In this episode, I sit down with Mattison Skoog Simpson, founder of Freed by Training, to hear her remarkable story of resilience, redemption, and the healing power of dogs.

Mattison Skoog-Simpson is a multi-certified dog trainer and behavior consultant—and a firm believer in second chances. After learning to train dogs in a prison program, she now helps people build deep, lasting relationships with their complex or sensitive dogs through her business, Freed by Training. Her story is one of transformation, purpose, and the powerful connection between dogs and the people who love them.

This conversation is raw, inspiring, and deeply human. It’s about second chances, the resilience of the human (and canine) spirit, and how training can be a pathway to freedom — both inside and out.

Resources Mentioned

Learn More from Mattison:

 www.freedbytraining.com 

Free muzzle course www.freedbytraining.com/muzzle

Follow Mattison on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedbytraining/

Learn More from Ashley:

www.coregulatedk9s.com

Book a Free Phone Consult: https://calendly.com/ashleycipolletti/discovery-call

How to Stay Calm When Your Dog is Losing It Free Guide: How to Stay Calm

Follow Ashley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/co_regulatedk9s/

What if boundaries aren’t about shutting others out, but about creating safety, clarity, and trust? In this solo episode, Ashley dives deep into the role of boundaries across three key relationships:

Whether it’s managing your own emotional capacity, setting ground rules in your personal life, or teaching your dog where the “line” is in a way that feels fair and kind—boundaries are the foundation of healthy, connected relationships.

Ashley shares why boundaries aren’t about control or punishment, but about creating predictability, safety, and freedom for everyone involved. If you’ve ever struggled with feeling “mean” for setting limits, or wondered how boundaries can actually strengthen the bond with your dog, this episode is for you.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

Ready for more support?
Grab my free guide on "How to Stay Calm When Your Dog is Losing It" to start building clarity and confidence in your training: Linked Here

Want personalized guidance for you and your dog? Book a free phone consult with me today Linked Here

Tired of dirty paw prints on your clothes the second you walk in the door? In today’s quick training tip, I’m breaking down how to teach your dog a calmer way to greet you and your guests. You’ll learn why dogs jump in the first place and my simple, step-by-step strategy to replace that jumping with a behavior you actually want. Whether you have a bouncy puppy or an adult dog with a long history of springing up, this tip will help you set clear boundaries and keep greetings stress-free for everyone.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why dogs jump and what it communicates

How to stop reinforcing jumping without realizing it

The exact behaviors to teach instead

My favorite management tricks to prevent jumping in the first place

How to get your friends and family to not dread coming over

Links & Resources:

Follow me on Instagram for more daily training tips

Apply to Work with me 1:1 if you need customized training support

Can positive reinforcement be... coercive? 🤯 In this episode, I sit down with dog behavior expert Karishma Warr (@transformbehavior) to explore the often-unspoken power dynamics that can show up even in the most well-intentioned training. We talk about choice, consent, emotional pressure, and how to recognize when your dog is simply complying — not healing. If you're interested in truly ethical, relationship-based training that goes beyond surface-level R+, this is a must-listen. 

IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER:

What coercion really means in a positive reinforcement context

The 3 pillars of coercive relationships with our dogs: Deprivation, High-Stakes, and Authoritarian

How power dynamics and pressure can show up even in “force-free” training

Genetic coercion in dogs and its impact particularly on "high-drive" breeds

The evolution of dog training, and how simply using rewards in training is not enough

CONNECT WITH KARISHMA WARR
Instagram: @transformbehavior
Website: www.transformbehavior.com

CONNECT WITH ASHLEY CIPOLLETTI

Instagram: @co_regulatedk9s
Website: www.coregulatedk9s.com

🎁 FREE GUIDE
Want to stay calm when your dog is losing it?
Grab my free guide:
👉 How to Stay Calm When Your Dog Is Losing It

What if the way we shape behavior—of dogs, of people, of ourselves—could change the world?

Today’s guest has spent his life proving that it can.

