In this episode, we explain where we have been all summer long... and the answer is Germany and Austria! We bring you some interesting observations around the dog-human relationship from our travels. You can take the dog trainer out of the country, but she'll still be wearing her dog trainer hat, y'all! We would appreciate your support for the Reward Your Dog Podcast by liking, rating, reviewing, and sharing. It helps us so much! You can also: Join the RYDP Patreon (no paywalls unless you *want*...
Aug 11, 2025•18 min•Ep. 30
We're so excited to be able to present to you this important and thorough interview with Dr. Pachel of the Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland, OR wherein we dive into the topic of psychoactive medication - what options there are, how they can help your dog, and when they might be needed. So many things to consider - you might want to listen twice! You can learn more about Dr. Pachel on his website . We would appreciate your support for the Reward Your Dog Podcast by liking, rating, reviewing, an...
Jun 12, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 28
Oh my! A new type of episode! In our inaugural mailbag episode, we discuss a listener question on when a correction between dogs is appropriate and where the line to a scuffle lies - and what to do when scuffles happened. Want to submit a question as well? You can do so right here: https://www.rewardyourdogtraining.com/podcast
May 22, 2025•17 min•Ep. 27
The final episode in the "Navigating the Dog Training Industry" dives into different kinds of training modalities. What's the difference between private training, day training, board & train and classes? Learn more about getting the most out of training with your precious pup. Our shoutout goes to the "The Dog's Truth" by Kim Brophey . We would appreciate your support for the Reward Your Dog Podcast by liking, rating, reviewing, and sharing. It helps us so much! You can also: Join the RYDP P...
May 13, 2025•55 min•Ep. 26
In our third installment of the "Navigating the Dog Training Industry" series, we talk about how to find a trainer who is aligned with your ethics and values and has the necessary expertise to help you with your dog's struggles. Jesse and Verena are diving into training styles, certifications, and cutting through marketing strategies - so that you can do what's right for your dog. Our shoutout goes to the Karen Pryor Academy . We would appreciate your support for the Reward Your Dog Podcast by l...
Apr 21, 2025•55 min•Ep. 25
In the second episode of a multipart series on choosing a dog trainer, Verena and Jesse explore how the different behavior interventions stack up against each other when it comes to how pleasant or unpleasant they are for the dog, using the concept of the humane hierarchy. We're referring to the Dr. Susan Friedman article "What's Wrong with This Picture: Effectiveness is Not Enough" . You will also find the image that we're talking about on the podcast in this article. Our shoutout goes to the P...
Apr 11, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 24
In this first episode of a multipart series, Verena and Jesse tackle the thorny and complicated topic of navigating dog training industry as a dog guardian. The first step to hiring the right professional is understanding how dogs learn... and things get a bit nerdy. Go down the rabbit hole with us... and learn to understand your dog - and yourself - a bit better. Our shoutout goes to Reaching the Animal Mind and Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor. We would appreciate your support for the Reward...
Feb 27, 2025•48 min•Ep. 23
In the follow up to episode #21, we interview Priscilla Torres about living with and through intra household aggression between her three dogs. Learn what happened, what strategies Priscilla tried, what finally helped, and where things are now. Many thanks to Priscilla. You can find her on Instagram at Luchadogs PDX . Priscilla's shoutout goes to two Portland, OR based trainers: Jess at J9K9 Training and Brie at Noble Woof Dog Training . We would appreciate your support for the Reward Your Dog P...
Jan 28, 2025•38 min•Ep. 22
In the first episode of 2025, Jesse and Verena sit down with Mike Shikashio and talk about what dog guardians can do when the dogs in their home don't get along. When should you find a trainer? When should you think about rehoming? And what does Babe 2: Pig in the City have to do with it all? Listen in to find out! Our thanks goes to Mike Shikashio at AggressiveDog.com Our shout goes out to the Muzzle Up Project You can learn more about the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultant...
Jan 22, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 21
It's the end of 2024, and Verena and Jesse spend some time thinking about the lessons their - and the clients' - dogs imparted this year. Prepare to get a little soppy and learn a thing or two about celebrating the dog you live with, assessing whether your dog is in pain, and walking the path of owning a difficult dog. Thank you to Jess Lara of J9K9 Training for contributing to the animal check in. Here is the Mills (2020) paper we reference in the podcast, and you can read about Dynamic Dog ass...
