Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Body Language, Anxious Dogs, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs

Hey Dog Lover! I’ll be real with you—I seriously considered cancelling next week’s Calm Down, Dog! Bootcamp. With everything happening in the world, Everything just feels so heavy right now. I wondered, Is this even the right time? But then I realized… that’s exactly why this needs to happen. We need to connect more than ever over our shared love of dogs now! Because if you’re anything like me, yo...

Hey fellow dog lover! 🐾 Are you ready to finally help your dog feel calmer and more secure—without relying on endless training drills? In this episode, I’m sharing three simple ways to deepen your bond and build trust, so your dog sees you as a safe and confident leader. Whether you have a fearful dog or just want to create a more peaceful, connected relationship, these strategies will help you m...

Hey Dog Lover! Ever feel like your dog just isn’t listening fast enough? Or maybe they hesitate, and you’re tempted to push them along, because you know they know...you know? In this episode, we’re diving into The Power of the Pause and why giving your dog space to process their world can make all the difference. Whether you have a fearful pup or just want to strengthen your bond, this simple but...

Hey, fellow dog lover! 🐾 Have you ever wondered if your dog is feeling overwhelmed but weren’t quite sure how to tell? Dogs are constantly communicating through subtle body language and behaviour—and learning to recognize these signs and to move into action to help them feel safe and supported. In this episode, we’re diving into: The telltale signs of an overwhelmed dog (spoiler: it’s not always...

Hey Friend! 🐾 Want to know the secret to helping your dog feel truly safe? It’s not just about food, water, or treats—it’s about YOU showing up as a calm, consistent leader. In this episode, we’re talking about why being that steady presence in your dog’s life makes all the difference. Here’s what we’re diving into today: What It Means to Be a Calm, Consistent Leader Leaders "go first"—your energ...

Hey Friend! 🐾 You ever notice how your dog seems to pick up on your vibes? Like, if you're stressed, they’re stressed... but if you're chill, they start to relax too? In this episode, we’re diving into emotional mirroring—how your mood directly shapes your dog’s behaviour. Let me tell you about Lexi, a rescue who had a tough time with reactivity on walks, and I had a rough time dealing with her i...

Hey fellow dog lover! 🐾 Does your dog bite or nip every time you try to show them affection? It might be time to rethink how you’re connecting with your dog. In this Q&A episode, I tackle the tough question: "My dog bites me every time I pet him—how do I prevent that?" The answer might surprise you: stop petting the dog. 😧 While this isn’t the answer most dog lovers want to hear, respecting...

Hey fellow dog lover! 🐾 Are you stuck judging your progress based on an unattainable ideal? In this episode, I’ll help you flip the script and focus on your real accomplishments by looking at how far you’ve come—not just how far you think you have to go. This mindset shift isn’t just for you—it can make all the difference in how you show up for your dog. Together, we’ll explore why celebrating in...

Hey, fellow dog lover! 🐾 Are you ready to step up for your dog with confidence? In this episode, I’m sharing why having a plan is the number one thing you need to help your dog feel safe and secure. The best part? Your plan doesn’t have to be perfect—it just needs to include what you want your dog to do and how you’ll guide them to success. I’ll dive into tools and techniques that can make a big...

Hey, fellow dog lover! 🐾 Ready to start the new year with confidence and clarity? In this episode, I’m sharing the one thing I want every dog lover to know going into 2025: You are enough for your dog. We’ll explore why the dog training industry often leaves us feeling less-than, why treats are great for teaching but not for building respect, and how showing up consistently is the foundation of a...

Hey fellow dog lover! Are you ready to kick off the new year with fresh energy and a renewed sense of calm for you and your dog? 🎉 We're thrilled to announce that the Calm Dog Down Bootcamp is back—mark your calendars for January 13-14 at 12 PM EST (11 AM CST, 10 AM MST). This time, we’re going BIGGER, BETTER, and BOLDER! (And yes, it’s technically two days, but you might want to block a little e...

Hey fellow dog lover! 🐾 Want to Build a Beautiful Bond with Your Dog but Don’t Have the Time? Do you ever feel like a busy schedule makes it impossible to work on your relationship with your dog? Sally asked a great question in the Living Beyond Obedience Facebook group about how to build a strong bond when working 12-hour days. In this episode, I’m diving into how relationships with our dogs are...

Hey there Dog Lover! I hope you are enjoying a little rest and renewal during the holidays. This is just a little note of appreciation for you. Thank you for being a part of my life. Here in Canada, it's BOXING DAY, so I wouldn't be Canadian if I didn't offer a Boxing Day deal on the Fearful Dog Fearless Framework Online Program and Community. So if it's on your heart to join our amazing community...

