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

Hey Dog Lover! 🐾 Do you ever wonder why it feels like more and more dogs are reactive lately? 🤔 Or maybe you’re dealing with reactivity yourself and wondering if there’s something you missed along the way. In this episode, I’m diving into real questions from reactive dog forums, where we explore why reactivity seems so common—especially in homes with multiple dogs. I’ll share two key insights: w...

Hey Dog Lover! 🐾 Have you ever wondered what it really means to have a strong, healthy relationship with your dog? Are you tired of being told what to do or not to do, without truly understanding your bond? Do you dream of a connection built on trust, understanding, and respect? In this episode, I’m sharing the key to unlocking your unique relationship style with your dog. We’ll dive into differe...

Hey Dog Lover! 🐾 Leadership... It's a dirty word in the dog training industry, but in this episode, I'm breaking down the real meaning of leadership and why it’s absolutely essential for you and your dog. 🐕 I’m sharing my own story of facing pushback—and even bullying—in the dog training community over the word "leadership." Many trainers have it all wrong, equating leadership with outdated, for...

Hey Dog Lover!🐾 Step inside the mind of a fearful dog and discover how they process fear naturally. In today’s episode, I’ll walk you through a gentle approach-and-retreat protocol designed to let your dog tackle fears at their own pace. Once you understand this natural process, you’ll be able to approach training from a place of understanding, helping to reduce frustrations and empower your dog...

Hey Dog Lover! Do you feel stuck with your fearful dog ? In this episode, we're diving into how to handle setbacks and plateaus with patience, grace, and a step-by-step plan to keep you moving forward. Learn why setbacks are not failures but valuable feedback , and how hidden triggers can help you better understand your dog's thresholds . We’ll discuss practical strategies, including my favourite...

Hey Dog Lover! Do you think your dog’s reactivity might be fear-based? You might be surprised to learn that there are several other reasons why dogs can act out. In this episode, I’m breaking down 5 surprising causes of reactivity that go beyond fear, and I’ll share how you can recognize these behaviours and manage them more effectively. Here’s what we’ll cover: Why overstimulation might be overwh...

Hey Dog Lover! Ever wonder what it takes to be happy? Happiness can seem elusive—even for us humans! But when I talk to fellow dog lovers dealing with fearful or reactive dogs, I often ask them, “What’s the number one thing you want for your dog?” The answer is almost always the same: “I just want my dog to be happy.” So what truly makes a dog happy? Spoiler: It’s not their favourite treat or toy!...

Hey Dog Lover! 🐾 Is your dog "freaking out" at the window? Tried treats to distract and still nothing? Today, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my thought process on how to decode your dog's barking.(ooohhh scary! 😳) We’ll explore what's really going on when your dog reacts to what's outside, and how you can BE a part of the conversation. From my "go see and thank you" protocol to understandin...

Hey Dog Lover! Feeling like your bond with your fearful dog has been slipping, especially since others in the household aren’t following the training rules? If you’re worried that inconsistent boundaries are affecting your dog's behaviour and connection with you, you’re not alone. In this episode, we tackle the frustration of seeing all your hard work unravel because someone else isn’t on the same...

Hey, my Fellow Dog Lover! Thanksgiving is this Monday for us Canadians, 🇨🇦🦃 So we need to talk about holidays, family and your fearful dog. If you’re worried about how your dog will handle all the family and friends' gatherings, this episode is for you. We’ll discuss why Thanksgiving  isn’t  the best time for training and how to support your dog by allowing it to retreat to its comfort zone. We'l...

Hey there, dog lover! 🐾🎃 In this episode, we discuss why Halloween can be a truly spooky time for our fearful dogs. From strange costumes to eerie decorations, this season disrupts your dog's senses, making it harder for them to feel safe and recognize familiar people or environments. So while some may use this as a "training opportunity", if we have a less than confident dog, this can be a nigh...

Hey there Dog Lover, Today, we’re getting real about why your fearful dog may still be reactive, even after you’ve tried all the training tricks in the book. The truth is, it’s not just about what your dog is doing—it’s about mindset, communication, and yes, even the equipment you’re using. Here’s what we’ll break down: Mindset : Are you focusing on ‘fixing’ your dog or paying attention to how you...

