This week we are talking about what we are thankful for in regard to all things dogs.  Of course, you our listeners make the shortlist, as well as our dogs and all the comfort and joy they bring.  Tune in to hear our complete list as well as a few dad jokes (which we are also thankful for).

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Is gentle parenting only for gentle dogs? This week we explore if gentler methods can be effective with more unruly or difficult dogs. Or are kinder/force free methods only for easy or sensitive dogs? We explore our own experiences and take an honest look at how we interact and train with dogs who have different personalities. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sometimestheressideeye/⁠⁠

This week we are talking through training some of our favorite tricks and cues. Some of those include naming rooms in the house, go around, pick it up, take it with you, sit pretty, relax, etc. We also talk through teaching things formally vs. informally.  So listen along for some fun inspiration and ideas. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sometimestheressideeye/⁠⁠

Currently ranked as our 2nd most popular episode! Let's remind ourselves to be kind to both ends of the leash.

Are you playing the shame game, like the rest of us? Where does shame come from and how do we combat it? Explore the subject of the shame game, and the equally fun shame spiral, that so many of us find ourselves in when the life we planned with our dogs, goes awry. Dive into the reasons we so often experience shame and why no one should feel alone as we experience difficulties in training, behavior, and sometimes just day to day life with our dogs. Both Heather and Kristi share some of their own experiences, and the shame they felt surrounding failed expectations, and the grace they've learned to give themselves, their dogs, and others experiencing unexpected difficulties.

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Links:Losing Lulu - a grief support group for anyone who has been through a behavioral euthanasia. ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/losinglulu/

This week we are talking about adding a confident dog to your home to help your shy dog.  This can be immeasurably helpful for some dogs, while for others it makes almost no difference at all.  We'll discuss what things to consider when adding another dog.  We'll also talk about how to stack the deck in your favor for the best possible results. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sometimestheressideeye/⁠⁠

**Tissue alert....we discuss grief and loss in this episode***

This week we are talking to Kate Rapkoch, who runs Paws and Breathe. Kate is not only a talented and trauma informed yoga instructor, but she is also a certified end of life pet doula. We have an open and sometimes emotional talk about pet loss as well as healing after a loss. Kate is kind enough to share her experience of loosing her own soul pup Champ, and how she stays connected to him and his memory now. Kate also shares a plethora of resources for pet parents preparing for their pets passing or recovering from the passing of their beloved pet. 

How to connect with Kate:Paws + Breathe | Yoga, Wellness, and Animal Support in ArizonaPaws + Breathe FacebookPaws + Breathe IGFollow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sometimestheressideeye/⁠

This week we are addressing the comparison game that so many of us are playing.  We have a real and raw conversation on how comparison has been the thief of joyful moments with our dogs. We both find that we don’t compare our dogs' abilities to other dogs but instead compare our individual shortcomings to other more successful or experienced handlers. Realistically we should be proud of both our small and big accomplishments we experience with our dogs. So instead of finding ways to compare ourselves to others, we are committing to finding the joy in a variety of moments with our dogs. 

In this episode we are taking on the difficult subject of behavioral euthanasia.  Both Heather and Kristi share their personal experiences with behavioral euthanasia. For Heather a suspected brain tumor created huge changes in Cash's behavior and personality.  For Kristi it was Ginny's increased anxiety that put Ginny and other dogs in the home at risk.  However, other people have to make the hard decision for a beloved family dog who is perfect 99% of the time, but the other 1% might be a danger to the public or even the family. Although each journey is unique, everyone who is in this situation deserves kindness and understanding.  Euthanizing a dog is never an easy choice, but when that grief is coupled with trama it can be exceptionally difficult.  However, we want to remind everyone that there is support for those who may be struggling after making the decision to humanely euthanize a dog due to behavior issues.

Losing Lulu: (1) Losing Lulu | FacebookFollow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sometimestheressideeye/⁠

This week we are talking about how hormones can drastically change behaviors in dogs.  Trin's most recent heat cycle ended up leading to some aggressive behaviors, which was a bit triggering for Heather.  However, as we have preached in the past, behavior doesn't change on a dime, and typically there is a medical issue.  In this case the medical issue was hormones. Hormones can affect individual dogs very differently and in a wide variety of ways. Heather consulted with her vet and breeder and came to the decision to spay Trin.  Trin is already showing signs of going back to her normal, social self.  Heather was also brave enough to share her experience and quickly found that she was not alone.  One friend even reached out to explain that they had to do hormone replacement therapy with their dog after a spay.  So if you do see major or minor behavior shifts in your dog during their heat cycle know that you are not alone!Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sometimestheressideeye/⁠

This week we are talking about separation anxiety with Caitlin Wolfe.  After adopting a dog who suffered from separation anxiety Caitlin wanted to be able to help other dog owners experiencing the same thing. While Caitlin works with a variety of behavior issues, she is specifically CSAT certified for separation anxiety.  Each dog is an individual and it's important that the training can be customized for each dog.  Some dogs are okay as long as someone is home, other dogs need their owner present.  This is why individual training plans are not only important but necessary.  We are talking about some of the causes and some of the misinformation surrounding separation anxiety.  One thing owners can do for their dog is contact a trainer as soon as they see signs of separation anxiety.  This way the dog doesn't have months or years of rehearsing anxiety behaviors. The goal in training is to change how the dog feels about being left alone. Even though changes in routine, housing, or family dynamics can cause set backs, Caitlin does believe separation anxiety can be cured.Don't forget to review, subscribe, and share!

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Links: Caitlin Wolfe, Wolfe Paw Dog Training Dog Training | Wolfe Paw Training | United States

CSAT Program: Separation Anxiety Training Certificate Program - Malena DeMartini