In this episode, we sit down with renowned trainer Grisha Stewart to explore how Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT)can be applied to support shelter dogs. We dive into the foundations of BAT and how it helps dogs build resilience, reduce reactivity, and make better choices in challenging environments.

Together, we unpack practical tools such as set-ups that create safe learning opportunities, lead handling skills that support calm communication, and the importance of recognizing a dog’s threshold to prevent overwhelm. Grisha also explains how to spot and nurture glimmers—the subtle signs of curiosity and comfort that guide progress.

Whether you’re a shelter worker, volunteer, or dog lover, this conversation offers valuable insights into using BAT to improve the welfare and adoptability of dogs in care.

About Grisha Stewart 

Grisha Stewart is a kinship tender, visionary author, international keynote speaker, dog trainer, community grief ritualist, and song leader based in Oregon, USA, devoted to nourishing belonging and care for all beings. She is the Grisha behind the Grisha Stewart Academy (surprise) and a founder of the Stellar Village community network.

Grisha is of European ancestry, specifically Scotland, England, France, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, according to family lore and DNA tests. In her 20+ years as a professional dog trainer, she is best known for her Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT) technique for dog socialization and reactivity/aggression rehabilitation (more on that below). 

In 2001, Grisha founded Ahimsa Dog Training, which grew to be Seattle's largest and most popular dog training company. "Ahimsa" is a Buddhist doctrine of nonviolence to all living beings, which reflects Grisha's focus on more collaborative methods to promote the well-being of dogs and their humans.

Links

Grishas Birthday Sale- https://school.grishastewart.com/pages/birthdaysale/?ref=352ff9

Shelter Scholarship at GSA- https://school.grishastewart.com/bundles/rescue?ref=352ff9

Grisha Reading BAT 2.0 with download book- https://school.grishastewart.com/courses/abc-bat?ref=352ff9

BAT 3.0- https://school.grishastewart.com/courses/evolution?ref=352ff9

Lead skills with Grisha and Mike Shikashio- https://school.grishastewart.com/courses/ropes?ref=352ff9

How to Human- https://school.grishastewart.com/courses/human?ref=352ff9