Podcasts about dogs website

Episode 12: How one dog lover turned her passion into a gift for many - Libby Rockaway’s ContributionDon't forget to enter the Trivia Challenge in the Contact form on our website: https://dogsarethebestfriends.com/ (The question is given in this episode.)Today's episode: In this episode, Libby Rockaway shares about her love of dogs from a young age that developed into a working relationship. When she was only in her teens, she started on a journey to tackle the huge mountain of mystique surrounding how to successfully train alert dogs. Spoiler alert: she did it!Libby’s organization - M.D. Dogs - Website & Social Media:Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mddogsinc/Website: http://www.mddogs.org Last Week's Episode - #11: April & Archer: Diabetes brought them together and friendship makes them inseparable In this episode, April teaches us much about Type 1 Diabetes and how having a medical alert dog (Archer) has made all the difference in her life. Their bond goes deeper than friendship as Archer was saved from rescue and he regularly saves April's life. Their story is endearing and enlightening!About: This podcast is for dog lovers to share and hear about dog stories, training tips, and other helpful bits of information. Please review and subscribe to the Dogs are the Best Friends podcast as that helps others find us! If you want to share a story or two about your dog(s), be sure to fill out the Contact Us form on the website: https://dogsarethebestfriends.com/

Kathy has 3 mindset hacks that are going to help you become a better partner for your dog in this week’s episode! What does she mean by “mindset hacks?” Kathy has a few partnership principles that she uses within her lifestyle to fast track or “hack” her way to a brilliant partnership with her furry friends, and she wants to teach them to you! In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy dives into a deep discussion about creating more optimism, leaving room for growth (and actually moving toward growing), and a new way to measure success! It’s an extremely enlightening episode, so get ready to move your life into a better place!   The various factors that influence how we think, feel, and respond are very important to be aware of when dealing with others. Blossoming into that better version of yourself is well worth the effort! How to cultivate an optimistic outlook on everything in life! You have to become the person who can before you become the person who does. Success isn’t only about what you accomplish externally, but also what you become internally.    “There are so many factors that influence how we think, how we feel, and how we respond in any situation” “We already have everything that we need to be brilliant inside of us” “Hold onto the belief that you and your dog are good enough, perfect enough, just the way you are” “If we don’t believe we can, then that’s true” “We can measure success with attainment, not just accomplishment” Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

Every morning Kathy pauses to stand in awe and wonder of her life with dogs and that’s what she’ll be talking about on today’s episode of Enlightened By Dogs! Gratitude and Love are two topics you’ve definitely heard her address before, but what about Awe? What is it, how do we feel it, and why is it so important to enter into a state of awe every now and then? Prepare to be awestruck by the answers as Kathy pulls back the curtain and describes what awe means to her and how she has factored it into her daily routine! In This Episode Kathy describes a part of her morning ritual: “GLA” How does spending time in a state of awe help in your life with dogs? Being in awe opens a doorway to a life of infinite potential and possibility, but first you have to try it for yourself! Quotes “Every morning I pause to stand in awe and wonder of my life with dogs” “Experiencing awe causes us, or allows us, to expand ourselves” “Only brilliance is possible, no matter what the present experience seems to be” “How would being curious change the way you interact with your dog?”   Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

You’ve heard Kathy talk about how much we role model for our dogs, but in today’s episode of Enlightened By Dogs, she and her special guest Cecile Ruelle are flipping that notion on its head and showing us how much our dogs role model for us as well! There is so much to learn at any given moment from our four legged friends, and it stands from being present and in the moment all the way to accepting and loving ourselves as we are, and so much more in between! Get ready for a conversation charged with appreciation, realization and pure love as these two ladies unfold the lessons they've learned from their favourite beings on earth!   Flipping the script: Can dogs help us be better versions of ourselves by being our role models? The simple things dogs do that come naturally to them, that we as people can struggle with from time to time. How dogs can pull us out of our busy head[sace and into the present moment in order to enjoy our lives more fully. Your dogs don’t always have to be actively doing something to enjoy your company! Can a dog’s view of you can help you combat your own inner critic? Forgive yourself as quickly and easily as your dog forgives you. Why is it easier to accept lessons from our dogs than it is to accept lessons from other people?   “Gosh, How much dogs have to teach us and show us if we are only open to receiving their wisdom” “They remind me that it’s a new start every day and that they’re happy no matter what” “Having your dogs in your life brings you into the present” “They are always in the Now, that’s the way they are. That’s not the way we are, so that’s why we have to learn from them” “They can have a big influence on us if we let them” “In their eyes, we really are perfect” “We’re spreading ripples just by being someone who loves dogs” “Sometimes we’re so disconnected from ourselves that we need them to kind of make the bridge between us and us” “It’s about making a choice. What do you want to see?”   Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

Did you know that you are, indeed, the intentional creator of your own life? Really though! You can choose to bring things into your life, you can choose to get rid of things, you can even choose the thoughts you think! But how do you navigate such an important role? How do you ensure that you’re creating the right things for you and the life you so desire? That’s what Kathy’s talking about on this week’s episode of Enlightened By Dogs! She’s going into massive detail about how your dreams actually create a perfect roadmap to the life you want, if only you learn how to read it! A map is only one part of the journey, because you’ll also need to chart your course if you plan to get there, and luckily: Kathy explains how to break down our dreams into quarterly, monthly, weekly and even daily goals to give us a true look inside what goes into living an amazingly fulfilling life! In This Episode What’s truly important to you? The big picture approach to our goals and dreams. What are you choosing to do (or not)? Breaking down the BIG picture into manageable, bite sized pieces. Where does coaching, mentorship or external support come into the mix? Becoming the intentional creator of your life. Quotes “Our hearts lead us to that discovery” “We have a very holistic perspective of living a dream life” “We’re the decision maker, the intentional creator the chief visionary office of our life” “I’ll look to those at or above the level of the game I’m reaching for” “You can let go of thoughts that no longer serve you” “I hope you start dreaming”   Join the Creative Alchemy Passion Plan! www.dancinghearts.link/create   Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

