Still wondering if positive reinforcement actually works for reactive or anxious dogs?
In this episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em chats with Andrea from Pack Animals to break down what force-free training really means—and why it’s not just ethical, but effective. Whether you're navigating reactivity, anxiety, or just looking to build a stronger bond, this episode shows how kindness and science go hand in hand.

In this episode:

• Learn how force-free methods build trust, confidence, and real behavior change

• Discover tools you can start using at home to create calm, enriching routines

• Explore how Pack Animals is making community-based dog training more accessible with their new app

Press play to learn how trust-based training can help you build a better, more connected life with your dog—without fear, force, or frustration.

Guest Info:

Instagram: @joinpackanimals

Learn more: thehubpack.com

Sponsored by Pack Animals & PetMatRx
Instagram: @joinpackanimals | @petmatrx
Save 20% with code FITZ20 → petmatrx.com
Save with code SUDT → thehubpack.com

Straight Up Dog Talk Extras:

Get a free copy of The Messy Middle: Getting Unstuck with your Big Feeling Dog

https://straightupdogtalk.com/programs-%26-freebies/ols/products/the-messy-middle-getting-unstuck-with-your-big-feeling-dog

Book a FREE 15-minute call with Em

https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

Email [email protected] to get in touch with Em

Join the Community

https://join.slack.com/t/thedogwhoaskedformore/shared_invite/zt-305kdyab7-y6eTWjbAeSwHItNmloLQUA

This podcast explores real-life dog behavior and training, diving into reactivity, barking, dog anxiety, aggression, picky eating, gut health, and dog food—while unpacking enrichment, mental stimulation, supplements, calming aids, and holistic pet wellness. Whether you’re raising a rescue dog, supporting a senior dog, managing a velcro dog, or just navigating life with a dog who’s asking for more, you’ll find practical tools to build trust, strengthen communication, and create a safe, thriving life together.

Is your dog still struggling with anxiety or reactivity—even after training, enrichment, or structured routines?
In this science-backed episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em talks with Dr. Kelly Ballantyne, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist and founder of Insightful Animals, to explore the medical and emotional root causes of behavior challenges. If you’ve ever felt like you're doing everything “right” but your dog is still anxious, reactive, or overwhelmed, this episode is for you.

In this episode:

• Learn what veterinary behaviorists do—and how they support dogs beyond traditional training

• Discover how nutrition, enrichment, and medication can work together to improve behavior

• Understand the emotional side of behavior and when to seek expert support for anxiety or trauma

Press play to gain compassionate, science-based tools to better support your dog’s reactivity, behavior, and emotional well-being—especially when training alone isn’t enough.

Guest Info:

Learn more about dog behavior: insightfulanimals.com

Straight Up Dog Talk Extras:

Get a free copy of the Mini Bowl Blueprint

https://straightupdogtalk.com/programs-%26-freebies/ols/products/the-mini-bowl-blueprint

Book a FREE 15-minute call with Em

https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

Email [email protected] to get in touch with Em

This episode is sponsored by PetMatRx

Looking to BOOST your pet’s daily meal? Try PetMatRx supplements, use code FITZ20, and save! https://petmatrx.com/?ref=tdwafm

This podcast explores real-life dog behavior and training, diving into reactivity, barking, dog anxiety, aggression, picky eating, gut health, and dog food—while unpacking enrichment, mental stimulation, supplements, calming aids, and holistic pet wellness. Whether you’re raising a rescue dog, supporting a senior dog, managing a velcro dog, or just navigating life with a dog who’s asking for more, you’ll find practical tools to build trust, strengthen communication, and create a safe, thriving life together.

Is your dog’s leash constantly soggy, slippery, or just not cutting it during walks and training?
In this functional and feel-good episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em chats with Taryn from BioDanes about why biothane gear is more than just stylish—it’s a total game-changer for training, behavior, and enrichment. Whether you’re walking a reactive dog or just tired of replacing cheap gear, this conversation is packed with practical, tested solutions.

In this episode:

• Learn how biothane gear supports better walks, training outcomes, and handler confidence

• Hear how a gear upgrade can support reactive dog behavior and enrichment routines

• Discover the difference small-batch, custom-fit gear makes in comfort and control

Press play to find out how to level up your dog’s training and daily enrichment with gear that works—while supporting a small, mission-driven business.

