The Dog Who Asked for More: Understanding Life With Your Dog Beyond Dog Training and Behavior

By Emily “Em” Breslin | Dog Trainer & Canine NutritionistSociety & Culture Education Relationships Kids & Family How To Pets & Animals

The Dog Who Asked for More: Understanding Life With Your Dog Beyond Dog Training and Behavior episodes

October 28What Your Dog's Training Plan Might Be Missing When Nothing Seems to Work
When a dog is terrified, knowing how to help them can feel anything but straightforward. And when a training approach doesn't seem to be working, how do you decide what to try next?
Dog trainer William Garrido shares the story of Sophia, one of the most fearful dogs he'd ever worked with, and his decision to use a controversial training approach after earlier attempts hadn't helped. We also talk about Fitz, whose experience with different training tools led me in a very different direction.
You'll hear:
Why Sophia's extreme fear challenged William's assumptions about dog training
How Sophia and Fitz responded differently to the approaches their trainers tried
What their stories reveal about the importance of observing your dog's behavior rather than assuming one approach will work for every dog

Press play for a conversation about fearful dogs, difficult training decisions, and why understanding the individual dog matters when you're trying to figure out what comes next.
Dog Body Language Library
Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Check out the free video library and submit your own videos to help other pet parents!
👉https://thedogwhoaskedformore.com/dog-body-language
Want More Than the Podcast?
Come join us inside the community. You'll find courses, conversations, events, and a place to talk about the things that don't fit neatly into a podcast episode.
👉 https://www.skool.com/the-dog-who-asked-for-more-6959/about
This podcast explores dog training, dog behavior, dog behavior problems, dog obedience, dog training advice, dog training tips, dog training methods, dog training at home, service dog training, dog anxiety, dog separation anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, and dog body language. Episodes also cover canine nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, mental stimulation for dogs, senior dogs, pet loss, and life with dogs. It’s a dog community for people who want to better understand the dog in front of them, make sense of conflicting advice, improve the relationship with their dog, and figure out what actually works for their dog.
Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.
16 min
October 26How Trying to Help Your Dogs Get Along Could Make Their Conflict Worse | Dog Behavior
You know the plan isn't working. Everyone is more stressed, you're constantly managing the fallout, and yet changing course somehow feels harder than trying one more time.
When consistency gets treated like the answer to every dog training problem, walking away from a plan can feel like admitting you didn't try hard enough. But sometimes the thing keeping you and your dog stuck isn't a lack of effort. It's the pressure to make the original plan succeed, even when it's making life harder.
You'll hear:
Why changing a dog training or management plan that isn't working doesn't mean you've given up on your dog
How trying different setups with Fitz and Ernie eventually led to a solution that created less stress for everyone
Why new information can be a reason to change course instead of proof that you made the wrong decision

Press play if you've ever kept trying to make a plan work because stopping felt too much like failing your dog.
Read Em's Weekly Blog
The podcast starts the conversation. The blog takes it deeper. Every week, you'll find expanded insights from the latest episodes, practical takeaways you can use with your own dog, and Monday articles that tackle the everyday questions and challenges dog parents face.
👉https://thedogwhoaskedformore.com/blog
Want More Than the Podcast?
Come join us inside the community. You'll find courses, conversations, events, and a place to talk about the things that don't fit neatly into a podcast episode.
👉 https://www.skool.com/the-dog-who-asked-for-more-6959/about
This podcast explores dog training, dog behavior, dog behavior problems, dog obedience, dog training advice, dog training tips, dog training methods, dog training at home, service dog training, dog anxiety, dog separation anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, and dog body language. Episodes also cover canine nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, mental stimulation for dogs, senior dogs, pet loss, and life with dogs. It’s a dog community for people who want to better understand the dog in front of them, make sense of conflicting advice, improve the relationship with their dog, and figure out what actually works for their dog.
Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.
5 min
October 23Why Your Dog's Training Seems to Fall Apart After Taking a Break | Dog Training
Your dog knew how to do this. They've done it dozens of times. So why does one hesitant session suddenly make it feel like all your dog training progress has disappeared?
When something changes, even something small, your dog may need time to get comfortable again. But when a skill that once looked easy suddenly becomes difficult, it's easy to assume you're back at the beginning.
You'll hear:
Why hesitation after a break or change doesn't automatically mean your dog has forgotten what they learned
How Fitz's nail filing changes when a new board or time away makes something familiar feel different
How smaller steps can help your dog rebuild confidence without treating one difficult day like a complete setback

