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

You pack the treats, lower your expectations, pick somewhere that's supposed to be welcoming, and it still turns into a stressful, embarrassing scramble the second you walk in. Instead of connection, it becomes damage control.

In this episode, Em sits down with Sarah from Spot Dog Here to talk about how environment shapes behavior more than people realize, and why a truly welcoming space is different from a space your dog is actually ready for. They get into how calmer, verified dog-friendly settings can support anxious or sensitive dogs, and why it's just as okay to leave your dog home and go enjoy a place solo.

You'll hear:

• Why "dog friendly" and "dog ready" are two completely different things
• How the right environment can make enrichment and confidence-building easier
• Why it's okay to experience a place without your dog if that's what's right for them

Press play if you've ever left an outing feeling more stressed than when you arrived, and you're ready to plan differently next time.

Sponsored by Spot Dog Here

Instagram: @spotdoghere

🐾 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

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

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

Questions

📧 [email protected]

This podcast explores life with dogs — including dog behavior, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, dog training, and the relationship with your dog. It's for dog parents navigating overwhelm, chronic stress, burnout recovery, and the challenges of life with a dog who asks for more. Episodes cover dog nutrition, canine nutrition, pet nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, dog communication, emotional healing, healing with dogs, self-trust, personal growth, and building a deeper connection with your dog. Whether you're raising a reactive dog, feeling discouraged, or simply trying to better understand your dog and yourself, this podcast helps you create a calmer life together and strengthen the bond that changes both of you. We're now taking this conversation on the road, bringing honest support directly to dog parents across the country.

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Have you ever looked at your life and thought, “I did everything right… so why am I this exhausted?”

Burnout can feel heavy and lonely—especially when you’ve built a life that looks good on paper but doesn’t feel good in your body. Showing up for work, for other people, even for your dog can start to feel harder than it should, and you quietly wonder if you’re allowed to want something different.

In this episode, Em sits down with Jess, founder of Pupsibilities, to talk about what happened when she stepped away from a demanding career and began rebuilding her life alongside rescue dogs. Together, they explore how caring for dogs can slow you down, reconnect you to yourself, and create space for healing, identity shifts, and new beginnings you didn’t see coming. It’s an honest conversation about listening to your gut and redefining what a meaningful life with dogs can look like.

Press play if you’re craving permission to change direction—and want to feel less alone while you do.

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

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://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email [email protected] to get in touch with Em

This podcast explores real life with dogs — including dog behavior, reactivity, dog anxiety, stress in dogs, fearful dogs, and everyday training challenges. It’s for dog parents who are overwhelmed navigating life with dogs and want a clearer understanding of their dog, practical support, and a stronger bond while creating a calmer daily life with their dogs. Episodes cover canine nutrition, dog body language, dog communication, dog food and behavior, gut health, dog wellness, enrichment for dogs, dog enrichment activities, routines, dog lifestyle, and regulation — so life with your dog can feel calmer, more manageable, and more sustainable. Hosted by a dog trainer, canine nutrition coach, and retired vet tech, the show blends training, nutrition, and enrichment to support and bond with sensitive, anxious, pure-bred, and rescue dogs at home and in real life.

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

She wanted one dog of her own. She ended up helping hundreds instead.

Nine-year-old Divisha and her mom went through dozens of rescue applications trying to adopt a shelter dog, without success, before eventually finding their dog Trixie through a responsible breeder. But Divisha didn't let the setback end there. She started Bobo Ties, a business making bow ties for shelter dogs to help them get noticed and adopted faster, donating a portion of every sale back to shelters. Since starting at age nine, she's donated over $4,000. She and her mom also occasionally foster.

You'll hear:

• What Divisha actually said drove her to start making bow ties for shelter dogs in the first place
• How a simple lemonade-stand sale turned into a business that's donated thousands of dollars
• What it's been like fostering Kito and helping him settle in alongside Trixie

Press play if you've ever wondered what a kid with a big heart and a sewing machine can actually accomplish.

