Dog Chats (Dog Chats)

Wondering about which summer outings are fun from your dog's perspective and looking for ways to successfully include them on your adventures?  This episode unpacks various dog-friendly treks and offers tips to help you be prepared and thoughtful about summer-time fun with your pup.

Did you know that dogs can't see anything that is 12-18 inches in front of their face?  Or that the size of their skull affects their ability to hear different frequencies?  During this episode, Emma and Kirsten share the details of how your dogs are taking in information in their environments by using their visual, olfactory, auditory, taste, tactile and awareness sensory perception faculties.  By understanding how our dogs take in information, we get a clearer picture of how they think and feel.  Ready to see the world through your dog's brain?   Interested in learning more about dog behavior?  Check out Kirsten's Canine Behavior Education courses at www.caninebehavior.com or send her an email at kwhappydogs@gmail.com

Fall is in the air and kids are back in school, so we thought, why not find out what students want to know about dogs?  Kids have such creative minds and fresh perspectives, and It seems to us that having more knowledge about dogs should be a priority.  No Dog Left Behind.  So we asked some local teachers to poll their students and gather up some questions, and the result is a podcast episode meant for adults and children alike.  Sometimes funny and always interesting, answering these twenty questions made Emma and Kirsten think a bit and laugh a lot.

Now that the days are shorter and we are spending more time indoors with our dogs, it is time to cozy up for a Towel Dry, Hot Lava, scenting games and fun DIY enrichment activities.  Your hosts Emma and Kirsten describe some of their favorite indoor dog games and offer tips about keeping your dogs busy and happy while growing your relationship together.

 

Visit us @dogchats_podcast on Instagram for more tips from this episode!

Ready for more fun indoor activities with your pups?  Emma and Kirsten offer up some more creative enrichment activities that are easy to set up and super fun for both you and your dog! From Food Flicking Football to Musical Mats, and other seeking and scenting games, this episode will give you lots to do during the chilly days of winter.   Visit us @dogchats_podcast on Instagram for videos and more tips from this episode.

We love our dogs so deeply, and they bring us so much joy and happiness.   But unfortunately their time here on Earth is not long enough.  When they are gone, the grief is raw and the pain is real.  In this episode Emma and Kirsten recall stories of their past dogs' journeys from the joy when they joined their families, until their passing.  With heart-felt emotion, support and advice in the areas of grieving and moving on, your hosts share their great love of dogs and acknowledge the pain of their passing. 

Have you ever been in a new place- maybe a subway in another country or a county fair on a crowded holiday- and been overwhelmed with the sights, sounds and smells around you?  Sometimes our brain is so busy taking in sensory input, it can be hard to relax and process information.  This is also the case for our dogs.  In this episode, Emma and Kirsten discuss the impact of the environment on your dog's behavior and ways you can help to support them so they can learn and thrive.  

In episode 14, The Podiversary Episode, Emma and Kirsten interview the professional pet sitter and dog walker, Lynes Downing, Jr. As our hosts share their own concerns about finding the right pet sitter when they travel, Lynes offers reassuring advice and wisdom about how to choose a good sitter, and how to set the sitter up for success.  

 

Lynes can be reached at 

His website www.petsitpro.org

Or his email petsittingprofessionals@gmail.com

The holidays are almost upon us and Kirsten and Emma have some thoughtful tips about how to keep our dogs healthy and happy during this special season. Also they offer creative ways to include our dogs in our rituals and traditions, while sharing some humorous stories about their own past holiday dog memories.  Baking dog biscuits, preparing for holiday guests and thinking about the holidays from our dogs' perspective- Episode 7 will leave you with warm, holiday spirit feelings and practical advice.

In this episode, Emma and Kirsten dive into essential tips and strategies for preparing your pets for any emergency or disaster. Whether it’s a hurricane, fire, or earthquake, keeping your furry friends safe is a top priority. We’ll cover everything from emergency kits to evacuation plans, and how you can make sure your pets stay calm and secure during stressful times. Tune in for practical, positive steps to ensure your pets are disaster-ready!

Key Takeaways:

• Create an Emergency Pet Kit: What to pack for your pets, including food, water, medications, leashes, and identification.
• Pet-Friendly Evacuation Plans: How to safely evacuate your pets, whether you're at home, traveling, or at a shelter.
• Identification Tips: The importance of collars, microchips, and updated IDs to reunite with your pets if separated.
• Pet Safety During Disasters: How to keep your pets calm and comfortable in chaotic situations.
• Training & Preparedness: How to teach your pets to handle stress and new environments during an emergency.