Have you ever decided to change your mindset? Did it work? Or did you find yourself back to the way you always have been within a couple of days? If you’re lie a lot of us in the world, the second one sounds more like you. But why does it happen? Why does changing your mindset never actually work? It may come as a surprise to you that our behaviours, and our wish to change them come from different parts of our brain, and Kathy is using today’s episode to go into detail about why simply wanting to change your mindset sets these two parts of your mind against each other! Don’t worry, This week’s episode of Enlightened By Dogs isn’t meant to scare you, it’s actually here to help you sort your mind out and create healthy changes that will last you a lifetime!   Which part of the brain is responsible for a change in your mindset? Do you want to change your mindset or is it truly a habit that needs to change? How do we create the lasting, permanent change that we desire in our life? How the Creative Alchemy Passion Plan helps retain your being to create actual mindset shifts that last   “Behaviour habits come from a different part of the brain” “All the things that we want to be, do, and have, we want because of a feeling we want to experience” “Getting in touch with how we want to feel is really important” “Feelings drive everything that we do” “Without taking action, dreams are just dreams”   Join the Creative Alchemy Passion Plan www.dancinghearts.link/create   Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

You want to live a happier life with you dog, don’t you? In today’s episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy shares 5 simple strategies to ensure you live a happier life with your dog starting today! This time of year is great for reflection and making big plans for the future, and what plan could possibly be better than planning to be happy with your furry friend? While it’s not complicated, being happy is a habit best formed with a friend, and our dogs can be a great reminder of just how simple happiness can truly be! So click play and find out how to live the happiest life possible, in the simplest way possible, and close our your year in pure joy!   December is a great time of year for reflection and planning ahead. It’s also a great time to learn 5 simple strategies to live a happier life with your dog! We all have 2 things in common: We wants dogs in our loves for brilliant reasons, and things don’t always go as planned for us. What are you currently giving your attention to? Are you open to new information? Are you coachable? Are you a good student? Being a positive and loving leader and role model is an important part of the puzzle! Are you able to tap into true gratitude?   “You have a dog because you love the companionship. The opportunities for fun.” “Pay attention to your intention” “What you focus on or primarily give your attention to is what you create more of in your life” “In order to be an inspired teacher, one must first learn the art of being a good student”   Join the Creative Alchemy Passion Plan! www.dancinghearts.link/create   Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

What lies at the intersection of unconditional love, being fully present and filling your heart with gratitude in real life? It’s a bit of a heavy question, and it may be tough to imagine what the answer is, but that’s exactly what Kathy is talking about on today’s episode of Enlightened By Dogs! It seems as though it's a wonderful place to be, and getting there is a little more simple than you may think! Are you Intrigued? Please read a little more! It’s often said that having a relationship with a child can be similar to having a relationship with a dog, and the evidence is piling up in this episode! After reading studies related to children in sport, and the relationship they grow with their parents, Kathy stumbled upon a set of magic words that had resounding impact on the happiness of college athletes. Now, being her, she couldn’t leave it at that and decided to apply it to her life with her furry friends! Tune in to the episode and hear about how she did it, and what her results have been! In This Episode Was I the dog equivalent of one of those nightmare parents you read about in articles online? The one sentence that changed everything for the person who said it.  What dog does Kathy always get when she participates in online quizzes?  What Kathy found when unconditional love, being present and having sincere gratitude all came together in her life with dogs. Quotes “I love to watch you play” “Sometimes, I said more than was needed” “They freely offer their willingness to be with me” “There’s no pressure here”     Reference articles https://www.huffpost.com/entry/six-words-you-should-say- today_b_3863643? fbclid=IwAR3hXp0NmhfY_q9UewsQeoHSl_z1ucQMi42_yf 8Wo6h1yVYjrWLH7mc-qhM   http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/more-family- fun/201202/what-makes-nightmare-sports-parent? fbclid=IwAR2Sau7XSD6xD7bdwdioLzTo5sp5iLL7kGMEn XY4P-Jp7e33bezeuA-Wkpg Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

Do you have a difficult dog in your life? The kind of furry friend that seems to march to the beat of their own drum, and you can’t hear it? That was the case with Anya and Zoe! Zoe had a habit of running off to find fun, and leaving Anya to wonder where she was for hours! At first, Anya wasn’t very pleased with this kind of behaviour from her friend, but after a few shifts in perspective, a little growth, and a plan, Anya and Zoe quickly became the Brilliant Partners that we fans of the podcast love and celebrate! Tune in to this week’s episode of Enlightened by Dogs as Kathy and Anya discuss the process of taking Zoe from difficult doggy to fantastic furry friend!   How Anya and Zoe began their blessed partnership together, and why it may not have felt like a blessing at first. Embarking on a journey to “fix” Zoe and her habit of running off. A shift in perspective and letting go of the need to control the process turned a negative situation into a positive one! What if “problems” are actually gifts? If your dog wouldn’t be here tomorrow, would you worry so much about the same things you do today? The amazing transformation that happened when Anya started to truly listen to Zoe. The lead is an amazing metaphor for connection with your dog, and one that should be thoroughly explored and experienced! Having a difficult dog and rising to the occasion can have a massive positive impact in other areas of your life as well! Tips to turning your perspective around where your difficult dog is concerned!   “She has helped me in so many unexpected ways” “At the beginning it didn’t feel like it was helping at all. It just felt like a huge problem” “I’ve given up trying to fix her” “Our walks have become absolutely beautiful with the lead” “Just appreciating the things that you already have, that is going to make them grow” “It’s through our dogs that we can develop and improve ourselves” “Dogs have so much to teach us about being present” “They mirror us so much” “We have to let it seep into our consciousness and just observe how powerful that can be”   Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

