Helen Stevens

Dog training and animal partnership contributor

Helen Stevens contributes Not Dog Training, But Love & Partnership to The Power of Transformation. Her author note describes twenty years around dogs and a desire to help owners understand what their animals may be communicating.

The chapter traces her enthusiasm for finally having a dog of her own, followed by the learning that came with different animals and situations. Helen describes initially concentrating on the rules she wanted a dog to follow and later questioning whether that approach fully considered the dog's needs.

An important part of the story concerns Phili and the challenges that arose around agility and unfamiliar environments. Helen reflects on the difference between pursuing an activity for herself and noticing whether her dog was comfortable within it.

Her contribution introduces the thinking behind Train Your Dog With Helen. Observation, education and a bond built through consistent interaction are central themes. She writes from practical experience about learning to listen as well as expecting an animal to respond.