The Dog Who Asked for More: Turning Dog Training Frustration Into a Deeper Relationship With Your Dog

Have you ever wished there was a gentle way to help your dog feel calmer, heal faster, or just settle… without adding more stress or more “stuff” to manage? When dogs are anxious, recovering from surgery, grieving, or overwhelmed, sometimes they don’t need more training or more structure. Sometimes they just need support. In this episode, Em sits down with Tatiana from Howling Om to talk about Rei...

Have you ever bought something for your dog and wondered who actually made it? Behind every handmade collar or leash is a real person—late nights, sore hands, big dreams, and a whole lot of heart. In this episode, Em sits down with Diana, the founder of Dainty Paws, a small business creating handcrafted beaded dog collars and leashes that are safe, stylish, and built with intention. They talk abou...

Have you ever caught yourself worrying about the day you’ll have to say goodbye… and then feeling guilty just for thinking about it? Loving a dog means knowing our time together isn’t forever. But no one really teaches us how to prepare for that — or how to handle the fear, the guilt, and the impossible decisions that come with aging, illness, and end-of-life care. In this episode, Em sits down wi...

Have you ever looked at your dog’s food and thought… this can’t really be the best we can do. So many of us grew up trusting kibble. It’s convenient. It’s affordable. It’s what everyone uses. But when your dog is dealing with allergies, stomach issues, low energy, or constant flare-ups, you start wondering if something’s missing. In this episode, Em sits down with Jaron from Yumwoof to talk about...

Have you ever looked at your dog’s food bowl and wondered… is this actually helping them feel their best? Dog nutrition can feel overwhelming fast. Raw vs kibble. Supplements. Labels you can’t pronounce. Everyone has an opinion — and somehow you’re still left guessing what your dog really needs. And when they’re dealing with allergies, stomach issues, or low energy, it’s easy to feel like you’re g...

Have you ever wondered if your dog’s Instagram could be more than just cute photos… but felt overwhelmed trying to figure out how? Growing an account can feel confusing fast. Post more. Try trends. Chase the algorithm. And somehow you’re still stuck — putting in hours with nothing to show for it. It’s exhausting, and it can make something fun start to feel like work. In this episode, Em sits down...

Have you ever felt like you have to prove your disability to strangers… while also training a dog to save your life? Service dog life isn’t just obedience and cute vests. It’s slow foundations. Constant advocacy. Public judgment. And sometimes doing all of that while you’re already exhausted, overwhelmed, or not feeling well. There’s the pressure to “get the training right.” The pressure to educat...

When your dog is struggling, it’s easy to feel like you’re the only one falling apart. You try the training. You research the food. You add enrichment. You do everything you’re “supposed” to do. And somehow… you’re still tired. Still overwhelmed. Still wondering if you’re failing them. In this episode, Em sits down with licensed therapist and dog guardian Jess Adams, founder of Handlers & Huma...

Have you ever felt like you’re supposed to be doing more for your dog… but you’re already exhausted just getting through the day? So much of the dog world makes enrichment look complicated or expensive. Fancy toys. Elaborate setups. Hours you don’t actually have. And when your dog is still bouncing off the walls or struggling to settle, it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind. In this episode...

Have you ever noticed that the work you love most… is also the thing that leaves you the most exhausted? Rescue work can look beautiful from the outside. Saving dogs. Showing up. Doing good. But behind the scenes, it can feel heavy. The late nights. The hard decisions. The ones you couldn’t save. The quiet guilt that says you should always be doing more. Over time, that weight adds up—and a lot of...

Have you ever felt people tense up when they see your dog coming… before your dog has even done anything? Walking a blocky-headed dog, a bully breed, or any “misunderstood” breed can feel heavier than it should. The stares. The crossed streets. The housing rules. The quiet assumption that you must be doing something wrong. It’s exhausting—not just for the dog, but for the person trying their best...

Have you ever stood in the supplement aisle for your dog and thought… I just want to know what actually helps? When your dog is dealing with allergies, low energy, gut issues, or stress, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by powders, chews, and big promises. Everyone says their product is essential. But most pet parents are just looking for something gentle, safe, and truly supportive. In this episode,...