How would you like to hear some real life “in the wild” examples of using gratitude to bounce back after meltdowns and difficult situations? That’s what today’s episode of Enlightened by Dogs is all about! 7 different Brilliant Partners join forces with Kathy to bring you living examples of using gratitude to get back to grazing! Difficult situations happen, they’re pretty much inevitable, but we can sometimes drag them on longer than they need to be. The same can actually be said of our dogs! The more we know, and the more aware we are, the better chances we have of turning a difficult circumstance or meltdown into an opportunity to celebrate small wins! Tune in to this episode to hear amazing and inspiring stories to help you bolster your brilliant partnership with your dog!   How Autumn foliage helped one dog lover, and her furry companions calm down and enjoy their day after a walking dog startled them! Jet lag and a lack of sleep lead to an unpleasant walk, but a deep breath and a few small steps toward a better state of mind saved the day! 2 off leash dogs threaten to derail a forest fun day! After her dog was bitten twice, a very forgiving Brilliant Partner chose the high road. A busy parking lot and speeding cars could have been stressful, but a role model lead the way and made everything better! A little bit of laughter saves a remote controlled model car from meeting its demise! The beauty of one BP’s dog, and her ability to shut off her mind to her surroundings helped she and her dog get back to grazing! Lightheartedness and a happy conversation take the place of one BP who would normally beat herself up. The result was instantaneous!    “Instead of feeling angry at them, I sent them love and forgiveness” “If I’d held onto the negative she would tend to be stuck in the negative too”   Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

What if it were easy to stay in the flow of love and connection with your dogs no matter what was going on around you or in your life? It would be nice, but often times it just isn’t the case! While we strive to be intentionally creating heart to heart connections with our dogs, sometimes it’s just not that simple. Things can get hectic and stressful, and pressure can climb and become uncomfortable. But what if putting an end to that feeling of struggle is easier than you think? What if the answer is extremely simple, and right under your (and your dog’s) very nose? That may very well be the case, and Kathy is here in this week’s episode of Enlightened By Dogs to share a super simple concept with you, that if you’re open minded and willing to try, could change your life and the lives of the people you love and hold dear! Sound good to you? Click play and learn more!   What acts are you doing that separate you from the things you want most in life? Why accepting things as they currently are, living in the moment, being present and aware of how you feel is a lot more important than you may think! An example using a reactive dog, and an exercise in feeling deeply connected with your dog.  You don’t need to struggle for, strive for or reach for a true heart to heart connection.  What does abundant connection feel like?   “The very thing we want, we actually create tension and resistance around” “Feel that gratitude, that delight, and deep heartfelt resonance with how great things actually are” “That feeling comes from inside of you” “The feeling is generated inside ourselves all the time” “A light intention is all you need” “They don’t need to do or be anything different than they already are” “This life is an amazing experience and I am so grateful that we get to share it together” “I’m always in love with my dog”   Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

Do you or your dog ever get over aroused or excited and kind of lose your mind? I bet you do! Everyone experiences overarousal to some degree, and in today’s episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy breaks down how to calm down after being overwhelmed or over aroused! Regardless of who gets over aroused first, you or your dog, the protocol that Kathy shares will help you get back to being safe, calm and happy together in no time! You may not be aware that your dog looks to you for loving leadership, and follows your cues when situations come up, so if your dog is freaking out, it may be because secretly, you are too! Mastering your own reactions in times of distress can make a significant impact on how long it takes for you and your dog to come back down to earth after being overwhelmed, but that’s easier said than done. With Kathy’s Get Back to Grazing protocol, she gives you the tools to be a great leader to your dog by living and modeling the exact reactions you’d love to see! Not sure how to get the job done? Click play and learn an amazing new way to calm your four legged friends!   Being prepared for what to do in the aftermath of over arousal is key! What is a gratitude resent and how does it work to aid in recovering ourselves from over arousal. Our dogs pick up on our internal and external drama!  What is the “Get Back to Grazing” Protocol? The step by step process taking you from overwhelmed, to the calm and safe feeling of getting “back to grazing”   “There’s not value in not being prepared” “We as humans have a tendency to over dramatize things” “The gratitude reset can really help us break that habit of thought looping” “Our dogs are so attuned to us” “Generate feelings of contentment and love within your heart” “We’re trying to spread partnership ripples”   Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

Do you have a regular ritualized gratitude practice in your everyday ordinary life? Using intentional gratitude can not only change your dog's behavior, but can significantly advance your partnership lifestyle! If you get stuck in endless loops of negative feelings and emotions, or if you sometimes feel like you take things in your life for granted, this episode has the antidote! From spiritual laws that govern us as people to a small but significant activity that you can work into your daily life, Kathy shares her perspectives and practices in order to show you the practical side of such a powerful force!  Being grateful works in an almost magical way, and Kathy is here in this week’s episode of Enlightened By Dogs to help you conjure up a little gratitude magic of your own!    Why not having an intentional gratitude practice in your life feels like you’re missing out on magic! Are you feeling, showing and expressing your gratitude, or are you simply taking things for granted? Do you have a tendency to think about the things in your life that are going wrong in an endless loop? What is the law of resonance, and why are we walking around like big magnets, attracting things and situations to our lives? What happens when we feel a genuine gratitude for the things we have? A quick guide to show you how to get started with your daily gratitude practice!   “People who are grateful tend to be happier, healthier and more fulfilled in their life” “Being grateful can help people cope with stress” “Gratitude is shown to be good for us and for those around us” “We have a natural tendency to focus on what goes wrong in our daily lives” “It feels amazing when we take the time to count our blessings” “We’re infecting others with our love and gratitude” “Find the joy in your life” “Your gratitude has no expiration date”   Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

