For dog people raising reactive, anxious, or misunderstood dogs—this podcast helps you reduce stress, rebuild trust, and find a better way forward. Hosted by Em—a trainer, nutritionist, and lifelong advocate for big-feeling dogs—you’ll hear expert interviews, personal stories, and real-life strategies that go beyond quick fixes. This is your judgment-free space to feel seen, supported, and finally create the relationship you’ve been hoping for.
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Why I’ll Never Feed My Dogs Kibble Again (And What I Feed Instead)
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11:40
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11:40I used to trust kibble—until my dog got sick, and no one could give me real answers. That’s when everything changed. In this solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the pet food industry and sharing what I wish someone had told me sooner. 🎙️ You’ll learn: • The truth about kibble, AAFCO, and outdated pet food standards • How my senior dog’s i…
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What Pet Parents Don’t Know About Everyday Dog Products (and What to Use Instead)
57:10
57:10
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57:10What if the problem wasn’t your dog—it was the products we’ve all been told to trust? In this no-BS conversation, Em sits down with Lindsay Ruggles, Senior Director of Brand Marketing at Pet Life Unlimited, to talk about why so many “standard” pet products are outdated, overcomplicated, or just plain ineffective—and what pet parents actually need i…
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The Hardest Part of Loving a Dog (And Why It’s Okay to Talk About It)
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6:05
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6:05What do you do when your dog is still here—but you’ve already started grieving? In this raw and emotional solo episode, Em opens up about the quiet heartbreak of loving an aging dog. From midnight walks to medication changes and the slow shifts of daily life, she shares what it really feels like to live with anticipatory grief—before the goodbye co…
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Potty Mistakes? Let’s Talk Prevention, Not Punishment
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33:00
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33:00Tired of lingering smells and potty training setbacks? This week, Em sits down with Glenn, co-creator of NoPee—a new, patented product designed to help pet parents tackle indoor accidents, odor issues, and house training struggles with science-backed support. 🎙 In this episode: The surprising truth about how dogs’ noses work Why scent removal is cr…
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Starting Over with Your Dog—Even When You Feel Defeated
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6:06
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6:06I almost didn’t become a dog trainer… because I was afraid no one would understand Fitz. In this deeply personal episode, Em opens up about the guilt and hesitation that followed years of trying everything—from dog parks and daily walks to strategies that didn’t sit right. After realizing she’d been pushing Fitz through a world he wasn’t ready for,…
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Behind the Tricks: The Emotional Side of Dog Performance.
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40:02
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40:02🎤 What does it really take to train a trick dog who can perform on a global stage—and still be your best friend at home? In this episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em sits down with the incredible Sara Carson—America’s Got Talent finalist, top dog trainer, and creator of The Super Collies—for a raw and inspiring look at what life is really like behin…
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What if the thing you thought was saving you… was also holding you back? When Em broke her foot earlier this year, she was forced to slow down, and what she found in the stillness changed everything. In this deeply personal solo episode, she shares the moment that made her reevaluate what she was chasing, why she chose to stop taking Xanax after 15…
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Your Dog Is Smarter Than You Think—Here’s the Proof 🐶 What if your dog is more intelligent, intuitive, and emotionally aware than most people realize? In this heart-expanding episode, Em sits down with Jennifer Holland—journalist and author of Dog Smart: Life-Changing Lessons in Canine Intelligence—for a beautiful and eye-opening conversation about…
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From Rock Bottom to Reactive-Dog Trainer: My Journey
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10:42
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10:42This one’s personal. In 2019, I made a decision I thought would help my dog Fitz—something I believed would make his reactivity better. But instead, it changed both of our lives in ways I never saw coming. This episode isn’t about chaos. It’s about what came after—the guilt, the overwhelm, and the quiet belief that I had somehow failed my dog. That…
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The Toy That Finally Helped My Dog Chill Out
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57:16
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57:16🐾 Ever wondered how to turn your backyard into a mental + physical enrichment paradise? In this fun and insightful episode, Em chats with Meghan Wolfgram, CEO and founder of SwiftPaws, to talk all things structured play, enrichment, and how chasing can be the key to calm. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: How SwiftPaws got its start (and what Shark …
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I Labeled My Dog ‘Bad.’ Here's What I Learned.
13:06
13:06
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13:06I thought I was doing everything right—until I realized I was pushing my dog through a world he wasn’t ready for. In this solo episode, Em shares the emotional turning point with Fitz: how dog parks and daily walks made things worse, how guilt and confusion clouded her decisions, and what finally shifted when she started listening instead of forcin…
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Is Your Dog Aggressive—Or Just Misunderstood?
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50:36
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50:36🐕 What does it really mean when a dog is labeled “aggressive”? In this powerful episode, Em sits down with internationally recognized aggression expert Michael Shikashio to explore the nuance behind canine aggression—what it is, what it isn’t, and how to approach it with clarity and compassion. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: What aggression reall…
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What Pet Parents Don’t Know About Supplements (Until It’s Too Late).
