Straight Up Dog Talk

I 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• The truth about kibble, AAFCO, and outdated pet food standards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 illness led me to raw feeding

• What bioavailability actually means—and why it matters

• Ea...

What 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Senior Director of Brand Marketing at Pet Life Unlimited, to talk about why so many “standard” pet products are outdated, overcomplicated, or just plain ineffective—and what pet parents actually need instead.

From the pee pad aisle to paw balm hype, we break down how to stop wasting mone...

What 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 comes.

You’ll hear:• What anticipatory loss feels like as a devoted pet parent• How Toby’...

Tired 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 critical to potty training success

• Em’s honest thoughts after trying NoPee herself

• How ...
  

I 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, Em made the hardest—and most important—choice: to start over.

You’ll hear:

• Why start...

🎤 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 behind the spotlight.

You’ll learn:• What most people don’t see about the emotional side of...

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 years, and how her dogs helped her redefine peace in a way that finally feels like ho...

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 how dogs think, feel, and communicate.

💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why your dog...

This 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’s where this podcast was born.

Because I couldn’t find a judgment-free space when I need...

🐾 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 Tank was really like!)

• Why structured movement matters for dogs of all ages and en...

I 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 forcing.

You’ll hear:

• The early signs of reactivity Em missed (and what they looked like)
• W...

🐕 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 really means in dogs

• Why labels can oversimplify complex behavior

• How environment, histo...

🧬 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 products

• Why proactive wellness matters in a dog’s longevity

• What makes a supplement trul...

🐾 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 to handle off-leash dogs and boundary-pushing situations

• Tips for navigating awkwa...

🐾 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 sports build confidence, trust, and focus

• Why enrichment is more than just puzzle t...

💛 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 matters

• How to prepare emotionally and logistically for your pet’s passing

• What opti...

🐶 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) realities of trainer life
✔️ A lighthearted, laughter-filled conversation you won’t want t...

🐶 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 foster placement. They share what potential adopters and volunteers need to know, and w...

🐾 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 second chance.

💛 You’ll hear:• Why black dogs are so often ignored in shelters• Ric...