Sponsored by Bow Bow Ties

Save 20% with code SUDT20 → Bow Bow Ties on Etsy

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

🐾 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

Questions

📧 [email protected]

This podcast explores life with dogs, dog behavior, dog behavior problems, dog obedience, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, and dog training. It's for the dog community navigating overwhelm, guilt, burnout, and self-doubt while struggling to keep up with a dog who asks for more. Episodes cover canine nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, dog communication, emotional healing, self-trust, personal growth, and finding real relief in the connection you have with your dog. Whether you're raising a reactive dog, feeling discouraged, or simply trying to better understand your dog and yourself, this podcast helps you create a calmer life together and strengthen the bond that changes both of you. We're now building to take this conversation on the road, bringing honest support directly to dog parents around the world.

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Have you tried all the training, all the treats, all the courses, and your dog still seems anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck?

It's exhausting when you're doing everything you know to do and nothing really changes. You start wondering if you're missing something, or if you're somehow failing them.

In this episode, Em sits down with applied ethologist Kim Brophy to talk about a bigger-picture way of understanding behavior through her LEGS framework: Learning, Environment, Genetics, and Self. They get into why behavior isn't just about obedience, how a dog's environment and genetics shape what they're capable of in a given moment, and why stepping back from "fixing" can actually create more clarity and real progress.

You'll hear:

• Why some behavior problems have nothing to do with how well you've trained
• How genetics and environment shape a dog's emotional world just as much as learning does
• What changes when you stop asking "how fast can I fix this" and start asking "why is this happening"

Press play if you're ready to stop blaming yourself and start understanding what your dog actually needs.

🐾 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

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

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

Questions

📧 [email protected]

This podcast explores life with dogs — including dog behavior, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, dog training, and the relationship with your dog. It's for dog parents navigating overwhelm, chronic stress, burnout recovery, and the challenges of life with a dog who asks for more. Episodes cover dog nutrition, canine nutrition, pet nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, dog communication, emotional healing, healing with dogs, self-trust, personal growth, and building a deeper connection with your dog. Whether you're raising a reactive dog, feeling discouraged, or simply trying to better understand your dog and yourself, this podcast helps you create a calmer life together and strengthen the bond that changes both of you. We're now taking this conversation on the road, bringing honest support directly to dog parents across the country.

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Have you ever taken your dog to the park hoping they’d come home tired and happy… and instead left feeling embarrassed, tense, or defeated?

For a lot of dogs, crowded spaces aren’t fun. They’re overwhelming. Too many smells, too many bodies, too much happening all at once. And when every outing feels stressful, it can start to feel like you’re both failing—like you’re doing everything “right,” but nothing is getting easier.

In this episode, Em talks with SniffSpot founder David Adams about why traditional dog parks don’t work for every dog and how private, low-pressure spaces can change the experience entirely. Together they explore how safety, choice, and simple enrichment outdoors can help dogs relax, build confidence, and finally enjoy being outside again—without chaos or fear.

Press play if you’re craving calmer walks and a gentler way to help your dog feel safe in the world.

Guest Info:

Instagram: @sniffspots

Explore: sniffspot.com Use Code SUDT to save $5 off your visit

Free Resources & Support

Free Enrichment Guide: Paws, Brains, and Fun

Start here. This free guide introduces simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer, more fulfilled, and more connected in everyday life.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmenrichmentebook

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email ⁠[email protected] to get in touch with Em

This podcast explores real life with dogs — including dog behavior, reactivity, dog anxiety, stress in dogs, fearful dogs, and everyday training challenges. It’s for dog parents who are overwhelmed navigating life with dogs and want a clearer understanding of their dog, practical support, and a stronger bond while creating a calmer daily life with their dogs. Episodes cover canine nutrition, dog body language, dog communication, dog food and behavior, gut health, dog wellness, enrichment for dogs, dog enrichment activities, routines, dog lifestyle, and regulation — so life with your dog can feel calmer, more manageable, and more sustainable. Hosted by a dog trainer, canine nutrition coach, and retired vet tech, the show blends training, nutrition, and enrichment to support and bond with sensitive, anxious, pure-bred, and rescue dogs at home and in real life.

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Nearly a third of domestic violence survivors stay in dangerous situations because they won't leave their pet behind.

