The Safe and Sound Protocol works on the basis of the polyvagal theory, a scientific framework that provides an explanatory model for the nervous systems of mammals and humans.

Polyvagal theory is used by many scientists to explain how the nervous system works. And it forms the basis for various therapies. Briefly, it describes how humans and other mammals have not two but three states our nervous system can be in.

First, the Dorsal state, this is the state that provides recovery and rest. But also the frozen state that a human or animal can have when in danger of being killed. In humans, this often manifests itself in depression and burnout, for example. This state can also occur in dogs.
 
Second the Sympathetic state, this is the state that moves us to take action. But also the state we use to flee in the face of great danger. If we linger in this state, we can no longer think properly thinking, no longer sleep well and we are always vigilant. If this state lasts too long, our body collapses and then we go one step down to the dorsal state and reach burnout or depression. In dogs that spend too long in this state can lead to fight and flight behavior. Which sometimes is also unpredictable.

Third is the Ventral state, this is the state of safety. In this state we love to be with other people. Are we relaxed and our body works optimally. In Dogs, this state is characterized by a relaxed and happy attitude. Dogs can also connect more easily with other dogs in this state. And are again teachable to learn new behaviors.

Dogs can also remain stuck in their sympathetic or dorsal state. They are then anxious or depressed and may start reacting unpredictably. The Safe and Sound Protocol helps dogs return to their ventral state of safety. 

Dogs can also be helped to get back into this state, for example by cuddling them or doing things that make them happy and relaxed.

The Safe and Sound Protocol also helps them to regulate themselves again. And if they are stuck in a certain state to get out of that again. So that they are again ready to learn new desired behavior and let go of the old fear-based behavior.

It is important, as soon as your dog is calm again and no longer afraid or depressed, to look at the causes of the anxious, aggressive or depressed state.

And to work yourself or with a behavioral expert to tackle the causes as much as possible. So that the reset of the SSP has a permanent effect.

We have a unique offer in the near future, because we want to help as many owners and dogs as possible.

We help you play the Safe and Sound Protocol as best as possible with your dog so that he or she gets the most out of it.

If you are not satisfied, we will give you a full refund of 250 euros. (Within 4 weeks of your order)

In addition to the SSP, you can also count on our guidance so that you can optimally complete it together with your dog.

Read our dog Neo's experience with the Safe and Sound Protocol

Neo, and her fear of fireworks

Our dog Neo, a shepherd mix of Mechels and German was so scared that she no longer dared to go outside. This started last year as soon as the fireworks started in Utrecht after the summer vacations. Unfortunately there are already heavy fireworks going off then which Neo was very afraid of and then retreated to her safe place in front of the toilet. Around the last turn of the year the fear increased so much that she no longer dared to go outside at all. She held her stool until the evening and then quickly ran outside and back again to do her business. This fear persisted for about two weeks, even when fireworks were no longer heard. She still didn't dare to go outside.

The problem seems to be over

At some point, she fortunately dared to go outside again. And the problem seemed to be over. Until last June, I was walking her and a very heavy explosive was set off a short distance away. It was such an enormous bang that I was even worried about our house. Neo was so startled that with her tail clamped against her belly, she immediately wanted to go home. She started pulling very hard to get home as soon as possible. I immediately tried to to calm her down, which didn't work at all. The next day, around the same time, I noticed that she again did not dare to go outside. The following days it spread all over the day and at no time did she want to go outside.

She was now very scared almost all the time

If she stood still at school to wait for the children or her other owner she would be shaking like a leaf. As soon as she could move again, she would shoot out of her fear and go from dorsal to sympathetic. (I will explain these terms later) And I had to watch out that she did not jump into cyclists.

Attack on another dog

Later, such a moment also caused her to attack another dog that did nothing that deserved an attack. A complete misjudgment of her nervous system, which saw this dog as a threat. Then came the terrible thought, shouldn't we get rid of her? What if she does something to our children?

