Mud on the seats.
Hair everywhere.
Claws scraping.
Panting.
Pacing.
Stress for both of you before you even get where you’re going.

Car rides can quietly become one of the most exhausting parts of life with dogs.

Not just the mess — the tension.

In this episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, Em sits down with Jim Umlauf, a dog parent whose own chaotic car rides with two Dobermans led him to rethink what “support” could look like in everyday life.

Not from a “buy this” place — but from a “how do we make this easier on everyone?” place.

They talk about the small, practical ways reducing friction in the car can lower stress for both dogs and humans, why safety and comfort matter more than perfection, and how thoughtful tools can sometimes take pressure off moments that feel harder than they need to be.

This conversation touches on dog behavior, car anxiety, travel stress, shedding, safety, and the tiny daily frustrations that add up when you’re already doing your best.

If you’ve ever dreaded the drive before you even started the engine, you’re not alone.

Press play and make the ride a little lighter.

Free Resources & Support

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint.👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz⁠

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness. Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

New episodes of The Dog Who Asked for More release every Monday and Wednesday.

This podcast explores life with dogs and life with pets through dog behavior, reactive dogs, dog anxiety, and real-life dog training challenges. It supports overwhelmed pet parents who want to better understand dog body language, communication, daily routines, and canine enrichment so dog life feels clearer and more manageable. Episodes focus on dog behavior while offering practical help and support, exploring common behavior patterns, and addressing real-life challenges many pet parents face — including experiences like dog barking, habits, obedience, and socialization — while also speaking to the emotional side of living with sensitive dogs and navigating lifestyle with dogs.

Hosted by a canine nutritionist, dog nutrition coach, dog trainer, and retired vet tech, the show covers canine nutrition, dog nutrition, dog food and behavior, dog gut health, training challenges, training burnout, rescue dogs, dog grief, dog enrichment ideas, dog health, and dog myths — while exploring what it looks like to build a calmer, healthier life with your dog and strengthen the dog–human bond.