Enlightened By Dogs: Living with Cooperation, Not Obedience

When it comes to reactive dog behavior, it can feel like you've tried just about everything, and nothing seems to work. A reactive dog can put a huge strain on your relationships with your beloved pets. It can significantly impact the quality of a dog's life as well as your own. Traditional training is what many people turn to. But if that doesn't work, what next? The truth is, helping your dog is...

You may think that you're listening to your dog's wants and needs, but listening isn't always what you think it is. We all want to do what's best for our dogs. However, sometimes, in the quest for a successful relationship, we can get stuck pursuing traditional training methods that just aren't working. The reality is, truly listening to your dog can look very different from how you might have ima...

We often think about success as external. But what internal work happens on the way to achieving a brilliant partnership? Your mindset can be a powerful guide on the path to a happy lifestyle with your dog. But there are many factors that influence how you think, feel, and respond in any given situation. Most of the time, this happens on the unconscious level. Thinking carefully about how you can...

Are the activities you do with your dog really meeting both your needs? Both you and your dog are social beings. You have socialization and intellectual stimulation needs that you have the power to fulfill. But we often make mistakes about how to socialize our dogs and the engagement that we have with them. In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy shares a segment from one of her Brilliant Pa...

When your emotional pathway is clear and balanced, you're primed for connecting and co-regulating with your dog. But finding balance isn't always easy. So, what tools can you use to help restore emotional balance in your partnership? In this Enlightened By Dogs episode, Kathy shares how you can use flower essences to find balance when you're experiencing mental, emotional, or spiritual unease. The...

There are five key pillars that all social animals need to connect and thrive. These five elements build trust between you and your dog, and bring you back into balance when things start to go awry – so they're crucial for maintaining a partnership lifestyle! But what are they? The five pillars are to be safe, to be connected, to belong, to be heard, and to be helpful. When you keep these pillars...

In the world of dog behavior, there's a lot of talk about "impulse control". But what is causing these impulses, and what's the best way to approach "controlling" them? In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy turns the idea of "impulse control" upside down and inside out! Instead of trying to control impulses, Kathy explores how you can use your natural biology of connection to help your dog...

If your dog is displaying difficult behavior and not cooperating, it may make you feel like your dog is deliberately giving you a hard time. But the truth is, your dog is having a hard time! When you have these negative thoughts about how your dog reacts to you, it leads to trust leaks in your partnership. But there are ways to turn your thinking around and reframe your dog's behavior so that it d...

Socializing your dog can be tricky business! Especially when there are so many theories of how it should be done. However, some methods might not be right for your dog and may do more harm than good to your partnership. In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy shares the three common socialization myths that you should be aware of. She explains why attempting to socialize your dog in any of t...

Life can get pretty interesting when we mix personalities. Understanding your dog's personality type teaches you why they behave the way they do. Knowing more about how your dog expresses their personality gives you an insight into what they're trying to communicate and how. This better communication and understanding ultimately leads to a strong partnership bond! When personality types come toget...

One of the most common mistakes that dog moms make is fundamentally misunderstanding their dog's behavior. Your dog has an innate personality and unique needs. When these get misinterpreted, it can lead to your dog responding in a negative way. A misunderstood dog can be very difficult to live with. They may show anxious, defensive, or withdrawn behaviors like guard-barking or being on excessive a...

How can you truly help your reactive dog? I feel really passionate about this topic. Why? Because I hear so many stories of dog moms and dog families struggling with reactive dog training that just doesn't work for them. Often, the advice from the dog training world isn't helpful. It can result in dog moms feeling demoralized, guilty, or even like failures. But I want you to know that it doesn't h...

What if I told you there was a way to bypass the language barrier that you experience with your dog? Well, I believe that anyone who seeks to be a better communicator with their dog can achieve this by getting in touch with their intuition. Your intuition is a powerful way to receive and send communication with not just your dog, but all beings. From a holistic perspective, there are so many benef...

When you share a partnership lifestyle with your dog, you invite them to be a part of, or join in with, things that you do. But, when you extend an invitation to your dog, are you considering what your expectations are? Sharing a partnership lifestyle with your dog starts with offering invitations to connect and engage. Invitations are a brilliant way to open up space and bond. However, it's impor...

Are your thoughts getting in the way of you living a safe, calm, and happy life with your dog? Without realizing it, your thoughts around safe, calm, and happy, could be the very thing that stifles your progress! Whenever you try to make real change happen in your life (even if it's positive change), your primitive brain often steps in and makes you question everything. So, what can you do about i...

What do different dog greetings really mean? Have you ever wondered why your dog greets you the way they do? Why do they get so excited when you come home? Why do they jump up, spin around in circles, or clobber you with their front paw? As dog moms, most of us fully embrace whatever way our dogs choose to greet us. Of course, we might find it cute and adorable when our dogs jump up to greet us. H...

Setting boundaries for our dogs is so important, especially when it comes to biting from excitement or over-arousal. A lot of the misunderstanding comes from the idea of setting boundaries because boundaries mean strict restrictions, right? Well, not exactly. When setting boundaries for your dog, you actually help to build trust. You see, the one thing that our dogs need to trust us is the same th...

Living in partnership with our dogs comes with lots of highs and lows. We create memories together that we cherish, and we continue to grow closer as brilliant partners. However, it's not all rainbows and sunshine. Sometimes, our dogs like to express themselves in ways that some people would deem "naughty." This type of behavior ranges from barking at perceived dangers that we know are safe, tryin...

Where does your empowerment come from? Empowerment does not come from placing yourself above others but from your strength, vulnerability, and empathetic nature. Whenever a new year or season in life begins, many people reflect on their life's purpose. They want to discover why they're here on this planet and find meaning in what they're doing with their lives. As dog moms, we might be thinking ab...

Is your dog so out of control that you're afraid to walk them on a leash? There's nothing more stressful than walking an unruly and reactive dog who could pull, lunge, or bark hysterically at any minute. If you're struggling with this problem with your dog, Kathy wants to help you change your story so that you and your dog can come together in a loving partnership. So, for this episode of Enlighte...

Is your dog reactive on the leash? Maybe your dog hates being on the leash and won't even let you put it on. Or, perhaps your dog pulls on the leash and lunges towards other dogs, moving objects, or other people. Whatever the case, your dog is not a fan of the leash and will do just about anything to avoid it! If any of this sounds familiar, this is the episode for you! Kathy has met hundreds (if...

If you're struggling with your dog, you're not alone. We all have good days and bad days with our dogs. Sometimes, our dogs wear invisible halos and act like angels for the entire day. Other times, our dogs turn into rebels who would rather do their own thing than listen to our commands. Experiencing life with a dog comes with its ups and downs. There is a lot of joy, fun, and adventure that comes...

Do you dream of creating a brilliant partnership with your dog? The type of partnership where the two of you can dance through life together as real partners? Well, you can but it takes time, patience, and a lot of practice. In this inspiring episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy shares how you and your dog can become winning partners.  To be a brilliant partner for your dog, you must put mental c...

2020 hasn't been the easiest year for any of us. It's been tough and it's about time we welcomed some joy and happiness into our lives, don't you think? You've probably heard the saying that happiness is a choice, and that is true to some extent. Of course, being happy is easier said than done, especially if you're going through a difficult time. As we approach the new year, it's a good time to th...

Do you practice gratitude? It's well-known that having an active gratitude practice can make you happier and healthier, but when you're always so busy, when can you find the time to do it? There's no better time to appreciate the smaller things in life than on your daily dog walk. Whether your dog is up to something silly or you just feel that connection between yourself and them, taking a moment...