What is an invitation as it relates to us and our dogs? What defines an invite? How does inviting your dog to engage with you differ from giving a trained cue, and why does it matter so much? These are just some of the questions that surface during Kathy’s weekend long Brilliant Partners Live Workshop. Since they were such good questions, and inspire deep thought, Kathy decided to share her thoughts and responses with you on this episode of Enlightened By Dogs! A Brilliant Partner’s goal is to live a lifestyle dripping with fun, respect, connection and love, so find out how to get the love lava flowing, and create true connectivity with your furry friend! Click play and learn all about the differences between a loving invitation, and a trained cue, and why one is definitely more effective than the other!   How does an invitation open the pathway to connection? What does a cue sound like? Why are we extending an invitation in the first place? What is love lava, and how do we get it flowing? What does an invitation look like, and how do we extend one?   “By itself, the very act of inviting opens the pathway to connection” “As social animals, we have a very strong and hard wired need to feel like we belong” “Extending an invitation to our dog fulfills that deep social need” “Our personal space certainly extends way beyond our physical body and so does our dogs” “Intention is a big part of what we do and how we live”   Episodes Mentioned in the show! Episode 73 Giving your dog the freedom to say no https://www.enlightenedbydogs.com/ebd-073-giving-dogs-freedom-to-say-no/ Episode 55 The Science of Safety with Sue Mimm https://www.enlightenedbydogs.com/ebd-055-science-of-safety/ Episode 56 The Arousal Protocol for Dogs https://www.enlightenedbydogs.com/ebd-056-arousal-protocol-for-dogs/   Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

Do you know what stands in the way of you forming a heart connection with your dog? Have you been trying to connect on a deeper level with your friend, but things seem to be getting in the way? It’s such a core piece of what makes a relationship and friendship so strong, and yet so many of us struggle, and sometimes aren’t even aware of it! Having a genuine heart to heart connection and bond with our dogs is what both sides truly want, and Kathy is here to share 3 things that may be stopping you from reaching your ultimate happy place with your dog! Are you falling into any of these traps? Tune in and find out if you are, and how to get back on track to creating an amazing partnership to be proud of!   What stands is the way of you having a heart to heart connection with your dog? Are you being present and in the moment? Are you worried about getting it wrong? Are you letting your dog give you breaks from the hamster wheel of life? Are you being sucked into the drama? The REAL reason we get dogs, and how to ensure we're living up to our full potential as partners!   “What stands is the way of us having a heart to heart connection with our dog?” “If we’re afraid of making a mistake or getting it wrong, well that means that we’re literally building a wall between us and our dog” “We’re role modeling for our doh the very thing that we don’t want our dogs to mirror” “What my dog most needs is a heart connection” “Breathe through that little bit of discomfort you’re going to feel when you decide to change things”   Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

Do you know about the dance invitation? Do you know how to invite your dogs to dance? How do you know if you’re doing it properly, and if you’re getting it right, why won’t your dogs join you?  In last week’s episode: Giving Our Dogs the Opportunity to Say No, Kathy introduced us to the concept of Connect, Observe, Decide, and how to create opportunities to give our dogs choices. Today, Kathy is furthering our education on the topic by sharing issues that can arise and common mistakes people make when first trying to invite their dogs to dance. She’s giving us the most common mishaps, and how to avoid falling into the same traps that other people do when trying to build a genuine connection and partnership with their dogs! Kathy's making sure that we don't repeat history by misusing the dance invitation, or expecting it to be something that it truly isn't meant to be. Not sure how to create that meaningful connection? Click play!   Mistake #1: Using the dance invitation as if it’s a recall and expecting compliance. Mistake #2: Using the dance invitation as if it’s a training exercise. Mistake #3: Loving the end of the dance invitation but not loving the other parts. Bonus Mistakes: Communication blunders that can mess the whole thing up!   “It doesn’t have to be a one or all type of thing” “We are inviting our dogs to connect, we are extending an invitation to make a connection. A heart to heart connection.” “We’re not expecting compliance” “There’s at least some part of our brains that are connected and our hearts that are connected to one another. We can strengthen that” “We all love the connection and so we do it”   Check out Episode #73 https://www.enlightenedbydogs.com/ebd-073-giving-dogs-freedom-to-say-no/ Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

Do you give your dog the freedom to say no to you? In a world where having a well trained, obedient dog is touted like a medal of honor, it may seem weird to entertain the idea of giving our dog the option to say no to us. In this week’s episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy will be sharing why we might want to start, and the massive impact it can have on our relationship with our dogs! Would you give your dog the option to say no to trivial things if it means getting your way with more important things? If the answer is yes, then click play and tune in as Kathy breaks down the idea of relinquishing your need to have it your way, in order to create a strong partnership with your dog. What do partners do? They respect each other! Which means that when you need something from your dog, they’re far more likely to do it for a partner that they love and respect, instead of someone who just bullies them and pushes them around! Listen in as Kathy shares detailed examples from her day to day life, in order to demonstrate the concept in action! This episode will change the way you approach every situation with your dog!    You can have an attentive, responsive and responsible dog without putting them through obedience training. What impact does the freedom lifestyle have on our dog’s willingness to say yes? Before the how and the what, you need to ask yourself why. Why do you want this? Connect, Observe, Decide. Body language is key in effectively practicing congruent communication with your dog! More examples of giving your dogs the freedom to choose!   “The more opportunities I give my dogs to say no, the more likely they are to say yes when it’s really important” “My badge of honor is that my dogs choose to be attentive and responsive and responsible” “Why do I want this thing that I’m asking, or do I?” “I’m going to be in alignment with my communication” Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

