The Dog Who Asked for More: Dog Training and Dog Behavior for Relief from Guilt, Burnout, and Self-Doubt

Your Dog Can Do the Thing Perfectly, Except When They Suddenly Can't | Dog Training

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Have you ever watched your dog perform perfectly in one place, then completely fall apart somewhere else?

If you have a reactive dog, you've probably felt the frustration of training that works one day and fails the next. But what if the problem isn't the training at all?

In this episode, Em talks through what actually happens to a dog's ability to learn once they're pushed past what they can handle, why that changes everything they're capable of in the moment, and why so many behavior challenges seem to come out of nowhere when they rarely do.

You'll hear:

How to recognize the early body language signals that your dog is becoming overwhelmed before a reaction happens
Why your reactive dog may be unable to respond to cues, food, or training once they're past their limit
How changing the environment, not the training method, creates faster, more sustainable progress

Press play if you've ever wondered why your dog can succeed in one environment and completely struggle in another.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

This podcast explores life with dogs, dog behavior, dog behavior problems, dog obedience, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, and dog training. It's for the dog community navigating overwhelm, guilt, burnout, and self-doubt while struggling to keep up with a dog who asks for more. Episodes cover canine nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, dog communication, emotional healing, self-trust, personal growth, and finding real relief in the connection you have with your dog. Whether you're raising a reactive dog, feeling discouraged, or simply trying to better understand your dog and yourself, this podcast helps you create a calmer life together and strengthen the bond that changes both of you. We're now building to take this conversation on the road, bringing honest support directly to dog parents around the world.

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

A Safe Place for Your Dog Can Turn Dangerous in Under Ten Minutes | Dog Gear

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

A dog trainer left his dog in a sprinter van with the AC running while he taught a seminar nearby. Within minutes of the AC failing, the van hit 100 degrees. He only knew because his phone started buzzing.

In this episode, Em talks with Kaile from Waggle about the mental load of leaving a dog behind, whether that's at home, in the car, or in an RV, and how real-time monitoring changes what "checking on your dog" actually looks like. They get into Kaile's own story fostering Maya, a death-row shelter dog with real trauma, and what it took to trust that crate training her was the right call and not a failure.

You'll hear:

A real story of a temperature alert catching a dangerous situation in time to act
How monitoring tools can double as training tools, not just safety nets
Why leaving your dog safely at home isn't something to feel guilty about

Press play if you've ever rushed home early from a trip just to make sure your dog was okay. Code EB65 gets you up to 65% off Waggle's pet monitoring tech.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road. An RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and the everyday products we actually use, all in one place.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

📹 Check In On Your Dog From Anywhere

Whether you're running errands, traveling, or at work, Waggle lets you check in with your dog in real time with live video, motion alerts, and remote camera controls, giving you peace of mind when you can't be there. Use code EB65 to save up to 65%.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/wagglepets

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waggletv/

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Story You've Built About Your Dog's Worst Days Might Be Completely Wrong | Dog Training

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Have you ever had one bad day with your dog and immediately wondered if you've ruined everything?

If you live with a reactive dog, you know how easy it is to turn a difficult walk, a setback, or a frustrating behavior into a story about who your dog is—or what you're doing wrong. In this episode, we explore why those stories feel so convincing, how they shape your dog training decisions, and what may actually be happening beneath the surface.

You'll hear a personal story about a behavior that seemed like a breed trait but turned out to be something unintentionally taught, along with the powerful lesson that came from having someone else look at the situation with fresh eyes.

By listening, you'll discover:

Why one difficult day with your reactive dog is data—not proof that your dog training is failing.
How the stories you tell yourself can keep you stuck and strain your relationship with my dog.
A simple way to step back, gather better information, and identify what's really driving challenging behavior.

If you're exhausted from second-guessing yourself and wondering whether your dog is getting worse, this episode will help you see setbacks through a clearer, more compassionate lens. Listen now and learn how to separate the facts from the story.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Pushing Your Dog's Progress Could Be Backfiring | Dog Training

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

What if the thing that feels like giving up on your dog is actually the thing they need most?

If you're living with a reactive dog, anxious dog, or a dog who seems constantly overwhelmed, you've probably been told to keep pushing forward. More training. More exposure. More practice. More consistency.

But what if progress isn't about doing more?

In this episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, Em shares the reality of living with Fitz and Toby, the management strategies that became essential from day one, and the powerful lesson that changed everything: sometimes healing happens when we stop pushing and start listening.

Together, we'll explore why nervous system regulation matters, how chronic stress impacts learning, and why management isn't a sign of failure—it's often the foundation that makes real progress possible.

After listening, you'll learn:

Why reactive dogs often need recovery time before training can be effective.
How management supports nervous system healing and creates the conditions for lasting behavior change.
Why shorter walks, fewer outings, and more intentional choices may actually help your dog make progress faster.

Press play to discover why pulling back isn't falling behind—and how giving your dog the space to recover may be the key to helping them move forward.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

This podcast explores life with dogs — including dog behavior, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, dog training, and the relationship with your dog. It's for dog parents navigating overwhelm, chronic stress, burnout recovery, and the challenges of life with a dog who asks for more. Episodes cover dog nutrition, canine nutrition, pet nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, dog communication, emotional healing, healing with dogs, self-trust, personal growth, and building a deeper connection with your dog. Whether you're raising a reactive dog, feeling discouraged, or simply trying to better understand your dog and yourself, this podcast helps you create a calmer life together and strengthen the bond that changes both of you. We're now taking this conversation on the road, bringing honest support directly to dog parents across the country.

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

You Didn't Get the Wrong Dog. You Got Ready for the Wrong Life | Dog Training

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Did you choose your dog based on your real life—or the life you hoped you would have?

When most people start looking for a dog, they focus on breeds, photos, energy levels, and what life might look like once that dog comes home. But what happens when the reality doesn't match the dream? In this episode, I sit down with Julie Swan of the Honest Dog Breeder Podcast to talk about ethical breeding, rescue dogs, dog behavior, and the often-overlooked role that lifestyle fit plays in long-term success.

You'll learn:

Why finding the right dog matters more than finding the "best" dog.
The green flags and red flags to watch for when choosing a breeder or puppy.
How lifestyle mismatches can create dog training challenges that have nothing to do with having a "bad" dog.

Whether you're considering a puppy, thinking about adding another dog to your family, or trying to better understand the dog already in front of you, this episode will help you see the difference between a dog problem and a fit problem—and why that distinction changes everything. Listen now and discover what makes a successful relationship with my dog last for years.

Download Julie's guide on How to Find the Right Breeder

👉 https://tinyurl.com/howtofindtherightbreeder

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Why Does Your Dog Reacting in Public Feels Like It Says Something About You | Dog Training

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

A bike comes around the corner and the dog reacts. Even knowing everything about triggers and thresholds, it still feels like the stranger watching just saw something true about you.

This episode breaks down why a reactive dog's public meltdown gets turned into a verdict about the handler, why understanding the science behind reactivity doesn't make the shame disappear, and why separating the incident itself from what it supposedly proves about you is the actual shift that changes things.

You'll hear:

Why knowing the reason behind a reaction doesn't stop the embarrassment of being watched
The difference between a reaction being information versus being a failure
Why going back out again after a hard walk is the actual measure of doing this well

Press play if your dog has ever reacted in public and you've walked away replaying it, wondering what you could have done differently.

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Grief Started Before Anything Was Actually Lost | Pet Loss

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

You don't notice the changes all at once.

It's the extra medication with breakfast. The slower trip up the stairs. The way your dog sleeps a little more than they used to. The way your daily routine quietly shifts around their needs until one day you realize just how much has changed.

In this episode, I'm talking about a kind of grief that doesn't get discussed very often: the grief that starts before the loss.

The grief of loving a senior dog who is still here while becoming increasingly aware that your time together is finite. The strange space between gratitude and heartbreak. The way you find yourself paying closer attention, memorizing small moments, and trying to stay present while part of you is already worried about the future.

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

Why the small changes in your senior dog can feel more emotional than the big ones.
The quiet grief that comes from knowing your dog is aging while they're still right beside you.
How to stay present with the dog you have today instead of getting lost in the future you're not ready to face yet.

If you've ever looked at your dog and thought, I know this won't last forever, this episode is for you.

You're not grieving too early.

You're paying attention.

You're noticing the moments that once felt ordinary because somewhere along the way you realized they aren't ordinary at all.

Listen now for a conversation about loving a senior dog through the chapter you're in, staying present with the time you still have, and finding room for both gratitude and grief at the same time. 🐾❤️

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop PetMat Rx Supplements

The Best of the Best Supplements from PetMat Rx.

👉 https://petmatrx.com/?ref=tdwafm

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Bad Breath, Itching, and a Dull Coat Aren't Three Problems. They're One. | Dog Health

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Have you ever felt like you're constantly chasing a new symptom with your dog?

Maybe it's bad breath. Maybe it's itching. Maybe it's digestive issues that improve for a while, then come right back. You've changed foods, tried supplements, spent hours researching, and you're still wondering what you're missing.

In this episode, I sit down with Kendall, co-founder of Kingdom, to talk about why some of the most common health issues in dogs may not be separate problems at all. We get into the connection between oral health, gut health, skin health, and the microbiome, and why focusing only on what you can see on the surface can leave you stuck.

In this episode, you'll hear:

Why bad breath may be more than a dental issue, and what it could reveal about your dog's overall health
How gut health can influence itching, coat condition, and other symptoms that seem unrelated
What to look for in supplements and health products if you want to address root causes

If you've been doing everything you can for your dog and still feel like you're not getting answers, this conversation will help you look at it differently.

Sometimes the goal isn't doing more. Sometimes it's understanding what your dog has been trying to tell you all along.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them? A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Your Dog Survived The Fireworks. Now They Need Time To Recover | Dog Training

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The noise has stopped. The holiday is over.

But your dog is still jumpy, restless, reacting to things that normally wouldn't bother them, and you're starting to wonder if something is wrong.

In this episode, Em explains what's actually happening inside your dog's body after a stressful event and why recovery often takes much longer than most dog parents expect.

If you've been worried that your dog should be "over it" by now, this conversation will help you understand what normal recovery really looks like and how to support your dog through it.

You'll Hear:

Why your dog may still seem stressed days after the fireworks are over.
What cortisol does in the body and how it affects recovery after a fear event.
Why less activity, less pressure, and more rest may be exactly what your dog needs right now.

If your dog isn't acting like themselves after fireworks season, this episode will help you stop second-guessing what happened and start supporting the recovery process with more confidence and less worry.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉⁠https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast⁠

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 ⁠thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com⁠

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou⁠

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

📧 ⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Real Cost of Making Every Dog Decision Alone

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Being the only one who decides for your dog costs more than you think.

You've stayed up at midnight researching food, training, or health decisions, wishing someone would just tell you that you're not getting it wrong.

If you're the only one making every call for your dog, this episode is for you. The emotional weight of constant second-guessing, the financial pressure of getting it wrong, the exhaustion dog parents carry silently every day, especially when there's no partner, no backup, and nobody else who fully understands what's at stake.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why deciding everything alone slowly erodes your confidence, even when you're making good choices
The real emotional and financial cost of carrying every call by yourself
How finding even one person who gets it can change how the weight actually feels

If you've been carrying the weight of being the only decision-maker for your dog in silence, this episode will help you feel a little less alone in it.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉⁠https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast⁠

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 ⁠thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com⁠

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz⁠

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

You Never Expected Dog Training to Save You From Everything Else Falling Apart

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

What happens when the dog beside you stops being part of the job and becomes the one constant in your life?

After years of dog training, deployments, Secret Service missions, and life-changing transitions, Paul Bourgeois discovered that his military working dog, Rroddie, was giving him something far beyond protection or performance. Through war, divorce, retirement, and the difficult transition back to civilian life, Rroddie became the one thing that stayed the same when everything else changed.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why the deepest relationships with dogs often develop during the hardest seasons of life.
How military working dogs support their handlers in ways that go far beyond their official training.
What losing a heart dog can teach you about stability, grief, and the bonds that continue long after they're gone.

If you've ever felt like your dog carried you through something you couldn't explain to anyone else, this conversation will stay with you long after the episode ends.

Connect with Paul

⁠https://www.instagram.com/pbourgeois881/⁠

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉⁠https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast⁠

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 ⁠thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com⁠

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz⁠

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

All That Training and Your Dog Still Panics When the Fireworks Start

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

You've played the soundtracks. Practiced the exercises. Done everything the training advice told you to do.

And the fireworks start anyway, and your dog falls apart anyway, and you're standing there wondering what you missed.

In this episode, Em shares why so many well-meaning dog parents end up here every year, and why fireworks may not be the training problem everyone assumes it is. Drawing from her experience as a dog trainer, pet sitter, and dog mom, she gets into what actually happens when fear takes over, why training isn't always available in that moment, and what your dog might need instead.

You'll hear:

Why your dog can still panic during fireworks even after weeks of training
The difference between a training problem and a nervous system event
What actually helps a dog feel safer once the fear response has already started

If you've ever watched your dog struggle during fireworks and wondered if you're doing enough, this one's for you.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉⁠https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast⁠

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 ⁠thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com⁠

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou⁠

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

📧 ⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Your World Got Smaller With a Reactive Dog and It's Not What You Think | Life With Dogs

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Your reactive dog, and it's not what you think.

There are places you and your dog just stopped going. Not because you decided to. Little by little, your world got smaller, and you almost didn't notice until you did.

In this episode, Em talks about the quiet kind of avoidance that happens when you're living with a reactive dog: the skipped walks, the places that stopped feeling easy, the moment you realize your whole life has adapted around keeping everyone regulated. Some of that adapting was necessary. Some of it came from fear. Telling the two apart is harder than most people admit.

You'll hear:

How to tell the difference between protecting your reactive dog and shrinking your own life out of anxiety
Why avoidance can feel like relief in the moment while quietly becoming your normal
What it actually looks like to start finding your way back to the places you miss

If your life with your reactive dog feels smaller than it used to, this episode will help you understand why.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉⁠https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast⁠

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 ⁠thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com⁠

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz⁠

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Car Was Unrecognizable. The Dog Inside Was Fine | Dog Gear

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Getting there and getting there safely aren't the same thing.

Most dog parents never think about car safety until they're faced with a close call, an accident, or the realization that their dog could be seriously hurt in a crash. We think about training, nutrition, enrichment, behavior. How our dogs actually travel rarely makes the list.

In this episode, Em sits down with Reed from Ruffland Kennels to talk about what real dog car safety looks like, why a crate is about protection, not punishment, and how the right setup can completely change how a dog experiences travel. Real crash stories, practical setup tips, and what it actually takes to be prepared before something goes wrong.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why car safety protects both dogs and the humans traveling with them
How the right crate becomes a space dogs trust instead of one they dread
What most dog parents get wrong about kennels and safe travel

Press play to find out what one change to how your dog travels could mean for every trip after this one.

Because the Dogs We Love Deserve to Ride Safely

Whether you're heading across town or across the country, a safe travel setup can make all the difference. Learn more about RuffLand Kennels and find the right fit for your dog.

👉 https://www.rufflandkennels.com/

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Why Your Dog Acts Needier and More Demanding When You’re Already Exhausted | Dog Behavior

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Do you ever feel completely exhausted by your dog… and then immediately guilty for feeling that way at all?

Some days it feels like your dog needs something from you every second:attention, movement, regulation, reassurance, management, patience, decision-making, and emotional energy. And when you’re already overwhelmed yourself, even small things can start to feel impossibly heavy.

In this episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, we’re talking about the side of dog ownership almost nobody admits out loud, the days when your dog needs more than you feel capable of giving.

This conversation explores emotional burnout, nervous system overwhelm, guilt, behavior struggles, and why dogs often seem more demanding during the exact moments their humans feel most depleted.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Why hard days with your dog can feel emotionally heavier than people realize — especially when your own nervous system is already overwhelmed.
The difference between temporary overwhelm and situations that may actually need support or change without spiraling into guilt or shame.
Simple ways to make difficult days feel more manageable for both you and your dog without believing you have to “do more” all the time.

Because loving your dog and feeling exhausted by them can both be true at the same time.

And that doesn’t make you a bad dog parent.

Hit play for an honest conversation about dog ownership, emotional burnout, overwhelm, and the guilt so many dog parents carry silently and alone.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉⁠https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast⁠

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 ⁠thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com⁠

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou⁠

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

📧 ⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Dog Behavior Decision That Haunted Me For 15 Years | Dog Training

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

What do you do when you’ve tried everything for your dog… and nothing is working?

In this deeply personal episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, Em shares the full story of Izzie — the dog she loved deeply, the years of management and escalating behavior, and the impossible decision she eventually had to make after everything finally fell apart.

This conversation explores the emotional reality of living with severe dog behavior struggles, the guilt and confusion that come with feeling trapped inside a situation that isn’t getting better, and the quiet questions so many dog owners are terrified to say out loud.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn:

Because sometimes the hardest part isn’t loving your dog.

It’s realizing love may not be enough to make the situation safe, sustainable, or humane for either of you anymore.

Why some dog behavior struggles improve with support while others may never become safely manageable — and how to think more clearly about the difference.
The hidden emotional weight behind rehoming, behavioral euthanasia, and impossible dog behavior decisions — especially when guilt starts drowning out reality.
How to recognize when you’re surviving instead of living — and why chronic fear, exhaustion, and hypervigilance matter too.

This episode is for the dog owner lying awake, wondering:

“Am I failing my dog?”

“What if I can’t keep doing this?”

“How do I know when enough is enough?”

Because some dog behavior decisions don’t leave clean answers behind.

Only grief, love, and the hope that you did the best you could with what you knew at the time.

Hit play for an honest conversation about severe dog behavior struggles, guilt, grief, behavioral euthanasia, and the impossible decisions many dog owners carry silently and alone.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉⁠https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast⁠

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 ⁠thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com⁠

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz⁠

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

You've Researched More Dog Products Than You've Ever Bought for Yourself | Pet Care

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Have You Ever Felt Like Helping Your Dog Has Turned Into A Research Project?

You've saved the post. Bought the supplement. Tried the chew. Added another recommendation to the list.

And somehow, instead of feeling more confident, you feel even less sure about what your dog actually needs.

In this episode, Em sits down with Michelle Huie, founder of ShopDotPet, to talk about why so many pet parents get stuck in a cycle of researching, comparing, second-guessing, and trying to make the "perfect" decision for their dog. Together, they explore what happens when caring deeply starts to feel exhausting and why more information isn't always the thing that's missing.

You'll Hear:

Why supporting your dog can start to feel like a second job, even when you're doing everything "right."
How decision fatigue quietly affects your confidence as a pet parent.
What changes when you stop trying to find the perfect answer and start building trusted sources of guidance.

If you've ever spent hours researching products for your dog and still felt unsure about your next step, this conversation will help you find a little more clarity and a lot less pressure.

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 ⁠thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com⁠

Join ShopDot Pet

Are you a pet pro who recommends products often? Curate your client experience with ShopDot Pet!👉⁠Get Your Storefront⁠

Connect with Michelle:

LinkedIn

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-huie/⁠

Email

info@shop.app.com

Instagram⁠https://www.instagram.com/shopdotapp/⁠

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

More Enrichment Was Supposed to Help. It Made Things Worse | Dog Behavior

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Have you ever spent hours planning enrichment for your dog… only to end the day wondering why they still seem restless, overstimulated, or unable to settle?

Lick mats. Snuffle mats. Puzzle feeders. Frozen toppers. Scatter feeding. Training sessions. Walks. Rotations. DIY enrichment setups.

A lot of dog parents are doing everything they’ve been told to do — and still ending up with dogs who feel more activated instead of calmer.

In this episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, Em shares the honest reality of burning herself out trying to “do enrichment right” for Fitz, only to realize that more enrichment wasn’t actually helping him regulate.

Because sometimes the issue isn’t a lack of stimulation.

Sometimes the nervous system is already overwhelmed.

This conversation explores how enrichment culture quietly became pressure, why some dogs become more dysregulated with constant stimulation, and how learning to observe what actually helps your dog settle changes everything.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Why some enrichment activities can accidentally overstimulate certain dogs — especially sensitive, anxious, or high-arousal dogs.
How to recognize the difference between a tired dog and a regulated dog — and why exhaustion isn’t always the same thing as calm.
Why enrichment works best when it supports your individual dog’s nervous system instead of following pressure to constantly “do more.”

Because enrichment isn’t about doing the most, it’s about helping your dog feel safe enough to finally settle.

Hit play for an honest conversation about dog enrichment, overstimulation, nervous system regulation, and why doing less might actually help both you and your dog feel calmer.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast⁠⁠

Learn More about SwiftPaws

👉⁠https://tinyurl.com/swiftpaws⁠

Join the SwiftPaws Facebook Community👉⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CiRZmTaeS/⁠

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉⁠⁠ https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou⁠⁠

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠⁠

📧 ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Your Dog Has Supported You Through Things Nobody Else Saw

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Have you ever looked at your dog and realized they became so much more than a companion—they became the thing that helped you survive?

For some people, dogs become far more than pets. They become routine, safety, stability, and emotional support when life feels overwhelming. In this deeply personal episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, Em shares the reality of surviving an abusive living situation during COVID while trapped in a housing crisis with nowhere safe to go—and the quiet role Fitz and Toby played in helping her make it through.

This conversation explores the powerful connection between dogs and mental health, how trauma and chronic stress shape emotional attachment, and why dogs often become emotional anchors during the most difficult chapters of our lives.

After listening, you'll discover:

Why some relationships with dogs feel deeper than companionship, especially during periods of trauma, grief, isolation, and uncertainty.
How chronic stress, hypervigilance, and nervous system survival affect both dogs and humans living in the same environment.
Why emotional attachment, trust, and companionship can become powerful sources of healing—and what it means when your dog becomes part of your survival story.

Press play for an honest conversation about trauma, emotional healing, dogs and mental health, and the extraordinary bond that can form between a dog and the person who needs them most.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉⁠https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast⁠

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 ⁠thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com⁠

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz⁠

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Why More Exercise Is Making Your Dog Harder to Live With | Dog Enrichment

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

What if your dog doesn't need more exercise—just a better way to use the energy they already have?

Many dog parents are stuck in the same exhausting cycle: more walks, more fetch, more play, more activity... yet their dog still won't settle. If you have a high-energy dog, reactive dog, anxious dog, or a dog that constantly seems to want more, this episode may completely change how you think about enrichment. Em sits down with Meghan from SwiftPaws to explore why fulfillment—not exhaustion—is often the missing piece. Together, they unpack the predatory sequence, enrichment stacking, overstimulation, and how understanding your dog's natural instincts can dramatically improve dog behavior and your relationship with your dog.

After listening, you'll learn:

Why more exercise can sometimes increase overstimulation instead of creating calm.
How the predatory sequence helps explain what many dogs are actually seeking when they seem restless.
A simple enrichment stacking framework that helps dogs move from excitement to relaxation more naturally.

Press play to discover why your dog may not need more activity—and how the right kind of fulfillment can transform your daily life together.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉⁠https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast⁠

Learn More about SwiftPaws

👉⁠https://swiftpaws.com?sca_ref=8531011.0u8fNXiYVL⁠

Join the SwiftPaws Facebook Community👉⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CiRZmTaeS/⁠

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou⁠

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

📧 ⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

A Dog Trainer With Years of Experience Still Missed Every Warning Sign | Dog Body Language

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Have you ever looked at your dog after a reaction, shutdown, growl, or stressful moment and thought: “Where did that even come from?”

A lot of dog parents believe reactions happen suddenly.One second their dog seems fine… and the next there’s barking, lunging, freezing, growling, or biting that feels impossible to predict.

But most dogs are communicating long before those moments happen.

Most of us just were never taught how to recognize the signs.

In this episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, Em shares the moment she got bitten by a dog she genuinely believed was comfortable — despite years working in veterinary medicine and handling dogs professionally.

Through stories about Fitz, client dogs, and her own missed signals, this conversation explores the subtle body language cues dogs use to communicate discomfort before reactions escalate:lip licking, whale eye, looking away, freezing, yawning,tension shifts, and the quiet moments most people unintentionally overlook.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

The subtle dog body language signs that often happen before reactions or bites — and why they’re so easy to miss if nobody ever taught you what to look for.
Why many reactive dogs seem “unpredictable” — even though they’re often communicating stress long before escalation happens.
How understanding dog body language changes the way we approach dog training, regulation, and emotional safety — for both dogs and humans.

Because dogs are almost always communicating.

The problem is that most of us were taught to wait until the behavior gets loud enough to notice.

Hit play for a grounded conversation about dog body language, dog behavior, reactivity, and the quiet warning signs your dog may have been trying to show you all along.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉⁠https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast⁠

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 ⁠thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com⁠

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz⁠

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Every Dog Training Method You've Tried Skipped the Same Thing

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Have you ever felt like your dog understands something one day… and completely falls apart the next?

You practice.You repeat things.You try to stay patient and consistent.

And still your dog seems overwhelmed, reactive, distracted, or unable to settle once real life gets involved.

In this episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, Em shares the turning point she experienced with Fitz after realizing that more pressure, more corrections, and more training intensity weren’t helping him feel safer in the world — they were pushing him further into survival mode.

Because sometimes the issue isn’t that your dog “won’t listen.”

Sometimes their nervous system is too overwhelmed to learn.

This conversation explores why regulation matters so deeply in dog behavior, why reactive and anxious dogs often struggle to retain training, and what changes when we stop asking dogs to perform before they feel emotionally safe enough to process what’s happening around them.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Why your dog may stop responding during training — especially in overwhelming or emotionally charged situations.
How stress and survival states affect learning, memory, and dog behavior in ways many people never realize.
Why nervous system regulation creates the foundation for successful dog training — particularly for sensitive, reactive, or easily overwhelmed dogs.

Because training can only land when the nervous system is actually available to receive it.

Hit play for a compassionate conversation about dog training, overwhelm, and the hidden reason some dogs struggle even when their people are trying so hard to help them.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉⁠https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast⁠

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 ⁠thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com⁠

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz⁠

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Why Losing This Kind of Dog Breaks You in a Way Losing Any Other Dog Never Did | Pet Loss Grief

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Losing your dog is hard.

But losing the dog who changed you feels like losing part of yourself.

In this episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, we’re talking about the kind of grief people don’t always understand — the grief that comes after a dog who shaped your routines, your identity, your healing, and the version of yourself you became because they were here.

Because when you’ve loved a dog who needed more from you, those relationships often become woven into everything:

your schedule, your decisions, your sense of safety, your daily life, and sometimes even your reason for continuing through hard seasons of your life.

And when they’re gone, it’s not just about missing your dog.

It’s about figuring out who you are without them here.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Why losing certain dogs feels different — especially when they changed the course of your life in ways other people may never fully understand.
Why grief after losing a dog can feel so disorienting and identity-shifting — even long after the loss itself.
Why “moving on” often feels impossible after losing a soul-level relationship with a dog — and what it means to carry that love forward instead.

Because some dogs don’t just become part of your life. They become part of who you are.

Hit play to feel less alone in the kind of grief that happens when losing your dog feels like losing part of yourself too.

Free Resources & Support

Shop What I Use with Fitz & Toby

Everything I talk about — enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — is in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

What If the Reason Your Dog Training Isn't Working Is Sitting in Their Food Bowl | Canine Nutrition

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0500

You’ve done the training.

The walks.The management.The routines.The enrichment.

And while some of it helps… your dog still seems anxious, reactive, unsettled, or unable to fully relax.

In this episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, we’re talking about the connection between dog behavior and what may be happening inside the body — especially in the gut.

Because many dogs labeled as “anxious,” “sensitive,” “reactive,” or “difficult” may actually be struggling with underlying physical discomfort that training alone can’t fully resolve.

This conversation explores why progress can feel inconsistent even when you’re doing everything “right,” how food sensitivities and gut health affect the nervous system, and why regulation starts deeper than behavior alone.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Why your dog’s anxiety may not be just a training issue — and how physical discomfort can change behavior, tolerance, and recovery.
How gut health and food sensitivities affect the nervous system in ways many dog parents never realize.
Why your dog’s progress may feel inconsistent — and how nutrition helps create the foundation for learning, regulation, and emotional stability.

Because sometimes behavior isn’t the whole story.

And your dog may be struggling with something they don’t know how to communicate any other way.

Hit play to better understand the connection between your dog’s body, behavior, and anxiety — and why training alone may not be addressing the full picture.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://gofund.me/8a7d1cbea

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

What It Actually Costs to Be the Person Who Never Stops Thinking About Their Dog | Compassion Fatigue

Fri, 29 May 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Do you ever feel like your brain is constantly running calculations about your dog?

Is this walk too much?

Did they get enough rest?

Should we leave now?

Will this trigger a reaction?

Did I make the wrong call again?

In this episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, we’re talking about the invisible mental load behind life with a dog who needs more from you than most people realize.

Because when your dog struggles with regulation, reactivity, health issues, anxiety, or unpredictability, your brain never fully turns off. You’re constantly adjusting, planning, monitoring, and trying to stay one step ahead — and after a while, it becomes exhausting in a way most people around you never see.

But what if that constant awareness isn’t failure?

What if it’s actually part of learning how to truly understand your dog?

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Why the “standard dog formula” doesn’t work for every dog — and why forcing your dog into it can leave both of you overwhelmed.
How to build routines and environments that actually support your specific dog instead of constantly chasing what works for everyone else.
Why the mental load you carry as a dog parent is real — and how understanding your dog more deeply can help you feel more confident and less stuck.

Because sometimes the problem isn’t that you’re overthinking your dog.

Sometimes it’s that nobody prepared you for what it actually means to care for one who needs more.

Hit play to feel less alone in the invisible “dog math” you do every day — and learn why understanding your dog more deeply changes everything.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://gofund.me/8a7d1cbea

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Thing Your Dog's Body Is Starving For That No Supplement Can Replace | Dog Health

Wed, 27 May 2026 05:00:00 -0500

You’ve changed the food. Added the supplements. Tried to do everything right for your dog.

And somehow… they still don’t seem fully well.

In this episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, we’re talking about a piece of dog health that almost nobody discusses: light.

Joined by animal bodyworker and Animal Soul founder Jackie Jolie, we explore how modern indoor living may be affecting our dogs in ways most people never consider — from stress and inflammation to energy, healing, recovery, and long-term health.

This conversation goes far beyond red light therapy. It’s about what happens when dogs become disconnected from the natural rhythms their bodies were designed around, and why so many modern dogs seem to be getting sicker younger despite how hard people are trying to help them.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Why modern dogs may be struggling more with inflammation, illness, and chronic health issues — even when owners are doing “everything right.”
How light, environment, and circadian rhythms affect dog health in ways most people have never been taught to think about.
Why slowing down and paying attention to your dog’s patterns matters more than constantly chasing new fixes — and how small lifestyle shifts may support better long-term health.

Because sometimes the thing your dog needs most isn’t another supplement.

Sometimes it’s the things modern life quietly took away.

Hit play to better understand the overlooked connection between light, regulation, and dog health — and why your dog may be communicating more than you realize.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://gofund.me/8a7d1cbea

Grab your AnimaSol Blanket or Pet Jacket:

👉https://www.animasol.life/fitzsol

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

There's a Legal Word for What You Saw That Dog Wearing | Dog Training

Mon, 25 May 2026 05:00:00 -0500

You've seen it. A dog in a vest that didn't seem okay. Barking, lunging, clearly overwhelmed. And you didn't say anything, because it's not your place, because maybe you're wrong, because what would you even say.

