Enlightened By Dogs: Living with Cooperation, Not Obedience

Latest Episodes:

EBD117 Walking Dogs: Prepare for the Unexpected Aug 10, 2020

Show notes

Are you having a hard time walking your dog? Do you find yourself dreaming of an alternate universe where your dog walks by your side and doesn't pull on the leash or lunge towards other people (and their dogs)?

If you're nodding yes, this is the episode of Enlightened By Dogs you've been waiting for. The truth is that walking your dog can be really challenging sometimes, which is why Kathy is doing a deep dive into the layers beneath all the difficulties that we have walking our dogs in partnership effectively in real life.

In part one of this three-part mini-series, you'll get a sneak peek into one of Kathy's coaching sessions with members of the Brilliant Partnership Academy. In this episode, Kathy talks about how you can be prepared for the unexpected when you're walking your dog. Hopefully, this helps you to learn how to walk with your dog as partners.

In this episode:

The most common mistake people make when walking their dogs
Why you should rehearse partnership principles and not just 'practice' them
How to walk together as partners with your dog

Quotes:

"Unconditional love is not contingent upon behaviour"

"Thinking about what to do makes it impossible to do the thing we want to do"

"If we have been living the connection and collaboration, we are better prepared"

Want More of Kathy?

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

EBD116 Better Dog Behavior and Your Best Self Aug 03, 2020

Show notes

Do you want to leverage your best self and become the person you always wanted to be? Not only that, but become the person that your dog needs you to be?

Kathy believes that you can work on yourself while simultaneously building your partnership with your dog. To help you achieve that level of brilliant partnership, Kathy is sharing a series of fun exercises to help you improve your partnership with your dog on this episode of the Enlightened By Dogs podcast.

These exercises are designed to help you get in touch with what your best self is, what those qualities are, and what your dog needs from you. Many members of the Brilliant Partners Academy have completed these exercises and seen incredible results. They became the best version of themselves, their perspective changed, and their dogs blossomed too!

So, are you ready to improve your partnership with your dog? Let's get into the exercises!

In this episode:

What you can learn from other dog people
How to identify qualities you admire in other dog moms
Why you should think about the qualities that your dog values in you and other humans
How to express the qualities that your dog admires in everyday life
Why you tend to resonate with some qualities more than others
How to create positive affirmations to help you live a happy life with your dog

Quotes:

"Discover the qualities that your dog most values in you as a human expand those because you already have them"

"You have qualities that your dog admires"

"Create a process of affirmation that you can use every day that will remind you of how you choose to live with your dog"

"Let's help spread some partnership magic around the planet"

Want More of Kathy?

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

EBD115 Happy or Frenzied? How to Know What Your Dog Is Feeling (Part 2) Jul 27, 2020

Show notes

How can you tell what your dog is feeling? And, how do know if your dog is truly happy?

These are BIG questions. We all want to make sure that our dogs are happy and they're enjoying their live to the fullest. Nobody wants their dog to feel sad, frightened, over-aroused, or distressed. But, understanding how your dog really feels takes time. It's easy to misinterpret your dog's emotions and feelings because they don't show their feelings in the same way as humans.

So, how can you know what your dog is really feeling?

In this 'behind-the-scenes' episode of Enlightened By Dogs, you'll get to hear a part of a coaching session from inside the Brilliant Partners Academy! Kathy explains why it's so easy to misinterpret our dog's feelings and she shares how to know what your dog is really feeling.

In this episode:

How stress impacts you and your dog
How to tell if you and your dog need a 'stress reset'
Hear some amazing case-study examples from BPA members
How to know what your dog is feeling
The problem with having a transactional relationship with your dog
The truth about how much high-energy activity your dog needs each day

Quotes:

"Relaxation does not mean inactivity!"

"You and your dog need a stress RESET"

"Dogs are as socially intelligent as humans"

"People have fast turnarounds when the humans commit themselves to being brilliant partners"

Want More of Kathy?

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

EBD114 What REALLY Matters is When You're NOT Training Your Dog (Part 1) Jul 20, 2020

Show notes

Do you have a dog who just won't listen to you?

Maybe your dog barks in the yard, pulls on the leash, or lunges towards everything (and everyone) they see. The bottom line is that whenever you need your dog to do something, they don't. It's frustrating when your dog won't listen to you but…have you considered why that might be?