This episode is sponsored by BioDanes

Save 10% with code SUDT → biodanes.co

Straight Up Dog Talk Extras:

Get a free copy of the Mini Bowl Blueprint

https://straightupdogtalk.com/programs-%26-freebies/ols/products/the-mini-bowl-blueprint

Book a FREE 15-minute call with Em

https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

Email [email protected] to get in touch with Em

Looking to BOOST your pet’s daily meal? Try PetMatRx supplements, use code FITZ20, and save! https://petmatrx.com/?ref=tdwafm

This podcast explores real-life dog behavior and training, diving into reactivity, barking, dog anxiety, aggression, picky eating, gut health, and dog food—while unpacking enrichment, mental stimulation, supplements, calming aids, and holistic pet wellness. Whether you’re raising a rescue dog, supporting a senior dog, managing a velcro dog, or just navigating life with a dog who’s asking for more, you’ll find practical tools to build trust, strengthen communication, and create a safe, thriving life together.

Curious if a board-and-train program is right for your dog—but unsure what actually goes on behind the scenes?
In this episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em is joined by Mark from Rosewood K9 to give you a transparent look inside a board-and-train dog training program. Together, they explore how structure, enrichment, and heart-centered training help dogs grow—not through fear or dominance, but through relationship-based learning.

In this episode:

• Learn how balanced dog training can build confidence, clarity, and connection

• Understand what dogs experience during board-and-train and how it impacts behavior

• Get clarity on whether this training method is right for your dog’s energy, needs, and goals

Press play to find out how board-and-train programs work—and how they can support your dog’s behavior, enrichment, and long-term success.

Guest Info
Rosewood K9: Instagram

Straight Up Dog Talk Extras:

Get a free copy of the Mini Bowl Blueprint

https://straightupdogtalk.com/programs-%26-freebies/ols/products/the-mini-bowl-blueprint

Book a FREE 15-minute call with Em

https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

Email [email protected] to get in touch with Em

This episode is POWERED by PetMatRx

Looking to BOOST your pet’s daily meal? Try PetMatRx supplements, use code FITZ20, and save! https://petmatrx.com/?ref=tdwafm

This podcast explores real-life dog behavior and training, diving into reactivity, barking, dog anxiety, aggression, picky eating, gut health, and dog food—while unpacking enrichment, mental stimulation, supplements, calming aids, and holistic pet wellness. Whether you’re raising a rescue dog, supporting a senior dog, managing a velcro dog, or just navigating life with a dog who’s asking for more, you’ll find practical tools to build trust, strengthen communication, and create a safe, thriving life together.

Are your dog’s supplements actually helping—or just adding to the clutter in your cabinet?
In this science-backed episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em sits down with Tannisha from PetMatRx to unpack how biohacking and advanced nutrient delivery systems are raising the bar in the world of dog nutrition. From gut health to daily energy, discover what your dog really needs—and why not all supplements are created equal.

In this episode:

• Understand what biohacking means for dog gut health, longevity, and wellness

• Learn how absorption and delivery impact whether supplements actually work

• Discover how small upgrades to your dog’s routine can lead to more energy, stronger immunity, and better digestion

Press play to learn how biohacking is giving dog parents smarter tools for nutrition, energy, and long-term gut health.

Straight Up Dog Talk Extras:

Get a free copy of the Mini Bowl Blueprint

https://straightupdogtalk.com/programs-%26-freebies/ols/products/the-mini-bowl-blueprint

Book a FREE 15-minute call with Em

https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

Email [email protected] to get in touch with Em

This episode is POWERED by PetMatRx

Looking to BOOST your pet’s daily meal? Try PetMatRx supplements, use code FITZ20, and save! https://petmatrx.com/?ref=tdwafm

This podcast explores real-life dog behavior and training, diving into reactivity, barking, dog anxiety, aggression, picky eating, gut health, and dog food—while unpacking enrichment, mental stimulation, supplements, calming aids, and holistic pet wellness. Whether you’re raising a rescue dog, supporting a senior dog, managing a velcro dog, or just navigating life with a dog who’s asking for more, you’ll find practical tools to build trust, strengthen communication, and create a safe, thriving life together.

What would you do if your newly adopted dog was diagnosed with terminal cancer—just weeks into her new life?
In this heart-touching episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em speaks with Kailynn about Pippa, a senior rescue dog who—despite her terminal diagnosis—lived every day with joy, intention, and enrichment. From homemade bucket list adventures to quiet moments of connection, this story is a reminder that wellness and purpose aren’t defined by time—they’re created through presence.