Jill, a former prosecutor and founder of Ruger's Rescues, joins Em to talk about the three things that led her to start the rescue: an animal cruelty case involving a cat named Lucy that got reduced to a misdemeanor despite a fractured skull, the sudden loss of her own dog Ruger to hemangiosarcoma, and the rescue of a dog named Hippo, who already had an adopter lined up and still nearly didn't make it out of a high-kill shelter because no rescue could transport her in time. Jill and Em get into the overlap between domestic violence and pet ownership, San Diego County's food pantry program for unhoused and low-income pet owners, and the realities of the emergency transport and rescue-only screening system most people never see.

You'll hear:

• What actually happened in the case that made Jill leave her job as a prosecutor
• Why an already-adopted dog can still end up on a euthanasia list
• What Ruger's Rescues is doing to close the gap between domestic violence shelters and pet owners

Press play if you've ever wondered what's actually standing between someone and leaving, or what really happens behind the scenes of a dog listed as "adoptable."

Guest Info:

Instagram: @rugersrescues

Support Ruger’s Rescues: linktr.ee/rugersrescues

Sponsored by Ruger’s Rescues

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

🐾 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

Questions

📧 [email protected]

This podcast explores life with dogs, dog behavior, dog behavior problems, dog obedience, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, and dog training. It's for the dog community navigating overwhelm, guilt, burnout, and self-doubt while struggling to keep up with a dog who asks for more. Episodes cover canine nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, dog communication, emotional healing, self-trust, personal growth, and finding real relief in the connection you have with your dog. Whether you're raising a reactive dog, feeling discouraged, or simply trying to better understand your dog and yourself, this podcast helps you create a calmer life together and strengthen the bond that changes both of you. We're now building to take this conversation on the road, bringing honest support directly to dog parents around the world.

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Have you ever tried to follow dog training advice… and walked away feeling like you had to be tougher, louder, or more “in control” than you wanted to be?

When your dog is anxious, overwhelmed, or struggling with behavior, the last thing you need is pressure or fear layered on top. You want something that feels safe. Something that actually builds trust instead of tension.

In this episode, Em sits down with Andrea from Pack Animals to talk about what gentle, reward-based training really looks like in real life. They share how slowing down, listening to your dog, and using clear, kind communication can lead to steadier behavior, more confidence, and a stronger bond—without force or intimidation. You’ll hear how community support and simple at-home routines can make training feel doable again, even on the hard days.

Press play if you’re ready for training that feels supportive—for both you and your dog.

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

Why Won't Your Dog Settle?

Not sure if it's overstimulation, boredom, or reactivity? Grab the free download and find out what's actually going on.

👉https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/public/6a83ba6887c0a7052346c6e3

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

Questions

📧 [email protected]

This podcast explores life with dogs, dog behavior, dog behavior problems, dog obedience, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, and dog training. It's for the dog community navigating overwhelm, guilt, burnout, and self-doubt while struggling to keep up with a dog who asks for more. Episodes cover canine nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, dog communication, emotional healing, self-trust, personal growth, and finding real relief in the connection you have with your dog. Whether you're raising a reactive dog, feeling discouraged, or simply trying to better understand your dog and yourself, this podcast helps you create a calmer life together and strengthen the bond that changes both of you. We're now building to take this conversation on the road, bringing honest support directly to dog parents around the world.

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Calling your dog "reactive" might be letting everyone off the hook, including you.

It's become almost trendy to say a dog is reactive, and once that label goes on, it can quietly become an excuse to stop investigating what's actually going on. A dog labeled reactive on social media is often just a dog who's been asking for space for a while, and nobody caught it in time.

In this episode, Em sits down with Dr. Kelly Ballantyne, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, to talk about what's actually happening beneath a lot of behavior struggles. They get into subtle body language most people miss, why genetics and even a mother's stress during pregnancy can shape a puppy's temperament, and why some dogs need medical and behavioral support together, not training alone.

You'll hear:

• Why the word "reactive" often hides more than it explains
• What subtle signs of stress look like before a dog ever growls or bites
• How genetics and even a mother's pregnancy can shape a dog's temperament for life

Press play if you've been doing everything right and your dog still seems anxious, overwhelmed, or on edge, and you're ready to understand why.

