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

Have you ever stood in the pet store aisle staring at rows of supplements… wondering if any of them actually do anything for your dog?

When your dog is struggling with digestion, low energy, or ongoing health issues, it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly adding one more powder, one more chew, one more “maybe this will help.” And somehow it still feels confusing, expensive, and uncertain — like you’re trying everything without real clarity.

In this episode, Em sits down with Tannisha from PetMatRx to slow the conversation down and talk through what gut health really means for dogs, why absorption matters more than hype, and how small, thoughtful changes to nutrition can support steadier energy, better digestion, and overall wellness. Instead of chasing trends, they focus on understanding your dog’s body and choosing support that actually makes sense.

Press play if you’re ready to feel less overwhelmed — and more confident about what your dog truly needs.

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

This episode is POWERED by 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 💛

Six to eight months. That's the number a vet gave for how long this senior dog had left.

Kailynn joins Em to talk about Pippa, a senior pit mix she began fostering intending it to be short-term, only to learn a month in that Pippa had stage three mammary cancer with that six-to-eight-month prognosis. Kailynn adopted her anyway, tried chemotherapy, and eventually stopped treatment to focus on quality of life instead. Rather than waiting for an ending, she built Pippa a bucket list: the beach, a doggy donut shop, a group hike, and Pippa is now over two years past that original number, still checking things off.

You'll hear:

• How Kailynn decided treatment wasn't worth it anymore, using a daily symptom journal instead of guesswork
• What actually went on Pippa's bucket list, and why the last item was timed to a specific date on purpose
• What changes when you stop waiting for the bad day and start building good ones instead

Press play if you've ever caught yourself planning for the worst instead of living in the time you actually have.

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

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

🐾 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.

She didn't grow up loving dogs. She grew up afraid of them, bitten as a kid, then attacked twice while serving abroad. When her husband finally asked for a dog, she didn't pick one out of love. She researched breeds like a spreadsheet: low-shedding, high energy, good with future kids.

In this episode, Em and Josh sit down with Kenzie to talk about her Vizsla, Dobby, the dog she picked for practical reasons and ended up completely obsessed with. From potty training to a half marathon they ran together on a leash tied around her waist, she shares how a dog she never expected to want became her best friend and her running partner.

You'll hear:

• How she chose a breed based on lifestyle fit long before she ever wanted a dog
• What it actually took to meet a high-energy Vizsla's needs day to day
• How a practical decision turned into the kind of bond she never saw coming

Press play if you've ever assumed you weren't a "dog person," or wondered whether the right dog could change that.

🐾 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 lost a dog… and felt like everything quietly fell apart afterward — not just your heart, but your whole day-to-day life?

The walks stop feeling the same. The house feels too quiet. The routines you built around them disappear overnight. Even training, enrichment, and the simple rhythm of caring for another living being can suddenly feel heavy or impossible. And while the world expects you to move on, you’re still trying to figure out how to exist without them.

In this episode, Em sits down with certified grief counselor Beth Bigler to talk about the parts of pet loss people rarely name — the guilt, the identity shift, the way grief shows up in your habits, your nervous system, and your relationship with dogs moving forward. Together, they hold space for the messy, human side of loving deeply and losing deeply, while offering steady, compassionate guidance so you don’t have to carry it alone.

Press play if you need a gentle place to land while your heart catches up.

Guest Info:

Grief resources: honoringouranimals.com/resources

Instagram: @honoringouranimals

Sponsored by Honoring Our Animals

Explore grief support → honoringouranimals.com/resources

Free Resources & Support

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 💛

Have you ever felt torn between what you’ve been told is “right” for dogs… and what your own dog actually seems to need?

The dog park gets a lot of strong opinions. Too chaotic. Too risky. Not “real training.” And for some dogs, that’s absolutely true. But for others, those messy, everyday spaces can become something surprisingly supportive.

In this episode, Em and Josh sit down with Tanya to talk about her rescue dog, Barney, and how regular dog park visits slowly became part of their healing and confidence-building journey after grief. Not because the park was magic — but because she learned to watch him, follow his cues, and do what felt right for the dog in front of her. Those real-life moments built trust, social comfort, and connection in ways no strict plan ever could.

Press play if you need the reminder that there isn’t one “right” path — just the one that helps your dog feel safe and understood.