This episode is about that moment, and about what actually separates a real service dog from a vest bought online. Because from the outside, a calm pet and a task-trained service dog can look identical, until they don't.

You'll hear:

What a service dog is actually trained to do, and why "well-behaved" isn't the same thing
Why the difference is nearly impossible to see until something goes wrong
Who actually pays the price every time that line gets blurred

Press play if you've ever seen a dog that didn't seem okay and weren't sure what to do about it.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Your Dog's Bad Days Might Not Be Happening in the Moment At All | Dog Behavior

Fri, 22 May 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Your dog had an off day, and nothing about it makes sense.

Nothing changed. The routine was the same. And still, the reactions came faster, the settling took longer, and you were left running through everything you did that day trying to find the thing you missed. Em walks through the exact moment this stopped feeling random for her — when she noticed Fitz getting more reactive and Toby withdrawing on the same kind of days, two completely different dogs showing the same pattern in different ways.

You'll hear:

Why Em spent months treating Fitz's reactivity and Toby's withdrawal as two separate problems before realizing they weren't
The specific shift that happened when she stopped looking at what was happening in the moment and started looking at what was happening underneath it
Why she didn't connect any of it to food at first, and what finally made the pattern click

Press play if your dog has ever had a day that felt off for no reason you could find, and you're still trying to figure out what you missed.

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

What a Longevity Vet Wants You to Know Before Your Dog Shows Any Signs of Aging | Senior Dog Health

Wed, 20 May 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Have you ever looked at your dog and realized something felt different… and suddenly started wondering how much time you really have left together?

In this episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, we’re talking about the quiet reality of dogs getting older — the small changes most people don’t notice until they become impossible to ignore. A hesitation on the stairs. Sleeping a little more. Not jumping onto the couch the same way they used to.

Joined by longevity veterinarian Dr. Kevin, we unpack the difference between lifespan and health span, what actually impacts dog health over time, and the small lifestyle changes that can help your dog feel better during the years you still have together.

This conversation isn’t about perfection or fear. It’s about learning to pay attention earlier, understanding what your dog’s body may be trying to communicate, and supporting them in ways that genuinely improve their quality of life.

The subtle signs your dog may be aging before you fully realize it — and why many dog parents miss them at first.
How inflammation, dog nutrition, movement, and environment affect long-term dog health — including the hidden impact of everyday habits.
What actually helps dogs live better as they age — from practical home adjustments to proactive conversations about health span and quality of life.

Because the goal isn’t just more years with our dogs.

It’s more good years.

Hit play to learn how small changes now can help your dog feel healthier, happier, and more comfortable for the years you still have together.

Consult with Dr. Kevin - www.freevetcall.com

Free Resources & Support

Dog Food Label Decoder Quiz

Understand what actually matters on pet food labels — and where to start.

Take the quiz

👉https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodlabel

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

More Walks Won't Fix a Dog Who Can't Handle Walks | Dog Training

Mon, 18 May 2026 05:00:00 -0500

At some point, walks stopped feeling enjoyable and started feeling like something you mentally prepare yourself to survive.

In this episode of The Dog Who Asked For More, Em talks about the quiet reality many dog parents carry but rarely admit out loud: walks that feel tense, unpredictable, exhausting, and emotionally draining — even when you love your dog deeply.

Because for many sensitive, reactive, or easily overwhelmed dogs, walks don’t always create calm. Sometimes they create more pressure, more activation, and more stress for both the dog and the person holding the leash.

Through stories about Fitz and Toby, Em explores how different dogs respond very differently to the same environment, why some dogs come home more dysregulated instead of more relaxed, and how forcing “normal” walks can slowly change the way you feel about life with your dog.

You’ll learn:

Why walks can increase stress and reactivity for some dogs instead of helping them settle
How hypervigilance and constant management impact both you and your dog emotionally
Why your dog’s individual capacity matters more than following generic expectations around exercise and dog behavior

If walks have started feeling more exhausting than enjoyable, this episode will help you understand why that may be happening — and why it doesn’t mean you’re failing your dog.

Free Resources & Support

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Trying Harder for Your Dog Led Straight to Burnout | Dog Training

Fri, 15 May 2026 05:00:00 -0500

You love your dog deeply… so why does it feel like you’re carrying the weight of everything all the time?

In this episode of The Dog Who Asked For More, Em talks about the quiet burnout so many dog parents live in without realizing it. The constant watching. The overthinking. The pressure to prevent every reaction, manage every situation, and stay one step ahead so nothing goes wrong.

Because when you care this much, it’s easy to start believing that every hard moment with your dog is somehow your fault.

Through stories about Fitz and Toby, Em shares how trying harder, managing more, and staying hyper-aware didn’t actually create more stability — it created more tension for both her and her dogs.

This episode explores what happens when dog parenting slowly turns into hyper-responsibility… and why doing more is not always what your dog truly needs.

You’ll learn:

Why constantly trying to prevent every problem with your dog leads to burnout
How hypervigilance and pressure can impact both you and your dog’s nervous system
Why understanding your individual dog matters more than trying to control everything perfectly

If you’ve been exhausted from trying to do everything “right” for your dog and still feeling like it’s not enough, this episode will help you feel less alone — and may help you rethink what actually creates stability for both of you.

Free Resources & Support

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Why Some Dogs Never Fully Heal and What Happens When You Start Looking Deeper | Canine Nutrition

Wed, 13 May 2026 05:00:00 -0500

You’ve changed the food. Worked on the behavior. Tried the supplements, the training, the routines… and somehow the same problems still keep coming back.

In this episode of The Dog Who Asked For More, Em sits down for a layered conversation about chronic gut issues, sensitivities, reactivity, nutrition, stress, and what happens when dog parents realize they may only be looking at one piece of a much bigger picture.

Because sometimes the hardest part isn’t that nothing is helping. It’s that every solution seems to help one thing while something else still feels unresolved.

This conversation explores the connection between dog behavior, nervous system stress, gut health, chronic inflammation, energy, and the emotional weight carried by dog parents trying to figure it all out. From food sensitivities and SIBO to Chinese medicine, bioenergetic testing, Reiki, and emotional regulation, Em and her guest talk about what changes when you stop looking for one isolated fix and start seeing the dog in front of you as a whole being.

You’ll learn:

Why some dogs continue struggling even when you’re “doing everything right”
How gut health, stress, behavior, and nervous system regulation can overlap in ways people often miss
Why understanding your individual dog matters more than forcing one universal solution

If you’ve ever felt exhausted trying to fix your dog while quietly wondering what you’re still missing, this episode will help you feel less alone — and may help you start seeing the bigger picture differently.

Free Resources & Support

Dog Food Label Decoder Quiz

Understand what actually matters on pet food labels — and where to start.

Take the quiz

👉https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodlabel

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Why Nothing You Do During a Reactive Moment Ever Works and What to Do Instead | Dog Training

Mon, 11 May 2026 05:00:00 -0500

You keep trying to do the right thing in the moment your dog reacts… and somehow nothing ever seems to work.

The barking. The lunging. The feeling that your dog suddenly can’t hear you anymore, even though you know they know these skills.

In this episode of The Dog Who Asked For More, Em talks about the exhausting cycle so many dog parents get stuck in: trying to calm their dog down once the reaction has already started. Because when you’re in it, it feels like that moment is the moment that matters most.

But what if it’s already too late by then?

Through her experiences with Fitz, Em shares the shift that changed everything — realizing that reactivity doesn’t begin with barking or lunging. It starts much earlier, in the subtle body language changes most people don’t realize they’re missing.

You’ll learn:

Why reactive dogs often can’t respond once they’re already overwhelmed
The subtle stress signals that happen before barking, lunging, or shutdowns
Why learning to notice earlier patterns changes dog behavior more than reacting faster in the moment

If your dog’s reactions feel unpredictable and you leave walks feeling frustrated, embarrassed, or like you’re failing, this episode will help you understand what may actually be happening underneath the behavior.

Free Resources & Support

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Your Dog Isn't Picky. Their Body Is Trying to Tell You Something | Canine Nutrition

Fri, 08 May 2026 05:00:00 -0500

At first it looks small. A skipped meal here. Weird digestion there. A day where your dog just feels a little “off.”

Not because one skipped meal feels like an emergency. But because deep down, you know something feels different — even if you can’t fully explain why yet.

In this episode of The Dog Who Asked For More, Em talks about the subtle signs dog parents often brush off at first: inconsistent eating, random digestive issues, behavior shifts, low appetite, or the quiet feeling that your dog just hasn’t seemed like themselves lately.

Because sometimes food problems don’t show up loudly. Sometimes they show up in patterns you keep trying to explain away.

Through stories about Fitz and Toby, Em shares how storage mite sensitivities, pancreatitis, and food-related discomfort showed up completely differently in each dog — and why so many issues get mistaken for “pickiness” or random behavior changes before people realize what’s actually happening underneath.

You’ll learn:

Why food-related issues in dogs often start with subtle behavior changes instead of obvious symptoms
How to recognize the difference between a picky dog and a dog who doesn’t feel good eating
Why paying attention to patterns matters more than waiting for something to become a “big enough” problem

If you’ve been second guessing yourself because your dog seems off but you can’t explain why, this episode will help you trust what you’re noticing — and understand what your dog may be trying to tell you.

Free Resources & Support

Dog Food Label Decoder Quiz

Understand what actually matters on pet food labels — and where to start.

Take the quiz

👉https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodlabel

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

What's Actually in Your Dog's Food and Why the Industry Is Counting on You Not to Look | Canine Nutrition

Wed, 06 May 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Why do so many dog parents only start questioning food when their dog gets sick?

In this episode of The Dog Who Asked For More, Em sits down with Jessica, for a deep conversation about dog nutrition, dog food labels, gut health, allergies, and the emotional reality of trying to help a dog who still isn’t thriving — even when you’re following all the advice you’ve been given.

From pancreatitis and storage mite allergies to raw feeding, lightly cooked meals, and the bigger questions around the pet food industry, this episode explores why so many dog parents feel overwhelmed, confused, and stuck when it comes to feeding their dogs. But more than that, it explores the moment so many people reach: the realization that something about the way we feed dogs doesn’t fully add up.

Em shares her own experience navigating Fitz’s food challenges, alongside a bigger conversation about convenience, chronic health issues, dog behavior, and why nutrition impacts more than most people realize.

You’ll learn:

Why gut health, allergies, and dog behavior are often more connected than people think
What dog food labels don’t always tell you — and why so many people feel confused reading them
How small changes in dog nutrition can impact energy, digestion, behavior, and long-term health

If you’ve ever felt like you’re trying everything for your dog but still wondering what’s missing, this conversation will help you feel less alone — and give you a different way to think about what’s actually supporting your dog’s health.

Free Resources & Support

Dog Food Label Decoder Quiz

Understand what actually matters on pet food labels — and where to start.

Take the quiz 👉https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodlabel

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Your Dog Can't Settle and Why Adding More to Their Day Is Making It Worse | Dog Training

Mon, 04 May 2026 05:00:00 -0500

You’ve Changed Everything For Your Dog… So Why Do They Still Seem Restless, Reactive, Or Unable To Settle?

In This Episode Of The Dog Who Asked For More, Em Shares The Story Of Fitz — And The Realization That More Walks, More Play, More Activity, And More Dog Enrichment Were Actually Making His Dog Behavior Harder Instead Of Helping.

Like So Many Dog Parents, Em Thought The Answer Was Doing More. More Exercise. More Stimulation. More Ways To Tire Him Out. But What She Eventually Learned Changed The Way She Understood Dog Behavior Completely: A Dog Who Is Exhausted Is Not Always A Dog Who Feels Safe, Calm, Or Regulated.

This Episode Explores The Difference Between A Dog Who Is “Tired” And A Dog Who Can Actually Settle — And Why So Many Sensitive, Reactive, Or Easily Overwhelmed Dogs Need Nervous System Support More Than More Activity.

You’ll Learn:

Why Some Dogs Become More Reactive After Too Much Exercise, Play, Or Stimulation
How To Recognize The Difference Between Healthy Dog Enrichment And Overstimulation
Why Rest, Recovery, And Regulation Are Often The Missing Piece In Dog Behavior

If You’ve Been Trying Everything For Your Dog And Still Feel Like Nothing Is Working, This Episode Will Help You Understand What Your Dog May Actually Be Asking For — And Why You’re Probably Not Failing Them At All.

Free Resources & Support

Free Enrichment Guide: Paws, Brains, and Fun

Start here. This free guide introduces simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer, more fulfilled, and more connected in everyday life.

👉⁠ ⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmenrichmentebook⁠

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠ to get in touch with Em

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Some Days Loving Your Dog Feels Like It's Breaking You

Fri, 01 May 2026 05:00:00 -0500

You can love your dog deeply… and still feel like living with them is breaking you.

There are moments most people don’t talk about.Not the training. Not the good days.

The ones where you feel exhausted.Where everything feels hard.Where you sit there and wonder if you can keep doing this.

You go on the walks.You manage the triggers.You plan everything out.

And over time… it starts to wear on you.

You find yourself constantly thinking ahead.Watching everything.Bracing for what might happen next.

And it’s not just your dog that feels it, it’s your whole nervous system.

This is where so many dog parents quietly struggle.

Not because they don’t love their dog, but because living with a dog who needs more support asks more from you than most people realize.

In this episode, Em talks about the emotional weight of living with a struggling dog—and why feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.

Because this isn’t just about behavior.

It’s about the pressure.The responsibility.And the constant awareness that builds over time.

And when that starts to feel heavy… it doesn’t mean the bond is broken.

If you’ve ever felt exhausted, discouraged, or alone in this experience—this episode will help you feel understood and remind you that you’re not the only one going through it… Press play.

Free Resources & Support

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

You Keep Reading the Ingredient List and Still Don't Know What You're Feeding Your Dog | Canine Nutrition

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0500

You read the labels. You compare the ingredients. You try to make the right choice. And the more you look, the less clear it feels.

One product says it's healthy. Another says it's better. Everyone has an opinion, and now you're stuck wondering if you're getting it wrong.

This is where so many dog parents end up, not because they don't care, but because they care so much, and the information in front of them doesn't actually give them clarity.

In this episode, Em talks with Jodi, founder and CEO of Holistic Pet Hub, about why dog nutrition feels so overwhelming and what starts to shift when you stop trying to do everything and start understanding what you're actually looking at.

You'll hear:

Why "natural" and "healthy" on the front of a label rarely tell the real story
How one dog's chronic ear infections and eye issues cleared up after a single diet change
What it actually means to make a decision that's right for your specific dog, not a one-size-fits-all answer

Press play if you've ever stood in the pet aisle or scrolled online feeling more confused the longer you looked.

Learn More about Holistic Pet Hub

https://www.holisticpethub.com/

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Why Dog Training Works Until It Suddenly Doesn't

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Why does it still feel like nothing’s working—even after all the training you’ve put in?

You bring treats.You practice focus.You try to stay consistent.

And sometimes it works… until it doesn’t.

One walk goes well—and the next feels even harder.The reactions come back.The pulling returns.And suddenly, it feels like you’re right back where you started.

This is where so many dog parents get stuck.

Not because they’re doing something wrong, but because their dog’s behavior isn’t just about training.

It’s about what your dog can handle in that moment.

In this episode, Em breaks down why progress with reactive and sensitive dogs doesn’t happen in a straight line—and what’s actually happening when things seem to fall apart.

Because your dog isn’t ignoring the training.

And you’re not failing.

There’s just something deeper influencing those moments.

If walks have been feeling inconsistent, frustrating, or confusing lately—this episode will help you see what’s really going on... Press play.

Free Resources & Support

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The More You Learn About Dog Food the More You Feel Like You're Getting It Wrong | Canine Nutrition

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0500

You tried to figure out dog food… so why does it feel more confusing than ever?

You read the labels.You look at the ingredients.You try to do what’s best.

And somehow… you end up feeling worse about what you’re feeding your dog.

Feeding your dog should feel simple.

But once you start hearing different opinions, comparing raw vs kibble, seeing grain-free warnings, and reading confident marketing claims… it stops feeling simple.

It starts to feel like a decision you could get wrong.

In this episode, Em breaks down why dog food feels so confusing—and what’s actually creating that pressure.

Because it’s not just about ingredients.

It’s about conflicting information, unclear labels, and trying to make the “right” choice without a clear way to measure it.

And over time, that creates doubt.Not clarity.

If dog nutrition has been leaving you second-guessing yourself, this episode will help you finally make sense of it... Press play.

Free Resources & Support

Dog Food Label Decoder Quiz

Understand what actually matters on pet food labels — and where to start.

Take the quiz

👉https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodlabel

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Dating Apps Have Standards. Getting a Dog Somehow Doesn't | Dog Training

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Have you ever felt like you're doing everything for your dog, more training, more enrichment, more effort, and it still feels off? Like something isn't quite clicking, even though you're trying?

Sometimes behavior isn't about effort. It's about fit. The rhythm of your life. Your dog's temperament. The expectations you didn't realize you were carrying.

In this episode, Em sits down with Kay, The Canine Detective, to talk about the difference between a dog who needs clearer communication and a dog whose needs don't fully align with the life they're living in. Kay shares her own framework: a dog is part roommate, part kid, part partner, and figuring out which parts are and aren't working can change everything.

They get into compatibility, lifestyle mismatches, human burnout, and why curiosity matters more than blame when progress feels stuck.

You'll hear:

Why some behavior struggles come down to fit, not effort
How to tell the difference between a communication gap and a genuine mismatch
What it actually looks like to build a life that works for the dog you have, not the one you pictured

If you've been trying hard, feeling exhausted, and quietly wondering if something deeper is going on, this one's for you.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Perfect Dog Doesn't Exist and Somehow You're Still Chasing It | Dog Training

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0500

You watch other dogs walk calmly, ignore distractions, settle without being asked twice, and you wonder why none of that comes easy for yours. It's not a thought you'd say out loud, but it's there.

In this episode, Em unpacks where that quiet comparison actually comes from, and what it does to the way you see your own dog. Through honest reflection on life with Fitz, she gets into the gap between what training culture and social media show you and what real dogs actually need: support, context, time, and someone willing to advocate for them.

Because most dogs were never meant to be effortless. They were meant to be understood.

You'll hear:

Where the idea of the "perfect dog" actually comes from, and why it sticks even when you don't consciously believe it
Why progress can start to feel like failure when you're measuring it against a picture that was never complete
What changes when you stop trying to make your dog easier and start trying to understand them instead

Press play for an honest look at comparison, pressure, and what it means to finally see the dog in front of you clearly.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

You Can Love Your Dog Deeply and Still Be Running on Empty | Dog Training Burnout

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Have you ever loved your dog deeply… and still quietly wondered, I don’t know if I can keep doing this?

A lot of overwhelmed dog parents carry a kind of exhaustion they don’t feel safe talking about. The constant management. The disrupted routines. The hypervigilance. The canceled plans. The walks that feel stressful instead of peaceful. The feeling that your nervous system never fully turns off.

In this episode, Em unpacks the emotional weight that builds when life with your dog starts feeling harder than expected and why so many dog parents confuse exhaustion with failure. Through honest reflections about life with Fitz, she explores the invisible pressure to always stay patient, calm, resilient, and “good enough” — even while quietly burning out underneath it all.

Because loving your dog and feeling overwhelmed can exist at the same time.

And sometimes the thought:

“I don’t know if I can keep doing this”

isn’t a sign you’re giving up.

It’s a sign your nervous system has been carrying too much for too long.

Listeners will hear:

why dog training burnout and emotional exhaustion happen to so many caring dog parents
how chronic stress and hypervigilance affect both humans and dogs
why support, realistic expectations, and nervous system regulation matter more than trying harder

Press play for a compassionate conversation about dog behavior, dog training burnout, emotional exhaustion, and the reminder that needing support does not mean you’re failing your dog.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

This podcast explores real life with dogs — including dog behavior, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, and dog training problems. It's for dog parents who feel overwhelmed navigating life with dogs and want a clearer understanding of their dog and a calmer daily life together. Episodes also cover dog nutrition, canine nutrition, pet nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, and dog communication — connecting behavior, health, and daily routines to help you better understand your dog and reduce stress. We're now taking this conversation on the road, bringing honest support directly to dog parents across the country.

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

She Spent a Year and $20,000 Getting Dismissed Before One Doctor Finally Listened | Dog Health

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Living with a chronically sick dog creates a kind of exhaustion most people don’t see. The middle-of-the-night potty trips. The constant second-guessing. The vet visits. The spiraling thoughts about food, behavior, medications, stress, and whether you’re somehow missing something important.

In this deeply honest conversation, Em sits down with Maya to share Loki’s long journey through chronic diarrhea, inflammation, thyroid disease, IBD, gut issues, and the emotional toll that came with constantly fighting for answers. Together, they unpack how physical discomfort quietly changes dog behavior, why nervous system regulation and gut health are deeply connected, and how many dogs labeled “anxious” or “difficult” may actually be struggling physically underneath the surface.

Through conversations about advocacy, medical gaslighting, chronic illness, behavior shifts, food limitations, and learning to truly observe dogs, this episode offers validation for dog parents who know something feels wrong — even when they can’t fully explain it yet.

Because behavior doesn’t happen separately from the body.

And dogs living in chronic discomfort often communicate long before anyone understands what they’re trying to say.

Listeners will hear:

how chronic gut issues, thyroid disease, and physical discomfort affect dog behavior and emotional regulation
why advocating for your dog and asking deeper questions matters so much
how body language, nervous system stress, and digestive health are deeply connected in dogs

Press play for a compassionate conversation about dog behavior, gut health, chronic illness, nervous system regulation, and what changes when you stop dismissing discomfort and start listening more closely to your dog.

Guest Info:

https://www.pawpinspetsitting.com/

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Tired and Fulfilled Are Not the Same Thing and Your Dog Knows the Difference | Dog Enrichment

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Have you ever spent hours walking, playing with, and exercising your dog… only to watch them come home even more restless, reactive, or unable to settle?

A lot of dog parents are taught that if dogs have energy, the solution is always more exercise. Longer walks. More outings. More stimulation. More activity. But for many sensitive or anxious dogs, constantly adding input doesn’t create calm — it creates nervous system overload.

In this episode, Em unpacks the difference between outside time and true enrichment and why so many dogs become more overstimulated the harder we try to tire them out. Through stories about Fitz pacing, reacting more after outings, and struggling to truly decompress, she explains how physical exhaustion and emotional fulfillment are not the same thing — and why enrichment is really about regulation, choice, problem solving, and nervous system support.

Because some dogs don’t need more activity.

They need experiences that actually help them feel settled.

Listeners will hear:

why more walks and stimulation sometimes increase reactive or restless dog behavior
how nervous system overload affects a dog’s ability to settle and regulate
the difference between physical exercise and emotionally fulfilling enrichment for dogs

Press play for a grounded conversation about dog behavior, dog enrichment, nervous system regulation, and why helping your dog feel fulfilled often matters more than simply trying to tire them out.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

How Do You Tell If Your Dog Is Restless or Still Recovering | Dog Training

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0500

A dog can act fine all day with guests over, and then fall apart the next day once everyone's gone. That's not a coincidence, and it's not too much energy. It's often a dog who's still carrying yesterday and hasn't fully come back down yet.

This episode breaks down why spring's busier, less predictable rhythm can leave some dogs on edge, why comparing your dog to ones who "handle it just fine" misses what's actually happening, and how to tell whether a dog needs more socializing or simply more stability.

You'll hear:

The real difference between a dog who's restless and one who's still recovering from the day before
Why predictability, not more exposure, is what actually helps some dogs settle
How to spot the pattern of a dog who's still "carrying" the previous day's activity

Press play if your dog seems tense or on edge after a busier day, even once things have calmed back down.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Vet Who's Been Doing This for 50 Years Says Dog Nutrition Is Simpler Than You Think

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Have you ever looked at your dog’s food, supplements, allergies, or behavior struggles and quietly wondered… am I missing something important?

A lot of dog parents feel overwhelmed trying to make the “right” choices for their dog’s health. Labels are confusing. Dog food marketing is loud. Supplements pile up quickly. And somewhere underneath all the advice, many dogs are still struggling with itchy skin, ear infections, digestive upset, inflammation, behavior changes, and chronic discomfort.

In this fascinating conversation, Em sits down with Dr. Pol to talk about veterinary medicine, dog nutrition, ingredient quality, prescription diets, animal behavior, and the simple observations many people overlook while searching for bigger answers. Together, they unpack why nutrition matters so deeply for long-term health, how processed foods and poor ingredients affect dogs physically and emotionally, and why paying attention to body language, energy shifts, and recurring symptoms often tells us more than marketing ever will.

Through stories from decades of veterinary work — from farm animals to reactive dogs to rescue cases — this episode explores what happens when we stop chasing perfection and start learning how to truly observe the animals in front of us.

Because dogs are often communicating clearly.

We’ve just been taught to look everywhere except the dog themselves.

Listeners will hear:

how dog food ingredients and nutrition affect allergies, digestion, inflammation, and dog behavior
why body language and repeated health patterns matter more than quick fixes
how to make more grounded, informed decisions about dog food without getting lost in overwhelm

Press play for a grounded conversation about dog food, dog behavior, veterinary medicine, nutrition, and the powerful shift that happens when you stop chasing marketing and start paying closer attention to your dog.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Somewhere Along the Way, Your Dog's Walk Became a Performance Review | Dog Training

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0500

You finish the walk feeling embarrassed, defeated, like everyone else got the version of dog life you were supposed to have. Pulling, barking, reacting, freezing, scanning, avoiding certain streets, walking at odd hours to dodge the whole thing. At some point it stopped feeling like connection and started feeling like something you're being graded on.

In this episode, Em unpacks how leash walking became one of the biggest emotional benchmarks in modern dog training, and why so many reactive or sensitive dogs struggle outside even when they're deeply loving, connected dogs at home. Through honest stories about Fitz, she gets into the guilt, pressure, and self-doubt that build when walks feel hard, and why leash skills were never a measure of your dog's worth, your bond, or your success as a dog parent.

Because leash walking is just one skill. Not a personality test. Not proof your dog is "good." And not proof you're failing.

You'll hear:

Why reactive dog walks often feel emotionally overwhelming for the person holding the leash
How training culture turned leash walking into a "good dog" benchmark
Why leash skills, nervous system regulation, and emotional safety are all completely different things

Press play for a compassionate look at walks, emotional overwhelm, and what it actually means to stop measuring your dog by their hardest environment.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

What If Your Dog Doesn't Need More Activity Right Now? | Dog Training

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0500

A dog who lies down, then pops back up, checks the window, sighs, and starts moving again, over and over, looks like too much energy. It might actually be a dog who's already full.

This episode breaks down the difference between a dog who's under-exercised and a dog who's overtired, why spring specifically can push some dogs into restless, can't-settle energy, and why calm sometimes comes from doing less, not more.

You'll hear:

The real difference between a dog who needs more activity and one who's already full
Why more walks and more play sometimes made restlessness worse, not better
What it actually looks like to help a dog rest instead of trying to burn off more energy

Press play if your dog seems wired lately and more exercise doesn't seem to be helping.

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Treat Refusal Isn't a Training Problem. It's Your Dog's Body Sending a Signal | Canine Nutrition

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Have you ever bought treat after treat for your dog… only to end up feeling confused when they still seem uncomfortable, picky, itchy, unmotivated, or sick afterward?

A lot of dog parents assume treat time should be simple — grab a bag, reward the dog, move on. But for many sensitive dogs, treats quietly affect digestion, allergies, energy levels, motivation, inflammation, and even behavior in ways most people never realize.

In this episode, Em sits down with Marcy from Marcy’s Pet Kitchen to talk about dog treat ingredients, food sensitivities, allergies, gut health, picky eating, and why treat responses are often valuable communication instead of stubbornness. Together, they unpack how itchy skin, ear infections, vomiting, digestive upset, food refusal, and low food motivation can sometimes point toward bigger nutritional stress happening underneath the surface.

Through stories about Fitz, Barkley, and Marcy’s own dogs, they explore the emotional side of feeding sensitive dogs, the frustration dog parents carry when nothing seems to “work,” and why slowing down enough to observe food responses can completely change the way we approach dog nutrition and treat choices.

Because sometimes dogs aren’t being picky.

Their body is trying to tell us something.

Press play for a grounded conversation about dog treats, nutrition, allergies, gut health, and the subtle food clues your dog may already be trying to show you.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place. 👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Shop Marcy's Pet Kitchen with code Emily15 to save: https://marcyspetkitchen.com/

Free Resources & Support

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?

Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

There's a Difference Between a Bad Day and a Bad Week | Dog Training

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:12:00 -0500

A bad day usually has an obvious cause. A bad week can build quietly, with nothing that looks big enough to explain it, until it spills over.

This episode breaks down why spring specifically tends to overwhelm sensitive dogs, why what looks like backsliding is often just cumulative load from routine changes, more noise, and less real downtime, and why looking at a whole week instead of one hard moment changes everything.

You'll hear:

Why spring, despite looking easier on paper, often overwhelms sensitive dogs more than other seasons
The difference between a behavior problem and a capacity problem
How to spot patterns across a full week instead of blaming a single hard day

Press play if it feels like your dog's progress disappeared and you're wondering what you did wrong.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

What If Your Dog Isn't as Stubborn as You Think? | Dog Training

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0500

It's easy to assume a dog who won't listen is being stubborn. Often, that's not what's actually happening.

This episode breaks down why "just train more" often makes things worse instead of better, and why what looks like a dog who won't listen is sometimes actually a dog who can't, because they don't feel safe enough yet to learn. Training isn't the foundation. Safety and connection come first.

You'll hear:

Why doing everything "right" can still leave you feeling like you're failing
The difference between a dog who won't listen and a dog who genuinely can't right now
Why training works best once safety and connection are already in place, not before

Press play if you've tried everything and still feel like nothing is working.

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

How Dog Training Motivation Can Hide What Your Dog Is Actually Feeling | Dog Body Language

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0500

What if the dog that looks the most “confident” in training… isn’t actually feeling that way at all?

Some dogs look engaged.

Focused.

High energy.

Like they’re doing everything right.

But underneath that, there can be tension.

Pressure.

A body that isn’t fully settled.

And it’s easy to miss — especially when it looks like progress.

A lot of dog parents get stuck here.

Not because they’re doing something wrong…

But because what we’re seeing on the surface doesn’t always match what the dog is feeling underneath.

In this episode, Em talks about the difference between true emotional stability and behavior that’s being held together by motivation or pressure.

What starts to change when you slow down.

What to notice between the moments.

And why some dogs seem “fine”… until suddenly they’re not.

Because sometimes it’s not about more training.

It’s about understanding what your dog has been holding in.

If you’ve ever felt confused by sudden reactions after things seemed to be going well… press play.

Free Resources & Support

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Some Dogs Get More Restless in Spring for a Reason Nobody Expects | Dog Health

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0500

A dog who's suddenly more restless. Can't quite settle. It's easy to assume it's a training or enrichment problem. Often, it isn't.

This episode breaks down how seasonal allergies and gut irritation can quietly show up as behavior changes in the spring, and why adding more training, more exercise, or more enrichment can actually make things worse when the real problem is physical discomfort, not behavior.

