This week, Emily and Libby speak with Kathy Sdao of Bright Spot Dog Training.  Sdao’s accessible training technique to help our dogs fit into our human world, and this conversation is lively and full of both science and heart; evidence and experience. Some topics discussed are:

• How to take training out of the science theory realm into the practical, accessible world of humans training their dog

• Helping resolve dogs anxiety by using reinforcers

• How her work with Marine mammals influences her training approach

• Human praise as payment - does it work or not?

• How the Smart x 50 technique can be adapted to a shelter environment
  

Kathy has been passionate about animal training ever since she quit a good job to move halfway around the world to train dolphins at the Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Laboratory at the University of Hawaii.

Now, 35 years later, she offers her expertise as an applied animal behaviorist to dog owners in Washington State and across the world, to seminar and webinar audiences and to professional training organizations. Kathy has taught 300 seminars, workshops, conferences and webinars; many of these presentations have been professionally recorded and are available for purchase. Kathy’s training philosophy and advice is summarized in her book, Plenty in Life is Free: Reflections on Dogs, Training and Finding Grace.

For transcripts, visit www.podtotherescue.com

Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/podtotherescue/ and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PodToTheRescue!

Credits: Libby Felts and Emily Wolf (Hosts and Creators). Original music by Mike Pesci. Production and editing by Alex Ammons of For the Love Media.

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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sdr7/support

Canine Adolescence is the transition from puppyhood to adulthood. This fascinating conversation with Sarah Stremming, who is a dog behavior coach and the host of the Cog Dog Podcast, addresses this pivotal age of young dogs. Sarah, Emily, and Libby discuss adolescent canine behavior and how to most effectively observe and address behaviors to nurture confident, healthy dogs. They also discuss:

• How dogs’ responses to environments and caregivers can change during this transitional period

• Some of the difficulties this transition period can create for adolescent dogs

• How to best support the dog through these transitional changes

• How we can work with dogs experiencing threat

• Sarah’s approach to using food when a threat is present

Sarah is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant of nearly two decades, and has 25 years experience of competing in dog sports. You can find Sarah and her online courses at http://www.sarahstremming.com.

Your Dog's Friend

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXYsg9X4m6E

Calm Canine Academy : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mcZ_HoxeSc

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for weekly behavior insights

Website: https://www.podtotherescue.com/

Emily Wolf, Brilliant Pup Behavior: https://www.brilliantpupbehavior.com/

Jenni Pfafman, Elevated Dog Training: https://www.elevateddogtraining.com/

Libby Felts, Bolder Dog and Bolder Dog Media: https://www.bolder.dog/

We are thrilled to present today’s guest, Michael Shikashio. Michael is a world-renowned expert on dog aggression and has an incredible wealth of information he generously shares, which is helpful for owners, rescuers, and trainers alike.

In this conversation, Michael, Emily and Libby define aggression, discuss the ways aggression can present in different dogs (and the different levels of assessing their aggression), and so much more. Make sure to listen to the full episodes, as Michael drops important gems throughout the episode.

Michael is an internationally sought out speaker on the topic of aggression - has mentored and presented to thousands of animal professionals. He is the Founder of the Aggression in Dogs Master Course, teaches trainers and consultants in over 25 countries on how to work with aggression cases, and has been featured in countless media, including the New York Times, the New York Post, Web MD, and Women’s Health.
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Michael Shikashio’s website: https://aggressivedog.com/
Fear Free: https://fearfreepets.com/ and https://www.fearfreehappyhomes.com/
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants: https://m.iaabc.org/
Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers: https://www.ccpdt.org/
American College of Veterinary Behaviorists: https://www.dacvb.org/

🎙️ Connect With Us:

