Think Like a Dog

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...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Millie is joined by her client, Cece DeSimone, for their third session, to discuss her experiences with dog training, focusing on her dog Mabel and a new foster dog, Batman. The session covers various training techniques, behavioral challenges, socialization with other dogs, crate training, and managing excessive chewing behavior. The conversation emphasizes...

Send us Fan Mail In this session, Millie is joined by her client, Barbara, to discuss her two dogs, Tuca and Bruski, and the challenges she’s been facing with their behavior. Together, they discuss understanding leadership, consistency, and the importance of setting structured routines and boundaries. The conversation covers everything from Tuca’s need for guidance and structured play to Bruski’s...

Send us Fan Mail In this second consultation, Millie and Addie’s owner, Nancy, discuss the progress and ongoing challenges in Addie’s training journey. The conversation focuses on leash reactivity, communication between dogs and their owners, and the role of structure and boundaries in supporting a dog’s growth. Nancy shares updates on Addie’s walks, her use of the loop, and her reactions to other...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Think Like a Dog, Millie discusses training goals and challenges with Tanya and her energetic husky, Denali. Adopted from a shelter, Denali faced early behavioral hurdles that left Tanya looking for effective ways to build consistency and structure. Their conversation covers everything from creating routines to mastering leash skills, and how the right commands...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Think Like a Dog podcast, hosts Andreia and Millie break down the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways our dogs communicate with us. They dive into listener-submitted training videos, chatting through what body language really means during play, how connection can make or break training, and why distractions matter more than we think. They also get into how socia...

Send us Fan Mail In this client consult, Millie works with Sara and her 4½-year-old Bichon, Charlotte, to tackle a swirl of issues: leash reactivity toward dogs and people, door/window “bouncer” behavior, sock/paper eating, and an intense attachment that’s taken over daily life. We lay out a structure-first plan that replaces guilt-driven routines with fair, clear boundaries, so Charlotte can turn...

Send us Fan Mail This episode of Think Like a Dog with Andreia and Millie focuses on senior dogs and the unique care they require. The discussion highlights why training remains valuable for them at any age, the medical considerations that come with growing older, and the ways their behavior may change over time. It also covers how senior dogs adjust when new pets are introduced into the household...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Think Like a Dog, Millie connects with Cece DeSimone to discuss her dog Mabel’s behavioral challenges, including resource guarding, jealousy, and walking difficulties. They explore effective training techniques such as crate training, structured feeding routines, and strategic socialization. The conversation highlights the importance of setting clear boundaries,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Think Like a Dog, Millie conducts a virtual consultation with Nancy, focusing on her dog Addy’s leash reactivity and overall behavior. The discussion covers Addy’s training background, current challenges on walks, and difficulties maintaining composure around other dogs. Millie provides detailed guidance on improving leash walking skills, implementing impulse co...