Press play if one difficult training session has ever made you wonder whether all the progress you've worked for was suddenly gone.
Want More Support?
The free resource mentioned in this episode is now part of a full course inside The Dog Who Asked for More community.
Current free courses include:
What's Really in Your Dog's Bowl
Why Your Dog Won't Settle
Caring for Your Aging Dog
Pet Travel Preparedness

Join the community to access the free courses.
👉 https://www.skool.com/the-dog-who-asked-for-more-6959/about
Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby
Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.
👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com
This podcast explores dog training, dog behavior, dog behavior problems, dog obedience, dog training advice, dog training tips, dog training methods, dog training at home, service dog training, dog anxiety, dog separation anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, and dog body language. Episodes also cover canine nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, mental stimulation for dogs, senior dogs, pet loss, and life with dogs. It’s a dog community for people who want to better understand the dog in front of them, make sense of conflicting advice, improve the relationship with their dog, and figure out what actually works for their dog.
Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.
5 min
October 21How Getting a Second Puppy Could Make Your First Puppy's Problems Worse | Puppy Training
One puppy already has you exhausted. Getting them a playmate can sound like the perfect way to take some of that energy off your plate.
But bringing home a second puppy doesn't automatically make raising the first one easier. Two puppies close in age can mean twice the training, twice the management, and challenges you never expected, especially when they become more dependent on each other than comfortable being apart.
You'll hear:
Why adding a second puppy can make the dog training problems you're already struggling with harder
What people call littermate syndrome and how it can affect puppies who aren't actually siblings
How separate training, walks, and everyday experiences can help two young dogs build confidence independently

Press play if you're considering a second puppy to make life easier or already raising two young dogs and wondering why everything suddenly feels harder.
Want More Support?
The free resource mentioned in this episode is now part of a full course inside The Dog Who Asked for More community.
Current free courses include:
What's Really in Your Dog's Bowl
Why Your Dog Won't Settle
Caring for Your Aging Dog
Pet Travel Preparedness

Join the community to access the free courses.
👉 https://www.skool.com/the-dog-who-asked-for-more-6959/about
Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby
Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.
👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com
This podcast explores dog training, dog behavior, dog behavior problems, dog obedience, dog training advice, dog training tips, dog training methods, dog training at home, service dog training, dog anxiety, dog separation anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, and dog body language. Episodes also cover canine nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, mental stimulation for dogs, senior dogs, pet loss, and life with dogs. It’s a dog community for people who want to better understand the dog in front of them, make sense of conflicting advice, improve the relationship with their dog, and figure out what actually works for their dog.
Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.
6 min
October 19Why “Just Bring Your Dog” Isn't as Simple as People Think | Life With Dogs
“Just bring him. He’ll be fine.” It sounds simple when you’re not the one who knows exactly what could happen if he isn’t.
Sometimes the exhausting part of knowing your dog isn’t making the decision. It’s having to explain that decision over and over to people who don’t understand why something easy for their dog isn’t easy for yours. And when you're managing dog behavior that other people don't see or understand, even the simplest decisions can feel like something you have to defend.
You'll hear:
Why even well-meaning comments can leave you feeling like you have to defend your dog
Why Fitz spends family gatherings happily away from the chaos
What changes when you stop trying to convince everyone else that you know what your dog needs

Press play if you’re tired of explaining decisions about your dog that you already know are right.
Check In On Your Dog From Anywhere
Whether you're running errands, traveling, or at work, Waggle lets you check in with your dog in real time with live video, motion alerts, and remote camera controls, giving you peace of mind when you can't be there. Use code EB65 to save up to 65%.
👉 https://tinyurl.com/wagglepets
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waggletv/
Want More Than the Podcast?
Come join us inside the community. You'll find courses, conversations, events, and a place to talk about the things that don't fit neatly into a podcast episode.
👉 https://www.skool.com/the-dog-who-asked-for-more-6959/about
This podcast explores dog training, dog behavior, dog behavior problems, dog obedience, dog training advice, dog training tips, dog training methods, dog training at home, service dog training, dog anxiety, dog separation anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, and dog body language. Episodes also cover canine nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, mental stimulation for dogs, senior dogs, pet loss, and life with dogs. It’s a dog community for people who want to better understand the dog in front of them, make sense of conflicting advice, improve the relationship with their dog, and figure out what actually works for their dog.
Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.
6 min
October 16Why Your Dog Doesn’t Need to Learn to Handle Everything | Dog Behavior
If your dog struggles with something, it can feel like you're supposed to train until they don't. But does your dog actually need to handle every situation in the first place?
Halloween brings that pressure out fast. Doorbells, costumes, kids, strangers, and plenty of advice about getting your dog ready for all of it. Sometimes the better question is whether they need to participate at all.
You'll hear:
Why skipping something isn't automatically the same as giving up on your dog
Why Em stopped treating Halloween as something Fitz needed to learn to handle
The question to ask before turning another difficult situation into a training project

