Enlightened By Dogs: Living with Cooperation, Not Obedience

Latest Episodes:

Bonus Ep: Brilliant Partners Academy Members Share their Stories Mar 26, 2020

Show notes

Are you struggling with a reactive dog? If your dog gets over-excited, distracted, or anxious and won't listen to you, the Brilliant Partners Academy can help you be the partner your dog needs!

The Brilliant Partners Academy is a holistic, positive, heart-connected partnership training program that equips you with the tools, knowledge, and support you need to develop a deeper bond and a trusting relationship with your dog.

In this special episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy interviews a few BPA members who share their stories including the highs and the lows with their dogs. Hear how far they've come since joining the Academy and discover the potential that every dog has to blossom and shine. You'll hear about some common struggles we've all faced with our dogs and how these incredible dog moms were able to overcome those issues and master partnership skills so they (and their dogs) could start to enjoy a freeing and happy life together.

We hope hearing these stories from some of our wonderful BPA members inspires you and makes you realize that all dogs, no matter how 'misbehaved' they may be, have what it takes to unleash their true potential… you just have to give them the chance.

In this episode:

How a deaf puppy with OCD struggled with resource guarding and found the help he needed to avoid being re-homed
How a reactive mountain hunting dog grew to tolerate being around other dogs in a busy town setting
How an over-excited dog who lunged and barked at other dogs found the loving partner they needed
Why your mindset is so important and how it can impact your dog's mood, reactions, and behavior
What it really feels like to be brilliant partners with your dog
How a dog who loved hunting and chasing other animals got a second chance at a forever, loving home
How a dedicated dog mom transitioned her transactional relationship with her dog into a heart-connected relationship instead
The transformation of a troublemaker dog who supported her owner through a heart-breaking experience and changed their relationship forever

Quotes:

"I signed up for the free workshop and never looked back."

"If you believe and follow the BPA principles, your success is inevitable."

"I feel like we are in a dance together."

"I know that we were meant to be together… I can't believe how far we've both come."

"I learned how to reward from my heart, instead of out of my pocket."

"I called her in my mind, and she was right there."

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

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EBD097 How to Be Safe, Calm and Happy in Difficult Times Mar 23, 2020

Show notes

Are you finding it hard to feel safe, calm, and happy during difficult times?

COVID-19 has caused a great deal of fear, uncertainty, and upheaval around the world. Many of us are in self-isolation and quarantine with our stress buckets filled to the brim. However, even though it seems like the entire world is upside down, it's more important than ever that you and your dog are there for each other.

Kathy touches on this difficult topic on this episode of Enlightened By Dogs and shares how you can be the partner that your dog needs, even in difficult times like this.

A Brilliant Partnership works both ways – by focusing on building a safe, calm, and happy lifestyle with your dog (even when disaster strikes), you can depend on your dog to be there for you, just like you're there for them too.

In this episode:

How difficult times impacts your relationship with your dog
How to plant the seed of trust in your relationship with your dog
How Kathy came up with the idea for Dancing Hearts
A look at some of the Dancing Hearts Principles members of BPA live by
How to take part in the free 5-day Brilliant Partners Workshop
What to expect from the Brilliant Partners Academy and why you should consider joining!

Quotes:

"Our hearts hold the secret for happy living."

"Role model compassion and respect for all living things."

"We're all connected in this magnificent web of life."

"It's going to help take your mind off of the stress and overwhelm."

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.

EBD096 How Consent Empowerment Builds Trust with Our Dogs Mar 16, 2020

Show notes

Do you give your dog the freedom to give their consent?

Allowing your dog to give consent is so powerful because it helps to build trust between you and your best friend. A shift in our intention can change everything for our dogs and, in this special episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy shares how the power of consent can help build trust between you and your dog.

You'll also get a peek inside a live coaching session between Kathy and members of the Brilliant Partners Academy (BPA). In this session, Kathy speaks to a member about her dog who is reactive at the vets. Hear what advice Kathy has to share with this fellow dog mom and listen to Kathy's personal story of how she gives consent to one of her own dogs, Sue.

In this episode:

What it means to give your dog consent
How to step into the role of a professional for your dog
Why you should stop trying to fix your dog
How giving your dog consent can help build trust
How Kathy gives her dog Sue the freedom to give her consent and how you can do the same

Quotes:

"Moving helps to reduce and process stress hormones."

"Allowing her the freedom and the agency to give consent for me to put her eye drops in is significant in our relationship and our trust."

"Look for the micro moments of allowing your dog the freedom to give consent"

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.

EBD095 Role Modeling Calm for Your Dog Mar 09, 2020

Show notes

Are you being the calm leader and guide that your dog needs you to be?

When things go south, our dogs look to us for guidance. Whether you realize it or not, you are role modeling for your dog. When you're stressed and anxious, your dog is stressed and anxious too. When you're calm and relaxed about a situation, your dog is much more likely to feel calm and relaxed too.

But what happens when unexpected drama erupts, and your dog is triggered?

