Straight Up Dog Talk: Support for Reactivity, Dog Food & Burnout — Training, Nutrition & Enrichment

Is your dog still itching, stinking, or acting off—even after regular baths?
Most dog parents don’t realize that frequent bathing can actually make things worse. Overbathing disrupts your dog’s skin barrier, triggering inflammation, behavioral issues, and even gut health problems.

In this episode:

• Learn the hidden signs of skin imbalance often mistaken for "bad behavior"

• Discover a low-stress, holistic skin care r...

Can’t get your dog out for a walk—but they’re still bouncing off the walls?
You’re not alone. For many reactive, anxious, or high-energy dogs, traditional exercise isn’t always possible—or even helpful. In this solo episode, Em shares 7 indoor enrichment games built for real life, emotional regulation, and nervous system support.

In this episode:

• Get 7 practical games that help your dog burn energy without overstimulation

• L...

There’s so much pressure to “move on” after losing a pet.
But real grief doesn’t follow a timeline—and it doesn’t need to be fixed.

In this heart-centered episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em is joined by Anne-Marie Farage-Smith, grief educator and author of Healing Wisdom for Pet Loss. Together, they explore the complex and often misunderstood world of pet loss grief—including anticipatory, disenfranchised, and complicated gr...

You’ve followed the rules, tried the tools, and still feel stuck with your dog. Sound familiar?
In this myth-busting episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em unpacks 10 outdated dog training “truths” that may be doing more harm than good. From dominance-based techniques to rigid obedience expectations, you’ll learn why some of the most common advice might be keeping both you and your dog from real progress.

You'll Learn:

• Id...

Is your dog still bouncing off the walls after walks—or ripping through puzzle toys with zero chill?
Most enrichment toys are marketed as magic solutions—but for many dogs, they’re either too simple, too repetitive, or used in isolation. In this episode, Em teams up with Aina from Pawzler to unpack a smarter approach: enrichment stacking—a way to combine different activities to help dogs regulate their energy and behavior more e...

Feel like you're doing everything right but still burning out behind the scenes?

In this raw, solo episode, Em shares the emotional truth most dog trainers and pet parents never talk about: the exhaustion, the overwhelm, and the pressure to keep showing up when everything feels too heavy. From the dream of RV life to the real struggles behind the mic, this isn’t a highlight reel—it’s a lifeline for anyone feeling emotionally...

Did you know that—legally—your pet is still considered property?
That outdated legal status isn’t just offensive—it’s dangerous. It affects everything from shelter euthanasia policies to divorce custody disputes and rehoming decisions. In this powerful episode, Em sits down with animal law expert Suzana Gartner to uncover the root legal issue holding back progress—and what her A-CAP framework offers as a new path forward.

You...

What if the one thing you’re told every dog needs—daily walks—is actually keeping your dog stuck?
If your reactive, anxious, or overstimulated dog seems worse after walks—not better—you’re not failing them. You might just be following a model that doesn’t fit their nervous system. In this honest solo episode, Em shares why she stopped forcing daily walks with Fitz—and how that shift finally created the calm, connected progress s...

What if the most powerful dog training lessons came from the last place you’d expect—inside a prison?
In this deeply moving episode, Em sits down with Mattison Skoog-Simpson, founder of Freed By Training, to share what she learned from working inside a prison dog program. This is about more than obedience—it’s about building trust, emotional healing, and training that meets both dogs and humans with compassion and grace.

You...

Ever feel like you're giving everything to your dog, your dreams, your life—and still coming up empty?
You’re not alone. Burnout hits hard when you're balancing dog parenting, purpose, and pressure to keep it all together. In this honest solo episode, Em opens up about the quiet breakdowns behind the brand, and what it’s really like to keep showing up when you’re not sure how much longer you can.

You'll Learn:

• ...

What if your dog could do more than bark or sit—what if they could talk?
In this mind-expanding episode, Em sits down with Molissa, dog parent to Tilda the Talking Dog, to explore the world of button training and canine communication. From simple cues to emotional expression, their journey challenges everything we think we know about how dogs learn, feel, and connect with us.

You'll Learn:

• Learn how to introduce your d...

Ever feel like you're constantly explaining or apologizing for your reactive dog?

Whether it’s family pushing boundaries, strangers giving unsolicited advice, or that constant pressure to be polite—many reactive dog parents feel stuck between protecting their dog and pleasing others. In this empowering episode, Em shares the moment she stopped asking for permission—and started showing up as her dog’s advocate, with confidenc...

Can you really train your dog effectively—without punishment, dominance, or fear?
In this science-rich episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em and expert trainer Annie Grossman explore the truth about clicker training and positive reinforcement. Whether you're a first-timer or ready to leave outdated methods behind, this conversation will reshape your understanding of how dogs actually learn—and why trust-based methods work fast...

Ever feel like you're constantly explaining or apologizing for your reactive dog?

Whether it’s family pushing boundaries, strangers giving unsolicited advice, or that constant pressure to be polite—many reactive dog parents feel stuck between protecting their dog and pleasing others. In this empowering episode, Em shares the moment she stopped asking for permission—and started showing up as her dog’s advocate, with confidence an...

What if the biggest difference in a shelter dog’s life wasn’t a foster home—but a flight?
In this inspiring episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em sits down with Michael Schneider, founder of Pilots to the Rescue, to celebrate a decade of saving animals through aviation. Learn how small planes, big hearts, and fast action are helping at-risk dogs escape high-kill shelters and reach safe, enriched futures with families who truly see...

Are you stuck in a cycle of reactivity, walk pressure, and training overwhelm?
You’re not alone—and you’re not doing it wrong. In this vulnerable solo episode, Em shares the three most important things she wished she knew before training her own reactive dog, Fitz. This is about more than cues and commands—it’s about mindset, emotional regulation, and redefining progress on your own terms.

You'll Learn:

• Understand why ...

What would you do if your dog bolted—and your GPS collar failed?
Most pet parents assume their dog’s GPS tracker will keep them safe. But when you're off-grid, in the woods, or dealing with a reactive dog in full flight mode, those devices often fail when you need them most. In this episode, Em sits down with David from SATELLAI, a tech solution built specifically for the worst-case scenarios most collars can’t handle.

Yo...

You followed the rules. Used the tools. Did the training. So why does your dog still feel overwhelmed—and why do you?
In this powerful solo episode, Em shares the pivotal moment she took off her dog’s E-collar—and started listening instead of controlling. After months of obedience-focused training, real progress didn’t come through structure—it came through presence, trust, and emotional regulation. This episode challenges the p...

Ever wonder how the dog food, supplements, and enrichment tools you buy actually make it to the shelf?
In this behind-the-scenes episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em takes you inside SuperZoo, the largest pet industry trade show in North America. From shiny new products to quiet value-driven conversations, this episode reveals what most dog parents don’t get to see: how brands pitch, what gets funded, and what you should look for...