Enlightened By Dogs: Living with Cooperation, Not Obedience

Latest Episodes:

EBD127 Your Thoughts About Those Disrespectful Dog People Oct 19, 2020

Show notes

Don't you hate it when other people get involved with you and your dog's way of life? Or worse, when disrespectful dog people don't follow the rules and cause a dramatic event to happen with your dog?

It's so frustrating when things happen that are out of your control. But, the one thing that you can control when the unexpected happens are your thoughts.

Your thoughts can bring you (and your dog) down if you aren't careful, which is why I want to shine a light on this topic to help you reframe your thoughts about those disrespectful dog people.

Listen in to hear how you can reframe your thoughts using the Thought Reframe Protocol, a six-step process that will help you take control of your thoughts and stay connected with your dog despite what might be going on around you.

In this episode:

Why you need to stop being so hard on yourself
How negative thoughts can break your connection with your dog
How to use the Thought Reframe Protocol to reframe your thoughts
How to put the Thought Reframe Protocol into action

Read the blog post on this topic.

Quotes:

"Change a thought that is not serving the future that you are creating"

"Rinse and repeat until the new thought becomes habitual, and becomes your default way of thinking"

"We're teaching our dogs to earn through social learning"

"This is going to change your life with your dog"

Want More of Kathy?

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

EBD126 Banking Trust and Recovering from Traumatic Experiences Oct 12, 2020

Show notes

Do you want to start banking trust with your dog? The more trust your dog has in you, the better prepared you will both be when confronted with an unexpected or traumatic event.

If your dog has experienced a traumatic event or has PTSD from such an event, supporting and making your dog feel safe is so important. As dog moms (and human beings), we hate to see a dog in any pain or emotional distress. If we could protect all of the dogs in the world from such things, we would. Unfortunately, we can't protect every dog, but we can be there for our own.

In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, you'll learn how you can start banking trust with your dog and what you can do to help your best friend recover from traumatic experiences. I also share how learning how you should behave during and after an unfortunate incident could save your dog from a lot of stress, anxiety, and further trauma.

In this episode:

Why communication and connection are so important
How to be the person that your dog finds trustworthy
How to start banking trust with your dog
How to behave and recover from a traumatic event

Read the blog post on this topic.

Quotes:

"How you behave during & after a traumatic event is more important than what actually happened during the traumatic event."

"We can teach our puppies to move toward us for comfort and love and protection."

"We can show our dogs that that scary thing is not going to harm us through our own behaviour…that way, we're letting our dog know that we are keeping them safe."

Want More of Kathy?

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

EBD125 How to Be An Advocate for Your Dog or Puppy Oct 05, 2020

Show notes

Are you an advocate for your puppy or young dog?

When dogs are young, they are very impressionable. An unfortunate event or situation has the potential to impact the rest of their lives. Exposure to an aggressive dog can make a young puppy nervous around other dogs as they get older. A bad experience with a vehicle can make a dog fearful around traffic. The list goes on and on!

As dog moms, it is up to us to protect our puppies and young dogs. As their advocate, we need to make sure that we don't put them in a situation that could potentially harm them in any way. We have to be observant and willing to keep our dogs safe no matter what.

I have always believed that one of the best ways that we can keep our puppies and young dogs safe is by being their advocate. In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, I share how you can be an advocate for your puppy or young dog by keeping them safe and building trust.

In this episode:

Why puppies and young dogs are so impressionable
The importance of being your puppy or dog's advocate when they are young
What to do when somebody offers training advice or takes control of your dog without your permission
How you can be your dog's advocate in everyday life

Read the blog post on this topic.

Quotes:

"As loving dog moms, it's our responsibility to be an advocate and a voice for our dog."

"Stay mentally, emotionally and physically connected with your dog."

"Being an advocate for our dog means also being able to foresee situations that might put our puppy or our dog in harm's way."

Mentions from this episode:

EBD072 3 Dog Socialization Mistakes You Must Avoid

Want More of Kathy?

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

EBD124 Distressed Family with Reactive Fighting Dogs Restored to Harmony Sep 28, 2020

Show notes

Bettina's life was turned upside down when they decided to adopt Murphy, a deaf dog with OCD, after seeing his handsome face on a rescue website. It quickly became apparent that Murphy had a LOT more going on than a hearing impairment...

In this episode:

How Bettina adopted Murphy and gave him a loving home
How Murphy's behavior suddenly changed after a swim in the lake
Murphy's OCD diagnosis and his experience with a behavioral specialist
How Murphy's behavior impacted Bear and Mary
Why Bettina decided to join BPA
How the BPA helped to bring peace and harmony back into Bettina's life
How much Murphy has changed since joining BPA

Quotes:

"We were like prisoners in our own house"

"The beauty of the Partnership Lifestyle is that it's not just for our dogs, it's also for us"

"The safe, calm, & happy protocol was a lifesaver… we haven't had any fights in two years"

"You have to take it day by day and you have to really pay attention to where his needs are because it's different all the time."

