Recorded by a crackling campfire in Montana's bear country, this episode pulls back the curtain on what it truly means to live with working dogs. Meg is joined by dog trainers Thoma and Lex (who recently welcomed a Malinois puppy into her life) for an unfiltered conversation about the expectations versus reality of high-drive dogs. Have you ever wondered why some dogs seem impossible to settle or why your "reactive" dog behaves so differently from other dogs of the same breed? The answer mig...

Ever wondered if you're using an e-collar correctly with your dog? Meg pulls back the curtain on this powerful training tool, revealing insights that even seasoned trainers might be missing. Meg takes us deep into the two essential phases of e-collar conditioning—escape and avoidance—and explains why most trainers and owners get stuck in the first phase for far too long. This simple mistake creates dogs who only respond when the e-collar is activated rather than understanding commands indepe...

Ever wondered what it really takes to build a successful pet business in today's digital landscape? This candid conversation with Celine, the creative force behind WulfSnacks and multiple 100K+ social media accounts, and dog trainer Shane Murray pulls back the curtain on the messy, challenging, and ultimately rewarding journey of pet industry entrepreneurship. Celine shares her unexpected path from aspiring veterinarian to pet influencer and business owner, revealing the moment during COVID ...

Have you ever felt like you and your dog are speaking completely different languages? You're not alone. Communication barriers are the root cause of most training frustrations, but there's a solution that transforms even the most challenging relationships. In this illuminating episode, I break down the five essential communication systems that create crystal-clear understanding between dogs and humans. Drawing from years of experience with both everyday pets and complex behavioral cases, I r...

Dog trainers Meg and Thoma tackle your most pressing canine questions in this comprehensive Q&A episode packed with practical solutions for common behavioral challenges. When it comes to getting dogs to truly settle down, they reveal why constant food rewards often backfire, creating dogs that stare intensely rather than genuinely relax. Their tethering approach offers a refreshingly different alternative to the overused "place" command, allowing dogs to find calm on their own terms with...

There's something magical that happens when we allow ourselves and our dogs to escape the constraints of urban living. This episode takes you along on our adventure to Yosemite and the surrounding wilderness, where unexpected encounters became transformative experiences. Our journey began dramatically when we spotted a wildfire starting on BLM land. After reporting it, we continued deeper into the wilderness, where fate led us to a private lakeside property. Instead of being turned away, we ...

What does 25 years of dog training experience teach you? Stephanie O'Brien, owner of Dog Genius Canine Education, takes us on a fascinating journey through her evolution as a trainer—from growing up raising guide dogs to becoming an expert in protection sports. Stephanie's story offers a rare glimpse into how dog training has transformed over decades. Before YouTube tutorials and Instagram influencers existed, trainers learned through direct mentorship, VHS tapes shipped from Europe, and tra...

The journey from reactive, anxious dog to confident companion isn't always straightforward. In this follow-up session, we check in with a client who's been implementing changes to address her dog's separation anxiety, reactivity issues, and their overly-structured relationship. What happens when we stop micromanaging our dogs and instead give them opportunities to make good choices? The transformation can be remarkable. We explore how to balance freedom with boundaries by allowing dogs space...

Lex shares her transformation from dog owner to professional trainer, sparked by her journey with her reactive German Shepherd, Koda. What began as a challenging adoption—complete with a parvo diagnosis and costly medical bills—evolved into a career-defining experience that taught her invaluable lessons about balanced training approaches. • Adopting Koda as an eight-week-old puppy during COVID, only to face immediate health challenges including parvo and hip problems • How a traumatic dog pa...

Meg shares the terrifying experience of her puppy Muffin accidentally ingesting marijuana at a park and the emergency vet visit that followed, then opens up the conversation to listener stories about scary incidents with their dogs. • Collar dangers emerge as a common hazard, with multiple stories of dogs choking when collars become caught during play or in crate wires • Breakaway collars and removing collars during unsupervised time can prevent these dangerous situations • "He's friendly" d...