Free Resources & Support

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 💛

Have you ever loved a dog so deeply that losing them changed who you are?

Not just sadness…

but the quiet emptiness in the house,

the missing routine,

the way your body still listens for paws that aren’t there anymore.

Losing a dog isn’t only grief — it’s a shift in identity, in daily life, in the way you move through the world. And yet, it’s something so many dog parents feel like they’re supposed to handle quietly.

In this episode, Em sits down with therapist and author Douglas Green to talk about the life — and loss — of his heart dog, Shirelle. Together, they reflect on how dogs carry us through depression, loneliness, and life’s hardest seasons, and how grief, guilt, gratitude, and love often exist side by side. It’s an honest conversation about what it really means to bond with a dog so deeply that their absence still shapes you long after they’re gone.

Press play if you need a gentle reminder that your grief makes sense — and you’re not alone in it.

Guest Info:

Order the book: The Teachings of Shirelle🐶

Ask Shirelle for advice: askshirelle.com

Instagram: @douggreenauthor

Free Resources & Support

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 💛

You met the puppy. You met the parents. That still doesn't tell you what actually matters.

Ethical breeder Carly from Dare to Dream Dolls joins Em to break down what she checks that most buyers never think to ask about, starting with the time she paid over $6,000 for a breeding pair advertised as health tested and found their certification records didn't exist at all. Carly and Em get into OFA testing, how a single litter can legally have two different fathers, and the difference between a breeder who screens buyers and one who just wants the deposit.

You'll hear:

• The one certification most buyers assume exists and never actually check
• Why a mother dog can carry puppies from two different fathers in the same litter
• Carly's top three things to look for before you commit to any breeder

Press play if you're thinking about buying from a breeder and want to know what you should actually be checking before you do.

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

🐾 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.

Still feel like you're doing everything right and your dog is still restless, wired, or bouncing off the walls by dinner?

The walks are happening. The training sessions are happening. And somehow everyone still ends up tired and frustrated.

It's easy to assume your dog needs more exercise or more discipline. But often what they're really missing is something quieter: mental stimulation, choice, and the chance to use their brain in a way that actually feels satisfying.

In this episode, Em breaks down what enrichment really means and why it's not a bonus or a luxury, it's a core part of behavior support. Through simple, everyday examples, she shares how small shifts in routine can lower stress, improve focus, and help both you and your dog feel more settled and connected.

Press play if you're ready for your days to feel calmer, easier, and more in sync, without adding more to your plate.

Guest Info:

Instagram: @mindgameofthemonth

Sponsored by Mind Game of the Month

Get a BONUS gift with code thedogwhoaskedformore → mindgameofthemonth.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

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

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 look back at how you used to train your dog… and wish you’d done things differently?

Maybe you followed advice that didn’t feel right.

Maybe you pushed too hard.

Maybe you just didn’t know what you know now.

And instead of feeling proud of how far you’ve come, you feel guilty.

But growth doesn’t mean you failed.

It means you were paying attention.

In this episode, Em reconnects with Angie from Pack Leaders Dog Training to reflect on the early days of working with Fitz and how their approach to dog training and behavior has shifted over time. Together, they talk honestly about learning curves, changing methods, letting go of shame, and what happens when you stop chasing “perfect” training and start listening to the dog in front of you.

Press play if you’ve ever second-guessed your past choices and need the reminder that evolving as a dog parent isn’t something to regret—it’s proof that you care.

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.

Have you ever seen a dog in a service vest and quietly wondered… is that dog actually trained?

Most people don’t mean harm.

They just don’t know the difference.

But when untrained dogs are passed off as service dogs, the consequences aren’t small.

It puts real service dogs at risk.

It makes public spaces harder and more stressful for disabled handlers.

And it can undo years of careful behavior training in a single moment.

In this episode, Em sits down with Jaime, a disability advocate and experienced service dog handler, to talk about what real service dog work actually looks like day to day. Together, they share the behind-the-scenes reality of task training, public access, and the emotional toll of constantly navigating misunderstandings—plus why fake service dogs make an already challenging life even harder.

Press play if you want to better understand service dogs, advocate with confidence, and help create safer, more respectful spaces for the people and dogs who truly rely on them.

Guest Info:

Instagram: @embracingecho

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 💛