How do you socialize your dog? Are you the type to force your friend to face their fears? What about bringing them into crowded dog parks to expose them to other dogs? Have you been wishing for a better way to socialize? One that actually works and doesn’t stress out your dog or break their trust? Today on Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy is busting through 3 socialization myths that leave you and your dog in worse shape than when you started! Tune in and learn why these socialization methods are so damaging, and how avoiding them at all costs will lead to a much stronger bond with your four legged family members! Worried you might be doing one of these things? Then it's time to click play, and find out! If you're not, then great! But if you are, now is your chance to stop what you're doing, learn a better way, and begin building a deep, trusting connection with your dog! In This Episode Why do we go about socializing our dogs in all. Myth #1: Exposure is not positive socialization. When do we need to take extra care of the experiences our dogs have? Myth #2: Flooding is not positive socialization. How do you build trust, confidence and resiliency within you and your dog? Pressure to conform is not positive socialization.   “Socialization should consist of introducing your dog, in a controlled mindful way, to a variety of new circumstances” “Exposure is not positive socialization” “We want to give our dogs the freedom to choose” “Honour each dog as unique and beautiful” “Let’s not force them into compromising positions where they’re not feeling safe, calm and happy” “Positive and proper socialization means that we honour our dogs”   Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

What is responsible role-modeling and what does that look like? Why does it matter? How does it positively impact your relationship with your dogs? These are questions you may not feel the need to ask, but as they say: we don’t know what we don’t know! In this episode, Kathy is giving you one of the most powerful tools to put in your toolbox to ensure that you’re loved and respected enough to be listened to by your furry friends! After all, Monkey see, Monkey do. A lot of what our dogs do mimics our behaviour perfectly, but without knowing we’re guilty of the same behaviors, we often try to correct our dogs without first correcting ourselves! Want to know how to spot which behaviours to correct? Want to know how your dogs look up to you for guidance? Tune in to this week’s episode of Enlightened By Dogs and put your best foot forward so that your dogs can do the same!   How do you keep a pack of Border Collies happy when they can’t go outside because of landscaping and construction? What does responsible role-modeling look like? Why did Kathy stop looking at the sky? There is huge power and harmony to be found in meeting our dogs’ social needs. Tips to help you practice responsible role-modeling effectively!   “I’m role modeling, and what I mean by that is Iam not acknowledging that there’s anything happening” “I’m just carrying on with my normal stuff as I always do” “They look to me for guidance” “We’re literally expressing with all of us, congruently” “It has nothing to do with us, it’s none of our concern, it’s just life as usual” “Life is one big experiment” “I am a role model” “Dogs easily mirror our behaviour”   Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

Being a Brilliant Partner to your dog takes a shift in perspective. In fact, it takes multiple shifts in your mindset to become the best partner you could possibly be! But what are these shifts? How do you identify them? What can you do to begin reframing your dog’s needs, wants and behaviours? In this week’s episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy is sharing the 10 perspective shifts you’ll want to experience in order to truly show up for your dog! What does that mean? Often times, how we think of something creates our feelings and reality, so by changing the way we think about things, and adjusting our mindset, we can create huge impact in our lives! You don't even NEED to do them all to begin seeing results! Even just taking one of these shifts, and using it on a daily basis will show massive improvements in how you think, and how your life changes as a result of that!   Recognizing the Brilliant Partnership Ambassadors! The cornerstones of a loving partnership. 10 mindset shifts that will massively impact your relationship with your dog! Why wait for someday?    “Those deep seeded beliefs influence our thinking” “If we can think about things differently and if we can shift our perspective, we are opening doors to brilliance” “Move into coexistence with your dog with the intention of inviting partnership” “How can we rewrite our story into a beautiful love story”  “We can have happiness, freedom and joy right now. Today.”   Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

Imagine adopting 2 Great Pyrenees dogs and having them join your family. Everything is going well, and everyone is getting along. Then one day, you decide to take in a deaf dog, and give him a chance at a great life with your loved ones. It starts going down hill. The new dog is stressed out, frustrated, and you can’t communicate with him. Your other dogs are feeling out of sorts. The new dog starts to destroy the house, and fight with the other male dog in your house. You have to start boarding off rooms and keeping everyone separated. Sound a little like a nightmare? Well that was Bettina Nowicki’a life when she adopted Murphy!! Murphy is not a bad dog, but when he came into a new place, with strange new people and dogs, he didn’t adjust very well. Everything seemed hopeless until Bettina met Kathy and stumbled upon the winning formula! Murphy began to improve within days of making small “baby step” changes, and now Murphy is a full fledged and loved member of her family! The other dogs even lie with him and play with him! It’s become like night and day in Bettina’s house, and Kathy’s Brilliant Partners played a small role in making it happen! Want to know how it transpired? Tune in to this episode of Enlightened By Dogs!   Adopting Murphy into the family Was Murphy a lost cause? Would he need to be sent to a new home? How the family was able to come together as a unit and embrace a new way of living! Learning how to communicate with a dog who is deaf, and things that Bettina had never even considered!  How Brilliant Partners differ from dog training programs.   “I think the dogs were taking over the leadership because we didn’t know what to do” “We can drive them again! We can walk them again!” “We weren’t even able to have them in the same room together, they are now lying on the couch together, they’re playing outside together” “Our dogs don’t bark at the neighbors anymore” “I never knew how to communicate with my dogs until I met you”   Register for Kathy’s Free Partnership Workshop…Transform Your Rocky Relationship with Your Dog into A Brilliant Partnership! http://dancinghearts.link/bpaworkshop   Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

