Enlightened By Dogs: Living with Cooperation, Not Obedience

EBD304 Using Personality Traits as a Bridge to Connection and Cooperation with Your Dog

April 29, 2024 13:00 - 24 minutes - 22.1 MB

Our dog’s personality traits offer a roadmap to their heart and mind, allowing us to work with their nature for deeper connection, smoother communication, and better cooperation. Every dog is an individual, and knowing what makes your dog tick can be the key to unlocking a harmonious relationship. 🗝️💖 Understand their personality traits, and you'll understand how to communicate effectively and cooperate joyfully. 🐕💬 Dive deeper into how to connect with your dog on a whole new level by tu...

EBD 303 Diffuse Reactivity by Embracing Your Dog's Sensitivity

April 22, 2024 13:00 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MB

In this episode of Enlightened by Dogs, we explore the topic of understanding and navigating the sensitivities, preferences and quirks that affect our daily lives with our dogs. Here’s what we unpack in today’s episode: Understanding Mindset: We begin by exploring what a mindset is and how it influences our interactions with the world and our dogs. Your beliefs and perspectives can significantly impact the success of your relationship with your dog. Exploring Our Sensitivities: I i...

EBD302 Nurturing Trust: Beyond Avoiding Triggers

March 25, 2024 13:00 - 35 minutes - 32.2 MB

In this episode, we journeyed further into the heart of understanding the unintended consequences of avoiding triggers and how such actions can inadvertently escalate reactivity in our dogs. Be sure to listen to part 1: EBD301 “Shrinking Worlds, Growing Reactivity: Why Avoiding Triggers Backfires.” One of the insights from this discussion is that trust is not transactional, and we can’t buy trust from our dogs at any price. Instead, trust is earned through consistent, reliable ...

EBD 301 Shrinking Worlds, Growing Reactivity: Why Avoiding Triggers Backfires

March 18, 2024 13:00 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MB

Recently, I've had the joy of exploring the often challenging terrain of reactivity in dogs, peeling back the layers to understand the underlying causes that sweep us and our canine companions into this whirlwind. It's been an enlightening journey, especially during my "Growing Together from Reactive to Remarkable" workshop, where we shared breakthroughs as dedicated dog moms. In our latest episode, we've ventured into a topic that's both pivotal and potentially mind-bending: the count...

EBD301 Shrinking Worlds, Growing Reactivity: Why Avoiding Triggers Backfires

March 18, 2024 13:00 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MB

Recently, I've had the joy of exploring the often challenging terrain of reactivity in dogs, peeling back the layers to understand the underlying causes that sweep us and our canine companions into this whirlwind. It's been an enlightening journey, especially during my "Growing Together from Reactive to Remarkable" workshop, where we shared breakthroughs as dedicated dog moms. In our latest episode, we've ventured into a topic that's both pivotal and potentially mind-bending: the count...

EBD300 Reactivity in Dogs: Redefining the Narrative

February 26, 2024 13:00 - 19 minutes - 18 MB

This episode unfolds a compassionate and insightful exploration into what reactivity in dogs truly means, advocating for a profound shift in our understanding and response to it. Kathy introduces listeners to a reimagined definition of reactivity, rooted in the complexities of canine communication and the frequent misunderstandings that arise when these communications go unheard or unheeded. It challenges the common definition of reactivity—behavior that is inappropriately out ...

EBD299 Simple Steps to Break Free From Reactivity with Your Dog

February 19, 2024 13:00 - 27 minutes - 24.8 MB

In this episode Kathy explores the nuanced communication between dog moms and their dogs, emphasizing the importance of understanding and reframing our perceptions of our dogs' behaviors. Kathy shares the idea that behaviors we often interpret as disobedience or refusal are actually our dogs communicating their unmet needs. She advocates for a shift from correction to connection, suggesting that listening and engaging in a dialogue with our dogs can lead to a deeper understanding and ...

