Enlightened By Dogs: Living with Cooperation, Not Obedience

Latest Episodes:

EBD107 Understanding The 4 Barking Triggers Jun 01, 2020

Show notes

What are the underlying triggers of unwanted barking?

You know, the real reasons that make your dog bark like their life depends on it. It's natural for dogs to bark and we shouldn't try to silence them completely. But, if your dog is excessively barking, it can become a real problem – not just for you, but for your neighbors too!

Understanding what triggers your dog's barking is vital if you want to resolve the issue. In this episode, Kathy reveals the four barking triggers and what you can do to help overcome them.

Making your dog feel safe, calm, and happy is key for resolving unwanted behavior such as excessive barking. This episode will help you realize this and encourage you to take the first step towards building a brilliant partnership lifestyle for and with your dog.

In this episode:

Understanding that behavior is communication
Why transactional dog training won't solve your dog's behavioral issues
What a holistic approach to training looks like
The four barking triggers and how to prepare for them

Quotes:

"Dogs lead us into finding what really matters in life."

"All relationships are based on trust. Trust does not come from transactions."

"When we have a partnership based lifestyle, we can influence our dogs when they are barking unnecessarily"

Mentioned in this episode:

Want More of Kathy?

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

EBD106 How to Rehab Unwanted Barking May 25, 2020

Show notes

Humans talk. Birds sing. Dogs bark. Communication is natural and isn't something we can or should try to stop… but inappropriate barking can be a real bugbear for dog moms!

Unwanted barking is a complaint almost every dog owner can relate to. But what is actually going on when your best friend starts speaking at something strange? And what can we do to manage ourselves and our dogs in these situations?

Dogs have different reasons and motivations for barking. In this episode Kathy will help you identify the root cause of your dog's barking, guide you through the eight steps of her Bark Busting Protocol, and give you some examples from her experiences with her own dogs.

And if you want to understand why our four-legged friends act in certain ways, how we can get closer to them so everyone thrives, and create a stronger bond with your dog, Kathy has an amazing offer on her Partnership Starter Kit 2.0. Get this exclusive offer here.

In this episode:

A reminder that barking is normal and natural – but that doesn't mean it is never problematic
Why the first step in overcoming unwanted barking is a shift in our own perspective
How to manage unwanted barking and understanding why dogs do it
What the four main categories of unwanted, over-the-top barking are
How to model the right behavior for our dogs and stop unwanted barking before it begins, plus how to end a habit that's already been formed using the eight step Bark Busting Protocol
How changing a dog's habits is a lot quicker than you might think
Examples of the Bark Busting Protocol in action from Kathy's experiences with her own dogs

Quotes:

"Dogs bark – that's what they do – and we love that about them, it's their way of expressing. Now that doesn't mean that we have to love their crazy, over-the-top aroused and inappropriate barking."

"In one to three times of doing something, we already have the start of a new habit forming."

"What's cute at three or four months old is really annoying at four years old."

"Be a positive role model that communicates to your dog how we would want to behave in any given situation."

"Avoid raising your voice because, from our dog's perspective, that is barking. If we yell at them because they're barking, it could very well be interpreted as agreement and encouragement."

Want More of Kathy?

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

EBD105 Step Into Your Dog's Paws May 18, 2020

Show notes

Have you considered the effect your mental state has on your dog?

Not many people think about how their thoughts and mental state can impact their partnership relationship with their dog. Even if you have thought about it briefly, it's likely that you've just grazed the surface.

If you're ready to take the next step towards developing a brilliant and loving partnership lifestyle with your dog, this is the episode for you. Kathy reveals just how much your mental state can affect your dog, your partnership lifestyle, and even your training progress.

The mind is a powerful tool and if you want to learn how to yield it in a way that helps establish a loving and trusting bond with your dog, buckle in!

In this episode:

How your mental state can affect your partnership lifestyle with your dog
How you can learn to condition yourself to think more positively and with optimism
Why our first impressions regarding our dog's behavior is usually incorrect
What it means to 'step into your dog's paws' and see things through their perspective
The problem with letting our brain focus on problems instead of solutions
How the way we measure success can directly influence our dog
How you can become your true self by becoming a brilliant partner for and with your dog
The importance of having an intention of being
How to start on the path to brilliant partnership
Building trust with your dog by taking baby steps

Grab your FREE "Stuck at Home Survival Guide for Dog Moms' here!

Quotes:

"Our first impressions are not often accurate as evaluations of our dog's behavior."

"We can step into our dog's paws and see the world through their perspective rather than ours."

"Our conscious minds can only hold one conscious thought at any given time."

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

"This moment is the only chance you'll ever get to be here."

"Trust is the foundation for all relationships."

Want More of Kathy?