Want More of Kathy?

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

EBD123 From Over-aroused, Chasing and Reactive to Trusting Partners Sep 21, 2020

Show notes

Stella's wild child Henna was a special puppy who endured serious illness, affecting her brain and their relationship. Henna's lunging and barking at everything embarrassed Stella, who became stressed about the effect this out of control dog was having on the family.

Resonating with the BPA focus on heart, connection and understanding, Stella joined the BPA and soon began to really 'hear' Henna. She soon realized that it was fear and lack of trust that was the driver for the unruly behavior.

The Brilliant Partners Academy became their guiding light. When speaking about her time as a member of BPA, Stella said, "after just six months of being in BPA, our lives were transformed." Stella and Henna have come a long way in a short space of time, proving that it doesn't take an eternity to create a loving partnership connection with our dogs.

In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, you'll hear Stella and Henna's story from 'the dark days' of Henna's unruly behavior to nowadays, where she has become the light and joy of Stella's life! Enjoy!

In this episode:

Henna's behavioral issues before joining BPA
Why Stella was looking for a holistic approach to help Henna
Henna's medical issues and how they affected her brain and behavior
What made Stella decide to join BPA and why she resonated with our core principles
How life has changed since Stella and Henna joined BPA
Some BPA strategies that have helped improve Henna's behavior
The importance of listening to your dog and making them feel safe
Stella shares her advice for other struggling dog moms

Read the blog post on this topic.

Quotes:

"I thought I knew an awful lot about dogs, and I thought I knew a lot about so called training, and Henna proved me completely wrong"

"I forgot to tell her that I loved her"

"BPA is about really connecting with your dog and really listening to your dog and not trying to fix your dog"

"One of the turning points was when I accepted her for who she is"

"Now she feels that she's part of the family"

"BPA will change your life and it will bring you so much joy and empathy"

Want More of Kathy?

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

EBD122 Two Reactive Vizslas Now Calm, Connected and Trusting Sep 14, 2020

Show notes

Ros adapted to life with her two beautiful but reactive Vizsla girls by avoiding encounters with other dogs and becoming hyper-vigilant. But this was not a sustainable way to live and Ros soon found herself filled with anxiety about the possibility that anything would suddenly appear.

People, dogs, cyclists, joggers, wildlife all caused panic, and the treat training around triggers did little to calm Ros or her dogs.

Taking a leap of faith in joining BPA, Ros went to work learning how to be a good role model, remain calm and to be present and connected with her dogs. Analyzing every choice through the Safe, Calm and Happy protocol became a way of life.

In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, you'll hear the full story from Ros herself and discover how joining BPA helped calm Phoebe and Myrtle, two adorable but reactive Vizslas!

In this episode:

Get to know Phoebe and Myrtle and find out what triggers their reactive and fearful behavior
How Ros dealt with her dogs' behavior before joining BPA
Why Ros decided to join BPA and how it surprised her
How BPA has helped Ros connect with her dogs
What Ros likes best about the BPA including the community and partnership principles

Quotes:

"I prioritized everything about my life around her."

"The support that you get from the people in the group…is amazing."

"Myrtle really blossomed and her relationship with me is completely different from how it was before."

Love this and want more?

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For more information and to read the blog post on this topic go to dancingheartsdogacademy.com/blog

EBD121 First-time Dog Mom with Reactive Dog Turns Their Life Around! Sep 07, 2020

Show notes

Can you imagine being a first-time dog mom with a reactive dog that just won't listen to you?

This is the situation that first-time dog mom, Paulina, found herself in after adopting a reactive dog named Badi. Paulina struggled to understand Badi and couldn't figure out why he always barked at other dogs and things outside the window. This caused Paulina to judge herself and to compare her dog with others, creating more frustration for both of them.

Now? Life has completely changed for them both. They understand each other on a much deeper level and Paulina has learned to listen to her dog. In this special episode of Enlightened By Dogs, you'll hear all about how this first-time dog mom learned to listen and love her reactive dog named Badi. You'll also get a unique insight into the Brilliant Partners Academy from the perspective of a first-time dog mom.

In this episode:

An overview of the problems that Badi and Paulina faced before joining BPA
How life has changed since joining BPA
The life-changing protocols that helped Badi and Paulina develop a deeper bond
What Paulina has to say about her experience with BPA and why she recommends it for not just first-time dog moms, but all dog moms!

Quotes:

"Our dogs are such great teachers if we just pay attention"

"The partnership lifestyle is like literally the best thing"

"I'm so grateful for all the lessons that he's giving me, even though the beginning was super hard"

"I'm sometimes role modelling for him, but there are times when he's role modelling for me"

Love this and want more?