EBD298 True Story: Reactive Dogs Become Remarkable Partners

February 12, 2024 13:00 - 41 minutes - 37.7 MB

In this inspiring podcast replay, Kathy interviews Ros about her transformative experience with her two Hungarian Vizslas, Phoebe and Myrtle. Ros discusses the initial challenges of their reactivity and her subsequent journey to understanding and connecting with them in a way that led to an enjoyable life together. The episode highlights the pivotal role of a dog mom’s mindset in influencing dog behavior, the importance of addressing the underlying causes of reactivity, and the effect...

EBD297 Ending the Recall Struggle with Connection, Not Command

February 05, 2024 13:00 - 17 minutes - 16 MB

Today’s episode addresses the common yet frustrating issue many dog moms face - their dogs not responding to recall in everyday situations. In this insightful episode, host Kathy sheds light on why traditional command-based recall methods often fall short and offers a more effective, connection-based approach. This podcast is essential for dog moms looking to understand their dogs better and build a relationship where recall becomes a natural, stress-free part of their daily life. Kath...

EBD296 Are Your Subconscious Beliefs Impacting Your Dog's Behavior?

January 29, 2024 13:00 - 16 minutes - 15.2 MB

In this episode, Kathy discusses the profound impact our subconscious beliefs can have on our dogs' behavior, drawing on the concept of the Pygmalion Effect or Self-fulfilling Prophecy. Common frustrations and challenges dog moms face, like reactivity, over-excitement, and disobedience, can be transformed by starting with a shift from judgment to understanding and support. Negative beliefs about our dogs can create a challenging loop of behavior that spirals into meltdowns or shutdowns, ...

EBD295 "Leading with Love: Cultivating Cooperation with Dogs"

January 22, 2024 13:00 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MB

In this insightful episode, Kathy delves into the nuanced topic of leadership in the context of a relationship with our dogs that cultivates natural cooperation. She emphasizes the importance of being a loving leader without resorting to dominance or obedience training. Kathy explains that true leadership is about guiding, listening, and fostering trust rather than commanding or exerting control. Kathy advocates for a leadership style that centers on making dogs feel safe, thereby cul...

EBD294 The Power of Being- Cultivating a Deeper Connection with Your Dog

January 15, 2024 13:00 - 33 minutes - 31 MB

Today on The Enlightened by Dogs Show, our host Kathy Kawalec dives deep into the beautiful world of empathy, connection, and mindful partnership with our dogs. She reminds us that it's not just about what we do, but also about who we are being in our relationship with our dogs. Our intentions and values shape our actions and the results we achieve. To truly connect with our dogs, Kathy encourages us to reflect on what we truly value and desire in our relationship with them. She shares...

EBD293 Empowerment and Empathy: Redefining Our Approach to Dog Parenting

January 08, 2024 13:00 - 22 minutes - 20.9 MB

In this heartfelt episode, we delve into the essence of being a dog mom, exploring the powerful bond between women and their dogs, highlighting the unique perspectives and experiences that shape this relationship. Kathy challenges conventional dog training philosophies, advocating for a partnership approach rooted in understanding, respect, and mutual growth. We delve into the concepts of power and leadership, contrasting traditional 'Power Over' methods with a more nurturing, 'Power WITH...

EBD 292 Merry and Mellow: Simple Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday with Your Dog

December 18, 2023 13:00 - 27 minutes - 38.2 MB

As we step into the festive season, we often find ourselves swept up in the whirlwind of holiday preparations. However, amidst the glittering lights and cheerful melodies, our sensitive dogs can sense our stress along with the change in their environment, sometimes reflecting it in their own behavior. This season, Kathy invites you to create a holiday 'green zone' – a sanctuary of calm and connection for both you and your beloved dogs. Creating this green zone starts with us, the devoted d...

EBD 291 Digging Under the Surface: Understanding What Your Dog is Really Communicating

December 11, 2023 13:00 - 24 minutes - 33.7 MB

In this podcast episode, Kathy Kawalec talks about the importance of communication in building a beautiful and cooperative relationship with our dogs. She starts by expressing how living with dogs is a gift, despite the challenges that sometimes come with it. Kathy emphasizes that communication with our dogs isn't just about giving commands; it's a two-way street. It's about exchanging ideas, feelings, and understanding each other's intentions. She points out that dogs don't just act out or ...

