The Dog Who Asked for More: Training, Enrichment & Nutrition Secrets for a Calmer Life with Dogs

Are you feeding your dog premium kibble and still seeing health issues?

In this episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, I share the story of how “high-end” dog food made my reactive dog Toby sick for months—and the simple nutrition shifts that finally turned things around. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by food choices, ingredients, or confusing labels, you’re not alone—and you’re not failing.

In this episode:

• Learn the hidden ...

Is your dog chewing furniture, barking nonstop, or destroying toys in minutes?

What if they're not misbehaving—but actually asking for more? In this episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, we dive into what destructive behavior really means—and how enrichment toys designed for real dogs (like those from Soda Pup) can give your dog the outlet they need. You'll learn how training, enrichment, and even nutrition intersect in ways that ...

Is your dog dreading Thanksgiving dinner as much as you are?

In this episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, we talk about what it really means to advocate for your dog during the holidays—especially when guests, noise, and changes in routine can push sensitive or reactive dogs to their limits. Through the stories of Toby and Fitz, you’ll learn why skipping events isn’t failing your dog—it’s respecting their needs through thought...

Think rescue is just about saving a dog? What if that dog ends up saving you?

In this emotional and eye-opening episode, Em celebrates Toby’s 12th Gotcha Day and sits down with Tracy Fosterling, a foster and rescue advocate who’s fostered over 60 dogs—many of them “unadoptable.” Together, they unpack the gritty, beautiful reality of what rescue really looks like: patience, partnership, training, enrichment, and second chances for do...

What if the dog who needed the most healing was also the one who came to heal you?

In this emotionally raw episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, we revisit the moment I met Toby—an emaciated, reactive bait dog on the brink of being forgotten. What followed was not just a rescue story, but a story of mutual transformation. This is about choosing each other, over and over, and learning what it really means to be safe, seen, and loved...

Tired of living in a maze of baby gates, blocked rooms, and constant “no”? You’re not alone.
Many dog parents rely on physical barriers or harsh corrections to manage indoor behavior—but these quick fixes can backfire, creating more confusion and stress. In this episode, Em teams up with Jesús from Pawport to explore a smarter way to teach boundaries inside your home—one that builds calm, clarity, and communication.

In this e...

What if your dog’s reactivity, barking, or resistance isn’t a problem to fix—but a plea to be heard?
In this raw and vulnerable solo episode, Em shares why the podcast is changing names—and why that shift reflects a much deeper evolution in how we understand and support our dogs. Through her own journey with Fitz, Em invites you to reconsider what your dog’s behavior is truly trying to communicate.

You'll Learn:

• Hear h...

Tried all the protocols, bought every tool, and your dog’s still not improving?

If you're stuck in a cycle of reactivity, barking, or anxiety despite following expert advice, it might be time to rethink the way you're approaching your dog’s behavior. This episode flips the script on traditional training with a skill few talk about: curiosity.

In this episode:

• ​Discover how curiosity (not control) unlocks lasting ch...

Think Halloween is just “one fun night” for your dog? Think again.

For anxious, reactive, or aging dogs, Halloween can feel like a full-blown sensory attack—from loud doorbells and chaotic costumes to unfamiliar visitors and unpredictable energy. This episode explores how those “fun traditions” can trigger overwhelm and dysregulation in even well-loved dogs.

In this episode:

• Understand why Halloween is not a healthy traini...

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.

In ...

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.

In ...

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.

In this episode:

• H...