Enlightened By Dogs: Living with Cooperation, Not Obedience

Latest Episodes:

EBD137 Handling Leash Reactivity the Partnership Way Dec 28, 2020

Show notes

Is your dog reactive on the leash? Maybe your dog hates being on the leash and won't even let you put it on. Or, perhaps your dog pulls on the leash and lunges towards other dogs, moving objects, or other people. Whatever the case, your dog is not a fan of the leash and will do just about anything to avoid it!

If any of this sounds familiar, this is the episode for you! Kathy has met hundreds (if not thousands) of dog moms through the years who have dealt with this frustrating issue. The good news is that there are ways to calm a reactive dog, and inside the Brilliant Partners Academy, Kathy teaches 'the partnership way' to handle leash reactivity.

In this episode, Kathy shares some of her best advice for dog moms struggling with leash reactivity using tried and tested partnership principles! You'll also hear a segment from a real-life coaching session that Kathy did with a BPA member struggling with a very leash-reactive dog.

Enjoy!

In this episode:

How to react when a strange dog approaches your dog
Why you should create a protective bubble for you and your dog
The importance of staying connected to your dog during stressful situations
How remaining safe, calm, and happy can help build your dog's trust
Why you should try to prepare and prevent incidents from happening

Read the blog post on this topic.

Quotes:

"Have the intention of putting you and your dog inside of a protective bubble."

"Be present, calm and attentive to how your dog feels."

"We make decisions based on what we know to be true today with our dog."

"You don't need to try to fake it, be honest with your dog."

Want More of Kathy?

To read the blog post on this topic and to explore other episodes, click here.

EBD136 The Struggle Is Real Dec 21, 2020

Show notes

If you're struggling with your dog, you're not alone. We all have good days and bad days with our dogs. Sometimes, our dogs wear invisible halos and act like angels for the entire day. Other times, our dogs turn into rebels who would rather do their own thing than listen to our commands.

Experiencing life with a dog comes with its ups and downs. There is a lot of joy, fun, and adventure that comes with sharing your life with a dog. On the other hand, there can be struggles and challenges too. In those moments, it can feel like your dog has turned into a problem child, and you're left feeling exhausted and frustrated.

However, all of those struggles you experience with your dog can help you both to grow closer as brilliant partners. Kathy believes that all of the experiences (both the good and bad) she has shared with her dogs have helped make her a better person. This is something that she talks about further in this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, where you'll hear how Kathy and her Border Collie Luke grew together as partners. You'll also find out how you can work on turning struggles into triumphs so that you can enjoy every single moment of life with your dog!

In this episode:

Why it's important to acquire profound knowledge and understanding about your dog
How Luke and Kathy became brilliant partners
5 tips to help you build a brilliant partnership with your dog

Read the blog post on this topic.

Quotes:

"Both partners get to shine as their brilliant selves, while they shine together in partnership"

"We're learning how to be partners together as partners"

"I'm both humbled and proud of our accomplishment as partners"

"He was a dog that I had dreamed of before he was even born"

Want More of Kathy?

To read the blog post on this topic and to explore other episodes, click here.

EBD135 Becoming a Winning Team Dec 14, 2020

Show notes

Do you dream of creating a brilliant partnership with your dog? The type of partnership where the two of you can dance through life together as real partners?

Well, you can but it takes time, patience, and a lot of practice. In this inspiring episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy shares how you and your dog can become winning partners.

To be a brilliant partner for your dog, you must put mental conditioning, optimistic thinking, responsibility for your actions, flexibility, intuition, and receptivity on your 'To BE List.'

It might sound like a lot, but once you get a grip of all of these things and start working on your 'To BE List,' you'll notice an incredible change and improvement in your relationship with your dog.

So, are you ready for you and your dog to become a winning team?

Let's start!

In this episode:

Why your mental state is so important
Why you need to work on your 'To BE List'
How to change the way you think about your dog's behavior
Why you need to focus more on the solutions and not the problems
Why you must learn to pay attention to how you measure success
Tips to help you become the Brilliant Partner your dog needs

Read the blog post on this topic.

Quotes:

"We often subconsciously jump to a conclusion about our dog's behavior too quickly"

"Step into your dog's paws and start to see the world through their perspective"

"Condition your mind to stay focused on solutions"

"Who we become as a result of sharing our life with dogs is what brings us true satisfaction and pleasure"

Mentions & Links

The Creative Alchemy Plan

Want More of Kathy?

