Dog Talk Media © All Rights Reserved 2011

Canine Life Coach

Dog Talk LLC

A Training and Wellness Sanctuary for Dogs and their Humans!

Awareness, Education, Relationship, Well-Being

MA - Counseling Psychology - Antioch NE, BS - Organizational Management - Leslie College

NBCC - Board Certified Counselor, CPDT (Certified Professional Dog Trainer), RYT - Registered Yoga Therapist

Founder of Dog Talk & TheraPet LLC, Founder of New England Pet Partners Inc. and Daily Doga,

Co-Founder - Pet Wellness Festival  

Author of Train Your Dog, Change Your Life and numerous publications on canine and human relationships.

Maureen has presented workshops on dog behavior, family systems and dogs, and pet-assisted therapy.  

Member of National Board of Certified Counselors, Association of Pet Dog Trainers, Yoga Alliance, Dog Writer’s Assoc.

On a Personal Note ~                                                 

I have loved and shared my life with dogs since I can remember.  I used to study dog breeds in the back of Spiegel’s catalog, threatening my mother daily that "when I grew up, I’d get big dogs".  True to my word, I have lived with big, small, 3-legged, deaf, pedigreed and mixed.  Forever grateful for their presence in my life, we created moments in our small, backyard jungle.  Continually, they lead me to paths I may never have found on my own.  Living and learning with dogs continues to change my life.  

Living in a small, cramped, but affordable apartment in Lowell, MA, my parent’s choice of dog for me was small (Chihuahuas or little mutts).  I had a menagerie of birds, gerbils, turtles and fish.  Our family knew next to nothing about dog behavior, aside from what one generation passed on to the next, which wasn't brilliant! My plea was often "don't hurt my dog."    

Things happened that, even as a child, I knew was not okay.  You don’t drown a feral kitten in a sewer.  There are better ways.  Resiliently, the dogs and I managed to blend in and survive the chaos of growing up.

Dogs provided me with a safe place, companionship, love, connection and a calling.  I was given a special gift of time to learn with dogs.   My inglorious teenage years and too young first marriage, then subsequent divorce, had dogs as my protectors – not a job I assign to them today, but thank you dear dogs.

Many of your stories echo the reality of the "imperfect" family.  What I've learned is that the "perfect" family is an illusion.  All families have skeletons and secrets that are colored with pride, beliefs and values passed from generation to generation.  

I grew up with a colorful mix that left me with a resilient ability to withstand emotional chaos almost without flinching.  It works well for counselors and dog behaviorists working with families.  We have choices, but a person can become  “stuck” or “ostracized” when stepping outside of the “familial” box.  Choosing to focus on your own positive core values and letting the negative go is empowering.  It has a trickling effect on how we relate to, teach and work with others (children, dogs, co-workers, family and friends).    

Survival techniques are learned at an early age for all species.  Dogs are excellent at reading body language.  I learned how to read expressions and find rocks to skip to the other side of the stream before the impending storm.  It is useful today knowing when to back off from a dog who is fearful.    

Dogs have taught me how to choose my battles, listen to my intuition, balance energy, thresholds, boundaries and tough love.  Dogs share our drives like fight or flight, react or respond.    

I find comfort in knowing that I am never alone.  First, I have me.  I wake up grateful to be alive with dogs by my side and going to sleep listening to them breathe.  Dogs are accepting companions, teachers, and therapists (in their own way).  

Conversely, I do not believe in the gooey notion that dogs are unconditional.  Dogs have species related conditions as does any pack.  To survive (wild, jungle, home), they use coping skills that work.  Misunderstood and/or pushed hard enough dogs can hurt us.  We are fortunate they put up with us!             

With dogs I learned to accept death, grieve and let go.  Life presents "stuff" to all of us (panic attacks, depression, anxiety, stress, death, divorce, transition and trauma).  They say lessons are repeated until learned.  Dogs keep teaching me to never give-up, to love many, trust few and try to harm none!  For humans, this isn't simple.  We analyze – dogs do not – they associate in context, then move on.  

I consider myself privileged to be invited and accepted in the presence of dogs and their ancestors the wolf.  Amazingly, I can view the world through another specie's perspective ... Bringing the lessons into my own life.  Dogs mirror our behaviors in many ways.  Watching their reactions to our behaviors teaches us what to change to be more compassionate, patient and effective.   

With insatiable curiosity, I am honored and content when I am in the company of others who have the same intrinsic love of dogs.  There is something bigger than all us ... the Universe.  Not a word has to be spoken between beings that include dogs as part of the Universe right along with elephants, dolphins, wolves and every other living being.  They get it!    

    My friend Stella, who passed at 93, taught me, "it is a knowing that needs no words.”  Dr. Jane Goodall shares in Reason for Hope, "if I had one wish it would be to see the world through their eyes (her beloved chimpanzees) if only for a moment."  The late Cindy Fischer, M.Ed., TTouch Practitioner, founder of the Pet Wellness Festival and author of Pets Tell us a Story shared, "animals  make me aware of my connectedness with others.  In the big picture, we want the same thing, understanding, acceptance and love."  Dr. Ian Dunbar, whose lessons I revisit often as he grows, humbly shares, “do what you are passionate about – people will disagree, don’t get your knickers in a twist over mistakes – keeping doing it.  We can train using science and with feelings.”   

Connection with dogs gives me the opportunity to share my experiences with others.  How lucky I am to be able to make even a small difference.  I no longer care what anyone thinks about my passion for dogs.  Living and learning with dogs is my legacy, something I can give to those who want some.  Not all us like the same dessert.  To me, dogs are delicious.  For this, I am forever grateful.  For dogs, I will do whatever I can to lessen their burden through raising awareness, education, relationship and well-being.  To my dogs ... I thank you with all my heart.  Enjoy the Journey!

About Maureen - Journey to Media / Articles for Publications

To all the pets I've loved,

To all who taught me how to live

You are always in my heart and soul,

Not forgotten, keeping me whole~

Living and Learning with Dogs

Enjoying  the Journey!  

The Academic Stuff, as boring as it sounds, is an accomplishment to me.  Life experience is equally important.   Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself.   I am an evolving work in progress, grateful for the opportunity to be able to share my life with dogs and other species ...