The Dogs of Our Lives

That's a wrap on Season 3 and our special summer working dog series. In this final recap, I leave you with a reminder of what we've discussed (if you've missed any episodes, I highly encourage you to take a look through the episode list, as there are some really juicy conversations!) But what I want to highlight are the key differences between welfare and well-being for your dog, and why they matt...

Ever wondered if you should bring a working dog into your home? This episode of the Dogs of Our Lives podcast is going to be a must-listen for you. This week, I chat with Jean Donaldson, a pioneer in force-free positive reinforcement dog training. She  has over 30 years of experience in dog behavior and training and is the Founder and Director of the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers. Je...

In this week's episode of this special working dog summer series of the Dogs of Our Lives podcast, I chat with a great friend of mine, Cheryl Parker, about her journey in dog agility. If you've ever thought about agility training for your dog, then this is a must-listen episode with Cheryl and her multi-award winning dogs Cheryl, an athletic trainer turned PA, started agility with her Cocker Spani...

Welcome back to another episode of our special Working Dog Summer Series. If you've ever been interested in training your dog to be a search and rescue dog, then this episode is perfect for you! Even if you want to use some search and rescue techniques to enrich your dog's life, you'll hear some juicy nuggets to take away from this episode. In today's episode, I talk with Niamh Coleman about canin...

If you're concerned about buying a dog from a breeder, specifically a working dog. I'd encourage you to listen to this episode with Kim Crawmer, a certified dog trainer and breeder of Maremma livestock Guardian dogs. We discuss Kim's journey from breeding Cocker Spaniels to focusing on Maremma’s, emphasizing the importance of proper socialization, health testing, and training. She highlights the d...

Welcome to Season 3 of The Dogs of Our Lives podcast with me, Chrissy Messick. This summer I'll be focusing on working dogs. If you've ever experienced "challenging or difficult" behavior from your animal companion, especially if you have a working dog breed, then this season is exactly what you need. The series will explore the multifaceted lives of working dogs, delving into their physical, ment...

What a season 2 it has been! In this season of The Dogs of Our Lives Podcast , we have explored a variety of topics ranging from dog nutrition, pain management in dogs, humane education, and even busted some myths surrounding dog medication! Not only that, but we have delved into some challenging and difficult topics and listened to real-life stories about the relationship between humans and their...

Do you want to develop a deeper connection and understanding of your dog? If you are feeling frustrated by traditional training methods and want to explore a more holistic approach , then this is the episode for you. In this week's episode of the Dogs of Our Lives Podcast, I chat with Annika Alcorso (né McDade),  a triple-certified Professional Behaviour Consultant & Coach with a passion for f...

Have you ever wondered what exactly is animal communication? How does animal communication work? Can anybody communicate, telepathically, with their animal companion? You'll get the answers to all of these questions in this week's episode of the Dogs of Our Lives. I chat with JoLee Wingerson, a certified animal communicator, who has worked with many animals and their humans over the past 24 years....

Have you recently lost an animal companion? Are you in the difficult position of knowing your dog is about to transition? This special Dogs of Our Lives Podcast episode is a MUST-LISTEN for anyone who has recently said goodbye to their dog, is going through the process, or is anticipating them leaving. This week, I chat with Andrew Hale, a former Dogs of Our Lives podcast guest and fellow dog beha...

Do you feel the pressure to be a good dog guardian? Sometimes society, culture and even our community put so much pressure on us as dog guardians that it often becomes an overwhelming experience. In this week's episode of The Dogs Of Our Lives podcast, I chat with Marissa Martino, a  Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, human coach and f ounder of Paws and Reward  https://pawsandreward.com/ We talk...

When is the right time to reach out to a veterinary behaviorist? That's just one of the questions we talk about in today's episode of The Dogs of Our Lives podcast. I chat with Dr Ariel Fagen, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist based in Boulder, Colorado, who has also recently started practicing in Hawaii. We discuss the difference between a primary care vet and a veterinary behaviorist, whe...

Do you really understand your dog? The tougher question may also be, do you understand yourself? If you've been wondering how to form a stronger bond with your dog but are unsure how, then my signature course may be exactly what you need! Understanding You & Your Dog: Where Traditional Training Ends, True Connection Begins - Your Path to Thriving with Your Dog. Join the Waitlist! In this week'...

