Pawsitively Dog-Powered

While we often think about how to improve our dog's training skills and fitness, we don't often address the other half of the team. Spending time focusing on our own fitness goals can dramatically improve our ability to enjoy and thrive in this sport. In this episode, I sit down with musher and fitness enthusiast Laurie Meyer to talk about how we can be better for our dogs. Learn more about Chelse...

Building healthy and long-lasting relationships between dogs can be an art form. For small growing teams, maintaining positive relationships indoors and on the trails is essential. In this episode I sit down with fellow dog trainer Katie Sipple, and we talk about how to introduce a new dog into your home and how to avoid fights and conflict. Learn more about Chelsea's Virtual Dog-Powered Sports Cl...

There's a lot more to sled dogs than just running on the trails! These owners also train their dogs for movies and tv! Join us for a panel discussion on the audition process, life on set, skill-building, some special BTS and more! See if your dog has what it takes to be a star. Learn more about Chelsea's Virtual Dog-Powered Sports Classes: https://www.pawsitivefutures.com/dog-poweredsports Support...

Are you ready to dive into some more fun in the snow? Even with one dog you can get out for some fun with sleds. But choosing your sled carefully and being mindful about safety is essential for your winter adventures.  In this episode I sit down with friend and sprint musher Carissa Daniels and we talk all about how to choose the right sled or kicksled for your team and additional equipment, train...

Considering attending your first race? Long time musher and race coordinator Annie Hammond joins us for a look behind the scenes! We talk about how to find races, equipment considerations, what to expect on site, passing and more!  Learn more about Chelsea's Virtual Dog-Powered Sports Classes: https://www.pawsitivefutures.com/dog-poweredsports Support this podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.c...

When working with canine athletes, having a structured plan can make or break your season. And carefully planning your transitions between in-season and off-season can help improve performance and well-being of your dog. In this episode, I sit down with dog trainer and canine fitness coach Daniel Rose and we talk about building foundations in off-season and amping up training intensity to prepare...

Reinforcement drives behavior forward. And for some dogs, toys are life. But, as a trainer, finding the right way to use that toy as reinforcement can be a tricky endeavor. In this episode, I sit down with professional trainers Charissa Carvell KPA-CTP and Amber Quann CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, TAGTEACH L1 and we talk about the ins and outs of toys as reinforcement and how you can use it to build stronger...

Big dreams with dogs eventually lead to growing teams. In this episode, I sit down with professional trainer and musher Robert Forto and we talk about how your training plans change as you add dogs to your home. Learn about building and training teams and how to help each dog succeed as an individual. To connect with Robert Forto, you can follow him at: http://www.alaskadogworks.com http://www.dog...

Packing for a dryland race and traveling with your dog can be a big adventure. If you haven't done it before, it can be daunting thinking about all the small details. In this episode, I sit down with two other mushers and we give tips to make traveling with your dog easier from raising your new puppy with future sport intentions, planning your packing list, spending time in the car, and setting up...

Dog-powered sports are truly a team sport. And while we do our best to keep ourselves in shape, carefully working on a balanced canine fitness plan is just as important to keep our dogs healthy and competitive. In this episode I sit down with Erica Boling PhD CCFT of Northeast K9 Conditioning to talk about building stamina, endurance, and speed. We dive into building a strong canine fitness plan a...

You hear the word reinforcement in the dog training world, but what does it really mean? In this episode you will learn how you can use reinforcement to improve your dog-powered training and your relationship with your dog. I am joined by fellow dog trainer, Dogster columnist, and dog-powered sports lover Paul Kearney of Pawesome Dogs, and we break it down for you! More knowledge, better training...

Autoimmune diseases and chronic illness impact about 23.5 million people worldwide causing chronic pain and a wide variety of symptoms that impact warriors daily. In this episode, I sit down with three other women in the mushing community who also fight chronic conditions. We share stores about how we help set ourselves up for success when caring for our dogs and ourselves and how we learned to li...

Is your dog fearful? Maybe your dog runs away when you grab their harness or maybe you had a crash recently and now your dog is worried about being out front. Fear can be triggered by so many things but we have the power to help our dogs (and ourselves)! In this episode, I sit down with friend and colleague Alynn Lecznar and we unwrap the package of fear.  Get Connected:  -Merch: https://www.bonfi...

