K9 Translators

Is that behavior acceptable just because it is a lab?  This week Tara and Laura discuss the double standard that has been witnessed when it comes to behaviors of certain breeds, such as a lab.  They talk about personal experiences with their owns labs and their potentially inappropriate behavior that was allowed to happen only because of their breed.  Breed stigmas and stereotypes are not accurate...

Is prepping for going a hike with your dog necessary?  This week Tara and Laura cover all the things to consider when taking your dog on a hike to make sure they are safe and don’t get injured.  There are many scenarios that need to be considered, precautions that prove necessary, and ways to keep your dog safe so that everyone can have a great time. Sponsored by K9 Workingmind This episode was ed...

How can I get my dog involved in a game?  This week Tara and Laura discuss the importance of playing games to help build focus and motivation from your dog.  They give multiple examples of simple games to play with your dog at home or in public settings.  Even if your dog doesn’t know how to play, that doesn’t mean you can’t try to get them engaged and do something fun and engaging with them that...

This week's episode is an encore performance with Courtney Leigh who works to bring awareness to the horrible natures of puppymills and runs the events held here in the Austin area for Puppymill Awareness Day and more. Marks your calendars! Puppymill Awareness Day is Sunday, September 28th from 9am - 12pm at the Centennial Plaza in Round Rock. Boots and Bling is Thursday, October 30th at 7pm a...

What does it mean for a dog to have omega syndrome?  This week Tara and Laura break down the concept of omega syndrome and how owners can cause it.  They explain the behaviors associated with it and the extremes in reactions that occur with a dog that has omega syndrome.  Many people may not realize they are causing this to happen, so it is important to know how you may be contributing to the wron...

Can it really happen to your dog?  This week Tara and Laura were excited to welcome Sara to come and talk about her dog, Duck.  They reminisced on the journey Sara and Duck went through to help with Duck’s aggression and reactivity and the incredible progress they both made as a team.  Sara discussed the struggles when Duck unexpectedly lost her sight at a young age, the adjustments made, and how...

How do you know what your dog really thinks of you?  This week Tara and Laura explain how a dog owner can tell if your dog actually enjoys being with them or not.  Many owners think their dog doesn’t love them because they aren’t overly affectionate, but there are other ways to know if your dog wants to be with you.  Every dog is different and knowing how to understand their body language is imper...

Can a stay and train fix your dog’s behavior?  This week Tara and Laura work to explain why a stay and train may not be the best option if your dog is showing aggression.  They caution owners on believing a “guarantee” for behavior changes and explain how teaching obedience in these programs is completely different than eliminating an aggression issue.  They break down each type of aggression to d...

How should dogs and children interact?  This week Tara and Laura address the important topic of educating children about how they should interact with dogs.  There are so many videos, news stories, and bad experiences with dogs and kids that could have easily been avoided with proper interactions and getting involved before something happens.  They explain how it is the adult’s responsibility to p...

This week, Tara and Laura were honored to welcome their sound editor, Lisa, to talk about her journey and experience with dogs.  They discussed how she started using service dogs and her background training her service dogs, as well as others.  The idea that every dog can teach you something new is a huge theme, and this was true for Lisa who came from a background of using force tools and is lear...

Is your dog trying to tell you something?  This week Tara and Laura explain what it means for a dog to “nope out” of a job or something you had planned for them.  They break down the signs to watch for when asking your dog to do something and how you can be sure to listen to them before they get too frustrated.  Knowing your dog, being able to read their body language, and not being selfish and fo...

How different is a differently-abled dog?  This week Tara and Laura address differently-abled dogs, the myths that surround these dogs, and simple ways to help train them.  They discuss personal experiences with their own dogs and debunk some of the stigmas against these dogs.  Differently-abled never means disabled. Sponsored by K9 Workingmind This episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoma...

How can you help your dog keep healthy joints?  This week Tara and Laura expanded on another question sent in from our Q&A episode about building muscle and joint support in dogs.  Whether your dog is a young puppy or a senior pet, it is still important to keep their joints healthy and work to build proper muscle that can support them.  Tara and Laura discuss different things you can do to hel...

