What if the most powerful dog training lessons came from the last place you’d expect—inside a prison?

In this deeply moving episode, Em sits down with Mattison Skoog-Simpson, founder of Freed By Training, to share what she learned from working inside a prison dog program. This is about more than obedience—it’s about building trust, emotional healing, and training that meets both dogs and humans with compassion and grace.

In this episode:

• Learn how prison dog programs foster trust-based training for lasting results

• Discover why connection > control in both reactive dog parenting and self-leadership

• Get inspired to shift from shame or guilt into partnership, empathy, and emotional healing

Press play to explore a powerful reframe on dog training—one rooted in second chances, slower timelines, and deeper trust.

👉 Connect with Mattison + get free resources:

Instagram: @freedbytraining

Website: freedbytraining.co

Straight Up Dog Talk Extras:

Get a free copy of Feeding without Fear for mealtime manners

https://tinyurl.com/fearfreetdwafm

Book a FREE 15-minute call with Em

https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

Email [email protected] to get in touch with Em

This podcast explores life with dogs and life with pets, focusing on the dog–human bond and what it truly takes to bond with your dog through dog enrichment, behavior guidance, dog reactivity support, reactivity awareness, reactive dogs, reactive dog training, calming reactive dogs, dog training, dog training tips, training rescue dogs, pet training, dog obedience, dog behavior, dog behaviour, dog socialization, dog barking, dog habits, dog health, dog life, dog myths, and positive reinforcement for all dogs — rescue dogs, velcro dogs, anxious dogs, reactive dogs, high-energy dogs, big-feeling dogs, and family pets. Hosted by a canine nutritionist, nutrition coach, dog coach, dog coaching specialist, and retired vet tech, each episode covers dog food, canine enrichment, dog training, dog nutrition, canine nutrition, dog gut health, dog grief, dog products, and science-backed routines that help dogs feel safer, healthier, calmer, and more understood. You’ll discover practical steps, enrichment ideas, behavior strategies, and daily habits to support any dog and create a more confident, connected life with dogs.