Want to hit the trails with your dog this winter? In this episode, I continue my conversation with fellow Dog Trainer and Skijor Athlete Kayla Fratt IAABC-CDBC. She shares with us some insight into equipment and skiing technique to help you learn to be a better teammate for your dog. Mentioned in this episode:  -Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/pawsitively-dog-powered -Patreon: https://www.pat...

Preparing our dogs to handle distractions on the trail and get in the right focused mindset for races can be complicated! In this episode (part one of two), I am joined by fellow dog trainer and Skijor Athlete Kayla Fratt IAABC-CDBC of Journey Dog Training. We talk about preparing dogs for races and managing arousal levels. We talk about teaching an “on by” and navigating off-leash dogs! Dog-power...

Balanced fitness programs are important! They can help our young dogs learn body awareness, allow our running partners to improve their competitiveness, and help our older dogs maintain mobility. But the summer heat and humidity can decrease how much dog-powered fitness our dogs can safely engage in. With a little creativity and a change of scenery, we can still keep our dogs fit so they are bette...

Like many recreational dog-powered sport enthusiasts, I live in an environment where we have serious summer heat and humidity that prevent us from safely engaging in dog-powered sports at the same capacity. But, I actually enjoy the change of pace and the ability to mix up our training and fitness routine and build our relationship in other ways! In the next two episodes, we are going to dive into...

Did you know in the 1994 Iditarod there was an all AKC Registered Alaskan Malamute team? In this episode, I sat down to chat with Nancy Russell, the breeder of these incredible dogs who made history. Learn about how she got started in the breed and her journey to the Iditarod as she set out to show that show dogs can still do the jobs they were bred for! Mentioned in this episode: www.stormkloudke...

You know you want to bikejor with your dog, but which bike is best suited? In this episode, I sit down with bike mechanic and dog-powered sports enthusiast Brad Kassing and we talk about the different components of bikes. Learn which ones are most important for bikejoring so you can select a bike that suits your needs. We also talk about basic maintenance that bike owners should know to do on thei...

In this episode, we learn all about cani-hiking hundreds of miles with Emily Ford. Emily recently made history on her 1,200-mile winter thru-hike of the Ice Age Trail with her Alaskan Husky Diggins. We talk about training, packing, and trail adventures, and she shares what she has learned along the way. To connect with Emily Ford you can follow adventures at: Instagram: @EmilyOnTrail Support this...

In this episode, Nick and Joy Weis of Lucky Fox Racing and Coaching join us for a chat about rescue dogs to help you pick your perfect running partner. We also talk about their elite racing (which includes rescue dogs), and training for both the canine and human athlete.  To connect with Nick and Joy Weis you can follow them at: www.luckyfoxkennel.com/coaching.html Instagram @luckyfoxracing Facebo...

Worried that dog-powered sports will prevent you from having peaceful loose leash walks? Think again! In this episode, I share with you how to teach loose leash walking, some challenges that people normally encounter, and what changes you need to make because of your involvement in dog powered sports. In this episode I mention:  www.youtube.com/pawsitivefutures Support this podcast on Patreon: htt...

Being a strong team in dog-powered sports means building the human and canine sides equally. In this episode, I sit down and talk with Veterinarian, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist, Human Fitness and Pain Management Coach, and athlete Cheryl Coplon. We talk about fitness and building mileage to the ultra distance for humans and canines as well as canine fitness plans to prevent and treat...

With cancelled races and restrictions on group meet-ups we all find ourselves working alone more than normal these days. Join me, Chelsea Murray ATDI, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP and let's unpack some of the challenges that we encounter when working alone! Learn about some new changes you can make in your routine to help keep you motivated and moving forward with your goals!  Support this podcast on Patreon:...

In this episode, I sit down with Brad Kassing and Sarah Kassing, DVM. We chat about their introduction to sleddog sports, qualifying for and competing at the 2019 IFSS Dryland World Championships, sleddog veterinary care, and training sprint dogs. To connect with The Kassing's more you can follow them at: Bikejoring Western USA - Facebook Group Bikejoring Eastern USA - Facebook Group Dark Sky Raci...