Press play if you've ever felt guilty for protecting your dog from something instead of teaching them to tolerate it.
Read Em's Weekly Blog
The podcast starts the conversation. The blog takes it deeper. Every week, you'll find expanded insights from the latest episodes, practical takeaways you can use with your own dog, and Monday articles that tackle the everyday questions and challenges dog parents face.
👉https://thedogwhoaskedformore.com/blog
Help Us Hit the Road
We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.
👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast
Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby
Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.
👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com
Free 15-Minute Clarity Call
Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.
👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b
Want More Than the Podcast?
Come join us inside the community. You'll find courses, conversations, events, and a place to talk about the things that don't fit neatly into a podcast episode.
👉 https://www.skool.com/the-dog-who-asked-for-more-6959/about
This podcast explores dog training, dog behavior, dog behavior problems, dog obedience, dog training advice, dog training tips, dog training methods, dog training at home, service dog training, dog anxiety, dog separation anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, and dog body language. Episodes also cover canine nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, mental stimulation for dogs, senior dogs, pet loss, and life with dogs. It’s a dog community for people who want to better understand the dog in front of them, make sense of conflicting advice, improve the relationship with their dog, and figure out what actually works for their dog.
Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.
5 min
October 14What Happens When Helping Your Dog Means Questioning Something You Were Certain Was Wrong | Dog Training
You can have strong beliefs about what you would never do with a dog. Then one dog comes along and makes you question all of them.
Kylie never expected Maya to need the kind of tools she once saw as punishment. But when safety, reactivity, and separation anxiety changed their daily life, figuring out what worked meant confronting some of her own beliefs about what being a good dog parent was supposed to look like.
You'll hear:
Why Kylie felt so much guilt using tools she'd never considered with another dog
What changed after multiple trainers couldn't give Maya what she needed
How seeing Maya's life get bigger forced Kylie to rethink what she'd once believed

Press play if your dog has ever needed something that made you question your own idea of being a good dog parent.
Check In On Your Dog From Anywhere
Whether you're running errands, traveling, or at work, Waggle lets you check in with your dog in real time with live video, motion alerts, and remote camera controls, giving you peace of mind when you can't be there. Use code EB65 to save up to 65%.
👉 https://tinyurl.com/wagglepets
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waggletv/
Help Us Hit the Road
We're raising money to take this podcast on the road. An RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.
👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast
Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby
Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and the everyday products we actually use, all in one place.
👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com
Free 15-Minute Clarity Call
Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.
👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b
Want More Than the Podcast?
Come join us inside the community. You'll find courses, conversations, events, and a place to talk about the things that don't fit neatly into a podcast episode.
👉 https://www.skool.com/the-dog-who-asked-for-more-6959/about
This podcast explores dog training, dog behavior, dog behavior problems, dog obedience, dog training advice, dog training tips, dog training methods, dog training at home, service dog training, dog anxiety, dog separation anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, and dog body language. Episodes also cover canine nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, mental stimulation for dogs, senior dogs, pet loss, and life with dogs. It’s a dog community for people who want to better understand the dog in front of them, make sense of conflicting advice, improve the relationship with their dog, and figure out what actually works for their dog.
Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.
14 min
October 12Why a Life That Works for Your Dog Can Still Feel Like It Isn’t Enough | Life With Dogs
Nothing about your life with your dog changed. Then you scrolled past someone else's version of it, and suddenly yours didn't feel like enough.
Perfect bowls, elaborate enrichment, matching gear, picture-ready spaces. None of it means your dog has a better life, but seeing enough of it can make you question things you were perfectly happy with before.
You'll hear:
How ordinary dog care quietly became something we're expected to perform
Why Em still catches herself comparing even when she knows better
The question that matters more than whether your life with your dog looks like anyone else's