You'll hear:

Why restlessness, pacing, and clinginess in spring can be a comfort issue, not a behavior one
What happened when more training and activity made things worse instead of better
How to start noticing discomfort instead of assuming you're missing something in training

Press play if your dog has seemed off lately and nothing you're doing seems to

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Yesterday Isn't Over for Your Dog the Way It's Over for You | Dog Training

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0500

You finally get a calm day. And then the next one feels even harder.

The barking is louder. The pacing comes back. And suddenly it feels like all your progress disappeared overnight.

A lot of dog parents live in this cycle. One good day, one hard day, back and forth. And it's easy to start blaming yourself. Maybe I'm doing something wrong. Maybe nothing is working. Maybe we're just stuck.

But what looks like inconsistency isn't random. It's stress building quietly under the surface until something small tips it over.

In this episode, Em explores the patterns she started noticing with Fitz and Toby, and what changes when you zoom out and look at the bigger picture instead of one hard moment.

You'll hear:

Why stress builds quietly over days before it ever shows up as behavior
How a hard day for your dog can carry over into the next one, even when nothing looks different
What changes when you start tracking patterns across a week instead of reacting to a single moment

Press play if things have felt inconsistent lately and you're ready to understand why.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

What You Do for a Young Dog Might Decide How They Age Later | Dog Health

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0500

The choices made while a dog is young, diet, joint care, how they're exercised, don't just affect them now. They shape how that dog ages years down the line.

Em talks with Anna Webb about what actually helps a dog age gracefully: red light therapy for joint pain and recovery, the role fresh food and targeted supplements play in reducing inflammation, and small preventative habits that matter far more than most people realize until much later.

You'll hear:

How proactive care in a dog's younger years shapes comfort and mobility as they age
What red light therapy actually is and how it's used for joint pain, wounds, and recovery
Simple, specific supplements that support inflammation and joint health as a dog gets older

Press play if you have a young

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Your Dog's Discomfort Matters More Than Everyone Else's Opinion | Dog Behavior

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Dog parks are supposed to look a certain way: a happy dog running free, easy socialization, and a tired pup afterward. When a dog doesn't fit that picture, staying close, avoiding other dogs, trying to leave, it's easy to start questioning yourself instead of the situation.

This episode breaks down why fear doesn't always look dramatic. Sometimes it looks like sticking close, avoidance, or trying to get away, and why those signals deserve to be trusted even when they go against popular advice about socialization and confidence-building.

You'll hear:

Why staying glued to your side at the dog park can be fear, not a lack of socialization
Why "they just need more exposure" isn't always the right answer
How to trust your dog's discomfort even when other people question the decision

Press play if your dog has ever seemed miserable somewhere everyone said they should be having fun.

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

You Keep Asking Yourself the Same Question: Why Is My Dog Doing This? | Dog Training

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Barking. Lunging. Freezing. Growling. It can look like the same behavior from the outside, but underneath, a dog can be in completely different emotional places, and treating fear the same way as frustration usually makes things worse, not better.

This episode breaks down the real difference between fear, frustration, and reactivity, why misreading which one is actually happening leads to trying the wrong kind of support, and what starts to shift once the focus moves from the behavior itself to the feeling underneath it.

You'll hear:

The real difference between fear-driven and frustration-driven behavior, even when they look identical
Why doing more exposure or more calming can backfire when it's aimed at the wrong emotion
How to start asking "is this fear or frustration" instead of labeling a dog as difficult

Press play if your dog's behavior has ever left you feeling confused about what's actually going on.

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Dog Health Condition With No Symptoms That Your Vet Might Not Think to Test For

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Have you ever looked at your dog and thought…

They’re eating.

They’re playing.

They seem normal.

So why does something still feel off?

A lot of dog parents end up in this quiet, confusing space—where behavior and health start to blur together.

Training doesn’t help.

Nothing looks “serious.”

But your gut keeps saying something isn’t right.

And then the self-doubt kicks in.

Am I overthinking?

Am I being dramatic?

Or am I missing something important?

In this conversation, Em sits down with Krista to talk about the subtle changes that are easy to overlook—small shifts in energy, appetite, mood, and behavior that sometimes have nothing to do with training at all.

Because sometimes what looks like behavior…

is actually discomfort.

If you’ve ever second-guessed your instincts about your dog, press play.

Free Resources & Support

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz⁠

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness. Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠thedogwhoaskedformore@gmail.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Pushing Further After Progress Might Be What's Undoing It | Dog Training

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0500

The progress felt real. Then spring came, and suddenly the same old behaviors are back, and it feels like something went wrong.

This episode breaks down why seasonal spikes in reactivity are almost never about backsliding. They're about load: more stimulation, more unpredictability, more environmental pressure than a nervous system that was just starting to feel safe can handle. It covers why pushing further after progress often undoes it, and what actually protects the ground already gained.

You'll hear:

Why spring specifically tends to bring old behaviors back, and why it's not a sign of failure
Why treating progress as a green light to do more can quietly undo it
What it looks like to make home a place of recovery instead of another place asking for more

Press play if you've felt discouraged watching progress you worked hard for suddenly seem to disappear.

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Your Home Feels Chaotic and Why More Dog Training Won't Fix It

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Does your dog struggle to settle at home… even when nothing is happening?

The house feels tense.

Like everything is a little too loud, a little too on edge.

Your dog is pacing, barking, watching everything.

And somehow you’re the one holding it all together.

A lot of overwhelmed dog parents live in this quiet, constant state of hypervigilance.

Trying harder.

Adding more training.

Doing everything “right.”

And still feeling like the house never fully settles.

In this episode, Em talks honestly about what’s really happening inside homes like this — why more effort doesn’t always create calm, and how safety, predictability, and nervous system recovery often matter more than any new training plan.

Because sometimes what everyone needs isn’t more structure.

It’s less pressure.

If life with your dog has started to feel emotionally exhausting, this might feel like the first moment your house breathes again.

Press play.

Free Resources & Support

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness. Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email ⁠thedogwhoaskedformore@gmail.com⁠ to get in touch with Em

New episodes of The Dog Who Asked for More release every Monday and Wednesday.

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Enrichment Advice That's Everywhere and Why It Might Be Making Things Worse | Dog Behavior

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Have you ever felt like your dog is trying to tell you something… but you’re not sure what you’re missing?

Like the barking, the restlessness, the shutdowns, the “too much” days aren’t random — but you can’t quite connect the dots?

A lot of overwhelmed dog parents end up chasing solutions.

More toys.

More enrichment.

More doing.

And somehow it still doesn’t feel better.

In this conversation, Em sits down with enrichment educator Tori Mistick to talk about what changes when we stop trying to fix behavior and start listening to it instead.

Because behavior is often communication.

And sometimes the smallest shifts — how we feed, how we move through the day, how much space we allow for rest — can support our dogs more than any new activity ever could.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, confused, or like you’re missing something important, this episode will feel like slowing down beside someone who understands.

Free Resources & Support

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

'It Came Out of Nowhere' Is the Most Common Thing Dog Parents Say | Dog Behavior

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0500

The same pacing before guests arrive. The same tension at the front window. The same shutdown after a busy day. It can look random if you don't know what's actually driving it, but it's actually the most consistent thing happening.

This episode breaks down why dogs communicate through repetition, not big dramatic moments, and why trying something new every time a pattern repeats often means the message is being missed, not the solution. It's not about doing more. It's about noticing what's already there.

You'll hear:

Why repeating moments can look random until you understand what's actually driving them
Why trying new tools and routines over and over can mean you're solving the wrong problem
How to start tracking patterns instead of chasing a new fix every time

Press play if you've ever felt like you've tried everything with your dog and nothing sticks.

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Way Most People Walk Their Reactive Dog Might Be Making It Worse | Dog Training

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Have you ever finished a walk feeling completely drained while your dog seemed even more reactive, stressed, or overwhelmed than when you left the house?

A lot of dog parents are taught that reactive dogs improve through more exposure, more practice, more time around whatever sets them off. But for many anxious or overwhelmed dogs, traditional walks actually create constant pressure: straight lines, busy sidewalks, unavoidable triggers, tight spaces, and no real way to create distance.

In this episode, Em shares the walk mistake that changed how she approached reactivity with Fitz. Through stories about scanning, pulling, freezing, and emotional overload, she explains why so many reactive dogs aren't struggling because they're "bad on leash," they're struggling because the walk itself doesn't feel safe.

You'll hear:

Why traditional walks often increase stress instead of building confidence
How nervous system overload shows up during walks, and what it actually looks like
Practical ways to slow down, create distance, and prioritize regulation over obedience

Press play if you're ready for walks to feel less like a battle and more like something your dog can actually exhale through.

Most walk advice says the same thing: get closer, expose your dog more, push through it. For a reactive dog, that often makes things worse, not better.

There's one structural mistake most people don't realize they're making on every walk: straight-line, no-exit walking traps a reactive dog with nowhere to go. What actually helps is curving away, slowing down, and building escape routes into the walk before they're ever needed.

You'll hear:

The specific walk mistake that fuels reactivity without anyone realizing it
Why slowing down and sniffing does more for a reactive dog than distance ever will
What it actually looks like to curve away from a trigger instead of pushing through it

Press play if your dog struggles on walks and you're ready to try something different than "just keep exposing them."

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Everyone Told Her to Give Up on This Dog. She Didn't. | Rescue Dog

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Have you ever looked at your dog’s behavior and wondered if they were trying to communicate something… but you didn’t know how to hear it yet?

Reactive dog behavior can feel terrifying, exhausting, and emotionally overwhelming — especially when aggression, resource guarding, separation anxiety, or shutdown behaviors suddenly enter your home. Many dog parents are told these dogs are “too much,” “dangerous,” or impossible to live with. But underneath those behaviors is often a nervous system that never learned how to feel safe.

In this deeply honest conversation, Em sits down with Caitlin to share Riley’s story — a rescue dog whose trauma showed up through severe resource guarding, reactivity, separation anxiety, and fear-based aggression. Together, they unpack the emotional reality of living with a struggling dog, the mistakes and breakthroughs that shaped Riley’s rehabilitation journey, and how understanding dog body language completely changed the way Caitlin approached dog training, trust, and communication.

Because reactive dogs are rarely trying to be difficult.

They’re trying to survive in the only ways they know how.

Listeners will hear:

how trauma, fear, and nervous system overload shape reactive dog behavior
why decompression, dog body language, and emotional safety matter more than punishment
how understanding communication instead of chasing obedience can transform the relationship between dogs and humans

Press play for an emotional conversation about reactive dog training, rescue dogs, body language, nervous system safety, and what can happen when someone chooses understanding instead of walking away.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Sometimes You Wish Your Dog Was Normal | Dog Behavior

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

And then you feel guilty for even thinking it. Like there's something wrong with you for wanting an easier version of the dog you already love.

A lot of dog parents carry an invisible pressure to have a "good dog," one who listens perfectly, loves everyone, stays calm in public, and never causes embarrassment or stress. When real dogs don't match that picture, the emotional fallout can feel heavy in ways that are hard to explain to anyone who hasn't lived it.

In this episode, Em unpacks how social media, dog culture, and comparison quietly shape the way we see our dogs and ourselves. Through personal stories about Fitz and Toby, she gets into the grief, shame, self-doubt, and exhaustion that often sit underneath behavior struggles, and how forcing dogs toward an unrealistic standard slowly damages trust and connection on both ends of the leash.

Because sometimes the hardest part isn't the behavior itself. It's grieving the version of dog life you thought you were supposed to have.

You'll hear:

How comparison and "good dog" culture affect emotional well-being for dog parents
Why shame and grief often sit underneath everyday behavior struggles
How letting go of unrealistic standards can create more trust and peace with the dog in front of you

Press play for an honest conversation about comparison, pressure, and learning to stop chasing the perfect dog so you can understand the one already beside you.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Why More Dog Enrichment Isn’t Helping Your Dog Calm Down

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Have you ever looked at all the enrichment advice online and quietly wondered how anyone is supposed to keep up with it all?

Dog enrichment started as a way to help dogs feel calmer, more fulfilled, and more connected to their natural instincts. But somewhere along the way, it became another invisible standard many dog parents feel pressured to constantly meet. Puzzle toys, frozen meals, scent work, training games, DIY projects, enrichment schedules — and somehow it still feels like it’s never enough.

In this episode, Em unpacks how dog enrichment culture quietly shifted from support into performance and why doing more enrichment doesn’t always create a calmer dog. Through stories about Fitz and Toby, she explores how nervous system regulation, emotional capacity, and individual personality completely change the way dogs experience enrichment — and why some dogs actually become more overwhelmed the more stimulation we add.

Because enrichment isn’t about volume.

It’s about whether it truly supports the dog in front of you.

Listeners will hear:

why modern dog enrichment can start feeling emotionally overwhelming for dog parents
how too much stimulation affects anxious, sensitive, or reactive dog behavior
why enrichment works best when it supports nervous system regulation instead of performance

Press play for a grounded conversation about dog enrichment, nervous system regulation, overwhelm, and how to stop chasing checklists and start supporting the dog you actually have.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place. 👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Service Dog Training Signs We’re Often Afraid To Admit

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Have you ever looked at your service dog and quietly wondered if they were still happy doing the job… while feeling terrified of what the answer might mean?

For many handlers, service dogs become more than support systems — they become safety, freedom, partnership, routine, identity, and independence all wrapped into one relationship. Which is why noticing subtle behavior changes can feel so emotionally devastating.

In this deeply honest conversation, Em sits down with Kaitlyn from The Salty Sheps to talk about the painful and complicated reality of retiring a service dog before you’re emotionally ready. Together, they unpack the subtle body language signs Sebastian began showing, the pressure to “work through it,” the emotional toll of losing independence, and the difficult process of realizing that what looked like behavior issues was actually a dog asking for relief.

Through conversations about anxiety, burnout, service dog training, trust, genetics, reactivity, nervous system stress, and rebuilding life after retirement, this episode offers a compassionate look at what happens when listening to your dog means letting go of the version of life you thought you were going to have.

Because sometimes the most loving thing we can do is stop asking dogs to carry what no longer feels safe for them to hold.

Listeners will hear:

the subtle body language and behavior changes that may signal service dog burnout or stress
why retiring a service dog is an act of love — not failure
how service dog training, trust, nervous system safety, and emotional communication all shape working dog relationships

Press play for a deeply emotional conversation about service dog training, burnout, retirement, trust, and learning how to honor your dog’s needs even when the decision breaks your heart.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Some Dogs Don't Calm Down When They're Tired. They Unravel | Dog Training

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Have you ever spent the entire day trying to tire your dog out… only to watch them become even more restless, reactive, or unable to settle?

A lot of dog parents are told that high-energy dogs simply need more exercise, more enrichment, more training, and more activity. But for many anxious or overwhelmed dogs, constantly adding stimulation doesn’t create calm — it creates nervous system overload.

In this episode, Em shares the emotional turning point that changed the way she understood dog behavior, anxiety, and enrichment after realizing Fitz wasn’t struggling with “too much energy” at all. He was struggling with emotional regulation. Through stories about both Fitz and Toby, she unpacks why some dogs become more frantic the more we try to tire them out, how anxiety often hides underneath constant movement, and why rest, decompression, and nervous system safety matter far more than endless output.

Because sometimes dogs don’t need more activity.

They need help feeling safe enough to finally stop moving.

Listeners will hear:

why anxiety and nervous system overload often look like high-energy dog behavior
how too much stimulation can make reactive or anxious dogs struggle even more
why rest, decompression, and emotional safety are critical parts of dog training and enrichment

Press play for a compassionate conversation about dog behavior, anxiety, enrichment, and the powerful shift that happens when you stop trying to tire your dog out and start helping them truly settle instead.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Why Dog Training Feels Personal When Your Dog Doesn’t Listen

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Have you ever asked your dog to do something simple… and the way they didn’t respond felt weirdly personal?

A lot of dog parents are taught to see missed cues, slow responses, freezing, barking, or walking away as stubbornness or disobedience. But many dogs who “aren’t listening” are actually struggling with something deeper — overwhelm, stress, nervous system overload, environmental pressure, or emotional shutdown.

In this episode, Em unpacks why dog training can start feeling emotionally exhausting when communication breaks down and why focusing only on obedience often causes us to miss what dogs are actually trying to tell us. Through stories about Fitz and Toby, she explores how nervous system regulation, emotional capacity, and environmental stress shape a dog’s ability to respond — even when they fully understand the cue.

Because listening isn’t always about compliance.

Sometimes it’s about whether your dog can emotionally access the behavior in that moment.

Listeners will hear:

why dogs sometimes stop responding even when they know the cue
how nervous system overwhelm affects dog behavior and dog training
why shifting from obedience to communication changes the relationship completely

Press play for a grounded conversation about dog training, communication, nervous system regulation, and what your dog may actually be trying to say when they stop listening.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Your Whole Life Has Quietly Started Revolving Around Your Dog's Anxiety | Dog Training

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Your whole life has quietly started revolving around your dog's anxiety, and you're not even sure when it happened.

Living with an anxious or reactive dog changes more than routines. It affects your nervous system, your relationships, your sense of self, even intimacy and boundaries, in ways most people never expect. Over time, a lot of dog parents find themselves constantly researching, managing, scanning for problems, and quietly sacrificing their own needs just to keep things functioning.

In this honest conversation, Em sits down with Jess from Handlers and Humans to talk about the emotional reality of life with a dog who struggles: hypervigilance, burnout, guilt, perfectionism, relationship strain, and the pressure to sacrifice yourself completely in order to "do enough."

You'll hear:

How living with a dog's chronic stress affects the human nervous system too
Why guilt and perfectionism become so common on this journey, and where that guilt actually comes from
How boundaries and support help both you and your dog feel safer and more sustainable

Press play if you've been pouring from an empty cup for so long you forgot what full feels like, and you're ready to matter in this relationship too.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Bringing Home a Puppy Didn't Feel the Way You Expected It To | Dog Training

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

The puppy came home, and instead of the excitement everyone talks about, there's just exhaustion, second-guessing, and a nervous system that hasn't settled since.

This episode breaks down what's actually happening beneath that stress, why so much puppy advice sounds right but feels impossible to keep up with in real life, and what starts to shift once you stop chasing a timeline and start paying attention to what actually helps a specific puppy settle.

You'll hear:

Why the pressure to "do it right" often leaves no room to actually enjoy a new puppy
Why two dogs can need completely opposite things, structure for one, freedom for another
What it means to meet a puppy where they are instead of where a timeline says they should be

Press play if bringing home your puppy has felt harder than you expected, and you've started to wonder if you're doing something wrong.

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Dog Nutrition Myth Keeping Dogs Stuck in Digestive Stress

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Have you ever stared at your dog’s food bowl wondering if the thing meant to help their stomach is actually making them feel worse?

For years, dog parents have been told that chicken and rice is the “safe” answer for digestive upset. But many dogs struggling with inflammation, stress, loose stools, vomiting, or gut imbalance don’t actually need more filler — they need support that helps the digestive system recover without adding extra strain.

In this episode, Em unpacks why chicken and rice isn’t always the gentle solution it’s made out to be and shares a different way of thinking about dog gut health and digestion. Through stories about Toby’s stress-related stomach issues, she explores how hydration, minerals, amino acids, nervous system regulation, and gut-soothing support often matter far more than simply feeding “bland food.”

Because upset stomachs aren’t always asking for more food.

Sometimes they’re asking for less pressure.

Listeners will hear:

why chicken and rice may not support gut healing the way many dog parents expect
how stress, nervous system regulation, and inflammation affect digestion and dog behavior
gentle ways to support dog gut health without overwhelming the digestive system

Press play for a grounded conversation about dog nutrition, gut health, digestion, and the small feeding shifts that can help your dog feel calmer, more comfortable, and better supported from the inside out.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Your Dog Can't Focus and More Training Won't Fix It | Dog Training

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

A dog that struggles to focus, finish a task, or settle isn't always a training problem. Sometimes the brain and body simply don't have what they need to get there.

Em talks with Tanisha from Pet Matrix about the connection between nutrition, recovery, and a dog's ability to focus and regulate, why active and working dogs can still struggle behind the scenes, and what it actually looks like to support a dog's body and brain instead of just pushing more training or more exercise.

You'll hear:

Why focus and follow-through are often overlooked signs that a dog's body isn't fully supported
How gut health and recovery directly affect a dog's behavior and nervous system
What to actually look for in a supplement instead of relying on marketing claims

Press play if your dog struggles to focus or finish a task and you've been assuming it's a training issue.

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Same Kennel That Calms One Dog Can Distress Another | Dog Training

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

The same safety tool can be exactly right for one dog and completely wrong for another. A kennel that gives one dog structure and calm can distress a dog with a different history.

Choosing tools like a kennel or a muzzle isn't a training failure, it's a form of responsibility, and the guilt so many dog parents feel around that choice often has nothing to do with whether it's actually right for the dog in front of them.

You'll hear:

Why the same tool can work completely differently for two different dogs
Why a muzzle or a kennel means paying attention, not giving up
How to figure out what your own dog is actually asking for instead of applying one solution to every dog

Press play if you've ever felt guilty about a safety decision you made for your dog and wondered if it meant you'd failed them.

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Two Dogs in the Same House Don't Have to Get Along the Way You Think | Dog Behavior

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

If one of your dogs is chaotic and overstimulated while the other is selective and quick to correct, it's easy to read that as one dog being the problem. Usually it isn't.

It's a mismatch, not a failure, and there's a real difference between forcing dogs to be friends and helping them coexist safely.

You'll hear:

Why some dogs simply don't want a friend, and why that's normal, not a red flag
Why harmony and friendship aren't the same goal, and how that reframe changes everything
How to figure out what each dog in a multi-dog household actually needs instead of forcing them to get along

Press play if your dogs don't seem to like each other and you've been wondering what you're doing wrong.

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Why Your Dog’s Food Bowl Might Be Creating Stress | Canine Nutrition

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Have you ever watched your dog inhale their food, walk away from their bowl, pace during meals, or seem strangely stressed around eating… and wondered if something deeper was going on?

Most dog parents are taught to focus only on what they feed their dog — but very few people talk about how the feeding experience itself can shape stress, digestion, emotional regulation, and dog behavior.

In this episode, Em sits down with Carol to explore why meal time is actually one of the clearest windows into your dog’s nervous system and emotional needs. Together, they unpack how traditional bowls, rushed eating, sensory overwhelm, feeding environments, and frustration-based slow feeders can unintentionally increase anxiety, overstimulation, guarding behavior, and digestive stress.

Through conversations about raw feeding, platter feeding, scavenging instincts, nervous system regulation, and observing subtle feeding behaviors, they share a completely different way of thinking about dog nutrition and meal time enrichment.

Because feeding isn’t just about calories.

It’s an emotional and sensory experience too.

Listeners will hear:

how meal time stress affects dog behavior, digestion, and emotional regulation
why some dogs struggle with bowls, slow feeders, or traditional feeding setups
simple feeding and enrichment changes that can help dogs feel calmer, safer, and more satisfied during meals

Press play for a fascinating conversation about dog behavior, dog nutrition, enrichment, and the subtle mealtime changes that can completely shift how your dog feels every single day.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Cold Isn't What's Making Your Dog Restless This Winter | Dog Training

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Walks get shorter. Sidewalks get icy. Your dog looks at the front door like absolutely not. And suddenly they're pacing, barking, spinning, or bouncing off the walls, and you're left wondering if you're doing something wrong.

In this episode, Em talks about what's actually happening when dogs get more wound up in the winter months, using her own experience with Fitz spiraling into barking fits and torn-up couch cushions before she understood what he really needed. It wasn't more walks. It was enrichment: mental stimulation that gives a dog somewhere to put all that built-up energy when the weather won't cooperate.

You'll hear:

Why walks aren't the only thing that meets a dog's needs in winter
Simple sniff-based and chewing activities that help dogs regulate indoors
How to recognize when pacing or whining is communication, not misbehavior

Press play if winter has felt heavier than it should for you and your dog, and you're ready for a different way through it.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Your Dog Isn't Being Difficult. They're Doing Something You've Never Noticed | Dog Behavior

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Have you ever felt like your dog’s behavior suddenly changes out of nowhere… barking, freezing, shutting down, or reacting before you even understand what happened?

Most reactive dog behavior doesn’t actually come out of nowhere. Dogs communicate stress, overwhelm, and discomfort long before the barking, lunging, growling, or shutdown happens — but many dog parents were simply never taught how to recognize the early signs.

In this episode, Em shares the subtle body language shifts she learned to recognize in both Fitz and Toby and how understanding those “whispers before the scream” completely changed the way she approaches dog behavior, dog training, and emotional safety.

Together, she unpacks why freezing, slowing down, head turns, scanning, stiff posture, and even clinginess can all be signs that a dog is asking for more space — not more pressure.

Because many dogs don’t need to be pushed through discomfort.

They need someone willing to listen before things escalate.

Listeners will hear:

the early body language signals dogs show before reactive behavior escalates
why giving dogs more space often prevents stress, fear, and shutdown
how understanding nervous system communication changes dog training and behavior

Press play for a grounded conversation about dog behavior, reactivity, body language, and learning how to recognize the quiet signs your dog has been showing all along.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Without One Simple Test, No One Would Have Known This Dog Wasn't Protected | Dog Health

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Vaccinated once. Vaccinated again. Still nothing. A dog can be vaccinated multiple times and still not actually be protected, and the standard vet visit alone won't tell you.

Em talks with Noga Shiller from Bio Gal Labs about how vaccines and immunity actually work in dogs, why the term "booster shot" is misleading for the vast majority of already-protected dogs, and how titer testing catches the small number of dogs whose vaccines aren't actually working, including one case that stumped an entire clinic before a simple blood test revealed the answer.

You'll hear:

Why most annual "boosters" aren't actually boosting anything in a dog that's already protected
What titer testing is, how it works, and why it can be done in-clinic in under 30 minutes
The full story of a dog who failed vaccination after vaccination, and what titer testing finally revealed

Press play if you've ever wondered whether your dog's vaccines are actually still protecting them.

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Exercise Advice Every Dog Trainer Gives You Might Be Backfiring | Dog Training

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Have you ever walked, trained, played with, and exercised your dog nonstop… only to watch them come home even more chaotic, restless, or unable to settle?

A lot of dog parents assume hyper behavior means a dog simply needs more exercise. More walks. More fetch. More stimulation. But for many anxious, reactive, or overwhelmed dogs, constant activity doesn’t create calm — it creates nervous system overload.

In this episode, Em shares the turning point she experienced with Fitz after realizing his “high energy” behavior wasn’t excitement at all. It was overstimulation. Through stories about pacing, barking, zoomies, tail chasing, and post-walk meltdowns, she unpacks the difference between true high-drive dogs and dogs whose nervous systems simply don’t know how to come back down.

Because sometimes the dogs who look the wildest on the outside are actually the most overwhelmed underneath.

Listeners will hear:

how to tell the difference between high-drive dog behavior and overstimulation
why more exercise can sometimes make reactive or anxious dogs feel worse
calming enrichment and nervous system regulation strategies that help dogs actually settle

Press play for a grounded conversation about dog behavior, overstimulation, enrichment, and helping your dog move from chaos to calm without constantly trying to tire them out.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Dog Nutrition Problem That Looks Like Bad Behavior

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Have you ever felt like no amount of dog training, routine changes, or behavior work was actually helping your dog feel better?

A lot of dog parents are taught to see behavior problems as purely behavioral — reactivity, pacing, barking, hyperactivity, shutdowns, restlessness, or difficulty settling. But sometimes those behaviors are actually signs that a dog’s body is struggling underneath the surface.

In this episode, Em shares the deeply personal stories of Toby and Fitz and how gut health completely changed the way she understands dog behavior, dog training, nervous system regulation, and emotional well-being. From chronic digestive discomfort and inflammation to itching, inconsistent stools, pacing, and reactivity, she explains how the gut and nervous system work together — and why dogs who don’t feel physically well often can’t regulate emotionally either.

Because behavior doesn’t happen in isolation.

It happens inside a body.

Listeners will hear:

how gut health, inflammation, and digestion affect dog behavior and emotional regulation
why some reactive or anxious dogs struggle even when dog training is consistent
simple ways to begin supporting your dog’s gut health without overcomplicating nutrition

Press play for an honest conversation about dog behavior, gut health, nutrition, and the powerful shift that happens when we stop asking “How do I stop this behavior?” and start asking “What is my dog’s body trying to say?”

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Dog Training Mistake That Ignores Your Dog’s Purpose

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Have you ever felt like no matter how much exercise, training, or activity you give your dog… they still seem restless, reactive, or impossible to fully settle?

A lot of dog parents are told that high-energy dogs simply need more walks, more exercise, or stricter dog training. But for many dogs — especially working breeds and purpose-bred dogs — the real issue isn’t energy alone. It’s unmet instinct, lack of fulfillment, and nervous systems searching for the kind of engagement they were designed for.

In this episode, Em sits down with musher and dog trainer Dr. Robert Forto to talk about what sled dogs can teach us about dog behavior, communication, enrichment, routine, and partnership. Together, they explore the difference between dogs who are simply “busy” and dogs who are truly fulfilled, why body language matters more than most people realize, and how understanding your dog’s purpose can completely shift the way you approach dog training and behavior struggles.

Because sometimes dogs aren’t acting out.

They’re asking for more meaningful ways to exist in the world.

Listeners will hear:

how unmet instincts and lack of fulfillment affect dog behavior and emotional regulation
why routines, body language, and partnership matter in dog training
practical ways to help high-drive or working-breed dogs feel calmer and more fulfilled in everyday life

Press play for a fascinating conversation about dog behavior, working dogs, enrichment, and the powerful shift that happens when we stop trying to suppress instincts and start understanding them instead

Check out Dog Works Radio with Em's episode:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1maMbtzneLogH87tY7ABJV?si=Lbsx33GkQQi94Lruna2xaA

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

What Your Reactive Dog Actually Needs Isn't What You've Been Told | Dog Training

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Have you ever felt like no matter how much training, structure, or enrichment you tried, your dog still seemed overwhelmed, reactive, or impossible to fully settle?

A lot of dog parents quietly believe that if they trained harder, stayed more consistent, or finally found the right method, their dog's behavior would improve. But sometimes the constant pressure to get it right pulls us further away from understanding what our dogs are actually asking for.

In this deeply personal episode, Em reflects on eight years with Fitz, the reactive, sensitive, high-energy dog who changed the way she understands training, behavior, and emotional safety. Through stories of tail chasing, reactivity, picky eating, and eventually trust, she shares the moment she stopped trying to control him and started learning how to listen instead.

Because behavior is often communication. And sometimes dogs don't need more correction. They need more safety.

Listeners will hear:

Why reactive dog behavior often has more to do with emotional safety than obedience
How constant pressure to get it right can affect training and a dog's nervous system
What changes when dog parents shift toward trust and understanding instead of perfection

Press play for an honest conversation about reactive dogs, emotional safety, and what happens when a dog stops feeling like a project and starts feeling understood.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Your Dog Sees Something Different in Every Bundled Up Stranger This Winter | Dog Training

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Bundled-up strangers look terrifying to your dog this winter, and it's not the only thing working against them.

Ice, boots, static shocks, reduced daylight, unfamiliar silhouettes, shifting routines. Winter adds real sensory overload for reactive or anxious dogs, and if walks have started feeling impossible or unsafe, that's not you failing at training.

In this episode, Em shares why winter often makes reactivity harder, using stories about Fitz, including a night he darted away from the leash, not in a zoomies way, but in a please don't make me way. She walks through practical alternatives: drive-through sniffing, scent trails in the hallway, front porch decompression, and other ways to build calm and connection without a forced walk.

