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

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 balance. This episode dives...

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Dog food companies have spent years hiding excess carbs behind confusing, outdated labels.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...

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 fo...

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 l...

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...