Think Like a Dog

Send us Fan Mail The biggest changes in your dog’s behavior often start with the smallest everyday interactions. In this episode of Think Like a Dog Extended, Millie is joined by Mirror Image K9 trainers Easton, Jill, and Brandon to break down the “small conversations” we have with our dogs every day, and how those moments can either strengthen your relationship or quietly create bigger behavioral...

Send us Fan Mail Bringing home a new baby is a major life change, not just for you, but for your dogs, too! So how do you prepare your dog for a newborn, create a safe environment, and make the transition as smooth as possible? In this episode of Think Like a Dog Podcast, Andreia and Millie are joined by special guest Kaitlyn, an Ozzie Albies Foundation adopter and new mom, who shares her firsthan...

Send us Fan Mail Not all rescues operate the same, and knowing who you are supporting matters. In this episode of Think Like a Dog Podcast, Andreia and Millie break down the difference between animal shelters and nonprofit dog rescues, how the shelter and rescue system actually works, and what you should research before adopting, donating, fostering, volunteering, or surrendering a dog. They discu...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Think Like a Dog Extended, Millie is joined by Connor, Brandon, and Jill for an in-depth conversation about what fulfillment really means for dogs, and why exercise alone isn’t always enough. Together, they break down the difference between fulfillment and enrichment, how a strong relationship influence behavior, and why fulfillment can look completely different...

Send us Fan Mail How strict do you really need to be when training your dog? In this episode of Think Like a Dog, Millie is joined by trainers Easton, Jill, and Brandon to break down what they call the “negotiation phase” of dog training, finding the balance between an ideal training plan and one an owner can realistically follow. The trainers discuss where they’re willing to make adjustments and...

Send us Fan Mail In this Q&A episode of Think Like a Dog Podcast, Andreia and Millie answer listener questions about some of the most common, and frustrating, challenges dog owners face. They break down what to do when leash corrections actually make reactivity worse, how excitement and rough play with other dogs can contribute to frustration on walks, and why teaching your dog to calmly exist...

Send us Fan Mail We’re back with Part 2 of Common Dog Training Misconceptions Explained. In this episode of Think Like a Dog Extended, the team breaks down even more of the most common things they hear from dog owners, and the psychology behind why these beliefs can sometimes get in the way of progress. We talk about why not every dog is meant to be a service or therapy dog, how breed genetics and...

Send us Fan Mail Millie is joined by Mirror Image K9 trainers Connor, Brandon, and Jill to discuss some of the most common phrases dog trainers hear from owners—and what those statements may reveal about a dog’s behavior and relationship with its family. The trainers break down the difference between a dog being well-behaved and truly well-trained, why obedience commands alone do not resolve react...

Send us Fan Mail In this Think Like a Dog Podcast Q&A episode, Andreia and Millie answer listener questions about preparing for your first dog, choosing the right breed or rescue, and managing a dog while working a full-time schedule. They discuss why fostering can help first-time dog owners find the right personality and energy level, how to build trust with a fearful rescue dog, and why givi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Think Like a Dog, Andreia and Millie talk about what it really means to be a great foster for a rescue dog. While fostering often starts with love and good intentions, this conversation explains why love alone is not enough to prepare a dog for a successful forever home. They break down the importance of decompression, structure, crate training, leash manners, p...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Think Like a Dog, Millie is joined by Mirror Image K9 trainers Jill, Brandon, and Connor to break down the most important questions every dog owner should ask before choosing a doggy daycare. They discuss dog-to-human ratios, pack size, vaccines, spay and neuter policies, staff training, structured breaks, toys and treats, dog integration, safety protocols, and...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Think Like a Dog, Millie is joined by Mirror Image K9 trainers Jill, Brandon, and Connor for an inside look at what it really means to run a structured dog daycare. They break down how Mirror Image K9’s day camp is different from a traditional doggy daycare, why not every dog is immediately eligible, and how structure, crate training, coping skills, owner involv...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Think Like a Dog, Andreia and Millie break down why so many dog-to-dog introductions go wrong and why humans often put too much pressure on dogs to “make friends.” They discuss why on-leash greetings can create tension, frustration, reactivity, and miscommunication, especially when dogs are pulling toward each other or being forced into an interaction. This conv...