Ken Ramirez is more than one of the greatest animal trainers of our time. He’s a visionary. A mentor. A global leader in applying the science of behavior to build trust, connection, and possibility across species.

From training over 900 species across zoos, sanctuaries, and conservation projects worldwide, to leading one of the most respected training organizations on the planet—Ken has taught thousands how to use reinforcement not just as a tool, but as a philosophy.

In this conversation, we explore how positive reinforcement is a quiet revolution. One that can shape communities, change outcomes, and challenge the very way we define leadership, learning, and love.

Whether you’re a pet parent, a professional, or simply someone who believes in a more compassionate world—you’ll want to hear this.

This is a conversation I’ll never forget.

We discuss how the principles of positive reinforcement go far beyond getting animals to perform behaviors — they become tools for building trust, enhancing welfare, and even saving lives in conservation settings around the world.

Whether you're a pet parent, dog trainer, or wildlife enthusiast, this conversation is packed with golden insights about:

🔹 Why effective positive reinforcement is deeply compassionate — and not permissive
🔹 How training in conservation settings differs from pet training — and what stays the same
🔹 Why observation is one of the most powerful tools in training
🔹 How Ken reduced chimpanzee poaching by 86% applying behavior science principles
🔹 What livestock guardian dogs can teach us about coexistence with wildlife and cheetah conservation
🔹 The hardest part of conservation: navigating human stakeholders and building consensus
🔹 Why curiosity, not control, is the key to connection — with animals and people
🔹 How we can teach animals without ever touching them — and why that matters
🔹 Why you can (and should!) set boundaries without using punishment

You’ll leave this episode with a deeper understanding of how training shapes not just behavior, but relationships — and why being thoughtful, intentional, and compassionate makes you a better trainer, scientist, and human.

Ken Ramirez – Karen Pryor Clicker Training

Cheetah Conservation Fund

Get the latest from Co-Regulated K-9s

In This Episode We Talk About:

Why positive reinforcement builds real trust (in humans and animals)

The role of curiosity and observation in effective training

Ken’s first conservation project that helped protect chimpanzees

How livestock guardian dogs support cheetah conservation

Building consensus with multiple stakeholders in conservation work

How training helps you become a more thoughtful and compassionate human

Where to Find Us!

In this solo episode, I’m diving deeper into a topic that sparked a lot of interest after my conversation with Mike Shikashio—the role pain can play in a dog’s reactivity. Could discomfort, injury, or even subtle chronic pain be the missing piece in your dog’s behavior puzzle?

I’ll explore:

Signs that pain might be contributing to reactivity

Why pain is so often overlooked in behavior cases

How physical discomfort can change perception, stress thresholds, and coping skills

What to do if you suspect your dog is in pain

And I’m also getting personal in this one. I share my own journey living with chronic pain—how it impacted my emotional regulation, relationships, and even my ability to show up for others—and what’s actually helped me find relief and resilience.

Whether you're a pet parent or a professional, this episode will challenge you to look beneath the surface and approach behavior with more empathy and curiosity.

Let’s connect:

Instagram: @co_regulatedk9s

Website: www.coregulatedk9s.com

Leave a review if this episode resonated with you 💛

In this episode, I sit down with world-renowned aggression expert Michael Shikashio, CDBC, to talk about what aggression really is—and what it definitely isn’t. We dive into how he got started in the field, the lessons he’s learned from teaching around the world, and the importance of staying curious and non-judgmental in our work with both dogs and people. Michael shares insights into handling disagreements in the industry with grace, why leading with compassion matters, and tips for anyone consulting on behavior cases. Whether you’re a professional trainer or just passionate about dogs, this conversation is packed with wisdom and heart. In this episode, we cover:

Connect with Michael Shikashio:

Website https://aggressivedog.com 

School https://aggressivedog.thinkific.com

Facebook Business https://www.facebook.com/AggressionInDogs 

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/michaelshikashio/ 

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu6htNW022cxP3ecTYqBfjA 

Bitey End of the Dog Podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1185767

Do you ever walk outside and realize you’ve completely missed the moment? You didn’t notice the birds. You didn’t feel the breeze. You didn’t even breathe deeply. If that feels familiar, you’re not alone — and today’s episode might just shift something big for you.

