Reward Your Dog Podcast

Jesse and Verena tackle a biiiig topic: stress and how it impacts behavior. In this first installment of the "Stress Series", they look at the stress response and introduce the two main types of stress, eustress and distress. Expect to get science-y and nerdy... and to learn about yourself as well as your dog. Our shoutout in this episode goes to the Cog Dog Radio episode about Surprise Party Sue....

Jesse and Verena share their secret tips and tricks to exercise your dog - without crowds. Want to submit a question as well? You can do so right here: https://www.rewardyourdogtraining.com/podcast We would appreciate your support for the Reward Your Dog Podcast by liking, rating, reviewing, and sharing. It helps us so much! You can also: Join the RYDP Patreon (no paywalls unless you *want* to sub...

It can be very hard to navigate urban living with dogs who struggle with people - because urban spaces are often rather people-y. Verena and Jesse dive into dog sociability and the different social types and then discuss how to help your dog in and out of the home. Here's the blog post on greeting (or not greeting!) people. Our shoutout goes to Verena's Confidence Building for the Shy Dog Class an...

Dogs in most Western countries are domesticated - meaning they live as pets in our homes. That comes with significant perks but also with the loss of choice and control over ... a lot of things in their lives. Jesse and Verena chat about the important topic of agency: How can we provide more of it? What to do if we can't provide it? And how can we avoid sending our dogs into a state of learned hel...

What a treat to sit down with Emily Strong of PetHarmony Training to discuss how to figure out what is actually good information about dogs on the Internet - and what isn't. Learn more about Emily's business PetHarmony here for dog guardians and here for dog pros. The Instagram accounts Emily is recommending are: PetHarmony Training (for dog guardians) PetHarmony Pro (for behavior professionals) K...

Going into 2026, Verena and Jesse examine how habits can be a powerful force in our lives - and our dogs' lives too. Listen to find out more about how to use this power for good training, emotional support and to avoid common pitfalls. The articles referenced are: The Neurobiology of Habits How to Break Bad Habits: A Realistic Guide for ADHDers The shoutout goes to the Southwest Washington Humane...

Verena and Jesse dig deep into why having a dog who barks, lunges, growls and pulls on the leash around triggers like dogs, people, skateboard, bikes etc. while living in the city is so tough... and what you can do to help. The shoutout goes out to Verena's Urban Dog Reactivity Online Program , which opens its door again for enrollment on January 5, 2026. It offers an effective and kind blueprint...

Life with a struggly dog can be really hard. Behavior modification training is often the long game and takes a toll on everyone. How can you as the guardian of a difficult dog with big feelings keep yourself sane as you live with your tricky fur friend? Jesse and Verena send out some empathy for you while discussing some strategies to help you cope with this complex situation. The shoutout goes ou...

One of the toughest things to deal with when you have a reactive dog: an approaching off leash dog! Jesse and Verena share strategies for how to handle this sticky situation. Want to submit a question as well? You can do so right here: https://www.rewardyourdogtraining.com/podcast We would appreciate your support for the Reward Your Dog Podcast by liking, rating, reviewing, and sharing. It helps u...

Jesse and Verena sit down with Suzanne Clothier of Relationship Center Training to discuss what's behind the label "reactive". "Reactive" has become a catch all term for dogs with big feelings these days, but what does it truly mean when we use it? We look at different kinds of reactivity all the while Suzanne reminds us to remember that each dog is a unique individual. The shoutout goes out to Su...

In the latest installment of the RYDP, Jesse and Verena discuss how you can make sure that you're utilizing your dog's training sessions fully, covering everything from having a coaching mindset while advocating for yourself to how much time you need to budget for your dog's training transformation. Our shoutout in this episode goes to Woof Cultr ! We would appreciate your support for the Reward Y...

Jesse and Verena sat down for a chat with the amazing Lorenzo JW Fox to discuss when and how dogs like to be touched, how to keep people from reaching for your dog in public, and what enthusiastic consent looks like. You can learn more about Lorenzo JW Fox through his work at Synergy in Portland, OR or on his Instagram . So many resources for you: My blog on consent checks A great consent check vi...

