My Soul Dog

Have you ever had to make the hardest decision? The one where you see a healthy dog with no injuries and the pup is not at the end of its life due to age.  A seemingly perfectly healthy dog and you have the make the decision to euthanize due to behavior.  Behavioral euthanasia brings much shame and suffering.  Here I discuss my hard stance on BE and why I will always give you a blanket and not the...

Learn how this professional ballet dancer, Phillip, and his daughter connect to this day about Shadow.   Learn how Shadow was the puppy Phillip's daughter dreamed of having.  A sweet story of adventures and connectedness.  A sweet departure from this world.  This story will make you laugh and cry.  I know it did for me at least.  Enjoy the story of Soul Dog, Shadow

How do you reduce your dog's life? You got the dog because you like or love dogs.  You stick them in your home and buy them the best bed and best food you can afford.  Then what?  Are you doing what is best for your pup or are you leaving them to go to work each day wondering why they are chewing up the pillows on the patio furniture or dragging the couch pillows outside?  In this podcast, I...

Just when you think you won't get out of the car to see another dog, the dog of your life comes home with you.  Listen to the very, sweet story of how Moose came into Dawn and Eric's life, at just he right time, in just the right way.  Learn all the ways he effected the people he met along his adventures.  He was a special soul no doubt, found in a rescue that changed the lives of the pe...

Recently the topic of seniors owning dogs surfaced over and over again.  I thought I would pay attention and give my two. . .five cents about the topic.  I thoroughly enjoy talking with seniors about their lives.  You can learn wonderful things by listening.  Some have had dogs their whole lives.  Dogs certainly have a place in the lives of seniors, but they can also be a problem and safety issue....

Everybody has an idea of what a "soul dog" is.  Stephanie explains her thoughts on the topic and shares the story of her beloved companion Earl.  Listen to how they almost did not become family and the effect he has had on her life especially when the door blew open in the middle of the night.  Soul Dogs are everywhere.  This is Stephanie and Earl's story.  

Most often when people think of "essentials" they think of collars, leashes, toys and a bed.  I am thinking of the essential things I need to do to make the transition for my newly adopted pup as smooth as possible, most of which, cost nothing at all!  

On this episode, I am reacting to how a certain person was helping a rescue pup overcome her reactivity.  I TRY to stay in my own lane, but I just couldn't any longer seeing this poor pup get harmed in the attempt to "cure" the reactivity.  No worries, this is not a bashing episode.  I will explain the why and what I would do instead as a teacher to help my fearful pup.  I want my p...

I would come running if I got a Chips Ahoy cookie! Would your dog?  We are talking about recalling your pup anytime, anyplace!  The summer months are upon us and we don't need your pup running away as you attempt to go on a nature walk.  Everybody dreams of an off-leash pup, but not everybody is willing to put in the work.  Let's discuss some tips to get you back on track. 

I have the most interesting conversations with people during the week.  You won't believe what I heard is coming to our area.  It involves dogs and much more! It amazes me what people will do for the almighty dollar at the expense of the dog.   Then let me cleanse the palate by telling you about puppy friends who met in Puppy Prep.    Thank you for listening and supporting my small business. ...

I have never done this before, but I decided to try potty training the M*A*S*H* rescue puppies at 5 weeks old.  Am I crazy?? I might be or perhaps I am on to something.  Take a listen and decide.  

January was the start of my new doggie dayCARE!  That's right, I put the CARE in daycare.  However, although I knew a lot about dogs, opening a daycare has taught me a lot.  I have had some very pleasant surprises that I had no idea to expect.  My daycare is like no other in my area so it was a risk.  In this episode, I discuss if this risk was worth taking.  

Those silver muzzles are absolutely adorable!  Here are some ideas to keep your senior pup happy and healthy through their "golden years".   Don't let them decline quickly by sleeping on the couch 23.5 hours of the day.  There is so much you can do with them.  WARNING:  You will fall deeper in love with your dog.  

When is it time to let your dog out of the crate when you are gone? What about those heavy chewers?  Let me tell you about my pup, Annika and how long she had to stay in the cate when I was away from home.  Every dog is different but here are some ideas and also some Christmas gift ideas for your pup that will make your life much easier.  

Someone shared a TikTok with me.  It is a person ranting about how it is "easier to adopt a child than it is to adopt a dog". Why do rescues have so many rules? Why must you have a fence? Why can't I adopt a dog because I have children?  More dogs will be purchased through breeders if we don't adopt the rescue dogs out easily.   I was asked my thoughts about what she was saying...

 Here I go, here I go, here I go again! What's my weakness? DOGS!   It's GO time to open this doggie daycare for which I very much dislike the name.  Suggestions please! What else can we call it?  Anyway, this is NOT just an ordinary daycare! It's like a school with gym, math, silent reading, naps and recess.  Take a listen on the top questions I have been asked since the announceme...

Food, fun and gratitude!  Is it all that fun for your pup or you?  Here are some ideas to get you through the holidays!  

My dog is STUBBBBBOOOORRRNNN!  Is it?  I hear this a lot in class and there are tips and tricks you can use to get your pup participating and jazzed about your training sessions.  Become a better teacher by instituting some of these ideas that will surely help any pup want to do MORE, MORE, MORE training with you! Even the most stubborn of pups will benefit by your change of behavior.  

No, I don't mean pull back the leash? I don't know what I mean, until I see the BIG picture.  Social media has taught us that things are not always what they seem.  A cute photo may not ACTUALLY be what is really going on in that person's life.  Duh!  But we fall for it time and time again.  Dog behavior is no different.  We hear a dog bark. We yell for them to stop.  Does it work?...

We can apply this method to pretty much any goal in our life.  Dog training does not need to be time consuming or difficult to be effective.  Here is how you can manage your time and STILL reach your goals!  Be proud of yourself for moving the needle.  

Did you know there are 2 fear periods for your pup!  Just when you think doing a puppy class will cure all things with your puppy, THINK AGAIN!  Your pup can succumb to fear if the second fear period is ignored.  Listen now how you can avoid the pitfalls many dog owners fall into after getting a puppy.  

This episode is inspired by a comment from a foster who was struggling emotionally after adopting out her foster pup.  I have had my share of fosters and here I tell my story.   I bet you can't wait to get to the "two-time pooper" story.  Having a pup in your home and letting them go is not easy which prevents people from wanting to foster.  "I will keep them!" they say. ...

It never started out that way.  I didn't choose him.  I didn't pick him.  It happened over time.  In this episode, I discuss Bam, my soul dog.   I never thought this former fighting dog would become the dog which every dog will be measured.  Never did I think I would love him so much I would want to throw punch a guy.  I never planned for Bam to be my soul dog.  It happened over time.  I...

I'm coming up! I want the world to know!  Hahahahaha, my first podcast!!!  A place where we can talk about dogs and dogs and more dog stuff.  It is so nice to meet you! Sit right there and enjoy this story on how I became a dog trainer.  The line is not linear!  Not at all! I never would have guessed I would be where I am now.  Do you feel the same about your journey?   

What goes into naming a new pup?  Do you talk about it with friends? Get opinions? Do you feel you should change your pup's name even if they have lived with it for 3 years with their prior family? Are there names that are a "hard pass"?  I reveal my puppy's name in this episode!  It is one I have never heard in any class I have taught before! I will also tell you where it&apos...