Enlightened Pet Behavior Podcast

Enlightened Pet Behavior Podcast

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Enlightened Pet Behavior Podcast episodes

  • Dogs in the News with Sylvia Wes

    Today I'm joined by Sylvia Wes

    Certified Professional Dog Trainer, podcaster, pet expert & dog mom. Currently a head trainer at FitDog club, Sylvia is a self described crazy dog lady whose life's mission is dedicated to animal welfare and helping dogs stay in their homes through relationship based, positive reinforcement training. You can also work with Sylvia on Dogoapp, the world's #1 dog training app or access free training videos via her Instagram @dogupinthisbitch.

    If you want more from Sylvia, check out...

    Her Instagram: @dogupinthisbitch

    Her website: www.dogupinthusbitch.com

    Her Podcast, Dogish: www.dogishpodcast.com

    Affiliate code for Dogo: https://dogoapp.page.link/Sylvia50

    If you like the podcast, please Subscribe, Rate, Review, and Share with other dog lovers!

    If you want to work with Susan, find her at doggydojopodcast.com/work-with-susan/

    The music was written by Mac Light, find him at maclightsongwriter.com

    This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute advice or professional services by either the host nor any of the guests.

    1 hr 10 min
  • Kids and Canines with Kate Connell

    Kate Connell is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and owner of Calmer Canines in Costa Mesa, CA. She has been working with dogs and their owners since 2007 using gentle, effective methods and solutions-focused treatment plans. She has worked with reactive and fearful dogs since 2010 and mainly uses Control Unleashed and BAT methodologies to help rehabilitate dogs, and now offers a live online course for treating fear and reactivity issues.

    Since having a child of her own in 2018, Kate has been focusing on working with families (from pregnancy/adoption through adolescence). Kate is a licensed Family Paws® Parent Educator and also offers The Family Dog® Private Training Program. She is proudly neurodivergent and uses her unique experience and perspective to help families create a healthy dynamic between all members (two-legged and four), and she enjoys learning from every dog and family she works with as she finds the correct combination of solutions for every household

    www.CalmerCaninesTraining.com

    www.facebook.com/CalmerCaninesTraining

    www.yelp.com/biz/calmer-canines-costa-mesa

    https://www.familypaws.com/

    If you want to work with me, Susan Light, you can find me at doggydojoopdcast.com/work-with-susan/

    The music was written by Mac Light, you can find him at www.maclightsongwriter.com

    If you like the show please Subscribe, Rate, Review, and share the show with other Dog Lovers! I’ll see you next Tuesday with a new episode of the Doggy Dojo!

    This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute advice or professional services by either the host nor any of the guests.

    1 hr 3 min
  • Helping Shy and Fearful Dogs Gain Confidence with Breanna Norris

    Breanna Norris owns and operates Canine Insights and is a certified trainer through the Karen Pryor Academy (KPA-CTP). Breanna has been seeing dog training clients since 2013. Currently she coaches all her clients online and sees clients all over the U.S. and Canada.

    Before 2013 she was working with horses, first as a farrier and then a training assistant. Breanna has worked training a variety of animals including some of her favorites, cats, chickens, goats, pigs and rats.

    For several years Breanna taught Animal Training at Unity College in Unity, Maine. Breanna is currently completing her Masters of Science at Canisius College in Buffalo, NY in Anthrozoology, with a focus on the relationship between humans and their dogs.

    Her passion is helping people form a partnership and deep bond with their dog through training and care that lasts a lifetime. Breanna occasionally fosters dogs and cats that require some special care. Currently Breanna shares her home with two middle aged cats, two mixed breed senior dogs, a very energetic puppy and a patient husband. When she is not training you can find her reading books about training and behavior or hiking in the Maine woods.

    You can find her on instagram @canineinsights

    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CanineInsights

    And at her website https://www.canineinsightsllc.com/

    Breanna and I talk about some of the following tactics to help shy/fearful dogs gain confidence. Click the links to learn more!

    Dog Parkour

    Pattern Games by Leslie McDevitt

    Scent Work

    Starting Sensitive Dogs on Scentwork 

    You can find me, Susan Light at www.doggydojopodcast.com/work-with-susan/

    The Music was written by Mac Light, you can find him at www.maclightsongwriter.com

    If you like the show please Subscribe, Rate, Review, and Share with other Dog Lovers!

