Have you ever listened to someone speak about their mission and felt chills and motivation to make positive change happen?  Listening to Dr. Christi during this episode will have you visualizing the power that compassionate care can evoke and give you a better sense of how we can move towards a viable solution for the many dogs in need of medical care and a safe home.  Compassion Without Borders is supporting animals and their humans both in the US and Mexico, and Emma and Kirsten felt so fortunate to learn more about this incredible rescue organization and the work they are doing during this episode.  

Dog training is an unregulated industry where anyone can call themselves a "trainer" and make an eye-catching website in order to sell you their quick fix services- sometimes at great cost to the welfare of your dog.  In a world where we have so many options, it is vital to educate yourself on the types of methods available and to consider how you want to teach and support your dog in a humane way.  In this episode, Emma and Kirsten unpack different training methodologies and ask the question:  "How can we best support our dogs' learning and well-being?"  Buckle your seatbelts because this is a courageous ride into the dichotomy of the dog training world.  Fear not as Emma and Kirsten are yet again your confident and wise guides.

Have you been given different advice about which equipment to use on your dog?  Is your dog comfortable in their gear when they are heading out for a walk?  Emma and Kirsten explore answers to these questions and offer some guidance about the equipment that is available and why they choose to use it with their own dogs.  In a market with so many choices, it is helpful to hear first-hand from professionals about best options that are available.

Remember when you were 14- years- old and you were a totally balanced, perfect teenager?  Of course you don't...because how could you feel calm and confident when your world was changing and your body was taken over by alien hormones.  It is the same for our adolescent dogs and in this episode, Emma and Kirsten share the science behind this challenging development stage while offering tips on how to support your struggling teen.  Discovering that you no longer are the center of your pup's universe?  That's normal and healthy.  Find out how to nurture them through this stage while keeping your relationship intact.

With her incredible wit and wisdom, special guest Alexis Davison offers insights into the importance of communication in the role of behavior change, the history of positive reinforcement training and how using the UnChase Protocol can help pets learn to live together and be safe alongside wildlife.  Alexis is a professional mentor to both Emma and Kirsten.  Ready to learn a bit about life and predatory action behavior patterns?  Listen to this fascinating episode that unpacks the "how" and "why" of chasing and how positive reinforcement works to help your dog learn new habits.

Now that the days are shorter and we are spending more time indoors with our dogs, it is time to cozy up for a Towel Dry, Hot Lava, scenting games and fun DIY enrichment activities.  Your hosts Emma and Kirsten describe some of their favorite indoor dog games and offer tips about keeping your dogs busy and happy while growing your relationship together.

Visit us @dogchats_podcast on Instagram for more tips from this episode!

Does your dog communicate their fear or frustration through barking, lunging and snapping?  Check out this new episode where Kirsten unravels some of the "why" and "how" behind these maladaptive  behaviors.  She offers a few tips for pet parents who are working to support their dogs and reminds us to start from a place of empathy and understanding for both dog and human clients.