In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy talks about the importance of identifying which activities and experiences you share with your dog that could cause your dog to become over-aroused and/or reduce the trust and connection between you both.

You'll also discover what really matters when you're trying to build a loving partnership lifestyle with your dog (Spoiler – what really matters is when you're NOT training your dog!).

In this episode:

How dogs learn to engage with their family (or pack) members
Why it's so important to remember that your dog is a socially intelligent being
How to be a good role model for your dog
Why you might need to take time to reset your relationship with your dog and learn to take responsibility
The power of taking baby steps and how doing this will help you to reach your end goal without being unnecessarily corrective towards your dog

Read the blog post on this topic.

Quotes:

"We can learn to be conscious role models for our dogs"

"I want to take the mystery out of how we can engage with our dogs"

"We have the ability and responsibility to learn how to be calm, respectful, conscious, present, and attentive to our dogs and the circumstances we place ourselves in"

"You and your dog have history"

"You need baby steps way more than your dog!"

"We need a foundation of how to live well with our dogs"

Want More of Kathy?

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

EBD113 The #1 Dog Training Mistake Jul 13, 2020

Show notes

Is traditional training really the best solution for a misbehaving dog? Or, is it only making the problems you're having with your dog worse?

Many people assume that training is the answer to all of the problems they're having with their dogs. However, traditional training can often place a wedge between you and your dog, dismantling your relationship and making original behavioral issues even worse.

So, what should you do instead of traditional dog training?

There is a huge myth surrounding dog training and many dog moms are making one very unfortunate mistake when it comes to training their dogs. Find out what that mistake is on this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, where Kathy uncloaks the #1 mistake in dog training and shares the ultimate solution to help you build a brilliant partnership lifestyle with your best friend.

In this episode:

The biggest myth in dog training
The problem with traditional training
Why partnership-based training is the future of dog training
Pros and cons of positive-based training
5 ways to build a partnership lifestyle with your dog

Read the blog post on this topic.

Quotes:

"I think that we are ready for a breakthrough"

"Our relationship with our dogs and dog training is evolving as it should - Positive training is simply a stepping stone on our journey"

"Be a loving leader and guide for your dog"

"Respect your dog as a thinking, feeling, and intelligent being"

Want More of Kathy?

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

EBD112 Your Perfect Dog Jul 06, 2020

Show notes

Do you believe that your dog is perfect? Does a 'perfect dog' even exist?

It's surprisingly easy to slip down the rabbit hole of thinking that your dog is less than perfect. One minute you could be telling everyone you meet about your perfect dog and the next minute, your dog is the reason you want to scream out loud at the top of your lungs.

The problem is that focusing on everything you perceive as 'wrong' with your dog only gets in the way of your happiness, and it's time to change that. On this special episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy reminds you that your dog IS perfect.

Kathy helps you to start enjoying your perfect life with your perfect dog by reminding you why you have a dog in the first place, and how to accept your dog for who they are in this stage of your lives together.

In this episode:

Why you need to focus on the 'main thing'
Why your perception of the 'perfect dog' is unrealistic
Why you have a dog in your life and why this should be your 'main thing'
Studies that show the benefits of having a dog in your life
How to meet your dog where they are
Why you should accept that your dog is perfect just the way they are
Learn how to grow and get better with your dog

Quotes:

"Dogs help us live a fuller life filled with curiosity, laughter, delight, joy and experimentation"

"When a dog sees their human, their brain secretes the same substance as ours when we're in love"

"Having dogs enables me to learn how to be a better human and a better version of myself"

"Bring your dog into the equation and stay connected with your dog"

"Keep imagining your perfect life with your perfect dog"

Mentioned in this episode:

Mind Your Business Podcast

Want More of Kathy?

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

EBD111 Focus On What's Important Jun 29, 2020

Show notes

Are you getting in the way of building the future of your dreams with your dog?

When we welcome a dog into our lives, we usually dream of living in perfect harmony together with (preferably) no 'unwanted behavior' exhibited by our dogs. This pretty much sums up the common 'vision' that many dog moms have before they bring a dog into their lives. However, many dog moms soon realize that achieving their dream life with their dogs will take time, care, attention, love, and a lot of patience.

Kathy has worked with countless dog moms over the years and during this time, she has discovered that many of them make the mistake of putting their focus on unimportant things. They became so focused on these things that they can't see that they are already living a happy and fulfilling life with their dogs.