Kathy has a protocol for that! In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy reveals the inner workings of her 'Get Back to Grazing' protocol that she teaches VIP members inside the Brilliant Partners Academy. The Get Back to Grazing Protocol teaches you how be a calm role model for your dog – even when the unexpected happens!

In This Episode:

What the 'Get Back to Grazing' protocol is
How your dog interprets your emotional and physical responses
Breaking down the 'Get Back to Grazing' protocol into easy-to-follow steps
The importance of protecting your mind from negative thoughts
How to defuse a stressful situation

Quotes:

"When we get off balance, our dog gets off balance."

"We are the ones that our dogs are looking to for what we are supposed to do next."

"There is no denying that your dog knows your every mood and your every thought."

"There's no failures - there are only opportunities to learn."

"Connect with your dog, love your dog."

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.

EBD094 A Sensitive Dog in a Big Scary City with Ulla Kjeldgaard Mar 02, 2020

Show notes

Do you have a sensitive dog? A dog who is hypersensitive, nervous, or fearful around large crowds or when a fast car drives past? If you're nodding yes, you'll probably have a lot in common with Ulla Kjeldgaard and her Labrador, Bella.

Bella had a hard time adjusting to busy city life. She didn't have a back garden or yard to run about in, which meant going out into the city was unavoidable for potty breaks and daily walks. However, Bella was afraid of everything and everyone. It wasn't until Ulla changed her own mindset and started to listen to her dog's concerns that big changes began to happen.

Today, Ulla and Bella are Brilliant Partners who tackle life together as a team. Listen to this episode of Enlightened By Dogs as Kathy and Ulla discuss some valuable lessons that come with having a hypersensitive dog in a really big city.

In This Episode:

How Ulla and Bella found each other
Early struggles that Bella faced in the big city
Why Bella was so fearful of city-life
Why we have to stop trying to "fix" our dogs
Key lessons from the "Safe, Calm, and Happy Protocol"
The importance of giving your dog the choice and why you need to listen to your dog when they're fearful, nervous, or uncomfortable
How to make a sensitive dog feel more relaxed
How to be a good role model for your dog
Why and how to give your dog their own personal space
Tips to help you make a sensitive dog feel safe, happy and confident

Quotes:

"She was afraid of people, dogs, cars, anything that moved and walked - and I live in the center of the city!"

"The leash is like a communication tool"

"What I actually did was imagine a golden bubble around her and I was using the string (or leash) as the connection"

"I made a promise to her that I would never ever make her meet people that she didn't like"

"The relationship finally started to grow"

"I was just being attentive without being alert"

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.

EBD093 Why Your Reactive or Anxious Dog Doesn't Trust You Feb 24, 2020

Show notes

Do you have a reactive or anxious dog?

If your dog is reactive to triggers like other dogs, it can be really frustrating for both you and your dog. Your dog may feel fearful, worried or anxious about a certain situation, while you're trying your best to support and help them. Yet, nothing you try is working and it seems like their reactivity is getting worse instead of better.

Kathy has seen this happen time and time again. But, there's a reason why your reactive, hypersensitive, distracted, fearful, worried or anxious dog doesn't trust you.

In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy reveals why trust and confidence has leaked from your relationship with your dog. She also helps you to turn things around and rebuild the trust between you and your best friend, and it all starts by asking yourself three simple questions…

In This Episode:

The problem with common approaches to reactive dogs
Why you need to be a loving leader for your dog
How dogs learn through the role modeling of those around them
Three clarity questions to ask yourself before following through with an activity with your dog

Quotes:

"It's really up to us to take responsibility for being the kind of human that our dogs love to follow, love to listen to and love to partner with."

"It's really natural for dogs, as socially intelligent animals, to learn through our role modeling"

"The longer you keep that faucet open, the worse condition your relationship becomes."

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.

EBD092 Rehabbing An 'Untrainable' Rescue Dog Feb 17, 2020

Show notes

How can you train an "untrainable" dog?

Do such dogs even exist? When Kathy met Maya, a six-month old border collie with a sweet temperament, she had already been re-homed three times and Kathy was her fourth. Each owner said the same thing as the last. Maya was out of control. She was "untrainable."

Poor Maya had a rough time of it but thankfully, Kathy wasn't about to give up on her. She took what her previous owners said with a grain of salt. After all, how bad could it be?

What followed was months of foundation building, bonding, and training. Above all else, Kathy made sure that Maya's needs were being met and that she felt safe, calm and happy with her new forever family. Kathy shares Maya's story in this episode of Enlightened By Dogs in hopes that it'll inspire you to never give up on your "untrainable" dog.

In this episode:

Hear about Kathy's border collie Maya, the "untrainable" dog
What partnership principles Kathy used when training Maya
Three questions you should ask yourself before making any training decisions
Why you should focus on building a foundation with your dog before jumping into the difficult stuff
What the "95% rule" is and how you can use it with your dog
How Maya's incredible transformation proves that no dog is "untrainable"

Quotes:

"I was very mindful to let her know that she was never going to be struck or punished again."