How do you know a new dog is the right fit?  This week Tara and Laura expanded on a question sent in from our Q&A episode about accepting a new dog into an already established pack.  They explain what behaviors you should be monitoring, how to recognize if something isn’t working or there is too much stress, and how to help manage a new dog in a pack as well.  Sponsored by K9 Workingmind This...

Why can’t my dog just get over it?  This week Tara and Laura talk about how to do proper exposure work with your dog ranging from experiencing strange items, people, dogs, and situations.  They explain the most effective way to help your dog overcome something that makes them uncomfortable and also ways that could make it worse. Sponsored by K9 Workingmind This episode was edited and mastered by T...

My dog keeps running away from me, what do I do?  This week Tara and Laura explain the best methods when dealing with the situation of a dog running away from you.  Ranging from your own down bolting out of the house to trying to help a stray dog that won’t let you get close to them, Tara and Laura break down the different methods to help in all these situations that are all too common. Sponsored...

Is letting your dog sniff on a walk really that bad?  This week Tara and Laura debunk the common misconception that dogs should always be allowed to sniff constantly on any walk.  This isn’t proper mental stimulation and it definitely doesn’t make them more of a dog.  They explain how this can in fact increase your dog’s chance at developing nervousness or reactivity instead. Sponsored by K9 Worki...

What’s the best approach to controlling your dog?  This week Tara and Laura explain the pros and cons to using a crate versus a pen versus a room.  They discuss the appropriate times to use any of these options for the goal of confining or controlling your dog without it being seen as a punishment. Sponsored by K9 Workingmind This episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "W...

Does your dog really need to be off leash?  This week Tara and Laura heatedly discuss the off-leash dog trend and why it can be so frustrating for other dog owners.  They explain how proper obedience and recall is imperative for any off leash dogs and how off leash dogs can lead to other dogs showing more reactivity or aggression.  Don’t be part of the problem and make sure you are a responsible p...

Headed back into the office for work?  What does that mean for your dog?  This week Tara and Laura discuss a requested topic that is popping up more now that a lot of federal and state workers are returning to the office.  Many people are worried about their dogs now that they are no longer working from home and are carrying a lot of guilt for leaving their dogs alone.  Tara and Laura give options...

What’s with the doodle craze?  This week Tara and Laura dive into the world of doodles and all the designer dogs being created.  They discuss the issues that are being seen all over with these dogs, why people want them but don’t realize the amount of work necessary, and how these dogs end up getting a bad rap with the public. Sponsored by K9 Workingmind This episode was edited and mastered by The...

Tara and Laura were honored to welcome Ashley & Heather to talk about Rescue PAC, a wonderful rescue that is doing amazing work.  Ashley and Heather discuss how they got started, what drives their rescue work, memorable cases, and how to help them.  We love how much care they put into each dog to make sure it is ready for their new forever home on a medical and behavioral front.  Check them ou...

Can you pet that dog?  This week Tara and Laura break down the differences between assistance, service, and therapy dogs to help the public understand how the training, handling, and expectations for these dogs are different.  They go into detail about why it is important to respect a handler’s dog and know if it is a dog that is allowed to socialize when out in public. Sponsored by K9 Workingmind...

How can I help my fearful dog?  This week Tara and Laura talk about understanding fearful and feral dogs.  They explain the differences between these types of dogs, how to help them, and what can be detrimental to their progress.  Patience being key is paramount for this episode, especially when you are wanting to help a fearful or feral dog learn. Sponsored by K9 Workingmind This episode was edit...

Is competition work something your dog would enjoy?  Tara and Laura discuss the differences between doing the sport of tracking as a hobby versus for competition.  They explain what a handler that is doing tracking for competition should expect, how to know if your dog is actually enjoying it, and when to decide that maybe just having it as a fun hobby is the better option. Sponsored by K9 Working...