Episodes
Hey Dog Lover! šŸ¾ Do you ever wonder why it feels like more and more dogs are reactive lately? šŸ¤” Or maybe youā€™re dealing with reactivity yourself and wondering if thereā€™s something you missed along the way. In this episode, Iā€™m diving into real questions from reactive dog forums, where we explore why reactivity seems so commonā€”especially in homes with multiple dogs. Iā€™ll share two key insights: what it means for your dogā€™s behaviour if you have other dogs in the house, and whether the...
Published 11/11/24
Hey Dog Lover! šŸ¾ Have you ever wondered what it really means to have a strong, healthy relationship with your dog? Are you tired of being told what to do or not to do, without truly understanding your bond? Do you dream of a connection built on trust, understanding, and respect? In this episode, Iā€™m sharing the key to unlocking your unique relationship style with your dog. Weā€™ll dive into different types of relationshipsā€”whether itā€™s Parent/Child, Partners, Teacher/Student, or even...
Published 11/07/24
Hey Dog Lover! šŸ¾ Leadership... It's a dirty word in the dog training industry, but in this episode, I'm breaking down the real meaning of leadership and why itā€™s absolutely essential for you and your dog. šŸ• Iā€™m sharing my own story of facing pushbackā€”and even bullyingā€”in the dog training community over the word "leadership." Many trainers have it all wrong, equating leadership with outdated, force-based methods that do more harm than good. āŒ But true leadership? Itā€™s about guiding...
Published 11/04/24
Hey Dog Lover!šŸ¾ Step inside the mind of a fearful dog and discover how they process fear naturally. In todayā€™s episode, Iā€™ll walk you through a gentle approach-and-retreat protocol designed to let your dog tackle fears at their own pace. Once you understand this natural process, youā€™ll be able to approach training from a place of understanding, helping to reduce frustrations and empower your dog to face challenges with confidence.šŸ’Ŗ This episode offers a sneak peek into the Fearful Dog:...
Published 10/31/24
Hey Dog Lover! Do you feel stuck with your fearful dog? In this episode, we're diving into how to handle setbacks and plateaus with patience, grace, and a step-by-step plan to keep you moving forward. Learn why setbacks are not failures but valuable feedback, and how hidden triggers can help you better understand your dog's thresholds. Weā€™ll discuss practical strategies, including my favourite mindset trick to help you reframe challenges and support your dog through their most fearful...
Published 10/28/24
Hey Dog Lover! Do you think your dogā€™s reactivity might be fear-based? You might be surprised to learn that there are several other reasons why dogs can act out. In this episode, Iā€™m breaking down 5 surprising causes of reactivity that go beyond fear, and Iā€™ll share how you can recognize these behaviours and manage them more effectively. Hereā€™s what weā€™ll cover: Why overstimulation might be overwhelming your dogā€”and how to help them stay calm. The frustration that comes from unmet...
Published 10/24/24
Hey Dog Lover! Ever wonder what it takes to be happy? Happiness can seem elusiveā€”even for us humans! But when I talk to fellow dog lovers dealing with fearful or reactive dogs, I often ask them, ā€œWhatā€™s the number one thing you want for your dog?ā€ The answer is almost always the same: ā€œI just want my dog to be happy.ā€ So what truly makes a dog happy? Spoiler: Itā€™s not their favourite treat or toy! In this episode, weā€™re diving deep into what it really takes to create a confident, joyful...
Published 10/21/24
Hey Dog Lover! šŸ¾ Is your dog "freaking out" at the window? Tried treats to distract and still nothing? Today, Iā€™m taking you behind the scenes of my thought process on how to decode your dog's barking.(ooohhh scary! šŸ˜³) Weā€™ll explore what's really going on when your dog reacts to what's outside, and how you can BE a part of the conversation. From my "go see and thank you" protocol to understanding why your dog might be barking in the first place, Iā€™ll walk you through how to break...
Published 10/17/24
Hey Dog Lover! Feeling like your bond with your fearful dog has been slipping, especially since others in the household arenā€™t following the training rules? If youā€™re worried that inconsistent boundaries are affecting your dog's behaviour and connection with you, youā€™re not alone. In this episode, we tackle the frustration of seeing all your hard work unravel because someone else isnā€™t on the same page. Weā€™ll discuss why this inconsistency is especially tough on fearful dogs and what...
Published 10/14/24
Hey, my Fellow Dog Lover! Thanksgiving is this Monday for us Canadians, šŸ‡ØšŸ‡¦šŸ¦ƒ So we need to talk about holidays, family and your fearful dog. If youā€™re worried about how your dog will handle all the family and friends' gatherings, this episode is for you. Weā€™ll discuss why ThanksgivingĀ isnā€™tĀ the best time for training and how to support your dog by allowing it to retreat to its comfort zone. We'll also provide some rules for your guests to follow to ensure your dog feels safe and...
Published 10/10/24
Hey there, dog lover! šŸ¾šŸŽƒ In this episode, we discuss why Halloween can be a truly spooky time for our fearful dogs. From strange costumes to eerie decorations, this season disrupts your dog's senses, making it harder for them to feel safe and recognize familiar people or environments. So while some may use this as a "training opportunity", if we have a less than confident dog, this can be a nightmare! So fearful dog friends this is your permission to give your dog and yourself the night...
