No, your dog didn’t mastermind an Ocean’s Eleven-style breakout because they hate you. They dipped because you forgot to latch the gate—again. In this episode, we’re tackling lost pet prevention like your sanity depends on it (because it kinda does). Bruce shares his best Houdini impressions, we break down why July 4th is a full-blown anxiety fest for dogs, and you’ll walk away with panic-proofing tips that actually work. Spoiler: it’s not just yelling “STAY!” into the void.

Whether you’ve got a runner, a bolter, or a fence-hopper with Olympic dreams, this one’s for you. Let’s keep those paws on your porch and out of the neighbor’s pool.

Topics We’re Digging Into:
✅ Why dogs run (and no, it’s not revenge)
✅ July 4th pet chaos 101
✅ Lost Pet Prevention Month tips
✅ Bruce’s epic escape story (ft. mud, chaos, and regret)
✅ How to prep like the over-caffeinated control freak you should be

It’s Dog Party Day and National Dachshund Day, so naturally someone out there is planning a bouncy house, cake, and 12 dog “friends” their pup barely tolerates.

Let me stop you right there.

In Episode 9 of Your Dog Isn’t Broken, we’re unpacking the difference between joyful celebration and canine overstimulation — because your dog doesn’t want to be the guest of honor at your Pinterest disaster. They want to sniff something interesting and go home.

Just because it’s cute doesn’t mean it’s kind.
Let’s throw out the hats and build peace, not pressure.

Listen if:

• You’ve ever planned a party your dog actively hated

• You’re not sure if your dog enjoys group play or just survives it

• You’ve felt guilty for not throwing your rescue dog a “gotcha day bash”

• You need permission to do less — and do it better

In this episode:

• Why not all dogs want social gatherings (and that’s okay)

• What dog joy actually looks like — hint: it’s not party favors

• How to celebrate without creating anxiety

• A little shade at the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest (because yeah, we went there)

🎧 Listen now on Spotify
📚 Bruce’s Book is the only party favor you need
📲 Follow @brucebannersmash for judgmental party commentary and behavioral brilliance

Ah yes, Take Your Pet to Work Week — that magical time when humans drag their dogs into fluorescent-lit offices filled with loud voices, weird smells, and absolutely zero escape routes.

In this episode of Your Dog Isn’t Broken, we’re unpacking the chaos that happens when people mistake novelty for socialization and call it enrichment. Spoiler: your dog doesn’t want to sit through your Zoom call, Karen. They want to nap in a quiet room where the floor isn’t slippery and Brenda from accounting isn’t squealing “who’s a good boy” every 6 minutes.

We also nod to Garfield the Cat Day, because honestly? Garfield had it right: stay home, avoid Mondays, and bite when provoked.

Listen if:

• You’ve brought your dog somewhere they weren’t ready for

• You think “he’s fine at home, so he’ll be fine at work”

• You need permission to just not take your dog everywhere

• You want to prepare your dog for public spaces without frying their brain

What you’ll learn:

• How to prep your dog for chaotic spaces (and when to just say no)

• Why “friendly” doesn’t mean “appropriate for every environment”

• What office overstimulation looks like (and how to spot it before the meltdown)

• Why forced “fun” leads to long-term stress behavior

• And how to recognize when your dog wants to stay home like a furry little Garfield

🎧 Listen to the episode
📚 Bruce’s Book is still judging you — available now
📲 Follow @brucebannersmash for zero productivity, 100% snark

You want your dog to be confident, social, chill, adaptable — basically a furry therapist who also looks great in group photos?

Cool.
Then stop throwing them into overwhelming chaos and calling it “socialization.”

In this episode of Your Dog Isn’t Broken, we talk about what confidence actually is (spoiler: it’s not tolerance), why overexposure is not training, and how to build up your dog’s bravery without accidentally frying their nervous system.

We also shout out Pet Remembrance Day and National Dog Dad Day — because let’s be real, grief and growth usually show up holding paws.

Listen if:

• You’re trying to “socialize” a shy dog and it’s backfiring

• You’ve ever said “he’ll get used to it” and regretted it

• You want to stop confusing exposure with progress

• You’re grieving one dog while training another

Mentioned in this episode:

• How we build real confidence in Foster the Chaos

• What decompression actually looks like

• How grief affects your training more than you think

• Bruce’s approach to bravery: lean in, sniff everything, ignore the humans

🎧 Listen on Spotify
📚 Grab Bruce’s Book — part gospel, part snark manual
📲 Follow @brucebannersmash for judgmental wisdom and toe beans

Think your dog is “just being stubborn”? Nah. You’re probably just boring.

In this episode, Shannon breaks down the cold, chewy truth about attention, engagement, and why your dog might be ghosting your recall like it’s a bad Tinder match. From misused cues to underwhelming rewards, we’re tackling the myth that your dog is ignoring you out of spite — and replacing it with real-world tools that actually work.

Because stubbornness isn’t a behavior problem.
It’s a motivation problem.
And if your dog isn’t paying attention?
That’s your cue to get more interesting.

