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The secure base effect refers to the the idea of a caregiver or attachment source providing a sense of security and safety, allowing a dog (or any young animal) to explore the environment, try new things, and engage with unfamiliar situations with conviction.
The caregiver’s presence offers a "base" that the dog can rely on when exploring or facing new experiences. If a dog feels secure, they are more likely to approach new situations, people, or environments with less fear or anxiety, knowing they have a safe and supportive source of comfort to return to if needed.
As a dog parent to a reactive dog, here's the one thing that helped me really address my dog's reactivity:
The quality of my attachment with her!
Conventional dog training doesn't talk about how the quality of your attachment impacts EVERYTHING for your dog - their physical, emotional and behavioural health.
Which is also why thinking about this is not only relevant for dogs with "problem" behaviours - it's impactful for EVERY dog parent.
Any mention of attachment and you get a bunch of bulls**t thrown your way about dogs being spoilt too much, them needed a strong hand, affection being earned and what not 😡
And all of this is pretty baseless! What evidence does show us ius that dogs form parent-child like attachments with humans. And much like how parenting styles shape a child's experience of self and the world, how humans show up and be with dogs shape their experience in similar ways too!
And so we have to think more critically about the quality of our attachments with our dogs and how they feel in relation with and to us. Because that isn't just going to help us address the challenging stuff with them but it's going to fundamentally transform what is possible in this relationship 😍
Through this webinar, I want you to enjoy everything that comes with becoming your dog's secure base ⬇️
❤️ Emotional stability for dogs
❤️ More curiosity & exploration behaviours from the dog
❤️ Stronger, deeper dog parent-dog bond
❤️ Less "problem" behaviours
❤️ Better communication and understanding
"Because they have felt this security, they are able to more fully enjoy the world outside of this relationship"
In this 2-part webinar, we'll explore how you can build this sense of safety for your dog and become their secure base.
Find the agenda below:
Part 1: 60 mins
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Introduction to attachment styles between dogs & humans
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What is secure attachment?
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Why should we thinking about building secure attachment with our dogs?
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Part 2: 60 mins
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How to become a secure base
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C.O.R.E principles of secure attachment building
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Introduction to 'Secure Base' guide
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Join me on 18-19 March 2025, 7:00 PM IST
Use the time converter to see what time it is for you: https://www.worldtimebuddy.com/
"All of us, from cradle to the grave, are happiest when life is organised as a series of excursions, long or short, from the secure base provided by our attachment sources"