Think Like a Dog

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Think Like a Dog podcast, hosts Andreia and Millie, along with trainer Ridge Vogel , discuss the importance of understanding the reasons behind getting a dog, the significance of compatibility, and the necessity of education in dog training. The conversation also covers fostering dogs, establishing structure and boundaries, and the role of clarity and leader...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Ridge Vogel , the founder of Pack Leader University , discusses his journey into dog psychology and the importance of becoming a better human to create a better dog. He emphasizes the need for dog owners to understand the psychology of dogs and take responsibility for their dogs' behavior. Ridge also talks about his 90-day dog psychology and human training me...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Andreia and Millie are joined by Ryan Melnyk , the co-owner of Open Oaks Pet Grooming in Toledo, Ohio. They discuss the importance of finding a groomer who can handle and groom pets in a less stressful manner. Ryan shares his journey into grooming and his passion for working with rescue dogs. They also talk about the unique challenges of grooming difficult dogs an...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Andreia and Millie discuss the difference between rescues and shelters and how to help homeless pets. They emphasize the importance of education and understanding the guidelines and processes of rescues and shelters. They also highlight the benefits of adopting from a rescue, such as individualized support and information about the dog's background. The hosts...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Millie and Kathy discuss the progress of crate training and the challenges they face with resource guarding. They also explore how to improve the relationship between Jen and Kelsey, and how to set boundaries during activities like dock diving. They discuss the importance of eye contact and impulse control, and provide strategies for teaching these behaviors....

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Jenzi Langley, founder of Get K9 Training, discusses service dog training and the process of getting a service dog. She emphasizes the importance of being disabled and having a need for a service dog in order to start the training process. Jenzi explains that service dogs need to have neutrality and adaptability, but there is flexibility in terms of breed and temp...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Andreia and Millie discuss the importance of muzzle training for dogs. They highlight the various reasons why muzzle training is beneficial, including reactivity, eating dangerous objects, and preventing bites. They also address the stigma surrounding muzzle training and the judgment that dog owners often face. The hosts emphasize the need for muzzle training to b...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Patrick Singletary, the founder of Good Dog Veterinary Care, discusses the importance of addressing medical conditions in dogs that can manifest as behavioral challenges. He emphasizes the need for collaboration between veterinarians and trainers to ensure a comprehensive approach to a dog's well-being. The conversation covers common medical conditions in rescue dogs, suc...

Send us Fan Mail Kathy has two dogs, Kelsey and Zoe, who have been exhibiting behavioral issues. Kelsey, a black lab mix, has fear insecurity and acts out in fear, while Zoe, an Australian cattle dog mix, has high energy and often overwhelms Kelsey. The two dogs have gotten into fights, primarily over resource guarding. Kathy has been crate training Kelsey but has struggled with her barking at nig...

Send us Fan Mail Angie from State of Mind Dog Training focuses on real-life dog training, specializing in reactivity and anxiety. Angie emphasizes the importance of understanding a dog's state of mind and psychology, rather than just focusing on obedience. She uses leash pressure and yes work as foundational training techniques. Angie customizes her approach for each dog and works on building...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Cheri Wulff Lucas, a well-known dog behaviorist and trainer specializing in rehabilitating dogs with behavioral issues, discusses the importance of balancing both dogs and their owners. Cheri emphasizes the need for humans to be balanced to help their dogs achieve balance. She explains the significance of creating a plan and visualizing positive outcomes in d...

Send us Fan Mail Leela, a 10-year-old dog, has issues with anxiety in public and relevance issues on walks. Pally, a foster dog, has separation anxiety, fear of cars, and resource guarding behavior. Leela is more aloof and doesn't care much about other dogs, while Pally is more sociable and fluent in dog language. Leela tends to vibe check other dogs and correct their behavior if they get too...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Millie and Andreia discuss the challenges and considerations of managing a multi-dog household. They emphasize the importance of analyzing the behavior and compatibility of the current dog before introducing a second dog. They also highlight the need for advocating for each dog's needs and setting boundaries to prevent conflicts. The hosts provide tips on int...

Send us Fan Mail Jess Adam, a licensed professional counselor, started Handlers and Humans to offer mental health and emotional support coaching to dog owners and dog trainers. She focuses on the importance of addressing the human's emotional well-being in order to help the dog. Jess emphasizes that dog training should not just be about training the dog, but also about helping the human devel...

Send us Fan Mail The conversation cover topics such as conditioning the crate, exploring resource guarding, food motivation and boundaries, resource guarding at the farm, and setting boundaries with other dogs. The conversation also delves into the balance between structure and freedom, establishing leadership, and the responsibility and control the owner has in different environments. Overall, th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Bianca from Mindful Dog Co. discusses the importance of co-regulation in dog training. She explains that being cool, calm, and collected is not enough if the client and the dog have dysregulated nervous systems. Bianca emphasizes the need for fluidity in emotions and the ability to come back to a regulated state. She also highlights the role of somatic experiencin...

Send us Fan Mail Yogi, a five-month-old Australian Shepherd, is experiencing reactivity and fearfulness towards strangers and objects. The issue started when he was around three months old. Yogi was obtained from a breeder who had multiple puppies at the same time, so individual socialization may have been lacking. Yogi's leash walking is good, but he becomes reactive when he sees triggers. H...

Send us Fan Mail Join hosts Millie and Andreia as they welcome Victoria, the founder of From The Heart Dog Services and director of Boxer Haven Rescue.  Victoria shares her journey into dog training and her passion for helping dogs. She discusses the challenges of working with dogs with behavioral issues and the importance of building a strong relationship with your dog.  Victoria emphasizes the n...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Kat discusses her experiences with her dog Piper, who exhibits reactivity and fear-based behaviors. Kat shares the challenges she faces in managing Piper's behavior in a shared house environment and with guests. They discuss the importance of structure and boundaries, as well as the use of crate training and place training. Kat seeks advice on how to imp...

Send us Fan Mail Mochi, a dog who experienced abuse and trauma, exhibits fearfulness and reactivity towards people and dogs. The lack of socialization during the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to her behavior. The owners have observed her fear of noises and movements, as well as her tendency to mark during walks. Mochi also displays reactivity towards people entering the home. The owners have i...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Millie and Andreia come together to explore a diverse range of dog training topics and provide answers to listener questions.  They offer invaluable insights to help you establish a harmonious relationship with your dog. Discover effective strategies for managing separation anxiety, creating boundaries and structure to reduce reactivity and anxiety, and understand...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Think Like a Dog," Millie sits down with her client, Riley, to delve into the challenges she faces with Mookie, Riley's pup. The primary focus is helping Mookie overcome dog reactivity during walks while also enhancing his overall behavior. Living in an apartment complex poses unique challenges, and Millie and Riley explore how to navigate these...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Andreia is joined by Jill, a Mirror Image K9 Trainer and puppy expert, to discuss various topics related to raising and training puppies. Jill emphasizes the importance of confidence building and the role it plays in a puppy's development. Jill also provides guidance on addressing fear phases, resource guarding, and biting in puppies. She advises on the appro...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the hosts interview Xavier and Nicki from Everyday Pack Leader, a dog training business. They discuss the importance of relationship-based training and understanding the dog's needs. They emphasize the need for owners to be the pack leader and provide guidance and safety for their dogs. They also address the misconception around dominance and alpha theory, hi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Think Like a Dog Podcast," Andreia and Millie  discuss pack positions in detail. They explain the roles of the front, middle, and back of the pack and how these positions affect a dog's behavior. They also explore the behavioral problems commonly associated with each pack position. The hosts emphasize the importance of understanding and guiding y...