Want More of Kathy?

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

EBD120 Chasing, Reactive, Fearful Dog Becomes the Best Family Dog Ever! Aug 31, 2020

Show notes

Does your dog compulsively chase little animals (and leaves blowing in the wind)? Perhaps your dog is frightened of traffic and is a nightmare to walk down the street?

Well, what if you heard a story about a dog mom (and member of my Brilliant Partners Academy) whose dog had both issues? That's right, this stressed dog mom was struggling with a rescue dog named Charlie who became very reactive around trucks, cars, bikes and pretty much anything with wheels. He also had an insane compulsion to chase things that moved and as a result, completely turned the family upside down.

In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, you'll hear the full story about this dog mom, Sue Mimm, and her beloved rescue dog, a Border Collie/Springer Spaniel cross named Charlie. You'll also discover what tips and tactics helped Sue and Charlie turn their life around and become brilliant partners.

This is the first of a series of case studies Kathy is sharing on the podcast about dog moms who have struggled with their dog's behavior and how they turned things around with help from the Brilliant Partners Academy, so make sure you subscribe and keep coming back each week to hear real-life stories from incredible and inspirational dog moms!

In this episode:

How Sue met and rescued Charlie
Charlie's main issues with traffic and chasing moving animals (and objects)
The breaking point experience that almost led to Sue giving up on Charlie
What made Sue promise to keep Charlie and give him a loving home
How the Brilliant Partners Academy helped change Sue and Charlie's life forever

Quotes:

"We literally go anywhere and everywhere together. He's my sidekick."

"I would practice staying present with my dogs and being fully connected."

"I was on the kitchen floor and he came over to me and put his head in my chest as if he was saying, I'm sorry."

"It moved from a transactional relationship to one based on heart connection, mutual understanding, trust and cooperation."

Want More of Kathy?

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

EBD119 Unconditional Love is Not Contingent Upon Behavior Aug 24, 2020

Show notes

In its purest form, unconditional love is not contingent upon your dog's behavior. Yes, you might get frustrated or even angry when your dog misbehaves, but you don't stop loving them because of it.

There's a reason why Kathy refers to members of the Brilliant Partners Academy as 'dog moms.' It's because you are, in a sense, your dog's mom. When you love a dog, you love them like a mother. Their behavior does not influence that love. You love them no matter what they do. We love our dogs unconditionally, regardless of how they behave or how many shoes they chew up!

In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, you'll hear part 3 of the 3-part series Kathy has shared on walking through life in partnership with your dog. In this episode, Kathy digs deeper into the unconditional love that dog moms have for their dogs and what this really means.

Listen in to develop a deeper understanding of what lies beneath your dog's behavior, and how you can get back to loving and appreciating your dog!

In this episode:

Understanding the power of a mother's love
What unconditional love really means
What it means to be a mother (or a dog mom)
Why mothering isn't something you can learn, it comes from within
How reward-based training can make our love for our dogs conditional
How to embrace your motherly instincts

Quotes:

"Loving your dog unconditionally is not contingent upon your dog's behavior"

"Do you need to be a biological mother to be a mother to another?"

"Just because we have… a strong desire to love our dogs unconditionally, does that mean we always behave that way?"

"You and your dog are perfect."

Want More of Kathy?

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

EBD118 Why Training Doesn't Work in Real Life Aug 17, 2020

Show notes

Do you ever feel like your dog "forgets" their training as soon as you leave the house? Walking your dog around the house or garden is one thing. Transitioning those skills to places outside of those areas is an entirely different story and often, the perfect recipe for disaster.

After weeks or even months of practicing walking in harmony with your dog, it can be really disappointing when everything you've been training for goes out the window the moment you go to the park or wander too far from home.

So, why does this keep happening? Why, even with a lot of training and practice, do you still struggle to walk in partnership with your dog?

You'll discover the answer on this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, where Kathy continues to share key segments from a coaching session with members of the Brilliant Partners Academy for her 3-part mini series on how to walk in partnership with your dog.

In this episode, Kathy dives into why training doesn't work in real life, what causes the difficulty in translating those skills to real life, and what you can do about it!

In this episode:

Why it seems like your training is forgotten in real life
Why you shouldn't get lost in your thoughts
Why walking your dog in harmony is a lot like walking with a toddler
What keeps you from walking in partnership with your dog (and what to do about it!)

Read the blog post on this topic.

Quotes:

"There's an inherent, natural and authentic mechanism amongst us as a social species that allows us to connect with another and walk together in harmony"

"Let's step into our dog's paws… and help them to step into our shoes."

"Always look for the few core pieces that we need to have a transformation"

Want More of Kathy?

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

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