The Resident Wild

As we prepare for Season Two of The Resident Wild, we're revisiting one of our most important conversations.

Shaun Ellis has spent years living and working alongside both wild and captive wolves. In this extraordinary episode, he shares his experience of spending two and a half years living with a family of wild wolves in America.

This experience, and the understanding that came from it, forms the very foundation of the work Kim and Neri do today.

It's a story that challenges long-held beliefs about wolves and opens the door to a completely different understanding of our dogs.

Whether you're hearing Shaun's story for the first time or returning for another listen, this is an episode worth revisiting.

🐺 The Resident Wild — Understanding dogs through what wolves really teach us.

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For our Season One finale, we're throwing out the usual format. No listener question, no Advice Given Online, no Debunk a Myth—just Kim and Neri having a relaxed (and possibly slightly chaotic) chat about the first season of The Resident Wild.

We're looking back at our favourite conversations, guests, myths, ridiculous online advice and what 25 episodes have taught us.

But more importantly… what's next?

We're revealing some big changes for Season Two, including Real Dogs, Real People, new rotating segments and a much bigger role for you—the listeners.

🎙️ We want to hear your voices! You'll now be able to send us WhatsApp voice messages with your dog questions, stories and experiences, with the chance to hear yourself on the podcast.

And because it's the finale, Speak English Proper ends Season One with possibly the most Australian expression we've had yet. 🇦🇺🇬🇧

Twenty-five episodes down. Season Two is going to be a little different…

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This week, Kim and Neri tackle six listener questions exploring the little behaviours that can tell us so much about our dogs.

From greetings, affection and mysterious shake-offs to a dog who suddenly refuses to move, this episode is all about understanding what our dogs might really be communicating.

And in Speak English Proper, things get wonderfully confusing as we discover what everyone calls the end of a loaf of bread—and attempt to explain the very Australian expressions "yeah nah" and "nah yeah"!

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This week, Kim and Neri are talking all things humping, looking beyond the obvious explanations to explore what might actually be happening for the individual dog.

In Advice Given Online, they tackle the claim that a reactive dog simply hasn't seen enough other dogs. Does a dog struggling around other dogs really need more exposure—or could that make things worse?

Then, in Debunk a Myth, it's the idea that dogs are naturally conflict avoidant. This conversation takes things back to the true nature of wolves and challenges some of the outdated ideas about wolf behaviour that are still influencing how we understand dogs today.

Plus, Speak English Proper returns for another round of Australia versus England.

Listener question 4:18

Advice given online 24:30

Debunk a myth 31.18

Speak english proper 39.58

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This week, Kim and Neri answer a listener question about a Kelpie displaying exactly these behaviours and explore what might be happening beneath the surface.

In Advice Given Online, they tackle the familiar idea that your dog should sit and wait while you eat first to reinforce who's in charge. Where did this thinking come from, and does it actually make sense to the dog?

Then, in Debunk a Myth, they ask what a dog is really communicating when they roll onto their back and expose their belly. Is it always an invitation for a belly rub?

And Speak English Proper returns for another round of Australia versus England.

🐾 Because when we stop asking, "How do I stop this behaviour?" and start asking, "What is my dog trying to tell me?", everything begins to change.

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Why does your dog constantly eat grass when there's seemingly nothing medically wrong?

This week, Kim and Neri explore what else might be behind this surprisingly common behaviour and why, as always, it's worth looking a little deeper.

In Advice Given Online, they're talking puppy mouthing and biting—why puppies do it and whether some of the advice we're given actually addresses what's happening underneath.

Then, in Debunk a Myth, they tackle the belief that dogs protect their humans simply because they love them. It's a lovely idea—but there's a lot more to unpack.

And Speak English Proper returns with another Australian-versus-English translation that leaves one side wondering what on earth the other is talking about.

🐾 Because when we stop asking, "How do I stop this behaviour?" and start asking, "What is my dog trying to tell me?", everything begins to change.

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This week, Kim and Neri answer a listener question about a rescue dog who strongly objects to anyone touching their paws. They explore what's happening beneath that reaction and why forcing our way through fear isn't necessarily the answer.

In Advice Given Online, they unpack some interesting puppy-picking advice: choose the puppy hiding away from the others because they'll be the quiet, easy one. But what might that behaviour actually be telling us?

Then, in Debunk a Myth, they tackle the belief that dogs will simply grow out of being frightened of something.

And Speak English Proper returns for another Australian-versus-English showdown.

🐾 Because when we stop asking, "How do I stop this behaviour?" and start asking, "What is my dog trying to tell me?", everything begins to change.

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This week, Kim and Neri answer a listener question about dogs sharing their lives with cats. While neither claims to be a cat behaviour specialist, it leads to a fascinating discussion about relationships between species, individual differences and understanding the dog in front of us.

In Advice Given Online, they unpack the advice that dogs shouldn't be allowed to scratch the ground after peeing or pooing. Why do dogs actually do it, and are we misunderstanding yet another perfectly natural behaviour?

Then, in Debunk a Myth, they tackle the enormous statement that "dogs always want to please us." What does that even mean—and is pleasing us really what motivates our dogs?

And Speak English Proper returns with one that takes the conversation somewhere rather unexpected...

🐾 Because when we stop asking, "How do I stop this behaviour?" and start asking, "What is my dog trying to tell me?", everything begins to change.

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This week, Kim and Neri are joined by Saskia from the Netherlands, a veterinarian who has been learning the Wolfie Way, to answer a listener question about a dog who really struggles with veterinary visits.

Together, they explore what the experience can look like from the dog's perspective, why some dogs find the veterinary environment so difficult, and how understanding their emotional experience can change the way we approach their care.

In Debunk a Myth, Saskia joins the conversation about the belief that some breeds simply can't be trusted, leading to a fascinating discussion about genetics, breed and why we still need to understand the individual dog in front of us.

And Speak English Proper gets an international upgrade this week—with Australia, England and the Netherlands all represented!

listener question 2:02

Debunk a myth 34:04

speak english Proper 40:57

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This week, Kim and Neri answer a heartfelt listener question about why dogs sometimes naturally gravitate towards one person in the household—and why it really isn't personal.

In Advice Given Online, we challenge the idea that "a tired dog is a happy dog" and that exercise can fix behavioural problems. In Debunk a Myth, we ask whether dogs really need another dog to be happy.

And Speak English Proper returns with a very ordinary piece of equipment that apparently has a completely different name depending on which side of the world you're standing!

🐾 Because when we stop asking, "How do I stop this behaviour?" and start asking, "What is my dog trying to tell me?", everything begins to change.

listener question - 2:33

advice online-14.31

debunk a myth - 26.09

Speak english proper - 28.12

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