The Co-Regulated K-9s Podcast

Grief isn’t just about losing someone you love. It can come from the end of a relationship, a major life transition, or losing parts of yourself you thought would always be there. In this episode, I sit down with licensed therapist Kelsey Carroll to have an honest, nuanced conversation about grief—what it really looks like, why it can feel so isolating, and how to move through it without rushing t...

**Trigger warning of grief, death, and euthanasia** In today's episode I share my experience with grieving the loss of my dog Sadie. This authentic and vulnerable episode walks you through my decision-making process of when I knew it was time to make the end of life call for her, and how it actually felt....no filters, no script. I've realized through sharing my own experience grieving her, that s...

Have you ever wondered if your dog's anxiety and your anxiety are actually feeding each other? In this episode, Ashley sits down with Bianca Barlow - certified dog trainer, life coach, and yoga practitioner - to explore the nervous system connection between dogs and the humans who love them.  Bianca brings a uniquely holistic perspective to dog behavior; one that looks at the whole picture, i...

In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Stoddard, a certified breathwork practitioner, new mom, dog mom, and somatic EMDR-informed practitioner, to talk all things nervous system regulation and co-regulation. We explore the striking parallels between parenting dogs and children, and how understanding your own nervous system is the first step toward helping your loved ones feel safe, calm, and suppo...

In today's episode, you'll get a seat at the table for a reactivity masterclass with yours truly. We'll go over: what factors contribute to leash reactivity, why your dog's reactions aren't random, the systems I teach my clients, and the mindset shifts that will keep you sane when living with a leash-reactive dog. I'm sharing how I view every dog I work with as a mini science experiment, testing a...

When your dog struggles with problem behaviors, it can feel overwhelming. But what if the solution didn’t always require more training—and instead started with something simpler? In this episode, I’m joined by Juliana DeWillems, Certified Dog Trainer, Behavior Consultant, and founder of JW Dog Training. Juliana is also the author of Manage It! Hacks for Improving Your Dog’s Behavior, a faculty mem...

Living with a dog who struggles with behavior problems can be overwhelming, emotional, and at times isolating. In this episode, I’m joined by Kelly McCoullough, LCSW to explore the powerful connection between owner anxiety and dog behavior challenges , and the surprising ways human and dog psychology mirror each other. We cover: Why anxiety isn’t always bad — and how it can serve as useful informa...

In this episode, I sit down with Mattison Skoog Simpson , founder of Freed by Training , to hear her remarkable story of resilience, redemption, and the healing power of dogs. Mattison Skoog-Simpson is a multi-certified dog trainer and behavior consultant—and a firm believer in second chances. After learning to train dogs in a prison program, she now helps people build deep, lasting relationships...

What if boundaries aren’t about shutting others out, but about creating safety, clarity, and trust? In this solo episode, Ashley dives deep into the role of boundaries across three key relationships: With ourselves – learning to honor our needs, energy, and values With other people – communicating limits with kindness and respect With our dogs – setting clear expectations that reduce stress and bu...

Tired of dirty paw prints on your clothes the second you walk in the door? In today’s quick training tip, I’m breaking down how to teach your dog a calmer way to greet you and your guests. You’ll learn why dogs jump in the first place and my simple, step-by-step strategy to replace that jumping with a behavior you actually want. Whether you have a bouncy puppy or an adult dog with a long history o...

Can positive reinforcement be... coercive? 🤯 In this episode, I sit down with dog behavior expert Karishma Warr (@transformbehavior) to explore the often-unspoken power dynamics that can show up even in the most well-intentioned training. We talk about choice, consent, emotional pressure, and how to recognize when your dog is simply complying — not healing. If you're interested in truly ethical,...

What if the way we shape behavior—of dogs, of people, of ourselves—could change the world? Today’s guest has spent his life proving that it can. Ken Ramirez is more than one of the greatest animal trainers of our time. He’s a visionary. A mentor. A global leader in applying the science of behavior to build trust, connection, and possibility across species. From training over 900 species across zoo...

