In this episode of Dear Dog Fanatic, K (The Canine Detective) once again takes a look at some incompatible relationships (human to human as well as human to dog) and some rescue dog decompression pains. The most fun story is the one about the eyeless dog at the end of the episode. These stories are from the r/DogAdvice subreddit. Content Warnings: domestic abuse and dog bites.

Takeaways

• If you love dogs, it is unwise to date someone who does not. This rarely ends well.
• An abundance of caution is always needed between dogs and kids.
• Some dogs take time to warm up to new people. And some does don't really like people, except their people.
• It is important to socialize your dog to prevent future anxieties and behavioural challenges.
• Teach blind dogs using touch training so that you can still communicate with them down the road once their hearing goes.

Reddit Stories

• My boyfriend hates my dog. Is my dog that bad?
• Bitten by new rescue dog after she took food off the table
• Why does my dog who loved me and my partner right away hate everyone else?
• 1 year ago I adopted my eyeless dog and it was the best decision I ever made. AMA!

In this episode of Dear Dog Fanatic, we explore some dog poop drama. Who knew that potty business was so controversial? These stories are from the r/AITA subreddit. Content Warnings: angry neighbours, anti-dog people, and judgemental dog owners. And much talk of dog poop!

Takeaways

• Dogs peeing on lawns is a hot topic. And some folks may prefer for your dog to pee on the sidewalk instead of their lawn?
• Pick up the dog poop in your yard before hosting a party.
• Please don't yell at or call the cops on your neighbours (ie. don't escalate) unnecessarily.
• If your neighbour has beef with you and your dog, it may be safer to just ignore them and walk away.
• If your dog is barking in your yard, the polite thing to do is to call them inside.
• Walking your dog is good for their mental health (and yours). And find a way to let them sniff!

Reddit Stories

• AITA if I drop off a note and baked goods to my neighbor who made me pick up somebody else’s dog poop?
• AITA for letting my dogs pee outside?
• AITA for chasing someone down to stop letting their dog use my yard as a bathroom?
• AITA for letting my dog poop in my front yard before I go to work?
• AITA Fuss About Dog Poop in the Yard

In this episode of Dear Dog Fanatic, K (The Canine Detective) reads some wild dog confessions from Redditors. These stories are from the r/TrueOffMyChest subreddit. Possible trigger warning: talks of both medical and behavioural euthanasia.

Takeaways

• Dogs are a lot of work! Be clear from the beginning who's responsible for the dog.
• Don't watch someone's dog if you don't want to.
• Please, no kidnapping dogs and leaving them in shelters. Also, you need to disclose bite histories where relevant.
• It's better to let a dog go too early, rather than too late.

Reddit Stories

• My dog made me realize I can’t be a mom.
• I dropped my MILs dog off as a stray at a shelter. I don't feel bad.
• I wish my girlfriend’s dog died
• my family dog is ruining our family
• I think my mom euthanised our dog before her time, but I’ll never tell her that.

In this episode of Dear Dog Fanatic, K (The Canine Detective) reads thought-provoking questions from the r/AskReddit subreddit. Fans of the game "Will You Press The Button?" will enjoy this one!

Takeaways

• Bigger dogs can cost more than little dogs... for many reasons.
• The grief one has when losing a dog is intense. Don't feel the need to get a new dog right away if you are not ready.
• The quality of life at the end of a dog's life is important to consider when making efforts to prolong it.
• There are many valid reasons to NOT want a dog. Even if you love dogs!

Reddit Stories

• How expensive do you think it is to take care of Clifford, the big red dog?
• How difficult was it for you when your dog passed away? Did getting a puppy after really help the grieving process?
• Dog owners of Reddit: Would you cut of 5 years of your own life and give these to your dog? If so, why?
• People of Reddit, why do you NOT want to have a dog?

In this episode of Dear Dog Fanatic, K (The Canine Detective) reads stories about dogs and fiancés from the r/relationship_advice subreddit. This could very well be a sequel to Episode 1: Dogs Revealing Relationship Incompatibilities.

Takeaways

• Couples should discuss the financial implications of having a dog before bringing one home.
• Be on the same page as your partner. What does having a dog mean to you? Not everyone views this responsibility the same way.
• Separation anxiety and canine behavioural issues can lead to significant stress and strain in relationships.
• Responsible rehoming is always an option! But make sure you work with a professional beforehand to explore your options.
• Also, consider hiring a canine matchmaker to ensure that you are choosing a dog who is compatible with you and your lifestyle.