    I’ll see you next Tuesday for a new episode of Doggy Dojo!

    This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute advice or professional services by either the host nor any of the guests.

    52 min
  • Training Deaf and/or Blind Dogs with Erin Marion

    Erin Marion has over eleven years of experience working with dogs. She is a certified professional dog trainer, (CPDT-KA), a Karen Pryor clicker training partner.  Four years ago her training expanded to incorporate special needs dogs, specifically deaf and/or blind dogs. Last April she adopted her second Aussie, Darla.  Darla was born with limited hearing and almost no ability to see.  She is extremely passionate about helping dogs and their guardians connect more with each other through force-free methods.

    Her Credentials

    Karen Pryor Clicker Training Academy, 2011

    Lead dog trainer and manager for a Portland Oregon Dog Daycare, 2014 - 2016

    Board member and foster home for the rescue Deaf Dogs of Oregon, 2016 - 2019

    Faculty member and teacher at the Portland Oregon Whole Dog Academy, 2016 - 2019

    Certified Professional Dog Trainer ( CCPDT-KA) since 2016

    Pet Expert for Portland Oregon local news channel KPTV; More Good Day Oregon, 2015 - 2019

    All4Paws Training Partner (Current)

    Speak! St. Louis Training Partner (Current)

    Administrator of Pandemic Puppy Raising Support Group and Speak! St. Louis Training Support (Current)

    Find out more about Erin and her work!

    Website: www.downtoearthdoglady.com 

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DowntoEarthDoglady

    Instagram: @ Downtoearthdoglady

    TikTok: @Deafandblind_dogtraining

    Check her website in coming months for Informative Webinars:

    -Getting a Sense; how to set up your blind and deaf puppy for success.

    -Rex Specs; positively conditioning your dog to goggles

    -Traveling blind; traveling safely with your blind and deaf dog.

    You can learn more about me, Susan Light at www.doggydojopodcast.com/work-with-susan/

    The music was written by Mac Light, you can find him at www.maclightsongwriter.com

    If you like the show, please Subscribe, Rate, Review, and Share with other dog lovers!

    I'll see you next Tuesday for a new episode of the Doggy Dojo!

    This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute advice or professional services by either the host nor any of the guests.

    1 hr 6 min
  • Dogs and Cats with Staci Lemke

    Staci Lemke is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) with over 20 years’ experience training dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds. She is the owner of Manners for Mutts Dog Training. She is also a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) who, after working in the veterinary profession for 25 years, retired to train dogs full time. Staci specializes in helping people with puppies or newly adopted dogs adjust to the challenges of beginning a life together.

    Staci is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT – KA). She is also a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), the Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians (SVBT), and The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA). Staci is a certified CGC evaluator, Family Dog private trainer.

    Staci believes in positive reinforcement dog training and strives to teach dogs how to problem solve and choose to do correct behaviors. She believes that when you teach dogs how to get what they want by doing the behaviors we want, it’s a win-win for everyone! Staci regularly attends conferences, workshops, and seminars in an effort to increase her knowledge of canine behavior and training techniques.

    When Staci’s not training client’s dogs, she enjoys participating in dog events such as agility, canine nose work and canine therapy work, with her own dogs. She resides in Orange County, CA. with her husband, 2 Australian Shepherds, and 2 cats.

    For a complete description of services or for more information, Staci can be contacted via her website www.mannersformutts.com or through email at [email protected] or join her Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/mannersformutts/

    Staci has gifted my listeners FREE access to 2 handouts she’s made about cats and dogs getting along! I couldn’t put the links in the show notes, but visit my website for these free PDF downloads!

    You can find me, Susan Light, at www.doggydojopodcast.com/work-with-susan-light

    The Music was written by Mac Light, find him at maclightsongwriter.com

    Please Subscribe, Rate, and Review to help others find the show!

    See you next Tuesday for a new episode of the Doggy Dojo!

    This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute advice or professional services by either the host nor any of the guests.