To read the blog post on this topic and to explore other episodes, click here.

EBD134 You're Invited to Get Happy Dec 07, 2020

Show notes

2020 hasn't been the easiest year for any of us. It's been tough and it's about time we welcomed some joy and happiness into our lives, don't you think?

You've probably heard the saying that happiness is a choice, and that is true to some extent. Of course, being happy is easier said than done, especially if you're going through a difficult time.

As we approach the new year, it's a good time to think about what we can do to make sure 2021 is a better year filled with happiness and joy. So, how can you invite more happiness into your life?

In this special episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy reveals five tips to help you invite more happiness into your life and the life you share with your dog (or dogs).

In this episode:

How the Law of Resonance works and how you can use it to bring more positivity your way
How your thoughts and emotions attract the same type of energy back to you
How to prepare for all the things you are anticipating
Why you need to clarify what you really desire
Why you should break things down into manageable chunks
The importance of expressing gratitude

Read the blog post on this topic.

Quotes:

"When you love what you already have in your life, you will get more of what you love"

"Take some time to listen to what's deep inside your heart, not your head"

"Your mind cannot be occupied with worry, fears, anxiety, and endless what ifs if you are in the middle of being grateful"

Mentions & Links

"The Lost Mode of Prayer," by Gregg Braden
The Creative Alchemy Plan

Want More of Kathy?

To read the blog post on this topic and to explore other episodes, click here.

EBD133 Grateful Nov 30, 2020

Show notes

Do you practice gratitude? It's well-known that having an active gratitude practice can make you happier and healthier, but when you're always so busy, when can you find the time to do it?

There's no better time to appreciate the smaller things in life than on your daily dog walk. Whether your dog is up to something silly or you just feel that connection between yourself and them, taking a moment to notice your wonderful partnership is a great way to start a gratitude practice.

While it's easy to feel grateful when things are going well, it's necessary to practice it when things aren't. In this poignant episode of the Enlightened By Dogs podcast, Kathy shares how her daily gratitude practice is helping with her grief after loss.

Listen in to find out what you can gain from adopting a gratitude practice and how it can help you find joy in your life, even in the most difficult moments.

In this episode:

The benefits of practicing gratitude
How Kathy uses her daily dog walk in her gratitude practice
Why appreciating the small things makes a big difference
How trust leads to fun and freedom
Tips for starting a gratitude practice

Read the blog post on this topic.

Quotes:

"People who are grateful tend to be happier, healthier, and more fulfilled"

"I love how I can have so much fun and freedom with my dogs because of our partnership lifestyle"

"Gratitude can really help us to get through those difficult times"

Want More of Kathy?

To read the blog post on this topic and to explore other episodes, click here.

EBD132 Wired for Connection and Co-Regulation Nov 23, 2020

Show notes

Did you know that both you and your dog are wired for connection? It's almost as though your relationship with your dog was written in the stars!

However, you might not realize that there are things you could be doing that consciously or unconsciously disconnect you from your dog. The things that weaken your connection with your dog can lead to your dog becoming over-aroused, anxious, or even reactive.

So, how can you become more aware of your actions and behavior to avoid weakening your connection with your dog?

In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy talks about how dogs and humans are both wired for connection and co-regulation. She also shares some golden nuggets to help your dog feel safe, calm, and happy, so that you can continue to build trust and develop a brilliant partnership lifestyle together.

In this episode:

How to create a circle of safety and trust with your dog
How dogs and humans are wired for connection
How the autonomic nervous system acts as our personal surveillance system
The importance of co-regulation
How to make your dog feel safe, calm, and happy
How to build a strong connection with your dog

Read the blog post on this topic.

Quotes:

"We have systems in place that support connection, which is what helps us to feel safe."

"Humans and dogs are literally wired to connect, and our hearts lead the way to facilitate that connection by sending signals."

"You and your dog are biologically searching for a connection"

"Co-regulation is a biological imperative, and essential to survival."

Want More of Kathy?

To read the blog post on this topic and to explore other episodes, click here.

EBD131 When Your Family Doesn't Agree Nov 16, 2020

Show notes

What should you do if your family isn't on board with your goal of creating a partnership lifestyle with your dog?

Many people assume that if the whole family isn't on board, it's impossible to create a partnership lifestyle. While it can make it slightly more challenging for some, not everyone in the family has to follow "the rules" for you to develop a loving connection with your dog. Of course, it would help if everyone in the family followed your lead, but don't worry if that's not feasible.

