Pod to the Rescue

Libby and Emily sit down with Annie Phenix, an award winning author and trainer who is known for her methods that train for behavioral concerns without using fear, force, pain, or intimidation.  This conversation is underlined by the importance of trust, joy, and love in our relationships with our animal friends. They also talk about:

• Building trust with our dogs

• How we can use somatic therapy on our dogs

• Ways to work with new and foster dogs to reduce agitation, stress, and separation anxiety

• Bringing joy into the ways we train our dogs

• “Sample days,” or case studies, into different dogs’ lives

Michelle Stern cares about supporting parents, supporting kids, and helping dogs feel safe emotionally and physically; these three passions position her perfectly to work with families who are integrating their dogs into homes with children. This episode will support any listener who is, or plans to, integrate their dogs and children together in a way that is healthy and balanced.

In this conversation they also cover:

• The behavior changes that can occur as a dog adjusts to a home

• What a “yes space” is and why it is impactful

• How blue painter’s tape can support your child’s boundaries

• Ways to encourage calm and sleep for your dog

• Meeting the needs of your children AND your dog

• Finding age-appropriate ways for your child and dog to interact

• The gift of growling

Do you want to pet all the dogs? So do we! But we don’t… and here’s why. Emily and Libby welcome Elisheba Fay back to Pod to the Rescue to talk about petting our own dogs and dogs that are new to us, like foster dogs and newly placed rescue dogs. They talk about consent tests when petting dogs, dog body language, how to know if your dog wants to be petted, what to do about dogs who feel conflicted about human attention, and how to deal with your dog who won't leave you alone when you're busy on a Zoom call. This conversation is important for dog bite prevention and is a must-listen for anyone who wants to save dogs!

Do you have a dog who is jumping and mouthing a lot? Plays a little too rough? Can’t calm down and uses his mouth as a default behavior? This episode is for you! Emily and Libby interview Ferdie Yau of Behavior Vets about the “Shelter Shorts” video series featuring Chewy, a shelter dog with a big arousal biting problem.

Shelter Shorts from Behavior Vets: 

What are we talking about when we talk about dog training? Why should we train our dogs, anyway? Is puppy class enough training for my dog? And what kinds of skills should we prioritize when training our rescue dogs? Emily and Libby discuss these questions and more with Certified Dog Behavior Consultant Eileen Koval, owner of Confident Canines in Las Vegas, Nevada. They talk about top skills for dogs to learn, including leave it, watch me, drop it, come, and “do nothing,” why it’s important to teach your dog to influence their environment and control outcomes, and how to avoid dog training mistakes.

This week, Emily and Libby interview Zazie Todd, PhD, about her new book "Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy." This episode (and the book!) is filled with tips and ideas for cat lovers seeking to provide the best life possible for their cat - from kitten raising to rescue and shelter cat enrichment.

https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/p/home.html

We LOVE long lines, and we sing their praises every chance we get. So does Tricia Case, founder of Trailblazing Tails, makers of high quality leashes and long lines. We talk about the why, how, when, and where of long lines. Be sure to listen for a Trailblazing Tails coupon code!

https://www.trailblazingtails.com/

Burnout and compassion fatigue are all too common in animal care workers, but we don’t talk about it enough. Laura Henderson is a licensed professional counselor who has worked with the Denver Dumb Friends League as a consultant and mental health coach. She speaks with Emily and Libby about secondary trauma in shelter and rescue workers, how to spot compassion fatigue in ourselves, and ways we can use self-care to help lighten the heavy load we sometimes carry when working with animals.

Whether you’re fostering or adopting, bringing another dog into your home is an exciting time! Dr. Patricia McConnell is back to talk with Emily and Libby about integrating multi-dog households. They discuss the common myths we face when bringing a second (or third or fourth) dog home, why that sweet rescue pup who was described as “good with other dogs” in the shelter is now growling at your resident dog, best practices for introducing new dogs to one another, and some skills to cultivate as a multi-dog guardian.

Dogs bark for a reason. Sometimes, they’ve been bred to bark - sometimes, they’re simply communicating! In this episode, Libby and Emily break down barking: why dogs do it, how we can manage the behavior, and more. They break down bark collars, citronella, and how some of the ways we mitigate barking are ineffective at best and cruel at worst. You’ll walk away with practical and easy tips on how to work with dogs who present this behavior.

We put out the call: what are your questions about all things dogs, training, and rescue? You sure answered! Emily and Libby address listener questions like, “what do I do about resource guarding?” “How do I get a dog ready for a new baby?” And more.

Show Notes: 

www.podtotherescue.com

In this episode, Libby and Emily sit down with Veterinary Behaviorist Dr. Christopher Pachel.

Dr. Pachel’s way of viewing our companion animals is spacious, generous, and compassionate. This is a conversation that has us considering the larger questions of animal behavior, the why of how we train, and more.

This is episode 2 of our response to the tragic Marshall Fire that devastated our beloved community. 