So, in this special episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy challenges you to start focusing on the right things – things that will help you to create the dream life you've always wanted with your dog. She also shares some mindset hacks to help you get there!

In this episode:

Understanding that you and your dog are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress at the same time
How to form habits that align with creating the 'future of your dreams' with your dog
Why it's important to enjoy the present moment with your dog
Why you should try to be more resilient
Why you should focus on the more important things in life
How to choose your 'adventure mindset'
The importance of practicing creative and solution focused thinking

Read the blog post on this topic.

Quotes:

"Expect life to have ups and downs"

"What's important to me is that my dogs are attentive and responsive to me and I'm attentive and responsive to them"

"Life with your dog is an adventure"

"What we think about the most is what influences our emotions"

"Hold the vision, trust the process"

Love this and want more?

Subscribe to the Enlightened By Dogs podcast in your favorite app! Don't forget to leave us a rating and review – it would make Kathy and all of her four-legged friends very happy!

Kathy is offering a big "thank you" for rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

Connect on Facebook: facebook.com/dancinghearts/

EBD110 4 Steps to Emotional Balance Jun 22, 2020

Show notes

How do socially intelligent animals use emotion? And, what are the steps you need to take to achieve emotional balance?

Dogs are socially intelligent animals. We know this to be true because we share our lives with our dogs. They've seen us at our best, and they've been there for us during our worst. It's clear that, like us, dogs are socially intelligent beings, which is just one of the reasons why we love them so much!

But, is there a way that we can help develop the emotional intelligence of ourselves and our dogs?

Kathy explores this and more on this episode of Enlightened By Dogs. She talks about how you can improve your own emotional intelligence, become the strong, loving, and enlightened leader that you dog needs, and so much more!

In this episode:

How socially intelligent animals use emotion
What emotional intelligence is
The five skills of emotional intelligence and how to improve them
Four steps to emotional balance
Understanding that emotions are messengers

Quotes:

"If we want to earn respect and trust from our dogs, becoming and practising empathy and becoming more empathetic is an important part of the process"

"The message of frustration is that the asking you're taking is not effective"

"Emotions are messengers and they have value to us"

"Horses employ a simple four point method that uses the body's intelligent and efficient use of emotion as a non-verbal communication system"

Important links from this episode

Want More of Kathy?

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

Subscribe to the Enlightened By Dogs podcast in your favorite app! Don't forget to leave us a rating and review – it would make Kathy and all of her four-legged friends very happy.

Connect on Facebook: facebook.com/dancinghearts/

EBD109 What To Do When Your Dog Won't Listen Jun 15, 2020

Show notes

What should you do when your dog won't listen to a word you say?

It can be really frustrating when your dog seems to have developed selective hearing, but (believe it or not) your dog isn't ignoring you on purpose!

That's one of the great things about dogs. They aren't spiteful or vengeful beings. They don't go out of their way to ignore you. So, what should you do when your dog won't listen?

On this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy reveals how you can develop a closer bond with your dog and reveals what you need to do to change your story from 'my dog won't listen' to my dog loves to listen!

In this episode:

The real reason why your dog won't listen to you
Why you need to reframe your thinking to help develop a deeper understanding about your dog
Why you need to learn to listen to your dog
The importance of making sure your dog's needs are met
How to be a better role model for your dog
Why you need to pay attention to how you interact with your dog
How to develop a deeper bond with your dog so that they start to listen to you more

Quotes:

"Our dogs are communicating their desire for what they want and what they mean."

"We can teach them how to communicate by listening in a different way."

"If we're going to step into our role as a guide and role model, then we've got to figure out a different way to be in the moment."

"We want to strive for connection instead of correction."

Want More of Kathy?

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

EBD108 What If Walking With Your Dog Was Easy Jun 08, 2020

Show notes

Walking your dog is meant to be an enjoyable experience for both of you. You should walk side by side, facing the same direction, with the same destination in mind.

Of course, this is easier said than done. For many dog moms, walking their dogs can be a stressful and frustrating experience, rather than a fantastic bonding opportunity.

But, what if walking with your dog was easy?

What if you didn't have to dread every walk you took together?

It sounds like a dream come true, right?

Well, that's exactly what Kathy teaches you in this episode of Enlightened By Dogs. Don't worry, there are no anti-pull contraptions or strict training measures required - all you need is an open mind and a willingness to learn!

In this episode: