How Dog Training Routines (Not Rules) Strengthened Our Bond and Reshaped Life With the Dog Who Started It All

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 why more frequent, bite-sized support is essential for real behavior change — for both you and your dog.

• Learn how three weekly episodes will offer emotional grounding, expert insight, and practical tools you can use today.

• Find out how the lessons from one dog's transformation are becoming a framework for building calm, connection, and clarity in your own home.

Tune in now to hear what’s changing on January 2nd — and how it’s designed to meet you and your dog exactly where you are.

The Dog Who Asked for More — Extras & Support

Want more support beyond the episode?

Free Enrichment Resource

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Free 15-Minute Call with Em

Not sure what kind of support your dog needs? Book a free, no-pressure call.

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Free Community Support

Email [e-mail] to get in touch with Em or request access to the FREE Slack community for ongoing encouragement and support.

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Patreon members get bonus podcast content, deeper conversations, and extra resources not shared publicly.

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Nutrition Support We Trust

Looking to boost your dog’s daily meals? Try PetMatRx supplements and save with code FITZ20. https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm

This podcast explores life with dogs and life with pets, focusing on the dog–human bond and what it truly takes to understand and bond with your dog through dog body language, dog enrichment, behavior guidance, dog reactivity support, reactivity awareness, reactive dogs, reactive dog training, calming reactive dogs, dog training, dog training tips, training rescue dogs, pet training, dog obedience, dog behavior, dog behaviour, dog socialization, dog barking, dog habits, dog health, dog life, dog myths, and positive reinforcement for all dogs:  rescue dogs, velcro dogs, anxious dogs, reactive dogs, high-energy dogs, big-feeling dogs, and family pets, hosted by a canine nutritionist, nutrition coach, dog coach, dog coaching specialist, and retired vet tech, with episodes covering dog food, canine enrichment, dog training, dog nutrition, canine nutrition, dog gut health, dog grief, dog products, and science-backed routines that help dogs feel safer, healthier, calmer, and more understood while offering practical steps, enrichment ideas, behavior strategies, body language insights, and daily habits to support any dog and create a more confident, connected life with dogs.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
What if the one thing you've been needing from this podcast
is simply more of it? Welcome to the dog who asked for
more. The podcast for dog parents
navigating real life behavior, struggles, reactivity, anxiety,
and all of the hard parts no oneprepares you for.
Each week you'll get training, enrichment, and nutrition
strategies through honest, grounded conversations that help

(00:21):
you understand your dog, supporttheir needs, and build the bond
you've always dreamed of. I'm M and today's episode is a
little bit different. I wanted to pop in with a quick
but incredibly exciting announcement about the future of
the dog, who asked for more and what's coming your way starting
January 2nd. So here's what you're going to

(00:42):
learn today. First, why the show is
expanding. Also, what your new weekly
schedule will look like startingFriday, January 2nd, and how
this change supports you and your dog on an even deeper
level. Let's jump in.
When I started this podcast two years ago, it was because I
wanted to create the thing I never had.

(01:05):
A place you could come when you were overwhelmed, confused,
burned out, or just trying to understand the dog in front of
you. A place you felt seen, a place
without judgment. A place where the real life
stuff gets talked about, not polished, perfect pressure
filled advice you find everywhere else.

(01:26):
And over these past two years, something has become very, very
clear. You needed more support.
And I have more to give. Every time I share an episode
about behavior, nutrition, enrichment, reactivity, burnout,
or I share Toby and Fitz's stories, I hear from you.
You send messages. You share your breakthroughs,

(01:48):
you share your tears, you share the progress you're making with
your own dog. Big or small.
And I realized something I couldn't ignore. 2 weekly
episodes isn't enough for the kind of community that we are
building here. Not when you're raising big
feeling dogs. Not when you're learning to
regulate your dog's nervous system and your own.

(02:10):
Not when nutrition effects behavior and enrichment effects
rest and your dog is asking for more clarity every single day.
So here's the big update. Starting Friday, January 2nd,
2026, The Dog Who Asked for Moreis officially moving to three
episodes a week. Mondays will continue to be solo

(02:32):
episodes. These are the emotional, story
backed, grounding episodes you already love.
The ones where we blow up, Miss,Rethink expectations, unpack
behavior, and talk through real life dog parenting without any
sugar coating. Wednesdays will continue to be
guest episodes with experts, trainers, nutritionists, vet

(02:54):
pros, behaviorists, creators, brands and other people with big
feeling dogs. Real conversations, real
stories, real solutions. And Fridays are going to be your
quick, actionable solo episodes.This is the new edition.
These episodes will be short, punchy, practical, and
immediately helpful. Perfect for weekends and focus

(03:17):
on things you can do today. Think how to calm your dog
without a walk, should your dog meet other dogs, How your dog's
food effects their behavior. What to do when your puppy is
overstimulated, The signals yourdog is sending before the
explosion. Real tools, real perspectives,
real shifts, real hope. And this matters for the whole

(03:39):
community. Because each of you has a dog
that is asking for more. More clarity, more support, more
understanding, more partnership,more calm, more connection.
And you deserve more too. More guidance, more compassion,
more consistent help, and more content that meets you where you

(04:00):
actually are, not where someone else thinks you should be by
now. This expansion isn't about
creating more noise. It's about creating more
support. Support you can actually use,
support you can feel, support that helps you breathe a little
easier and helps your dog do thesame About four years ago now I

(04:21):
started noticing how much the consistency of routine, small
check insurance, small adjustments, small daily habits
had made a massive difference for fits.
It wasn't the once a week training sessions, it wasn't the
big outings, it wasn't the one off breakthroughs.
It was the steady, reliable moments.

(04:42):
Those small all doses of clarity, The everyday
reassurance. That is when I realized our dogs
thrive on consistency, and so dowe.
This podcast expansion is my wayof giving you that consistency.
The kind I learned from Fitz, the kind that has changed
everything for him, and the kindthat I hope brings more peace,

(05:03):
confidence, and connection into your home too.
Today's homework for humans is simple.
Ask yourself, what kind of support do I need from this show
next year? More training help, more
nutrition, more emotional episodes, more reactivity, more
puppies, more indoor ideas, moremom guilt relief, more.

(05:24):
You're not alone. Send me a message.
You can e-mail me at [e-mail]
or you can find me on Instagram and TikTok at EM. under score
loves dogs. Tell me what is helping and what
you want more of. This show grows with you and
your feedback shapes everything.If you've been listening for a

(05:48):
long time, thank you. If you're new here, welcome.
And if you're somewhere in the messy middle trying to figure
out your dog and yourself at thesame time, I am so glad you're
here. January 2nd is the start of
something big for you, for your dog, for this community.
So remember, starting on January2nd, the dog who asked for more

(06:09):
officially becomes a Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
Show more stories, more support,more clarity, more real talk.
So be kind, spread joy, and remember the little things you
do consistently matter more thanthe big things you do
occasionally. If you've been feeling like no

(06:30):
one really understands what you're going through with your
dog, like you're carrying the stress, guilt, and all the worry
on your own, you aren't alone. That's why I created a free
community, a safe judgment free space where you can share the
hard stuff, celebrate the small win, and connect with people who
truly get it. You'll find the link in the show
notes. Thanks for listening to The Dog

(06:51):
Who asked for more. New episodes drop every Monday
and Wednesday. I'll see you next time.