Blog

The more tools in your toolbox the more dogs you can help — in this episode Karen shares her experience using box feeding (aka the "dopamine box") to build confidence, desensitize to sounds, develop duration as a concept, for scent work, tracking, and to develop working under pressure. 

With the upcoming one day conference on matters of motivation, Denise, Crystal, and Jane joined me to share their takes on what motivation really is and why it matters.  

You've taught your dog the exercises—but do you know how to show them in the ring?

Join Petra Ford for a deep dive into what actually happens during an AKC obedience trial, from Novice through Utility. She goes beyond the rulebook and training videos to explore the flow of a performance—what the judge says, how you respond, when you can talk to your dog, what you can do during transitions, knowing where to go, how to use subtle cues and handling strategies to help your dog succeed, and more. Originally aired as a facebook Live in the FDSA Student Alumni Group, we've downloaded the recording and are re-sharing here for free.

If your dog knows the exercises but you're unsure what to do when you walk into the ring—this recording is for you!

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. 

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! 

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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. 

 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.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.