• Website: https://www.podtotherescue.com/

• Emily Wolf, Brilliant Pup Behavior: https://www.brilliantpupbehavior.com/

• Jenni Pfafman, Elevated Dog Training: https://www.elevateddogtraining.com/

• Libby Felts, Bolder Dog and Bolder Dog Media: https://www.bolder.dog/

July 4th can be terrifying for pets — especially dogs with noise sensitivities. Fireworks and thunderstorms trigger stress, fear, and sometimes dangerous flight responses in our four-legged friends. In this live mini episode, we talk about why dogs are afraid of fireworks and thunder, how to recognize signs of fear (even the subtle ones!), and strategies for keeping pets calm and safe.You’ll learn how to spot canine stress signals, understand dog body language during loud events, what calming dog products work for us. We’ll also debunk the myth that comforting your scared dog makes things worse, because it doesn’t!Plus, we share what we’re doing this weekend to prep our own dogs, including:

• Updating microchip info and ID tags
• Using white noise and calming dog music
• Preparing soothing chews and frozen enrichment toys

• Creating safe spaces

Whether your dog hides, trembles, or just seems “off,” this episode is packed with practical tips to help you get through the holiday weekend with less stress for everyone.To participate in Jenni's research study, reach out via her website: https://www.elevateddogtraining.com/Link to Lincoln Sound Sensitivity Scale:https://ipstore.lincoln.ac.uk/product...Stress and predictability:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles...🎙️ Connect With Us:Facebook:   / podtotherescue  Instagram:   / podtotherescue  Website: https://www.podtotherescue.com/Emily Wolf, Brilliant Pup Behavior: https://www.brilliantpupbehavior.com/Jenni Pfafman, Elevated Dog Training: https://www.elevateddogtraining.com/Libby Felts, Bolder Dog and Bolder Dog Media: https://www.bolder.dog/

Bringing a new foster or adopted dog into your home is exciting—but when you already have a resident dog, the introduction process requires careful planning. In this episode, we chat with behavior consultant and friend of the pod Elisheba Fay, and dive into strategies for setting both dogs up for success, especially when working with foster or rescue dogs whose histories may be unknown.

We cover what to consider before bringing a new dog home, how to evaluate whether your current pet is ready for a new companion, and how to avoid common pitfalls during introductions.

Whether you're fostering, adopting, or just thinking about adding a second dog to your pack, this episode will help you approach multi-dog households with confidence and compassion.

🐶 In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• What skills your resident dog needs before bringing home a new dog
• How to set up your home for a new foster dog
• Why it’s important to go slow when introducing a new dog—even if your dog is friendly!
• What’s normal and what’s not normal when integrating new dogs

🎙️ Connect With Us:

• Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for weekly behavior insights
• Website: https://www.podtotherescue.com/
• Elisheba Fay: https://www.artandscience.dog/
• Emily Wolf, Brilliant Pup Behavior: https://www.brilliantpupbehavior.com/
• Jenni Pfafman, Elevated Dog Training: https://www.elevateddogtraining.com/
• Libby Felts, Bolder Dog and Bolder Dog Media: https://www.bolder.dog/

Why is my puppy biting so much? This is a question we get a lot from fosters, adopters, and clients. We’re here to help! Puppy biting is normal, but you don’t have to become a chew toy for your new rescue puppy. In this episode, Emily, Jenni, and Libby discuss everything puppy biting: why puppies bite, how to prevent puppy biting, and how to train your puppy not to bite so much. (Hint: it’s all in the prevention!)

🐶 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Is it normal for puppies to bite a lot? 

• Our tips for dealing with puppy biting 
• Mouthy puppy management and prevention strategies
• Our favorite toys for teething puppies
• How to manage puppy biting with positive reinforcement
• How long the puppy biting stage lasts, and when to call in help

🎙️ Connect With Us:

• Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for weekly behavior insights

• Website: https://www.podtotherescue.com/
• Emily Wolf, Brilliant Pup Behavior: https://www.brilliantpupbehavior.com/
• Jenni Pfafman, Elevated Dog Training: https://www.elevateddogtraining.com/
• Libby Felts, Bolder Dog and Bolder Dog Media: https://www.bolder.dog/

Dog reactivity is one of the most challenging behavior issues we face in dog rescue, but there is hope for reactive dogs! We’ve helped lots of reactive foster and rescue dogs over the years, and so has Renée Erdman of Bravo Dog Behavioral Health. In this episode, we sit down to talk about reactivity: what it is, what it isn’t, and how to help your dog.

