’re asking for without words.

The real question is: Are you paying attention? Do you know what it means?

Behavior is Information, Not Inconvenience

One of my incredible clients recently reminded me just how important this work is. Their sweet dog went through a lot in a short amount of time:

A serious medical scare that landed her in the emergency hospital for two days.
Pain, stress, fear, and separation from her family.
Then, not long after, an intense, scary encounter on a tight trail where she reacted in a way that was completely out of character.

Here’s the thing: She wasn’t being "bad." She wasn’t being "dominant" or "stubborn." She was doing her best in a moment where her tank was empty—stressed, sick, scared, and trapped.

When we step back and look at the whole picture, it’s clear: Her behavior wasn't random. It was communication. It was a cry for space, for safety, for understanding and maybe a break.

Your Dog Needs You to Be Their Expert Interpreter

Dogs are navigating a human world without speaking the language.They don’t know that bikes and skateboards aren’t monsters.They don’t understand why strangers want to touch them without consent.

They rely on you to help them.

You are your dog's translator, guide, and bodyguard. It’s not just okay to say "no thank you" to strangers wanting to pet your dog—it’s sometimes necessary.

Some of my favorite quick exits:

“My dog doesn’t want to say hi right now.”
“We’re training, thank you!”
If you’re feeling spicy: “He has mange.”

You don’t have to justify your dog's boundaries. You don't hug every stranger you meet. Why should your dog?

Advocacy = Freedom to Choose

Real advocacy means giving your dog choices:

Who they say hi to.
When they engage.
How they explore the world at their own pace.

When you honor their comfort zones, something magical happens: Their trust in you grows. Their confidence grows. Their stress drops—and so does yours.

If You're Feeling Stuck, You’re Not Alone

If you're thinking, “I don’t even know what my dog is trying to say,” or “We’re having behaviors I don’t understand,”—That’s what I’m here for.

Click here to schedule a FREE 15 minute Discovery Call to chat about your concerns and next steps!

Training isn't about forcing obedience. It's about listening, adapting, and guiding your dog to thrive alongside you. Sometimes that means the dog we wanted to take hiking or to brunch, is more comfortable staying home, while you go on a hike with a friend, and that's okay.

Notice, acknowledge, maybe say "thank you" to your dog and adjust accordingly.

(Highly recommend):👉 Do No Harm Dog Training and Behavior Handbook — a fantastic resource for any and every dog guardian.

Meet your dog where they are.

Lead with empathy.

Watch your relationship (and your life together) bloom.

🌱💛

Katie, CPDT-KA, FFCT