The Everyday Trainer Podcast

Recorded by a crackling campfire in Montana's bear country, this episode pulls back the curtain on what it truly means to live with working dogs. Meg is joined by dog trainers Thoma and Lex (who recently welcomed a Malinois puppy into her life) for an unfiltered conversation about the expectations versus reality of high-drive dogs. Have you ever wondered why some dogs seem impossible to settl...

Ever wondered if you're using an e-collar correctly with your dog? Meg pulls back the curtain on this powerful training tool, revealing insights that even seasoned trainers might be missing. Meg takes us deep into the two essential phases of e-collar conditioning—escape and avoidance—and explains why most trainers and owners get stuck in the first phase for far too long. This simple mistake c...

Ever wondered what it really takes to build a successful pet business in today's digital landscape? This candid conversation with Celine, the creative force behind WulfSnacks and multiple 100K+ social media accounts, and dog trainer Shane Murray pulls back the curtain on the messy, challenging, and ultimately rewarding journey of pet industry entrepreneurship. Celine shares her unexpected pat...

Have you ever felt like you and your dog are speaking completely different languages? You're not alone. Communication barriers are the root cause of most training frustrations, but there's a solution that transforms even the most challenging relationships. In this illuminating episode, I break down the five essential communication systems that create crystal-clear understanding between d...

Dog trainers Meg and Thoma tackle your most pressing canine questions in this comprehensive Q&A episode packed with practical solutions for common behavioral challenges. When it comes to getting dogs to truly settle down, they reveal why constant food rewards often backfire, creating dogs that stare intensely rather than genuinely relax. Their tethering approach offers a refreshingly different...

There's something magical that happens when we allow ourselves and our dogs to escape the constraints of urban living. This episode takes you along on our adventure to Yosemite and the surrounding wilderness, where unexpected encounters became transformative experiences. Our journey began dramatically when we spotted a wildfire starting on BLM land. After reporting it, we continued deeper int...

What does 25 years of dog training experience teach you? Stephanie O'Brien, owner of Dog Genius Canine Education, takes us on a fascinating journey through her evolution as a trainer—from growing up raising guide dogs to becoming an expert in protection sports. Stephanie's story offers a rare glimpse into how dog training has transformed over decades. Before YouTube tutorials and Instagr...

The journey from reactive, anxious dog to confident companion isn't always straightforward. In this follow-up session, we check in with a client who's been implementing changes to address her dog's separation anxiety, reactivity issues, and their overly-structured relationship. What happens when we stop micromanaging our dogs and instead give them opportunities to make good choices?...

Lex shares her transformation from dog owner to professional trainer, sparked by her journey with her reactive German Shepherd, Koda. What began as a challenging adoption—complete with a parvo diagnosis and costly medical bills—evolved into a career-defining experience that taught her invaluable lessons about balanced training approaches. • Adopting Koda as an eight-week-old puppy during COVID, on...

Meg shares the terrifying experience of her puppy Muffin accidentally ingesting marijuana at a park and the emergency vet visit that followed, then opens up the conversation to listener stories about scary incidents with their dogs. • Collar dangers emerge as a common hazard, with multiple stories of dogs choking when collars become caught during play or in crate wires • Breakaway collars and remo...

Dog trainers often talk about "drivey" dogs, but understanding drive states is key to effective training and fundamentally changes how we approach common behavioral issues. • Drive states are innate biological impulses that motivate behavior in dogs • Pack drive (following the leader) is the most valuable drive for behavioral modification • Walking drills build pack drive by teaching dog...

We share the keys to finding and enjoying outdoor adventures with your dogs, challenging the urban lifestyle that keeps our canine companions disconnected from their natural state.  • Living on the road with dogs has shown us the immense benefits of nature exposure for dog behavior and wellbeing • Urban environments disrupt dogs' natural circadian rhythms while nature helps reset their biolog...

