The Alvord Awakening: A Mindful Dog & Human Retreat
Ancient Wisdom. 160 Acres of Wilderness. One Deepened Bond.
September 17th thru 21st, 2026
The Alvord Awakening
A Mindful Dog & Human Retreat
Be Big. Be Small. Just Be.
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There is a place where the shoreline of the Alvord Desert meets the base of the Steens Mountain, a landscape so vast it reminds you how small you are, yet so silent it allows your potential to feel infinite.
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This is not a traditional dog training seminar. This is a homecoming to nature, a masterclass in human-canine reflection, and a restorative immersion into the high desert lifestyle.
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Your dog is a reflection of you. To better your dog, you must first find the space to better yourself.
The Retreat Experience
A Synthesis of Science and Soul
Kristin Baker M.Ed. in Montessori Education and 26 years of professional dog training experience (CPDT-KA, IAABC). She is also a certified yoga instructor with a lifetime of meditation practice. Growing up in a family that meditates, some of Kristin’s earliest memories are of sitting with monks.
This retreat bridges the gap between technical behavior science and mindful presence.
Learning with Dogs
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Mindful Dog Handling: Nature obedience and behavior observation sessions that focus on the why behind the observations.
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The Kinetic Bond: Experience the thrill of dryland mushing, shed hunting and trail adventures, with our resident team of dogs. Learn skills to start your dog or refine behaviors.
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Grounding Practices: Daily yoga and meditation tailored for dog handlers of any skill level.
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High Desert Exploration: Guided trail hiking, e-bike excursions, hot springs and art sessions.
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The Reset: Nightly wood fired saunas and restorative soaks in the local hot springs.
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Connection: Fireside discussions on everything dog, philosophy and science.
The Alvord Crucible: Nature and Healing
Your healing is anchored in the integrity of the land. Our all inclusive environment focuses on releasing the physical and emotional residue of stress.
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Focused Breathwork and Pranayama: Learn and apply techniques to reliably manage your nervous system, allowing you to anchor your dog in any environment.
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Therapeutic Massage: Private, personalized massage session designed to physically discharge chronic tension in the body so you can return to the leash with a soft, neutral body.
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Restorative Wellness: Access to a Wood Fired Sauna, a professional massage, mud bath and hot springs to detoxify the body and reset the nervous system.
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Embodied Practice: Daily Yoga and guided Meditation Walks with your dog on the expansive desert floor, practicing Observation in the ultimate low stimulus environment.
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The Service of Labor: Hands on experience with your dog. Together, we will look deeper into the dog's behavior and explore new opportunities. We will have fun exploring dry land mushing, shed hunting and trail navigation on and off leash. Don't worry about your dog's level here. We have trained dogs that will show you the end product, but you will be guided to the best starting point, and path as an individual dog/handler team.
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E-Bike Tours: E bike tours are suitable for any level rider. They offer a different, peaceful perspective to your experience on the playa.
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Creative Focus: Guided Art sessions to practice non attachment and intentional focus, outside of your relationship with your dog.
Who Should Attend?
This retreat is specifically for women who:
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Are Tired of the Chaos: You are ready to stop being emotionally reactive and start living from a place of intentional response.
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Need a Physical Release: You recognize that your body holds chronic stress and requires physical time off to become a better leader.
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Have Sensitive or Anxious Dogs: You suspect your dog's behavioral issues reactivity and anxiety are rooted in your own stress and need the tools to become their ultimate Anchor.
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Seek Sovereignty: You desire the discipline to fiercely guard your mental health and set clear boundaries in your life, career, and relationships.
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Submit the above form and we will reach out within 48 hours to confirm details, your spot and arrange a deposit.
Retreat Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1: Arrival & Grounding
Experience a stress-free, Zero Trigger Check In to our homestead. Settle into your accommodations, enjoy a farm to table welcome dinner, and decompress from your travels in the wood fired sauna, under a star filled sky.
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Day 2: Observation & The Breath
Focus on nervous system regulation with morning somatic yoga and breathwork. We will take a quiet, guided Observation Hike to read canine body language, followed by afternoon free time for art or ebiking, and an evening soak in the local Hot Springs.
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Day 3: The Kinetic Bond & Physical Release
Step into the joy of working with your dog through dryland mushing and joring on the trails. The entire afternoon is dedicated to your physical healing with private therapeutic massages, quiet downtime, and an evening fireside discussion on behavior science.
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Day 4: Deepening Connection
Put your new communication skills into practice with advanced trail navigation and highly personalized, one on one troubleshooting sessions with Kristin. We will celebrate your team's profound shifts with a massive Alvord feast and a closing fireside circle.
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Day 5: Integration & Departure
Lock in your newly grounded energy with a final morning breathwork session on the playa. We will equip you with a take home toolkit to integrate The Mindful Dog Handling philosophy into your daily life before beginning our quiet, staggered departures.