Whether your dog pretends not to hear you at the park or just stares through your soul when you say “come,” this episode is your sassy, practical wake-up call.

Listen if:

• You’re tired of yelling “COME!” to no avail

• You’ve ever blamed your dog when the real issue was your treat game

• You need a kick in the leash about building value in your relationship

Today on Your Dog Isn’t Broken, we’re smashing myths about training, talking about why I build custom commands for all my dogs (and why you should too), and dropping real-world tips for National Pet Preparedness Month. 🐾💥

If you think love alone is enough to save your dog in a crisis — this is your Come-to-Squirrel Moment.
Custom commands, calm walk breaks, real recall training, and pet emergency readiness — all in 20 minutes of straight fire.

🐾 Grab your Training Truth Bombs, books, and merch here:
https://squirrrelknowsdogs.com/books-merch/

🐿️ Catch new Training Truth Bombs weekly on the blog:
https://squirrrelknowsdogs.com/your-dog-isnt-broken-blog/

Because training isn’t optional when lives are on the line. 🔥

#YourDogIsntBroken #TrainingTruthBombs #PetPreparedness #CustomCommands #ControlledChaos

We’re talking about how real dog training doesn’t happen on the "perfect walk" or the fancy IG posts — it happens in the boring, quiet, gritty moments.
👉 Why doing nothing is doing something.
👉 Why mental exercise matters more than just steps.
👉 Why Bruce doesn’t do Fancy Dog — he does Functional Dog.
👉 Why poop bags, grit, and Tony Stark energy built this empire.

Dogs aren’t broken.
The system is.
And we’re flipping the whole damn thing upside down.

🐾 Check out the books, merch, and movement:
https://squirrrelknowsdogs.com/books-merch/

🐿️ Catch new Training Truth Bombs every week on the blog:
https://squirrrelknowsdogs.com/your-dog-isnt-broken-blog/

Ready to build legends? Let’s go. 🔥

#YourDogIsntBroken #TrainingTruthBombs #ControlledChaos #SpeakDogNotCommands

If your dog’s "bad behavior" has you ready to fake your own death and move to another country...
maybe it’s not your dog.
Maybe it’s the crap advice you were given.

Today on Your Dog Isn’t Broken, we’re lighting up the biggest dog training myths like a bonfire at a squirrel convention. 🐿️💣

🚫 "Your dog’s just being stubborn."
🚫 "Positive training means no rules."
🚫 "Growling is bad!"
🚫 "Old dogs can’t learn."
🚫 "Rescue dogs are hopeless."

👊 Get ready for real Training Truth Bombs — the kind that save relationships, restore trust, and actually make your dog (and your life) better.

If you're tired of feeling like you're failing your dog, this one's for you.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!

Blog

Can I Pet That Dog?!

Today, we’re having a serious Come-to-Squirrel Moment about why your dog deserves better than random TikTok tricks and half-baked "training hacks." 🐾

You’ll get a sneak peek (and I mean just a sample platter, not the whole damn cow) of the classes and training I offer — designed to actually teach you to speak dog instead of just barking commands into the void.

We’re talking:

• How real training starts with communication, not domination

• Why my classes like Straight Outta Pound Town and Foster the Chaos are built differently (because your dog isn't broken — the system is)

• Why cookie-cutter training fails real-life dogs

• How YOU can become the leader your dog deserves (hint: it’s not about alpha rolling your dog onto their back, Karen)

PLUS — at the end, I’m plugging something close to my heart:
Can I Pet That Dog? — my new book campaign to get real dog consent education into schools, homes, and tiny human brains before the ER visits start stacking up.

🐿️ Want to learn more? Grab your copy or sponsor a classroom here:

Kickstarter🐾 Want to join the training chaos? Check out my current classes:Squirrel Knows Dogs

Your dog isn't broken.
They’re just waiting for you to finally listen.

Let’s Have a Come-to-Squirrel Moment, Shall We?

Your Dog Isn’t Broken is the Come-to-Squirrel Moment you didn’t know you desperately needed.
Hosted by Shannon — veteran dog trainer, service dog handler, and professional translator of "woofs" into words — this podcast flips the tired old "dog training" world on its head.

If you're sick of outdated dominance tactics, empty treat bribes, and internet randos diagnosing your dog after a 10-second video clip...
Welcome home, friend.

This show isn’t about forcing dogs to behave.
It’s about teaching YOU to finally speak dog.
To listen. To lead. To be the human your dog actually deserves.

Each week, you'll get:

• Straight-up real talk (with a side of snark)

• Stories from 20+ years working inside the dog world trenches

• Lessons from training her own service dog, Bruce the Legend

• Mission moments: getting real education into schools, kids’ hands, and communities to create lasting change

Dogs aren’t stubborn.
Dogs aren’t broken.
They’re just trying to survive a world that doesn’t speak their language — yet.
Let’s fix that. Together.

Pull up a chair. Bring your leash.
And let’s have a Come-to-Squirrel Moment, shall we?