In this episode:

• See how simple enrichment can bring joy and dignity to a senior dog’s final chapter

• Learn why adopting an older or medically fragile dog can be the most life-giving experience

• Hear how daily routines, gentle care, and emotional connection became Pippa’s legacy

Press play to discover how love and enrichment gave a terminal senior rescue the happiest chapter of her life—and how you can do the same.

In Loving Memory of Pippa, Rest in Peace, Sweet Girl.

Straight Up Dog Talk Extras:

Get a free copy of The Messy Middle: Getting Unstuck with your Big Feeling Dog

https://straightupdogtalk.com/programs-%26-freebies/ols/products/the-messy-middle-getting-unstuck-with-your-big-feeling-dog

Book a FREE 15-minute call with Em

https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

Email [email protected] to get in touch with Em

This episode is sponsored by PetMatRx

Looking to BOOST your pet’s daily meal? Try PetMatRx supplements, use code FITZ20, and save! https://petmatrx.com/?ref=tdwafm

Join the Community

https://join.slack.com/t/thedogwhoaskedformore/shared_invite/zt-305kdyab7-y6eTWjbAeSwHItNmloLQUA

This podcast explores real-life dog behavior and training, diving into reactivity, barking, dog anxiety, aggression, picky eating, gut health, and dog food—while unpacking enrichment, mental stimulation, supplements, calming aids, and holistic pet wellness. Whether you’re raising a rescue dog, supporting a senior dog, managing a velcro dog, or just navigating life with a dog who’s asking for more, you’ll find practical tools to build trust, strengthen communication, and create a safe, thriving life together.

Think a high-energy, clingy dog sounds like too much? What if that chaos is exactly what your heart needs?
In this joy-filled episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em and Josh chat with Kenzi about life with Dobby the Velcro Vizsla—a dog who redefined what it means to love, laugh, and keep up. From daily enrichment needs to unexpected brand collabs and content creation, Kenzi shares how one high-energy dog helped her find rhythm, joy, and a new kind of identity.

In this episode:

• Learn how enrichment supports high-energy dogs beyond just physical exercise

• Hear the emotional and daily reality of raising a Velcro dog like a Vizsla

• Get inspired by one dog mom’s journey from “not a dog person” to full-blown obsession

Press play to explore how Dobby the Vizsla turned enrichment into a lifestyle—and how loving a velcro dog can change everything.

Guest Info:

Instagram: @a.vizsla.named.dobby

Food Discounts: @elevatepet — Use code DOBBY50

Straight Up Dog Talk Extras:

Get a free copy of the Mini Bowl Blueprint

https://straightupdogtalk.com/programs-%26-freebies/ols/products/the-mini-bowl-blueprint

Book a FREE 15-minute call with Em

https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

Email [email protected] to get in touch with Em

This episode is sponsored by PetMatRx

Looking to BOOST your pet’s daily meal? Try PetMatRx supplements, use code FITZ20, and save! https://petmatrx.com/?ref=tdwafm

This podcast explores real-life dog behavior and training, diving into reactivity, barking, dog anxiety, aggression, picky eating, gut health, and dog food—while unpacking enrichment, mental stimulation, supplements, calming aids, and holistic pet wellness. Whether you’re raising a rescue dog, supporting a senior dog, managing a velcro dog, or just navigating life with a dog who’s asking for more, you’ll find practical tools to build trust, strengthen communication, and create a safe, thriving life together.

Ever felt like the world expects you to “get over it” after losing your dog—even when your entire routine has fallen apart?
In this deeply honest episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em talks with certified grief counselor Beth Bigler about how pet loss affects more than your heart—it can interrupt your training routines, emotional enrichment, and even your sense of identity as a dog parent. From guilt and shame to grief that lingers in the daily habits, this episode offers real support where most people don’t know to look.

In this episode:

• Understand why grief can derail your training mindset and daily routines

• Learn how to reclaim emotional enrichment in your healing journey

• Access compassionate, judgment-free guidance for working through guilt and isolation
  Press play to explore how dog loss reshapes your world—and how grief support, emotional enrichment, and community can help you feel whole again.