Dogs are wonderful creatures that bring unlimited joy into our lives. We OWE it to them to provide them with a life full of enrichment and understanding. Sign up for my last LIVE masterclass, Beyond Obedience: The Art of Trust & Partnership with Your Dog, it's completely FREE, and you'll get an exclusive bonus for showing up live on the 21st April. https://www.theanimalnature.com/masterclass-r...

Wondering if your dog needs medication to improve their behavior and well-being? In this Digging Deeper episode of The Dogs of Our Lives podcast, I delve further into the topic of dog medication following on from my conversation with Dr Stacey Jones last week. If you haven't yet listened to that episode, head over to episode 24 to listen in full. Our conversation was truly enlightening. https://ww...

In this week's episode, we'll bust some myths surrounding dog medication. So if you've ever had any questions about dog medication and how it works, this episode of The Dogs of Our Lives podcast is for you. I talk with Dr. Stacy Jones, a veterinarian at the Veterinary Behavior Center in Boulder, Colorado. Stacey emphasizes the use of medications as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, dispellin...

I discuss humane education in  this week's Digging Deeper episode of The Dog of Our Lives podcast. I really want to emphasise its role in developing critical thinking, empathy, and ethical decision-making. I believe I developed empathy for animals while growing up on a farm and seeing first-hand the treatment of the animals around me at the time. But what exactly is humane education? I talk about...

What is humane education? In this week's episode, Emily Tronetti returns to take a deeper dive into the importance of humane education in fostering compassionate coexistence with animals. If you didn't catch her previous interview with me, you can find it here: https://www.theanimalnature.com/podcasts/the-dogs-of-our-lives/episodes/2148811341 Emily, an educator and consultant, defines humane educa...

Do you know about the gut-brain axis? In this week's Digging Deeper episode of The Dogs of Our Lives podcast, I explore the gut-brain axis and its impact on dog behavior. This topic is a follow-up to my conversation with canine nutritionist, Dr Alexia Mellor. In that episode (number 20) we discussed so much, but gut health came up a lot which is why I wanted to dig a little deeper into the connect...

Could your dog food actually be harming your dog's health and affecting their behavior? In this week's episode of the Dogs of Our Lives podcast, I chat with Dr. Alexia Mellor a canine nutritionist, also known as the Mystic Dog Mama. She emphasizes the importance of fresh food for dogs, noting that processed kibble may lead to gut imbalances and behavioral problems. Alexia discusses the role of ene...

In this week's Digging Deeper Episode of the Dogs of Our Lives podcast, I discuss the importance of recognizing and managing pain in dogs. This episode follows on from my conversation with Dr Robert Falconer Taylor, if you missed that episode I encourage you to give it a listen as he provides some valuable insights into how pain affects dog behavior. https://www.theanimalnature.com/podcasts/the-do...

Have you ever thought this about your dog? I feel like there's something wrong with my dog, but I just can't quite put my finger on it. Believe me, you're not alone because so many dogs have underlying pain or discomfort that goes unnoticed. Dogs are experts in disguising their own pain! In this week's episode, I discuss the connection between pain and behavior in dogs with Dr. Robert Falconer Tay...

Are you aware of the four levels of cultural awareness in dog-human relationships? If you've been wondering why you can't seem to communicate with your dog or you're struggling to understand what your dog is trying to tell you, then this is a must-listen-to episode. In last week's episode of the Dogs of Our Lives podcast, Chrissy chatted with Alyssa Ralph, a clinical animal behaviorist and canine...

Have you ever felt something was wrong with your dog but couldn't figure out what exactly? Believe me when I say, you're not alone. In this week's episode, I chat with Alyssa Ralph a clinical animal behaviorist from the UK. Alyssa shares her journey from working in zoos to specializing in aggressive and reactive dog behavior, emphasizing the importance of considering nutrition, physical health, an...

Have you ever wanted to develop a deeper, more spiritual connection between you and your dog? In this week's episode of The Dogs of Our Lives, I'll be digging deeper into this topic following my interview with Dr Chris Pachel in the previous episode. If you'd like to listen to that first you can find it here:  https://www.theanimalnature.com/podcasts/the-dogs-of-our-lives/episodes/2148962283 To pr...