You'll hear:

Why winter environments create extra sensory overload for reactive dogs
Practical enrichment alternatives for days when walks feel like too much
How to recognize when your dog is asking for peace instead of exercise

Press play if winter walks have felt impossible lately, and you're ready for permission to try something else.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Reactive Dog Training Feels Different When You Live It Every Day

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Have you ever felt like reactive dog training was taking over your entire life… while everyone around you acted like your dog just needed “better behavior”?

Living with a reactive dog can feel exhausting, isolating, and emotionally overwhelming — especially when you’re trying to navigate crowded neighborhoods, unpredictable environments, constant triggers, and advice that rarely reflects real life. For many dog parents, the hardest part isn’t just the reactivity itself. It’s the pressure, guilt, and loneliness that quietly come with it.

In this episode, Em sits down with travel nurse and reactive dog guardian Carrie to talk honestly about what reactive dog training actually looks like day to day. Together, they unpack life with fearful and reactive dogs in busy cities, muzzle training, emotional regulation, nervous system safety, advocacy, and learning how to stop chasing “normal dog life” in favor of what truly helps your dog feel safe and understood.

Because sometimes progress with reactive dogs doesn’t look like perfection.

Sometimes it looks like finally breathing again.

Listeners will hear:

what life with a reactive dog really looks like behind social media
why nervous system safety and emotional regulation matter in reactive dog training
how community, enrichment, and understanding your dog’s needs can make dog behavior feel less overwhelming

Press play for an honest conversation about reactive dog training, emotional burnout, nervous system safety, and learning how to build a life that actually works for both you and your dog.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Your Dog’s “Healthy” Food Might Be Causing Problems

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Have you ever switched your dog’s food over and over again… only to feel like their digestion, energy, skin, or behavior still wasn’t improving?

Dog food has become incredibly confusing for pet parents. Between raw feeding fear, kibble marketing, ingredient labels, prescription diets, and constant online opinions, many people are left wondering whether they’re actually helping their dog — or accidentally making things worse.

In this episode, Em breaks down some of the biggest dog food myths surrounding raw feeding, kibble, nutrition, and gut health while sharing the personal experiences that changed the way she feeds both Toby and Fitz. From pancreatitis flare-ups and digestive struggles to itchy skin and energy crashes, she explores how nutrition quietly affects everything from physical health to emotional regulation and dog behavior.

Because sometimes what gets labeled as “sensitive,” “picky,” or “high energy” is actually a dog whose body doesn’t feel good.

Listeners will hear:

why many common dog food beliefs are rooted in fear, marketing, or outdated information
how nutrition and gut health can affect digestion, energy, skin, and dog behavior
realistic ways to improve your dog’s nutrition without needing a perfect or expensive feeding plan

Press play for an honest conversation about dog food, nutrition, gut health, and the small feeding changes that can help your dog feel better from the inside out.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Learning Dog Body Language Will Change Something You Didn't Expect | Dog Training

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Have you ever felt like your dog’s behavior changes out of nowhere… one second calm, the next completely overwhelmed?

A lot of dog parents describe their dogs as “unpredictable” when they’re struggling with reactivity, anxiety, shutdowns, or emotional overload. But most dogs are communicating long before the barking, lunging, pacing, freezing, or withdrawal ever begins. The problem is that many of us were never taught how to recognize the patterns.

In this episode, Em breaks down the three nervous system patterns every overwhelmed, anxious, or reactive dog shows before behavior escalates: escalation, recovery, and overload. Through real stories about Fitz and Toby, she shares how learning these patterns completely changed the way she understood dog behavior, dog training, and emotional regulation.

Because behavior rarely comes out of nowhere.

And when dogs feel understood earlier, everything starts getting easier.

Listeners will hear:

how escalation, recovery, and overload patterns shape dog behavior
why reactive dogs often communicate stress long before a visible reaction
how understanding your dog’s nervous system can make dog training feel calmer and more connected

Press play for a grounded conversation about dog behavior, reactive dog training, and the subtle patterns that can completely change the way you understand your dog.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

A Dropped Theater Mask Accidentally Solved a Massive Pet Owner Problem | Dog Gear

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Michael made theatrical masks for a living. One day he dropped a sticky silicone mask on the floor of his house, full of pet hair like every dog and cat owner's floor. When he picked it up, it was covered in fur. That accident became Fur Zapper.

Em talks with Scott about how a dropped mask turned into a reusable, biodegradable laundry tool that actually works on pet hair, why it took time to get customers to trust something so different from a lint roller, and where the product is headed next.

You'll hear:

The full accidental origin story behind Fur Zapper, straight from a dropped theater mask
Why the "catch and release" mechanism confuses people at first, and how it actually works
Where Fur Zapper is expanding next, including vet clinics and grooming studios

Press play if you've ever wondered whether there's finally a real solution to pet hair everywhere.

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Playing Fetch Until a Dog Is Panting Doesn't Mean They're Actually Tired | Dog Training

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

You've done all the "right" things: daily walks, fetch, tug, flirt pole. And your dog still can't settle. Still pacing. Still barking at the window. Still wound up long after the exercise should have worn them out.

In this episode, Em breaks down what real enrichment actually is, and why it's not just a puzzle feeder. She gets into the different types (sensory, cognitive, physical, social, dietary, environmental) and shares exactly what helped her own dog Fitz shift from constant overstimulation into real rest, including scent work, trick training, and simple winter-friendly setups that don't require a long walk.

You'll hear:

Why "tired" and "fulfilled" are two completely different things for a dog
The six types of enrichment most people never think about
A simple 5-day challenge to figure out what your specific dog actually needs

Press play if you're ready to stop chasing tired and start chasing fulfillment instead.

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

This podcast explores life with dogs, including dog behavior, dog behavior problems, dog obedience, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, dog training, and the relationship with your dog. It's for dog parents navigating overwhelm, dog parent guilt, chronic stress, burnout recovery, and the challenges of life with a dog who asks for more. Episodes cover dog nutrition, canine nutrition, pet nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, dog communication, emotional healing, healing with dogs, self-trust, personal growth, and building a deeper connection with your dog. Whether you're raising a reactive dog, feeling discouraged, or simply trying to better understand your dog and yourself, this podcast helps you create a calmer life together and strengthen the bond that changes both of you. We're now taking this conversation on the road, bringing honest support directly to dog parents around the world.

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

A Veterinary Surgeon Says the Cure for Your Dog's Pain Might Be a Toxic Backyard Flower | Canine Nutrition

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Your dog starts doing things that feel… different.

Pacing at night.Getting stuck in corners.Forgetting routines they’ve known for years.

Or just not quite seeming like themselves.

And you can’t tell if it’s normal aging… or something else.

These changes are easy to second-guess. Easy to explain away.

Easy to carry quietly while you wonder if you’re overthinking — or missing something important.

In this episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, Em sits down with veterinary surgeon Dr. Terry Fossum to talk about what aging can look like inside a dog’s body and brain — without fear, and without jumping to conclusions.

Not from a place of panic.But from a place of noticing.

Because sometimes behavior changes aren’t random.

And they’re not always “just getting older,” either.

They can be your dog’s way of telling you something feels different.

If your aging dog has started acting off and you’re not sure what to make of it… press play.

Free Resources & Support

Dog Food Label Decoder Quiz

Understand what actually matters on pet food labels — and where to start.

Take the quiz

👉https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodlabel

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Week After the Holidays Isn't for Fixing Your Dog | Dog Training

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

The house gets quieter.The visitors leave.And your routine with your dog shifts again.

But now your dog’s behavior feels different.

More restless.More sensitive.Harder to settle in ways that don’t quite make sense.

It’s easy to wonder if something went wrong.If your dog is slipping backward.If your training isn’t working the way it should.

But this shift doesn’t come out of nowhere.

Busy seasons, changing routines, and constant stimulation can build up quietly — especially for dogs who already feel the world deeply.

In this episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, Em sits with the post-holiday shift so many dog parents notice but don’t always understand — when life slows down, but your dog’s nervous system hasn’t caught up yet.

Not because your dog needs more training.Not because you’re doing anything wrong.

But because your dog might still be coming down from everything they just experienced.

If your dog seems more restless or off after the holidays… press play.

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Dog Who Asked for More Is Growing — Here's What That Means for You

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

For a long time, it felt like if you just followed the right rules, everything would settle.

More structure.More consistency.More “doing it right.”

But the harder you try to control everything, the heavier it starts to feel — for both you and your dog.

In this episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, Em shares a personal story about the shift that changed things at home.

Not a new method.Not a better set of rules.

Just quieter, steadier routines that helped her dog feel safer — and took some of that pressure off her, too.

Because sometimes calm doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from doing less… more consistently.

This conversation touches on dog behavior, reactivity, daily life with big-feeling dogs, and what it can look like to trade control for rhythm.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re trying so hard to get it “right” and still feel stuck, you’re not alone.

If structure isn’t making things feel easier with your dog… press play.

Free Resources & Support

Free Enrichment Guide: Paws, Brains, and Fun

Start here. This free guide introduces simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer, more fulfilled, and more connected in everyday life.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmenrichmentebook

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email ⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

This podcast explores real life with dogs — including dog behavior, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, and dog training problems. It’s for dog parents who feel overwhelmed navigating life with dogs and want a clearer understanding of their dog and a calmer daily life together. Episodes also cover dog nutrition, canine nutrition, pet nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, dog communication, and life with dogs — connecting behavior, health, and daily routines to help you better understand your dog and reduce stress.

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

A Dog Used Talking Buttons to Tell Her Owner What She Dreams About | Dog Training

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

A dog with a board of recordable buttons pressed "night," "talk," and "sleep" together, over and over, for weeks. It took a research intern's suggestion before anyone realized what she was actually trying to say.

Em talks with Alexis, whose dog Bunny helped pioneer button communication for dogs, about how a single outside button turned into a hundred-word vocabulary, the moment Bunny used her buttons to describe her own dreams, and what years of this work has taught Alexis about curiosity, skepticism, and what dogs are actually capable of communicating.

You'll hear:

How Bunny figured out she could describe her dreams using buttons she already knew
The moment Bunny used her buttons to alert Alexis to a foxtail stuck in her paw, and what that revealed about self-advocacy
How to start with just three buttons if you want to try this with your own dog

Press play if you've ever wished you could know what your dog was actually thinking.

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Why Dog Training Changes When You Stop Chasing the “Perfect Dog”

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

You love your dog.

And some days…
you still wonder why this feels so hard.

Why everyone else seems to have the easy dog.Why walks feel heavier.Why you’re trying so hard and still feel behind.

This is a quiet pressure a lot of dog parents carry.

That if you just train better, try harder, follow the right advice…

your dog will finally become the “good one.”

And when that doesn’t happen, it’s easy to turn it back on yourself.

To wonder what you’re missing.
What you’re doing wrong.

In this episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, Em talks about what that pressure actually does — the comparison, the guilt, the burnout that builds when you’re chasing something that was never really yours to begin with.

Because sometimes the shift isn’t in doing more.

It’s in letting go of the version of your dog you thought they were supposed to be.

And starting to see the one in front of you instead.

If you’ve ever thought, “Why can’t my dog just be normal?”… press play.

Free Resources & Support

Dog Food Label Decoder Quiz

Understand what actually matters on pet food labels — and where to start.

Take the quiz

👉https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodlabel

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

There's a Difference Between a Well-Behaved Dog and a Service Dog | Dog Training

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

A calm, well-behaved pet and a real service dog can look identical from the outside, until they're actually asked to do the job.

Em talks with Ashley, a behavior scientist and service dog trainer with 24 years of experience, about what actually separates a task-trained service dog from a well-behaved pet, why not every dog is built for the work, and what ethical service dog training looks like when it's built on trust instead of compulsion or quick fixes.

You'll hear:

What Ashley actually looks for in a dog's temperament before service dog training even begins
Why rushing a young dog into "performing" before they're ready can undo years of foundation
The difference between a technical training issue and a dog whose personality just isn't suited for the work

Press play if you've ever wondered what it actually takes for a dog to become a true service dog, not just a calm one.

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Just Because You Love Your Family Doesn't Mean Your Dog Has To | Dog Training

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Good catch — swapping the opener so it doesn't just restate the title:

The house is full of people. Someone brought dessert. Someone let the dog out without asking. For a lot of dogs, this isn't a holiday. It's a nightmare.

Em shares the holiday gathering where her sister came in loud and fast, Toby bit her jeans, and it took years to rebuild that trust, and what she's learned since about advocating for a dog who isn't up for the chaos of a big family event. She walks through why "he's fine, he just needs to get used to it" is the wrong response, and what it actually looks like to protect a dog's peace during the most overstimulating time of year.

You'll hear:

What actually happened with Toby and Em's sister, and how long it took to rebuild that trust
Why a dog avoiding, hiding, or growling around family isn't bad behavior, it's communication
Concrete ways to set boundaries with family without feeling like you're the one being difficult

Press play if you've ever felt guilty for protecting your dog's peace over someone else's expectations.

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

There's a Difference Between a Dirty Car and a Damaged One | Dog Gear

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Here's the description, pulling from Jim's own founder story and the clean-vs-damage distinction:

A dirty car seat is a quick vacuum and some elbow grease. A torn one is a repair bill and a problem you can't undo.

Em talks with Jim Umloff, founder of Four Canines, about the difference between a seat cover that just keeps hair and dirt under control and one actually built to stop claws, slobber, and 80-pound dogs from destroying a car seat underneath it. He shares the story of his own Dobermans putting a hole in his leather seats, and what he learned building a product that could actually prevent that instead of just hiding it.

You'll hear:

The real difference between a seat cover that keeps a car clean and one that prevents actual damage
Why cheap, thin seat covers fail at exactly the moment it matters most
What to look for so you're not replacing a torn-up cover, or a torn-up seat, every few months

Press play if you've ever wondered what's actually happening to your car every time your dog gets in.

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

This podcast explores life with dogs, including dog behavior, dog behavior problems, dog obedience, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, dog training, and the relationship with your dog. It's for dog parents navigating overwhelm, dog parent guilt, chronic stress, burnout recovery, and the challenges of life with a dog who asks for more. Episodes cover dog nutrition, canine nutrition, pet nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, dog communication, emotional healing, healing with dogs, self trust, personal growth, and building a deeper connection with your dog. Whether you're raising a reactive dog, feeling discouraged, or simply trying to better understand your dog and yourself, this podcast helps you create a calmer life together and strengthen the bond that changes both of you. We're now taking this conversation on the road, bringing honest support directly to dog parents around the world.

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Why Knowing What a Dog Costs and Living What a Dog Costs Are Not the Same Thing

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

What if the hardest part of dog ownership isn't training or behavior, but the costs no one prepares you for?

When we bring a dog home, most of us budget for food, toys, and routine veterinary visits. What we don't expect are the long term expenses that can come with behavior challenges, medical conditions, specialist care, supplements, or emergencies. In this episode, I share my own experience transitioning from veterinary medicine, where discounts and support were part of everyday life, to navigating those same costs on my own. Along the way, we explore why financial preparation is an act of compassion for both you and your dog.

In this episode, you'll learn:

The real long term costs of responsible dog ownership that many people don't consider until they face them.
How planning ahead for dog training, medical care, nutrition, and emergencies can reduce stress and difficult decisions later.
A simple budgeting exercise that helps you prepare for the dog you have instead of the dog you expected.

If you've ever worried about whether you'll be able to give your dog everything they need, this episode will help you approach those concerns with confidence instead of guilt. Thoughtful planning won't eliminate every surprise, but it can help you build a more stable future for both you and your dog.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place. 👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

This podcast explores life with dogs — including dog behavior, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, dog training, and the relationship with your dog. It's for dog parents navigating overwhelm, chronic stress, burnout recovery, and the challenges of life with a dog who asks for more. Episodes cover dog nutrition, canine nutrition, pet nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, dog communication, emotional healing, healing with dogs, self trust, personal growth, and building a deeper connection with your dog. Whether you're raising a reactive dog, feeling discouraged, or simply trying to better understand your dog and yourself, this podcast helps you create a calmer life together and strengthen the bond that changes both of you. We're now taking this conversation on the road, bringing honest support directly to dog parents across the country.

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Dog Food Brands Are Selling You a Feeling, Not Facts | Canine Nutrition

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Shinier coat. Supports healthy functioning. Better energy. These phrases show up on nearly every bag of dog food, and none of them mean anything you can actually measure.

Em talks with Daniel Shuloff about the new Pet Nutrition Facts labeling changes coming to the pet food industry, why so much of what brands market has nothing to do with measurable health outcomes, and what actually moves the needle for a dog's long-term health versus what just sounds good on a bag.

You'll hear:

Why vague marketing phrases like "shinier coat" are chosen specifically because they can't be measured or disproven
What a recent study found when comparing a low-carb diet against the leading prescription diet for diabetic dogs
What the new nutrition labeling rules will actually require brands to disclose, and why it's taken decades to happen

Press play if you've ever picked a dog food because of how it was marketed rather than what was actually in it.

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Your Dog Is Already Struggling and Nothing Has Even Happened Yet | Dog Behavior

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Nothing's happened yet. No guests, no doorbell, no chaos. And your dog is already struggling.

Em breaks down precursor cues, the small changes dogs pick up on days before anything actually stressful occurs. Vacuuming, guest towels, a different jacket, faster movement around the house. To you, it's just holiday prep. To your dog, it's a string of signals that something big is coming, and that stress builds long before the event itself ever starts.

You'll hear:

What precursor cues actually are, and why sensitive dogs pick up on them so early
Why a dog who "was fine all day" might have actually been coping the entire time
Five ways to support a dog before the big moment, not just during it

Press play if your dog has ever seemed off before anything obvious was actually wrong.

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

What if There Was a Way for Your Dog to Call for Help? | Dog Training

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Here's the description, built from the actual content (the I Puppy device, Champ's story as the origin, the service dog/medical alert pivot):

What if your dog could call for help? Not metaphorically. An actual notification to your phone, triggered by your dog pressing a button.

Em talks with Mark Condon, the accidental inventor of I Puppy, about how his aging dog Champ inspired the idea, how it evolved from a simple bathroom-break notification system into something service dog handlers and medical alert teams now rely on, and where he sees this kind of technology heading next.

You'll hear:

How Champ's declining mobility led to the original idea behind I Puppy
How the device evolved from a potty-training tool into something used in real medical emergencies
What role Mark thinks technology should play in supporting, not replacing, training and connection with a dog

Press play if you've ever wished there was a way to know what your dog needed, even when you weren't in the room.

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

My Vet Recommended It. My Dog Got Worse. Here's What the Label Was Hiding | Canine Nutrition

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Have you ever looked at your dog's food bag and wondered if the ingredients are really as healthy as the marketing claims?

When our dogs struggle with digestive issues or recurring health concerns, many of us assume buying a more expensive dog food is the answer. In this episode, I share Toby's journey with recurring pancreatitis and the lessons I learned after taking a closer look at dog nutrition, ingredient labels, and the choices available to pet parents.

By listening, you'll discover:

How to read past dog food marketing and better understand what's on the ingredient label.
Simple ways to begin improving your dog's gut health without feeling like you have to completely overhaul their diet.
Why paying attention to your dog's individual response to food can help you make more confident dog nutrition decisions.

If you've been overwhelmed by conflicting advice about dog food or wondering whether your dog's current diet is really supporting their health, this episode will help you ask better questions and make small, practical changes that move you in the right direction.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place. 👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

This podcast explores life with dogs — including dog behavior, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, dog training, and the relationship with your dog. It's for dog parents navigating overwhelm, chronic stress, burnout recovery, and the challenges of life with a dog who asks for more. Episodes cover dog nutrition, canine nutrition, pet nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, dog communication, emotional healing, healing with dogs, self trust, personal growth, and building a deeper connection with your dog. Whether you're raising a reactive dog, feeling discouraged, or simply trying to better understand your dog and yourself, this podcast helps you create a calmer life together and strengthen the bond that changes both of you. We're now taking this conversation on the road, bringing honest support directly to dog parents across the country.

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

What Looks Like Destructive Behavior Might Actually Be a Request | Dog Enrichment

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

The couch cushions. The rug. The corner of a cardboard box. It's easy to assume a dog chewing through things is a problem to correct. It might actually be a need going unmet.

Em talks with Adam and Chris, founders of Soda Pup, about what actually makes a chew toy durable, why sanctioned outlets for chewing and destruction often prevent the destructive behavior people are trying to stop, and what real enrichment looks like beyond just a walk twice a day.

You'll hear:

Why giving a dog safe things to destroy often reduces destructive behavior instead of encouraging it
What actually makes a toy last, and why the softest materials sometimes outperform the hardest ones
Simple, low-cost enrichment ideas that don't require buying anything new

Press play if your dog's "bad behavior" has ever made you wonder what they're actually trying to tell you.

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

You Don't Have to Bring Your Dog to Thanksgiving to Prove You Love Them

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Do you feel guilty leaving your dog out of holiday celebrations?

Many dog parents believe bringing their dog to every family gathering is part of being a good pet parent. But for many dogs, busy homes, unfamiliar guests, loud conversations, and disrupted routines create stress—not joy. In this episode, we explore why protecting your dog's peace can be one of the greatest gifts you give them during the holidays.

Through personal stories about Fitz and Toby, you'll learn how recognizing dog body language, respecting your dog's boundaries, and adjusting the environment can create calmer, safer holiday experiences for everyone.

By listening, you'll discover:

How to recognize the subtle dog body language that tells you your dog is overwhelmed before they react.
Why honoring your dog's need for space can strengthen your relationship with my dog instead of weakening it.
Simple holiday strategies—including enrichment and quiet spaces—that reduce dog anxiety without forcing your dog to participate.

If you've ever wondered whether your dog really enjoys holiday gatherings—or if you've felt guilty leaving them home—this episode will help you make confident, compassionate choices that put your dog's emotional well-being first. Listen now and discover why sometimes the kindest holiday tradition is letting your dog skip the party.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Surrendering Your Dog Feels Like the Kind Choice. It's Rarely the Safe One | Dog Rescue

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

What if your rescue dog isn't being difficult—but trying to tell you something you haven't learned to hear yet?

In this special Gotcha Day episode celebrating Toby's 12th year home, I sit down with rescue advocate and foster Tracy Foster Lane to talk about what second chances really look like. We explore fear, trust, dog body language, rescue misconceptions, and why healing isn't measured in days or weeks, but in thousands of tiny moments of patience. Along the way, we discuss the realities of fostering, shelter life, owner surrenders, and the emotional journey of helping dogs recover from difficult beginnings.

By listening, you'll learn:

How to recognize when your rescue dog's behavior is communication rather than aggression.
Why patience, enrichment, and understanding dog body language build a stronger relationship with my dog than punishment ever will.
Simple ways to support rescue dogs—even if you can't adopt or foster one yourself.

Whether you're living with a rescue dog, thinking about adopting, or simply want to understand dogs more deeply, this episode offers an honest look at the challenges, heartbreak, and incredible hope that come with giving a dog a second chance. Listen now and discover why changing one dog's life often changes your own.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

He Was a Bait Dog Scheduled for Euthanasia. Here's What Happened When I Sat Down Outside His Kennel

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

What if the rescue dog you thought you were saving was actually the one helping you heal?

Many of us adopt dogs believing we're giving them a second chance. But sometimes the relationship becomes something much deeper. In this emotional anniversary episode, Em shares Toby's rescue story—from a terrified bait dog facing euthanasia to a loyal companion who became a source of healing through trauma, grief, disability, and major life transitions. This episode explores the powerful human-animal bond, the lessons reactive dogs teach us about boundaries and trust, and why rescue is often as transformative for humans as it is for dogs.

After listening, you'll discover:

How rescue dogs can help rebuild self-trust, emotional resilience, and healing after difficult life experiences.
The powerful lessons reactive dogs teach about boundaries, communication, and emotional safety.
Why long-term commitment, trust, and companionship create life-changing relationships with our dogs.

Press play to hear Toby's remarkable rescue story and discover how your own dog may be helping you heal in ways you haven't fully recognized yet.

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠thedogwhoaskedformore@gmail.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

This podcast explores real life with dogs — including dog behavior, reactivity, dog anxiety, and everyday training challenges. It’s for overwhelmed dog parents who want a clearer understanding, practical support, and a stronger bond while navigating daily life with their dogs. Episodes cover canine nutrition, dog body language, dog food and behavior, gut health, enrichment for dogs, routines, and regulation — so life with your dog can feel calmer, more manageable, and more sustainable. Hosted by a dog trainer, canine nutrition coach, and retired vet tech, the show blends training, nutrition, and enrichment to support and bond with sensitive, anxious, and rescue dogs at home and in real life.

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

The Indoor Boundary Tool That Teaches Your Dog the Rules Without a Single Baby Gate | Dog Training

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0500

What if your dog could learn where they’re welcome—and where they’re not—without gates, drilling holes, or constant supervision?

Many dog parents feel overwhelmed trying to manage household boundaries. Whether it's keeping your dog off the couch, away from the trash, out of certain rooms, or preventing door rushing, traditional solutions often rely on physical barriers, constant monitoring, or repetitive corrections. In this episode, Em sits down with Jesus, creator of Pet Sensor, to discuss a different approach: teaching dogs clear indoor boundaries through communication, consistency, and simple training principles that help reduce stress for both dogs and humans.

After listening, you'll discover:

How indoor boundary training can help improve dog behavior without relying solely on gates, fences, or physical barriers.
Why communication and consistency matter more than punishment when teaching dogs household rules.
The situations where boundary-based training tools may be helpful—and when they're not the right fit.

Press play to learn how clear communication and simple boundary training can create a calmer, more peaceful home for both you and your dog.

Enrichment Outro

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

She Thought Her Dog Was Failing Her. He Was Asking for More | Dog Training

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Locked:

"She Thought Her Dog Was Failing Her. He Was Asking for More." | Dog Training

Here's the description:

For years, Em thought the answer was to try harder. Longer walks, more fetch, more discipline. Fitz kept barking, kept reacting, kept shutting down anyway. Then she realized he wasn't failing the training. He was asking for something completely different.

In this episode, Em shares the realization that gave the show its name: that the dogs who need more aren't broken, and the humans who love them aren't failing either. She walks through what actually changed once she stopped pushing Fitz into environments built for other dogs and started building a life around what he actually needed.

You'll hear:

What Em tried first with Fitz, and why more of it kept not working
The moment she understood he wasn't failing her, he was asking for more
What actually changed once training stopped being the only tool

Press play if you've ever felt like you've tried everything with your dog and nothing's working, and you're starting to wonder if you're the one failing.

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

He Spent 17 Years Catching Criminals and One Love Story Turned Him Into a Dog Trainer

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Have you ever wondered if you're getting dog training advice from someone who truly understands behavior—or someone who's just good at social media?

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with dog trainer Josh Taylor to talk about the unexpected journey that took him from a 17-year career investigating organized crime to helping thousands of dogs and their families. Along the way, we dive into what makes a great trainer, why curiosity matters more than certainty, and the difficult conversations many people avoid having about serious behavior cases.

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

Why understanding the "why" behind behavior is often more important than focusing on the behavior itself.
How to identify red flags when searching for a dog trainer and what questions to ask before hiring one.
An honest discussion about severe behavior cases, behavioral euthanasia, and why getting help early can make a life-changing difference.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting advice online, struggled to find the right support for your dog, or wondered how experienced trainers approach complex behavior challenges, this episode offers a thoughtful and compassionate perspective.

Listen now for a conversation about dog training, reactive dogs, behavior assessment, trust building, social media myths, professional growth, and what it really means to advocate for the dog in front of you. 💛🐾

Free Enrichment Guide: Paws, Brains, and Fun

Start here. This free guide introduces simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer, more fulfilled, and more connected in everyday life.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmenrichmentebook

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email ⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Everyone Treats Halloween Like a Dog Training Test. Your Dog Didn't Sign Up for That

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0500

For many dogs, Halloween isn't fun—it's overwhelming. Between constant doorbells, strangers in costumes, loud noises, disrupted routines, and unexpected visitors, the holiday can create a perfect storm of dog anxiety, stress, and sensory overload.

In this episode, we talk about why Halloween can be especially challenging for anxious dogs, reactive dogs, and dogs who thrive on routine. More importantly, we explore how to support your dog without feeling pressured to participate in traditions that don't serve them.

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

Why Halloween can increase stress in dogs and the signs your dog may be feeling overwhelmed.
Simple enrichment ideas and calming activities that can help your dog feel safe and settled throughout the evening.
Why choosing your dog's comfort over social expectations can strengthen your relationship with your dog and build trust.

If you've ever worried about barking at trick-or-treaters, struggled with a stressed dog during holidays, or felt pressure to make your dog participate in activities they don't enjoy, this episode is your permission slip to choose a quieter path.

Listen now for an honest conversation about dog anxiety, reactive dog challenges, trust building, enrichment, and creating a safe space for your dog during stressful events. 💛🐾

Free Enrichment Guide:

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMat Rx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email ⁠thedogwhoaskedformore@gmail.com⁠ to get in touch with Em

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

You're Bathing Your Dog to Fix the Smell and That's Exactly Why It Won't Go Away | Dog Health

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Have you ever wondered if bathing your dog too often could actually be making their skin issues worse?

Most dog parents want to do what's best for their dogs, but when it comes to dog skin care, there is a lot of conflicting advice. If your dog struggles with itching, odor, irritation, or recurring skin problems, the solution may not be another bath or a different shampoo.

In this episode, I sit down with veterinarian, author, and founder of Dog by Dr. Lisa, Dr. Lisa Chimes, to talk about what healthy skin actually needs to thrive. We explore the connection between grooming habits, allergies, skin barrier health, and the simple changes that can support your dog's long-term wellbeing.

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

Why overbathing may contribute to skin irritation and what healthy grooming routines look like.
How to support your dog's skin barrier and reduce common triggers behind chronic itching and discomfort.
Practical ways to improve dog health and pet wellness through preventative care and everyday habits.

If you've been searching for answers about your dog's skin, coat, or overall health, this conversation offers a fresh perspective that could change how you approach grooming and care.

Listen now to learn how better dog skin care can support your dog's comfort, improve dog health, and help you make more confident decisions about their long-term wellbeing. 💛🐾

Special Offer:

Use code EMILY15 to save 15% on your order at DOG by Dr. Lisa — Em’s go-to for gentle, effective skin care products.

https://us.dogbydrlisa.com/pages/dog-suppplies

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz⁠

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?Book a short call and we’ll talk through what’s going on.👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We TrustSupport gut health and daily wellness. Use code FITZ20 to save.👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠thedogwhoaskedformore@gmail.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

New episodes of The Dog Who Asked for More release every Monday and Wednesday.

This podcast explores life with dogs and life with pets through dog behavior, reactive dogs, dog anxiety, and real-life dog training challenges. It supports overwhelmed pet parents who want to better understand dog body language, communication, daily routines, and canine enrichment so dog life feels clearer and more manageable. Episodes focus on dog behavior while offering practical help and support, exploring common behavior patterns, and addressing real-life challenges many pet parents face — including experiences like dog barking, habits, obedience, and socialization — while also speaking to the emotional side of living with sensitive dogs and navigating lifestyle with dogs.

Hosted by a canine nutritionist, dog nutrition coach, dog trainer, and retired vet tech, the show covers canine nutrition, dog nutrition, dog food and behavior, dog gut health, training challenges, training burnout, rescue dogs, dog grief, dog enrichment ideas, dog health, and dog myths — while exploring what it looks like to build a calmer, healthier life with your dog and strengthen the dog–human bond.