Looking for a better place for Neo

At that moment, fear and despair took over and we decided to look for an owner who did not live in a busy city and had enough experience to help her. Somehow something was holding us back, because I never got any further than half the registration page of a foundation specializing in rehoming dogs.

Ashwagandha and Zylkene

We gave her ashwagandha sweets, a special herb that is used in people to combat anxiety, this helped for a few days and reduced the anxiety somewhat. Then it came back just as hard.

We also tried Zylkene, a special protein that would help reduce fears in dogs, including fear of fireworks. This did not have any noticeable results, possibly because we also gave ashwagandha.


The fear was back in full force

The fear was completely back with Neo, this manifested itself in freezing in the doorway. But also in freezing on the street several times afterwards. She would not take another step. I then lifted her up and took her in my arms in my arms. Sometimes it happened again a few hundred meters further on. And that without any firework bangs or any other reason noticeable to us humans. We also noticed that traffic and stoplights and other busy urban situations completely overwhelmed her and she became overexcited. She would pull and zigzag and stop using her nose.

Again the doubts whether she can stay

All in all, that terrible thought came again, shouldn't we get rid of her? Can she live in a city? Then the vacation to France also came up. That too seemed impossible with a frightened Neo. How would she react to a new situation, wouldn't this be too much for her. Would we be able to leave her at home there from time to time?

Safe and Sound Protocol

That was actually the moment Shahera and I said to each other, can't we use the Safe and Sound Protocol on her? We know from our psychologist practice that it helps very well against anxiety and that it can ensure she can start to feel safe again. And besides, if it doesn't hurt, it doesn't help.

Speakers instead of headphones

Normally, the Safe and Sound Protocol is played through over-the-ear headphones without noise cancellation. Even though Neo has wonderful ears, that wasn't an option either. From our SSP experience, we know that for children who do not tolerate headphones, it is applied with boxes.

This way, of course, was fine with Neo. We put her in the crate, with a box on the left and a box on the right. And we gave Neo some treats in the crate before she started listening. The bench was closed, so that she couldn't get out so she could listen to the protocol and complete the set time.

We didn't notice any difference at first

We always did it every half hour, during the first hours of the 5-hour protocol there was nothing noticeable. Our doubt and despair struck again, you see. It does not work.
Nevertheless, we decided to persevere. After the third hour a change was noticeable. After the fourth hour our children also noticed it, Neo seemed less afraid they said. Even before the fifth hour was over she dared to go outside again. And she didn't freeze anymore.

The holiday to France

The following week's vacation to France was also up for grabs. A long ride for Neo in the back of the car, but she did fine. She also did very well in the cottage and in the new environment. She did not even bark anymore, what a difference with our house in Utrecht.

Fireworks again!

One Thursday evening she did suddenly bark, and with good reason. Because there was a group of people in the street working on a parade. The night before the national holiday of July 5. And to our great shock and dismay, fireworks, lots of fireworks. And very close. I shot back and forth between feelings of fear and anger. Fear for Neo that we would be back to square one and anger that those people were setting off so many fireworks.

Neo was terrified again

Neo was hyperventilating on the stairs, we stayed with her until everything calmed down and then went to sleep. The next day our fears did not come true. Neo was immediately happy and wanted to go outside right away. She now did manage to regulate her nervous system to regulate and get out of her fear.

A wonderful confirmation

For us, despite the unpleasant experience, a wonderful confirmation of how well the Safe and Sound protocol helped Neo. Back in Utrecht, she was fortunately not afraid there either. Little by little the confidence in her with other dogs again. She sometimes plays loose in the dog field with other dogs again. She sometimes shows her teeth at male dogs who bother her because of their pushiness, but that is all. Also On the leash we notice that she is less angry with two other dogs she used to be very angry with.

If you know a scared dog and an owner who needs help, please forward this page. If you have an anxious dog and have any questions, please feel free to contact us.