Welcome to another episode of "Rewriting the Rules" with Bethany Bell, where we venture beyond conventional dog training methods to foster deeper connections. Today, we're exploring the often-overlooked aspect of canine behaviour: the distinction between teaching dogs to tolerate and compelling them to like certain situations.
Throughout the episode, Bethany invites listeners to reconsider the traditional and conventional training techniques, questioning whether our objectives are truly about safety or simply about enforcing silence through compliance. We delve into the emotional landscape of our dogs, urging a shift from imposing our will to understanding their genuine emotions and needs.
This episode challenges the norm by highlighting the dangers of pushing dogs towards a "performance" of comfort, rather than nurturing authentic emotional safety. We examine real-life scenarios and offer an alternative methodology - the Canine Dialogue Dynamics Method- that emphasises trust, choice, and relational safety over traditional desensitization strategies.
We often hear advice about training dogs to “like” certain experiences — whether it’s grooming, vet visits, or meeting new people. But do they really need to like it? In this episode, we explore the difference between genuine enjoyment and simple tolerance, and why blurring that line can backfire. We’ll look at how reward-based approaches can sometimes mask a dog’s true feelings, what it means when that mask drops, and why this moment of honesty is actually a breakthrough. we’ll share how to support your dog through tolerance in a way that’s ethical, choice-led, and built on trust — and why not every situation needs to be “trained” at all.
Join us as we reimagine a more empathetic and effective approach to dog training, one that respects their autonomy and emotional signals. Tune in to discover how true progress arises when we stop fixing our dogs, and start understanding them instead.
Further resources
Free Learning:
Take The Next StepOur Programmes – Work With Bethany One To One
Rewriting the Rules: The CDD Mentorship
Surrey & Surrounding Areas- Programmes
If you’re ready to step into something different- something kinder, wiser, and more meaningful- you’re in the right place.
Let’s raise dogs with dignity. Let’s teach through connection. Let’s begin the conversation.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!