K9 Translators

Did you adopt a dog for protection and now they are too protective?  This week, Tara and Laura tackle a common problem with dogs that are brought into homes to protect, but then behavior problems arise.  They go over why this idea of getting a dog as a deterrent can cause a lot of miscommunication, behavior problems, and potential reactivity or aggression as well. Sponsored by K9 Workingmind This...

What are you training for?  This week, Tara and Laura pose the question of why people chose to train their dogs.  Many individuals are training for a specific goal, but what if you thought of training as a subscription?  What would that mean?  They explain the differences in these two ways of thought when approaching training with your dog and what that looks like when working with them. Sponsored...

What gear is best for your dog?  This week, Tara and Laura break down all the different types of gear available for dogs and explain when you would use them.  There are so many different options out there that it can be overwhelming, but knowing how to properly communicate your expectations on the leash is extremely important.  Some gear is better for certain dogs over others, some build frustrati...

Was that a sign of resource guarding?  This week, Tara and Laura cover some of the signs of general resource guarding that many people will miss.  Resource guarding is natural in all animals, but many times people won’t notice the subtle signs of his behavior.  The more confidence a dog builds with these simple behaviors the more likely it can escalate. Sponsored by K9 Workingmind This episode was...

Is your dog partaking in terrier sparing?  This week, Tara and Laura dive into the known competition of terrier sparing.  They break down what this competition is, why they believe it is inappropriate, and what behaviors it can cause in terriers that can feed the stereotypes about the breed.  Many people have a negative viewpoint on the terrier breeds, and unfortunately, some of those opinions can...

Have you heard of The Mutty Professor?  This week, Tara and Laura were honored to welcome The Mutty Professor, Roz, on the podcast all the way from the UK.  They discussed training ideologies, struggles that positive trainers face in the mist of social media, and the importance of having great communication and listening to every dog when working with them.  Roz offered a lot of insight into train...

What does your dog’s play look like?  This week, Tara and Laura break down what proper forms of play looks like between dogs.  They offer examples of inappropriate play, including excessive jumping, mouthing, and wrestling, and discuss why allowing this type of play can be a recipe for disaster.  They also explain what proper play between dogs should look and sound like and how owners can help tea...

Are you depriving your dog?  This week, Tara and Laura answer the question on if dogs should be allowed to hunt and kill.  Many people believe that it is a natural instinct for all dogs to need the opportunity to hunt and kill, but they only want them to do it when they allow.  Tara and Laura explain how this idea of a dog needing this release isn’t true and why it can cause more problems if owner...

What GPS collar is the best for your dog?  This week, Tara and Laura compare the different GPS collars available for pet owners.  They break down the pros and cons of the different brands, why every pet owner should consider a GPS for their dog, and what they have experienced with their personal dogs.  There is so much to learn about your dog’s habits plus having the peace of mind that you could k...

How well do you know Tara’s co-host?  This week, Tara turned the tables on Laura and had her on the hot seat.  Tara peppered Laura with questions for listeners to have an opportunity to get to know her co-host a little bit better.  It’s always refreshing to learn more about the people you are listening to and understand their background, thought processes, and personality a little bit more. Sponso...

Is your dog stupid or actually smarter than you?  This week, Tara and Laura break open the myth that some dogs are unable to learn and are labeled as stupid.  They discuss why this is inaccurate, why some trainers may say this, and how to determine why your dog may be struggling to learn something.  Most of the time the fault lies with us and our communication or your dog knows they can ignore you...

Do you know who you are listening to?  This week, Laura turns the podcast completely on to Tara and asks her questions about her life, her career, and details that many people may not know about her.  If you are listening and enjoying our episodes, we want everyone to know who the person behind the voice is, where they are coming from, and allow our listeners to feel more connected to us. Sponsore...

Why is that dog taking medication?  This week, Tara and Laura vent about the common occurrence of medicating dogs to meet adopters that is happening more and more.  They stress the need for transparency to potential adopters if a dog is using behavioral medication while at the shelter or in a rescue so adopters understand the type of dog they may be adopting.  It is also important to know the red...