"When Maya first came home, the very first thing I focused on was building our foundation."

"We just took it one day at a time and I stayed in the dialogue loop with her."

"It's important for us to first have a foundation that is built on trust, confidence and communication, so that we know how to dialogue."

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?

To read the blog post on this topic, click here.

EBD091 Hard Lessons from a Heart Dog Feb 10, 2020

Show notes

Some of our most important life lessons come from our hardest dogs.

We all have high and low points with our dogs and Kathy is no exception. Like the rest of us, Kathy has had her fair share of challenges and struggles throughout the years. But, instead of looking at them as 'mistakes,' or 'failures,' – she views them as important life lessons. It was these very same lessons that led Kathy on the path towards enlightenment and she has her hardest dog, a border collie named Phoenix, to thank for it.

In this deep and insightful episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy shares a heart-breaking story that many struggling dog moms will relate to. Hear how she overcame difficult challenges and learn how her hardest dog taught her the true meaning of living a joy-filled partnership lifestyle with dogs.

It's a candid episode that might just fill your eyes with tears…but your heart with hope.

In This Episode:

Kathy talks about a time when she really struggled and almost gave up on her dreams
The importance of resilience and not giving up on a hard dog
Kathy's enlightened epiphany that inspired her to chase her dreams
Life lessons Kathy learned from the hardest dog she ever had
The true meaning of being a great leader for your dog

Quotes:

"Trust is awarded by our dogs to someone that they trust to keep them safe."

"Dogs are desperate for loving leadership."

"I dreamt of a million dancing hearts of dog moms just like you and me, living a joy-filled partnership lifestyle with the dogs they loved so much."

Want More of Kathy?

To read the blog post on this topic, click here.

EBD090 It's Your Choice - Transactional vs Relational Feb 03, 2020

Show notes

Do you have a transactional or a relational lifestyle with your dog…and which is better?

Dogs are socially intelligent beings and show human-like social cognition in a variety of ways. You can (and should) use that intelligence to form cooperative partnerships as a lifestyle with your dog.

We have more in common with our dogs than we think. The concept of using our dogs social intelligence to develop meaningful bonds with them is just one of the partnership principles that members of Kathy's Brilliant Partners Academy live by.

Kathy dives into the topic of transactional vs relational further on this episode of Enlightened By Dogs and reveals a few revelations that might surprise you. One such revelation uncovers the truth about why treats, toys, and games do not build a trusting partnership lifestyle. Yes, this episode might be a little controversial, but by the end of it, you're going to have the knowledge, tools, and insight to build a happy and peaceful relational lifestyle with your loyal companion – and what can be better than that?

In This Episode:

The difference between having a transactional and relational relationship with your dog
What it really means to have a partnership lifestyle with your dog
How good leaders make their dog feel safe
Why social engagement is so important for both humans and dogs
Busting the myth that dogs "aren't capable of being well behaved without being paid to do so"
Five things that we have in common with our dogs
Three social needs that we MUST meet for our dogs

Links & Mentions from this episode:

EBD053 Relationships Fail Without These 3 Social Needs!
Simon Sinek's TED Talk – Why good leaders make you feel safe

Quotes

"I don't want to be my dog's boss."

"Because we are social mammals, we are socially intelligent - just like our dogs."

"The natural response to feeling safe amongst our own is trust and cooperation."

"Dogs need us to create a circle of safety and the vibe of the family circle is created by us, the dog moms!"

Want More of Kathy?

To read the blog post on this topic, click here.

EBD089 Behavior is Communication Jan 27, 2020

Show notes

Have you ever wondered what your dog is trying to tell you?

Here's a hint - since your dog can't talk it out, they act it out. Dogs use body language like ear and eye position, body posture, facial expressions, and movement, to communicate with you. But, do you know how to listen to your dog?

Just because dogs can't speak our language, doesn't mean that we can't learn theirs. Kathy is somewhat of a 'dog whisperer,' and uses her dog's behavior as cues of communication. But she doesn't want to keep all of this knowledge to herself!

In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy reveals why it's so important to understand your dog's behavior if you want to build a trusting, harmonious, and deeply connected relationship with your dog.

If you want to understand your dog's behavior better, this eye-opening episode will help you decipher what your dog is trying to tell you so that you can become a great partner for and with your dog.

In this episode:

Why so-called "bad behavior" is really a cry for help
How to spot tell-tale signs that your dog is feeling uncomfortable, fearful, or stressed
Why you need to learn to listen to your dog's whispers before they become screams
How to resolve your dog's "behavioral issues" and deepen the bond between you both

"Since dogs can't talk it out, they act it out."

"Instead of calling it 'bad behavior,' look at it as a cry for help."

"Listen to the whispers. Believe your dog when he's communicating that he's uncomfortable and doesn't feel safe, calm, and happy."

Links & Mentions from this episode:

Want More of Kathy?

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