Affiliate Disclosure:

This episode includes affiliate links. If you purchase through them, Em may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Supporting partner brands helps keep this podcast free and accessible.

Is More Exercise Actually Making Your Dog Harder to Live With | Dog Enrichment

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0500

More fetch. Longer walks. All the exercise advice says the same thing, and somehow the dog is still bouncing off the walls, especially now that it's getting dark and cold earlier and outside time is harder to come by.

Em walks through seven indoor enrichment games designed to actually calm a dog down instead of just tiring them out, using mental stimulation instead of more physical exercise to help a dog settle.

You'll hear:

Why more exercise can leave a dog just as wound up, not less
Seven simple indoor enrichment games using stuff already in the house
How to build a short routine that hits play, problem-solving, and calm all in one stretch

Press play if your dog is bouncing off the walls no matter how much you walk them, and you're ready to try something that actually works.

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Nobody Sends Flowers When a Dog Dies | Pet Loss

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0500

When a person dies, there are casseroles, flowers, cards, time off work. When a dog dies, most people get a couple hours and an expectation to be fine by Monday.

Em talks with Anne Marie, author of Healing Wisdom for Pet Loss, about why grief for a pet is so rarely validated the way grief for a person is, the different types of grief that show up after losing an animal, and real ways to honor that loss without a timeline or pressure to move on.

You'll hear:

The difference between anticipatory, acute, ambiguous, and complicated grief, and why knowing which one you're in helps
Why pet loss is so often disenfranchised, even at work, and what that costs people
Simple rituals and reflective practices that actually help people carry the loss instead of just getting over it

Press play if you've ever grieved a pet and felt like you had to hide how much it actually hurt.

Guest Info:

Website: farage-smith.com

Book: Healing Wisdom for Pet Loss

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

You've Been Following Dog Training Advice That's Actually Working Against You

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0500

You've been doing the "right" things, structure, consistency, following the advice everyone gives, and your dog still seems stuck. Maybe it's not you. Maybe it's the advice.

A lot of popular dog training advice sounds solid on the surface: be the alpha, ignore bad behavior, never let them win, don't comfort a scared dog. But some of the most common tips out there are quietly making things harder, not easier, for well-meaning dog parents just trying to do right by their dog.

In this episode, Em breaks down ten of the most common training myths she sees holding people back, drawn from her own journey with Fitz and Toby. From the "just ignore it" advice that broke a dog's trust, to why letting your dog win a tug-of-war doesn't lose you anything at all.

You'll hear:

Why dominance-based advice like "be the alpha" damages trust instead of building it
How ignoring a growl or forcing socialization can create more fear, not less
Why comforting a scared dog builds safety instead of reinforcing the fear

Press play if you've tried all the "right" things and still feel stuck, and you're ready to find out it might not be you at all.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Dog Toy That Grows With Your Dog Instead of Collecting Dust After Day Three | Dog Enrichment

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Have you ever felt like your dog has endless energy no matter how much exercise you give them?

Many dog parents assume that longer walks, more fetch, and extra physical activity are the answer to a restless, anxious dog. But what if the missing piece isn't more exercise at all? What if your dog is craving mental stimulation, enrichment, and opportunities to problem solve?

In this episode, I sit down with Aina, founder of Pawzler, to talk about why enrichment matters, how puzzle toys support dog behavior, and why just a few minutes of the right brain game can leave your dog more fulfilled than an hour of nonstop activity. We dive into dog enrichment, mental stimulation for dogs, anxiety, destructive chewing, confidence building, and how to create a calmer, happier dog through smarter play.

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

Why mental stimulation for dogs is just as important as physical exercise—and how enrichment can help reduce anxiety, stress, and destructive behavior.
How to choose the right puzzle difficulty so your dog builds confidence, curiosity, and emotional resilience instead of frustration.
Simple ways to use enrichment stacking, dog puzzles, scent games, and problem-solving activities to create a calmer dog at home.

If your dog struggles to settle, seems constantly overstimulated, or comes home from walks even more wound up than before, this conversation will give you practical ideas you can start using right away.

Listen now for an insightful conversation about dog enrichment, dog behavior, mental stimulation for dogs, dog anxiety, stress relief, enrichment games for dogs, dog training, emotional wellbeing, and helping your dog thrive through play and curiosity. 💛🐾

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?

Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

This podcast explores real life with dogs — including dog behavior, reactivity, dog anxiety, stress in dogs, fearful dogs, and everyday training challenges. It’s for dog parents who are overwhelmed navigating life with dogs and want a clearer understanding of their dog, practical support, and a stronger bond while creating a calmer daily life with their dogs. Episodes cover canine nutrition, dog body language, dog communication, dog food and behavior, gut health, dog wellness, enrichment for dogs, dog enrichment activities, routines, dog lifestyle, and regulation — so life with your dog can feel calmer, more manageable, and more sustainable. Hosted by a dog trainer, canine nutrition coach, and retired vet tech, the show blends training, nutrition, and enrichment to support and bond with sensitive, anxious, pure-bred, and rescue dogs at home and in real life.

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

The Reactive Dog Owner's Lie: You Have to Fix Them Before You Can Start Living

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Have you ever felt like your life is on hold because your dog isn't where you want them to be yet?

Many reactive dog parents spend years waiting. Waiting for training to work. Waiting for behavior to improve. Waiting for life to feel easier before they allow themselves to dream bigger. But what if waiting for perfect is the very thing keeping you stuck?

In this personal solo episode, I share the mindset shift that changed everything for me, Fitz, and our future. We talk about reactive dogs, trust, emotional resilience, partnership, and why building a life around your dog's needs doesn't mean putting your own dreams on hold. Sometimes the next step forward isn't waiting until everything is fixed—it's learning how to move forward together.

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

Why waiting for your reactive dog to be "better" may be keeping you trapped in stress, guilt, and second-guessing.
How focusing on trust, emotional safety, and partnership creates a stronger relationship with your dog than chasing perfection.
The mindset shift that helped me start pursuing my RV dream with Fitz, even though nothing feels completely ready.

If you've ever felt discouraged, overwhelmed, unsupported, or like life can't begin until your dog reaches some imaginary finish line, this episode is your reminder that you don't have to earn joy first.

Listen now for an honest conversation about reactive dog life, trust building, emotional resilience, self trust, partnership, relationship with your dog, personal growth, finding purpose, and creating a meaningful life alongside the dog you have. 💛🐾

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

We Treat Dogs Like Family. The Courts Treat Them Like Furniture. Here's What's Changing

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Have you ever wondered what would happen to your dog if the law treated them like property instead of family?

Most of us see our dogs as companions, partners, and members of the family. But in many courtrooms, pets are still legally classified as property. That distinction affects everything from pet custody disputes to shelter policies, animal welfare laws, and the future of animal rights.

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Susanna Gartner, founder of Canada's first animal law firm, mediator, activist, and author of A Voice for Animals. Together, we explore the legal realities facing companion animals, the shelter crisis, animal advocacy, and the growing movement to create a more compassionate future for dogs and other animals.

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

Why pets are still considered property under many laws—and how that impacts pet custody, animal welfare, and legal protections.
The connection between animal rights, shelter overcrowding, euthanasia rates, rescue dog advocacy, and creating meaningful change in local communities.
How everyday dog lovers can become a voice for animals through education, volunteering, adoption, and supporting positive change in the animal welfare system.

If you've ever felt heartbroken by shelter overcrowding, wondered about animal rights, considered adopting a rescue dog, or wanted to better understand the relationship between humans and animals, this episode offers both insight and hope.

Listen now for an eye-opening conversation about animal law, rescue dog advocacy, pet companionship, compassion, community involvement, emotional connection, human animal bond, dog companionship, and creating a future where animals are treated with the dignity they deserve. 🐾🩵

Learn more and take action: suzanagartner.com

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Everyone Said Walk Him More. Here's What Actually Happened When I Did | Reactive Dog

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Have you ever felt guilty for skipping a walk with your dog?

Dog parents hear it all the time: a tired dog is a good dog. More walks. More exercise. More exposure. But what happens when you're doing all of those things and your dog is still overwhelmed, reactive, anxious, or unable to settle?

In this solo episode, I share one of the biggest lessons Fitz taught me. For years, I believed that more walks would solve his reactivity and help him calm down. Instead, every walk seemed to leave him more stressed, more overstimulated, and less able to relax. It wasn't until I stopped pushing him and started paying attention to what he actually needed that everything began to change.

We talk about dog reactivity, overstimulation, emotional regulation, enrichment for dogs, stress in dogs, dog behavior, and why sometimes doing less is exactly what your dog needs.

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

How overstimulation can look like bad behavior—and why more exercise isn't always the answer for a reactive dog.
The signs your dog may be dysregulated, overwhelmed, or struggling with dog anxiety instead of being stubborn or defiant.
How enrichment, predictable routines, decompression, and emotional safety helped Fitz make more progress than daily walks ever did.

If you've ever felt discouraged because dog training isn't working the way you've been told it should, this episode is a reminder that your dog is an individual—not a checklist. Sometimes the most compassionate thing you can do is stop forcing what isn't working and start listening to the dog in front of you.

Listen now for an honest conversation about reactive dog behavior, dog anxiety, enrichment for dogs, emotional regulation, stress management, relationship with your dog, positive dog training, dog behavior challenges, and learning to trust yourself when your dog needs something different. 🐾💜

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

She Spent 30 Days Walking a Leash With No Dog on the End of It | Dog Training

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500

She spent five years in prison. For the first 30 days of the dog training program there, she wasn't allowed to have a dog at all, just a leash, walking alongside handlers who did.

Em talks with Madison Skoog Simpson about the prison dog training program that changed the direction of her life, the medication and mental health struggles she navigated while incarcerated, and how the training philosophy she started with eventually gave way to something completely different once she came home.

You'll hear:

What the first 30 days of the program actually looked like, and why dogs weren't part of it yet
How Madison's approach to training shifted after a friend told her "efficiency isn't enough"
What she wants people to understand about dogs labeled "too much" and the people who've been labeled the same way

Press play if you've ever needed proof that it's possible to rebuild something real from the hardest place you've been.

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

There's a Version of Building This Dream That Never Makes It Onto the Podcast | Dog Training

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500

The podcast looks polished. The clips are captioned, the stories are tight. It's easy to think there's a version of this that has it all figured out.

Em pulls back the curtain on what actually keeps this dream running: cleaning houses between recording sessions, editing marathons at midnight, and the version of burnout that doesn't mean something is wrong, just that building something that actually matters costs something real.

You'll hear:

What's actually happening behind the polished version people see online
Why burnout hit hardest when the thing being built genuinely matters
What Em's version of balance actually looks like, and why it doesn't match the version she used to believe in

Press play if you're in your own messy middle right now, juggling work and dreams and doubt, and you need to hear that you're not behind.

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

There's a Whole Conversation Happening With Your Dog That You're Missing | Dog Training

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Here's the description, built around the general concept rather than centering the guest's specific story:

Dogs communicate constantly. Most of it just gets missed.

In this episode, Em talks with Melissa about her experience teaching her dog to communicate using talking buttons, what actually surprised her about what her dog chose to say, and what it reveals about how much dogs already understand and are trying to express, whether or not they ever touch a button.

You'll hear:

What it actually takes to teach a dog to use buttons meaningfully, and why it's more repetition than magic
The moments where a dog's word choice revealed something Em and Melissa hadn't understood before
Why this isn't about every dog needing buttons, but about how much communication is already happening that most people miss

Press play if you've ever wondered what your dog would say if they actually could.

Use code Tilda at FluentPet.com to save on button kits.

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Dogs Get Called 'Too Much' All the Time. Almost Never for the Real Reason | Dog Behavior

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 11:00:00 -0500

There's a label people reach for constantly: too much, a lot, reactive, difficult. It feels accurate in the moment. It's usually incomplete.

Em shares the exact moment she realized Fitz wasn't being difficult, he was in distress, and she'd been missing it for months. She walks through what changed once she stopped asking "how do I get him to stop this" and started asking "what is he trying to say," and what it actually looks like to support a dog's nervous system instead of just managing their behavior.

You'll hear:

The specific moment Em realized Fitz's "big energy" was actually overwhelm, not defiance
Why more structure and more exercise made things worse instead of better
What changed once she shifted from control to communication

Press play if you've ever labeled your dog as "a lot" and wondered if there was something underneath it you were missing.

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Why Most Dog Training Advice Is Old Mythology Wearing a New Face

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Good instinct — makes sense to avoid naming Chewy or specific brands directly. Here's the description, staying general and pulling from the transcript's real themes (Barbara Woodhouse, the "energy" myth, the shock collar phone calls) without naming brands or people who could take issue with how it's framed:

Why does the same bad dog training advice keep coming back with a new face every generation?

Decades ago, it was one famous name on TV telling people to dominate their dogs into submission. Today it's a different famous name saying the same thing with better lighting and a new vocabulary: energy, dominance, control. The names change. The myths don't.

In this episode, Em sits down with Annie Grossman, a dog trainer and author whose own research took her deep into where a lot of these ideas actually come from, including some unsettling phone calls to major retailers about shock collars, and just how little real science backs up what's still being taught as common sense.

You'll hear:

Why the same recycled training myths keep resurfacing under new names and new platforms
What the real science of dog behavior actually says, and how different it is from what most people have absorbed
Why you don't need to be a "dog whisperer" or have some special gift to have a great relationship with your dog

Press play if you've ever felt like you can't tell which dog training advice is actually worth trusting.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Part of Dog Training That Nearly Broke Me and Why Nobody Warns You About It

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Have you ever felt like you're doing everything right with your dog and somehow things still aren't getting better?

Many dog parents throw themselves into training, follow every recommendation, watch every video, and try every tool they can find. But when your dog is still struggling—and you're still feeling overwhelmed—it can start to feel like you're the problem.

In this honest solo episode, I share one of the hardest parts of life with a reactive dog: the moment when you're trying your absolute best and it still doesn't feel like enough. We talk about dog training burnout, reactive dogs, overwhelm, self criticism, and the pressure so many pet parents carry when progress doesn't look the way they expected.

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

Why following every dog training protocol doesn't always create the results you're hoping for—and why that doesn't mean you're failing.
How dog training burnout, guilt, and second guessing can quietly damage your confidence and your relationship with your dog.
Why trust, emotional regulation, and connection often matter more than perfect obedience when you're living with a reactive dog.

If you've ever sat in your car after a difficult walk, questioned whether you're doing enough, or felt emotionally exhausted by your dog's behavior struggles, this episode is a reminder that you're not alone—and that there may be a different path forward.

Listen now for a compassionate conversation about reactive dogs, dog training struggles, emotional resilience, self compassion, trust building, dog behavior, overwhelm, and what happens when you stop chasing perfection and start focusing on what your dog actually needs. 🐾💜

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog? Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

He's Flown Over 4000 Animals to Safety. Here's What He Wants Every Dog Parent to Know | Rescue Dog

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Have you ever wondered what actually happens after a dog leaves an overcrowded shelter?

Every year, shelters across the United States struggle with overcrowding, limited resources, and difficult decisions. But behind many successful adoptions is an entire network of people working tirelessly to give animals a second chance.

In this episode, I sit down with Michael Schneider, founder of Pilots To The Rescue, a nonprofit organization that uses aviation to transport at-risk dogs and cats from overcrowded shelters to rescue partners and adoption centers across the country. Over the last decade, Michael and his team have helped save thousands of animals by connecting shelters in crisis with communities ready to welcome them.

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

How Pilots To The Rescue transports dogs, cats, and other animals from overcrowded shelters to safety—and what it takes to coordinate these lifesaving missions.
Why animal transport plays such a critical role in reducing shelter overcrowding and helping adoptable dogs find homes.
How combining passion, purpose, and service can create meaningful impact for animals, shelters, and communities alike.

Whether you're passionate about animal rescue, dog adoption, shelter advocacy, or simply love hearing stories about people making a difference, this conversation offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at one of the most unique rescue organizations in the country.

Listen now for an inspiring conversation about animal rescue, dog adoption, shelter overcrowding, purpose, compassion, community, transportation for rescue animals, and how one pilot turned a love of flying into a mission that has changed thousands of lives. 🐾✈️💜

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Your Reactive Dog Isn't Getting Worse. They're Finally Telling You the Truth | Dog Training

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Have you ever felt like you're doing everything right with your reactive dog, but nothing seems to be working?

You follow the advice. You buy the equipment. You practice the training exercises. And somehow, your dog still struggles. It's frustrating, discouraging, and can leave you wondering if you're failing your dog.

In this solo episode, I'm sharing the three biggest lessons I wish I had learned sooner during my journey with Fitz. Because looking back, the problem wasn't that I wasn't trying hard enough. The problem was that I was focusing on the wrong things. We talk about reactive dogs, dog training, emotional regulation, trust building, and why progress often looks very different than we expect.

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

Why daily walks aren't always the best solution for reactive dogs, anxious dogs, or dogs who become easily overwhelmed.
How to recognize the difference between true setbacks and the messy middle that often comes with real progress.
Why emotional regulation and feelings of safety matter more than obedience when it comes to lasting behavior change.

If you've ever felt defeated, discouraged, or like your dog training isn't working, this episode is a reminder that reactivity isn't a reflection of your worth as a dog parent. Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs happen when you stop chasing perfect behavior and start building trust.

Listen now for an honest conversation about reactive dogs, dog training, dog behavior, dog anxiety, emotional regulation, trust building, life with a reactive dog, and what happens when you learn to see behavior as communication instead of a problem to fix. 🐾💜

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

GPS Fencing, AI Coaching, and Real Time Tracking: The Future of Dog Safety | Dog Training

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Have you ever worried about what would happen if your dog got loose?

Whether you have a reactive dog, an adventurous dog, a service dog, or simply a dog who loves to explore, the thought of losing them can be one of the biggest fears dog parents carry. As technology continues to evolve, new tools are changing the way we think about dog safety, dog training, and staying connected to our dogs.

In this episode, I'm joined by the team from SATELLAI for a conversation about GPS tracking, virtual fencing, activity monitoring, dog behavior, and the future of canine technology. We explore how these tools can help dog parents better understand their dogs, support training goals, and create more peace of mind without replacing the trust and relationship that matter most.

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

How GPS tracking and virtual fencing can help keep your dog safe at home and on adventures.
What activity monitoring and AI-powered insights can reveal about your dog's health, behavior, and daily routines.
How technology can support dog training, recall, and confidence while strengthening your partnership with your dog.

If you've ever felt anxious about your dog getting loose, struggled with recall training, or wanted more insight into your dog's behavior and wellbeing, this episode offers a fascinating look at what's possible.

Listen now for an honest conversation about dog safety, dog training, recall, dog behavior, service dogs, reactive dogs, trust building, companionship, and the tools helping dog parents feel more connected to their dogs than ever before. 🐾💜

Sponsored by SATELLAI

Use code DOGTALK to save $25 on your SATELLAI collar at satellai.com

(P.S. It’s sometimes stackable with other promos—so give it a shot!)

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Why Fixing Your Dog's Behavior Might Be the Thing Standing Between You | Dog Training Burnout

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Have you ever felt like no matter how hard you try with your dog, it still doesn't feel like enough?

Many dog parents live with the pressure of getting everything right—the perfect training plan, the perfect walk, the perfect response to every challenge. But what happens when chasing perfection starts creating more stress for both you and your dog?

In this deeply personal solo episode, I share the moment that changed everything for me and Fitz. The moment I stopped focusing on controlling behavior and started paying attention to what my dog was actually trying to communicate. We talk about dog training, trust, emotional regulation, perfectionism, and how our relationship with our dogs often reflects the relationship we have with ourselves.

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

Why perfectionism can make dog training feel harder—and how it often shows up as fear, self-criticism, and second guessing.
How building trust and emotional safety can create more meaningful progress than focusing on obedience alone.
Why your relationship with your dog matters more than meeting someone else's expectations of what dog ownership should look like.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed, discouraged, or like you're carrying the weight of being the "perfect" dog parent, this episode is a reminder that your dog doesn't need perfection. They need connection.

Listen now for an honest conversation about dog training, trust building, emotional resilience, self compassion, relationship with your dog, and what happens when you stop trying to prove yourself and start showing up as yourself. 🐾💜

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

What I Do Before Recommending Anything for Your Dog Isn't What You'd Guess

Sun, 17 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500

You usually only see the finished part: the episode, the recommendation, the product I say I trust. There's a lot that happens before any of that reaches you.

This week I'm recording from SuperZoo, the largest pet industry trade show in North America, walking rows of new gear, meeting founders, testing products, and having real conversations with the people building things for dogs. Not because it's trendy. Not because it's exciting. Because if I'm going to suggest something for your dog, I want to know it's actually worth your time, money, and trust.

In this short bonus episode, I take you behind the curtain: how I decide which brands and tools I'll stand behind, and how all of it connects back to one goal, making life easier for you and your dog.

If you've ever wondered how I choose what to recommend, this is that story.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Her Golden Retriever Was Supposed to Be the Easy Dog. Here's What Living With a Reactive One Actually Looks Like | Dog Training

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500

What if your reactive dog isn't a problem to solve—but a relationship that's asking you to slow down and listen?

In this episode, I sit down with Cobia to talk about life with Magic, her reactive Golden Retriever. Like many dog parents, Cobia expected life with her dog to look a certain way. Instead, she found herself navigating fear, anxiety, sound sensitivity, frustration, and the emotional roller coaster that often comes with living with a reactive dog.

Together, we share the reality of what dog training progress actually looks like behind the scenes. The setbacks, the small wins, the moments that seem insignificant to everyone else—but mean everything when you've been struggling with your dog. We also talk about why reactivity isn't a failure, how learning dog body language changes everything, and what happens when you stop trying to force progress and start meeting your dog where they are.

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

What living with a reactive dog really feels like—and why so many dog parents struggle with guilt, frustration, embarrassment, and self-blame.
How slowing down, understanding dog body language, and building trust can transform your relationship with your dog.
Why small wins matter when you're working through dog anxiety, fear, sound sensitivity, and reactivity.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by dog training, discouraged by slow progress, or wondered if you're the only one struggling with a dog who doesn't fit the "easy dog" mold, this conversation will remind you that you're not alone.

Listen now for an honest conversation about reactive dogs, dog behavior, dog anxiety, trust building, emotional resilience, and why the strongest relationship with your dog is often built through the challenges you never expected. 🐾💜

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Your Dog Might Actually Hate Walks and You've Been Pushing Through It Anyway | Dog Training

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Locked: Ep 93 — "Your Dog Might Actually Hate Walks and You've Been Pushing Through It Anyway" | Dog Training

Confirmed the duplicated text was just an export artifact, not a real platform issue — no further action needed there.

Now the description — checking against Part 10:

Do dogs really need a walk every single day?

You've probably pushed through one anyway, telling yourself that's what a good dog parent does, even when your dog was clearly not into it.

In this solo episode, Em shares the guilt she carried for years after realizing her reactive dog didn't enjoy walks at all. She thought skipping them meant she was failing him. She thought pushing through was the responsible thing to do. What she eventually learned changed how she thinks about behavior, enrichment, and what dogs actually need to thrive.

They get into reactivity, anxiety, overstimulation, and enrichment, and why meeting your dog's needs isn't always about doing what everyone else says you should. Sometimes it's about slowing down, paying attention, and building a plan around the dog actually in front of you.

You'll hear:

Why some reactive, anxious, or overstimulated dogs struggle with traditional daily walks
How enrichment and decompression can support behavior without adding more stress
Why letting go of guilt and trusting what your dog is telling you can build more confidence for both of you

If your dog hates walks, comes home more stressed than when you left, or has you wondering if you're doing something wrong, this one's for you.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Why the Opposite of Addiction Might Actually Be a Dog | Healing With Dogs

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Have you ever felt like your dog changed your life in ways you never expected?

In this powerful conversation, I'm joined by dog behavior specialist Matt Beisner for a discussion that goes far beyond dog training. We explore mental health, emotional healing, addiction recovery, isolation, compassion, and the profound ways our dogs shape who we become. What starts as a conversation about dogs quickly becomes a conversation about being human.

Matt shares his journey from addiction and recovery to working with some of the most challenging behavior cases in the dog world, along with the lessons dogs have taught him about trust, connection, self-awareness, and emotional growth. We also talk about why so many dog parents feel alone, the impact of shame and judgment in the dog training industry, and why helping dogs often starts with helping the humans who love them.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

Why connection—not control—is often the foundation of both healing and meaningful relationships with our dogs.
How mental health, emotional awareness, and self-compassion influence the way we show up for our dogs every day.
Why so many dog parents struggle with isolation, shame, and self-doubt—and how community can change everything.

Whether you're living with a reactive dog, feeling overwhelmed by dog training advice, navigating your own healing journey, or simply trying to build a stronger relationship with your dog, this conversation will leave you with a new perspective on what dogs can teach us about ourselves.

Listen now for an honest discussion about mental health, emotional healing, trust, compassion, dogs and mental health, and why the relationship with your dog may be changing your life in ways you haven't fully realized yet. 🐾💜

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Why The Pet Industry Doesn't Want You To Know Dog Food Guidelines Haven't Changed Since 2006

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Is your dog's food actually supporting their health—or are you trusting a label that was never designed to tell the whole story?

In this solo episode, I'm sharing the journey that completely changed the way I think about canine nutrition. What started with Toby's pancreatitis diagnosis turned into years of research, difficult questions, and a deep dive into the world of dog food, ingredients, gut health, and bioavailability.

We talk about kibble, raw feeding, fresh food for dogs, and why I became a Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist after realizing how much information dog parents aren't being told. I also break down some of the biggest misconceptions about commercial dog food, what "complete and balanced" actually means, and why understanding what's in your dog's bowl matters more than following marketing claims.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

Why bioavailability matters and how it affects your dog's ability to absorb and use nutrients.
What every dog parent should know about kibble, fresh food for dogs, and canine nutrition before making feeding decisions.
Simple ways to upgrade your dog's bowl with whole foods that support gut health, digestion, and long-term wellness.

Whether you're curious about raw feeding, questioning your dog's current diet, dealing with dog digestion issues, or simply looking for ways to improve your dog's nutrition, this episode will give you practical information to help you make more informed choices.

Listen now for an honest conversation about dog food, canine nutrition, gut health, and why asking better questions about what we feed our dogs can have a lasting impact on their health and wellbeing. 🐾🥩💜

My Daily Go-To Products:

PetMatRx Thrive Pack — Use code FITZ20 to save 20% at: https://petmatrx.com/?ref=tdwafm

Feed Real Dog Box — For dehydrated raw chews + varietyhttps://www.feedreal.com/?aff=straightupdogtalk

Free Resources & Support

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

The Pee Pad That Turns Purple When Your Dog Has a UTI and Why Nobody Made This Sooner | Dog Health

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Why does the pet industry make everyday dog care harder than it needs to be?

In this episode, I'm joined by Lindsay and Julia from Pet Life Unlimited for a conversation about innovation, pet products, dog health, and why so many of the products dog parents rely on every day haven't evolved to meet the needs of modern pet ownership. From pee pads and grooming products to ingredient transparency and urinary health monitoring, we explore what happens when a company starts by listening to dog parents instead of following industry trends.

We talk about the stigma surrounding pee pads, the challenges of caring for senior dogs, the importance of transparency in pet products, and how thoughtful design can make everyday care easier for both dogs and their humans. We also dive into the inspiration behind several of Pet Life Unlimited's products, including their Health Tracker Dog Pad, which helps monitor urinary health through color-changing technology designed to detect potential issues earlier.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

Why many pet products haven't kept up with the real needs of today's dog parents—and what innovation in the industry can look like.
How products like pee pads, paw care, and grooming tools can improve quality of life when they're designed with both dogs and humans in mind.
Why transparency, education, and listening to pet parents matter when it comes to creating better solutions for everyday dog care.

Whether you're caring for a puppy, supporting a senior dog, or simply looking for products that make life with your dog easier, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on what pet care can be when innovation starts with understanding the people who use it.

Listen now for an honest discussion about dog care, pet industry innovation, senior dogs, grooming, urinary health, and creating better solutions for real-life dog parents. 🐾

🎁 Want to try Pet Life Unlimited for yourself?

Email woof@petlife.co with the subject line Straight Up Dog Talk to claim your free sample.

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

The Grief That Starts Before You Lose Your Dog and Why Nobody Talks About It | Anticipatory Grief

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0500

What do you do when your dog is still here, but you can feel time changing?

If you share your life with an aging dog, you may know the feeling. The extra nap. The slower walk. The moment they pause before climbing the stairs. Nothing is wrong, and yet something feels different.

In this deeply personal solo episode, I'm talking about anticipatory grief—the quiet heartbreak that begins long before loss. The grief that shows up while your dog is still beside you. The grief of noticing changes, cherishing routines, and becoming painfully aware that the moments you once took for granted are becoming more precious with each passing day.

I also explore why this experience can feel so overwhelming, including the role our brains play in forming routines, attachments, and feelings of safety around the dogs we love. Because when life starts to change, it's not just your heart adjusting—it's your entire world.

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

What anticipatory grief really is and why so many dog parents experience it as their dogs age.
How daily routines, habits, and emotional bonds become deeply connected to the dogs we love.
Why feeling grief before a loss doesn't mean you're doing something wrong—it means you're paying attention to what matters.

If you've found yourself holding onto ordinary moments a little tighter lately, or feeling emotional about changes no one else seems to notice, this episode is for you.

Listen now for an honest conversation about senior dogs, anticipatory grief, love, and learning how to stay present for the moments you still have together. 🐾💜

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Everyone Assumes a Dog Peeing Indoors Is Spite. It's Never Spite | Dog Behavior

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Why do dogs keep going back to the same spot to pee?

If you've ever dealt with marking, potty training setbacks, or mysterious accidents that seem to happen in the exact same place over and over again, you're not alone. In this episode, I sit down with Glenn, founder of NoPee, to talk about canine scent communication, why dogs are naturally driven to return to certain areas, and how one simple product is helping dog parents break the cycle.

Glenn shares how a frustrating problem with his own dogs led him and his wife to create NoPee, a product designed to stop repeat marking without sprays, harsh chemicals, or constant cleanup. We also talk about the stigma many dog parents feel when accidents happen, why dogs aren't trying to be difficult, and how understanding the behavior can help you approach it with more compassion.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

Why dogs repeatedly mark the same locations and how scent drives that behavior.
The difference between normal marking behavior, potty training challenges, and issues that may require a closer look.
Simple strategies to help prevent repeat accidents and reduce stress for both you and your dog.

Whether you're raising a puppy, living with a senior dog, or dealing with a dog who just can't seem to stop marking that one spot in your house, this conversation offers practical insights and a reminder that accidents happen to even the best dogs.

Listen now to learn more about dog behavior, scent communication, potty training, and why understanding the "why" behind the behavior can change everything. 🐾

Special Listener Offer:

Email Glenn at doggynopee@gmail.com and mention Straight Up Dog Talk to get 20% off your order!

Free Resources & Support

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Ashamed of Your Own Dog? Here's Why That Almost Stopped This Trainer From Ever Starting | Dog Training

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Have you ever felt like you've tried everything with your dog and nothing is working?

Maybe you've followed the advice. Tried the training plan. Bought the tools. Put in the effort. And somehow, you're still feeling stuck.

In this solo episode, I'm sharing a part of my story I don't talk about very often: why I almost didn't become a dog trainer and how my own struggles with Fitz made me question whether I was qualified to help anyone at all.