    35 min
  • Separation Anxiety and Relaxation Protocol with Kellie Stevens

    Kellie Stevens is a CPDT-KA certified trainer in New York City. She began studying and working with dog behavior when her first rescue, Sebastian Dangerfield (aka Cbass), turned out to be more of a challenge than she initially expected. She started her professional career as a dog walker in Manhattan, and eventually realized she had a skill training all kinds of dogs. Thus, her training company Gonzo Dog was born! Since 2014, she has been coaching a variety of pawrents on how to work with their “cute and complicated” pups’ issues in New York City – and thanks to a virtual transition in 2020, across the country! Kellie particularly enjoys the challenges of behavioral cases, including: separation anxiety, reactivity/aggression, fearfulness, resource guarding, rescue transition, teaching impulse control, and building confidence for dogs and owners alike. She also enjoys writing about animals, and has written for a number of publications such as The Dodo and BarkPost. You can follow her training work on Instagram @gonzodognyc and pick up tips for working with your own dog!

    To learn more about working with Kellie 

    Kellie’s Favorite Product Recommendations

    Relaxation Protocol developed by Dr Karen Overall

    This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute advice or professional services by either the host nor any of the guests.

    57 min
  • In Defense of Muzzles with Natahnee Miller

    Natahnee Miller is an Associate Certified member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, a Certified Dog Bite Safety Educator and President of Harrisburg's Great Dog Program, Inc. – a 501(c)3 non-profit formed to provide education and training to help keep dogs in their homes and out of shelters and rescues.  She is the former Director of Behavioral Care at the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area and a former Pennsylvania State Dog Law Enforcement Officer.  Natahnee has fourteen years of experience evaluating and rehabilitating shelter and rescue dogs.  She holds a BA in Animal Behavior from Franklin and Marshall College and an MS in Biology from Shippensburg University.

    If you want to learn more about Natahnee or Harrisburg’s Great Dog Program, or if you want to donate, check out their website https://hbggreatdog.weebly.com/

    Muzzles have a real stigma, that only vicious dogs wear them and they carry a lot of shame for dogs and owners in the general public’s eye.  I’d like to change that!!  Muzzles, when approached correctly, can be a part of positive training and a literal lifesaver for some reactive dogs!

    Natahnee and I talk about what dogs benefit from wearing muzzles, what situations to use them in, how to choose and fit a muzzle, and MOST IMPORTANTLY how to properly introduce your dog to it.  I hope you come away from this episode with a greater understanding of the role muzzles can play in a positive training regime.

    Natahnee turned me onto these great resources!

    The Muzzle Up Project

    This Facebook Group is really awesome at helping Pet Parents choose the right and right sized muzzle!!  Read the group rules and thank the admins!!

    Muzzle Training and Tips Facebook Group

    She also mentioned a video by Micheal Shikashio and I found this one on his YouTube, demonstrating Muzzle Acclimation

    So many people working tirelessly to help dogs that, without a muzzle and the training that will be safely possible with one, might be headed to the pound, or euthanasia.

    If you want to work with me, I offer video sessions to clients all over the world.  You can find me at www.doggydojopodcast.com/digital-resources

    The music was written by Mac Light, you can find him at www.maclightsongwriter.com

    Please Subscribe, Rate, and Review to help others find the show, and I’ll see you next week for a brand new episode of the Doggy Dojo!

    This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute advice or professional services by either the host nor any of the guests.

    48 min
  • Service Dogs With Molly Neher of Atlas Assistance Dogs

    I’m joined this week by Molly Neher, the Director of Operations and Programs and a Team Facilitator at Atlas Assistance Dogs. She became involved in the world of service dogs when she herself became in need of one after developing a severe seizure disorder her freshman year of college.

    With her service dog Reid by her side, she developed an avid passion for disability and service dog advocacy and education.

    She now works to increase access to service dogs for people with disabilities and helps people train their own service dog.

    Check out Atlas Assistance Dogs’ website: www.atlasdog.org 

    You can also purchase the “Atlas Leash”.  Each purchase supports Atlas and people with disabilities.

    https://www.atlasdog.org/store-and-resources/

    https://boldleaddesigns.com/shop/the-atlas-leash-the-most-useful-dog-lead-ever-created/

    Molly and I talk about the differences between Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs, and Emotional Support Animals, fake Service Dogs, what makes a dog a good candidate for training, how they're trained, what they can be trained to do, and what people should/shouldn't do when they encounter Service Dogs.

    Here are some links to some of the things we discussed in the episode:

    ADA information about Service Animals

    FAQs about Service Animals from the ADA

    Emotional Support Animals in California

    NPR article about Emotional Service Animals on Planes (Dec 8, 2020)

    Texas Toddler attacked by dog in a Service Dog Vest

    And I did find the article with the Emotional Support Alligator (I think I said Crocodile in the episode) and I will say, nowhere in the article does it say that his owner has ever tried to take Wally on a plane.