In this episode, we explain where we have been all summer long... and the answer is Germany and Austria! We bring you some interesting observations around the dog-human relationship from our travels. You can take the dog trainer out of the country, but she'll still be wearing her dog trainer hat, y'all! We would appreciate your support for the Reward Your Dog Podcast by liking, rating, reviewing,...

We're so excited to be able to present to you this important and thorough interview with Dr. Pachel of the Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland, OR wherein we dive into the topic of psychoactive medication - what options there are, how they can help your dog, and when they might be needed. So many things to consider - you might want to listen twice! You can learn more about Dr. Pachel on his website...

Oh my! A new type of episode! In our inaugural mailbag episode, we discuss a listener question on when a correction between dogs is appropriate and where the line to a scuffle lies - and what to do when scuffles happened. Want to submit a question as well? You can do so right here: https://www.rewardyourdogtraining.com/podcast

The final episode in the "Navigating the Dog Training Industry" dives into different kinds of training modalities. What's the difference between private training, day training, board & train and classes? Learn more about getting the most out of training with your precious pup. Our shoutout goes to the "The Dog's Truth" by Kim Brophey . We would appreciate your support for the Reward Your Dog P...

In our third installment of the "Navigating the Dog Training Industry" series, we talk about how to find a trainer who is aligned with your ethics and values and has the necessary expertise to help you with your dog's struggles. Jesse and Verena are diving into training styles, certifications, and cutting through marketing strategies - so that you can do what's right for your dog. Our shoutout goe...

In the second episode of a multipart series on choosing a dog trainer, Verena and Jesse explore how the different behavior interventions stack up against each other when it comes to how pleasant or unpleasant they are for the dog, using the concept of the humane hierarchy. We're referring to the Dr. Susan Friedman article "What's Wrong with This Picture: Effectiveness is Not Enough" . You will als...

In this first episode of a multipart series, Verena and Jesse tackle the thorny and complicated topic of navigating dog training industry as a dog guardian. The first step to hiring the right professional is understanding how dogs learn... and things get a bit nerdy. Go down the rabbit hole with us... and learn to understand your dog - and yourself - a bit better. Our shoutout goes to Reaching the...

In the follow up to episode #21, we interview Priscilla Torres about living with and through intra household aggression between her three dogs. Learn what happened, what strategies Priscilla tried, what finally helped, and where things are now. Many thanks to Priscilla. You can find her on Instagram at Luchadogs PDX . Priscilla's shoutout goes to two Portland, OR based trainers: Jess at J9K9 Train...

In the first episode of 2025, Jesse and Verena sit down with Mike Shikashio and talk about what dog guardians can do when the dogs in their home don't get along. When should you find a trainer? When should you think about rehoming? And what does Babe 2: Pig in the City have to do with it all? Listen in to find out! Our thanks goes to Mike Shikashio at AggressiveDog.com Our shout goes out to the Mu...

It's the end of 2024, and Verena and Jesse spend some time thinking about the lessons their - and the clients' - dogs imparted this year. Prepare to get a little soppy and learn a thing or two about celebrating the dog you live with, assessing whether your dog is in pain, and walking the path of owning a difficult dog. Thank you to Jess Lara of J9K9 Training for contributing to the animal check in...

In this information-packed episode, Jesse and Verena interview Gabrielle Johnson of Best Life Dog Services who generously shares their vast knowledge about the topic of nervous system dysregulation. Dogs with dysregulated nervous systems may struggle to bounce back after stressful events, have difficulty settling in the home, seem depressed, and more. Do you have a dysregulated dog? And what can y...

Oh, holiday gatherings. Aren't they already difficult enough without a dog in the mix? Jesse and Verena are teaming up to discuss how to make large holiday gatherings workable with your dog, even if they are shy. Thanksgiving foods your dog can and cannot eat. The Shoutout goes to the NAYA PDX , and we encourage you to seek out and support indigenous organizations in your local area if you're loca...

Visiting the vet can be a really stressful event for many dogs - but does it have to be? We are joined by the wonderful Sara McLoudrey to discuss how to make vet visits less taxing for both your dog and you, set your new puppy of for success, and what to do if your dog has shown aggression at the vet. So much great information! As promised, here are some resources around anxiety medication: A Dose...