Is a dog with gamma syndrome bad?  This week, Tara and Laura talk in depth about what it means if a dog has gamma syndrome.  They explain how this behavior starts, why it is completely human-caused, and what a dog with gamma syndrome will display when reacting.  This syndrome is completely different than omega syndrome, which they discussed in episode 162, and is more dangerous for handlers and ot...

Why is your dog going crazy every day at the same time?  This week, Tara and Laura tackle the canine crazies.  This is the strange witching hour that many owners describe as the most difficult time of day for them to control their dog’s behavior.  Mouthing, jumping, zoomies, constant chewing, and other unwanted behaviors always seem to rile up during this time.  They explain why this is seen so of...

Does tethering your dog actually help them learn something?  This week, Tara and Laura cover the popular training technique of tethering.  They deconstruct the method, explain why it isn’t effective, and discuss how it can have a negative impact on our dogs.  Many dogs with different behavioral attributes will react to this technique in different ways, but they strive to help owners understand the...

Is a lab the right dog for your home?  For the first guest of the year and this season, Tara and Laura welcomed Margaret Huston from Heart of Texas Lab Rescue.  Margaret shared her background in the animal rescue field, how they determine dogs to bring into the rescue, and the process for adoptions.  They discussed how the stereotype that a lab is always a great family dog can be inaccurate and ho...

Why do you think that dog is the alpha?  In this first episode of season 4, Tara and Laura break down the difference between being an alpha and being a protector.  They debunk the common myths associated with behaviors that make an “alpha” in a pack and explain how most of the time the dog owners believe is in that role is incorrect.  They also explain why this term of needing to be the “alpha” of...

What are you hoping for in the new year?  This shortened episode is the last of this season and the year of 2025, so Tara and Laura talk about what they hope to see in the new year in regards to dogs and their owners.  Try to take a moment to reflect on your year with your dog and determine what goals you have for 2026 with your pup.  We hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year! Sponsored by K9...

Monkey see, monkey do?  This week, Tara and Laura discuss some of the top social media trends they have seen with dogs and their owners.  They cover multiple trends, past and current, and why they are not all appropriate.  Sometimes it is better to stop and think of the impact these trends can have on your dog before just trying something you see on social media. Sponsored by K9 Workingmind This e...

Helping veterans match with service dogs is an amazing calling.  This week, Tara and Laura welcomed Ryan Woodruff from Clear Path for Veterans to talk about their canine program.  They discuss Ryan’s background that led him to his calling and the process they use to help match the perfect service dog to help our veterans in this country.  What an amazing passion to have and one that we share!  Be...

Why does my dog ignore me?  This week, Tara and Laura address a common problem seen between owner and dog that can be extremely frustrating most of the time.  They explain the different reasons that a dog would choose to ignore their owner and the different scenarios this behavior is seen the most.  They offer advice on how to make sure communication between handler and dog is clear and challenge...

Why is control aggression so difficult?  This week, Tara and Laura pick apart one of the most difficult types of aggression to work through, why it can be so difficult, and why it isn’t something to just sweep under the rug.  They give examples of ways that owners may miss subtle ways their dogs are gaining confidence in their control and the importance of consistency when dealing with a control a...

What are your holiday plans?  This week’s episode, Tara and Laura re-cover things to consider with the holiday season upon us.  They go over plans to consider if you are traveling with your dog, boarding your dog, having someone stay over to watch them, having family visit, or dealing with distractions such as decorations.  It’s always best to prep and be overly prepared for anything instead of sc...

What is causing the aggression epidemic?  In this episode, Tara and Laura break down the different reasons why people are seeing a rise in behavior and aggression cases.  They explain which types of aggressions are becoming more prevalent, why this is happening, and how it can lay heavy on the positive and force-free dog training community. Sponsored by K9 Workingmind This episode was edited and m...