You can still build a brilliant partnership with your dog whether your family are on board or not! Kathy explains how in this episode of the Enlightened By Dogs podcast, where she shares a very special segment from a coaching session with a member of the Brilliant Partners Academy. This dog mom is dealing with the common issue of having a family who isn't on board with everything she has learned about the partnership lifestyle. So, Kathy shares some of her best tips and strategies to help her and other dog moms make the partnership lifestyle work when their families disagree!

In this episode:

Why it doesn't matter if your family doesn't agree with what you are doing to create a partnership lifestyle with your dog
How family members will gradually mirror what you're doing with your dog
How to take responsibility without confrontation
Understanding that dogs behave differently with different people

Read the blog post on this topic.

Quotes:

"You can take responsibility for certain things are likely to be confusing for the dog"

"Dogs can have different relationships with each family member"

"Our dogs can definitely learn and change"

Want More of Kathy?

To read the blog post on this topic and to explore other episodes, click here.

EBD130 When Your Dog Gives You A Hard Time Nov 09, 2020

Show notes

What should you do when your dog refuses to listen?

You tell them to come to you, they run in the opposite direction. You ask them to stop barking, and they bark louder. You ask them to get off the couch, and they snuggle into it some more. You get the idea.

Sometimes, it feels like our dogs are rebellious on purpose. They flat out refuse to listen, and you're left wondering if they go out of their way to make your life harder. When your dog refuses to listen to you, what should you do about it?

In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy shares a segment from a coaching call she did with members of the Brilliant Partners Academy. It was such a great lesson on what you can do when your dog gives you a hard time and how to reconnect with your dog when they just won't listen to you. Enjoy!

In this episode:

Hear from a member of the BPA who has a dog who has changed their behavior recently
Why you need to change your perspective as a dog mom when things don't go as planned
Why your dog's "misbehavior" is their way of trying to communicate with you
What to do if your dog doesn't like the leash
Tips to help improve your walking partners dance

Read the blog post on this topic.

Quotes:

"My dog is not giving me a hard time, my dog is having a hard time"

"The leash is what you make it to mean"

"Walking on a leash is a learned skill that requires a high level of impulse control from both parties"

Want More of Kathy?

To read the blog post on this topic and to explore other episodes, click here.

EBD129 Making Hard Easier Nov 02, 2020

Show notes

When faced with difficult times, it can be hard to pull yourself out of it. Thankfully, there are things you can do to get through the hard days and emerge out on the other side, ready to live your best life with your dog.

Even without words, it can often seem like your dog understands you better than most people. They're with you for all of life's ups and downs, always ready to lend a helping paw and provide support when you need it most.

Sometimes, it can feel like you're drowning in hard times. It seems to be one piece of bad news after the other, and it's easy to feel worn down because of it. Kathy understands this feeling all too well, which is why she is dedicating this episode of the Enlightened By Dogs podcast to help you get through hard times and come out stronger on the other side.

Listen in to find out how you can get through difficult times and how your dog helps you every step of the way, even though you might not realize it!

In this episode:

How dogs show us the path forward
Why you need to take baby steps towards your vision
How to stay focused and not let yourself get stuck in a rut
The power of breathing during hard times
Why you should seek support when you need it

Read the blog post on this topic.

Quotes:

"The power of living a partnership lifestyle lies in baby steps and celebrating each one of those"

"Breathing is really helpful because it helps us get back to our vision"

"This moment is the only moment that we have to create tomorrow"

Want More of Kathy?

To read the blog post on this topic and to explore other episodes, click here.

EBD128 Becoming Resilient Oct 26, 2020

Show notes

Are you and your dog resilient? Building resilience is so important to create a strong partnership with your dog. Yet, not many people talk about the power of resilience within the dog community. It's time to change that!

Being resilient gives you the ability to adapt quickly and bounce back stronger when things don't go as planned. However, it's important that both you and your dog are resilient, which is something that you can work on together. But, what does it mean be resilient? And, how can you and your dog build your resilience together?

In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, I re-visit some key lessons I taught during a very special masterclass inside the Brilliant Partners Academy. You'll discover why you need to be resilient if you want to build a strong, successful partnership with your dog. You'll also learn how resilient partners never give up, even when life gets really tough.

Listen in to find out how you and your dog can build a resilient partnership!

In this episode: