Worked Up
A two-day workshop on the big feelings of dogs, and what it takes to help them find adaptable responses. Across two locations and two weekends, Sarah goes beyond "optimal arousal" into the three areas of emotional regulation: somatics, mental flexibility, and partnership skills.
When emotions run high, both corrections and food management fail.
Everyone has big feelings from time to time. When we choose to live our lives with dogs it is up to us to both understand their big feelings and help them find adaptable responses to those feelings.
In sports, in behavior work, and just in life with pet dogs, knowing how to recognize the intersection between arousal and emotional valence is vital, and rarely discussed. Understanding that corrections and food management alike fail when emotions run high is what has led Sarah to the Worked Up material as it exists today.
This workshop goes way beyond the overused term "optimal arousal" and digs instead into three key areas of emotional regulation: somatics, mental flexibility, and partnership skills.
Part lecture, part demo, part dog training, this two-day event is packed with valuable insights for sports competitors, behavior consultants, dog trainers, and shelter workers alike. Up to ten working teams receive hands-on coaching across both days; auditors receive the full curriculum and the chance to watch ten teams work the material in real time.
Three areas of emotional regulation.
Somatics
The body's role in emotional regulation. Recognizing physiological state, working with it rather than against it, and understanding what the nervous system is asking for in the moment.
Mental Flexibility
The ability, for both dog and human, to shift between strategies as circumstances change. Adaptability over scripts. Responding to what's actually in front of you.
Partnership Skills
The two-way work of being a team. How handler and dog read each other, repair when things go sideways, and build the kind of trust that holds up when emotions run high.
The voice behind Cog Dog Radio.
Two decades in dog behavior and nearly three decades living with, loving, and training complex dogs have brought Sarah to an understanding of big feelings in dogs that serves her equally in behavior modification work and sports training.
Known for a no-nonsense approach that is fair to both humans and dogs, she has been a popular speaker the world over for the last ten years.
Workshop Locations.
Applying for a working spot.
The working spots for Worked Up are based on applications for several reasons. Dogs that cope well with workshop days but who will benefit from this material are top priority. It is important that your dog can cope with the workshop days; they involve rotating between crating and working all day long.
Dogs do not typically work at the same time as another dog. Your dog's ability to handle the format matters more than their behavioral history or current challenges.
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Pay audit registration
This secures your audit spot regardless of application outcome.
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Complete the application form
Tell us about your dog — training history, what you hope to work on.
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Review & notification
Sarah reviews applications and selects the working teams for the location.
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48 hours to pay balance
Once accepted, the remaining balance ($270) is due within 48 hours.
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Before the weekend
You'll get an email ahead of the workshop with venue info, what to bring, and how each day will go.
Tickets.
Audit spots are open to anyone; working spots are filled by application. First round of audit-spot decisions: May 15 (Massachusetts), May 22 (Michigan).
- Watch up to 10 working teams
- All lecture content
- Q&A with Sarah
- Early-bird pricing while it lasts
- Application required
- Limited to 10 spots per location
- Hands-on coaching with Sarah both days
The details.
Who is this workshop for?
Sports competitors, behavior consultants, dog trainers, and shelter workers - anyone who works with or lives with dogs whose feelings sometimes get bigger than their ability to respond. Pet dog guardians with behavior concerns are equally welcome. The material applies in behavior modification work and sports training alike, because it's about the underlying emotional regulation rather than any specific context.
What's the difference between a working spot and an audit?
Working spots (limited to 10 per location, by application) bring their dog and receive direct hands-on coaching across both days. Auditors observe the full workshop, all lecture content, all ten working teams, all Q&A, without bringing a dog.
My dog has a bite history. Can I still apply?
Coping with the workshop format matters more than behavioral history. Be honest in the application and include any relevant history of aggression toward people or dogs. The question is whether your dog can rotate between crating and working across a full day.
What does the crating situation look like?
You'll either car-crate or crate in a group crating area that must stay quiet. Dogs are not expected to work at the same time as another dog unless that's the specific challenge you're there to address.
What should I bring?
For your dog:
- Your typical training equipment
- A crate they're comfortable in, if you'll be crating them indoors
For you:
- A folding chair — we'll have some on hand, but bring your own for extra comfort
- Lunch, unless you'd rather buy something locally
- Something to take notes with
What are the hours each day?
9am to 5pm.
Is lunch provided?
Light snacks and drinks are provided by the organizers. Lunch is on your own; venue areas will have nearby options.
Are there hotel recommendations nearby?
Franklin, MA area (near MasterPeace):
- Residence Inn, 8 minutes from MasterPeace
- Hampton Inn, 6 minutes from MasterPeace
- Home 2 Suites, 5 minutes from MasterPeace
Grand Rapids, MI area (near A Dog's Life):
What's the refund / cancellation policy?
Auditors can cancel up to two weeks in advance for a full refund, or receive a partial refund before the closing date (June 1 for MA, June 7 for MI). No refunds are issued after those closing dates.
Working spots are not refundable unless the slot can be filled by another applicant. The $180 audit deposit that working spot applicants pay is subject to the same audit cancellation policy above if you are not selected.
Are dogs required to be vaccinated?
Dogs are required to be up to date on their rabies vaccine.
I have more questions. Who do I contact?
- Massachusetts: tara@glimmer.dog
- Michigan: WorkedUpMI2026@gmail.com