Published 10/07/24
Hey there Dog Lover, Today, weā€™re getting real about why your fearful dog may still be reactive, even after youā€™ve tried all the training tricks in the book. The truth is, itā€™s not just about what your dog is doingā€”itā€™s about mindset, communication, and yes, even the equipment youā€™re using. Hereā€™s what weā€™ll break down: Mindset: Are you focusing on ā€˜fixingā€™ your dog or paying attention to how youā€™re feeling about it? (Spoiler: Your mindset might be the missing key.) Clear...
Published 10/03/24
Hey there Dog Lover! In this episode, we tackle 5 sneaky actions that might block your dogā€™s confidence and weaken the bond youā€™re trying to build. (Spoiler alert: You might be doing some of them without even realizing it!) From leash pulling to communication mishaps, weā€™ll cover the common mistakes that are holding your dog back. Hereā€™s what weā€™ll dig into: Leash pulling: Are you worth hanging out with, or are you just the dope at the end of the rope? Training time: Is it really just...
Published 09/30/24
Hey dog lover! Have you ever been told that your dog needs to be more social? What if I told you thatā€™s not always the caseā€”especially for fearful dogs? (It's true!) Earlier this week I hinted at the idea of fostering a "pro-social relationship with your dog. This week Iā€™ll explain why being "social" isnā€™t the ideal goal for your dog, and what you should be aiming for instead. Weā€™ll explore the differences between social, a-social, anti-social, and pro-social behavior, and why...
Published 09/26/24
Hey dog lover! Have you ever wondered if your dog should always be walking behind you? Does it matter? And what about sniffing? In this episode, Iā€™m breaking down the truth about leash position. Does it really matter if your dog walks behind you? The answer is yes, but maybe not in the way you think. Iā€™ll explain the dynamics between you and your dog and when it's important to take the lead. Youā€™ll learn how your position on the leash impacts your fearful dogā€™s ability to handle...
Published 09/23/24
Hey dog lover! In this episode, I'm diving into the often misunderstood topic of using muzzles in reactivity training. I'll share why muzzles can actually be a powerful tool for building trust and confidence between you and your dog. Adding a muzzle can help you become a calmer, more confident guardian, allowing you to safely test trust-building exercises. If you've ever felt unsure about using a muzzle, this episode is for you. I'll explain why muzzling is not what you thinkā€”and how...
Published 09/16/24
Hey dog lover! Is your dog trapped in a cycle of fear? In todayā€™s episode, we break down the fear cycle to help you step inside the mind of a fearful dog. Instead of avoiding their fear or distracting them from it, learn how to truly support your dog as they work through it. Discover why embracing these challenging moments can help your dog build lasting confidence and finally break free from their fear. Join me for practical insights and strategies to guide your dog toward a...
Published 09/09/24
Hey there Dog Lover! I'm hosting a free, live 2-day event and you are invited! Calm Down, Dog! Bootcamp Happening Sept 9th and 10th 10 am MT/11 am CT / 12pm ET If you have a fearful or fear-reactive dog feeling stuck, this bootcamp will help you understand your dog's needs and how you can BE a powerful influence in their world. Sign up Today! www.beyondobedience.ca/bootcamp You are not alone in this journey. Let's do this together. See you there! Tracy
Published 09/04/24
Hey there dog lover! Have you ever felt stuck while training your fearful dog? Felt like you've tried everything but nothing is working? Had a few setbacks and now you are questioning "Is it me? Can I even do this?" If so then you need this reset! In this episode, I am talking about a 3 step reset to help get you unstuck in your training and get back to actually enjoying your dog again! Wouldn't that be nice? And if you know anyone who would benefit from this reset, be sure to share...
Published 09/02/24
Hey dog lover, Have you ever wondered whether your dogā€™s reactivity is rooted in fear or just aggression? Itā€™s such an important distinction to make because it can really change how you approach helping your dog. In this episode, Iā€™m diving into three key ways to figure it out. šŸ¾Your Dogā€™s History: Whether youā€™ve had your dog since they were a pup or brought them into your life as a rescue, their background holds important clues. šŸ¾The Context ofĀ  Their Triggers: Understanding the...
Published 08/26/24
Hey there dog lover! This week on the podcast I am giving you permission to just quit. Yes, I said it. You can quit. Quit all the things Quit the training Quit the walking Quit. If your walks with your dog are miserable or stressful, you can stop. And let's take a breath and a reset. Today, I am discussing what the first steps of a reset will look like for you and your dog. And if you or someone you know is struggling with your fearful or fear-reactive dog, be sure to sign...
Published 08/19/24
Hey there friend! Today I was thinking about how the stories we tell about our rescue dogs shape not only how we think of them but also how they see the world. The power of those stories is the catalyst for today's episode on why our fear-reactive dogs stay stuck in the fear cycle. I hope you enjoy the episode! and BIG NEWS!!! I have an online LIVE 2-day event happening Sept 9-10th that you need to be a part of! It's the (drum roll please...) Calm Down Dog! Bootcamp Help your...
Published 08/12/24
Hey there friend! Well I know the answer to this will be a resounding YES. Of course but... Are you dreaming of life that is EASY with your dog? I have noticed that for many dog lovers, life with dogs is challenging, frustrating or even down right hard. So today I am sharing the 4 situations of living with dogs that make everything soooo easy for me and my pack. Designed to live within a framework that dogs understand, you can simplify your life with your dogs. This is how I live with a...
Published 08/05/24