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50:40
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50:40🧬 What’s really in your dog’s supplements—and how do you know they’re working? In this episode, Em sits down with Will, CEO of PetMatRx, to break down the science, transparency, and impact behind quality pet nutrition. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: How to read supplement labels and what to avoid The mission behind PetMatRx’s science-backed produ…
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🐾 What if your daily dog walk could help build a kinder, safer community? In this episode, Em chats with Laura—professional dog walker and creator behind Curious Snoots—about how thoughtful walking practices and mutual respect between pet guardians can transform neighborhoods. 💡 In this episode, you'll learn: Why how we show up on walks matters How…
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How Dog Sports Will Transform Your Training Journey
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1:00:32
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1:00:32🐾 Ever wondered what it takes to get started in dog sports—or how they benefit your dog’s mind and body? In this fun and educational episode, Em chats with @katherinek9trainer, a multi-certified trainer and behaviorist, about agility, rally, enrichment, behavior, and why doing things differently matters. 💡 In this episode, you'll learn: How dog s…
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The Hardest Part of Dog Parenthood—Handled with Grace
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42:40💛 Saying goodbye is the hardest part of loving a pet. In this deeply heartfelt episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em sits down with Dr. Benson and Courtney from Paws Into Grace to explore how we can provide comfort, dignity, and love during our pets' final chapter. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: What in-home end-of-life care looks like and why it m…
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She Said What?! Real Talk with The Dreaded Trainer
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54:27
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54:27🐶 Ever wondered what life as a dog trainer is really like? In this fun and unfiltered episode, Em hangs out with Zoë from The Dreaded Trainer to talk about the highs, lows, and downright hilarious moments of working in the dog world. 🎙️ What’s in this episode? ✔️ Relatable stories about their own dogs 🐾 ✔️ The unexpected (and often ridiculous) real…
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What Makes This Shelter Different—And Why It Works
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43:53
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43:53🐶 What does it really take to run a rescue? In this episode, Em sits down with Crystal from Dogs Forever Rescue, a local organization doing BIG things for the community while raising awareness around responsible adoption and fostering. 💡 Em and Crystal talk through the realities of rescue work—from burnout and big wins to the heart behind every fos…
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The Truth About Why Black Dogs Get Overlooked in Shelters
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58:03
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58:03🐾 No one wanted him—just because he was black. Now? He’s living his best life with a sassy streak and a mom who sees him for exactly who he is. In this heartwarming episode, Em chats with Kate—guardian of Rick Ross the Boss Dawg—about the heartbreaking reality of Black Dog Syndrome, the power of rescue, and the joy of giving overlooked dogs a secon…
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Charlie Gets Glasses: Senior Dogs, Storytelling & Seeing Life Differently
37:48
37:48
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37:48🐶👓 What if a tiny pair of glasses could change your dog’s life? In this episode, Em chats with Elizabeth, author of Charlie Gets Glasses, to share the incredible story of Charlie—a senior dog whose UV-protective glasses helped him navigate cataracts and see the world in a new way. 💡 What started as a playful idea turned into something much bigger. …
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What Most People Get Wrong About Trick Training (and How to Fix It)
50:53
50:53
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50:53🐾 Yes, Trick Training Can Be Fun (Even If You’re Just Getting Started) In this episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em is joined by Krista from HeelerPoint to break down how to make trick training feel less like pressure—and more like play. From timing and reinforcement to safety, enrichment, and connection, you’ll walk away with simple, doable ways to…
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Know Your State’s Dog Laws with Lauren from Choose Wisely Training
36:19
36:19
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36:19⚖️ Do you actually know your state’s dog laws? Many pet parents don’t—and some of these laws are outdated, heartbreaking, or even dangerous for the dogs we love. In this must-listen episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em is joined by Lauren from Choose Wisely Training to unpack the legal landscape that affects dogs across the U.S. 💡 In this episode, y…
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The Truth About Carbs, Canine Obesity, and Nutrition with Daniel from Keto Natural Dog Food
1:10:08
1:10:08
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1:10:08🐶 Are carbs silently impacting your dog’s health? In this eye-opening episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em sits down with Daniel Schulof—author of Dogs, Dog Food, and Dogma and founder of Keto Natural Dog Food—to dig into the real science behind canine obesity and the role carbohydrates play in your dog’s diet. 💡 You’ll learn: How nutrition and meta…
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How Reiki Supports Your Pet’s Healing—Body, Mind, and Energy
42:42
42:42
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42:42✨ Yes—Reiki really can support your dog’s emotional and physical healing. In this calming and insightful episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em sits down with Tatiana from Howling OM to explore the power of Reiki for pets—and why energy healing is a beautiful tool for both animals and their humans. 💛 Em and Tatiana—both Reiki Masters—share:• How Reiki…
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Stylish Dog Gear & Small Business Love with Dainty Paws
38:20
38:20
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38:20🎀 Want to keep your pet stylish and support a small business? In this fun and inspiring episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em chats with Diana—the creative force behind Dainty Paws, a brand known for its playful and fashionable pet accessories. 💡 In this episode: How Dainty Paws got started and what makes it unique The ups and downs of running a smal…
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