This episode is a response to the Marshall Fire on December 30, 2021. Emily and Libby speak with four guests:

• Jan McHugh-Smith of the Boulder Humane Society on how they supported response and recovery efforts
• Leslie Irvine a Professor of Sociology at CU Boulder who specializes in conceptions of the self and human-animal relationships
• Lisa Wieland on her experience of evacuating from the firestorm with her 2 dogs from SDR, her cat and her neighbor and neighbor's cat
• Natalie Riggs of Cavies and Canines Rescue on a heroic mass guinea pig rescue 

Did you know that leash walking is not a natural behavior for dogs? It may be why your dog is inclined to rip your arm off during your walks! In this training basics episode, Libby and Emily talk about:

• why dogs pull on the leash
• the unbelievably cool statistics about your dog’s olfactory capabilities
• some techniques to work on with your dog

Jennifer Shryock wants dogs to happily coexist in families with children and babies. She is so passionate about this that she founded Family Paws, an organization that offers resources to dog-loving families. In this informative episode, she talks to Emily and Libby about:

• managing expectations about integration and transition
• differences between prepping for a dog or puppy
• practical tips and tricks too practice with foster dogs
• why dogs kissing babies actually might be your dog’s call for help

Jennifer has an immense amount of compassion not just for dogs but for the families willing to bring them into the folds of their lives. This is a truly uplifting conversation and not to be missed if you have a family, have a dog and are family planning, or want to bring a foster into your family. 

Miranda Hitchcock birthed her non-profit after seeing a major gap in accessibility for Spanish speakers in her Texas community. In this interview, Miranda and Libby talk about the non-profit Every Dog Austin, Miranda’s foray into dog behavior and training, and why it’s so important to offer training to a broader socioeconomic and linguistic spectrum. Miranda offers an important perspective regarding rescue and behavior, and how the conversation around the impact on people requires more compassion and understanding.

Does your dog have BIG feelings? Are they easily excitable, or have a hard time calming down? If so - this episode is a MUST listen. Behavior Consultant Elisheba Fay has a wealth of information to share about arousal in dogs - what it is, what triggers it, and how to de-activate arousal.

Seriously - this episode is practical, fascinating, and we are sure you will understand your dog better after listening.

Elisheba Fay is a Certified Behavior Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. She has worked with dogs for more than 20 years.

Training and Behavior Consultant Marissa has a breadth of experience in the dog rescue, shelter, and training worlds. In this conversation with Emily and Libby, they discuss the great potential of collaborations between shelters and rescues, how COVID has changed the rescue world, and so much more. We hope you enjoy this Tail from the Trenches!

This episode follows Part 1 with Meridith Perry (which we recommend listening to prior to this episode!) Libby, Emily, and Meridith discuss transport day, decompression, and how the nature of rescue dogs is inherently mysterious: we often don’t know anything about the dog’s life prior to their rescue. This conversation is honest, open, and speaks to the true nature of the impact of this work on the folks on the other side. 

Welcome to our new series, Tails from the Trenches! In this episode, Libby and Emily speak to Meridith Perry of Corinth-Alcorn Animal Shelter in Mississippi. They share the ethos of rescuing animals, some of the difficulties that accompany the stress of making life-or-death decisions, and some solutions that could address the issues of home shortages and the proliferation of rescue dogs.

As humans, we need mental stimulation for our daily lives - it’s essential for our health. And, surprise: our dogs are the exact same way!

Today’s guest, Sarah Walsh, is someone we refer to all the time in these episodes. In this episode, Sarah talks to Emily and Libby about enrichment: what it is, why it’s important, and how we can fold enrichment into our dog’s routines.

Sarah has been training dogs and coaching clients professionally for the past 5 years, and has a particular interest in canine enrichment! From this passion stemmed her Youtube channel where she talks dog and provides free training advice for the average pet owner.  She has worked in various shelters in the past, and loves that we now have a podcast geared specifically at shelter work out there! She is currently the Supervising trainer at K9 Wisdom Training and Consulting, LLC in Loveland, CO and would love to hear from you if you are seeking out training advice.

Connect with Sarah:

What does your dog do when the doorbell rings? In this episode, Emily and Libby lay out the possible ways your dog might respond when there’s someone at the door, break down the potential roots of different behaviors, and discuss ways to address and manage this behavior (hint: your behavior also plays a role in this!)

We are thrilled to present today’s guest, Michael Shikashio. Michael is a world-renowned expert on dog aggression and has an incredible dearth of information he generously shares, which is helpful for owners, rescuers, and trainers alike.

In this conversation, Michael, Emily and Libby define aggression, discuss the ways aggression can present in different dogs (and the different levels of assessing their aggression), and so much more. Make sure to listen to the full episodes, as Michael drops important gems throughout the episode.

We live in a world where humans are often viewed as the center, and our interests and desires and way of being is considered the norm. What would our world look like if we de-centered humans, and listened to the “more-than-human” voice?

Deb Matlock is today’s guest. Deb is a humane educator and holds a Masters degree in environmental education from Prescott College. She is a nature-based spiritual arts guide and mentor, animal communicator, and ecologist. She also works at Summit Dog Rescue’s working on dog behavior and bonds. Deb, Em, and Libby talk about the number one way to go into adopting a rescue animal, the massive role of commitment, and treating our animals with respect.