Send us Fan Mail In this Q&A episode of Think Like a Dog, Andreia and Millie answer listener questions covering dog behavior issues from preparing dogs for major life changes like a new baby, to managing resource guarding, food hoarding behaviors, and high-energy puppy nipping, this episode breaks down practical, real-world solutions. They explain why structure, boundaries, and consistency are...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Think Like a Dog, Andreia and Millie break down one of their most complex rescue cases: Bug. Bug isn’t your typical “easy” dog. With a bite history, reactivity triggers, and a personality that requires structure, he represents a category of dogs that are often misunderstood, and too often given up on. This conversation goes beyond surface-level training advice a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Think Like a Dog, Millie is joined by the Mirror Image K9 trainers, Jill, Easton, and Connor, to break down one of the most misunderstood parts of dog ownership: when and how to give your dog “wiggle room.” Many owners focus on rules and structure at the beginning, but what happens after that? When can you start relaxing boundaries, and how do you know your dog...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Think Like a Dog, Andreia and Millie break down some of the most common misconceptions surrounding dog behavior, body language, and training. From the meaning behind a wagging tail to the truth about growling and excitement, they explain what dogs are actually communicating and why so many owners misinterpret it. They also dive into controversial topics like soc...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Think Like a Dog Podcast , Millie is joined by professional trainers Easton, Brandon, and Jill from Mirror Image K9 for an in-depth discussion about when dog owners should consider seeking professional training support. The conversation focuses heavily on e-collar training , breaking down the philosophy behind the tool and explaining why proper foundation, t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Think Like a Dog Podcast, Millie is joined by three additional trainers from Mirror Image K9, Easton, Brandon, and Jill, for a conversation focused on helping owners recognize when it’s time to seek professional guidance. Together, they break down the behavioral patterns that often get minimized or managed rather than addressed, and how those small struggles can...

Send us Fan Mail The “place” command is one of the most misunderstood tools in dog training, and it’s often taught in a way that completely misses its real purpose. In this episode of Think Like a Dog, we break down what “place” is actually meant to do for your dog. It’s not just about staying on a bed or mat. It’s about teaching emotional regulation, building coping skills, and creating a space w...

Send us Fan Mail In this client consultation episode of Think Like a Dog, Millie and Nancy discuss the real-life training journey of Addie, celebrating wins, addressing challenges, and navigating the messy middle of dog training. They go into crate training struggles, managing reactivity on walks, socialization with other dogs, and how understanding dog behavior changes everything. Nancy shares ho...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Think Like a Dog podcast, Andreia and Millie break down what reliable recall actually means, and why most dogs aren’t truly off-leash trained. They explain why recall must start on leash, how inconsistent expectations and rushed freedom lead to failure, and why practicing in multiple environments is non-negotiable. The conversation also explores the role of...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Think Like a Dog, Millie is joined by Nancy for her third client consultation to discuss ongoing behavior changes in her dog, Addie, following the loss of her other dog, Brooklyn. Nancy shares concerns about Addie’s lethargy, reduced engagement, and challenges with socialization since Brooklyn’s passing. The conversation explores how grief can impact a dog’s emo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Millie does a consultation with a dog owner navigating life with a reactive dog. Together, they break down what reactivity really looks like day-to-day, from sensitivity to movement and barking at guests, to the stress that comes with everyday handling like nail care. Millie walks through how reactivity often stems from a lack of clear boundaries, trust, and calm...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Think Like a Dog podcast, Andreia and Millie break down everything you need to know about crate training, especially when anxiety, barking, or routine struggles get in the way. They talk about why the right crate matters, how to build a consistent training routine, and how understanding your dog’s body language can completely change the way you approach crat...