E406: Deb Jones, PhD - "An Honest Conversation about Hard Decisions"

There are certain topics in the dog training world that feel almost taboo - among them is the topic of behavioral euthanasia. In this episode Deb and I have a frank but thoughtful conversation on evaluating the severity of a behavior issue and what factors go into that sort of decision. 

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  645 Hits
645 Hits

E405: Jessica Wheatcraft - "A Closer Look at Circle Work"

Give this episode a listen to learn a bit more about Jessica, her background, what Circle Work is and what led her to develop it! 

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  780 Hits
780 Hits

Self-Care for Dog Sports Handlers

Self-Care Is More Than a Trend

We often see self-care dressed up in shiny fabrics, lavish dinners, and indulgent habits that don't align with our deeper vision for life. Social media floods us with this narrative, but what if there was a different approach?

What if you redefined self-care? IMAGINE how you could transform your relationship with yourself, your life, and your self-esteem.

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  680 Hits
680 Hits

Conquering Dog Show Nerves: How to Prepare for Success

Dog show nerves are real! As much as we tell ourselves that it's all about having fun, we still want our dogs to perform well. After all, we've put in countless hours of training and preparation, not to mention the financial investment. It's completely normal to feel a little nervous before stepping into the ring—but with the right preparation, you can keep those nerves in check and enjoy the experience.

Here are some of my favorite tips to help you and your dog feel confident, calm, and ready to shine in the ring!

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  1187 Hits
1187 Hits

E404: Amy Cook, PhD - The Evolution of The Play Way

Join me and Dr. Amy Cook for a conversation on where her ideas for The Play Way came from, the science that inspired it, and how it's evolved (and continues to evolve). We also discuss the one letter that Amy thinks every trainer should add to their conversations about reactivity and thresholds.

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  1152 Hits
1152 Hits

The Key to Building Motivation

Motivation is Just an Emotion

Motivation often feels like the magic spark that gets us moving. It's that rush of excitement when starting something new or the drive you feel after a particularly inspiring moment.

But just like any other emotion, motivation comes and goes. One day, you're fired up to hit the gym or tackle a workout; the next, it might feel like a chore you can't face. Basing your fitness journey solely on motivation is like relying on the weather—it's unpredictable and unreliable.

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  1210 Hits
1210 Hits

E403: Denise Fenzi & Crystal Wing - Let's Talk Play

Join us for a serious conversation on all things play! Denise and Crystal share how play impacts our relationships and our training with our dogs.

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  882 Hits
882 Hits

The Key to Dog Training Success: Setting Up for Confidence and Learning

Dog training success happens when dogs are set up to learn in a way that builds their confidence and understanding. When training is designed to maximize success, dogs learn faster, stay engaged, and enjoy the process. My goal is to structure training sessions so that my dog wins as often as possible—practicing correct behaviors rather than rehearsing mistakes.
Of course, training won't always go perfectly, but by carefully reading our dogs and adjusting our approach, we can create an environment where learning is both effective and fun.

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  804 Hits
804 Hits

E402: Julie Symons - "Building Environmental Resilience"

Nosework competitions require the ability to focus and work independently in new and novel locations — so Julie joined me for a conversation on how to build the necessary levels of environmental resilience.  

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  1145 Hits
1145 Hits

E401: Kim Palermo - "Patterns for Performance'

Join us for a conversation on how pattern games can benefit dogs with big feelings — whether those feelings are positive or negative! Kim is a certified Control Unleashed instructor and shares insights into why the program was developed and how it can help. 

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  1214 Hits
1214 Hits

E400: Dante Camacho - "Building A Beautiful Heel"

 When done well, heelwork can be downright beautiful. But if you've ever tried to teach heelwork, you know it's much more complex than it might look at first. Join me and Dante for a conversation on the pieces that you need to consider to get lovely heeling with duration.

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  1601 Hits
1601 Hits

E399: Sara Brueske, Irith Bloom, Kim Palermo, and Sophie Liu, DVM - "A Look at Barky Lungey Dogs"

What do you do if you end up with a dog that barks and lunges at people or other dogs? Join us for a panel discussion on what to do first, whether it matters what emotions are driving the behavior, and what you might want to consider if your goals are to compete. 

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  1010 Hits
1010 Hits

E398: Janice Gunn - "Stand Your Dog: Teaching the Stand for Competition Obedience"

How solid is your dog's understanding of their stand cue? Join us for a conversation on how to teach the stand and why it's such an important skill for competition obedience.

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  1903 Hits
1903 Hits

E397: Canine Sports Medicine Vets with Drs. David Lane and Chris Zink

Join me for a conversation with canine sports medicine vets David Lane and Chris Zink about what sports handlers should know! We talk about what is included within the canine sports medicine umbrella, how to find a specialist, and where you can learn more.

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  1195 Hits
1195 Hits

E396: Petra Ford - "Engagement that Holds Up in the Competition Ring"

In this episode Petra and I discuss the difference between attention and engagement. Join us for Petra's advice on preparing your dog for the competition ring. 

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  1889 Hits
1889 Hits

Got FOMO? Adding a Second Dog in Training

Adding a second dog to FOMO (fear of missing out) training is no easy task. It requires patience, consistency, and careful attention to your dog's emotional state. One key part of overcoming FOMO is ensuring your dog has solid stationing skills before introducing any distractions. Once your dog is comfortable staying in one spot and can handle being left alone without anxiety, you can begin incorporating a second dog into the training session.

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  1385 Hits
1385 Hits

E395: Julie Flanery - "Gamifying Training for Your Dog"

Looking to add some joy back into your training? Join Julie and I for a conversation about ways to use games to build connection, engagement, attention and... joy!  

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  1223 Hits
1223 Hits

Why Rally Training is the Ultimate Foundation for All Dog Sports—and Beyond

If you're involved in dog sports or looking to strengthen your bond with your dog, rally training might be the perfect fit. Whether you're dreaming of agility titles, excelling in obedience competitions, or simply wanting a well-behaved pet, rally training lays a solid foundation for achieving your goals. Let's explore why this versatile sport is beneficial for every dog and handler team—regardless of their goals and aspirations.

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  1755 Hits
1755 Hits

E394: Bronagh Daly - "Control Unleashed for Agility"

 Have a dog that struggles to think clearly in or around the agility ring? Want to be proactive, so your dog can always keep his head? In this episode Bronagh and I talk about how to create that "thinking brain" even when exciting, overwhelming or intimidating things are happening around our dogs!  Transcript Melissa Breau: This is Meliss...
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  1590 Hits
1590 Hits

Lessons Forged in the Palisades Fire of January 2025

On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, a brush fire – dubbed the Palisades Fire since it started along Palisades Drive – broke out in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, just a few miles from my home. This wasn't a unique occurrence; brush fires happen around Los Angeles every year, and there have been small fires in Pacific Palisades before. But conditions conspired to grow the Palisades Fire in a way I've never seen in the nearly 25 years I have lived in the area.

Within a few hours, another fire, dubbed the Eaton Fire, had erupted in the Altadena area. Now two communities on opposite sides of the city were threatened. Worse yet, unusually strong Santa Ana winds that were gusting at up to 80 mph (roughly 130 kph) made fighting the fires basically impossible.
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  3125 Hits
3125 Hits

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