What are you trying to tell me?: Intuition, Dog Training, and the Real Reason Your Dog Might Be Acting “Off”

As a Gen X kid born in the 70s, pajama parties weren’t complete without signs of the zodiac, ouija boards, and a Magic 8 ball.

When my sister and I were reminiscing over the weekend, she asked, “Don’t you remember that ‘light as a feather’ thing?”

Apparently, she and her friends were a little more adventurous with their wiccan skills than my circle! But that whole conversation got us talking about something I come back to all the time—intuition.

A classic ouija board waiting for messages from the beyond.

From Midlife Reflection to Dog Psychology

As I creep toward 50 (hello perimenopause, goodbye short-term memory), I find myself asking the big questions more and more often: Am I living my best life? What’s my purpose? Why am I here—and how did my pants get this tight overnight?

Back in 2021, those questions got louder—and my life took a sharp turn toward working with dogs full-time. I started diving into dog psychology, positive reinforcement training, and eventually, Galen Canine Myotherapy. It wasn’t part of some grand plan—it was more like my gut dragging me somewhere my brain hadn’t caught up with yet.

But I’ll tell you this: once I started learning how dogs think and communicate, I realized something important—I couldn’t support their behaviour without understanding their pain.

When I Forgot My Own Advice

Now you’d think that someone who teaches canine body language and offers myotherapy for dogs in Ontario would remember that.

But last week, I fell right into the trap of trying to “solve” a dog based on secondhand info. I read the notes, made a plan, showed up for that dog like I had it all figured out.

And it was a 36-hour disaster.

Why? Because I forgot to ask the dog.

I looked at data and notes instead of body language and energy. And it didn’t work—because dogs are individuals, not case files.

Look deep into my eyes....

What Happened When I Actually Listened

As I painfully lived through the angst of the situation falling apart, I finally made a conscious choice to stop.

To look—really look—at this dog in front of me. I got quiet. I softened. I said something like: “Okay buddy… we’ve got to start over. I’m sorry. Let’s figure this out together.”

It wasn’t fancy. It wasn’t a “protocol.” It was just me, being honest, and giving him space to respond.

And he did. Dogs always do. If we let them.

How YOU Can Do This Too

So here’s my invitation to you: Next time your dog is doing something that leaves you frustrated or confused, try this.

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Pause.🐾 Drop the plan.🐾 Get quiet.🐾 Look them in the eye.

And ask: “What are you trying to tell me?”

You might not get an answer in words, but you will feel something shift.

That’s your intuition. That’s your connection. And that’s one of the most powerful tools you have—on both ends of the leash.

Want Help Figuring Out What Your Dog Is Telling You?

Everything I do is based on positive reinforcement, pain-informed training, and (yep) a little bit of intuition.

📍 Serving Elmvale, Midland, Wasaga Beach, Barrie & a little wee bit beyond

Learn more or book with me at www.kinderk9.com.

Let’s help your dog feel better—mind and body.

💫🐾

Daisy, an incredible student and sensitive dog....and not the dog from the story!