Setting Up for Success: Safety & Participation
To ensure the retreat remains a truly safe, zero-trigger environment where everyone can fully decompress, we have a few important guidelines in place for our attendees:
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Video Submissions for All Teams
Before finalizing your booking, we require a brief video submission demonstrating your current level of handler control both at home and out and about. This is not about showing us perfect obedience! It is simply to help us understand your dynamic and ensure that this specific retreat environment is the safest, most effective starting point for your team.
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Muzzle Requirements for Bite Histories
We welcome dogs with big feelings, but the physical safety of our guests is our absolute priority. If your dog has an established aggression or bite history, they will be required to wear a basket muzzle. If your dog has never worn one, please do not worry, we will provide you with step by step training to positively condition the muzzle before you arrive, ensuring your dog feels completely comfortable and confident wearing it.
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Attending Solo
If you feel that managing your dog on a trip would prevent you from finding the deep physical and mental rest you desperately need, you are perfectly welcome to attend without them! You can use this time to just be, focus entirely on resetting your own nervous system, or experience the joy of handling and learning with one of our resident dogs.
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Inclusive Activities (Yes, Even the Chihuahuas!)
When it comes to our kinetic activities like dryland mushing, we always work with the dog in front of us. If your dog is not physically built or ready for pulling, we simply adapt! We will begin with joring and foundational ground work instead. Truly, even the teeniest Chihuahua can participate in this work and build a beautiful working bond with you. And if you want to feel the thrill of the finished product, our fully trained resident dogs will be standing by for exciting demonstrations and pure, stress-free fun.
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A Peaceful Place for Your Dog: Activity Integration
During our retreat, the ultimate goal is mindful connection. We want you to be able to practice your newly grounded energy in real time with your dog.
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If your dog can join us peacefully and settle, they are more than welcome to be right by your side or near you during all of our activities, whether we are practicing morning yoga, enjoying a farm to table meal, or gathering for our fireside discussions. Practicing a calm settle while you model a relaxed nervous system is a beautiful part of the learning process.
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However, we also observe the dog in front of us. If your dog needs a little more physical space to decompress, or if you simply need a moment of true handler sovereignty to focus entirely on your own breathwork or art, we are fully prepared to support you both. We will have multiple resting options seamlessly integrated into our activity spaces to remove any management pressure from your shoulders:
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Secure Cable Tether Points: Safe, designated tie outs so your dog can comfortably observe the group from a low pressure distance while still enjoying the fresh air and feeling connected.
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Designated Dog Beds: Comfortable resting spots placed thoughtfully near our activities to encourage your dog to anchor and relax in your vicinity.
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Wire Crates: Quiet, structured dens available as needed for dogs who do best when they have a secure, enclosed space to completely turn off their brains and take a deep, uninterrupted nap.
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There is absolutely no pressure to force your dog to mingle if they aren't ready. We will work together, to ensure both of your nervous systems remain completely relaxed throughout the day.
All Inclusive Package Details
Your retreat covers everything needed for a focus on your transformation.
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Accommodations: Rustic, comfortable lodging at our 160 acre homestead. We have glamping Bell Tents, 2 tiny cabins all shoreline to the Alvord Desert
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Nourishment: All meals included and are focused on high quality, natural, local, farm to table, clean inputs to support a stable nervous system. Most food is sourced from our permaculture homestead.
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Instruction: This is a retreat, present in the moment. We will observe real life dog interactions. Breathe, connect and just be as we experience the healing gift of nature alongside our best friend.
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Wellness Access: Daily restorative yoga, Breathwork classes, private Massage session, access to the on site wood fired sauna, and hot springs soaks.​
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Take Home Tools: This is more than a retreat. This is a place to connect and to anchor your path as a Mindful Dog Handler. We will stay connected through a private group for those dedicated to the path of bettering themselves to better their dogs.
Accommodations
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Pricing
This is an all inclusive stay with lodging options.
A deposit of 50% is due up front.
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Tiny Cabin Bunkhouse (Shared)
​Bed 1: Twin Loft $2,000
Bed 2: Queen Loft $2,100
Bed 3: Ground Twin $2,000
Bed 4: Ground Queen $2,100
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Horse Trailer Cabin (Private)
Bed 5: King $2,400
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Bell Tents 6-12 (Private)
Bed 6-12: Twin Cot $1,900
Tents are equipped with cots and quality bedding for cool desert nights.​
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Dry RV and Camping
Bring your own accommodations. $1,700​​​​​​​
Frequently Asked Questions: The Alvord Awakening
Travel & Off Grid Living
Where is the nearest airport, and how do I get to the homestead?
The closest major airport is Boise Airport (BOI) in Idaho, which is about a 3.5 to 4-hour drive to our homestead in the Alvord Desert. Transportation to and from the airport is available through us, but you must confirm this with us prior to booking your spot so we can ensure our driving schedules align with your flight times.
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Is there cell service on the homestead?
Welcome to your digital detox! Cell service in the Alvord Desert is notoriously unreliable and sometimes non-existent. We highly recommend downloading any maps, audiobooks, or music before you leave the main highways. Enjoy the rare opportunity to completely disconnect from notifications and be fully present with your dog. We do have wifi calling and emergency communication methods on the property should anything urgent arise.
