Dog Happy Husbandry workshop: Cooperative Care for Everyday Life 🐾

What if nail trims and showers didn't require restraint, bribery, or a complete disaster?
What if daily handling became a conversation instead of a struggle?
What if your dog chose to participate in the care they need throughout their life?
Join me, Sofia Tavares, for a full-day workshop dedicated to Dog Husbandry and Cooperative Care, where we will explore practical force-free methods that help dogs feel safer, more confident, and more involved in their own care—making life easier for both dogs and their humans.
This workshop is not about obedience. It's about teaching dogs how to safely and willingly participate in the care they will need throughout their lives.
Together we will discuss:
✔ Why husbandry matters for every dog — and how it can save you time, stress, and unnecessary drama
✔ The importance of choice, agency, and consent
✔ How to build trust through predictable routines
✔ Practical cooperative care skills such as chin rests, side lay-downs, and handling positions
✔ Preparing dogs for medication, nail care, grooming, and veterinary visits
✔ What to do when procedures cannot be avoided
This workshop is based on six years of practical experience training my own dogs using force-free methods and cooperative care principles inspired by internationally recognised trainers and behaviour professionals.
As the guardian of five dogs—including rescue dogs with different personalities, challenges, and learning histories—I have spent years exploring practical ways to make everyday care less stressful and more cooperative for everyone involved.
Throughout the day, I will share real-life videos, training examples, practical setups, and lessons learned from living with multiple dogs. I will also bring two of my own dogs to demonstrate cooperative care behaviours, discuss common challenges, and show how these skills can be applied in everyday life.
If you are a dog parent and would like to improve your dog's welfare while making everyday care easier, this workshop will provide practical tools that you can start using immediately. My goal is to show that regular people with busy lives can build trusting relationships with their dogs, have fun training, and complete everyday care procedures without turning them into a battle.
Please note: This is a theory seminar with live demonstrations. If there is sufficient interest, a follow-up practical workshop with a limited number of dog-handler teams will be organised in early August.
🌍 The workshop will be conducted in English and no interpretation will be provided.
📅 Date: 18 July 2026
🕙 Time: 10:00–17:00
📍 Location: Pärnu mnt 66, Tallinn
🐕 Suitable for all dog owners, and especially valuable for parents of fearful, sensitive, or shy dogs.
Participation fee: 15€
Registration deadline: 13 July
Because husbandry doesn't have to be stressful. It can be a conversation.
For registration and further information: [email protected], 5073778