January 2006. It’s 1 am and it’s cold. Leo and I are heading out for a quick late-night last-pee-of-the-day walk.

He happily walks ahead of me through the narrow cobble-stoned alleyways of the historic part of Granada (southern Spain).

Too narrow for cars, too many steps for bikes, so there is nothing to worry about .. or so I thought.

Suddenly, a big dog shows up out of nowhere. No leash, no owner in sight.

Not untypical for Granada for people to just open the front door to let the dog out, especially when it’s cold outside and cozy inside under the fluffy blanket on the sofa.

Leo is happy to see a potential playmate but the joy lasts mere seconds.

Things turn tense quickly and before I know it, the big dog towers over little Leo who is now screeching in fear.

I’m a bit embarrassed to admit it now but so was I.

Leo was my first dog and after some 7 months together, this was the first time we experienced a situation like that. I had no idea what to do but I did jump in, grabbed Leo by his harness, pulled him up and ran. (I’ll always be grateful that I insisted against all advice to get him a harness, not just a collar)

Leo is whimpering but I can’t find any blood.

“He’s ready for Hollywood,” the vet says after he examined him (Leo was so stressed that he had to be sedated..) “Such an actor!”

Turns out he had a tiny puncture wound near the shoulder and was otherwise unharmed.

Except …

His trust was shattered.

His trust in the world, other dogs, and probably me too.

He loved his “cone” .. it probably gave him a sense of safety.

But he was never the same after that incident .. always weary of or outright reactive towards big male dogs in confined spaces. Who can blame him!

I wish I’d known then what I know now.

I wouldn’t have taken him out for the next walk the day after …

I would have given him time and space to process the stress and the fear he experienced that night - with the other dog and at the vet.

The thing is, your dog doesn’t have to get bitten by another dog to need time to heal. Many experiences in a dog’s life can be traumatic.

• A puppy ripped away from their mother and litter mates

• A rescue dog arriving at yet another home

• Fireworks for thunderstorms can frighten especially noise-sensitive dogs

• Riding in a car

• etc.

And the better you’re prepared the better both you and your dog will cope with any situation.

So how do you go about helping your dog heal?

Well, that’s what I asked today’s podcast guest Annie Phenix. You might remember her from last year’s Panic to Peace summit and, more recently, the December live masterclass.

This week’s Pawsome Human: Annie Phenix - Trauma Recovery for Dogs: Focus on Healing, Not Just Training

In this episode, I sit down with Annie Phenix, a seasoned dog trainer and best-selling author based in Utah, to discuss her journey and extensive experience in working with dogs, particularly those with traumatic backgrounds.

Annie shares her transition from Texas to Utah, her long-standing involvement in dog rescue, and her unique insights into canine behavior.

We delve into her experiences fostering over 400 dogs, the lessons learned from shelter dogs, and her acclaimed books that address aggressive and reactive behavior in dogs.

Annie emphasizes the importance of understanding canine trauma, the impact of genetics, and the necessity of creating a safe and nurturing environment for dogs.

Yes, you have full permission to just love your dog.

She also introduces her 30-day reset program and her community platform designed to help dog owners heal their pets from trauma.

Grab a cuppa and join us (and yes, please like and subscribe to help the baby YouTube channel grow 🙏)

To find out more and connect with Annie:

About Annie: Trainer and Bestselling Author Annie Phenix knew a lot about dogs when she took in her two Heeler-Border Collie brothers Finn and Cooper.

They were taken from their mother at 5 weeks of age and thrown into a backyard with no supervision or enrichment. They came to her with several types of worms and fear in their eyes and little bodies.

Finn and Cooper were a LOT of work for Annie and her husband. But they were happy to put the time into showing them they were safe. Eventually (it took 7 months) they believed them and now they are thriving.

It's what inspired Annie to focus on what comes BEFORE training and to develop the Phenix Healing Protocol where she takes dog owners through the process of healing their dogs - in just 5-10 minutes a day, one tiny step, one day at a time.

Your first step: Download the free guide 7 Steps for Quick Healing: https://choosetotrainhumane.com/7-steps

Need step-by-step help with a new puppy or rescue dog, or to help your dog feel safe and calm again after a scary incident:

Check out The 30-Day Canine Trauma Reset: https://choosetotrainhumane.com/30-day-trauma-reset

The website: https://choosetotrainhumane.com/

The books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Annie-Phenix/author/B09R9PN18Z

On Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/phenixdogs

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1713528972260741

For professionals: https://www.facebook.com/phenixadvocacycenter/

As always, all about Soul Touched by Dogs at https://soultouchedbydogs.com

If you prefer to listen ... subscribe to the PODCAST

It’s on Apple podcasts and everywhere else, so you can access it from your favourite podcast app.

If you enjoy listening, please consider leaving a rating and review so other dog lovers can find the show and join the doggie fun.

If you’re not using Apple podcasts, GoodPods is a great app that makes that easy.

Found at https://www.facebook.com/dogsdisclosed

This week’s product pick:

I’LL BE WATCHING YOU

Every meal you make
Every treat you bake
Every bite you take
I'll be watching you

Attention all dog lovers! If you’ve ever felt those irresistible puppy eyes glued to your every move in the kitchen, this hoodie is for you.

With a playful twist on the iconic lyrics, this hoodie captures the hilarious truth every dog owner knows … our furry friends never miss a crumb!

Featuring a charming design of a dog’s watchful gaze and a cheeky nod to "Every Breath You Take," this hoodie is the perfect blend of humor and heart. Made for brisk dog walks, cozy evenings, or lounging in style, it’s as functional as it is fun.

Grab yours here (different colors available)

FREE worldwide shipping for ALL products.

15% off your first order (enter coupon code STBD15 during checkout) as an exclusive thank you for being a Soul Touched by Dogs subscriber.

Since we’re an international bunch with me in Spain and you most likely in the US, UK or somewhere else, I chose a supplier that produces in different places around the world so you won’t have to wait weeks to receive your order.

And yes, 25% of the profits will be donated to a Pawsome human or non-profit (details to be announced).

It’s true 😛 and it isn’t new. Kevin Behan talks about it in his book “Your Dog Is Your Mirror” Worth checking out.

What do you think?

Do you buy a lot of books but only read a fraction of them?

Me too 😛

So I’ve been thinking about hosting a Pawsome Book Club to not just read the books I’m buying but to discuss insights and learning with others, and meet the author if possible.

Thinking of starting with Annie’s book Positive Training for Reactive and Aggressive Dogs (and yes, I’ve asked her and she’d be happy to join a live author Q&A call)

Is that something you’d be interested in? And if so, what would make it a no-brainer to join?

Please let me know here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSepFl842Xn7ox4XQqkpHR-uyKa35MvBhQEBEHfBWc4U2xl2KQ/viewform?usp=header

It’s anonymous and takes literally 30 seconds.

Are you a canine professional?

A trainer, coach, behaviorist, nutritionist, holistic vet, or other canine expert with a holistic, kindness-first approach?

Would you like to be a guest on the podcast? Do you know someone you think would make a great guest?

Is your business ready for an additional revenue stream that makes 1:1 or in-person consults optional?

Go (or send them) to https://soultouchedbydogs.com/pros

And as always ..

If you know another Soul Touched by Dogs, please send them to https://soultouchedbydogs.com 🙏🙏🐾🐾

Until next week,

Anke