Paws and Reward Blog

In episode 56 of the Paws & Reward Podcast, join Sarah Stremming and me as we dive into the nuances behind the different scenarios for setting up training sessions for leash reactivity. Trainers and behavior consultants routinely use setups as part of their approach when treating reactivity, but the details and considerations are rarely discussed. Watch our conversation on my … Read More

In episode 55 of the Paws & Reward Podcast, I chat with Bobbie Bhambree-Wirkmaa, director of behavior services and a certified dog behavior consultant at Behavior Vets, about the Resilience Rainbow and building resilience in dogs. Resilience is the ability to adapt successfully to, or recover quickly from, stressful events, situations, and conditions. What are the 7 domains of resilience … Read More

In episode 54 of the Paws & Reward Podcast, I speak with Grisha Stewart about attachment styles and the human-canine bond. Grisha is an author, international speaker, dog trainer, and online dog school facilitator based in Oregon. Grisha specializes in dog reactivity which led her to design and launch her book Behavior Adjustment Training, also known as BAT to help … Read More

In episode 53 of the Paws & Reward Podcast, I speak with Emily Strong about a necessary and possibly under-utilized skill for all behavior consultants to exercise and teach their clients – critical thinking. Critical thinking is defined as the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment. Critical thinking is to be done objectively—meaning … Read More

In episode 52 of the Paws & Reward Podcast, Laura Monaco Torelli and I talk about Cooperative Care, a topic Laura is fluent in and has achieved many amazing training goals with a variety of species. Laura and I formally met when I reached out to her for assistance with Sully. As he was aging, he had a hard time using … Read More

In episode 51 of the Paws & Reward Podcast, I am really excited to speak with Claire Goyer, a colleague I met while collaborating together on Grisha Stewart’s amazing online school. Claire and I wanted to talk about building community. Watch our conversation on my YouTube Channel. How are we defining a dog training community? And, what communities are we referring to? … Read More

In episode 50 of the Paws & Reward Podcast, Sarah Stremming and I discuss my recent solo trip to Peru. We discuss what the street dogs of Peru taught me about life, how both Sarah and I are integrating these concepts, and our invitation to pet parents and trainers. What is the gift and opportunity in allowing all behavior and emotions?  Sarah … Read More

In episode 49 of the Paws & Reward Podcast, Sarah Stremming and I will be talking about the necessary strategies used to strengthen and maintain a healthy relationship between dogs in your home. Some of the topics we discuss involve proactive management strategies to prevent inter-household aggression, ways to increase your observation skills, and skills to teach your dogs to achieve … Read More

In episode 48 of the Paws & Reward Podcast, I speak with Andrew Hale (Bsc, ISCP.Dip.Canine.Prac), the owner, principal trainer, and behaviorist at Train Positive in the UK, about emotional awareness and how that applies to dog training. As well as a Bsc (Hons), he also holds various diplomas in animal and canine behavior. He is a Certified Animal Behaviorist and … Read More

In episode 47 of the Paws & Reward Podcast, Dr. Chris Pachel and I talk about The Humane Hierarchy for both our dogs and their people. The Humane Hierarchy is a framework that trainers, behavior consultants, and veterinary behaviorists use when working with their clients. It’s an ethical approach, inviting professionals to develop a behavior modification plan rooted in least intrusive, … Read More