Over-arousal is a real problem that shows itself in a lot of different ways. In some cases, it can look like chasing cars, animals, or running along the fence. In other cases it can look like digging hundreds of holes in the yard or jumping on strangers. The extreme cases can be horrific and lead to people or other dogs getting seriously hurt. No matter how it manifests on the outside, the cause of over-arousal looks pretty common on the inside. Over-arousal has been linked to high stress hormones in the brain, and while the solution may not happen overnight, there is definitely a way to get your dog feeling less stressed out, and more safe, calm and happy! Want to know how it’s done? Tune into this episode of Enlightened By Dogs!   The horrific reason why overarousal needs to be addressed in an episode of its own.  We’re responsible for our lives, our dogs lives, and the lives that our dogs can impact. How do we best handle that responsibility? Looking for ways to be safe, calm and happy for everyone. How do we avoid the worst case scenario of someone getting bitten by your dog? The definition of arousal, how it differs from over-arousal, and how to determine calm activities to do with your dog. Getting started today for a much better tomorrow!   “I hope you are enjoying life with your dog and finding ways to be safe, calm and happy every day” “We’re also responsible for others that our dogs might impact” “We want to be happy, we want to enjoy life. That’s why we have dogs in our life in the first place”  “Your dog is not happy behaving that way! Trust me! Your dog is over-aroused” “Let’s do this!”   Register for Kathy’s Free Partnership Workshop…Transform Your Rocky Relationship with Your Dog into A Brilliant Partnership!   http://dancinghearts.link/bpaworkshop Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

Does life with your difficult dog frustrate you? Are you feeling stressed out or overwhelmed by their behaviour? Does it feel like there’s no end in sight? Never fear! Brilliant Partner and recurring podcast guest Sue Mimm is joining Kathy on the show today to talk about how she went from dreading her days with her difficult dog, to loving every single minute of their time together! Sue sheds light on some of her difficult moments early on in their relationship, and explains how she managed to turn it around. She describes where she put her focus and how things progressed into such an amazing transformation! A year and a half ago, Sue would have never imagined things going the way they are today, but it has happened, and she’s here to help you see the hope in your story!    We get an introduction to Sue, her dogs, and the golden standard of partnership. What got Sue from being overwhelmed and stressed out by her difficult dogs, to having the greatest partnership possible Facing the inner pressure created by thinking “this isn’t how it should be” versus “this is how it is, but we can improve it.” The core things that Sue focused on to make the transformation happen! Does your dog get better, or is it actually you who gets better?   “Can I just make it through one day in a semi-normal way?” “Life is good” “You never think that’s something that you can attain or that you can have with your dog and it’s just a very beautiful thing” “They had to be big transformations before I was willing to celebrate them and then I realized these big transformations just weren’t coming” “Why do you have a dog? What do you want to do with your dog?” “Don’t put your dog in a situation that they cannot handle” “I want to take all of the hard stuff away, and whittle it down to the most crucial pieces” “I can start to enjoy life with my dog today” “Believe in yourself, believe in your dog, it is possible way beyond your wildest dreams”   Register for Kathy’s Free Partnership Workshop…Transform Your Rocky Relationship with Your Dog into A Brilliant Partnership!   http://dancinghearts.link/bpaworkshop   Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

Do you have hard days? Well, there are things you can do to make it through those days and come out the other side ready, able, passionate and excited to live life with your dogs! Have you ever noticed that a dog has the ability to show us how to enjoy life? They’re so good at brushing off the small stuff, living in the moment and having fun! It’s hard to believe that our dogs can have bad days, but they’re just as susceptible to them as we are! Sometimes we can even be the cause our dog’s bad day! Before we can return the favour and light up their lives, we have to make sure we’re brightly lit up too! In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy shares her most solid tactics and ideas on how to get through hard days in the most positive ways possible, so that you can be a light for your dog when they need it the most! Click play and find out how to help yourself, and your dog through the hardest of days! In This Episode Dogs can illuminate our path forward when we’re feeling lost or stuck! Why you may want to start celebrating your baby steps and small accomplishments. Focusing forward on the life you wish to live can be a great motivator if done right!  How to avoid creating a giant ball of misery and drama.   “Hard days are just hard” “Our dogs are amazing at showing us the path forward” “The power of living a partnership lifestyle lies in baby steps and celebrating each one of those” “We do need something that helps us focus forward” “Clear is kind” “Sometimes it’s easier to start with what you don’t want” “Let’s choose to be the light for our dogs”   Register for Kathy’s Free Partnership Workshop…Transform Your Rocky Relationship with Your Dog into A Brilliant Partnership!   http://dancinghearts.link/bpaworkshop Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