🐶 In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• What is reactivity in dogs?

• How is it different from aggression in dogs?

• Why we often label this as “leash reactivity”

• How to help your dog’s underlying emotions that lead to reactive behavior

• Which types of training don’t work

• Follow Renée Erdman on Instagram and check out her website: https://www.bravodog.ca/

• Website: https://www.podtotherescue.com/

• Emily Wolf, Brilliant Pup Behavior: https://www.brilliantpupbehavior.com/

• Jenni Pfafman, Elevated Dog Training: https://www.elevateddogtraining.com/

• Libby Felts, Bolder Dog and Bolder Dog Media: https://www.bolder.dog/

Raising a puppy can be one of the most fun and rewarding parts of dog rescue, fostering, and adoption, but it can also be one of the most challenging. We get it, and so does our guest, Kathy Callahan. Kathy has raised a lot of rescue puppies, and her latest book, Welcoming Your Puppy from Planet Dog, provides a life-changing framework for anyone bringing a puppy into their home — as well as practical tips for puppy training and socialization.

In this episode, we discuss Kathy’s background in dog and puppy rescue, how she became a dog trainer, and how she guides clients through the process of puppy training with empathy and understanding first. 

🐶 In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• What is Planet Dog, and why is it important to understand?

• The role choice and control play in raising puppies

• What is puppy socialization?

• How the experiences of Planet Rescue Dog can shape our puppies

• Why understanding your puppy’s body language matters

• How to teach kids to interact appropriately with puppies

• Some tips for the toughest puppy behaviors, like jumping, mouthing, and biting

• Website: https://www.podtotherescue.com/

• Emily Wolf, Brilliant Pup Behavior: https://www.brilliantpupbehavior.com/

• Jenni Pfafman, Elevated Dog Training: https://www.elevateddogtraining.com/

• Libby Felts, Bolder Dog and Bolder Dog Media: https://www.bolder.dog/

What makes rescue dogs unique — and why do they sometimes struggle with behavior issues? In this episode of Pod to the Rescue, we explore the behavior of rescue dogs through a trauma-informed, science-based lens. In this season opener, hosts Emily, Jenni, and Libby discuss why we still have a lot to say about rescue dog behavior!

We break down why understanding dog behavior is essential for adopters, foster caregivers, and shelter and rescue professionals — and how rescue dog behavior is often influenced by genetics, early separation, trauma, and inconsistent environments.

If you're wondering “why is my rescue dog afraid?” or “how can I help my adopted dog settle in?”—this episode is for you. Learn the common challenges rescue dogs face and how to support your rescue dog’s behavior with empathy, knowledge, and practical tools.

🐶 In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• What do we mean by "rescue dog" — and why that matters

• Why dog behavior is the missing piece in many rescue organizations

• How early trauma and stress affect a dog’s behavior long-term

• How to support a newly adopted dog through behavior challenges

• Why building resilience is key to helping a new rescue dog adjust — and how to do it!

• Real-life examples from our rescue, our personal dogs, and tips from the field

• Jenni’s “Resilience Unleashed” course, which uses Control Unleashed to help dogs build resilience

We’re back with Season 5 of Pod to the Rescue, the podcast for dog lovers, fosters, rescuers and adopters who want to understand and support their dogs better. This season, we’re diving into some of the most-requested dog behavior topics: how to help a reactive rescue dog, managing aggression between two dogs at home, and safely introducing a newly adopted dog to your cat.

As always, we approach these tough behavior issues with a rescue-focused lens and science-based dog training advice. Whether you’re a seasoned rescuer or a first-time foster, you’ll get expert insights and real-life stories to help you help your dog.

Join Emily, Libby, and new host Jenni for honest, practical conversations about canine behavior, rescue challenges, and what dogs need to thrive.