Let’s be real—nobody gets it all right with their first dog. In this episode, Anna shares the honest truth about the mistakes she made with her working line German Shepherd, Koda… and what she’d do differently now. From overlooking calmness to suppressing curiosity, trying the wrong methods, and skipping essential desensitization—this is a vulnerable look at the learning curve that shaped her as a trainer.

Whether you're in the thick of it with your first reactive or high-drive dog, or you're a trainer reflecting on how far you've come, this episode is a reminder that failure isn't the end—it’s the beginning of better leadership.

Mentioned in this episode:

– The difference between calm and control

– Working with your dog’s natural motivators

– Why obedience isn’t a fix for everything

– The training concept she wishes she’d used from day one

Full blog post available at: https://safehousek9.ca

📸 Follow the journey on Instagram: @safehousek9