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

May 08, 2024Dog Parent Burnout: The Version Nobody Talks About Enough | Dog Training
Ever look around your home and realize life with your dog has slowly started revolving around management instead of actually feeling good to live in?
A lot of dog parents quietly reshape their entire lives around their dogs without even realizing it. Hobbies disappear, routines become rigid, homes feel harder to relax in, and everyday life starts revolving around preventing problems instead of creating enjoyment.
In this episode, Em sits down with Felicia for a grounded conversation about building a life that supports both dogs and the humans living alongside them. Together, they explore how thoughtful enrichment, calming routines, intentional spaces, and honoring your own interests can help dogs feel more settled without requiring you to give up the parts of yourself that matter too.
Because caring deeply for your dog shouldn’t mean losing your own joy in the process.
Listeners will hear:
why life with dogs can quietly start feeling emotionally restrictive
how simple enrichment and environmental changes help dogs settle more naturally
why creating balance for yourself also benefits your dog’s emotional well-being

Press play for a thoughtful conversation about dog life, enrichment, overwhelm, and creating a home that feels calmer, softer, and more sustainable for everyone in it.
Free Resources & Support
🐾 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://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow
📧 [email protected]
This podcast explores real life with dogs — including dog behavior, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, and dog training problems. It's for dog parents who feel overwhelmed navigating life with dogs and want a clearer understanding of their dog and a calmer daily life together. Episodes also cover dog nutrition, canine nutrition, pet nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, and dog communication — connecting behavior, health, and daily routines to help you better understand your dog and reduce stress. 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.
36 min
May 01, 2024The Perfect Dog Parent Pressure That's Hurting More People Than It Helps | Dog Training
Have you ever felt like everyone else has dog life figured out… while you’re still learning as you go?
Social media often makes life with dogs look polished, perfectly trained, and effortless. But real life with dogs is usually much messier — filled with chewed furniture, awkward learning curves, imperfect routines, funny quirks, and slowly growing connection over time.
In this episode, Em and Josh sit down with Veeta to talk about how bringing home a beagle named Habby completely changed her relationship with dogs, her confidence, and even the fear she carried from childhood after a traumatic experience with a dog.
Together, they explore the reality of dog parenting beyond performance and perfection: the emotional bond that grows through ordinary moments, the joy of simply existing alongside your dog, and why meaningful connection often matters more than “perfect” dog training.
Because sometimes the best parts of life with dogs are the least polished ones.
Listeners will learn:
why real life with dogs looks very different from social media perfection
how connection and consistency help build confidence for both dogs and dog parents
why dogs often change us emotionally in ways we never expected

Press play for a warm, honest conversation about dog parenting, imperfect progress, and the simple moments that make life with dogs feel meaningful.
Guest Info: Follow Veeta + Habby: @habbythebeagle
Free Resources & Support
🐾 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://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow
📧 [email protected]
This podcast explores real life with dogs — including dog behavior, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, and dog training problems. It's for dog parents who feel overwhelmed navigating life with dogs and want a clearer understanding of their dog and a calmer daily life together. Episodes also cover dog nutrition, canine nutrition, pet nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, and dog communication — connecting behavior, health, and daily routines to help you better understand your dog and reduce stress. 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.
44 min
April 24, 2024Your Dog Doesn't Need More Walks. They Need a Game They Can Actually Win | Dog Training
Ever feel like dog training has slowly turned into a checklist… and somewhere along the way, the connection and joy started disappearing?
A lot of dog parents assume that if their dog is still restless, distracted, reactive, or difficult to settle, the answer must be more walks, more structure, or more training. But for many dogs, constant activity without fulfillment can actually leave them feeling even more overstimulated and disconnected.
In this episode, Em sits down with Denise Fenzi to talk about how dog sports, play, and shared activities can change dog behavior in ways traditional training sometimes can’t. Together, they explore how rally, obedience, and other forms of structured engagement give dogs an outlet for focus, confidence, problem-solving, and emotional regulation — especially for dogs who struggle to fully settle in everyday life.
Because sometimes dogs don’t need more pressure.
They need meaningful ways to use their brains, build confidence, and connect with the people they trust.
Listeners will learn:
why walks and exercise alone don’t always meet a dog’s emotional and behavioral needs
how dog sports and structured play support confidence, focus, and nervous system regulation
why dog training feels lighter and more effective when dogs are fulfilled instead of overstimulated