We talk about reactivity, self-doubt, starting over, and the pressure so many dog parents feel to get everything right the first time. Because the truth is, some of the biggest breakthroughs don't come from finding the perfect solution. They come from being willing to change course when something isn't working.

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

Why starting over with your dog isn't a sign of failure—it's often where real progress begins.
The mindset shift that helped me stop focusing on fixing behavior and start focusing on understanding the dog in front of me.
Why learning from multiple perspectives can help you find an approach that works for your individual dog.

If you've ever questioned yourself, felt discouraged by slow progress, or worried that you've made too many mistakes to turn things around, this episode is for you.

Listen now for an honest conversation about reactivity, growth, self-trust, and why it's never too late to do things differently. 🐾💜

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

She Placed Fifth on America's Got Talent With Her Dogs and Says Your Regular Pet Dog Is More Capable Than You Think | Dog Training

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Do dogs actually enjoy dog sports, tricks, and performance training—or are they just doing it because we ask?

In this episode, I'm joined by Sarah Carson, professional dog trainer, performer, and the human behind The Super Collies. From America's Got Talent to canine freestyle, agility, disc, dock diving, and trick training, Sarah shares what she's learned from working with dogs at the highest levels of performance and why understanding the individual dog always comes first.

We talk about finding the right activity for the dog in front of you, why not every dog is suited for every job, and how sports can strengthen your relationship when they're approached with the dog's needs and preferences in mind. We also dive into service dog washouts, rescue dogs in sports, traveling with dogs, and the importance of continuing to learn from a variety of trainers and perspectives.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

How to identify activities, sports, and training opportunities that fit your individual dog's personality and strengths.
Why successful training starts with understanding what your dog enjoys—not forcing them into a role they weren't meant to fill.
How dog sports, trick training, and enrichment can build confidence, communication, and a stronger bond with your dog.

Whether you're curious about agility, trick training, canine freestyle, service work, or simply looking for new ways to engage with your dog, this conversation offers valuable insight into helping dogs thrive by embracing who they are.

Listen now for a fun and thoughtful discussion about dog sports, training, enrichment, and the incredible things that can happen when you let your dog's personality lead the way. 🐾

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

What My Dog Taught Me About Peace That 15 Years of Medication Never Could | Healing With Dogs

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0500

What if peace isn't something you earn after you've fixed everything?

What if it's something you choose right now?

In this deeply personal solo episode, I share how breaking my foot forced me to slow down and confront a question I had been avoiding for years: What am I actually chasing? What started as a physical injury became a much bigger lesson about perfectionism, external validation, healing, and the way our dogs reflect what we're carrying.

I also open up about a major milestone in my own mental health journey: coming off Xanax after 15 years. We talk about fear, trust, nervous system healing, and what it looked like to take small, imperfect steps toward a life that felt more aligned with who I am today.

Along the way, I share the unexpected lessons my dogs taught me about emotional regulation, self-trust, and creating a peaceful life that doesn't depend on everything being perfect.

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

How slowing down revealed the pressure, expectations, and perfectionism I didn't realize I was carrying.
What healing, self-trust, and nervous system regulation looked like during my journey off anxiety medication.
Why peace isn't about control, productivity, or having the perfect dog—it's about creating safety, connection, and presence in everyday life.

If you've been feeling emotionally overwhelmed, stuck in survival mode, or exhausted from trying to hold everything together, this conversation is for you.

Listen now for an honest discussion about healing, personal growth, emotional regulation, and the surprising ways our dogs help us find our way back to ourselves. 🐾💜

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Your Dog Isn't Stubborn or Defiant. A Leading Canine Researcher Says We've Been Reading Them Wrong | Dog Behavior

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0500

What if your dog is smarter than you realize?

In this episode, I'm joined by Jennifer Holland, author of Dog Smart: Life-Changing Lessons in Canine Intelligence, for a fascinating conversation about canine intelligence, dog behavior, body language, working dogs, and what we can learn when we stop viewing dogs through a human lens and start seeing the world from theirs.

We explore the many ways dogs demonstrate intelligence, from problem-solving and emotional awareness to scent work, service work, conservation efforts, and the incredible ability to detect things humans can't even perceive. Along the way, we discuss why dogs aren't being stubborn, spiteful, or difficult, how breed traits influence behavior, and why learning to understand your dog's communication can transform your relationship.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

What canine intelligence really looks like and why it goes far beyond obedience and training.
How dogs use their senses, body language, and problem-solving abilities to navigate the world around them.
Why understanding your dog's perspective can help you build more trust, improve behavior, and strengthen your relationship.

Whether you're living with a reactive dog, raising a puppy, or simply curious about what makes dogs so extraordinary, this conversation will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the animal sharing your life.

Listen now for an eye-opening discussion about canine intelligence, dog behavior, communication, and what happens when we learn to see the world through our dogs' eyes. 🐾

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

She Stayed in a Dangerous Situation Because She Had Nowhere to Go. Her Dog Was the Reason She Finally Left | My Dog Saved Me

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 21:38:00 -0500

Have you ever felt completely alone in your struggles with your dog?

Like everyone else seemed to have it figured out while you were lying awake at night wondering what you were doing wrong?

In this very first solo episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, I'm sharing the story behind why this podcast exists and the experiences that shaped the way I approach dogs, behavior, and the people who love them. What started as a search for answers with my own reactive dog eventually became something much bigger: a mission to create the safe, honest, judgment-free space I couldn't find when I needed it most.

We talk about reactivity, difficult decisions, toxic environments, learning to trust your instincts, and the moments that change how you see your dog forever. Most importantly, we talk about why struggling with your dog doesn't mean you're failing—and why you don't have to figure it all out alone.

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

The story of how Fitz's reactivity changed the course of my life and led to the creation of Straight Up Dog Talk.
Why behavior challenges are often more complex than they appear on the surface.
What you can expect from these new solo episodes and the conversations we'll be having moving forward.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed, discouraged, or like no one understands what life with your dog is really like, this episode is for you.

Listen now for an honest conversation about reactivity, healing, starting over, and creating the kind of support every dog parent deserves. 🐾💜

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

The Backyard Game That Did What Years of Fetch Never Could for My High Energy Dog | Dog Enrichment

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 05:01:00 -0500

What if your dog's behavior challenges aren't actually an obedience problem?

In this episode, I'm joined by Megan, founder of SwiftPaws, for a conversation about enrichment, play, dog behavior, and why understanding the dog in front of you can change everything. We explore the role of instinct, the predatory sequence, and how activities that tap into your dog's natural behaviors can help create a more fulfilled, confident, and balanced dog.

We also talk about common misconceptions around exercise and enrichment, why walks aren't the answer for every dog, and how learning to observe your dog's individual preferences can strengthen your relationship and improve behavior. Along the way, Megan shares the story behind SwiftPaws, how the company grew from a passion project into an award-winning enrichment brand, and why play is often one of the most overlooked pieces of canine wellness.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

Why enrichment is about more than keeping your dog busy—and how it supports behavior, confidence, and overall well-being.
How understanding your dog's natural instincts can help you choose activities that actually meet their needs.
Why observing, listening to, and adapting to your individual dog is often more effective than following generic advice.

Whether you're raising a high-energy dog, living with a reactive dog, or simply looking for new ways to connect with your canine companion, this conversation will help you think differently about play, enrichment, and what your dog may be trying to tell you.

Listen now for an honest discussion about dog behavior, enrichment, instinct, and building a stronger relationship with your dog through play. 🐾

Guest Info: Follow SwiftPaws on Instagram: @swiftpaws_official

Shop SwiftPaws and save with code SUDT10: swiftpaws.com

This episode is proudly sponsored by our partnership with SwiftPaws.

Free Resources & Support

Free Enrichment Guide: Paws, Brains, and Fun

Start here. This free guide introduces simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer, more fulfilled, and more connected in everyday life.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmenrichmentebook

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email ⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

My Reactive Dog Refused to Get Out of the Car and That Was the Day Everything Changed | Relationship With My Dog

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500

What if your reactive dog isn't giving you a hard time?

What if they're having a hard time?

In this solo episode, I'm sharing the story of how I spent years misunderstanding my own dog. I thought I was helping. I thought I was doing what every dog owner was supposed to do. More walks. More exposure. More opportunities to "get used to it."

Instead, I was missing what my dog had been trying to tell me all along.

We talk about reactivity, overstimulation, fear, guilt, and the moment I finally stopped trying to fix my dog and started looking at the world through his eyes. Because once I did, everything changed.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

Why reactive dogs are often overwhelmed, not stubborn, difficult, or trying to be dominant.
How taking smaller steps can create more progress than pushing your dog through situations they're not ready for.
Why protecting your dog, advocating for their needs, and building trust matters more than meeting someone else's expectations.

If you've ever come home from a walk feeling discouraged, embarrassed, or like you're failing your dog, this episode is for you.

Listen now for an honest conversation about reactivity, learning from mistakes, and what happens when you stop asking, "How do I fix my dog?" and start asking, "What is my dog trying to tell me?" 🐾💜

Free Enrichment Guide: Paws, Brains, and Fun

Start here. This free guide introduces simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer, more fulfilled, and more connected in everyday life.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmenrichmentebook

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email ⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

The Moment Before Your Dog Bites Has Been Happening for Hours. Here's What You're Missing | Dog Training

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 05:01:00 -0500

What if your dog's aggression isn't coming out of nowhere?

Many dog parents are told their dog is being stubborn, dominant, or difficult when the reality is often much more complicated. In this episode, I'm joined by aggression specialist Michael Shikashio for an honest conversation about dog aggression, body language, fear, stress, pain, and the warning signs many people miss before a reaction happens.

We explore what aggression actually means, why labeling dogs can be harmful, how trigger stacking affects behavior, and why understanding your dog's body language may be one of the most important skills you can develop as a dog parent. We also discuss common causes of aggressive behavior, including fear, resource guarding, environmental stress, and pain, along with practical ways to help dogs feel safer and more supported.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

What dog aggression really is and why behavior always has a reason behind it.
How to recognize subtle body language signals before a reaction, bark, growl, or bite occurs.
Why fear, stress, pain, and trigger stacking are often overlooked contributors to behavior challenges.

Whether you're living with a reactive dog, worried about aggressive behavior, or simply want to better understand what your dog is trying to communicate, this episode offers valuable insight into seeing behavior through a different lens.

Listen now to learn how understanding your dog's body language, emotions, and experiences can change the way you approach behavior challenges and strengthen your relationship with your dog. 🐾

Free Enrichment Guide: Paws, Brains, and Fun

Start here. This free guide introduces simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer, more fulfilled, and more connected in everyday life.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmenrichmentebook

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email ⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

You've Been Buying Dog Supplements That Don't Work and the Industry Knows It | Canine Nutrition

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 05:01:00 -0500

What does it really take to build a business that helps dogs?

In this episode, I'm joined by Will, co-founder and CEO of Pet Matrix, for a behind-the-scenes conversation about entrepreneurship, canine health, nutrition, supplements, and the realities of running a mission-driven business in the pet industry. We talk about how Pet Matrix got started, the challenges of growing a small business, and why education has always been at the center of everything they do.

We also dive into the connection between nutrition and long-term health, how pet parents can become more informed consumers, and why understanding what you're putting into your dog's body matters more than most people realize. Whether you're curious about supplements, overwhelmed by conflicting information online, or simply trying to make the best decisions for your dog, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at navigating the pet industry with confidence.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

How Pet Matrix was created and the problem its founders were trying to solve for their own dogs.
Why education, not marketing, should be the foundation of decisions about your dog's health and nutrition.
How asking better questions about food, supplements, and wellness can help you become a more informed dog parent.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting advice about dog health, nutrition, or supplements, this episode will help you think more critically about the choices you make for your dog.

Listen now for an honest conversation about canine wellness, entrepreneurship, and the responsibility we share to give our dogs the healthiest lives possible. 🐾

Guest Info: Follow Will on Instagram: @will_leaddog

Explore science-backed supplements: petmatrx.com

This episode is POWERED by PetMatRx

Free Resources & Support

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?

Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

What If the Best Walk You Ever Took With Your Dog Was Just to the End of the Block | Dog Training

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 05:01:00 -0500

What makes a good walk for your dog?

For many dog parents, the answer is distance, steps, or getting enough exercise. But what if your dog needs something completely different?

In this episode, I'm joined by Laura Garcia of Curious Snoots for a conversation about dog walking, leash reactivity, enrichment, advocacy, and what it means to truly see the dog in front of you. We explore why dog parks and daycare aren't the right fit for every dog, how to create more meaningful walks, and why understanding your dog's individual needs can completely change your relationship.

We also discuss reactive dogs, off-leash encounters, reading body language, and the importance of creating space—for both dogs and humans. Along the way, Laura shares her journey from corporate marketing to working with dogs full-time and the lessons she's learned from helping sensitive, big-feeling dogs navigate the world with more confidence.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

Why a successful walk isn't measured by distance, but by the quality of your dog's experience.
How enrichment, play, and connection can transform the way you and your dog spend time together.
Why advocacy, awareness, and simple acts of kindness make a difference for dogs, their people, and the communities they live in.

Whether you're living with a reactive dog, feeling frustrated by traditional exercise advice, or simply looking for new ways to connect with your dog, this conversation will challenge you to think differently about what your dog actually needs.

Listen now for an honest discussion about walks, enrichment, reactivity, and how small moments of understanding can create a better experience for everyone involved. 🐾

Guest Info:

Follow Laura on Instagram: @curioussnoots

Free Resources & Support

Free Enrichment Guide: Paws, Brains, and Fun

Start here. This free guide introduces simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer, more fulfilled, and more connected in everyday life.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmenrichmentebook

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email ⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

A Dog Trainer Told This Client the Best Move Was to Stop for 48 Hours | Dog Training

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 05:01:00 -0500

Do you need a Border Collie, Malinois, or high-drive working dog to get involved in dog sports?

Not even close.

In this episode, I'm joined by certified dog trainer and behavior consultant Catherine McGuire for a conversation about dog sports, enrichment, training, and the incredible things that can happen when you find an activity you and your dog enjoy doing together. From agility and rally to nose work and enrichment, we explore how dog sports can strengthen communication, build confidence, and create a deeper relationship between you and your dog.

We also tackle some of the biggest misconceptions about dog sports, including whether certain breeds are better suited for competition, what it takes to get started, and why enthusiasm and relationship often matter more than having the "perfect" dog.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

Why dog sports are more accessible than most people realize—even if you don't have a traditional sport dog.
How activities like agility, rally, nose work, and enrichment can improve your dog's behavior, confidence, and quality of life.
Why mental stimulation and relationship-building are often just as important as physical exercise.

Whether you're looking for a new way to connect with your dog, searching for enrichment ideas, or curious about getting started in dog sports, this episode will help you see what's possible when you stop focusing on what breed your dog is and start focusing on who they are.

Listen now for a fun and practical conversation about dog sports, enrichment, training, and building a stronger partnership with your dog. 🐾

Guest Info: Follow Katherine on Instagram: @katherinek9trainer

This episode is proudly sponsored by our partnership with POWERED by PetMatRx

Free Resources & Support

Free Enrichment Guide: Paws, Brains, and Fun

Start here. This free guide introduces simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer, more fulfilled, and more connected in everyday life.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmenrichmentebook

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email ⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

This Vet Watched Hundreds of Dogs Die in Vet Offices. Then She Built Something Completely Different | Pet Loss Grief

Wed, 28 May 2025 05:01:00 -0500

How do you know when it's time to say goodbye?

It's one of the hardest questions any dog parent will ever face.

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Benson and Courtney from Paws Into Grace to talk about pet loss, in-home euthanasia, and what it means to create a peaceful, compassionate end-of-life experience for the animals we love.

We discuss the conversations many families struggle to have, how to evaluate quality of life, what an in-home euthanasia appointment actually looks like, and why having more control, privacy, and support can make an incredibly difficult day feel a little less overwhelming. We also explore grief, memorial options, and the importance of treating both pets and their people with dignity throughout the entire process.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

How to think about quality of life when you're wondering whether it's time to say goodbye.
What happens during an in-home euthanasia appointment and how the process differs from a traditional veterinary clinic experience.
Why giving families more time, support, and control can change the way we experience pet loss.

Whether you're currently navigating a difficult diagnosis, caring for a senior pet, or simply want to better understand your options before you need them, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at one of the hardest parts of loving a dog.

Listen now for an honest discussion about grief, end-of-life decisions, and creating a goodbye rooted in comfort, compassion, and love. 🐾💜

Guest Info:

Follow Paws Into Grace on Instagram: ⁠@pawsintograce⁠

Learn more about their compassionate services: ⁠pawsintograce.com⁠

Free Resources & Support

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Two Dog Trainers. No Filter. Everything You Were Afraid to Ask | Dog Training

Wed, 21 May 2025 05:01:00 -0500

Not every dog is the right fit for every person—and that's okay.

In this episode, I sit down with dog trainer Zoë Holloway of The Dreaded Trainer for a candid conversation about dog breeds, training philosophies, behavior, and what it really means to meet the dog in front of you.

From Rottweilers and Dachshunds to shelter dogs and designer mixes, we explore how breed traits, genetics, environment, and individual personality all play a role in shaping behavior. We also dive into some of the biggest misconceptions dog owners have about training, why understanding your dog's needs matters more than forcing obedience, and how unrealistic expectations can create frustration for both ends of the leash.

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

Why understanding your dog's breed traits can make training easier and help you set realistic expectations.
How training the dog in front of you leads to better results than relying on one-size-fits-all advice.
Why enrichment, management, and meeting your dog's needs often matter more than perfect obedience.

Whether you're raising a puppy, living with a rescue dog, or simply trying to better understand the dog sharing your home, this conversation will give you a fresh perspective on what successful dog ownership can look like.

Listen now for an honest discussion about dog training, breed traits, behavior, and building a life that works for both you and your dog. 🐾

Follow Zoë from The Dreaded Trainer on Instagram: ⁠@thedreadedtrainer⁠

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?

Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

The Truth About Working at a Dog Rescue That Most People Don't Find Out Until They're Already There

Wed, 14 May 2025 05:01:00 -0500

Ever thought about volunteering with dogs… but wondered what it’s actually like behind the scenes?

It’s not just cuddling puppies.

It’s meds. Laundry. Snowstorms. Poop. Hard days. Big feelings. And a whole lot of love.

In this episode, Em sits down with Crystal from Dogs Forever Rescue to talk honestly about what rescue work really looks like — the responsibilities, the heartbreak, the small wins, and the deep community that forms when people show up for dogs who need a second chance.

Press play if you’ve ever wanted to help a shelter dog — and just didn’t know where to start.

Learn more about Dogs Forever Rescue and support their mission: @dogsforeverrescue

Free Enrichment Guide: Paws, Brains, and Fun

Start here. This free guide introduces simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer, more fulfilled, and more connected in everyday life.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmenrichmentebook

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email ⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Someone Engraved a Cruel Message on Their Dog's Tag Before Abandoning Him. Here's Who Saved Him | Rescue Dog

Wed, 07 May 2025 05:01:00 -0500

What if making a difference didn't require changing everything?

In this episode, I'm joined by Kate, the human behind Boss Dog Rick, to talk about rescue, volunteering, community, and the unexpected ways dogs can change our lives.

What started as walking shelter dogs during a lunch break turned into a deeper connection with her community, a passion for advocacy, and eventually adopting Rick, a rescue dog with a personality that's impossible not to love. Along the way, Kate learned something many of us need to hear: you don't have to do everything to matter.

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

How one hour a week at a local shelter created a ripple effect far bigger than expected.
What bringing home a rescue dog really looked like beyond the social media highlight reel.
Why education, community involvement, and small actions can make a meaningful difference for dogs in need.

Whether you're passionate about rescue, looking for a way to get more involved in your community, or simply need a reminder that small actions count, this conversation is for you.

Listen now for a heartfelt conversation about dogs, purpose, community, and the difference one person can make by simply showing up. 🐾❤️

Guest Info:

Follow Rick Ross and Kate: @rickrossthebossdawg

Free Enrichment Guide: Paws, Brains, and Fun

Start here. This free guide introduces simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer, more fulfilled, and more connected in everyday life.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmenrichmentebook

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

This episode is POWERED by PetMatRx

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email ⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

She Got Her Senior Dog Custom Glasses and It Changed Everything About How She Sees Aging

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 05:01:00 -0500

Have you ever looked at your dog and realized… they’re not young anymore?

The jumps are slower. The stairs feel risky. Their eyes don’t see the world the same way they used to.

In this episode, Em sits down with Elizabeth to talk about life with her senior dog Charlie—from cataracts and custom dog glasses to TPLO surgery and learning how to adapt their home and routines with care. It’s a gentle reminder that growing older isn’t something to fix—it’s something we support with love.

Press play if you want to show up for your dog in this season with more patience, creativity, and heart.

Grab your copy of Charlie Gets Glasses on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3S4DrdP

Follow Charlie and his journey on Instagram: @charlie.the.shorkie

Free Enrichment Guide: Paws, Brains, and Fun

Start here. This free guide introduces simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer, more fulfilled, and more connected in everyday life.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmenrichmentebook

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email ⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

What If the Secret to a Calmer Dog Was Teaching Them Tricks | Dog Training

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 05:01:00 -0500

What if teaching tricks wasn’t just fun… but actually the key to a calmer dog?

In this episode, Em talks with Krista from Heeler Point about life with high-energy, high-drive dogs and how trick training became more than cute party tricks — it became mental enrichment, confidence building, and a safe outlet for big feelings. From reactivity and vet visits to skateboards, basketball hoops, and 30-treat stacks, they break down how learning keeps dogs regulated and connected.

If you’ve ever felt like walks and exercise still aren’t enough, this conversation will change the way you think about training.

Guest Info:

Follow Krista: @heelerpoint

This episode is POWERED by PetMatRx

Free Resources & Support

Free Enrichment Guide: Paws, Brains, and Fun

Start here. This free guide introduces simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer, more fulfilled, and more connected in everyday life.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmenrichmentebook

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email ⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

The Dog Laws Most Pet Parents Don't Know About Until It's Too Late

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 03:01:00 -0500

Have you ever stopped to think about what you’re legally responsible for as a dog parent?

Most of us focus on training, food, and behavior — but every state has laws that can impact your dog’s safety and your finances. From leash rules and licensing to bite liability, tethering laws, and even what happens in an emergency, there are regulations many pet parents don’t realize exist until it’s too late.

In this episode, Em and Lauren from Choose Wisely Training break down the dog laws you should know and why researching your local rules is one of the most important ways you can protect both you and your dog.

Press play to make sure you’re informed, prepared, and advocating for your dog the right way.

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

What If the Real Reason Your Dog Is Struggling Starts With What the Pet Food Industry Isn't Telling You | Canine Nutrition

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 03:01:00 -0500

Do you ever feel like you’re trying so hard to do the right thing for your dog… but the food choices still feel impossible?

We’re told to trust the labels. Trust the brands. Trust the system. But when more than half of dogs are overweight or struggling with preventable health issues, it’s worth asking — what if the problem starts in the bowl?

In this conversation, Em and canine nutrition researcher Daniel Schulof talk about carbs, protein, obesity, and why dog food marketing often hides what really matters. You’ll walk away with simple, practical ways to choose food that actually supports your dog’s health and energy.

Press play for clarity, not guilt — just information that helps you care for the dog in front of you.

Guest Info: Read Daniel’s book: Dogs, Dog Food, and Dogma

Learn more: https://ketonaturalpetfoods.com

Follow @ketonaturalpetfoods on Instagram

Use code SUDT15

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

This Practice Might Be the Missing Piece Nobody Mentioned | Healing With Dogs

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 03:01:00 -0500

Have you ever wished there was a gentle way to help your dog feel calmer, heal faster, or just settle… without adding more stress or more “stuff” to manage?

When dogs are anxious, recovering from surgery, grieving, or overwhelmed, sometimes they don’t need more training or more structure.

Sometimes they just need support.

In this episode, Em sits down with Tatiana from Howling Om to talk about Reiki and energy healing for dogs—what it actually is, how it works, and how it can support anxiety, recovery, reactivity, and emotional balance. Together, they share real stories and simple ways this quiet, hands-on approach can help both you and your dog feel more grounded.

Press play if you’re curious about gentle, holistic tools that support your dog’s nervous system—not just their behavior.

Learn more or book a session with Tatiana: https://howlingom.com/

Podcast Offer: Buy 3 sessions, get 1 FREE

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

The Dog Collar That Started on a Kitchen Table and Ended Up in Stores Around the World |

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 03:01:00 -0500

Have you ever bought something for your dog and wondered who actually made it?

Behind every handmade collar or leash is a real person—late nights, sore hands, big dreams, and a whole lot of heart.

In this episode, Em sits down with Diana, the founder of Dainty Paws, a small business creating handcrafted beaded dog collars and leashes that are safe, stylish, and built with intention. They talk about what it really looks like to grow a brand from your kitchen table to stores around the world, why supporting small pet businesses matters, and how giving back to rescue dogs is woven into everything she creates.

Press play if you love dogs, believe in shopping small, and want to support products made with purpose—not mass production.

Check out Dainty Paws for stylish pet accessories and to support Diana’s small business: daintypawsco.com

Use Code SUDT10 to save 10% on your purchase!

This episode is proudly sponsored by our partnership with Dainty Paws.

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Nobody Teaches You How to Prepare for Losing Your Dog. Here's What You Actually Need to Know | Anticipatory Grief

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 03:01:00 -0500

Have you ever caught yourself worrying about the day you’ll have to say goodbye… and then feeling guilty just for thinking about it?

Loving a dog means knowing our time together isn’t forever.

But no one really teaches us how to prepare for that — or how to handle the fear, the guilt, and the impossible decisions that come with aging, illness, and end-of-life care.

In this episode, Em sits down with pet loss grief counselor Beth Bigler from Honoring Our Animals to talk about anticipatory grief, euthanasia decisions, and how to support both your dog and yourself through one of the hardest parts of loving them.

This isn’t about doing things perfectly.

It’s about doing what’s right for the dog in front of you — with compassion, clarity, and less shame.

Press play if you’ve ever thought,

“I don’t know how I’ll survive losing them,”

“I just want to make the right decision when the time comes.”

You don’t have to carry this alone.

Guest Info:

Learn more: honoringouranimals.com

Follow: ⁠@honoringouranimals

This episode is proudly sponsored by our partnership with Honoring Our Animals.

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?

Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

The Uncomfortable Truth About Kibble and Why Your Dog's Body Might Be Working Harder Than It Should | Dog Nutrition

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 03:01:00 -0500

Have you ever looked at your dog’s food and thought… this can’t really be the best we can do.

So many of us grew up trusting kibble. It’s convenient. It’s affordable. It’s what everyone uses.

But when your dog is dealing with allergies, stomach issues, low energy, or constant flare-ups, you start wondering if something’s missing.

In this episode, Em sits down with Jaron from Yumwoof to talk about what actually matters in canine nutrition — from bioavailability and inflammation to why ultra-processed kibble can put more stress on your dog’s body than we realize. It’s an honest, practical conversation about feeding real food, reading labels, and making small changes that support long-term health.

Press play if you want your dog’s meals to feel simpler, smarter, and more supportive — not confusing.

Guest Info: Learn more: https://yumwoof.com/collections/all

Save 15% on your first YumWoof bag with code Emily15

Follow YumWoof on Instagram: @yumwoof

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?

Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

This episode is POWERED by PetMatRx.

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Dog Nutrition Without the Overwhelm: What to Actually Feed Your Dog When Everyone Says Something Different

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 04:01:00 -0500

Have you ever looked at your dog’s food bowl and wondered…

is this actually helping them feel their best?

Dog nutrition can feel overwhelming fast. Raw vs kibble. Supplements. Labels you can’t pronounce. Everyone has an opinion — and somehow you’re still left guessing what your dog really needs. And when they’re dealing with allergies, stomach issues, or low energy, it’s easy to feel like you’re getting it wrong.

In this episode, Em sits down with Nelly from The Combine Dog to talk through what real-life nutrition actually looks like. Not perfection. Not expensive trends. Just simple, thoughtful ways to feed the dog in front of you — from organ meats and whole foods to supplements, poop clues, and small swaps that support better health over time.

Press play if you want nutrition to feel clearer, calmer, and more doable — not complicated.

Guest Info:

Instagram: @thecombinedog

Learn more at: www.thecombinedog.com

This episode is proudly sponsored by our partnership with The Combine Dog.

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?

Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

How One Dog Owner Turned Grief Into a Photography Business and Built Real Income From Her Pet Account | Dog Changed My Life

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 04:01:00 -0500

Have you ever wondered if your dog’s Instagram could be more than just cute photos… but felt overwhelmed trying to figure out how?

Growing an account can feel confusing fast. Post more. Try trends. Chase the algorithm. And somehow you’re still stuck — putting in hours with nothing to show for it. It’s exhausting, and it can make something fun start to feel like work.

In this episode, Em sits down with Sarah from Zero Highway to talk about what actually works when it comes to growing and monetizing a pet account. From turning grief into creativity, to building a photography business, to creating real income through content and digital products, Sarah shares the simple systems and mindset shifts that helped her turn her dog’s page into something sustainable.

Press play if you want a clearer, calmer way to grow your account — without losing the heart behind why you started.

Guest Info

Follow Sarah & Zero: @zerohighway

Start monetizing: https://stan.store/affiliates/22a2e7ac-b048-4333-a073-6b975cb9e190

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

The Part of Service Dog Life Nobody Sees and Why It's So Much Harder Than the Vest Suggests | Service Dog Training

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 04:01:00 -0500

Have you ever felt like you have to prove your disability to strangers… while also training a dog to save your life?

Service dog life isn’t just obedience and cute vests.

It’s slow foundations. Constant advocacy. Public judgment.

And sometimes doing all of that while you’re already exhausted, overwhelmed, or not feeling well.

There’s the pressure to “get the training right.”

The pressure to educate everyone around you.

And the quiet fear of asking your dog to carry so much responsibility.

In this episode, Em sits down with Haylee, a disabled handler raising and training her own service dog from puppyhood while preparing her older dog for retirement. Together, they talk about what service dog training actually looks like in real life—not the polished version online, but the messy, human side.

From early puppy foundations and confidence building… to off-leash dog scares, access issues, and explaining your medical needs to strangers… this conversation pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes to live and work with a service dog.

Not perfection.

Not pressure.

Just patience, partnership, and learning to listen to the dog in front of you.

Press play if you want an honest look at service dog training—and a deeper understanding of the people quietly navigating life with invisible disabilities every day.

This episode is POWERED by PetMatRx

Instagram: @petmatrx

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Your Dog Isn't the Only One Who Needs Support. Here's What Nobody Says About the Human Side | Healing With Dogs

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 04:01:00 -0500

When your dog is struggling, it’s easy to feel like you’re the only one falling apart.

You try the training.

You research the food.

You add enrichment.

You do everything you’re “supposed” to do.

And somehow… you’re still tired. Still overwhelmed. Still wondering if you’re failing them.

In this episode, Em sits down with licensed therapist and dog guardian Jess Adams, founder of Handlers & Humans, to talk about the part of life with dogs that almost no one addresses: the emotional toll on you.

Together, they explore what it really feels like to live with a sensitive, complicated, or hard dog — the guilt, the grief, the isolation, the tough decisions — and why caring for your own mental health isn’t selfish… it’s necessary.

This conversation isn’t about fixing your dog.

It’s about supporting the human behind the leash.