Growing up, Mary Angilly always wanted to work with animals. Now, she is a professional full-time dog trainer and has a wealth of information to share with you. In this episode, she sits down with Emily and Libby to talk about what “management” is, why it makes dogs more adoptable, and how it is distinct from training. This episode will be especially relevant for folks who foster.

Your dog’s separation anxiety isn’t an unsolvable issue, even if it might feel that way sometimes. In this episode, Libby and Emily sit down with Jackie Johnston to talk all things separation. They define separation anxiety and how to identify it in your dog, why it’s natural and adaptive, and how we can work to help our dogs feel safe.

Jackie Johnston is a certified separation anxiety trainer with a certificate in training and counseling. She works solely with separation anxiety, and her focused knowledge in this challenging area will be sure to benefit the ways you work with your own dog with this issue.

How do we shape what our dogs learn and what associations they make, so they can be good family dogs and companions? This episode is entirely dedicated to that question through the lens of Classical Conditioning. You'll learn how to help your dog create positive associations through the "Stuff-A-Dog Method"  and the Jean Donaldson's  "Open Bar, Closed Bar" method; and the science behind it. Think of this as a learning tool instead of a training tool!

In this episode, Libby and Emily are excited to sit down with Dr. Patricia McConnell - she’s kind of a big deal in the dog training world. The trio talk about the initial time of decompression for your rescue dog, the importance of the secure attachment base, and how we can show our dog safety and stability. Dr. McConnell discusses trauma: the nuts and bolts of it, how it manifests, and ways to build resiliency and offer choice and control when recovering from it. Do not miss this episode if you've rescued a dog - you might learn something about humans, too!

To learn more about Dr. McConnell, read her blog, find her incredible books and more, visit her website: https://www.patriciamcconnell.com/

To learn more about decompression, visit: https://decompressforsuccess.com/nine-steps-to-success

Libby and Emily talk about the “how” of training with food - what to do, when to do it, the frequency and rate, and more.

https://www.facebook.com/PodToTheRescue

We know you don't want your dog to be stressed. But do you know how to tell when your dog is stressed? Reducing your dog's stress levels can reduce their reactions of fear and anxiety, and one of the best ways to do that is to learn to read your dog's body language.

Emily Tronetti is an animal behavior expert who, in this conversation, gives you invaluable information about how to gauge and manage your dog's health via their body language. She has extensively studied Applied Animal Behavior, Anthro Zoology, and is currently pursing her doctorate at Antioch. (Oh, and she was an SDR Intern back in 2018. Aren't we lucky!)

“Behavior goes where reinforcement flows.” Emily and Libby never leave the house without a treat pouch. Want to know why? They talk about the benefits of using food - AKA “Behavioral Dollars” - in the process of training your dog. They talk about the "why" of training with food, the concept of primary reinforcers, 

12.7 million people brought home a new dog in the last year, many of the dogs which are affectionately being referred to as “Pandemic Puppies.” Amber Quann is the Head Trainer and Owner of Summit Dog Training (fun fact: no affiliation with Summit Dog Rescue!) and has helped many of the folks with Pandemic Puppies socialize and train their new dogs. She’s also an admin on the Pandemic Puppy Facebook Page, a community of over 12k people who are doing their best to raise their dogs with the best training possible.

In this episode, she, Libby and Emily talk about puppy success stories, socializing your pup during a pandemic (and an opening!), how to be in public with a new pup, and more.

In their years of experience in dog rescue, Emily and Libby have been on a never-ending quest for how to best work with rescue dogs. In this episode, they discuss some of the reasons around-the-neck collars can be injurious or painful to your dog, the ways they pose health risks, and the counterintuitive ways it sets back your dog's training. If you're using a collar for your dog, give this episode a listen for the ways harnesses can ensure better, more humane safety and smoother training.

Dogs are speaking to us all the time - just not in the way we’re often used to communicating. Are you listening to their subtle ways of communicating?

In this episode, Emily and Libby sit down with Chrissy to talk all things training. Chrissy is a dog trainer, and recent rescuer from Summit Dog Rescue. She recently rescued a 3-year old friend named Ginger - she talks about her journey with Ginger, how to let the dog lead their process of adapting to the new family, and the myriad of ways dogs communicate. They talk a lot about how to facilitate the relationship between a new dog and children - how to explain body language and teach your child how to understand that language as well.

You’ll want to listen to this episode if you’re worried about the transition from pandemic home-life to social life, and the ways that might impact your dog. This episode will be helpful for anyone adjusting to a new adoption!

In this episode, Emily and Libby talk about their own rescue experiences, including “foster failures” and finding lifelong companions. At Summit Dog Rescue, we do things a bit differently; one of those things is how they advocate for modern ethical training methods backed by science. They talk about training faux pas that they used to use - methods that can even be harmful for the dog - because “it’s what people were doing.”

They talk about why they use the methods they do and the proven track record of success. They talk about the importance of mission, education, and their support of spay and neuter programs as a way to stop the cycle of needless dog deaths in America.