Resources Mentioned:

• AKC pet evacuation plan
• AKC recommended pet emergency kit items

Camping with your dog can be so fulfilling if you are prepared and set up for a positive experience.  Episode 3 discusses the incredible enrichment camping offers both dogs and their guardians, along with some practical advice of what to pack and what to consider when you pick a destination.  And don't worry, Kirsten shares her strong feelings about Snowy Plovers and their "nesting rights," but she is really a bird lover at heart.  

In this episode, Emma and Kirsten sit down with Kim Brophey, an applied ethologist and a leading voice in the movement to transform the way we understand and interact with dogs. Kim shares her insights on the much-needed paradigm shift in the dog profession world—one that focuses on seeing dogs as sentient beings with their own needs, emotions, and agency. She delves into the concept of a "Good Life" for dogs, discussing how a deeper understanding of canine behavior, communication, and welfare can shape more humane, effective training and caregiving practices. Whether you’re a dog owner, trainer, or just passionate about animal welfare, this conversation offers a thought-provoking look at how we can better meet the needs of our canine companions and reimagine our relationships with them.

The Dogs Truth movie on youtube

https://www.familydogmediation.com/

https://www.instagram.com/familydogmediation/

Check out Kim Brophey's incredible courses here!

With their easy-going, authentic conversation and genuine concern for both dogs and their guardians, Emma and Kirsten reveal what they have in store for you in 2023.   In this episode, our hosts reflect on past training practices and the evolution of dog training as it has transitioned from control to choice.   They answer questions about current changes in their profession, what inspires them and where they are heading.  

Have you been given different advice about which equipment to use on your dog?  Is your dog comfortable in their gear when they are heading out for a walk?  Emma and Kirsten explore answers to these questions and offer some guidance about the equipment that is available and why they choose to use it with their own dogs.  In a market with so many choices, it is helpful to hear first-hand from professionals about best options that are available.

Emma and Kirsten give you a bit of their background into why they were inspired to work as dog behavior professionals and they share some fun stories about their own dogs.  They point out that dog training philosophy and the socio-cultural perspective of our pet dogs today is so different from their childhood memories of 70's dogs.   A few wise tips and some witty repertoire in this episode will get you hooked on their podcast.

To connect with your Dog Chats podcast hosts use these links: Emma: https://www.ecdogtraining.com/

Kirsten: https://www.kwhappydogs.com/

 

 

In this episode, Emma and Kirsten share their thoughts on the current research that defines the social systems of dogs. The amazing matrix of status, communication and relationships that are a part of our dogs' social environments is beautiful and complex.  Let's unpack some of the  misunderstood research about pack theory and dominance so we can examine our own relationships with our dogs in a meaningful way.

Remember when you were 14- years- old and you were a totally balanced, perfect teenager?  Of course you don't...because how could you feel calm and confident when your world was changing and your body was taken over by alien hormones.  It is the same for our adolescent dogs and in this episode, Emma and Kirsten share the science behind this challenging development stage while offering tips on how to support your struggling teen.  Discovering that you no longer are the center of your pup's universe?  That's normal and healthy.  Find out how to nurture them through this stage while keeping your relationship intact.

Thinking about bringing a new dog or cat into your home and wondering how you can set your resident pets up for a successful transition?  In this episode Emma and Kirsten share a few management tips, procedure advice and thoughtful insights about how to expand your pet family in a way that is positive for all the animals and humans involved.

Suzanne Gollin, the Foster Care Coordinator at Marin Humane, has been working to connect animals in need with loving foster families for 23 years.  Have you ever considered fostering a pet?  In this episode, we walk you through the joyful process of fostering and hope to inspire some of you to bring a shelter pet into your home, if even for a very brief period.  Emma and Kirsten both have "forever foster" pets in their homes, and want to share a bit of their stories with you.

