About Mindful K9 Training

About Mindful K9 Training

Mindful K9 Training is Shannon Kelly's behavior practice, "Supporting dogs and owners in Whitmore

Lake, Brighton, Pinckney, South Lyon,, Ann Arbor, and surrounding areas….." The stated service

area is "Washtenaw and Livingston County (Michigan)". Contact is 810-222-9831 and

Shannon@mindfulk9.com; published hours are Tue–Fri 9am–5pm and Saturday 10am–1pm. The first step

offered is a free phone consult.

Programs

Four are named, each with its own entry point:

– **Foundations** — "Build connection, confidence, and real-life skills from the start"

– **Behavior Modification** — "for dogs showing consistent reactivity, fear-based behaviors,

over-arousal, or aggression—including dogs with a bite history"

– **Naughty but Nice** — "For dogs who are a little chaotic, overexcited, or inconsistent"

– **Canine Nervous System Regulation** — "For Dogs who need help feeling safe before anything else"

Approach

The framing is diagnostic rather than obedience-first: "Most training focuses on what your dog is

doing. We focus on why its happening, and how your dog is experiencing the world." The practice

looks at "how your dog's experiences, environment, genetics, learning history, and emotional state

may influence how they respond", and works through "behavior support, enrichment, relationship

building, and thoughtful guidance". Shannon describes the mission as helping owners "build a deeper,

more rewarding bond with your dog through positive methods that prioritize understanding and

communication."

Who it is aimed at

The site lists the situations it expects to hear about: walks that "feel stressful instead of

enjoyable"; a dog that "listens at home, but everything falls apart outside"; training tried before

where "something still isn't clicking"; a dog that "has growled, snapped, or reacted in ways that

scared you"; "There's been a bite—or you're worried there could be".

Background

Shannon Kelly is "a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant with the International Association of Animal

Behavior Consultants (IAABC), and a proud Licensed Family Dog Mediator." She came to the work later:

"I worked in the corporate world for more than 28 years before I decided to start my own business

and devote more time to helping dogs and owners in Livingston and Washtenaw Counties."