In this soul-level solo episode, Ashley Cipolletti explores how emotional disconnection is keeping us from noticing beauty, building connection with our dogs, and truly enjoying the present. She shares her journey from a suburban Massachusetts upbringing to tracking wildlife in Africa, slowing down in Brazil, and learning deep reverence in Hawaii — and how these experiences shaped her approach to life, self-awareness, and dog training.

Whether you’re a dog parent, nature lover, or simply someone craving more depth, presence, and peace… this episode is for you.

Why emotional numbness makes nature and connection feel invisible

What “attunement” really means — and why it matters for your dog

How Ashley’s global travels changed the way she views nature, self-regulation, and behavior

Real-world ways to slow down and start tuning in again

How presence and emotional availability influence your dog’s behavior and success in training

💻 Website: coregulatedk9s.com
📸 Instagram: @co_regulatedk9s

Ready to go deeper and get support tailored to you and your dog?
I offer in-person and online coaching programs that combine dog behavior, nervous system work, and relationship-based training.
Start with a discovery call here: coregulatedk9s.com/book

Rate & Review the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Screenshot & Share to your IG story (tag @co_regulatedk9s so I can say thank you!)

Subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming episodes

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your dog training journey — like you’re doing all the “right things” but still not making progress — this episode is for you. We’re diving into the real forces that impact learning and behavior change, not just for your dog, but for you and even your trainer. 

From how sensory processing differences show up in daily training to how breed tendencies, emotional regulation, stress, and even nutrition shape your dog’s ability to take in and apply information. 

Whether you're a pet parent or a fellow trainer, this conversation will help you reframe “stubbornness” or “lack of focus” as invitations to pause, zoom out, and support the learner more holistically.

In this episode, we cover:

Why some dogs (and humans!) process information differently based on their sensory sensitivity

How breed tendencies and environmental triggers shape attention and distraction

The role of past experiences and emotional associations in current behavior

How stress and dysregulation block learning — and what to do instead

Why meeting basic needs (like sleep, nutrition, movement) matters more than you think

The invisible barriers that might be affecting your learning and confidence as a dog parent or trainer

It’s not just about the training method — it’s about understanding the whole learner. Learning happens best when needs are met, emotions are regulated, and the environment is set up for success.

Resources & Links:

Follow me on Instagram @co_regulatedk9s

Book a free discovery call with me: Calendly Link

Check out my training programs or free resources
https://www.coregulatedk9s.com/

Subscribe & Review:
If this episode resonated with you, be sure to follow the show so you don’t miss future episodes. And if you have a moment, leave a review — it helps more dog guardians and trainers find this work.

We often think of socialization as a checklist: meet people, meet dogs, go for walks. But socialization — true, meaningful socialization — goes so much deeper. It’s not just about exposure. It’s about cultivating an internal feeling of safety, emotional resilience, and learning how to exist in our human world without fear. In this episode, we explore what socialization really means for dogs and for us. From critical windows of development to the role of the nervous system, attachment, and early experiences, this conversation draws a powerful parallel between puppy raising and human healing.

You’ll learn:

🐾 How epigenetics plays a role in shaping who our dogs are

🧠 How early environments and experiences shape emotional regulation and reactivity

🌱 What the process of socialization has to do with trauma, resilience, and reparenting

🔁 How we unintentionally pass down unconscious beliefs about the world around us

Whether you’re raising a dog or reflecting on your own upbringing, this episode offers a gentle invitation to rethink how we introduce newness, support growth, and create safety.

Resources Mentioned:

📚 The Myth of Normal by Dr. Gabor Maté

Get the book here: https://a.co/d/cBFGuOY

📖 My blog post on socialization:

Read it here: https://www.coregulatedk9s.com/blog/what-even-is-puppy-socialization-why-does-it-matter

Learn more about the work that Ashley does here: https://www.coregulatedk9s.com

Book your free discovery call with Ashley: https://calendly.com/ashleycipolletti/discovery-call