Pack Life

For many people and dogs road tripping together is about as good as it gets. Whether you are thinking about taking your first trip and not sure where to start, or you take trips often but could use some fresh tips, this show is for you. I also share some personal experience successes and failures to help you skip the learning curve:-)Topics in this Episode0:15 My context with trips and the learning curve1:17 Tip One: Testing and Training BEFORE the Trip1:59 Rest Stop's/Service Areas3:06 Dog's that get car sick3:53 Teach how to get in and out of the car4:11 Dog's that bark at stuff in the car4:28 Seeking help with training4:48 Hotels and Lobby's5:32 Camping/Backpacking: tents, campfires, etc6:04 Tip Two: Pack Light8:17 What to pack your stuff in8:31 The dog essentials9:40 Day pack ready to go10:45 Tip Three: Enjoy the Journey10:50 Two kinds of trips11:35 Rest Stops vs Activity Stops11:45 How often should you stop?12:30 All about planning bonus stops 14:12 Doing the research14:46 Dog Parks and Public Parks16:21 Trails17:11 Keeping your dog safe in the car Helpful Links and Resources:Pack-a-Paw for emerga Happy With Dogs podcast

Our dog's love treats. We love giving them treats. Win-Win, right? Sometimes no. This episode is all about how to increase our dog's health AND still treat them to our hearts content.Topics in this episode:0:13 What you will get from this episode1:18 Pet Obesity2:27 Why we overfeed dogs3:24 Cultural shifts about "healthy" weight4:39 Happy Brain Chemicals4:59 When Food = Love5:26 Keeping them entertained6:31 Strategy 1: Everything counts8:05 Strategy 2: Using their normal diet as treats (maybe with some bling)8:56 Strategy 3: More treats for the price of one9:53 Strategy 4: Increase the quality of the treatsHelpful Links and Resources:Ideal dog weight and calorie counterSilicone Treat PouchWant to connect? Email me, I would love to hear from you:-): Melissa@happywithdogs.coma Happy With Dogs podcast

This episode is all about getting a new perspective on the routines and rhythms we create when we live with pets.  Learn how to leverage the power of changing routines to decrease stress while supporting you and your dog. The routines we have create the content of our lives and setting them  up intentionally can have huge impact.Topics in this episode:0:13 One of the big benefits of living with dogs1:16 Avoiding extra stress and frustration1:48 Consistency vs Variety and the nervous system 3:26 Decision Fatigue5:32 Plane, Pilot, Engineer6:31 Adaptation Energy8:18 How Emily Fletcher can change your life8:38 Meatloaf meltdowns10:07 Layered Stress Model11:32 A great question12:59 Biologically appropriate lifestyles in the modern day14:34 Clarity16:33 How to know it's time for a routine change17:16 Real Trainer Example18:52 How to design a new routine20:59 Help when you are stumpedHelpful Links and Resources:Is Your Dog Happy? Podcast EpisodeCanines Providing Assistance to Wounded WarriorsEmily Fletcher on Adaptation EnergyEmily Fletcher's Ziva Meditation ProgramJay Jack talks about the Layered Stress Model on the Canine ParadigmAli Abdaal's YouTube ChannelAmerican Medical Association on Decision FatigueWant to connect? Email me, I would love to hear from you:-): Melissa@happywithdogs.coma Happy With Dogs podcast

What would you do if you suddenly realized your dog was lost? That is the question that drove me to seeking out better information than I could find from a quick google search. In this episode I share some detailed strategies of things you can do BEFORE you lose your dog, so that if it ever happens you don't waste time and energy trying to figure out a plan while under stress.Topics in this episode:0:12 Lost Dog's and why I needed more info1:02 Nelson Hodges Lost Dog Recovery Course1:45 Checklist in show notes2:11 Basics3:28 Background for advanced concepts5:00 Advanced Strategies 1: Leader10:32 Advanced Strategies 2: Team13:46 Advanced Strategies 3: Map14:29 Advanced Strategies 4: Equipment 15:33 General lost dog timeline18:09 Nelson's Final Words of HopeHelpful Links and Resources:Lost Dog Preparedness ChecklistNelson Hodges and CHRI InstituteTheir CoursesWant to connect? Email me, I would love to hear from you:-): Melissa@happywithdogs.coma Happy With Dogs podcast

