Life Lessons from Dog

They trained the patterns. They practiced the skills. But the moment they entered the ring… it was like the dog disappeared. If you’ve ever experienced this — or watched it happen — you’re not alone. And there’s a reason behind it. In this episode, I’m reflecting on my return to the sport of obedience with Eden and Bachelor, and what it’s revealed about the overlap between performance and behavior...

Some seasons ask for planning. Others ask for presence. And sometimes—like now—they ask for both. In this real-time minisode, Kari shares what it feels like to be in that in-between space: full of to-dos, anticipation, and reminders to slow down long enough to feel the joy that’s already here. It’s a quiet reflection on timing, trust, and learning to stay grounded when life feels like it’s speedin...

Sometimes, the only way forward… is slower than you planned. In this first episode of a multi-part arc, I share the story of Roo — a highly trained dog whose emotional intensity required something deeper than obedience. What began as a standard board and train quickly turned into a lesson in presence, patience, and trust. You’ll hear how Roo’s shutdown at drop-off forced me to throw out the plan e...

Before the business, before the podcast, before any of this… I was a cake decorator. I didn’t plan to change my life. But one foster dog shifted everything. In this episode, I’m sharing the story of how I went from frosting cakes to full-time dog training — following the thread of instinct, alignment, and a quiet knowing that just wouldn’t let go. From forming my first LLC to buying a property I w...

Some dogs aren’t meant to stay with us forever. But they show up exactly when we need them. This episode is a story about one of those dogs — my first dog in adulthood, Bailey. She came into my life during a season of recovery, brought light into a hard chapter, and then, when the time was right… she chose someone else. My dad. I’m sharing this now because while he was visiting this summer, the me...

A full July, a little chaos, and a lot of clarity. In this check-in episode, I’m pulling back the curtain a bit — sharing where I’ve been, what I’ve been building behind the scenes, and how this podcast is evolving right alongside me. From hosting my dad for the month, to weathering a windstorm (and a sprinkler flood) at my first-ever booth setup, to joining the teaching staff at a legacy training...

Some dogs heel like pros. Others add a little spin, a little sass, or a perfectly timed “woo” for dramatic effect. This episode is a celebration of the weird ones—the quirky behaviors, the joyful chaos, the little things our dogs do that make us laugh, soften, and stay present. From Eden’s extra flair in obedience class to a viral Boxer recall that stole the show, we’re diving into the beauty of i...

“Your dog’s just feeding off your energy.” It’s a phrase we hear all the time. But what if blaming the handler is more deflection than diagnosis? In this episode, we’re digging into the moments when well-meaning advice turns into unhelpful blame—and how that narrative can actually get in the way of real progress. You’ll hear the story of Ollie, a reactive dog whose human was told she wasn’t doing...

In this episode, we’re talking about something I see every day in training—and feel just as deeply in life: the slow, steady process of real change. Because behavior change? It’s not a one-and-done. It’s a long game. One that requires repetition, consistency, and grace—especially when it feels like we’re backsliding. And the same is true for healing. From dogs learning to generalize new behaviors...

Most dog trainers are taught to follow the formula. Obedience solves everything. Stick to the system. Don’t question what works. But what happens when a dog doesn’t fit the mold—and neither do you? In this episode, I’m sharing the story of Kirie, a rescue who shattered every training protocol I thought I was supposed to follow. Her case forced me to abandon conventional methods and trust my gut—ul...

We talk a lot about how dogs love us. But what if one of their greatest gifts isn’t just how they love—but how they receive love? In this episode of Life Lessons from Dog , Kari shares a personal conversation that sparked a deeper reflection on what it means to let love in—especially when it feels unfamiliar. From a quiet moment on the couch with her Malamute, Eden, to the stories we carry about w...

Why do we assume a fearful dog must have been abused? Or that a reactive dog is simply “too much to handle”? In this episode of Life Lessons from Dog , Kari Solberg unpacks the quiet power of the stories we tell—about our dogs, and about ourselves. Through personal reflection and real-world training experience, Kari explores how narratives shape behavior, influence expectations, and often hold bot...

Play isn’t just for puppies—and it’s not something we’re meant to grow out of. In this episode of Life Lessons from Dog , Kari explores the essential role of play in both dog training and daily life. Drawing from years of experience with dogs who had forgotten how to engage socially, Kari shares how structured play brought balance, confidence, and joy back into their lives—and how a recent life tr...

In this episode of Life Lessons from Dog , host Kari Solberg delves into the concept of finding joy in everyday moments, drawing inspiration from her Alaskan Malamute, Eden. Kari shares heartfelt stories, including a memorable obedience trial that turned into an unexpected lesson in joy and presence. She reflects on how dogs like Eden embrace each moment with enthusiasm, teaching us to find happin...

Transitions are rarely comfortable—especially the ones we didn’t plan for. But what if the discomfort isn’t a problem to solve, but a space to learn from? In this episode of Life Lessons from Dog , Kari shares a recent life transition that knocked her off balance—and how sitting in the uncertainty of “the pause between” became its own kind of teacher. Drawing on her training philosophy with dogs,...

We hear it all the time—be yourself, and the right people will find you. But what does that actually look like in practice? And how does it apply to building real, lasting community? In this episode of Life Lessons from Dog , I’m sharing how embracing my unique approach to dog training not only transformed my business but also attracted the right people into my life—clients who aligned with my phi...

Have you ever ignored that nagging feeling in your gut, only to realize later that you should have listened? I’ve been there—especially in my work with dogs. In this episode, I’m sharing a pivotal moment when I handed over the leash, trusting a professional’s expertise over my own instincts. I stood there, watching my dog struggle, feeling deep down that something wasn’t right. And when I finally...

Grief is one of life's hardest teachers, but if we allow it, it can be one of the most profound. In this episode, Kari reflects on the loss of her mother and the many things she has said goodbye to throughout her life and career. From personal pets to behavioral euthanasia cases, she shares how each loss has shaped her understanding of grief, love, and the difficult choices we sometimes have t...

Conflict is uncomfortable--but avoiding it doesn't make it go away. In fact, it often makes things worse. As a recovering people pleaser, Kari knows this struggle firsthand. But through her work with dogs, she's learned that conflict isn't something to fear--its something to navigate with clarity, just like our dogs do. In this episode, Kari breaks down how dogs handle conflict natural...

In this episode, Kari takes you back to the Training Cesar's Way workshop in Santa Clarita, California where she and her dog Buddy faced one of their greatest challenges yet. Grappling with her newfound sensitivity to energy, Kari shares the powerful lessons she learned about anxiety, and the art of energy management--both in herself and in her dogs. Through a vivid recount of her experience w...

Boundaries can be one of the hardest lessons to learn, but they're also one of the most transformative. In this episode, Kari shares how her dog Crosby became a subtle, persistent teacher in the art of boundary setting. From navigating his pushy behavior to redefining their relationship, Kari reflects on how the lessons she learned with Crosby helped her build healthier, more fulfilling connec...

Fear can be a powerful force but what if its also one of our greatest teachers? In this episode, Kari recounts her transformative experience traveling to Training Cesar's Way with her dog Buddy. What began as an exciting opportunity quickly became a lesson in navigating fear--Buddy's and her own. From Buddy's struggles with separation anxiety to Kari's journey of self-discovery, th...

Every journey has a beginning and for Kari Solberg, it all started with one dog: Kohla.  In this debut episode, Kari shares the deeply personal story of hoa a challenging rescue dog changed her life and set her on a path of purpose.  From fostering over 50 dogs in her first year to building a thriving career in dog training and care, Kari reflects on the profound lessons dogs teach us about patien...