In this solo episode, I’m diving deeper into a topic that sparked a lot of interest after my conversation with Mike Shikashio— the role pain can play in a dog’s reactivity. Could discomfort, injury, or even subtle chronic pain be the missing piece in your dog’s behavior puzzle? I’ll explore: Signs that pain might be contributing to reactivity Why pain is so often overlooked in behavior cases How p...

In this episode, I sit down with world-renowned aggression expert Michael Shikashio, CDBC, to talk about what aggression really is—and what it definitely isn’t. We dive into how he got started in the field, the lessons he’s learned from teaching around the world, and the importance of staying curious and non-judgmental in our work with both dogs and people. Michael shares insights into handling di...

Do you ever walk outside and realize you’ve completely missed the moment? You didn’t notice the birds. You didn’t feel the breeze. You didn’t even breathe deeply. If that feels familiar, you’re not alone — and today’s episode might just shift something big for you. In this soul-level solo episode, Ashley Cipolletti explores how emotional disconnection is keeping us from noticing beauty, building c...

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your dog training journey — like you’re doing all the “right things” but still not making progress — this episode is for you. We’re diving into the real forces that impact learning and behavior change, not just for your dog, but for you and even your trainer.  From how sensory processing differences show up in daily training to how breed tendencies, emotional regu...

We often think of socialization as a checklist: meet people, meet dogs, go for walks. But socialization — true, meaningful socialization — goes so much deeper. It’s not just about exposure. It’s about cultivating an internal feeling of safety, emotional resilience, and learning how to exist in our human world without fear. In this episode, we explore what socialization really means for dogs and fo...

Today’s episode is going to fundamentally change the way you think about enrichment — and what it truly means to help our dogs live more enriched lives. Ashley sits down with Emily Strong, one of the world's leading experts on pet enrichment. Her groundbreaking work as a behavior consultant, mentor, author, and animal rescuer helps shape how we care for animals with compassion, intention, and scie...

In this episode of The Co-Regulated K-9s Podcast, we’re talking all about pressure—and not just the obvious kind. From spatial and physical pressure to emotional, social, and perceived pressure, we unpack how these forces show up in our dog training—and in our personal lives. You'll learn: How obedience and compliance don't tell us much about our dog's feelings Why using treats doesn't necessarily...

In this deeply personal and educational episode, I share how stress shaped my own health journey with chronic illness and how it shows up in the dogs I work with—sometimes with heartbreaking consequences. From the story of a shelter dog who died from chronic stress to what I’ve seen in clients and my own body, we dig into the difference between acute and chronic stress, what it does to the body (i...

In this episode, we're diving deep into something that’s often overlooked but incredibly powerful — acknowledgment. From recognizing your dog’s efforts (even the tiny ones) to noticing your own progress, I’ll share how this simple practice can radically shift your training outcomes and your relationships. We’ll also talk about: ✨ Why a daily gratitude practice isn’t just fluff — it can rewire you...

In this special bonus episode, I sit down with Marco Adda— researcher, anthrozoologist, dog behavior consultant, and educator —to explore how ethics, empathy, and co-regulation are reshaping our relationship with dogs. This candid conversation offers deep insights from our recent webinar and invites you to think differently about the human-canine bond.  This leaked episode from our recent web...

In this episode of Co-Regulated K-9s, we’re diving into the wild world of dogs eating things they definitely shouldn’t—yes, we’re talking about pica in dogs. From rocks and socks to mulch and mystery objects, I’ll unpack why some dogs develop these habits and what you can actually do about it. But that’s just the beginning. We’ll also talk about: Why energy matters in dog training (especially for...

In this episode of The Co-Regulated K-9s Podcast, we’re talking about something we don’t talk about enough in the dog training world—resilience. Not just for our dogs, but for ourselves too. Whether you're navigating a rough patch with your pup, feeling stuck in your personal life, or just trying to stay grounded in a world that can feel chaotic—resilience is the piece that brings us back to ourse...

In this episode, we dive into the world of co-regulation — a foundational concept in building stronger, more connected relationships with our dogs. But co-regulation isn’t just about your dog; it starts with you. I’ll explain why self-regulation is the first step to connecting with your dog on a deeper level and how awareness of your own emotions plays a crucial role. Plus, I share practical tips...