Whether you just got a new puppy, or are introducing a new dog to your home and world, you will love Emma's pearls of wisdom about the significance of socialization,  independence and getting support from a professional.  Like usual, Emma makes a complex topic easy to understand as she offers a few important tips for pet parents.   ecdogtraining.com website ec_training instagram emma13clifford@icloud.com

Analyzing dog body language brings us so much closer to understanding how our dogs are thinking and feeling.  In this episode your hosts share their insights into how dogs communicate with humans and with other dogs. Having this knowledge gives you a chance to empathize and communicate better with your own dog.

recommended reading Dogs in Translation by Maue and Krauss Doggie Language by Lili Chin

Emma and Kirsten had the incredible opportunity to chat with Marion Fitzgibbon, Marin Humane’s Humanitarian of the year recipient in 2008, for Episode 10.  Marion is a champion of animal welfare who created and directs the Limerick Animal Welfare Sanctuary in Kilfinane, Ireland.  She shares her inspirational story from helping stray dogs as an 8-year-old girl, to creating one of the largest and desperately needed animal shelters in Ireland.  So pull up a stool, have a listen, and get ready for a beautiful interview with Marion’s lovely, lilting brogue and poignant message about working towards a better future for animals.  Marion's story was chronicled in The Dogs of Avalon by Laura Schenone. If you would like to make a donation for the vet clinic at the Limerick Animal Welfare Sanctuary, contact Emma and Kirsten on their Dog Chats Facebook page, or you can donate to the sanctuary directly on their website https://www.limerickanimalwelfare.com/.

With her incredible wit and wisdom, special guest Alexis Davison offers insights into the importance of communication in the role of behavior change, the history of positive reinforcement training and how using the UnChase Protocol can help pets learn to live together and be safe alongside wildlife.  Alexis is a professional mentor to both Emma and Kirsten.  Ready to learn a bit about life and predatory action behavior patterns?  Listen to this fascinating episode that unpacks the "how" and "why" of chasing and how positive reinforcement works to help your dog learn new habits.

  Reach Alexis Davison KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, Cert IV Dog Behavioural Training Behavioural Dog Trainer Email: alexis@unchase.com Website:  www.unchase.com Instagram: UnChase Account Facebook: UnChase Account

Our dogs are so intelligent and perceptive.  It is our task as their guardians to offer them sensory enrichment and engaging mental and physical stimulation.  In Episode 4, Emma and Kirsten share practical tips and creative games designed to encourage your dogs to express their inherent canine behaviors through activities, puzzles and exercises you can do together to enrich both of your lives.

Dog training is an unregulated industry where anyone can call themselves a "trainer" and make an eye-catching website in order to sell you their quick fix services- sometimes at great cost to the welfare of your dog.  In a world where we have so many options, it is vital to educate yourself on the types of methods available and to consider how you want to teach and support your dog in a humane way.  In this episode, Emma and Kirsten unpack different training methodologies and ask the question:  "How can we best support our dogs' learning and well-being?"  Buckle your seatbelts because this is a courageous ride into the dichotomy of the dog training world.  Fear not as Emma and Kirsten are yet again your confident and wise guides.

As Dr. Kelle Kearney says in this episode, veterinarians wear many different hats.  Our veterinarians are such an important part of our dog's team, and they offer so many important insights into our dogs' mental and physical health.  During this episode, Emma, Kirsten and Dr. Kearney unpack topics like how to prep your pup for a vet visit and trends in canine behavior over the past few years.  Listen up for great points to consider in terms of supporting your dog's health and well-being.  

  Find Dr. Kelle Kearney at https://www.sangeronimovalleyvet.com/

Have you ever considered adopting a dog with special needs? This episode takes you on one couple's heartwarming adventure of bringing a blind dog into their life.  Scout has a degenerative condition that is causing blindness, and though he faces some challenges, his pet parents have found ways to support him and he is thriving!     Check out reels and photos of Scout in action here https://www.instagram.com/rogersnaps/

Does your dog communicate their fear or frustration through barking, lunging and snapping?  Check out this new episode where Kirsten unravels some of the "why" and "how" behind these maladaptive  behaviors.  She offers a few tips for pet parents who are working to support their dogs and reminds us to start from a place of empathy and understanding for both dog and human clients.

Have you ever listened to someone speak about their mission and felt chills and motivation to make positive change happen?  Listening to Dr. Christi during this episode will have you visualizing the power that compassionate care can evoke and give you a better sense of how we can move towards a viable solution for the many dogs in need of medical care and a safe home.  Compassion Without Borders is supporting animals and their humans both in the US and Mexico, and Emma and Kirsten felt so fortunate to learn more about this incredible rescue organization and the work they are doing during this episode.