Hello friend! It’s been a crazy couple of weeks, and Kathy is here to tell you all about it! Unexpected issues and life happening all over the place caused her usual sense of calm to bubble over and lead to a bit of a meltdown. Luckily, Kathy is a master of calm and it took her no time at all to find it again, and get back to living her best life! Want to know what she did? Tune into this week’s episode of Enlightened By Dogs to find out exactly what physical and mental steps Kathy took to go from being stressed and overwhelmed to tears, to being calm and happy while walking her dogs! It’s not complicated, and it’s something you can start doing right now to improve your health and relationships. Take a deep breath, click play, and unlock the secrets to calming yourself and your dog!   A heartfelt thank you to the new Brilliant Partners and podcast listeners! Mishaps and mayhem create a perfect storm for Kathy. The one and only thing you may need to know in order to calm your dog. Why does breathing play a role in calming the mind and body?   “It influences everything we do and it makes our whole life better” “I felt renewed, refreshed, ready to take on the day” “We also have the capacity and capability and everything we need to influence our dogs to be happy and calm” “Your body senses your breathing and adapts its heart rate in response to that” “We’re generating love, appreciation and gratitude for someone or something special in your life while we breathe”   Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

Do you really need your dog to sit and perform for their cookies? Do you truly want your dog to lie down in a specific place all of the time? Or is there something else that is more appropriate, and more aligned with a partnership lifestyle? Ok, so today is a little bit of a rant episode about what we truly want from our dogs! Are we actually giving up what we want most, for what we want right now?  While it is a possibility that you may want these things, we tend to spend a lot of energy trying to train behaviors out of our dogs, or train new habits in, while we fail to ask why we’re doing it in the first place. In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy really breaks down for us how to stop training and start partnering with our dogs. She gives tons of examples and stories to back up the silly things we do, and why they may not actually be the best use of your time and effort!   Are you doing this thing over and over again without even thinking about it? Is our view of the human/dog relationship completely out of touch with reality? What do you truly want out of your relationship with your dog?   “Move away from habits that are not stepping stones to the life that we dream of living with our dogs” “It’s not about having the perfect dog” “We’re all different. That’s okay. Our dogs are all different, and that’s okay too.” “When you know what you really want, then true partnership begins to happen”   Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

Are you ready to become a Brilliant Partner to your dog? To expand into the best human you could possibly be? In this episode, Kathy leads you through a series of very specific exercises to help you blossom into the best possible version of yourself for the benefit of you, everyone around you, and of course: your dogs! The breed of your dog doesn’t matter. How old your dog is doesn’t matter. How reactive your dog is doesn’t matter! If you stick with this and follow the protocol Kathy teaches, you will have an amazing relationship with your furry friend! If you allow it to, and if you take inspired action, this episode will change your life!   In This Episode Why would you want to be a Brilliant Partner in the first place? It all starts with you, and your ability to take inspired action! Who are your dog role models? Why do you admire them? Why it’s important to reaffirm your values, and the values of your dog!   “Your success is inevitable if you stick with it” “When we are more and more brilliant, our dogs automatically match us” “Discover the qualities that you most value, discover the qualities that your dog most values in you as a human and expand them” “What might a dog admire in a human that they would love to engage with?” “I want to be this way with my dog” “The qualities that you value, you already have”   Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community   

Judgement is a slippery slope when it comes to holding ourselves and our dogs back! We misjudge ourselves, we misjudge our dogs and we lock ourselves in Judgement Jail all the time. Never Fear! Kathy is here with 3 different keys to unlock those doors and let you out! On top of that, she’s handing the keys over to you so that you can use your “get out of judgement jail free” card whenever you find yourself locked up! Another week brings another Brilliant Partners secret on this episode of Enlightened By Dogs Podcast!   Measuring the gap between your current place and where you want to be isn’t the best approach!  Stop comparing yourself to others. How blossoming into the next version of yourself benefits not only you and your dog, but the world at large. Are you forcing a timeline on yourself and your dog where there doesn’t have to be one?  Can you reframe your pain into something better?   “I’ve been sentenced to failure” “How far have you come?” “You already know where you measure the gap” “Your first chapter may be another’s twelfth chapter” “Your dog that is challenging you is a gift” “Our dogs don’t have a timeline” “Forcing timelines creates pressure, stress, frustration and even more judgement”   Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

If you consider yourself to be a savvy, dog-centric individual, then this episode will definitely resonate with you! It can be extremely disheartening and frustrating when we’re constantly finding ourselves in situations that are making us and our dogs upset! So what do we do about it? What is this big life changing secret that will make our lives and the lives of our dogs so amazing? In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy shares her first of many skills that will help change the relationship you have with your dog, and with life itself! This one has everything to do with how you think. How you think about you, how you think about your dog, and how you think about the situations you keep finding yourself in!   How your thinking can hold you and your partnership with your dog back from being as enjoyable as it could be. Clearing out your mental clutter is a big part of perfecting the skill! The chain reaction of thoughts and emotional response. When is it appropriate to change your emotional state and how do you do it? Building and protecting your self image!   “We need to learn to be loving leaders and role models for our dogs” “We won’t be able to do the things if we’re not thinking about it correctly” “We can’t untangle ourselves from the mental clutter until we get to critical mass” “Becoming conscious and aware of what you are creating with your thoughts is the first step” “We are way more powerful than we know” “We keep getting better and better”   Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

There are a lot of factors at play when it comes to being resilient. Things like genetics, your environment, your level of activity and how often you get outside can greatly impact your response to ugly situations. Now if this is true for you, imagine how true it is for your dog! The exact same thing applies to them as well! Our socially intelligent furry friends require the same care we do if we expect them to be strong and resilient in the face of adversity! In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy invites us to sit in on a masterclass she hosted about creating resiliency and balance in the lives of our dogs! She pulls back the curtain and shares a segment of an in depth teaching designed to help us build our dogs up and help them succeed in ways that only a Brilliant Partner possibly can!   Why do we neglect talking about resiliency? Dogs can feel support in a few different ways, how does your dog feel supported? Giving your dog choices in life will create a more balanced life! The beautiful benefits that come from unstructured play. Strategies for dealing with unfavourable situations you find yourself in with your dog.   “Resilient partners don’t give up when life gets hard” “There’s a lot to be said about the power of resilience” “What is this difficulty teaching me?” “They need to feel like they have some amount of control over their own life” “Resiliency in us and our dogs comes from the inside out” “There’s nothing as renewing and healing as being connected to nature” “There are no failures, there are only opportunities to learn”   Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