In this episode we are talking about playing with dogs. I discuss how big this topic is and share some of the major concepts that totally changed how I see play. I introduce the predatory cycle, competitive and cooperative games, and how how games need goals, rules, and penalties, I also share some of my favorite people and companies who have influenced and inspired me.Topics in this episode:0:14 Why play is important and how it impacts your relationship with your dog1:07 Dog play is unique to each dog1:21 Best games for your dog2:00  More to play than meets the eye2:48 Play and the predatory cycle5:29 Competitive and Cooperative Games7:59 Games have goals, rules, and penalties9:48 Seek professional assistance for how to play with dogs who have demonstrated resource guarding, aggressive behaviors, or have a bite history10:11 Making games fun12:42 What to do now14:14 Amazing leaders in the dog play space worth checking out14:27 Dog's Playing for Life and Amy Sadler16:39 Ivan Balabanov18:18 Jay JackHelpful Links and Resources:Dogs Playing for Life:https://dogsplayingforlife.com/Ivan Balabanovhttps://www.trainingwithoutconflict.com/Jay Jack content warning, Jay has strong opinions and uses explicit language. I am a big fan of his messages, but he will not appeal to sensitive earshttps://nldogs.com/GRC Dog Sportshttps://nldogs.com/grc-dogsports/If you liked this episode you will likely also dig this guide:How to make your dog happyYou're One Week Guide to Good Vibes FureverWant to connect? Email me, I would love to hear from you:-): Melissa@happywithdogs.coma Happy With Dogs podcast

In this episode we talk about one of the FASTEST WAYS to get your dog to truly TRUST YOUR LEADERSHIP.  If we neglect this area when connecting with our dogs we are MISSING A HUGE component that many DOG TRAINERS DON'T TALK ABOUT.  Anything you are doing with your dog will be better and more effective when you understand how they are interpreting your energy. Learning how to do this well will not only change the game for your dog, it will CHANGE THE GAME for yourself and all the animals around you. . . including OTHER HUMANS:-)Topics in this episode:0:13 How managing energy is a skill, and how it impacts others1:10 Dogs observe us in more ways than I thought possible2:09 Personal Story-not my best moment3:26 Dogs looking to the messages our bodies/physiology are sending for guidance4:09 Personal Story-Dogs can call our bluff when we fake calm4:57 Feelings are for feeling, not repressing5:36 Physiology and Emotions6:31 Intro to Today's Tool to change internal state6:54 Personal Story, unconscious anxiety that you may relate to-that definitely impacts dog's8:29 Today's method detailed-1. Awareness, 2. Breath, 3.PlanHelpful Links and Resources:Interested in my next Introduction to Dog Fitness Course?Email me: Melissa@happywithdogs.comIf you liked this episode you will likely also dig this guide:How to make your dog happyYou're One Week Guide to Good Vibes FureverWant to connect? Email me, I would love to hear from you:-): Melissa@happywithdogs.coma Happy With Dogs podcast

Why would anyone do fitness for their dog? In this episode we talk about how INTENTIONAL MOVEMENT can help you and your dog live a LONG, HEALTHY, and HAPPY LIFE. We get into details about how dog fitness changes the physical structures in the body, and how "USE IT OR LOSE IT" applies to more things than we would like.  Learn how modern dog and human lifestyles SERIOUSLY benefit from some different types of movement AND how to find the sweet spot. Topics in this episode:0:13 Why is dog fitness important1:06 My background in this topic: education and senior citizens1:43 How what you do now impacts the future2:11 Adaptation and how to trigger it2:41 Some specific adaptations from cardio3:50 Future plans to nerd out on fitness4:02 The Sweet Spot6:22 Use it or Lose it with examples7:39 Modern Day Life and Movement10:53 Do we prioritize dogs? ourselves? other options?11:13 What you can do nowHelpful Links and Resources:Interested in my next Introduction to Dog Fitness Course?Email me: Melissa@happywithdogs.comIf you liked this episode you will likely also dig this guide:How to make your dog happyYou're One Week Guide to Good Vibes FureverWant to connect? Email me, I would love to hear from you:-): Melissa@happywithdogs.coma Happy With Dogs podcast

In this episode we are talking about how to know if your dog is happy and strategies you can use to uncover what truly lights them up. Learn how to use that info so that you can be your dog's superhero and help them live their best life.Topics in this episode:0:34 Defining "Happy" for dogs1:15 How do we know if our dog is Happy? 2:23 When we aren't happy-expectations vs reality4:38 Why do different things appeal to different dogs?7:43 Helpful Guide in show notes explained8:00 First Exercise: Brainstorm8:12 Second Exercise: In house observations11:20 Third Exercise: Let your dog take you on a walk15:19 Putting it all togetherHelpful Links:PDF Guide: How to Make Your Dog Happy  Video: How to Use a Long LineVideo: How to Play "Find It"Want to connect? Email me, I would love to hear from you:-): Melissa@happywithdogs.coma Happy With Dogs podcast