Press play for a refreshing conversation about dog training, enrichment, and helping your dog feel calmer, more connected, and more fulfilled in everyday life.
Guest Info:
Instagram: @denise_fenzi🎥 TikTok: @denisefenzi
Explore Denise’s work: liinks.co/denise_fenzi
Free Resources & Support
🐾 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://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow
📧 [email protected]
This podcast explores real life with dogs — including dog behavior, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, and dog training problems. It's for dog parents who feel overwhelmed navigating life with dogs and want a clearer understanding of their dog and a calmer daily life together. Episodes also cover dog nutrition, canine nutrition, pet nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, and dog communication — connecting behavior, health, and daily routines to help you better understand your dog and reduce stress. 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.
56 min
April 17, 2024What Living With a Dog With Cancer Really Feels Like | Dog Health
Have you ever gotten difficult news about your dog… and suddenly felt like every single choice carried impossible weight?
A cancer diagnosis changes life with your dog in ways most pet parents never fully expect. Suddenly, food choices feel emotional, treatment decisions feel overwhelming, and even ordinary routines can start carrying fear, grief, and constant second-guessing.
In this episode, Em sits down with Alexis to talk honestly about what daily life actually looks like when caring for a dog with cancer. Together, they share Buster’s story, the emotional reality of navigating treatment, and the small ways nutrition, supplements, routine, and emotional support became part of helping him feel safe, comfortable, and cared for through uncertainty.
Because sometimes the goal isn’t fixing everything.
Sometimes it’s helping your dog feel loved while you walk through hard things together.
Listeners will learn:
how a dog cancer diagnosis affects both emotional well-being and daily routines
gentle ways nutrition and supportive care can help dogs during treatment
why “doing your best” matters more than achieving perfect answers

Press play for a compassionate conversation about dog cancer, caregiving, grief, and finding steadiness while supporting your dog through one of life’s hardest seasons.
Free Resources & Support
🐾 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
Is your dog's food actually working for them?
A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.
👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress
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
📧 [email protected]
This podcast explores real life with dogs — including dog behavior, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, and dog training problems. It's for dog parents who feel overwhelmed navigating life with dogs and want a clearer understanding of their dog and a calmer daily life together. Episodes also cover dog nutrition, canine nutrition, pet nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, and dog communication — connecting behavior, health, and daily routines to help you better understand your dog and reduce stress. 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.
38 min
April 10, 2024No Red Flags for Months. Then It Happened Three Times | Dog Behavior
Their second dog had passed every test for months.
Josh and Jenn's dog Odie had years of history with them. Artie was the new one, a shy rescue pulled from a hoarding situation, with no red flags in her foster home and no incidents when they first brought her in. For months, nothing happened. Then it did. Three times, months apart, with nothing connecting them that Josh, Jenn, or their trainer could ever pin down.
In this episode, Em talks with Josh and Jenn about what it was actually like to live inside that unknown, before, during, and after.
You'll hear:
What their trainer said when even he couldn't identify a pattern
What it was like calling around at 2am trying to find an emergency vet that would take them
What Josh and Jenn still don't know, even now

Press play if you've ever brought a new dog into a house with one already in it, and wondered what you couldn't see coming.
Guest Info:
Listen to Josh & Jenn’s Podcast: Graphically Novel
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.
53 min
April 03, 2024The More You Push Your Dog to Get Used to Things, the Harder It Can Get | Dog Training
Does dog training ever feel exhausting with your nervous or reactive dog… like every outing turns into management instead of connection?
A lot of dog parents are told their nervous dog just needs “more exposure” — more training, more socialization, more practice around triggers. But for many reactive dogs, constant exposure without emotional safety can create even more stress, shutdown, and overwhelm.
In this episode, Em and Josh sit down with April from A Tale of Heelers to talk about a different kind of dog training approach — one built around play, choice, enrichment, and helping dogs feel safe enough to learn.
Together, they explore how trick training, low-pressure structure, and relationship-based interactions can help reactive dogs build confidence and emotional regulation without turning training into a constant battle.
Because sometimes behavior improves most when dogs stop feeling like they’re constantly being pushed past their limits.
Listeners will learn:
why exposure alone doesn’t always improve reactive dog behavior
how play and enrichment support nervous system regulation during dog training
simple ways to help anxious or reactive dogs feel safer, calmer, and more connected

Press play for a refreshing conversation about reactive dog training, emotional safety, and helping your dog learn in ways that feel lighter for both of you.
Guest Info:
Instagram + TikTok: @ataleofheelers
Website: ataleofheelers.com/links
Trick Title Resources
• AKC Trick Dog Program
• Do More With Your Dog
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.
52 min
March 27, 2024The Treatment Saving This Dog’s Life Meant Months of Barely Letting Him Move | Dog Health
Have you ever brought a rescue dog home expecting life to finally calm down… only to discover the hardest part was still ahead of you?
Heartworm treatment can feel overwhelming for dog parents very quickly. Between strict activity restrictions, medical appointments, emotional stress, and trying to keep an energetic or anxious dog calm during recovery, many people quietly feel exhausted and unprepared.
In this episode, Em and Josh sit down with Molly to share Polo’s heartworm recovery story and the emotional reality of helping a rescue dog heal through months of treatment and confinement.
Together, they unpack how heartworm recovery affects more than the body — influencing nervous systems, dog behavior, stress levels, enrichment needs, and emotional well-being for both dogs and the people caring for them.
Because healing isn’t just medical.
It’s emotional too.
Listeners will learn:
what heartworm treatment and recovery actually look like day to day
how recovery restrictions can affect dog behavior, stress, and emotional regulation
practical ways enrichment, nutrition, and routine can help support healing