Hey there friend! This is just a quick note of gratitude for YOU. Words can't portray how much I appreciate you. Thank you for being here, and helping me through a tough time. Thank you for allowing me to share my journey and for sharing yours. Thank you to your dog. Your dog is the reason we have met. And I am so grateful for that! So here's to you. And your dog. Much love to you both. (all) ❤️ H...

Hey Dog Lover! Feeling stuck or overwhelmed when it comes to helping your fearful dog? Maybe you’re caught in the loop of what not to do, or you’ve tried New Year’s resolutions in the past that never really stuck. It’s frustrating, isn’t it? But here’s the good news: change is possible, and it starts with setting clear, meaningful goals. In this episode, I’ll walk you through: 1️⃣ Why goal setting...

Hey Dog Lover! I’m super excited to share the mic with my daughter Paisley for this episode! We’re diving into a big question sparking debate in the dog training world: Why are dogs so timid these days? Paisley takes us back to simpler times, sharing what it was like growing up with dogs and how attitudes toward them have changed over the years. And, we explore the finger-pointing and blame game h...

Hey there Dog Lover! 🐾 The holidays are here, and while they bring joy and excitement, they can also be overwhelming—for you and your dog. In this episode, we’re focusing on the number one thing you can do to make this season easier: lower your expectations. I’ll walk you through three simple strategies to help your dog (and you) navigate the holidays with less stress and more connection: 1️⃣ Why...

Hey there fellow Dog Lover! 🐾 Winter is here, and with it comes the perfect opportunity to pause, reflect, and reset. You and your dog can use this soft quiet time to simplify, reconnect, and build a strong foundation for the journey ahead. In this episode, we will discuss The Winter Reset: 3 Steps to Simplify Your Life with Your Dog . Together, we’ll explore: 1️⃣ Why winter is the ideal time to...

Hey Dog Lover!  🐾 Have you ever had one of those days? You know, the kind where nothing goes right, and everything just seems to get worse? Sometimes, our dogs have the same kind of days. In this episode, we’ll explore how layered stress works—how triggers can stack and push your fearful dog closer to their bite threshold. You’ll learn: ✨ Why stressors build up and what that means for your dog...

Hey Dog Lover!  🐾 Have you ever wondered when to move forward with your fearful dog or when to give them space? If so, this episode is for you! 🎙️ We’re diving into why avoiding triggers isn’t the answer and how to help your dog move past them. You’ll discover how to: ✨ Build trust so your dog feels safe with you ✨ Test progress with curiosity (not shame!) using “How Interesting” moments ✨ Gra...

Hey Dog Lover! Today I’m sharing one of my favourite tools for raising awareness about your relationship with your dog: The Leadership Scorecard . It’s all about understanding the subtle “canine conversations” happening every day between you and your dog and how they shape your bond. Whether it’s about who gets the couch or who’s leading the walk, every interaction matters. If you want to share yo...

Hey Dog Lover! Do you ever feel like you’re battling the same struggles with your dog over and over? From feeling overwhelmed by your dog's behaviour to wondering if you’ll ever see real progress, it’s easy to feel stuck and isolated. But what if the missing piece wasn’t another training tip—but a supportive community of people who truly get it? In this episode, I’m sharing 6 powerful reasons why...

Hey Dog Lover! 🐾 Does your fearful dog struggle with the chaos of the day? The secret to a calmer, more confident dog might be simpler than you think: predictability. Even better, Pattern of Predictability (P.O.P.) This episode explores the power of “bookending” your dog’s day with consistent, comforting routines. By creating predictable patterns in the morning and evening, you help protect your...

Hey Dog Lover! 🐾 Have you ever wondered what your dog is really saying? Dogs are always having tiny conversations—with us, with other dogs, and even with the world around them. But here’s the catch: knowing when to butt in and when to butt out is key. 🐶💬 In this episode, we dive into the art of listening to canine conversations and how understanding these subtle cues can make a BIG impact. Did...

Hey Dog Lover! 🐾 Ever wonder what it’s like to live with a whole pack of dogs? In this episode, I’m giving you a peek into my day-to-day, from our feeding rituals 🍽️ to the unique personalities 🐕 that make life with a pack so rich and unpredictable. It’s not all sunshine and roses 🌞🌧️—lately, there have been some "toothy disagreements" between a few of my dogs, and I’ll share what is causing th...