EBD290 De-stressing: Working Together with Our Dogs for a Happier Life

December 04, 2023 13:00 - 20 minutes - 28.2 MB

Inspired by a Business Insider article on meditation's impact on the human brain, Kathy ponders whether our stressful lives might be affecting our dogs more than we realize in this replayed episode. This leads her to question if our hectic lifestyles might also be changing our dogs' brains, possibly increasing their stress and anxiety. The strong bond we share with our dogs has been shaped by years of living together, and while our furry friends help reduce our stress, we might unknowi...

EBD289 Life Lessons from Our Dogs: Remembering What Really Matters

November 27, 2023 13:00 - 23 minutes - 32.7 MB

Sometimes, in the hustle of dog sports and the pursuit of the 'perfectly trained' dog, we might lose sight of why we welcomed these loving creatures into our lives in the first place. This episode is a gentle nudge to step back and cherish the unconditional love, companionship, and personal growth our dogs bring to us every single day. In this episode, Kathy shares a heart-to-heart talk about the deep and enriching bond we share with our dogs and a reminder of what's truly important in...

EBD288 Celebrating Our Dogs with Gratitude, Love and Awe

November 20, 2023 13:00 - 15 minutes - 21.7 MB

Today's podcast is a beloved replay of Kathy’s special tribute to our faithful friends—our dogs. Dogs are embodiments of love, laughter, and connection. Yes, they can sometimes be the source of frustration, but the joy they sprinkle in our lives eclipses those fleeting moments of worry. And even when we face communication hurdles, the bond remains unshaken. In the first segment of this podcast, Kathy shares an excerpt from Mary Oliver's "Dog Songs." The passage read is a testament to t...

EBD287 My Hardest Dog That Challenged Me to Be Better

November 13, 2023 12:00 - 31 minutes - 42.8 MB

We are replaying this deep and insightful episode of Enlightened By Dogs, where Kathy shares a story that many struggling dog moms will relate to. Hear how she overcame difficult challenges and learn how her hardest dog taught her the true meaning of living a joy-filled partnership lifestyle with dogs. Some of our most important life lessons come from our hardest dogs. If it wasn’t for those challenges, Kathy tells us that she would never have the experience, insight, and determinatio...

EBD286 Stories of Hope: Dog Moms Overcome Reactive and Difficult Behavior Challenges

November 06, 2023 12:00 - 35 minutes - 32.7 MB

Today, we are replaying a compilation of inspiring tales from dog moms who faced various challenges with their reactive dogs and then completely turned things around. From dogs barking incessantly at fences, reacting aggressively on leashes, fearing strangers, or simply refusing to move on sidewalks due to panic, these stories shine a light on hope. No matter the existing relationship with your dog - even if it's already good - there’s so much more!, These dog moms embraced the p...

EBD285 Building Bridges From 'Untrainable' to Unstoppable: A Story of Partnership

October 30, 2023 12:00 - 18 minutes - 25.6 MB

Kathy Kawalec shares an intimate story about her border collie Maya, who had been rejected by three homes by the time she was six months old. Maya was labeled "untrainable" due to her uncontrollable and dangerous chasing habits. Experienced trainers struggled with her, but Kathy approached the situation differently. Instead of focusing on training specific behaviors, Kathy prioritized establishing a strong foundation with Maya, emphasizing these key partnership principles: Role modeling: ...

EBD284 Building Trust with A Fearful Dog: A Look Back at My Journey with Haley

October 23, 2023 12:00 - 27 minutes - 37.4 MB

Kathy is replaying this important episode featuring the journey she took with her sheltie from fearful to confident. In this heartwarming and enlightening episode, Kathy reminisces about her journey with her Sable Sheltie, Haley, from the early 1990s. Beginning with a look at Haley's profound fear of strangers, the narrative evolves to reflect on the transformational nature of their bond. Despite the obstacles they faced, like Haley's unexpected chase after horses, Kathy employed her...