Guest Info:

Learn more about dog behavior: insightfulanimals.com

🐾 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

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

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

Questions

📧 [email protected]

This podcast explores life with dogs — including dog behavior, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, dog training, and the relationship with your dog. It's for dog parents navigating overwhelm, chronic stress, burnout recovery, and the challenges of life with a dog who asks for more. Episodes cover dog nutrition, canine nutrition, pet nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, dog communication, emotional healing, healing with dogs, self-trust, personal growth, and building a deeper connection with your dog. Whether you're raising a reactive dog, feeling discouraged, or simply trying to better understand your dog and yourself, this podcast helps you create a calmer life together and strengthen the bond that changes both of you. We're now taking this conversation on the road, bringing honest support directly to dog parents across the country.

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Ever come home from a walk feeling more frustrated than connected… even though you’re doing everything “right”?

The leash is tangled.

Your hands are sore.

Your dog is pulling or reacting.

And somehow, something as simple as going outside together feels harder than it should.

Sometimes it isn’t about trying more training or doing more drills. Sometimes it’s the small, everyday pieces we overlook — like the gear we use every single day.

In this episode, Em sits down with Taryn from BioDanes to talk about how the right leash and handling gear can quietly change everything. They share how comfort, grip, and reliability can support calmer walks, clearer communication, and more confidence on both ends of the leash — especially for dogs who struggle or get overwhelmed outside. It’s a grounded, practical conversation about removing friction so training and enrichment feel easier, not heavier.

Press play if you’re ready for your walks to feel smoother, steadier, and more connected again.

This episode is sponsored by BioDanes

Save 10% with code SUDT → biodanes.co

Free Resources & Support

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog? Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

This podcast explores real life with dogs — including dog behavior, reactivity, dog anxiety, stress in dogs, fearful dogs, and everyday training challenges. It’s for dog parents who are overwhelmed navigating life with dogs and want a clearer understanding of their dog, practical support, and a stronger bond while creating a calmer daily life with their dogs. Episodes cover canine nutrition, dog body language, dog communication, dog food and behavior, gut health, dog wellness, enrichment for dogs, dog enrichment activities, routines, dog lifestyle, and regulation — so life with your dog can feel calmer, more manageable, and more sustainable. Hosted by a dog trainer, canine nutrition coach, and retired vet tech, the show blends training, nutrition, and enrichment to support and bond with sensitive, anxious, pure-bred, and rescue dogs at home and in real life.

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Have you ever thought about sending your dog away for training… and felt a knot in your stomach about it?

Handing your dog to someone else—even for help—can feel vulnerable. You want support, not shortcuts. You want growth, not fear. And with so many opinions online, it’s hard to know what actually happens inside a board-and-train program or whether it’s something your dog would truly benefit from.

In this episode, Em sits down with Mark from Rosewood K9 for an honest, grounded conversation about what these programs really look like day to day. They talk about structure, enrichment, and relationship-based training, what dogs experience while they’re there, and how to decide if this kind of support fits your dog’s personality, energy, and needs. No hype. No pressure. Just clarity so you can make an informed choice.

Press play if you want your next training decision to feel steady, confident, and right for the dog in front of you.

Guest Info

Rosewood K9: Instagram

Why Won't Your Dog Settle?

Not sure if it's overstimulation, boredom, or reactivity? Grab the free download and find out what's actually going on.

👉https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/public/6a83ba6887c0a7052346c6e3

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

Questions

📧 [email protected]

This podcast explores life with dogs, dog behavior, dog behavior problems, dog obedience, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, and dog training. It's for the dog community navigating overwhelm, guilt, burnout, and self-doubt while struggling to keep up with a dog who asks for more. Episodes cover canine nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, dog communication, emotional healing, self-trust, personal growth, and finding real relief in the connection you have with your dog. Whether you're raising a reactive dog, feeling discouraged, or simply trying to better understand your dog and yourself, this podcast helps you create a calmer life together and strengthen the bond that changes both of you. We're now building to take this conversation on the road, bringing honest support directly to dog parents around the world.

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.