Welcome!

This isn’t just about dog training. It’s about building a life together.

Hey there, I’m Andrea, and I re-started First Dog Outside after years of trial, error, a love of dogs, and lots of learning,

Like many dog lovers, I’ve had dogs who were reactive, anxious, shutdown, or “too much.” Dogs who didn’t respond to traditional training. Dogs who taught me that behavior is only the tip of the iceberg.

I learned about dysregulation - for both ends of the leash. Mistrust. Unmet needs.
And what we both needed wasn’t stricter rules or firmer corrections — we needed safety, clarity, and nervous system repair.

That’s where everything changed.

For over 15 years, I’ve spent thousands of hours hiking through forests with dogs, learning to read behaviour, thresholds, and needs. I’ve worked hands-on with hundreds of people through private coaching and group training, helping them navigate real-life struggles — recall, reactivity, leash tension, you name it — through a trauma-aware, regulation-first lens.

I hold a BSc. (Psychology), and I bring that understanding of emotional systems, attachment, and learning theory into every dog-human relationship I support. I also believe the work is never done — so I’m always deepening my skills through ongoing professional development, mentorship, and study. This is my passion and my lifelong practice.

First Dog Outside is rooted in all of this — but also in something more broad spectrum… a nature-based, emotionally intelligent, science-backed approach to raising dogs who are calm, confident, and connected — and to helping you feel more regulated and resourced, too.

Because this isn’t just about behavior. It’s about partnership.
And building a relationship that can hold everything — the mess, the growth, the wild in both of you.

Whether your dog is a trail-loving shepherd or a couch-surfing pug, you’re welcome here. We’re raising dogs we can take anywhere — with clarity, calm, and connection.

Let’s begin again — from the inside out.