The Dog Who Asked for More: Helping You Bond, Enrich, and Build a Calmer Life with Your Dog

Ever feel like you’re the only one struggling with a dog the world doesn’t quite know how to make space for?

This episode is for the people whose lives quietly revolve around their dog — the planning, the scanning, the second-guessing, the emotional weight no one sees.

Living with a dog who has big reactions isn’t just about barking or pulling on a leash. It’s the fear of triggers. The shame when things go sideways. The const...

What if your dog’s “complete and balanced” food is actually part of the problem — and no one ever explained that to you?

If you’ve ever stood in your kitchen wondering why your dog’s digestion feels off, their skin won’t settle, or their body just doesn’t seem comfortable — this episode is for you.

In this conversation, Em shares the quiet truth about what’s really in your dog’s bowl, why so many well-meaning dog parents feel...

Does it ever feel like your dog is fine one second — and completely melting down the next?

If your dog’s reactivity, shutdown, or overstimulation seems unpredictable or sudden, this episode will change how you see everything. The truth is: your dog isn’t random. They’re patterned. And when you learn how to read those subtle cues, you can step in before the behavior escalates — and help your dog feel safe, seen, and supported.

Tired of pet hair taking over your laundry, your furniture, and your life — no matter how much you brush or vacuum?

In this episode, we sit down with Scott Grillo to uncover the origin story behind FurZapper, a simple yet powerful tool born from an accidental moment in a pet-filled home. If you're a pet parent frustrated by constant shedding and wasteful lint rollers, this conversation offers a refreshing, sustainable soluti...

Is your dog constantly bouncing off the walls, even after long walks and training sessions?

You might be missing the one essential piece of the puzzle: true enrichment. In this episode, we bust myths about dog enrichment, explain why puzzle toys alone aren't enough, and explore how enrichment supports your dog’s regulation—especially in the winter months when walks are limited.

In this episode:

• Learn why over-exercise and obedienc...

Is your aging dog acting “off”—pacing at night, staring at walls, or forgetting their routine? It might not be old age. It might be dog dementia—and it can be treated.

In this groundbreaking and deeply personal episode, Em sits down with board-certified veterinary surgeon Dr. Terry Fossum to explore how nature-based medicine is changing the game for aging and sensitive dogs. From CBD and oleander to the dangers of unregulated supple...

Is your dog acting out or shutting down after the holidays—and you're not sure what to do about it?

That strange, in-between week after the holidays? Your dog feels it too. While you're trying to reset your life, your dog is recovering from overstimulation, unpredictability, and emotional exhaustion. This episode explores why your dog’s behavior may seem “off” and what they really need right now.

In this episode:

• Learn how oversti...

Are the rules you're following with your dog actually working — or just adding pressure?

If you're raising a big-feeling dog, you already know that one-size-fits-all advice often falls flat. This episode dives into a deeply personal story about how consistency, not control, created the shift one overwhelmed dog needed — and how that insight is now reshaping this podcast to support you even more in 2026.

In this episode:

• Discover w...

Is your dog trying to tell you something — and you’re just not hearing it yet?

What if your dog could ask for food, say where it hurts, or tell you they had a dream? In this episode, Alexis Devine — the human behind Bunny the “talking” dog — shares how button training became the ultimate enrichment tool and transformed her understanding of dog behavior, training, and emotional expression.

Whether your dog is a quiet observer or burst...

Trying to raise the “perfect” dog? That pressure might be the very thing holding you both back.

This episode of The Dog Who Asked for More dives into the quiet harm of perfectionism in dog training—and how chasing the “ideal dog” can disconnect you from the real one right in front of you.

In this episode:

• Why perfection pressure creates burnout for both you and your dog

• A mindset shift to help you connect without comparison

...

Are you rushing your service dog’s training — or worse, forcing them into a role they’re not ready for?

In this eye-opening episode, we explore how true dog training success—especially with service dogs—starts with science-backed methods rooted in species-specific communication, scent-based enrichment, and mutual trust. If you're frustrated by slow progress or overwhelmed by conflicting advice, this episode offers clarity an...

Does your dog shut down, act out, or just seem "off" during holiday gatherings — while everyone else thinks it’s no big deal?

If you've ever felt torn between family expectations and your dog’s emotional well-being, you're not alone. The holidays bring overstimulation, unpredictable environments, and pressure to “just go with it” — all of which can throw your dog’s behavior and emotional regulation out of balan...

Is your car a furry disaster zone after every walk or road trip?

If your dog’s claws, fur, or anxiety have ever caused chaos in the car, this episode is for you.

In today’s episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, I sit down with Jim Umlauf, co-founder of 4Knines — the company behind some of the most durable and thoughtfully engineered dog car gear on the market. We talk about how his two Dobermans turned a car into a disaster...

What if the hardest part of dog parenting isn’t training or behavior — but the unexpected long-term costs that no one talks about until you’re already in too deep?

If you're budgeting for food and vet visits but feel blindsided by the price of real training, enrichment tools, or nutrition changes — you're not alone. This episode breaks down the real-life expenses that come with meeting your dog’s needs well, and why plan...

Think your dog’s food is healthy just because the label says “natural”? Think again.

Dog food companies have spent years hiding excess carbs behind confusing, outdated labels. But change is finally here—with the introduction of the new Pet Nutrition Facts box. In this episode, Em sits down with pet food reform advocate Daniel Schulof to uncover how labeling has misled dog parents for decades—and what you really need to know abou...

Does your dog get anxious before the guests even show up for the holidays?

In this episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, we unpack the often-overlooked precursor cues—the subtle, early signs that signal to your dog that change (and stress) is coming. From deep cleaning to energy shifts, these quiet triggers can unravel even well-trained dogs if we’re not paying attention. You’ll learn how to support your dog’s behavior with pro...

What if your dog had a way to tell you exactly what they needed—whether it was a bathroom break, comfort, or even help in an emergency?

In this episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, I sit down with Mark Condon, creator of iPuppy, the smart communication button inspired by his senior dog, Champ. What started as a personal solution for one aging Lab has grown into a global tool for dog training, enrichment, and even life-saving s...

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...

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 i...