If you’ve ever felt alone, burned out, or quietly heartbroken while trying to do right by your dog, press play. You deserve support too.

Guest Info:

Learn more: handlersandhumans.com

Instagram: @handlersandhumans

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

You're Already Exhausted. Here's How to Enrich Your Dog Without Adding More to Your Plate | Overwhelmed Pet Parent

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 04:01:00 -0500

Have you ever felt like you’re supposed to be doing more for your dog… but you’re already exhausted just getting through the day?

So much of the dog world makes enrichment look complicated or expensive. Fancy toys. Elaborate setups. Hours you don’t actually have. And when your dog is still bouncing off the walls or struggling to settle, it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind.

In this episode, Em and Lauren from Sit. Stay. Stella. talk about what enrichment really means in real life. Not perfection. Not Pinterest. Just small, doable ways to meet your dog’s needs using what you already have. Together, they share how simple shifts can support focus, confidence, and calmer behavior—without adding more pressure to your plate.

Press play if you want enrichment to feel lighter, simpler, and finally sustainable for both you and your dog.

Guest Info

Explore Sit. Stay. Stella: sitstaystella.com/contact-us

Free Enrichment Guide: Paws, Brains, and Fun

Start here. This free guide introduces simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer, more fulfilled, and more connected in everyday life.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmenrichmentebook

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email ⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

The Part of Rescue Work Nobody Posts About and Why It's Burning Good People Out | Compassion Fatigue

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 04:01:00 -0500

Have you ever noticed that the work you love most… is also the thing that leaves you the most exhausted?

Rescue work can look beautiful from the outside. Saving dogs. Showing up. Doing good. But behind the scenes, it can feel heavy. The late nights. The hard decisions. The ones you couldn’t save. The quiet guilt that says you should always be doing more. Over time, that weight adds up—and a lot of dog lovers end up running on empty without even realizing it.

In this episode, Em and Bridget from Wild Wolfe Pack Treats talk honestly about the emotional side of rescue that rarely gets discussed. They share what burnout and compassion fatigue really feel like, how boundaries protect both people and dogs, and how staying connected to your purpose doesn’t have to mean sacrificing yourself.

Press play if you need a gentle reminder that caring for yourself is part of caring for them.

He Got Asked to Leave a Store Because of the Dog He Was Walking | Dog Training

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 04:01:00 -0500

Good — noted, you'll add it yourself.

Locked: Ep 58 — "He Got Asked to Leave a Store Because of the Dog He Was Walking" (pipe to be added by you)

Now the description, pulling from the transcript's real specifics (Rob, Thor, the Home Depot incident, the muzzle/tool stigma conversation):

He got asked to leave a store because of the dog he was walking.

Walking a blocky-headed dog, a bully breed, or any "misunderstood" breed can feel heavier than it should. The stares. The crossed streets. The quiet assumption that something must be wrong, before the dog has even done anything.

In this episode, Em sits down with Rob and Laurel of Mythological Dogs to talk about what breed bias actually looks like in everyday life, including a moment at a Home Depot where Rob was asked to leave simply for having Thor with him. They get into how those assumptions shape training choices, access to safe spaces, and even how tools like muzzles and e-collars get unfairly stigmatized right alongside the dogs themselves.

You'll hear:

What it's actually like navigating public spaces with a breed people assume is dangerous
How breed bias shapes real decisions about training tools and safety
Why meeting the dog in front of you, not the stereotype, changes everything

Press play if you're tired of defending your dog and just want to feel seen, supported, and understood.

Guest Info:

Instagram: @mythologicaldogs

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Why Your Dog's Supplement Aisle Feels So Overwhelming and What Functional Mushrooms Actually Do | Canine Nutrition

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 04:01:00 -0500

Have you ever stood in the supplement aisle for your dog and thought… I just want to know what actually helps?

When your dog is dealing with allergies, low energy, gut issues, or stress, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by powders, chews, and big promises. Everyone says their product is essential. But most pet parents are just looking for something gentle, safe, and truly supportive.

In this episode, Em sits down with Devin from Mush Buddies to talk about functional mushrooms and where they fit into real-life canine nutrition. Together, they explore how ingredients like lion’s mane, reishi, and turkey tail may support immune health, digestion, and overall wellness without adding pressure or complexity. You’ll hear what the research actually says, how to choose high-quality products, and how small, thoughtful additions can complement—not replace—the basics your dog already needs.

Press play if you’re craving clearer, calmer guidance around supplements and want to support your dog’s health with confidence, not guesswork.

Guest Info:

Shop Mush Buddies and More!

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?

Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Two Second Chances: What Happens When Rescue Dogs Enter the Prison System | Healing with Dogs

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 04:01:00 -0500

Have you ever wondered what happens when someone finally gets a real second chance—and a dog is part of it?

For many people inside the prison system, life can feel stuck. For many rescue dogs, the same is true. Both are carrying history. Both are learning how to trust again. And both deserve more than punishment or labels.

In this episode, Em sits down with Zach Skow, founder of Marley’s Mutts and the Pawsitive Change program, to talk about what happens when incarcerated individuals train rescue dogs inside prisons. They share how structure, enrichment, and daily care create responsibility, confidence, and connection—for the dogs and for the people working with them. Zach also opens up about his own journey through addiction, illness, and rebuilding a life with purpose. The result is a conversation about healing, dignity, and what rehabilitation can really look like.

Press play if you need a reminder that growth—and hope—can come from the most unexpected places.

Donate: marleysmutts.org/donate

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

The Missing Piece in Your Dog Training Might Not Be a Method at All

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 04:01:00 -0500

The missing piece in your dog training might not be a method at all.

You've tried the techniques, the tools, the advice from a dozen different places, and you're still second-guessing every choice, carrying guilt and hope and exhaustion all at once. Sometimes what's actually missing isn't a better method. It's someone steady beside you.

In this episode, Em sits down with her first mentor, Sailor Jerry, to reflect on the early days of learning, fumbling, and growing into the trainer she is today, including the time Fitz outsmarted every management fix they tried and Jerry's response was simply "Fitz gets a box with a lid." They talk about how mentorship, friendship, and emotional safety shaped their work far more than any tool or cue ever did.

You'll hear:

Why the right mentor can matter more than the right method
How mentorship and friendship shaped two trainers' actual approach to dogs
Why supporting the human often changes everything for the dog

Press play if you're ready to feel less alone in your journey with your dog.

Guest Info:

Instagram: @tulsapack

Website: tulsapackathletics.com

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

She Signed Up to Foster a Dog and the Rescue Just Disappeared. Here's What Happened Next

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Have you ever stepped up to foster a dog… and quietly realized you were more alone than you expected to be?

Fostering is supposed to feel supported. Guided. Like someone has your back. But sometimes the system meant to protect these dogs—and the people caring for them—falls short. And when that happens, the emotional weight can feel heavier than anyone talks about.

In this episode, Em and Caitlin share Ruby’s story—a foster dog who needed stability, advocacy, and follow-through, just as the rescue meant to support her went silent. Through honest reflection, they talk about the messy middle of rescue work: the uncertainty, the boundaries, and the quiet courage it takes to keep showing up for a dog when things don’t go as planned. It’s not about blame—it’s about clarity, protection, and doing what’s truly right for the dog in front of you.

Press play if you’ve ever loved a foster deeply and wished someone understood how hard this part can be.

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog? Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

What TV Dogs Know About Staying Calm That Most Dog Training Never Teaches You

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 04:01:00 -0500

Have you ever looked at those calm, focused dogs on TV and thought, “Why can’t my dog do that?”

Not because you want perfection—but because everyday life already feels chaotic enough. Walks feel overwhelming. Visitors feel stressful. And sometimes it seems like your dog just can’t handle the world around them.

In this episode, Em sits down with professional trainer Chrissy and her canine actors, The Joy Crew, to talk about what really happens behind the scenes on film sets. Not flashy tricks or rigid obedience—but thoughtful preparation, confidence-building, and enrichment that help dogs stay steady even when everything around them is loud, busy, and unpredictable. The same foundations that help a dog work under studio lights can help your dog feel safer at home, on walks, or out in the world with you.

Press play if you’re ready to see your dog through a new lens—and discover what they’re truly capable of when they feel supported, not pressured.

Guest Info:

Instagram: @thejoycrew

Learn: Tricks with Joy Course

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Why Getting a Dog Feels Like a Moral Minefield No Matter What You Choose | Breeder vs Rescue

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 04:01:00 -0500

Have you ever thought about bringing a dog home… and felt quietly terrified of making the wrong choice?

You want to do the right thing. You care about rescue. You care about ethics. But the internet is loud, opinions are harsh, and every path seems to come with guilt attached. Adopt, don’t shop. Shop, but only responsibly. Trust this breeder. Don’t trust any breeder. It’s confusing—and when shelters are full while puppy ads are everywhere, it can feel impossible to know who to believe.

In this episode, Em sits down with Ashley from Flag the Breeders for a grounded, honest conversation about what’s really happening behind backyard breeding, puppy mills, and the shelter crisis. Together, they walk through how to recognize red flags, what ethical acquisition actually means, and how small, informed choices can protect both your future dog and the larger rescue community—without shame or pressure.

Press play if you want your decision to feel thoughtful, steady, and rooted in compassion—not fear.

Guest Info:

Instagram: @flagthebreeders

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

"Dog Friendly" Doesn't Mean Your Dog Is Ready for It | Dog Training

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 04:01:00 -0500

You pack the treats, lower your expectations, pick somewhere that's supposed to be welcoming, and it still turns into a stressful, embarrassing scramble the second you walk in. Instead of connection, it becomes damage control.

In this episode, Em sits down with Sarah from Spot Dog Here to talk about how environment shapes behavior more than people realize, and why a truly welcoming space is different from a space your dog is actually ready for. They get into how calmer, verified dog-friendly settings can support anxious or sensitive dogs, and why it's just as okay to leave your dog home and go enjoy a place solo.

You'll hear:

Why "dog friendly" and "dog ready" are two completely different things
How the right environment can make enrichment and confidence-building easier
Why it's okay to experience a place without your dog if that's what's right for them

Press play if you've ever left an outing feeling more stressed than when you arrived, and you're ready to plan differently next time.

What Happens When You Walk Away From the Life You Built and Let the Dogs Lead You Home | Dog Changed My Life

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 04:01:00 -0500

Have you ever looked at your life and thought, “I did everything right… so why am I this exhausted?”

Burnout can feel heavy and lonely—especially when you’ve built a life that looks good on paper but doesn’t feel good in your body. Showing up for work, for other people, even for your dog can start to feel harder than it should, and you quietly wonder if you’re allowed to want something different.

In this episode, Em sits down with Jess, founder of Pupsibilities, to talk about what happened when she stepped away from a demanding career and began rebuilding her life alongside rescue dogs. Together, they explore how caring for dogs can slow you down, reconnect you to yourself, and create space for healing, identity shifts, and new beginnings you didn’t see coming. It’s an honest conversation about listening to your gut and redefining what a meaningful life with dogs can look like.

Press play if you’re craving permission to change direction—and want to feel less alone while you do.

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

A Shelter Rejected a Nine-Year-Old. She Turned It Into Thousands of Dollars for Dogs | Dog Rescue

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 04:01:00 -0500

She wanted one dog of her own. She ended up helping hundreds instead.

Nine-year-old Divisha and her mom went through dozens of rescue applications trying to adopt a shelter dog, without success, before eventually finding their dog Trixie through a responsible breeder. But Divisha didn't let the setback end there. She started Bobo Ties, a business making bow ties for shelter dogs to help them get noticed and adopted faster, donating a portion of every sale back to shelters. Since starting at age nine, she's donated over $4,000. She and her mom also occasionally foster.

You'll hear:

What Divisha actually said drove her to start making bow ties for shelter dogs in the first place
How a simple lemonade-stand sale turned into a business that's donated thousands of dollars
What it's been like fostering Kito and helping him settle in alongside Trixie

Press play if you've ever wondered what a kid with a big heart and a sewing machine can actually accomplish.

You've Tried the Training, the Treats, the Courses and Your Dog Is Still Stuck | Dog Training

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 04:01:00 -0500

Have you tried all the training, all the treats, all the courses, and your dog still seems anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck?

It's exhausting when you're doing everything you know to do and nothing really changes. You start wondering if you're missing something, or if you're somehow failing them.

In this episode, Em sits down with applied ethologist Kim Brophy to talk about a bigger-picture way of understanding behavior through her LEGS framework: Learning, Environment, Genetics, and Self. They get into why behavior isn't just about obedience, how a dog's environment and genetics shape what they're capable of in a given moment, and why stepping back from "fixing" can actually create more clarity and real progress.

You'll hear:

Why some behavior problems have nothing to do with how well you've trained
How genetics and environment shape a dog's emotional world just as much as learning does
What changes when you stop asking "how fast can I fix this" and start asking "why is this happening"

Press play if you're ready to stop blaming yourself and start understanding what your dog actually needs.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Why the Dog Park Keeps Failing Your Dog and What Actually Works Instead | Dog Training

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 04:01:00 -0500

Have you ever taken your dog to the park hoping they’d come home tired and happy… and instead left feeling embarrassed, tense, or defeated?

For a lot of dogs, crowded spaces aren’t fun. They’re overwhelming. Too many smells, too many bodies, too much happening all at once. And when every outing feels stressful, it can start to feel like you’re both failing—like you’re doing everything “right,” but nothing is getting easier.

In this episode, Em talks with SniffSpot founder David Adams about why traditional dog parks don’t work for every dog and how private, low-pressure spaces can change the experience entirely. Together they explore how safety, choice, and simple enrichment outdoors can help dogs relax, build confidence, and finally enjoy being outside again—without chaos or fear.

Press play if you’re craving calmer walks and a gentler way to help your dog feel safe in the world.

Guest Info:

Instagram: @sniffspots

Explore: sniffspot.com Use Code SUDT to save $5 off your visit

Free Resources & Support

Free Enrichment Guide: Paws, Brains, and Fun

Start here. This free guide introduces simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer, more fulfilled, and more connected in everyday life.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmenrichmentebook

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email ⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Staying With Your Dog Shouldn't Mean Staying in Danger | Dog Rescue

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 03:01:00 -0500

Nearly a third of domestic violence survivors stay in dangerous situations because they won't leave their pet behind.

Jill, a former prosecutor and founder of Ruger's Rescues, joins Em to talk about the three things that led her to start the rescue: an animal cruelty case involving a cat named Lucy that got reduced to a misdemeanor despite a fractured skull, the sudden loss of her own dog Ruger to hemangiosarcoma, and the rescue of a dog named Hippo, who already had an adopter lined up and still nearly didn't make it out of a high-kill shelter because no rescue could transport her in time. Jill and Em get into the overlap between domestic violence and pet ownership, San Diego County's food pantry program for unhoused and low-income pet owners, and the realities of the emergency transport and rescue-only screening system most people never see.

You'll hear:

What actually happened in the case that made Jill leave her job as a prosecutor
Why an already-adopted dog can still end up on a euthanasia list
What Ruger's Rescues is doing to close the gap between domestic violence shelters and pet owners

Press play if you've ever wondered what's actually standing between someone and leaving, or what really happens behind the scenes of a dog listed as "adoptable."

Guest Info:

Instagram: @rugersrescues

Support Ruger’s Rescues: linktr.ee/rugersrescues

Nobody Tells You Dog Training Can Feel Safe Instead of Like a Power Struggle

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 03:01:00 -0500

Have you ever tried to follow dog training advice… and walked away feeling like you had to be tougher, louder, or more “in control” than you wanted to be?

When your dog is anxious, overwhelmed, or struggling with behavior, the last thing you need is pressure or fear layered on top. You want something that feels safe. Something that actually builds trust instead of tension.

In this episode, Em sits down with Andrea from Pack Animals to talk about what gentle, reward-based training really looks like in real life. They share how slowing down, listening to your dog, and using clear, kind communication can lead to steadier behavior, more confidence, and a stronger bond—without force or intimidation. You’ll hear how community support and simple at-home routines can make training feel doable again, even on the hard days.

Press play if you’re ready for training that feels supportive—for both you and your dog.

Guest Info:

Instagram: @joinpackanimals

Learn more: thehubpack.com

Sponsored by Pack Animals & PetMatRx

Instagram: @joinpackanimals | @petmatrx

Save 20% with code FITZ20 → petmatrx.com

Save with code SUDT → thehubpack.com

Free Resources & Support

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Calling Your Dog "Reactive" Might Be Letting Everyone Off the Hook | Dog Training

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 03:01:00 -0500

Calling your dog "reactive" might be letting everyone off the hook, including you.

It's become almost trendy to say a dog is reactive, and once that label goes on, it can quietly become an excuse to stop investigating what's actually going on. A dog labeled reactive on social media is often just a dog who's been asking for space for a while, and nobody caught it in time.

In this episode, Em sits down with Dr. Kelly Ballantyne, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, to talk about what's actually happening beneath a lot of behavior struggles. They get into subtle body language most people miss, why genetics and even a mother's stress during pregnancy can shape a puppy's temperament, and why some dogs need medical and behavioral support together, not training alone.

You'll hear:

Why the word "reactive" often hides more than it explains
What subtle signs of stress look like before a dog ever growls or bites
How genetics and even a mother's pregnancy can shape a dog's temperament for life

Press play if you've been doing everything right and your dog still seems anxious, overwhelmed, or on edge, and you're ready to understand why.

Guest Info:

Learn more about dog behavior: insightfulanimals.com

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Your Dog Training Isn't Failing. Your Leash Might Be | Dog Gear

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 03:01:00 -0500

Ever come home from a walk feeling more frustrated than connected… even though you’re doing everything “right”?

The leash is tangled.

Your hands are sore.

Your dog is pulling or reacting.

And somehow, something as simple as going outside together feels harder than it should.

Sometimes it isn’t about trying more training or doing more drills. Sometimes it’s the small, everyday pieces we overlook — like the gear we use every single day.

In this episode, Em sits down with Taryn from BioDanes to talk about how the right leash and handling gear can quietly change everything. They share how comfort, grip, and reliability can support calmer walks, clearer communication, and more confidence on both ends of the leash — especially for dogs who struggle or get overwhelmed outside. It’s a grounded, practical conversation about removing friction so training and enrichment feel easier, not heavier.

Press play if you’re ready for your walks to feel smoother, steadier, and more connected again.

This episode is sponsored by BioDanes

Save 10% with code SUDT → biodanes.co

Free Resources & Support

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog? Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

You Want Dog Training Help But Sending Them Away Feels Wrong. Here's What to Know First

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 03:01:00 -0500

Have you ever thought about sending your dog away for training… and felt a knot in your stomach about it?

Handing your dog to someone else—even for help—can feel vulnerable. You want support, not shortcuts. You want growth, not fear. And with so many opinions online, it’s hard to know what actually happens inside a board-and-train program or whether it’s something your dog would truly benefit from.

In this episode, Em sits down with Mark from Rosewood K9 for an honest, grounded conversation about what these programs really look like day to day. They talk about structure, enrichment, and relationship-based training, what dogs experience while they’re there, and how to decide if this kind of support fits your dog’s personality, energy, and needs. No hype. No pressure. Just clarity so you can make an informed choice.

Press play if you want your next training decision to feel steady, confident, and right for the dog in front of you.

Guest Info

Rosewood K9: Instagram

Free Resources & Support

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Why Your Dog's Supplement Stack Isn't Working and What Gut Health Actually Has to Do With It | Decision Fatigue

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 03:01:00 -0500

Have you ever stood in the pet store aisle staring at rows of supplements… wondering if any of them actually do anything for your dog?

When your dog is struggling with digestion, low energy, or ongoing health issues, it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly adding one more powder, one more chew, one more “maybe this will help.” And somehow it still feels confusing, expensive, and uncertain — like you’re trying everything without real clarity.

In this episode, Em sits down with Tannisha from PetMatRx to slow the conversation down and talk through what gut health really means for dogs, why absorption matters more than hype, and how small, thoughtful changes to nutrition can support steadier energy, better digestion, and overall wellness. Instead of chasing trends, they focus on understanding your dog’s body and choosing support that actually makes sense.

Press play if you’re ready to feel less overwhelmed — and more confident about what your dog truly needs.

Free Resources & Support

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?

Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

This episode is POWERED by PetMatRx

Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Waiting for the Bad News Might Be Costing You the Good Days You Still Have | Senior Dog Health

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 03:01:00 -0500

Six to eight months. That's the number a vet gave for how long this senior dog had left.

Kailynn joins Em to talk about Pippa, a senior pit mix she began fostering intending it to be short-term, only to learn a month in that Pippa had stage three mammary cancer with that six-to-eight-month prognosis. Kailynn adopted her anyway, tried chemotherapy, and eventually stopped treatment to focus on quality of life instead. Rather than waiting for an ending, she built Pippa a bucket list: the beach, a doggy donut shop, a group hike, and Pippa is now over two years past that original number, still checking things off.

You'll hear:

How Kailynn decided treatment wasn't worth it anymore, using a daily symptom journal instead of guesswork
What actually went on Pippa's bucket list, and why the last item was timed to a specific date on purpose
What changes when you stop waiting for the bad day and start building good ones instead

Press play if you've ever caught yourself planning for the worst instead of living in the time you actually have.

In Loving Memory of Pippa, Rest in Peace, Sweet Girl.

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

You Don't Have to Love Dogs to End Up With the Right One | Life with Dogs

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 03:01:00 -0500

She didn't grow up loving dogs. She grew up afraid of them, bitten as a kid, then attacked twice while serving abroad. When her husband finally asked for a dog, she didn't pick one out of love. She researched breeds like a spreadsheet: low-shedding, high energy, good with future kids.

In this episode, Em and Josh sit down with Kenzie to talk about her Vizsla, Dobby, the dog she picked for practical reasons and ended up completely obsessed with. From potty training to a half marathon they ran together on a leash tied around her waist, she shares how a dog she never expected to want became her best friend and her running partner.

You'll hear:

How she chose a breed based on lifestyle fit long before she ever wanted a dog
What it actually took to meet a high-energy Vizsla's needs day to day
How a practical decision turned into the kind of bond she never saw coming

Press play if you've ever assumed you weren't a "dog person," or wondered whether the right dog could change that.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Why Losing a Dog Doesn't Just Break Your Heart. It Breaks Your Whole Routine | Pet Loss

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 03:01:00 -0500

Have you ever lost a dog… and felt like everything quietly fell apart afterward — not just your heart, but your whole day-to-day life?

The walks stop feeling the same. The house feels too quiet. The routines you built around them disappear overnight. Even training, enrichment, and the simple rhythm of caring for another living being can suddenly feel heavy or impossible. And while the world expects you to move on, you’re still trying to figure out how to exist without them.

In this episode, Em sits down with certified grief counselor Beth Bigler to talk about the parts of pet loss people rarely name — the guilt, the identity shift, the way grief shows up in your habits, your nervous system, and your relationship with dogs moving forward. Together, they hold space for the messy, human side of loving deeply and losing deeply, while offering steady, compassionate guidance so you don’t have to carry it alone.

Press play if you need a gentle place to land while your heart catches up.

Guest Info:

Grief resources: honoringouranimals.com/resources

Instagram: @honoringouranimals

Sponsored by Honoring Our Animals

Explore grief support → honoringouranimals.com/resources

Free Resources & Support

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

What Happens When You Stop Listening to Dog Training Advice and Start Listening to Your Dog | Relationship With Your Dog

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 03:01:00 -0500

Have you ever felt torn between what you’ve been told is “right” for dogs… and what your own dog actually seems to need?

The dog park gets a lot of strong opinions. Too chaotic. Too risky. Not “real training.” And for some dogs, that’s absolutely true. But for others, those messy, everyday spaces can become something surprisingly supportive.

In this episode, Em and Josh sit down with Tanya to talk about her rescue dog, Barney, and how regular dog park visits slowly became part of their healing and confidence-building journey after grief. Not because the park was magic — but because she learned to watch him, follow his cues, and do what felt right for the dog in front of her. Those real-life moments built trust, social comfort, and connection in ways no strict plan ever could.

Press play if you need the reminder that there isn’t one “right” path — just the one that helps your dog feel safe and understood.

Free Resources & Support

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

The Dog Who Carried You Through the Hard Parts and What Happens When They're Gone | Pet Loss Grief

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 03:01:00 -0500

Have you ever loved a dog so deeply that losing them changed who you are?

Not just sadness…

but the quiet emptiness in the house,

the missing routine,

the way your body still listens for paws that aren’t there anymore.

Losing a dog isn’t only grief — it’s a shift in identity, in daily life, in the way you move through the world. And yet, it’s something so many dog parents feel like they’re supposed to handle quietly.

In this episode, Em sits down with therapist and author Douglas Green to talk about the life — and loss — of his heart dog, Shirelle. Together, they reflect on how dogs carry us through depression, loneliness, and life’s hardest seasons, and how grief, guilt, gratitude, and love often exist side by side. It’s an honest conversation about what it really means to bond with a dog so deeply that their absence still shapes you long after they’re gone.

Press play if you need a gentle reminder that your grief makes sense — and you’re not alone in it.

Guest Info:

Order the book: The Teachings of Shirelle🐶

Ask Shirelle for advice: askshirelle.com

Instagram: @douggreenauthor

Free Resources & Support

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Most People Buying From a Breeder Are Looking at All the Wrong Things | Dog Health

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 03:01:00 -0500

You met the puppy. You met the parents. That still doesn't tell you what actually matters.

Ethical breeder Carly from Dare to Dream Dolls joins Em to break down what she checks that most buyers never think to ask about, starting with the time she paid over $6,000 for a breeding pair advertised as health tested and found their certification records didn't exist at all. Carly and Em get into OFA testing, how a single litter can legally have two different fathers, and the difference between a breeder who screens buyers and one who just wants the deposit.

You'll hear:

The one certification most buyers assume exists and never actually check
Why a mother dog can carry puppies from two different fathers in the same litter
Carly's top three things to look for before you commit to any breeder

Press play if you're thinking about buying from a breeder and want to know what you should actually be checking before you do.

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

A Busy Day Doesn't Mean a Tired Dog | Dog Enrichment

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 03:01:00 -0500

Still feel like you're doing everything right and your dog is still restless, wired, or bouncing off the walls by dinner?

The walks are happening. The training sessions are happening. And somehow everyone still ends up tired and frustrated.

It's easy to assume your dog needs more exercise or more discipline. But often what they're really missing is something quieter: mental stimulation, choice, and the chance to use their brain in a way that actually feels satisfying.

In this episode, Em breaks down what enrichment really means and why it's not a bonus or a luxury, it's a core part of behavior support. Through simple, everyday examples, she shares how small shifts in routine can lower stress, improve focus, and help both you and your dog feel more settled and connected.

Press play if you're ready for your days to feel calmer, easier, and more in sync, without adding more to your plate.

Guest Info:

Instagram: @mindgameofthemonth

Sponsored by Mind Game of the Month

Get a BONUS gift with code thedogwhoaskedformore → mindgameofthemonth.com

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Way You Trained Your Dog Two Years Ago Would Probably Embarrass You Now

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 03:01:00 -0500

Ever look back at how you used to train your dog… and wish you’d done things differently?

Maybe you followed advice that didn’t feel right.

Maybe you pushed too hard.

Maybe you just didn’t know what you know now.

And instead of feeling proud of how far you’ve come, you feel guilty.

But growth doesn’t mean you failed.

It means you were paying attention.

In this episode, Em reconnects with Angie from Pack Leaders Dog Training to reflect on the early days of working with Fitz and how their approach to dog training and behavior has shifted over time. Together, they talk honestly about learning curves, changing methods, letting go of shame, and what happens when you stop chasing “perfect” training and start listening to the dog in front of you.

Press play if you’ve ever second-guessed your past choices and need the reminder that evolving as a dog parent isn’t something to regret—it’s proof that you care.

Free Resources & Support

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

One Untrained Dog in a Vest Can Undo Years of Real Service Dog Training in a Single Moment

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 03:01:00 -0500

Have you ever seen a dog in a service vest and quietly wondered… is that dog actually trained?

Most people don’t mean harm.

They just don’t know the difference.

But when untrained dogs are passed off as service dogs, the consequences aren’t small.

It puts real service dogs at risk.

It makes public spaces harder and more stressful for disabled handlers.

And it can undo years of careful behavior training in a single moment.

In this episode, Em sits down with Jaime, a disability advocate and experienced service dog handler, to talk about what real service dog work actually looks like day to day. Together, they share the behind-the-scenes reality of task training, public access, and the emotional toll of constantly navigating misunderstandings—plus why fake service dogs make an already challenging life even harder.

Press play if you want to better understand service dogs, advocate with confidence, and help create safer, more respectful spaces for the people and dogs who truly rely on them.

Guest Info:

Instagram: @embracingecho

Free Resources & Support

Free Enrichment Guide: Paws, Brains, and Fun

Start here. This free guide introduces simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer, more fulfilled, and more connected in everyday life.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmenrichmentebook

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email ⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Multi-Dog Household Stress: What Nobody Warns You About | Dog Training

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 03:01:00 -0500

Have you ever wondered how anyone keeps the peace with more than one dog—let alone four?

Because multi-dog life isn’t just “more dogs.”

It’s more energy.

More moving parts.

More emotions to hold at once.

And some days it can feel like you’re one missed nap away from total chaos.

In this episode, Em sits down with Laurel and Rob to talk about life raising four rescue dogs off the grid in the desert—no fence, no neighbors, and no room for winging it. They share how simple routines, steady structure, and everyday enrichment became the glue that keeps their home calm and connected. Not perfect. Not polished. Just intentional, honest, and built around what their dogs actually need.

Press play if you’re trying to create a little more peace in your own multi-dog home—and want reassurance that slower, simpler often works best.

Guest Info:

Instagram: @mythologicaldogs

Free Resources & Support

Free Enrichment Guide: Paws, Brains, and Fun

Start here. This free guide introduces simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer, more fulfilled, and more connected in everyday life.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmenrichmentebook

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email ⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

A German Shepherd for Protection Gets a Nod. A Pit Bull Gets a Different Look | Dog Training

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 03:01:00 -0500

Loving a bully breed can mean constantly proving something, carrying the weight of other people's fear on top of everyday dog parenting. Strangers cross the street. People make assumptions before they've even met your dog, and sometimes those assumptions have nothing to do with the dog at all.

In this episode, Em talks with Aaron about Sweet GiGi and the community he's built around bully breeds, reactive dogs, and the humans who love them. They get into building trust through sniffaris and decompression, why "bonding" works better than "training" as a mindset, and the uncomfortable double standard Aaron has lived: the same protective instinct that gets read as noble in one breed and threatening in another.

You'll hear:

How building confidence and trust changes a reactive dog's whole relationship to the world
Why decompression after a walk matters as much as the walk itself
The double standard bully breed owners face, and why it has nothing to do with the dog

Press play if you've ever felt judged for the dog you love, and you're ready for a reminder that you're not alone in it.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

There's a Decision You Made for Your Dog You've Never Fully Explained to Anyone | Pet Loss

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 03:01:00 -0500

I made a decision for my dog I still haven't fully explained to anyone, ten years later.

This is part one of my own story, first shared on the tenth anniversary of losing Cajun. Before him there was Vince, my childhood golden retriever, and after him came Izzy and Fiona, two dogs I lost within years of each other. I'm walking through the decline of my first dog when I was 16, adopting Cajun for $200 at a PetSmart adoption event, the brain and spinal surgery that ended my path toward veterinary school, a divorce, and the final months of Cajun's life.

