Dog Chats

What comes to mind when you see a dog wearing a muzzle? Chances are, we already have a good idea of your response. Unfortunately, muzzles often carry a negative stigma in our culture—despite being incredibly valuable tools for promoting safety, freedom, and overall well-being in dogs.

In this episode, Emma and Kirsten address common misconceptions about muzzles and explain why they deserve a more positive ...

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 deep...

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...

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 hel...

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 huma...

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 Kirste...

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 ar...

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.  D...

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?  L...

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.o...

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 w...