Have you ever wondered what happens when someone finally gets a real second chance—and a dog is part of it? For many people inside the prison system, life can feel stuck. For many rescue dogs, the same is true. Both are carrying history. Both are learning how to trust again. And both deserve more than punishment or labels. In this episode, Em sits down with Zach Skow, founder of Marley’s Mutts and...

Have you ever worked so hard to help your dog… and quietly wondered who was helping you? Training can feel lonely. You’re trying to do the right thing, second-guessing every choice, carrying guilt, hope, and exhaustion all at once. And sometimes what you really need isn’t another technique—it’s someone steady beside you saying, “You’re not failing. Let’s figure this out together.” In this episode,...

Have you ever stepped up to foster a dog… and quietly realized you were more alone than you expected to be? Fostering is supposed to feel supported. Guided. Like someone has your back. But sometimes the system meant to protect these dogs—and the people caring for them—falls short. And when that happens, the emotional weight can feel heavier than anyone talks about. In this episode, Em and Caitlin...

Have you ever looked at those calm, focused dogs on TV and thought, “Why can’t my dog do that?” Not because you want perfection—but because everyday life already feels chaotic enough. Walks feel overwhelming. Visitors feel stressful. And sometimes it seems like your dog just can’t handle the world around them. In this episode, Em sits down with professional trainer Chrissy and her canine actors, T...

Have you ever thought about bringing a dog home… and felt quietly terrified of making the wrong choice? You want to do the right thing. You care about rescue. You care about ethics. But the internet is loud, opinions are harsh, and every path seems to come with guilt attached. Adopt, don’t shop. Shop, but only responsibly. Trust this breeder. Don’t trust any breeder. It’s confusing—and when shelte...

Have you ever planned a simple outing with your dog… only to leave feeling embarrassed, stressed, or like you should’ve stayed home? You pack the treats, lower your expectations, and try to choose somewhere “dog-friendly,” but when you get there, it’s crowded, loud, or full of surprises your dog just isn’t ready for. Instead of connection or enrichment, it turns into management and damage control....

Have you ever looked at your life and thought, “I did everything right… so why am I this exhausted?” Burnout can feel heavy and lonely—especially when you’ve built a life that looks good on paper but doesn’t feel good in your body. Showing up for work, for other people, even for your dog can start to feel harder than it should, and you quietly wonder if you’re allowed to want something different....

Have you ever wished you could help rescue dogs more… but felt like you didn’t have the time, money, or capacity to foster or adopt right now? It’s easy to feel helpless when you see shelters overwhelmed and dogs still waiting for homes. You care deeply—but life is already full, and it can feel like there’s no small, realistic way to make a difference. In this episode, Em sits down with Divisha, a...

Have you tried all the training, all the treats, all the courses, and your dog still seems anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck? It's exhausting when you're doing everything you know to do and nothing really changes. You start wondering if you're missing something, or if you're somehow failing them. In this episode, Em sits down with applied ethologist Kim Brophy to talk about a bigger-picture way of un...

Have you ever taken your dog to the park hoping they’d come home tired and happy… and instead left feeling embarrassed, tense, or defeated? For a lot of dogs, crowded spaces aren’t fun. They’re overwhelming. Too many smells, too many bodies, too much happening all at once. And when every outing feels stressful, it can start to feel like you’re both failing—like you’re doing everything “right,” but...

Have you ever looked at your dog and thought, I’d do anything to keep you safe ? For many women living in unsafe homes, that love becomes a heartbreaking barrier. Because leaving can mean losing their dog. And when shelters don’t allow pets, some people stay longer than they should—just to protect the one companion who’s never let them down. In this episode, Em sits down with Jill from Ruger’s Res...

Have you ever tried to follow dog training advice… and walked away feeling like you had to be tougher, louder, or more “in control” than you wanted to be? When your dog is anxious, overwhelmed, or struggling with behavior, the last thing you need is pressure or fear layered on top. You want something that feels safe. Something that actually builds trust instead of tension. In this episode, Em sits...

Have you ever done everything you were told to do… and your dog still seems anxious, overwhelmed, or on edge? You try the walks. The enrichment. The training plans. You rearrange your whole life to help them feel better. And when nothing really changes, it’s easy to wonder if you’re missing something—or if you’re somehow failing your dog. In this episode, Em sits down with Dr. Kelly Ballantyne, a...