Dogs are masters of meditation. It sounds crazy, but it’s 100% true! Our dogs live in a constant state of presence, and rarely (if ever) allow mind drama to cloud their judgement. If we can learn anything from our furry friends, it’s to slow down and take in the moment. In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy takes us along for a walk with her dogs and shows us exactly how they help her connect with the present moment and reach a meditative state! Are you truly connecting with your dogs as deeply as you could be in the moment? Click play and find out exactly what that looks like!   A few reasons why you may want to start meditating on a regular basis. The benefits of not being caught up in mind drama. Debunking meditation myths. Kathy takes us for a walk with her and her dogs! How your dog can help you reach a meditative state. Kathy’s meditation challenge.   “By observing your own mind and your own thoughts, our perspective shifts” “We don’t have to be a slave to our own mind” “Meditation is simply an act of being present in the moment” “I’m seeing what my dogs are curious about. I’m noticing what they’re noticing” “Every time I make a connection with my dogs, it’s a meditation.” “All those moments add up to clearing that mental clutter” “Dogs live in a state of presence”   Want More of Kathy? Brilliant Partners Academy  Enlightened by Dogs Website  Facebook Community 

In this episode, Kathy explains how being trapped in the house because of extreme winter or summer can strengthen the bond between you and your dog. It is also the perfect teaching opportunity to work with your dogs’ impulse control. What does this mean? It means taking a mindful and calm attentive responsiveness to our relationships with our dogs. Being locked up with your dog is actually a great opportunity!  Your dog can learn how to let you, their partner: Calm them Mindful action eases the crazy way theyŕe feeling We can develop reading our dogs better Emotionally Mentally Physically Kathy gives a quick rundown about believing that dogs naturally want to contribute to their family unit.  (Because of social intelligence) If you or your dog are overwhelmed, we can’t learn or focus on anything least of all our intention. High arousal activities that your dog displays with or without you should be limited to fifteen percent of each day. Kathy also believes that just spending time with our dogs is a really useful tool for your dog to have. Four useful things to work on with your dog while you're confined to the house due to weather: Teach your dogs to pay close attention to you. To be responsible partners To know to look to you for answers/direction Posture Position Presence Dialogue with your dog using the three Ps. Expressions Breathing Actions Develop your skill to a master level in objectively observing and reading your dog’s communications in a single instant. Observe your own body Observe your focus Observe your calmness Observe your tone voice/whistle Observe the speed with which you’re speaking Observe your facial expression Become a zen master of yourself which will nurture your dog and your partnership. Touch your dog whenever either of you are feeling tense Breathe in rhythm to your stroking Releases oxytocin Being mindfully connected Use the power of your breathing and calming touch   “I believe that our dogs connect us to the heart and soul of what really matters in life.” “Being stuck inside is a great time to practice impulse control and build a better partnership.” “Being confined indoors with our dogs is a great opportunity to practice being calm, clear, and relaxed.” “We affect our dogs by our emotions and intentions.”   The Brilliant Partners Workshop! http://dancinghearts.link/bpaworkshop   Additional Links Enlightened by Dogs Website     Facebook Community     Kathy's YouTube Channel   EBD Podcast on iTunes  

I talk with Jamie Malek and Ian Clarke from WVS Care for Dogs in Chiang Mai, Thailand.  We cover how and why they wound up at Care for Dogs, what the organization is doing to improve conditions in and around Chiang Mai, and their thoughts on making a difference, money vs. purpose, dealing with critics, and more. I really respect what they're doing, and hope that our talk may inspire some of you to do more of what you love, as well as to encourage some of you to get involved in supporting WVS Care for Dogs in Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Enjoy, and all the best to you.  -DanHagen has selected his human (Jamie)Mr. Jones is the boss of the yardIan has grown attached to these two beautiful sisters.  They may soon live with him...Ian loads Jamie in the back of the truck.  The staff thought it was hilarious to see the big boss in the truck :)Links etc. mentioned in our talk:  WVS Care for Dogs Website, and Facebook PagePetFinder.com and AdoptAPet.com - The US Sites for Searching for Rescue Dogs by Breed, LocationAlan Watts "Dance while the music is being played" Alan Watts, "What if money was no object?"

Mary Deranitz from Bridge Rescue for Dogs explaines what she does to help dogs find a home instead of having them put down, Please share this podcast for others to listen in. Bridge Rescue for Dogs Website:http://www.bridgerescue.orgE-mail:brdgrescue@gmail.comBridge Rescue for dogs Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/BridgeRescue?fref=ts&ref=br_tfNature Talk News Website:http://www.naturetalknews.comNature Talk News E-mail:Naturetalk2013@gmail.comThanks for listening and hope to hear from you !

Mary Deranitz from Bridge Rescue for Dogs explaines what she does to help dogs find a home instead of having them put down, Please share this podcast for others to listen in. Bridge Rescue for Dogs Website:http://www.bridgerescue.orgE-mail:brdgrescue@gmail.comBridge Rescue for dogs Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/BridgeRescue?fref=ts&ref=br_tfNature Talk News Website:http://www.naturetalknews.comNature Talk News E-mail:Naturetalk2013@gmail.comThanks for listening and hope to hear from you !