Nicole's Staffordshire Terrier excels at tricks but transforms into an unstoppable pulling machine the moment a leash appears, especially when heading to the dog park. • Teaching proper leash pressure is fundamental to stop pulling • "Pressure on, pressure off" method establishes clear communication • Pulling gets rewarded when it leads to exciting destinations like dog parks • Dogs...

Meg shares insights from a virtual training session with her client Molly, who is working through reactivity issues with her high-energy husky mix, Murphy, after early socialization at dog parks and daycare created frustration-based leash reactivity. • Distinguishing between fear-based and frustration-based reactivity • Why dog parks and daycares can create reactivity in some dogs • Detailed expla...

Meg and Thoma share their experiences living in vans with dogs and introduce their newly adopted Malinois puppies, exploring the ethics and controversies of dog acquisition. • Navigating van life in southern California where regulations and neighbors create challenges for mobile dog trainers • How two 6-week-old Malinois puppies were rescued after being scheduled for euthanasia at a veterinary cli...

Welcome back ya'll. In this episode, we dive into the transformative world of dog nutrition with Megan from Pet Power Studio. Discover how proper nourishment can revolutionize the life of your beloved pet from overcoming behavioral challenges to enhancing their overall quality of life. Together, we explore the pitfalls of traditional kibble diets and unveil the powerful, positive changes that...

This episode highlights the challenges of managing dog training while addressing separation anxiety and the unrealistic expectations often placed on both pets and their owners. The conversation emphasizes the importance of play, clear communication, and tailored training methods to cultivate a healthy bond and successful training experience.  • Discussion on separation anxiety and common behaviora...

The episode emphasizes the idea that while dog owners may feel guilty about their pets' behavior, it is essential to recognize that genetics significantly influence these actions. We discuss the prevalent culture in dog training that blames owners and shift the focus to the responsibility they have in managing their dogs with an understanding of their innate behaviors. • The impact of living...

This episode outlines the five essential do's and don'ts of dog training, focusing on clarity, communication, and consistency. By emphasizing crate training, marker words, early exposure, respecting other dogs' spaces, and maintaining consistency, listeners will gain valuable insights into effective dog training methods. • The importance of crate training • How marker words enhance...

This episode explores essential dog etiquette rules to help owners navigate public spaces responsibly. Meg emphasizes the importance of respecting boundaries for both dogs and their owners to foster a safe and positive experience in community interactions. • Importance of being considerate toward other dogs and their owners • Experiences highlighting the struggles of off-leash encounters • Teachin...

Welcome back ya'll. This week's episode explores the unique challenges of living in a van while managing the needs of multiple dogs during winter. We discuss the emotional toll of dog mom guilt, the importance of clear communication in training, and the balance between work and taking care of pets. • Managing life updates and routines while living in a van  • Balancing dog care while gra...

Hey ya'll welcome back. This week I wanted to give you a little behind-the-scenes look into our Virtual Shadow Program and a conversation amongst dog trainers. This podcast is a recording from our VSP and dives into using tools with hesitant owners, navigating tough conversations as dog trainers, and how we can show up as confident leaders for the dogs and owners we work with. This podcast ep...

He's back and better than ever. This episode we chat with everyone's favorite dog trainer, Shane Murray to explore his evolution of his dog training biz and the importance of building a supportive community. Meg and Shane explore various training methods, the strengths of private sessions over board and train programs, and the value of mentorship. They discuss their upcoming shadow progr...

Join us as we chat with Lauren and Danielle from The Animal Pad, a passionate dog rescue organization based in sunny San Diego. Lauren shares her transformative journey from volunteering for Bernie Sanders' political campaign to leading a life devoted to dog rescue. With personal anecdotes of fostering her first dog, Rusty, and the hilarity of managing a household filled with furry companions...

Unlock the secrets to transforming your dog's health with insights from Tannisha of Pet Matrix, a trailblazer in canine nutrition. She takes us on a journey through the groundbreaking CMD cell matrix delivery system, which revolutionizes nutrient absorption for dogs by bypassing traditional pitfalls like low bioavailability. You'll learn how peptides play a crucial role in maintaining gu...