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

EBD104 Beyond Doing - How to "Be" A Good Dog Mom May 11, 2020

Show notes

Do you know who you truly want to be and how you want to feel in your lifestyle with your dog?

As dog moms, we're usually too busy focusing on the 'doing' part of being human that we often neglect the 'being' part of who we are as human BEINGS.

Kathy shines some light on the hidden 'being' part of ourselves in this special episode of Enlightened By Dogs. She also shares some fun and simple exercises you can do at home to help you unlock who you truly want to be.

So, are you ready to connect with your dog and share a loving partnership lifestyle with them? If so, grab a notebook and pen, and let's dive in!

In this episode:

The connection between what we do and how we are being
What it means to create heart connections with our dogs
Why you should trust your heart more often
Questions to ask yourself to help you discover who you want to be and how you want to live with your dog
How to use the law of resonance to change your frequency
What you can learn from your 'dog people' role models
How to see things from your dog's perspective and using this knowledge to help build a deeper connection with your dog

Quotes:

"What we do is directly informed by how we are being."

"Our brain is designed to carry out the desires of our heart."

"Our hearts are strong drivers and we can look to our hearts wisdom and clues for who we are."

"Energy flows where focus goes."

Want More of Kathy?

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

EBD103 Digging Deeper into Communicating with Our Dogs May 04, 2020

Show notes

Do you want to build a stronger connection with your dog?

Dogs and humans have lived side by side for centuries. However, "human" isn't a dog's first language. They're much better at speaking "dog" and using body language to communicate with us.

So, how can you learn to effectively communicate with your dog?

On this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy talks about the language of partnership, which is the most effective way to build a deeper connection with your dog. She also reveals the single most powerful tool to live successfully (and drama-free) with your dogs. So, if you're ready to dig deeper into communicating with your dog, this is the life-saver episode you've been waiting for!

In this episode:

Why effective communication with our dogs is so important
Why miscommunication happens and how to resolve it
How to meet your dog in the circle of understanding and cooperation
The importance of paying attention to your dog's feelings and understanding the intention behind their behavior

Quotes:

"Communication is the most powerful tool that we have to live successfully with our dogs"

"We are looking for a collaborative, trusting, partnership-based relationship."

"Communication is an exchange…. it's a dialog loop."

"This circle is like a container of connection, understanding, and cooperation."

Want More of Kathy?

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

EBD102 Partnership-Friendly Indoor Activities for You and Your Dog Apr 27, 2020

Show notes

Looking for some fun activities to keep your dog entertained at home?

Being stuck inside with your dog can be a lot of fun. But sometimes it can be super difficult to keep your pooch entertained, especially if they're a little hyper or just plain bored of being indoors all day!

So, how can you help your dog burn off energy and have fun with them indoors?

In this episode of the Enlightened By Dogs Podcast, Kathy continues on from episode 101 and shares one of her favorite partnership-friendly games that you can play with your dog in the house.

Oh, and she also digs into some of her best tactics for building your partnership lifestyle with your dog and helps you to discover ways to find your balance in times of stress and uncertainty.

In this episode:

Understanding just how deeply attuned your dog is to your physical, mental, and emotional state
How to become a "Zen Master"
How to find your center in times of stress and anxiety, etc.
Why hide and seek is such a great game to play with your dog
How to teach your dog to play hide and seek indoors

Quotes:

"Our dogs are deeply attuned to us. They're keen observers."

"Allow your body, emotions and thoughts to come back into balance."

"Find something that makes you happy (probably your dog) and let that feeling fill your body."

"It teaches our dogs to be attentive to us."

"I've never encountered a dog that did not love this game."

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

Want More of Kathy?

Read the blog post on this topic.

EBD101 Partnership Games When You're Stuck Inside with Your Dog Apr 20, 2020

Show notes

Stuck inside? Dogs driving you a little crazy?

Whether there's a thunder storm outside or you're self-isolating because of the coronavirus (COVID-19), being stuck at home all day with a restless (and bored) dog can brew trouble.

We're talking chewed up shoes, hysterical barking, constant whining for attention…. you get the picture.

So, how can you keep your dogs (and yourself) entertained indoors?

Find out on this week's episode of the Enlightened By Dogs podcast, where Kathy shares a fun and simple partnership game you can play with your dog when you're stuck inside and everyone's going a bit stir crazy!

In this episode:

Hear about Kathy's younger years when she lived in an apartment in Chicago with her dog, Max
5 steps to play the 'Find It' game with your dog indoors
Why so many dogs love the 'Find It' game
How games like this can build the bond between you and your dog and develop communication skills
The benefits of playing mentally stimulating games with your dog

Quotes:

"It's fun, it's engaging, it enhances our bond and our communication."