Reddit Stories

• My Fiancée isn’t speaking to me after I used “our” money to help my dog. Not sure not to fix this?
• My fiancé is calling of the wedding if I don't get rid of my dog
• My fiance (27M) basically chose our dog over me (27F). What a waste of 5 and a half years...
• I 21M and my fiancé 21F’s relationship is being ruined by our dog

Thinking about bringing home a dog? Checkout my Dog Matchmaking Consultation services! Whether you are considering adoption, buying from a breeder, or choosing between breeds, I’ll guide you through the decision so you can set your future dog (and your family) up for success.

In this episode, K shares her journey to opening up her own dog training practice and the factors that led her to decide to deliver all of her programming virtually. The Canine Detective had previously offered board & trains, group classes, in-house private lessons, as well as walk & trains. It also delves into the structure of her virtual training practice and the benefits it offers to clients.


Takeaways About Training Dogs Virtually

Allows for quicker, more sustainable training progress.
Enables clients to ask questions between sessions.
The Daily Method.
More accountability for dog owners.
More room for education for the dogs and the humans.
Better able to accommodate multiple stakeholders (humans and dogs).
Delivering step-by-step training recommendations.
Timely feedback on homework exercises.
Opportunities for daily Q&A via private chat.
Easier to provide a record of past training sessions.


Frodo's Story & Podcast Guesting

She Coaches Coaches - Life Coaching for Dog Moms
Dog Training Bytes - Episode 35: Kirsten Matthews (The Canine Detective)

In this episode, a virtual dog trainer shares some fun dog character Reddit stories from the r/RPGHorrorStories. Kirsten (The Canine Detective) is a big TTRPG nerd herself and gives her takes from both a player and dog lover's perspective.

Takeaways

• All party members get attached to player character pets.
• If someone goes to unalive a dog in-game, just do yourself a favour and boot them immediately.
• Blink dogs vs mundane dogs (and how the mechanics don't make sense from a canine behaviour perspective).
• Every game should have a session zero!
• Let your players have canine companions; it's fun.

Reddit Stories

• The Damned Dog
• Player Distracted Entire Game with Dogs and Neighbors
• "Pacifist" character killed my characters dog!
• Player tried to hurt The Dog
• Mr. Sprinkles, the Dog who would become God

References & ShoutOuts

• Leather Dog Armour - Arcane Armory & Relics
• Rolling With Reddit - RPG Familiar

In this episode, Kirsten (The Canine Detective) reads dog-related stories from the r/bridezillas subreddit. Common themes include the importance of prioritizing pets and setting boundaries in relationships.

Takeaways

• Canine welfare is more important to some people than to others.
• If your friend is mad at you for potentially missing their wedding because your dog had a medical emergency, are they really your friend?
• Don't let people take advantage of you. This goes double for people who hate your dog.
• Bringing a fake service dog to a wedding is both unethical and ill-advised.

Reddit Stories

• Is it me? Or her? Or both?
• AITA for cancelling my brothers wedding?
• AITA for leaving the engagement dinner due to my fiance's obsession with the dog?
• AITA for not allowing my mom's "service dog" at my wedding?

This episode features dog-centric stories from the r/AmItheAsshole subreddit. Kirsten (The Canine Detective) explores the key underlying theme of dogs revealing (rather than causing) fundamental incompatibilities in longstanding relationships.

Takeaways

• Partners need to communicate before marriage or kids, whether or not they want dogs.
• The parent is the one who decides whether or not to get a dog, not the child.
• It's not enough to decide that you both want a dog, partners need to decide how they will raise that dog.
• Who keeps the dog in the event of a relationship breakdown? And does this inform who pays the dog's bills?
• The person who decides to get the dog is the person who is ultimately responsible for said dog.

Reddit Stories

• WIBTA for choosing my dogs over my kids?
• AITA for not getting another dog?
• AITA for refusing to have any pets inside our house due to my allergies and how I was raised?
• AITA for not wanting to split dog ownership costs and responsibility 50/50?
• AITA for telling my family that we have to get rid of the dog?