More connection, more clarity + less chaos with your canine teenager…
Welcome to the Messy Middle!
When your dog isn’t a cute, little puppy anymore…
But they’re not quite the calm adventure companion you dreamed of either.
Where you're doing your best. Learning, trying, loving hard.
But things still feel sticky. Confusing.
Sometimes even lonely.
We get it.
Messy Middle Dogs is here to walk beside you — through the not-quite-there-yet.The in-between seasons of growth, setbacks, and slow-but-real progress.
Because this part matters too.
It's where confidence gets built.
Where co-regulation starts to bloom.
Where connected partnership is cultivated — through daily rituals, walks that turn into breakthroughs, and all those tiny moments of trust.
We’re not here to “fix” your dog.
We’re here to help you both feel safe, seen, and set up for success with training skills and step by step plans.
Together, we’ll…
Understand what your dog’s really communicating
Support their nervous system (and yours)
Create congruent, nature-rooted routines that build clarity and connection
Celebrate small glimmers and brave steps forward
No shame. No pressure. Just real support for real life.
Ready to turn the messy middle into your greatest teacher and raise an amazing canine copilot?
You didn’t get a dog to feel stressed all the time…
You imagined trail hikes. Coffee shop visits. Campfire evenings with your pup curled at your feet.
Instead? You’re scanning for triggers on every walk. Apologizing. Googling at midnight. Wondering if you’re messing up your dog.
Pause for a breath. You’re not alone. And it’s not about being “the boss” or fixing a “bad dog”.
It’s about practical, simple skills, a routine that sets your dog up for success, nervous system regulation, co-creating trust, and fair, but firm boundaries.
What if training could feel good for both of you?
Rooted in solid strategies that are backed by science, and built with connection.
If you’ve got a wild child who is seemingly motivated by everything except you, or maybe a new, young rescue in survival mode - this is your space. To get clear on a path forward and build confidence in both you and your dog. Because you want to raise a happy, well mannered dog who feels safe with you and at home in the world.
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— Quote Source
Vagal Nerve Theory + Your Adolescent Dog: a guide for calm, confidence & connection
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