Guest Info:

Grief resources: honoringouranimals.com/resources

Instagram: @honoringouranimals

Sponsored by Honoring Our Animals

Explore grief support → honoringouranimals.com/resources

Straight Up Dog Talk Extras:

Get a free copy of The Messy Middle: Getting Unstuck with your Big Feeling Dog

https://straightupdogtalk.com/programs-%26-freebies/ols/products/the-messy-middle-getting-unstuck-with-your-big-feeling-dog

Book a FREE 15-minute call with Em

https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

Email [email protected] to get in touch with Em

Join the Community

https://join.slack.com/t/thedogwhoaskedformore/shared_invite/zt-305kdyab7-y6eTWjbAeSwHItNmloLQUA

This podcast explores real-life dog behavior and training, diving into reactivity, barking, dog anxiety, aggression, picky eating, gut health, and dog food—while unpacking enrichment, mental stimulation, supplements, calming aids, and holistic pet wellness. Whether you’re raising a rescue dog, supporting a senior dog, managing a velcro dog, or just navigating life with a dog who’s asking for more, you’ll find practical tools to build trust, strengthen communication, and create a safe, thriving life together.

Ever feel like the dog park is more chaos than connection? What if it's actually where healing, training, and emotional enrichment begin?
In this heartfelt episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em and Josh sit down with Tanya to explore how a regular trip to the dog park with her rescue dog, Barney, became a surprising source of healing after grief. Beyond the play and socialization, it became a powerful form of enrichment—for both of them—and supported key training moments that built confidence, trust, and community.

In this episode:

• Discover how real-life environments like the dog park can provide emotional and behavioral enrichment

• Hear how dogs help us build new routines that naturally support training and social confidence

• Learn why connection, grief, and healing are part of the wellness journey for both dogs and humans

Press play to hear how one dog park visit became the start of deeper enrichment, emotional healing, and training that couldn’t happen in any classroom.

Straight Up Dog Talk Extras:

Get a free copy of The Messy Middle: Getting Unstuck with your Big Feeling Dog

https://straightupdogtalk.com/programs-%26-freebies/ols/products/the-messy-middle-getting-unstuck-with-your-big-feeling-dog

Book a FREE 15-minute call with Em

https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

Email [email protected] to get in touch with Em

Join the Community

https://join.slack.com/t/thedogwhoaskedformore/shared_invite/zt-305kdyab7-y6eTWjbAeSwHItNmloLQUA

This podcast explores real-life dog behavior and training, diving into reactivity, barking, dog anxiety, aggression, picky eating, gut health, and dog food—while unpacking enrichment, mental stimulation, supplements, calming aids, and holistic pet wellness. Whether you’re raising a rescue dog, supporting a senior dog, managing a velcro dog, or just navigating life with a dog who’s asking for more, you’ll find practical tools to build trust, strengthen communication, and create a safe, thriving life together.

Have you ever loved a dog so deeply that losing them left you completely changed?
In this powerful and compassionate episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em is joined by therapist and author Douglas Green to reflect on the life—and loss—of his heart dog, Shirelle. Together, they explore how dogs guide us through some of the most painful seasons of our lives and leave behind a legacy of joy, purpose, and healing.

In this episode:

• Discover how one dog helped Douglas navigate depression and rediscover emotional meaning

• Learn why grief, guilt, and joy often show up together after losing a dog

• Get gentle encouragement and emotional tools for walking your own grief journey—with or without another dog in your life

Press play to explore the lifelong imprint of the dogs we’ve loved—and how their presence, even after loss, continues to teach us about living fully, loving deeply, and healing slowly.

Guest Info:

Order the book: The Teachings of Shirelle🐶

Ask Shirelle for advice: askshirelle.com

Instagram: @douggreenauthor

Straight Up Dog Talk Extras:

Get a free copy of The Messy Middle: Getting Unstuck with your Big Feeling Dog

https://straightupdogtalk.com/programs-%26-freebies/ols/products/the-messy-middle-getting-unstuck-with-your-big-feeling-dog

Book a FREE 15-minute call with Em

https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

Email [email protected] to get in touch with Em

Join the Community

https://join.slack.com/t/thedogwhoaskedformore/shared_invite/zt-305kdyab7-y6eTWjbAeSwHItNmloLQUA

This podcast explores real-life dog behavior and training, diving into reactivity, barking, dog anxiety, aggression, picky eating, gut health, and dog food—while unpacking enrichment, mental stimulation, supplements, calming aids, and holistic pet wellness. Whether you’re raising a rescue dog, supporting a senior dog, managing a velcro dog, or just navigating life with a dog who’s asking for more, you’ll find practical tools to build trust, strengthen communication, and create a safe, thriving life together.