You'll hear:

Why my parents made a decision about my first dog that I didn't understand until much later
How losing two dogs within years of each other changed how I approached bringing dogs into my home
What I actually told the emergency vet in Cajun's final hours, and why

Press play if you've ever had to make an impossible call for your dog and carried the weight of it long after.

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Coming Home to Destroyed Toys Doesn't Mean What You Think It Does | Dog Anxiety

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 03:01:00 -0500

Does your dog destroy every toy the second you leave the house, and you can't tell if it's boredom, stress, or something else entirely?

You're not alone. And it's probably not "bad behavior."

In this honest and comforting episode, Em and Josh sit down with Erika to share the real story of Jax and Wyatt, two rescue dogs learning how to cope with being left alone. What started as shredded toys and chaotic goodbyes slowly became a lesson in how simple routines, daily enrichment, and small changes at home can help anxious dogs feel safer and more settled.

Together, they talk about what toy destruction can actually mean, how predictable structure builds confidence, and why progress often looks messy before it looks calm.

If you've ever felt frustrated, guilty, or unsure how to help your dog when you walk out the door, this conversation will help you feel understood, with gentle, doable ways to start supporting them today.

Press play for reassurance, clarity, and hope.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

How to Choose a Dog Trainer When Everything Feels Confusing | Dog Training

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 03:01:00 -0500

Have you ever thought about hiring a dog trainer… and felt nervous you’d be judged the second you walked in?

Asking for help with your dog’s behavior can feel vulnerable. You’re already tired, already second-guessing yourself, and the last thing you need is someone talking over you or making you feel like you’ve failed. But the right support shouldn’t feel intimidating. It should feel steady, safe, and collaborative.

In this episode, Em and Josh host a real-time, honest conversation between trainer Mattison and dog mom Madisyn as they walk through what a first training session actually looks like. Together, they talk about what questions matter most, what healthy communication feels like, and the quiet red flags that can tell you when a trainer isn’t the right fit—so you can trust your instincts and advocate for your dog with confidence.

Press play if you want your first step toward dog training help to feel empowering, not overwhelming.

Sponsored by Freed by Training

Explore resources + programs → freedbytraining.com/unleash

Free Resources & Support

Dog Nutrition Quiz

Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog? Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠

Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

CBD for Dogs: Does It Actually Work or Is It Just Adding to Your Decision Fatigue | Canine Nutrition

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 03:01:00 -0500

Does your dog feel on edge all the time—pacing, barking, unable to settle—while you’re left wondering what else you can try?

Living with an anxious dog can quietly take over your days. You plan around fireworks, car rides, and even simple errands. You try training, enrichment, routines… and still feel like something’s missing. Not because you’re doing it wrong, but because some dogs need a little more support than training alone can offer.

In this conversation, Em and Josh sit down with the team from Fat Sam’s for Pets to talk honestly about CBD—what it is, what it isn’t, and where it might fit into real life with a nervous dog. Together they explore safety, realistic expectations, and how calming supplements can gently support the nervous system alongside enrichment and daily care, so both you and your dog can feel a little steadier.

Press play if you’re looking for options, clarity, and a softer way forward.

Guest Info: Instagram: @fatsamsforpets

Learn more: urbanapothecary.shop/cbd-for-pets

Educational Resource: Cannabinoids Explained

He Was Still Grieving His Last Dog When Two More Showed Up Needing Him

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 03:01:00 -0500

Have you ever opened your home to a rescue dog while your heart was still healing from the last goodbye?

Grief doesn’t pause just because another dog needs you. Sometimes it shows up right alongside the late nights, the behavior struggles, the quiet moments on the couch, and the slow work of building trust again. Fostering can feel hopeful and heartbreaking at the same time, especially when you’re still carrying loss.

In this tender conversation, Em sits down with Joel to talk about what really happened when he chose to foster while grieving. Together they share the reality of welcoming two rescue dogs with separation anxiety, the structure and enrichment that helped everyone feel steadier, and the unexpected ways connection grew when nothing felt certain. Not perfect, not polished—just honest life with dogs.

Press play if you need a reminder that healing doesn’t have to happen alone.

Sponsored by Fat Sam’s for Pets

Save at Urban Apothecary with code SUDT → urbanapothecary.shop

Free Resources & Support

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Multi-Dog Households: Why Adding Another Dog Changes More Than You Expect | Dog Training

Wed, 29 May 2024 03:01:00 -0500

Have you ever looked around your house and thought, I love my dogs… but I’m so tired?

When you live with multiple dogs, the days can start to feel like a constant loop of walks, enrichment, behavior needs, and making sure everyone gets enough of you. It’s beautiful and chaotic and deeply fulfilling—and sometimes completely overwhelming. The emotional load of trying to meet every need can quietly wear you down, even when you wouldn’t trade them for anything.

In this honest conversation, Em sits down with Denise, a multi-dog guardian and founder of The Doggy Den, to talk about what life really looks like behind the scenes. They share the messy middle of managing several rescue dogs at once, the boundaries and routines that brought more steadiness to their home, and the permission to care for your own nervous system too. Not doing more—just doing what’s sustainable.

Press play if you need a reminder that supporting yourself is part of supporting your dogs.

Free Resources & Support

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Why Leaving the House Feels Impossible When You Have a Dog With Separation Anxiety | Dog Training

Wed, 22 May 2024 03:01:00 -0500

Have you ever planned your entire day around whether your dog can handle being alone?

Maybe you rush errands. Cancel plans. Sit in the car longer than you meant to because the guilt hits the second you close the door. Living with a dog with separation anxiety can quietly shrink your world until everything revolves around managing their stress—and your own. It’s exhausting, lonely, and rarely talked about with honesty.

In this gentle, real conversation, Em sits down with Kendra, a nurse and devoted rescue dog mom, to share what life actually looks like behind the scenes. Together they talk about the emotional weight, the constant adjustments, and the small daily shifts that slowly created more steadiness for both Luka and Kendra. Not perfection. Not quick fixes. Just compassion, structure, and learning how to build a life that works for both ends of the leash.

Press play if you need reassurance that you’re not failing—you’re just doing the best you can with a dog who needs a little extra support.

Guest Info:

Follow Kendra & Luka: @npkendrafej (Instagram + TikTok)

Explore trusted resources: malenademartini.com | julienaismith.com

Free Resources & Support

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating?

Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs?

Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

Support gut health and daily wellness.

Use code FITZ20 to save.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em

Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

You Can Love Your Dog This Much and Still Be Afraid of What Happens Next | Dog Training

Wed, 15 May 2024 03:01:00 -0500

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains graphic details and emotional discussion surrounding severe aggression, idiopathic rage syndrome, and humane euthanasia. It is not intended for children and may not be suitable for all environments. Please use headphones and care while listening.

Have you ever looked at your dog and wondered how you could love them this much… while also being afraid of what might happen next?

Severe dog aggression is one of the most isolating experiences a dog parent can go through — especially when the aggression feels sudden, unpredictable, or impossible to explain. Many people blame themselves, believing they missed something, failed in training, or didn’t love their dog well enough to “fix” it.

But some forms of aggression go deeper than behavior alone.

In this episode, Em sits down with Lana for an incredibly honest conversation about living with severe dog aggression, idiopathic rage syndrome, neurological instability, and the emotional reality of trying to keep both people and dogs safe while navigating impossible decisions.

Together, they unpack the fear, grief, hypervigilance, emotional exhaustion, and quiet heartbreak that can come when training, enrichment, structure, and love still aren’t enough to create safety.

Because sometimes the kindest decisions are also the most painful ones.

Listeners will hear:

how severe neurological or unpredictable dog aggression affects daily life and emotional well-being
why some aggression cases are not rooted in training or behavior alone
honest discussion around safety, grief, humane euthanasia, and loving dogs through impossible circumstances

Press play for a compassionate conversation about severe dog aggression, grief, impossible choices, and the emotional weight carried by dog parents navigating situations few people truly understand.

Guest Info:

Follow Lana & Ares:

Instagram: @loki.the.maligator_

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Dog Parent Burnout: The Version Nobody Talks About Enough | Dog Training

Wed, 08 May 2024 03:01:00 -0500

Ever look around your home and realize life with your dog has slowly started revolving around management instead of actually feeling good to live in?

A lot of dog parents quietly reshape their entire lives around their dogs without even realizing it. Hobbies disappear, routines become rigid, homes feel harder to relax in, and everyday life starts revolving around preventing problems instead of creating enjoyment.

In this episode, Em sits down with Felicia for a grounded conversation about building a life that supports both dogs and the humans living alongside them. Together, they explore how thoughtful enrichment, calming routines, intentional spaces, and honoring your own interests can help dogs feel more settled without requiring you to give up the parts of yourself that matter too.

Because caring deeply for your dog shouldn’t mean losing your own joy in the process.

Listeners will hear:

why life with dogs can quietly start feeling emotionally restrictive
how simple enrichment and environmental changes help dogs settle more naturally
why creating balance for yourself also benefits your dog’s emotional well-being

Press play for a thoughtful conversation about dog life, enrichment, overwhelm, and creating a home that feels calmer, softer, and more sustainable for everyone in it.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Perfect Dog Parent Pressure That's Hurting More People Than It Helps | Dog Training

Wed, 01 May 2024 03:01:00 -0500

Have you ever felt like everyone else has dog life figured out… while you’re still learning as you go?

Social media often makes life with dogs look polished, perfectly trained, and effortless. But real life with dogs is usually much messier — filled with chewed furniture, awkward learning curves, imperfect routines, funny quirks, and slowly growing connection over time.

In this episode, Em and Josh sit down with Veeta to talk about how bringing home a beagle named Habby completely changed her relationship with dogs, her confidence, and even the fear she carried from childhood after a traumatic experience with a dog.

Together, they explore the reality of dog parenting beyond performance and perfection: the emotional bond that grows through ordinary moments, the joy of simply existing alongside your dog, and why meaningful connection often matters more than “perfect” dog training.

Because sometimes the best parts of life with dogs are the least polished ones.

Listeners will learn:

why real life with dogs looks very different from social media perfection
how connection and consistency help build confidence for both dogs and dog parents
why dogs often change us emotionally in ways we never expected

Press play for a warm, honest conversation about dog parenting, imperfect progress, and the simple moments that make life with dogs feel meaningful.

Guest Info: Follow Veeta + Habby: @habbythebeagle

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Your Dog Doesn't Need More Walks. They Need a Game They Can Actually Win | Dog Training

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 03:01:00 -0500

Ever feel like dog training has slowly turned into a checklist… and somewhere along the way, the connection and joy started disappearing?

A lot of dog parents assume that if their dog is still restless, distracted, reactive, or difficult to settle, the answer must be more walks, more structure, or more training. But for many dogs, constant activity without fulfillment can actually leave them feeling even more overstimulated and disconnected.

In this episode, Em sits down with Denise Fenzi to talk about how dog sports, play, and shared activities can change dog behavior in ways traditional training sometimes can’t. Together, they explore how rally, obedience, and other forms of structured engagement give dogs an outlet for focus, confidence, problem-solving, and emotional regulation — especially for dogs who struggle to fully settle in everyday life.

Because sometimes dogs don’t need more pressure.

They need meaningful ways to use their brains, build confidence, and connect with the people they trust.

Listeners will learn:

why walks and exercise alone don’t always meet a dog’s emotional and behavioral needs
how dog sports and structured play support confidence, focus, and nervous system regulation
why dog training feels lighter and more effective when dogs are fulfilled instead of overstimulated

Press play for a refreshing conversation about dog training, enrichment, and helping your dog feel calmer, more connected, and more fulfilled in everyday life.

Guest Info:

Instagram: @denise_fenzi🎥 TikTok: @denisefenzi

Explore Denise’s work: liinks.co/denise_fenzi

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

What Living With a Dog With Cancer Really Feels Like | Dog Health

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 03:01:00 -0500

Have you ever gotten difficult news about your dog… and suddenly felt like every single choice carried impossible weight?

A cancer diagnosis changes life with your dog in ways most pet parents never fully expect. Suddenly, food choices feel emotional, treatment decisions feel overwhelming, and even ordinary routines can start carrying fear, grief, and constant second-guessing.

In this episode, Em sits down with Alexis to talk honestly about what daily life actually looks like when caring for a dog with cancer. Together, they share Buster’s story, the emotional reality of navigating treatment, and the small ways nutrition, supplements, routine, and emotional support became part of helping him feel safe, comfortable, and cared for through uncertainty.

Because sometimes the goal isn’t fixing everything.

Sometimes it’s helping your dog feel loved while you walk through hard things together.

Listeners will learn:

how a dog cancer diagnosis affects both emotional well-being and daily routines
gentle ways nutrition and supportive care can help dogs during treatment
why “doing your best” matters more than achieving perfect answers

Press play for a compassionate conversation about dog cancer, caregiving, grief, and finding steadiness while supporting your dog through one of life’s hardest seasons.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

No Red Flags for Months. Then It Happened Three Times | Dog Behavior

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Their second dog had passed every test for months.

Josh and Jenn's dog Odie had years of history with them. Artie was the new one, a shy rescue pulled from a hoarding situation, with no red flags in her foster home and no incidents when they first brought her in. For months, nothing happened. Then it did. Three times, months apart, with nothing connecting them that Josh, Jenn, or their trainer could ever pin down.

In this episode, Em talks with Josh and Jenn about what it was actually like to live inside that unknown, before, during, and after.

You'll hear:

What their trainer said when even he couldn't identify a pattern
What it was like calling around at 2am trying to find an emergency vet that would take them
What Josh and Jenn still don't know, even now

Press play if you've ever brought a new dog into a house with one already in it, and wondered what you couldn't see coming.

Guest Info:

Listen to Josh & Jenn’s Podcast: Graphically Novel

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Dog Training Mistake Keeping Nervous and Fearful Dogs Stuck

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Does dog training ever feel exhausting with your nervous or reactive dog… like every outing turns into management instead of connection?

A lot of dog parents are told their nervous dog just needs “more exposure” — more training, more socialization, more practice around triggers. But for many reactive dogs, constant exposure without emotional safety can create even more stress, shutdown, and overwhelm.

In this episode, Em and Josh sit down with April from A Tale of Heelers to talk about a different kind of dog training approach — one built around play, choice, enrichment, and helping dogs feel safe enough to learn.

Together, they explore how trick training, low-pressure structure, and relationship-based interactions can help reactive dogs build confidence and emotional regulation without turning training into a constant battle.

Because sometimes behavior improves most when dogs stop feeling like they’re constantly being pushed past their limits.

Listeners will learn:

why exposure alone doesn’t always improve reactive dog behavior
how play and enrichment support nervous system regulation during dog training
simple ways to help anxious or reactive dogs feel safer, calmer, and more connected

Press play for a refreshing conversation about reactive dog training, emotional safety, and helping your dog learn in ways that feel lighter for both of you.

Guest Info:

Instagram + TikTok: @ataleofheelers

Website: ataleofheelers.com/links

Trick Title Resources

• AKC Trick Dog Program

• Do More With Your Dog

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Dog Recovery: What Healing Actually Looks Like After Sickness or Injury

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Have you ever brought a rescue dog home expecting life to finally calm down… only to discover the hardest part was still ahead of you?

Heartworm treatment can feel overwhelming for dog parents very quickly. Between strict activity restrictions, medical appointments, emotional stress, and trying to keep an energetic or anxious dog calm during recovery, many people quietly feel exhausted and unprepared.

In this episode, Em and Josh sit down with Molly to share Polo’s heartworm recovery story and the emotional reality of helping a rescue dog heal through months of treatment and confinement.

Together, they unpack how heartworm recovery affects more than the body — influencing nervous systems, dog behavior, stress levels, enrichment needs, and emotional well-being for both dogs and the people caring for them.

Because healing isn’t just medical.

It’s emotional too.

Listeners will learn:

what heartworm treatment and recovery actually look like day to day
how recovery restrictions can affect dog behavior, stress, and emotional regulation
practical ways enrichment, nutrition, and routine can help support healing

Press play for an honest conversation about rescue dogs, heartworm recovery, and how to support your dog through one of the most emotionally challenging healing processes many pet parents never expect.

Guest Info:

Follow Molly & Polo: @polothepittie (Instagram + TikTok)

Learn more about heartworm disease: heartwormsociety.org

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

A Friendly Dog Can Wait in a Shelter for Years and Still Run Out of Time

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Have you ever wondered how a friendly, loving dog can spend years in a shelter… and still run out of time?

A lot of dog parents don’t realize what long-term shelter life actually does to dogs. The noise, confinement, chronic stress, isolation, and constant overstimulation can slowly change behavior over time — even in dogs who were once social, trusting, and easy to handle.

In this episode, Em sits down with Bridget from Wild Wolfe Pack Treats to talk about the emotional reality of rescue work, shelter advocacy, and the heartbreaking pattern happening inside overcrowded shelters every day. Together, they unpack kennel stress, institutionalization, fostering, long-stay dogs, and why some dogs deteriorate emotionally simply because they never got the chance to decompress outside the shelter environment.

Because sometimes what gets labeled a “behavior problem” is actually survival, fear, overwhelm, or years without stability.

Listeners will learn:

how long-term shelter stress changes dog behavior and emotional regulation
why fostering and decompression can completely transform rescue dogs
realistic ways everyday dog parents can support shelters, advocacy, and long-stay dogs

Press play for an honest conversation about rescue dogs, shelter stress, dog behavior, and the small acts of advocacy that can completely change a dog’s future.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

What Backyard Breeding Does to Dogs and Why the Effects Last

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0500

Have you ever felt like your rescue dog was struggling long before they ever came home to you?

A lot of dog parents blame themselves when their dog seems fearful, reactive, shut down, or unable to settle — especially when training and love don’t seem to “fix” things the way they expected.

But for many dogs, the struggle started much earlier.

In this episode, Em sits down with Ashley from Flag The Breeders to talk about how backyard breeding, poor early environments, and chronic stress shape dog behavior long before adoption ever happens. Together, they unpack how trauma affects the nervous system, why early experiences matter so deeply, and what compassionate support actually looks like for dogs who never had a safe start in life.

Because behavior doesn’t happen in isolation.

And many rescue dogs are carrying experiences their new families never got to witness.

Listeners will learn:

how early trauma and poor breeding conditions affect dog behavior long-term
why rescue dogs may struggle with fear, shutdown, anxiety, or reactivity
how understanding the nervous system helps dog parents replace guilt with compassion

Press play for an honest conversation about rescue dogs, trauma, and the deeper behavioral struggles that often begin long before adoption.

Guest Info: Instagram: @flagthebreeders

Petition: Stop breeder + stud listings on Craigslist [Sign Now]

Find rescues near you: petfinder.com

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://gofund.me/8a7d1cbea

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

A Dog Who Won't Settle Might Not Have a Behavior Problem at All | Dog Training

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 04:01:00 -0500

Here's the description, pulling the transcript's real specifics (the traffic jam analogy, the working Malinois example, Fitz going from climbing all over her to "flat pancake" on the couch):

A dog who won't settle might not have a behavior problem at all.

You've tried the training, the routines, the management. Maybe it's helped some. But your dog still can't fully relax, still seems restless, still can't quite come down off high alert. What if the missing piece isn't more training, but what's happening inside their body?

In this episode, Em talks with Tanisha from Pet Matrix about how gut health, inflammation, and nervous system support can affect a dog's ability to settle in ways training alone can't touch. They get into a working Malinois who regained physical capacity in a week once his internal support caught up with his training, and how Fitz went from climbing all over Em during a call to completely relaxed on the couch.

You'll hear:

Why a dog can be well trained and still struggle to settle or regulate
How gut health and inflammation show up as restlessness, anxiety, or discomfort
What it actually looks like to support a dog's body alongside their training

Press play if your dog seems stuck no matter how much training you've put in, and you're ready to look at what else might be going on.

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Nobody Tells You How to Actually Know When It's Time to Say Goodbye | Pet Loss

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0500

There's no clear signal, no moment that makes it obvious. Just a quiet, terrifying question that sits with you: am I doing this too soon, or waiting too long?

In this episode, Em talks honestly about the hardest decision a dog parent ever has to make, and why there's no perfect way to get the timing right. It's a compassionate look at grief, guilt, and what it actually means to do right by a dog at the end of their life.

You'll hear:

Why there's no universal "right time," and why that's not a failure on your part
How to recognize quality of life signs without needing them to be perfect or certain
What it means to let go of guilt about timing, whichever way it goes

Press play if you're facing this decision, or dreading the day you will, and need to feel less alone in it.

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

What Life with 4 Rescue Dogs Teaches You About Behavior, Training & Patience

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0500

🐕‍🦺 Ever wondered what it’s like to care for four dogs—all with their own stories, personalities, and needs?

In this episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em and Josh sit down with Brittney to explore what it’s like managing a multi-dog household and navigating the early stages of service dog training. From building trust with rescues to supporting mental health, this conversation reflects on the individual needs of each dog—and the humans walking beside them.

💛 In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why understanding each dog’s personality is key

• Tips for spending intentional time with multiple dogs

• Brittney’s journey beginning service dog training with Quinn

• A discussion on mental health, support animals, and self-awareness

• Educational resources for those curious about service dogs

Learn more about service dogs: AKC Guide Note: The AKC is a good starting point, but not the only valid route to training a service dog.

This episode is proudly sponsored by our partnerships with PetMatRx and Pack Animals.

Use code FITZ20 to save 20% at petmatrx.com

Explore Pack Animals: packanimals.com

These affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛

Straight Up Dog Talk Extras:

Get a free copy of the Mini Bowl Blueprint

⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/minibowltdwafm⁠⁠

Book a FREE 15-minute call with Em

⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠⁠

Email ⁠⁠thedogwhoaskedformore@gmail.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

Looking to BOOST your pet’s daily meal? Try PetMatRx supplements, use code FITZ20, and save! ⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠⁠

This podcast explores real-life dog behavior and training, diving into reactivity, barking, dog anxiety, aggression, picky eating, gut health, and dog food—while unpacking enrichment, mental stimulation, supplements, calming aids, and holistic pet wellness. Whether you’re raising a rescue dog, supporting a senior dog, managing a velcro dog, or just navigating life with a dog who’s asking for more, you’ll find practical tools to build trust, strengthen communication, and create a safe, thriving life together.

Your Dog Getting Loose Isn't the Emergency. Not Being Prepared For It Is

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0500

Have you ever had that split-second moment where the door opens too fast… and your stomach drops before your dog even moves?

A lot of dog owners assume microchips are enough protection if their dog ever gets lost. But in stressful moments — escaped dogs, emergency situations, rescue transitions, or overwhelmed dogs bolting unexpectedly — visible identification is often what helps dogs get home the fastest.

In this episode, Em sits down with Melissa and Marina, the mother-daughter team behind Tag4MyPet, to talk about the small safety layers most people don’t think about until something goes wrong. Together, they unpack why ID tags still matter, how lost dog situations actually unfold in real life, and why simple preparation can reduce panic for both dogs and the people trying to help them.

Because life with dogs is unpredictable sometimes.

And small safety decisions can make a very big difference.

Listeners will learn:

why microchips alone don’t always lead to fast reunions
how visible dog ID tags help lost dogs get home more quickly
simple ways to create safer, lower-stress outcomes during emergencies

Press play for a grounded conversation about dog safety, preparation, and the small things that help protect the dogs we love most.

Guest Info

Instagram + TikTok: @tag4mypet

Shop: tag4mypet.com

Apply for the Pawsitive Referral Program: tag4mypet.com/pages/pawsitive-referrals

Save 15% with code SUDT15OFF → tag4mypet.com

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://gofund.me/8a7d1cbea

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Hidden Link Between Dog Food and Dog Behavior | Canine Nutrition

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0500

Have you ever switched your dog’s food over and over again… hoping this bag would finally fix the itching, stomach issues, anxiety, or behavior struggles — only to feel like nothing really changed?

A lot of dog owners are trying incredibly hard to make the “right” nutrition choices, but dog food marketing has made it harder than ever to know what actually helps. Beautiful packaging, premium labels, and expensive ingredients don’t always mean a food is working for the dog in front of you.

In this episode, Em sits down with Maddie from Brinkley’s Official to unpack the confusing world of dog nutrition, ingredient labels, and how food can quietly affect everything from digestion to nervous system regulation and dog behavior.

Because sometimes what looks like anxiety, reactivity, or restlessness isn’t just a dog training issue.

Sometimes the body is struggling underneath it all.

Listeners will learn:

why some “premium” dog foods still leave dogs uncomfortable or dysregulated
how nutrition, gut health, and dog behavior are deeply connected
small, realistic changes that can help dogs feel calmer, healthier, and more settled

Press play for an honest conversation about dog food, nutrition, and behavior — and start feeling more confident about what’s actually helping your dog from the inside out.

Guest Info

Shop: brinkleyscaninesuppliesllc.com

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://gofund.me/8a7d1cbea

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Why Dog Sports Help Some Reactive Dogs Finally Settle | Dog Training

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0500

Have you ever felt like no matter how much exercise, dog training, or enrichment you try… your dog still ends the day restless, reactive, or unable to settle?

A lot of overwhelmed dog owners assume they just need to “do more” — longer walks, stricter training, more stimulation. But for some dogs, the missing piece isn’t more pressure. It’s having an outlet that feels engaging, confidence-building, and emotionally safe.

In this episode, Em explores dog sports from a completely different perspective. Not as competitions for perfectly trained dogs, but as structured play, nervous system support, and a place for dogs to channel big feelings in a healthy way.

Because agility, rally, trick work, and other dog sports can become less about performance — and more about connection, confidence, focus, and fulfillment.

Listeners will learn:

why dog sports can help reactive, anxious, or high-energy dogs feel more regulated
how structured play supports dog behavior and confidence
why training often works better when dogs are engaged instead of overwhelmed

Press play to discover how dog sports can help your dog feel calmer, more fulfilled, and more connected — without needing them to be a “perfect” dog first.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://gofund.me/8a7d1cbea

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

What Nobody Tells You About Fostering Dogs | Rescue Dogs

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0500

Have you ever thought about fostering a rescue dog… and then immediately wondered if you’d get too attached to survive saying goodbye?

A lot of people love the idea of fostering dogs, but quietly fear the emotional reality behind it — the behavior struggles, the uncertainty, the attachment, and the heartbreak that can come with opening your home to a dog in transition.

In this episode, Em sits down with Cydne Washington to talk honestly about what fostering a rescue dog actually looks like behind the happy ending photos. Through Gene Gene’s story, they unpack the slow process of building trust, helping overwhelmed dogs decompress, navigating setbacks, and learning how safety changes dog behavior over time.

Because fostering isn’t just about “saving” dogs.

It’s about holding space for dogs while they figure out how to feel safe again.

Listeners will learn:

what fostering a rescue dog really looks like emotionally and practically
how safety and decompression affect rescue dog behavior
why fostering changes both the dog and the person caring for them

Press play for an honest conversation about rescue dogs, fostering, emotional attachment, and what happens when a dog finally starts to feel safe.

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://gofund.me/8a7d1cbea

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Is your dog's food actually working for them?

A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Training Your Dog for the Outdoors Means More Than Sit and Stay | Dog Training

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0500

Training your dog for the outdoors means a lot more than sit and stay, and most people find that out the hard way.

Take the recall command. If a grizzly bear encounters your off leash dog on the trail, the dog often runs straight back to you, bear following. It's one of the most overlooked dangers of hiking with dogs, and it's just one of many things people rarely think to prepare for before heading outdoors together.

In this episode, Em talks with Halie from The Fishing Mutts about what it actually takes to train dogs for real outdoor adventure: fly fishing, whitewater rafting, backcountry hiking, and everything in between. From teaching a reliable recall to introducing dogs to boats safely, to packing a dog-specific first aid kit for the backcountry, Halie shares what years of trial and error have taught her about keeping dogs safe outdoors.

You'll hear:

Why a reliable recall might be the single most important command for outdoor safety
How to introduce a dog to a raft or boat without overwhelming their nervous system
What real river hazards, wildlife encounters, and backcountry emergencies actually require you to prepare for

Press play if you've ever wanted to bring your dog on real outdoor adventures and want to do it safely.

Guest Info:

Instagram: @thefishingmutts & TikTok: @thefishingmutts

Resources:

American Whitewater

Swiftwater Safety Institute

US Geological Survey Water Data

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free Enrichment Guide

Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Shelters Are Euthanizing Dogs Who Did Nothing Wrong Except Run Out of Time" | Dog Rescue

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0500

That's not a rare, worst-case scenario. It's happening in overcrowded shelters right now, to healthy, adoptable dogs, simply because there isn't enough space to keep them.

In this episode, Em gets into the reality inside dog shelters today: the overcrowding, the euthanasia rates, and why "just adopt more" isn't the simple fix people assume it is. It's an honest look at a crisis most people don't think about until they're already standing in front of it.

You'll hear:

Why shelter euthanasia often has nothing to do with a dog's behavior or health
What's actually driving overcrowding in shelters right now
Small, realistic ways to help without needing to adopt another dog yourself

Press play if you've ever wondered what's really happening inside the shelter system, and what you can actually do about it.

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://thedogwhoaskedformore.hbportal.co/schedule/668856198dc476001953809b

Questions

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

The Dog Training Advice That’s Making Dogs More Anxious

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0500

Have you ever been told you need to “be the alpha” with your dog… but somehow things only started feeling more stressful afterward?

A lot of dog owners are still being told that control, dominance, and authority are the keys to better behavior. But for many dogs, that approach creates more tension, more confusion, and more shutdown — not more trust.

In this episode, Em sits down with certified trainer Lauren from Sit Stay Stella to unpack why dominance theory became so common in dog training, what modern behavior science actually says about how dogs learn, and why so many reactive, anxious, or “difficult” dogs don’t need harsher leadership — they need safety, clarity, and understanding.

Because behavior problems are often rooted in overwhelm, not defiance.

Listeners will learn:

why dominance-based dog training can increase anxiety, stress, and behavioral struggles
what relationship-based dog training looks like in real life
how to build calmer, more reliable behavior without fear, force, or power struggles

Press play to rethink what leadership actually means in dog training — and discover why understanding your dog often works better than trying to control them

Guest Info:

Learn more about Lauren: sitstaystella.com
Follow Lauren: @sitstaystella_ on Instagram

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://gofund.me/8a7d1cbea

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

Breed Isn't Behavior: Why Breed-Specific Dog Bans Miss the Real Problem

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0500

What would you do if your dog didn’t change at all… but the law suddenly said they weren’t allowed to exist?

In parts of the UK, families with XL Bully dogs are facing exactly that. Dogs who have never hurt anyone are being labeled dangerous overnight — leaving guardians to choose between surrendering them, fighting in court, or saying goodbye.

In this conversation, Em sits down with Charleigh and Nichola, two advocates living through the ban in real time. Together, they talk about what breed-specific laws actually look like day to day — the fear, the paperwork, the stigma, and the quiet heartbreak of watching loving dogs treated like threats because of how they look.

You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of how behavior, environment, and care matter far more than breed labels — and why compassion and science belong in these conversations.

If you’ve ever loved a misunderstood dog, this one will hit close to home.

Press play and sit with us.

Resources

UK Gov: XL Bully Ban News

Official Definition of an XL Bully

Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

Support the Fight – GoFundMe

Free Resources & Support

🐾 Help Us Hit the Road

We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://gofund.me/8a7d1cbea

Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby

Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place.

👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com

Dog Body Language Quiz

Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz

Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call and we'll talk through what's going on.

👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow

📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com

Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.