Dec 26, 2024•43 min•Ep. 20
In this information-packed episode, Jesse and Verena interview Gabrielle Johnson of Best Life Dog Services who generously shares their vast knowledge about the topic of nervous system dysregulation. Dogs with dysregulated nervous systems may struggle to bounce back after stressful events, have difficulty settling in the home, seem depressed, and more. Do you have a dysregulated dog? And what can you do to help them? Listen to find out more! Thank you to Gabrielle Johnson of Best Life Dog Service...
Dec 16, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 19
Oh, holiday gatherings. Aren't they already difficult enough without a dog in the mix? Jesse and Verena are teaming up to discuss how to make large holiday gatherings workable with your dog, even if they are shy. Thanksgiving foods your dog can and cannot eat. The Shoutout goes to the NAYA PDX , and we encourage you to seek out and support indigenous organizations in your local area if you're located in the US or another cause working towards liberation for all if you're elsewhere - all in the s...
Nov 24, 2024•39 min•Ep. 18
Visiting the vet can be a really stressful event for many dogs - but does it have to be? We are joined by the wonderful Sara McLoudrey to discuss how to make vet visits less taxing for both your dog and you, set your new puppy of for success, and what to do if your dog has shown aggression at the vet. So much great information! As promised, here are some resources around anxiety medication: A Dose of Hope Part 1 A Dose of Hope Part 2 Veterinary Information Network The Shoutout goes to the Fear F...
Nov 06, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 17
Halloween is upon us, and we're coming at you with our Spooktacular Halloween episode, discussing how you and your dog can the many frights and scares of Halloween night and the time around it. Here are the pictures we promised you. The Shoutout goes to Engineering Optimism Dog Training for those of you who have small dogs that struggle to navigate the world! We would appreciate your support by liking, rating, reviewing, and sharing. It helps us so much! You can also: Join the RYDP Patreon. Buy ...
Oct 24, 2024•37 min•Ep. 16
All of us know that dogs can sustain injuries to their body - but did you know that dogs can also suffer behavioral injuries? Lauren Fraser of Fraser Animal Behaviour joins us to explore this important topic and discuss with us what a behavioral injury looks like, how it can happen, and what you as a guardian can do to prevent it. You can find Lauren Fraser's equine behavior consulting business here , her cat & dog business here , and her awesome TikTok here . The Shoutout goes to Trailblazi...
Oct 21, 2024•55 min•Ep. 15
What does reactivity training actually look like? The heart of this kind of work is exposure training - as in, exposing our dog to their trigger. But that needs to be done thoughtfully and carefully. In this episode, Jesse and Verena take a deep dive into the "meat and potatoes" of exposure training and discuss both what it is - and what it isn't. Join the RYDP Patreon. Subscribe to the RYDT newsletter . Shoutout: Manage it by Juliana de Willems You can find Reward Your Dog Training here: Websit...
Sep 11, 2024•52 min•Ep. 14
How can we help our dog to avoid stressful situations, and why should we? In part 5 of our series on reactivity we discuss the importance of reducing your dog's overall trigger through the process of trigger mitigation. We'll explain what it is and how it fits into helping you and your pup feel more confident and ready to learn. Join the RYDP Patreon. Subscribe to the RYDT newsletter . Amy Cook’s Management Class Sniffspot You can find Reward Your Dog Training here: Website / Instagram / TikTok ...
Sep 02, 2024•52 min•Ep. 13
When we add a dog to our family, we often have specific hopes and dreams for the companionship we develop with them. But what if our dog can't do the things we would like for them to do with us? Madison Edmunds shares with us her story of her two Border Collies Truth and Dare, whom she purchased as sports prospects, but who were unable to compete in the sports she had hoped to do with them. Listen to their moving story here. Join the RYDP Patreon. Subscribe to the RYDT newsletter . Our shoutout ...
Jul 20, 2024•48 min•Ep. 12
Jesse and Verena dish out the goods in the third part of the Reactivity Series. Is reactivity resolvable? And if so, what would that look like? Join them and find out how you can help your dog, both right now and through future training. Join the RYDP Patreon. Subscribe to the RYDT newsletter . Our shoutout goes to Dr. Amy Cook of Play Way Dogs . You can find Reward Your Dog Training here: Website / Instagram / TikTok / Facebook YouTube...
Jul 02, 2024•58 min•Ep. 11
In our second part of the reactivity series, we are joined by Simone Mueller of Predation Substitute Training to discuss hunting behaviors in dogs, which can become quite problematic for guardians with dogs that enjoy hunting wildlife. Simone explains why food often doesn't work in training these behaviors and what to do instead - in addition to a bunch of other great information. You can find more information about Simone Mueller here . Buy her book "Hunting Together" at Dogwise here . Subscrib...