Press play for an honest conversation about rescue dogs, heartworm recovery, and how to support your dog through one of the most emotionally challenging healing processes many pet parents never expect.
Guest Info:
Follow Molly & Polo: @polothepittie (Instagram + TikTok)
Learn more about heartworm disease: heartwormsociety.org
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.
50 min
March 20, 2024A Friendly Dog Can Spend Years in a Shelter and Still Not Make It Out | Rescue Dog
Have you ever wondered how a friendly, loving dog can spend years in a shelter… and still run out of time?
A lot of dog parents don’t realize what long-term shelter life actually does to dogs. The noise, confinement, chronic stress, isolation, and constant overstimulation can slowly change behavior over time — even in dogs who were once social, trusting, and easy to handle.
In this episode, Em sits down with Bridget from Wild Wolfe Pack Treats to talk about the emotional reality of rescue work, shelter advocacy, and the heartbreaking pattern happening inside overcrowded shelters every day. Together, they unpack kennel stress, institutionalization, fostering, long-stay dogs, and why some dogs deteriorate emotionally simply because they never got the chance to decompress outside the shelter environment.
Because sometimes what gets labeled a “behavior problem” is actually survival, fear, overwhelm, or years without stability.
Listeners will learn:
how long-term shelter stress changes dog behavior and emotional regulation
why fostering and decompression can completely transform rescue dogs
realistic ways everyday dog parents can support shelters, advocacy, and long-stay dogs

Press play for an honest conversation about rescue dogs, shelter stress, dog behavior, and the small acts of advocacy that can completely change a dog’s future.
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.
54 min
March 13, 2024The First Weeks of a Dog’s Life Can Follow Them for Years | Rescue Dog
Have you ever felt like your rescue dog was struggling long before they ever came home to you?
A lot of dog parents blame themselves when their dog seems fearful, reactive, shut down, or unable to settle — especially when training and love don’t seem to “fix” things the way they expected.
But for many dogs, the struggle started much earlier.
In this episode, Em sits down with Ashley from Flag The Breeders to talk about how backyard breeding, poor early environments, and chronic stress shape dog behavior long before adoption ever happens. Together, they unpack how trauma affects the nervous system, why early experiences matter so deeply, and what compassionate support actually looks like for dogs who never had a safe start in life.
Because behavior doesn’t happen in isolation.
And many rescue dogs are carrying experiences their new families never got to witness.
Listeners will learn:
how early trauma and poor breeding conditions affect dog behavior long-term
why rescue dogs may struggle with fear, shutdown, anxiety, or reactivity
how understanding the nervous system helps dog parents replace guilt with compassion

Press play for an honest conversation about rescue dogs, trauma, and the deeper behavioral struggles that often begin long before adoption.
Guest Info: Instagram: @flagthebreeders
Petition: Stop breeder + stud listings on Craigslist [Sign Now]
Find rescues near you: petfinder.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.
This podcast explores real life with dogs — including dog behavior, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, and dog training problems. It's for dog parents who feel overwhelmed navigating life with dogs and want a clearer understanding of their dog and a calmer daily life together. Episodes also cover dog nutrition, canine nutrition, pet nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, and dog communication — connecting behavior, health, and daily routines to help you better understand your dog and reduce stress. 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.
48 min
March 06, 2024A Dog Who Won't Settle Might Not Have a Behavior Problem at All | Dog Training
Here's the description, pulling the transcript's real specifics (the traffic jam analogy, the working Malinois example, Fitz going from climbing all over her to "flat pancake" on the couch):
A dog who won't settle might not have a behavior problem at all.
You've tried the training, the routines, the management. Maybe it's helped some. But your dog still can't fully relax, still seems restless, still can't quite come down off high alert. What if the missing piece isn't more training, but what's happening inside their body?
In this episode, Em talks with Tanisha from Pet Matrix about how gut health, inflammation, and nervous system support can affect a dog's ability to settle in ways training alone can't touch. They get into a working Malinois who regained physical capacity in a week once his internal support caught up with his training, and how Fitz went from climbing all over Em during a call to completely relaxed on the couch.
You'll hear:
Why a dog can be well trained and still struggle to settle or regulate
How gut health and inflammation show up as restlessness, anxiety, or discomfort
What it actually looks like to support a dog's body alongside their training

Press play if your dog seems stuck no matter how much training you've put in, and you're ready to look at what else might be going on.
🐾 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.
47 min