Sometimes There's Side Eye

This week we are talking about frustration on the human side of the leash.  We are taking a deeper look at what causes frustration including things like comparison, physical health/limitations, motivation, and learning styles. We are also talking about why we want to recognize our own frustrations in order to lessen or prevent them in the future.  We are getting honest about our own experiences and how we chose to work through those experiences.  Most importantly we talk about how our dogs benefit when we can control and acknowledge our own frustration during our interactions with our dogs.Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sometimestheressideeye/⁠⁠

We are starting the new year out with a subject we are both passionate about, shelter versus purposely bred dogs.  Are purebred dogs better than rescue dogs?  Are there more behavior issues in one versus the other? We discuss how breed equates to predictability, even if that predictability is not a desired behavior or trait.   It can be common to blame some undesired behaviors on dogs coming from the shelter, while in the purebred world that same behavior may be easily dismissed as a breed trait.  We both agree education is the best option when adding a dog of any origin to your life and feel that educating yourself can only help both you and your dog.  Additionally we both agree that people should get the dog they want, but they should also be prepared to meet the needs of the dog in front of them regardless of how the dog was acquired.Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sometimestheressideeye/⁠⁠

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/⁠