In this episode, I’m joined by my friend (and Bentley’s trainer) Gia Savocchi, a dog behavior expert and the creator behind Thinking Canine. Gia shares how she went from New York dog trainer to buying an estate in Portugal, why she does things because they scare her, and what every dog guardian needs to know about reactivity, medication, and finding an ethical trainer.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your dog is “too much” or felt a pull toward a big, scary life decision… this conversation is going to land right in your heart.

In this episode, we talk about:

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  How Gia built a globally known positive reinforcement dog training brand online

  
  


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  The truth about reactive and anxious dogs (and what the early warning signs really are)

  
  


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  Why fear-based aggression is often rooted in pain, anxiety, or both

  
  


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  What changed for Bentley (my Italian Greyhound/Chihuahua) once we understood his pain + anxiety and got him medical support

  
  


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  Why medication isn’t “drugging your dog” and how it can actually help them feel more like themselves

  
  


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  How to find a qualified, ethical trainer (and red flags to watch for)

  
  


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  The real cost of e-collar training from a nervous system + behavior perspective

  
  


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  Gia’s story of buying an estate in Portugal, moving her 5 animals, and redesigning her life from the ground up

  
  


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  How Gia knows when a decision is right—even when it makes zero logical sense on paper

  
  


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  The power of doing things scared and choosing the life you actually want, not the one you’re “supposed” to live

  
  

Listen to this episode if…

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  You have a dog who’s anxious, “on alert,” or reactive—and you want to help them feel safe

  
  


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  You’re curious about meds, rehab, and behavior support, but don’t know where to start

  
  


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  You value nervous system–friendly, positive reinforcement training

  
  


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  You’re standing at the edge of a big life decision and need a model for brave, intuitive self-trust

  
  


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  You’re craving a life with more connection, freedom, and alignment… and you’re ready to take the next step

  
  

Free Gift from Gia
Grab Gia’s free e-book: “10 Tips for Building a Healthy Relationship with Your Dog” — a quick guide to help you build a more cooperative, connected relationship with your pup.
👉 Grab that here

Connect with Gia

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  Instagram / TikTok / Facebook: @thinkingcanine

  
  


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  Website: Thinking Canine (search “Thinking Canine” to find her site and updated resources)

  
  

More ways to go deeper with me

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  Download my free Energy Audit to see what’s fueling you and what’s draining you in your leadership and life: BrendaWinkle.com/audit

  
  


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  Learn more about my advanced training for practitioners, the Intuitive Somatic Healer Certification

  
  

 Keywords: Brenda Winkle, Gia Savocchi, Your Yes Filled Life, dog behavior expert, dog training, positive reinforcement, dog anxiety, dog reactivity, somatic coach, intuitive guide, energetic leadership, dog behavior, canine training, puppy training, counter-conditioning, e-collars, dog rehabilitation, animal behavior, pet care, intuitive healing, energy audit, personal development, self-trust, emotional control in dogs, dog owner support, virtual dog training, social media presence, dog trainer certifications, IAABC, Karen Pryor Academy, pet safety, dog behavior modification, healthy dog relationships, moving with pets, lifestyle design, personal empowerment, pursuing dreams, freedom, connection, living abroad, Portugal, remote work, adopting pets, animal welfare, holistic dog training, emotional wellness, leadership coaching.