Hey there Dog Lover! In this episode, we tackle 5 sneaky actions that might block your dog’s confidence and weaken the bond you’re trying to build. (Spoiler alert: You might be doing some of them without even realizing it!) From leash pulling to communication mishaps, we’ll cover the common mistakes that are holding your dog back. Here’s what we’ll dig into: Leash pulling : Are you worth hanging o...

Hey dog lover! Have you ever been told that your dog needs to be more social? What if I told you that’s not always the case—especially for fearful dogs? (It's true!) Earlier this week I hinted at the idea of fostering a "pro-social relationship with your dog. This week I’ll explain why being "social" isn’t the ideal goal for your dog, and what you should be aiming for instead. We’ll explore the di...

Hey dog lover! Have you ever wondered if your dog should always be walking behind you? Does it matter? And what about sniffing? In this episode, I’m breaking down the truth about leash position. Does it really matter if your dog walks behind you? The answer is yes, but maybe not in the way you think. I’ll explain the dynamics between you and your dog and when it's important to take the lead. You’l...

Hey dog lover! In this episode, I'm diving into the often misunderstood topic of using muzzles in reactivity training. I'll share why muzzles can actually be a powerful tool for building trust and confidence between you and your dog. Adding a muzzle can help you become a calmer, more confident guardian, allowing you to safely test trust-building exercises. If you've ever felt unsure ab...

Hey dog lover! Is your dog trapped in a cycle of fear? In today’s episode, we break down the fear cycle to help you step inside the mind of a fearful dog. Instead of avoiding their fear or distracting them from it, learn how to truly support your dog as they work through it. Discover why embracing these challenging moments can help your dog build lasting confidence and finally break free from thei...

Hey there dog lover! Have you ever felt stuck while training your fearful dog? Felt like you've tried everything but nothing is working? Had a few setbacks and now you are questioning "Is it me? Can I even do this?" If so then you need this reset! In this episode, I am talking about a 3 step reset to help get you unstuck in your training and get back to actually enjoying your dog aga...

Hey dog lover, Have you ever wondered whether your dog’s reactivity is rooted in fear or just aggression? It’s such an important distinction to make because it can really change how you approach helping your dog. In this episode, I’m diving into three key ways to figure it out. 🐾Your Dog’s History: Whether you’ve had your dog since they were a pup or brought them into your life as a rescue, their...

Hey there dog lover! This week on the podcast I am giving you permission to just quit. Yes, I said it. You can quit. Quit all the things Quit the training Quit the walking Quit. If your walks with your dog are miserable or stressful, you can stop. And let's take a breath and a reset. Today, I am discussing what the first steps of a reset will look like for you and your dog. And if you or someo...

Hey there friend! Today I was thinking about how the stories we tell about our rescue dogs shape not only how we think of them but also how they see the world. The power of those stories is the catalyst for today's episode on why our fear-reactive dogs stay stuck in the fear cycle. I hope you enjoy the episode! and BIG NEWS!!! I have an online LIVE 2-day event happening Sept 9-10th that you ne...

Hey there friend! Well I know the answer to this will be a resounding YES. Of course but... Are you dreaming of life that is EASY with your dog? I have noticed that for many dog lovers, life with dogs is challenging, frustrating or even down right hard. So today I am sharing the 4 situations of living with dogs that make everything soooo easy for me and my pack. Designed to live within a framework...

Hey there friend! Today we are answering a great question, about how to get your calm peaceful house back when you have 2 (or more) dogs that love each other and are using your house has a playground. I have always had a large pack of dogs living with me and I can say that my house is mostly calm and peaceful. So today I am giving 3 easy tips on how you can get that calm back in your life while st...

Hey there fellow dog lover! This week I am sharing the story of Levi, one of the most fearful dogs I have had the pleasure of learning from. And this week I had to take him to the vet and I was so shocked by his behaviour I wanted to share it today! Upon reflection, I figured this out: The number one thing I did over the years of living with Levi that made the most difference is what I am talking...

Hey there my fellow dog lover! If there is one thing I can say about my life with dogs is that I have learned so much from living with and working with large groups of dogs. I have had the opportunity to see: Familial Packs Temporary Packs Working Packs And of course, living with my House Pack And I can say that they are wildly different. So that is why when I hear tragic stories of dogs getting h...