Jun 25, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 10
Reactivity is a huge umbrella term. In this episode, Jesse and Verena tackle this suite of behaviors and shed light on what reactivity is and what types of reactivity exist. In this first episode of a multi-part series, they also get into reactivity-adjacent ideas like threshold, trigger stacking, and body language. Here is the video on trigger stacking I mentioned in the episode. Subscribe to the RYDT newsletter . Our shoutout goes to Lili Chin's lovely book "Doggie Language." You can find Rewa...
Jun 16, 2024•41 min•Ep. 9
Most of us don't add a dog to our family because we want to do a ton of training. Instead, the goal for many is to have a companion in life and a great friendship with another being. But how can we strike up an inter-species friendship? We invited Suzanne Clothier of Relationship Centered Training to explore this vast topic with us. Enjoy the many stories and rabbit holes we go down into to find out what the ingredients are for having a great relationship with your dog. Our shoutout goes to Gris...
May 28, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 8
In the seventh episode of the RYDP, Jesse and Verena tackle the buzzword of "enrichment". Is it true that we can give our dog a lick mat and we have "enriched" them? The answer is a bit more complicated than that, so take a listen to find out what enrichment is all about. Links: Liz Radar's Quadrants of Enrichment White Oaks Pastures Rawhide Our shoutout goes to the Pet Harmony podcast "Enrichment for the Real World" . You can find Reward Your Dog Training here: Website / Instagram / TikTok / Fa...
May 19, 2024•57 min•Ep. 7
When we adopt or purchase a second dog, we always hope that they'll be best friends with our resident dog from day 1, but sadly that doesn't alway work out. Jess Lara of J9K9 Training is joining Jesse and Verena for this episode to talk about her thoughtful approach to integrating her and her husband's young and excitable herding dogs. Stay tuned for a slew of helpful tips and recommendations for keeping the peace in a multi dog household. Our shoutout goes to the Shelter Playgroup Alliance and ...
Apr 30, 2024•52 min•Ep. 6
Loose leash walking may seem like an elusive skill if you have a dog that likes pulling, but it doesn't have to be. Jesse and Verena break down the different aspects and skills you need to know to successfully walk with your dog on a loose leash. Our shoutout goes to Kiki Yablon and her fabulous blog. You can find Reward Your Dog Training here: Website / Instagram / TikTok / Facebook YouTube Please enter any questions or comment HERE or send them to verena@rewardyourdogtraining.com....
Apr 25, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 5
Reading your dog's body language well is the key for making good decisions about your dog's welfare and emotional experience! Here are the resources mentioned in the episode: Family Paws Shelter Playgroup Alliance Our shoutout goes to Turid Rugaas for her book "On Talking Terms with Dogs". You can find Reward Your Dog Training here: Website / Instagram / TikTok / Facebook YouTube Please enter any questions or comment HERE or send them to verena@rewardyourdogtraining.com....
Apr 08, 2024•49 min•Ep. 4
Do you have a dog who sometimes sees red? This episode discusses what your dog's nervous system has to do with it. Here's an article on the parts of the nervous system, and here's one on the different between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. You can find Reward Your Dog Training here: Website / Instagram / TikTok / Facebook YouTube Please enter any questions or comment HERE or send them to verena@rewardyourdogtraining.com. Our Shoutout for this Episode is: Dr. Karen Overall an...
Mar 30, 2024•46 min•Ep. 3
In this episode, Jesse and Verena tackle the question of why dogs develop behavioral issues. Here's the article mentioned in the episode. You can find Reward Your Dog Training here: Website / Instagram / TikTok / Facebook YouTube Please send any questions or comment to verena@rewardyourdogtraining.com - we'd love to hear from you! Our Shoutout for this Episode is: Best Life Dog Services...
Mar 19, 2024•49 min•Ep. 2
In this episode, Jesse and Verena chat about setting you and your dog up for success so that they do things you like and then finding ways to reward your dog's good behavior. You can find Reward Your Dog Training here: Website / Instagram / TikTok / Facebook YouTube Please send any questions or comment to verena@rewardyourdogtraining.com - we'd love to hear from you! Our Shoutout for this Episode is: Bright Spot Dog Training , Kathy Sdao's dog training company...
Mar 12, 2024•29 min•Ep. 1