Press play if you've ever looked at someone else's dog life and wondered if you should be doing more.
Read Em's Weekly Blog
The podcast starts the conversation. The blog takes it deeper. Every week, you'll find expanded insights from the latest episodes, practical takeaways you can use with your own dog, and Monday articles that tackle the everyday questions and challenges dog parents face.
👉https://thedogwhoaskedformore.com/blog
Help Us Hit the Road
We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.
👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast
Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby
Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.
👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com
Free 15-Minute Clarity Call
Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.
👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b
Want More Than the Podcast?
Come join us inside the community. You'll find courses, conversations, events, and a place to talk about the things that don't fit neatly into a podcast episode.
👉 https://www.skool.com/the-dog-who-asked-for-more-6959/about
This podcast explores dog training, dog behavior, dog behavior problems, dog obedience, dog training advice, dog training tips, dog training methods, dog training at home, service dog training, dog anxiety, dog separation anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, and dog body language. Episodes also cover canine nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, mental stimulation for dogs, senior dogs, pet loss, and life with dogs. It’s a dog community for people who want to better understand the dog in front of them, make sense of conflicting advice, improve the relationship with their dog, and figure out what actually works for their dog.
Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.
5 min
October 09Why Your Dog Is Already Stressed Before Halloween Even Starts | Dog Behavior
Halloween is still weeks away, but your dog already seems a little less able to handle things they normally would.
October changes more than what shows up on your porch. Your walks move, the afternoons get busier, the weather changes, and your dog's normal routine can quietly look very different before Halloween night ever arrives.
You'll hear:
The small October changes that can make ordinary situations harder for your dog
Why one seemingly minor trigger can suddenly cause a much bigger reaction
What Em changes for Fitz and Toby instead of trying to keep their routine exactly the same

Press play if your dog seems more reactive or on edge this month and you can't point to one obvious reason why.
Dog Body Language Library
Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Check out the free video library and submit your own videos to help other pet parents!
👉https://thedogwhoaskedformore.com/dog-body-language
Help Us Hit the Road
We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.
👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast
Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby
Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.
👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com
Free 15-Minute Clarity Call
Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.
👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b
Want More Than the Podcast?
Come join us inside the community. You'll find courses, conversations, events, and a place to talk about the things that don't fit neatly into a podcast episode.
👉 https://www.skool.com/the-dog-who-asked-for-more-6959/about
This podcast explores dog training, dog behavior, dog behavior problems, dog obedience, dog training advice, dog training tips, dog training methods, dog training at home, service dog training, dog anxiety, dog separation anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, and dog body language. Episodes also cover canine nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, mental stimulation for dogs, senior dogs, pet loss, and life with dogs. It’s a dog community for people who want to better understand the dog in front of them, make sense of conflicting advice, improve the relationship with their dog, and figure out what actually works for their dog.
Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.
6 min
October 07How One Dog Product Can Change More Than You Ever Expected
Most dog products are just things we buy. Every once in a while, one changes something much bigger than expected.
At SuperZoo, I asked pet brands about the moment they realized something they made had genuinely changed someone's day to day life with their dog. Their answers went far beyond whether the product worked, and some of them got emotional telling me why.
You'll hear:
The everyday problems that became easier because someone finally had the right tool
The stories behind products that helped dogs get back to things their families thought they had lost
The moments that made the people behind these brands realize who they were actually helping

Press play if you've ever wondered how much difference one thing you buy for your dog can really make.
Featured Brands
AnimaSol — 0:41
Cleverpup — 1:20
MagnaPup — 2:15
Zen Melts/PetPaxCo — 3:16
TickCheck — 3:56
PopperPets — 4:19
YowUp — 5:28
Rex Specs — 6:00
Totoniks — 6:49
CBD Dog Health/Myco Dog — 7:36
Kingdom — 8:10
Woof — 9:40
PissOff — 10:29
RAWz — 11:09
Springland — 11:23
Dog Bandana Co — 11:56
Best Friend Supplies Co — 12:42
Jiby Dog Crew — 13:06
Simple Food Project — 13:27
Modern Beast — 14:04
Bundle x Joy — 14:48
Help Us Hit the Road
We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.
👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast
Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby
Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.
👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com
Free 15-Minute Clarity Call
Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.
👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b
Want More Than the Podcast?
Come join us inside the community. You'll find courses, conversations, events, and a place to talk about the things that don't fit neatly into a podcast episode.
👉 https://www.skool.com/the-dog-who-asked-for-more-6959/about
This podcast explores dog training, dog behavior, dog behavior problems, dog obedience, dog training advice, dog training tips, dog training methods, dog training at home, service dog training, dog anxiety, dog separation anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, and dog body language. Episodes also cover canine nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, mental stimulation for dogs, senior dogs, pet loss, and life with dogs. It’s a dog community for people who want to better understand the dog in front of them, make sense of conflicting advice, improve the relationship with their dog, and figure out what actually works for their dog.
Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.
17 min