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What are the restroom and bathing facilities like off grid?
Part of the Alvord Awakening experience is living in rhythm with the land. We have a beautiful, clean bathhouse on the homestead equipped with composting toilets. If you have never used one, please do not worry, they contain all waste discreetly and entirely without smell! Using them is as simple as sprinkling a light layer of pine shavings over the top when you are finished. For bathing, we utilize a simple gravity fed shower system that can be solar heated for a warm, refreshing rinse. Additionally, our off grid wood fired sauna is available every single evening and during your independent free time.
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Accommodations & Weather
What will the weather be like in September?
September is one of the most beautiful times to visit the high desert. You can expect classic desert temperature swings. Daytime highs are typically in the mid 70s to low 80s with plenty of sunshine, but as soon as the sun dips behind Steens Mountain, the temperature drops rapidly. Nighttime lows usually fall into the crisp 40s.
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How comfortable and warm are the Bell Tents?
Our glamping Bell Tents are designed to be a cozy, restorative sanctuary. Every bell tent comes fully equipped with a comfortable cot bed, a dedicated dog bed, a dog tether outside the tent, a wire crate, a chair to relax, and light bedding. Because the desert gets chilly at night, if temperatures drop, everyone will be provided with a Little Buddy Propane heater in their tent to keep the chill away. The tents also have a solar battery charger and lights.
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What should I pack?
Because of the temperature swings, the golden rule of the high desert is pack layers.
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Clothing: Bring breathable clothing for the warm afternoons, but pack a warm fleece, a heavy jacket, a beanie, and warm socks for the evenings and early mornings.
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Footwear: Sturdy, comfortable trail shoes or hiking boots for you, and optionally, booties for your dog if they have sensitive paws on rough terrain.
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Bedding: While we provide light bedding on the cots, we highly encourage you to bring extra blankets or your favorite sleeping bag if you know you, or your dog, run cold at night!
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Gear: A 6’ leash and a 15-30’ long line. If you bring a 30’ line, experience handling that length is needed. 15-20’ is recommended for beginners. Also bring your dog's regular food most motivating toy, treats, and a water bottle.
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Dog Logistics & Safety
Where will my dog be during our activities?
If your dog can join us peacefully and settle, they are more than welcome to be right by your side during all of our activities, like morning yoga or fireside discussions. However, we are fully prepared to support dogs who need a little more physical space to decompress. We have multiple resting options seamlessly integrated into our spaces, including secure cable tether points, designated dog beds, and wire crates. There is absolutely no pressure to force your dog to mingle.
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Do I need any prior dog training or mushing experience?
Absolutely none! You do not need to be a professional handler, and your dog does not need to know much beyond basic settling, leash walking and sit. If your dog is not physically built or ready for pulling in mushing, we simply adapt! We will begin with joring, scent work and foundational ground work instead. Even the teeniest Chihuahua can participate in aspects of this work and build a beautiful working bond with you.
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Can I attend without a dog?
Yes! If you feel that managing your dog on a trip would prevent you from finding the deep physical and mental rest you desperately need, you are perfectly welcome to attend without them. You can use this time to focus entirely on resetting your own nervous system, or experience the joy of handling and learning with our trained resident dogs.
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What is the video submission requirement?
Before finalizing your booking, we require a brief video submission demonstrating your current level of handler control both at home and out and about. This is not about showing us perfect obedience! It is simply to help us understand your dynamic and ensure this specific retreat environment is the safest, most effective starting point for your team. Videos should be under 5 minutes long.
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What if my dog has an aggression or bite history?
We welcome dogs with big feelings, but safety is our absolute priority. If your dog has an established aggression or bite history, they will be required to wear a basket muzzle. If your dog has never worn one, we will provide you with step by step training to positively condition the muzzle before you arrive, ensuring they feel completely comfortable and confident wearing it.
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What are the physical requirements for handlers?
You will be exploring the vast, natural terrain of the high desert. Handlers should be comfortable walking up to a couple of miles a day on uneven dirt trails and the open playa. Because we are truly out in the wilderness and working hands on with the dogs, you should also be perfectly comfortable with getting a little dusty!
That being said, this retreat is about your healing. If you have physical limitations, please reach out to us before booking. We are more than happy to discuss how we can adapt and accommodate the activities so you can still fully experience the magic of the desert, without pushing your body past its limits.
Booking & Cancellations
What is the cancellation process?
Because of the highly intimate nature of this retreat and the extensive planning required to ensure a zero trigger environment, spots are incredibly limited. Deposit is 50% of the cost and is not refundable, but is transferrable to an available retreat. If there is a cost difference, you will be required to make up the difference. Cancellations made 60 days prior to the retreat start date will have their deposit rolled to an available retreat. Final payment is due 60 days prior to retreat start date. Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds for cancellations made less than 60 days prior to the event.