"You want your dog to stay engaged. You don't want your dog to give up or get frustrated."

"This game gives our dogs a mental engagement type of activity."

"Most dogs really love this game."

"We're practising our partnership skills in this really simple, fun, and easy way."

"The 'Find It' game helps to develop our ability to co-regulate with our dogs."

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

Want More of Kathy?

Read the blog post on this topic.

EBD100 Dog Behaving Badly? Turn Your Frustration into Fascination Apr 13, 2020

Show notes

Do you ever feel frustrated with how you tend to respond to your dog's "bad behavior"?

It can be difficult to conceal our frustration when our dog is reactive, distracted, stressed, anxious, worried or just… behaving badly. But we need to remember that this is how our dogs communicate with us. They express their feelings through their behavior, whether we like it or not. Thankfully, there is a way that you can turn your frustration into fascination and in this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy shows you how.

Kathy unravels the mystery of dogs behaving badly and shares exactly why our dogs behave this way and what you can do to help your dog feel safe, calm and happy. If your dog's behavior is making you feel frustrated and confused, the lessons shared in this episode will help you turn things around and transform your frustration into fascination!

In this episode:

How our dog's express their feelings through their behavior
Understand your dog's feelings and building a deeper connection with your dog
The value of deep listening
How to turn frustration into fascination

Quotes:

"By showing that you understand your dog's feelings, you're inviting connection."

"Just know that you will get through it."

"Deep listening to our dogs is a skill and one that needs to be developed."

"Listen from your heart and with an open mind."

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

Want More of Kathy?

Read the blog post on this topic.

EBD099 The Power of Intentional Breathing to Calm You and Your Dog Apr 06, 2020

Show notes

Are you feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed because of things like the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak?

If so, you're not alone. The coronavirus outbreak is uncharted territory for many of us and the sudden change to how we live our lives can cause you to feel stressed, worried, anxious, or overwhelmed. It's totally normal to feel this way but as you might have guessed, if you're feeling a little stressed lately, your dog is probably feeling a little stressed too.

Our dogs mirror us in more ways than one. If they sense that you're feeling stressed about something, they will mimic those feelings because that's what dogs do. They trust you and your emotions. They assess situations as they happen based on how their leader assesses and reacts to certain situations. Of course, with a worldwide pandemic uprooting life as we know it for us all, containing feelings of stress and anxiety is becoming increasingly difficult.

Kathy understands this on a personal level. A series of events in her personal life, paired with the stress and anxiety that comes with the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak triggered Kathy to have a meltdown while she was out trying to enjoy her morning walk with her dogs. Kathy shares her personal story with you on this episode of Enlightened By Dogs and offers some advice to help you find your balance in times of great stress through intentional breathing.

In this episode:

What caused Kathy's emotional meltdown
How Kathy's dogs reacted to her having the meltdown in the middle of their morning walk
How Kathy used intentional breathing to find her balance
Why intentional breathing is so important and beneficial
How you can breathe with intention and use this breathing technique to help calm yourself and your dogs in times of stress and overwhelm

Quotes:

"Within a few minutes I felt renewed, refreshed, ready to take on the day."

"We have the capability to influence our dogs to be happy, calm, and relaxed."

"Your body senses your breathing and adapts its heart rate in response to that."

"Our ability to be mindful and intentional is what our partnership lifestyle is based on."

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

Want More of Kathy?

Read the blog post on this topic.

EBD098 How to Avoid Frustration with Unwanted Behavior Mar 30, 2020

Show notes

When your dog 'misbehaves,' what's your first emotional response?

Do you feel annoyed, frustrated, or angry? It's okay to feel like this. Actually, it's pretty normal to feel frustrated when things turn belly side up. But what you might not realize is that your emotional response and reaction could be making the entire situation much worse.

In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy talks about how you can learn to take responsibility in difficult situations so that you can be more prepared when disaster strikes in the future.

Kathy also shares a personal story about a time when she struggled to accept responsibility, followed by the empowerment she felt when she learned that taking responsibility doesn't show weakness, it shows strength.

In this episode:

The problem with reacting out of frustration or anger when the un-predicted happens
How to overcome our own bad habits and stop blaming others (or our dogs) when things go wrong
Why you should stop putting your dog in uncomfortable situations
Kathy shares a personal story that reveals the importance of learning to take responsibility

Quotes:

"Your dog's behaviour is just communication."

"I'm a big proponent of changing things quickly and not letting bad habits develop."

"Stop putting your dog into that situation… do something else."

"Your dog is just letting you know how they feel."

"If I'm responsible, that means I have the ability to make a new choice to do something different."

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

Want More of Kathy?

Read the blog post on this topic.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Enlightened By Dogs: Living with Cooperation, Not Obedience

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected