So you want to train your dog in a way that’s accessible and affirms who you are…

We're on a mission to help neurodivergent people with fearful and reactive dogs build confidence and strengthen their bond through positive-reinforcement and gentle training.

An illustration of a fluffy orange and white dog holding a pink balloon.

Force Free Training

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Neurodivergent Humans

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Big Feelings Dogs

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Force Free Training ✺ Neurodivergent Humans ✺ Big Feelings Dogs ✺

Welcome to Confident Mutts!

Where it all started with the Neurodivergent Urge to Over-Share…

We’re Logan and Emily, the brains behind Confident Mutts.

We are just a couple of sensitive girly pops with a dream to break away from the traditional way of dog training to help other spicy-brained people with Big Feelings dogs.

So often we joke that we are kinda like two halves of the same brain - when you put them together you have one whole, semi-functional brain.

(Listen… you can’t expect toooooo much function from us ADHDers.)

If we had a podcast, it would definitely be one of those podcasts where you have to ask yourself: “Wait, whose voice is whose?”

You shouldn't need to mask or change anything about yourself to help your dog navigate this silly, wild, scary world.

So much in the world asks us to change in order to fit the neurotypical mold - but we won't.

A little bit about how Confident Mutts came to be…

When we met over Instagram we realized two things:

Our Instagram handles were nearly identical (an adorable meet-cute)
We both had gone through a similar journey: from being reactive dog guardians to becoming professional dog trainers.

When we finally met IRL (aka on a 3-hour FaceTime call), we bonded immediately over our neurodivergent idiosyncracies and our soft spot for anxious, fearful, and reactive dogs.

After talking about how hard it is as neurodivergent dog guardians to keep dog training habits, read some social cues, and work through sensory “icks” we often experience when training, we realized that there is just no way to separate our “neurospicy” brains from our experience as dog guardians.

An illustration of a brown dog with big, floppy ears.

So, we agreed that there needed to be more accessible, affirming, and engaging dog training services for neurodivergent dog guardians with fearful, reactive, anxious, “Big Feelings” dogs.

Logan Buie and Emily Fitzpatrick are both multi-certified dog trainers.

They follow the guidelines set forth by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, which emphasizes the importance of positive reinforcement and the avoidance of dominance-based training.

Between the two of them they have experience with behavior concerns like:

reactivity, anxiety, and fear
multi-dog households
small dog issues
separation anxiety
low-stress veterinary care (aka cooperative care)
muzzle training
newly adopted dogs
and more!

Our training methods are firmly rooted in science, ensuring that our approach is both effective and humane.

We believe that understanding the underlying principles of animal behavior is crucial for creating a safe, positive, and enriching training experience for both dogs and their guardians.

Like many dog guardians, our journey with our dogs started with a whole lot of chaos.

Logan adopted her first dog, JJ, who turned out to be reactive, fearful, and struggled with separation anxiety. While Emily's dogs, Goose and Remi, struggled with their own unique levels of fear, anxiety, and reactivity.

Determined to help our Big Feelings dogs, we immersed ourselves in the world of positive reinforcement and force-free dog training.

At Confident Mutts, we consider ourselves “messy” and loose goosey trainers.

While we understand the theories, best practices, and science behind R+ dog training, we acknowledge that we aren’t always perfect in our daily interactions with our dogs.

However, we are dedicated to continuing education, not only for dog behavior but also for learning about accommodations for neurodivergent and chronically ill people.

An illustration of a brown dog with an orange belly, laying on top of a pillow on its back.

We've learned from experience, from taking classes, and from growing our knowledge.

Our lived experiences have had the greatest impact on how we can truly relate to dog guardians with big feelings dogs. We're here to support you and your anxious dog every step of the way.

Want to get to know each of us a bit better?

Logan Buie

KPA-CTP & SA Pro Trainer

Pronouns: she/her

Fun Facts:

Cancer Crybaby
Likes to do a tarot reading before Confident Mutts meetings
Makes a damn good cinnamon roll
Tries her best to keep her house plants alive
Major Swiftie and general lover-of-pop
Favorite drink is a chai latte with espresso
Has a bachelors degree in biology

Logan's Journey

Logan's relationship with dogs has been a transformative one. As someone who was scared of dogs as a child, getting her first dog as an adult was a huge step. Unfortunately, her first dog, JJ, turned out to be extremely reactive and suffered from separation anxiety. This challenging experience inspired Logan to become a certified dog trainer.

With over four years of experience as a certified dog trainer specializing in fear and reactivity, along with three years of experience handling separation anxiety cases, Logan has developed a deep understanding of the complexities involved in managing and improving dog behavior.

Logan knows firsthand the anxiety that comes with managing a reactive dog and has dedicated herself to helping others overcome similar challenges. She understands the skills and games needed to build confidence in both dogs and their guardians, transforming fearful walks into enjoyable experiences. Logan's expertise and personal journey make her a compassionate and effective trainer, committed to making a positive difference in the lives of dogs and their families.

Emily Fitzpatrick

VSA-CDT & FFCP

Emily’s Journey

Growing up with dogs, Emily developed a deep love and understanding for these loyal companions. With three years of experience working in veterinary medicine as a certified veterinary assistant, she gained invaluable insights into animal behavior and care. This background, combined with over four years of experience in dog training, has given Emily a comprehensive perspective on handling dogs with varying needs and behaviors.

Emily has successfully integrated multiple dogs and a cat into her home, including her own fearful and reactive dogs, Goose and Remi. These personal experiences have equipped her with the skills to manage and train dogs with big feelings. Her journey with her soul dog, Gus, who had to be behaviorally euthanized due to severe aggression, has deepened her empathy and understanding of the challenges that come with caring for a truly dangerous dog.

Living with multiple chronic illnesses, Emily has learned the importance of adapting her life to meet her dogs' needs, particularly on low-spoon days. Her ability to balance her health with the demands of a multi-dog household exemplifies her dedication and resilience.

Emily's diverse experiences and compassionate approach make her a valuable asset to the Confident Mutts team, where she helps dogs and their guardians build stronger, more confident relationships.

Pronouns: she/her

Fun Facts:

Sassy Sagittarius
House plant and tattoo enthusiast
Big fan of blasting music and dancing around the house when no one is home
Chronic Illness baddie & diagnosis collector
Has the attention span of a squirrel
Lover of starting home DIY projects and never finishing them

Our shared passion for helping neurodivergent people feel seen and supported while helping their dogs feel more confident led us to join forces and create Confident Mutts.

About Our Training Methods….

Science-Based Approach

Our training methods are firmly grounded in scientific research and evidence-based practices. The science of animal behavior provides us with a deep understanding of how dogs learn and how best to motivate and guide them. By using techniques supported by research, we ensure that our training is effective, humane, and tailored to meet the unique needs of each dog.

Follows the Humane Hierarchy

We adhere to Susan Friedman’s Humane Hierarchy, a framework that prioritizes the most humane and least intrusive interventions first. This hierarchy guides us in our decision-making process, ensuring that we always choose the least aversive, minimally invasive, and most effective strategies for training. By following this hierarchy, we can address behavioral issues without causing unnecessary stress or discomfort to your dog.

We believe that punishment has no place in dog training. Research has shown that punishment can lead to increased fear, anxiety, and stress in dogs and often fails to address the underlying cause of the unwanted behavior. Instead, we focus on positive reinforcement, rewarding desirable behaviors to encourage their recurrence. This method not only strengthens the bond between you and your dog but also promotes confidence and enthusiasm during the training process.