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.

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

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

Third, the Ventral state, this is the state of security. In this state we enjoy being with other people. We are relaxed and our body is working optimally. In dogs, this state is characterized by a relaxed and happy attitude. Dogs can also make contact with other dogs more easily in this state. And they can be learned to learn new behavior.

Dogs can also become stuck in their sympathetic or dorsal states. They are then anxious or depressed and can react 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 again. So that they are 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 refund the full amount of 250 euros.

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 Malinois-German shepherd mix, was so scared that she no longer dared to go outside. This started last year as soon as the fireworks in Utrecht started after the summer holidays. Unfortunately, heavy fireworks are set off, which Neo was very afraid of and then retreated to her safe place in front of the toilet. Around the turn of the year, her fear increased so much that she no longer dared to go outside at all. She would hold her bowel movements until the evening and then quickly walk outside and back to relieve herself. That fear lasted for about two weeks, even when fireworks were no longer heard. She still didn't dare go outside.

The problem seems to be over

Fortunately, at a certain point she dared to go outside again. And the problem seemed to be over. Until last June, I was taking her out and a very heavy explosive was set off at close range. It was such a huge bang that I was even worried about our house. Neo was so shocked that she immediately wanted to go home with her tail clutched to her stomach. She started pulling very hard to get home as quickly as possible. I immediately tried to calm her down, but it didn't work at all. The next day around the same time I noticed that she was afraid to go outside again. The next few days it spread throughout the day and she no longer wanted to go outside at any time.

She was now very scared almost all the time

When she stood still at school to wait for the children or her other owner, she was shaking like a straw. As soon as she was able to start moving again, she shot out of her fear and went from dorsal to sympathetic. (I will explain these terms later) And I had to make sure she didn't jump into cyclists.

Attack on another dog

Later, such a moment also caused her to attack another dog who did nothing that deserved an attack. A complete misjudgment of her nervous system, which this dog saw 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 desperation 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. There was something holding us back, because I never got further than half the registration page of a foundation specialized 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

Neo's fear was completely back, this manifested itself in freezing in the doorway. But also in freezing on the street several times afterwards. She didn't want to take another step. I then picked her up and carried her about ten meters in my arms. Sometimes it happened a few hundred meters further then again. And without fireworks or any other noticeable reason for us as humans. We also noticed that traffic and traffic lights and other busy urban situations completely overwhelmed her and she became completely overstimulated. She would then pull and zigzag and no longer use her nose.

Again the doubts whether she can stay

All in all, that terrible thought came again, shouldn't we get rid of it? Can she live in a city? Then the holiday to France arrived. That also seemed impossible to us with a scared Neo. How would she react to a new situation, wouldn't this be too much for her. Could we leave her at home there every now and then?

Safe and Sound Protocol

That was actually the moment that 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 make her 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 canceling. Even though Neo has beautiful ears, that was not an option. From our SSP experience, we know that it is used with speakers for children who cannot tolerate headphones.

This was of course a good thing for Neo. We put her in the crate, with a box on the left and a box on the right. And we gave Neo a treat in the crate before she started listening. The crate was closed, so she couldn't get out and 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.
Still, we decided to persevere. After the third hour a change was noticeable. After the fourth hour our children also noticed that Neo seems less afraid, they said. Before the fifth hour had been completed, she dared to go outside again. And she didn't freeze anymore either.

The holiday to France

The following week it was also the turn of the holiday to France. A long ride for Neo in the back of the car, but she did fine. She also did very well in the house and in the new environment. She didn't even bark anymore, what a difference from our house in Utrecht.

Fireworks again!

One Thursday evening she suddenly barked, and with good reason. Because there was a group of people in the street who were doing a parade. The evening before the national holiday of July 5. And to our great shock and dismay, fireworks, lots of fireworks. And very close. I fluctuated between feelings of fear and anger. Fear for Neo that we would be back to square one and anger that those people set 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 materialize. Neo was immediately happy and immediately wanted to go outside. She now managed to regulate her nervous system and get out of her fear.

A wonderful confirmation

Despite the unpleasant experience, it was a wonderful confirmation for us of how well the Safe and Sound protocol helped Neo. Back in Utrecht she was fortunately not afraid there either. Little by little, her confidence with other dogs is also increasing. She sometimes plays in the dog field again with other dogs. She also sometimes shows her teeth when male dogs bother her because of their pushiness, but that's about it. We also notice on the leash that she is also less angry with two other dogs that she could previously 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.