    If you want to work with me, I offer video sessions to clients all over the world.  You can find me at www.doggydojopodcast.com/digital-resources

    The music was written by Mac Light, you can find him at www.maclightsongwriter.com

    This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute advice or professional services by either the host nor any of the guests.

    1 hr 5 min
  • How to Properly Socialize a Puppy (Even During a Pandemic) with Irith Bloom

    The amazing Irith Trietsch Bloom joins the podcast today to talk about How to Properly Socialize a Puppy (Even During a Pandemic).

    Irith Trietsch Bloom has been training animals since the 1980s and has worked with everything from chickens and rabbits to dogs and horses—not to mention humans.  She is regularly invited to give presentations and loves the learning that comes from taking part in conferences, seminars, and webinars.

    Irith is faculty at Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training and Behavior and DogBiz’s Dog Walking Academy.  She is also a CPDT-KSA, a CBCC-KA, a CDBC, a CSAT, a VSPDT, a KPA CTP, and a CBATI, as well as being certified in TAGteach, a positive-reinforcement method for teaching humans.

    Irith has a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania and lives in Los Angeles, California.  In addition to running her company, The Sophisticated Dog, LLC, Irith volunteers with National English Shepherd Rescue and is a member of the Advisory Board for Daily Paws.

    You can join her Facebook group for puppy (and other dog) owners, which is called Puppy Help Hotline:

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/1096139067450795

    Irith wants to help you Socialize a Puppy by giving you a FREE Socialization Checklist

    If you want more from Irith, check out her website, www.TheSophisticatedDog.com, and follow her page on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/TheSophisticatedDog.

    Irith reached out to me after we recorded with a few more ideas of ways to expose your puppy (or young dog) to more things:

    - Dress up in costumes to help your puppy get used to people looking different.

    - Use decorations, etc., to set up a socialization adventure in the yard.

    - Put different things around your home as socialization adventures indoors (e.g., let the vacuum cleaner sit out, set an automated toy to walk across the floor, etc.).

    Basically, be creative!  Try to introduce them to as much as you can, little by little, and let their reaction be your guide!

    If you want to work with me, I offer video sessions to clients all over the world.  You can find me at www.doggydojopodcast.com/digital-resources

    The music was written by Mac Light, you can find him at www.maclightsongwriter.com

    Please Subscribe, Rate, and Review to help others find the show, and I’ll see you next week for a brand new episode of the Doggy Dojo!

    This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute advice or professional services by either the host nor any of the guests.

    52 min
  • The Basics of Resource Guarding, and What to Do About It with Denise Nuttall

    This week I’m joined by Denise Nuttall!

    Her many qualifications include:

    Dog Behaviour Expert, BBC Radio Solent

    Full Member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC)

    Full Member The Canine Training and Behaviour Society (TCBTS)

    Member U.K. Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDTUK) 00963.

    Animal Behaviour & Training Council (ABTC) Registered Animal Training Instructor

    Animal Behaviour & Training Council (ABTC) Registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist

    You can learn more about her at her website: www.pawsinhand.co.uk

    She’s also a Yellow Dog UK sponsor, if you’re interested in that program, you can learn more at https://www.yellowdoguk.co.uk/

    From listening, you can see that Resource Guarding can be a complex behavior to tease out the cause of.  It also involves making sure the dog is calm and happy (not over threshold) during the treatment plan.  If all this is overwhelming, that’s what Dog Professionals are for!  Don’t hesitate to reach out to me, Denise (we both offer virtual sessions) or another Professional Trainer or Behaviorist in your area to help with your particular dog and their unique situation.

    If you want to work with me, I offer video sessions to clients all over the world.  You can find me at www.doggydojopodcast.com/digital-resources

    The music was written by Mac Light, you can find him at www.maclightsongwriter.com

    Please Subscribe, Rate, and Review to help others find the show, and I’ll see you next week for a brand new episode of the Doggy Dojo!

    This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute advice or professional services by either the host nor any of the guests.

    53 min

About Enlightened Pet Behavior Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Susan Light, a Los Angeles-based Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant, launched this podcast as Doggy Dojo in 2021 (name changed in 2025).

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