EBD283 "Listening to Whispers: What Your Dog is Really Trying to Tell You

October 16, 2023 12:00 - 22 minutes - 21 MB

Ever caught your dog looking into your eyes and felt they were trying to tell you something, but couldn't quite grasp their message? You try to listen, but deep down you continue to wonder what your dog is really trying to say. Whether it's a simple need or a crucial warning, our four-legged friends communicate using body language, vocalizations, and various behaviors. While they can't 'speak human,' we often don't 'speak dog’ – creating misunderstandings that can lead to frustrations,...

EBD282 Beyond Behavior: Connection and Compassion in Dog Parenting

October 09, 2023 12:00 - 16 minutes - 15.1 MB

do we jump to conclusions, thinking that our dogs are refusing to listen or choosing to be difficult? This week’s podcast episode invites us to see our dogs in a new light - as beings HAVING a hard time, NOT giving us a hard time. It’s all about creating “a life of compassion, connection, and cooperation with our dogs. And everyone else in our life too!” Tune in and explore how we can be more forgiving and understanding, not just towards our dogs but also towards ourselves. 3 Key Take...

EBD281 Don't Believe Everything Your Brain Tells You About Your Dog

October 02, 2023 12:00 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MB

In this episode, Kathy explores the profound connection between our thoughts, feelings, and actions and the way they shape our lives with our dogs. We’re delving into how powerful our minds really are and how we can better utilize our brains to help us. Our old ‘Lizzie’ brain often throws us off course, highlighting the hurdles and tough bits, convincing us to stick to the status quo, even when our hearts are yearning for change. Kathy encourages us to tap into our executive thinking b...

EBD280 [encore] Empowering Dogs with Consent: Strengthening Trust Through Choice

September 25, 2023 12:00 - 33 minutes - 30.8 MB

In today’s heartwarming episode, we dive into the essence of consent and freedom in our relationship with our dogs. Reflecting on a coaching session from the Brilliant Partners Academy, we discuss how reimagining our approach towards dogs can build a deep-rooted trust and a cooperative partnership. Many of our dogs face anxiety at the vet and with difficult caregiving procedures, and this episode provides insights on handling those situations. The conversation revolves around allowing...

EBD 279 Stepping Beyond Mental Barriers to Deepen Our Bond with Dogs

September 11, 2023 11:00 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MB

In this episode of the "Enlightened by Dogs" podcast, Kathy sheds light on what might be keeping us from having that trusting, heart-to-heart connection with our dogs. Often, without realizing it, we may be building walls between ourselves and our dogs, in spite of our true intentions. Being stuck in our heads, worrying, or fearing mistakes can hinder the genuine connection that we crave. Kathy emphasizes the importance of being present, avoiding the busy-ness trap, and understanding o...

EBD278 Results Over Reasons: In The Moment Choices For A Brilliant Future With Your Dog

September 04, 2023 11:00 - 16 minutes - 14.9 MB

Experiencing the true depth of connection with our dogs lies in understanding our own feelings and mindset. This episode revolves around a pivotal thought: What if we could manifest the emotions we wish to experience in the future, right in this moment? And what would that mean for our future relationship and partnership life with our dogs? It’s not about waiting for our dogs to behave a certain way to feel happiness or contentment, it’s about cultivating those feelings in the mo...

EBD277 Breaking Free of Reactivity: The Transformative Power of Changing Our Thoughts

August 28, 2023 11:00 - 21 minutes - 19.8 MB

At the heart of every reactive behavior our dogs display is a stress spiral – a chain of emotions and misunderstandings. As dog moms, we often face challenges, especially when confronted with the seeming unpredictability of our dogs' reactions. But what if the key to resolving these reactions isn't in training your dog, but in retraining your brain? We explore the powerful concept that taking responsibility for our own thoughts, especially during difficult experiences, can drastically ...

EBD276 Trust-Building with Your Dog to Prevent and Respond to Trauma

August 21, 2023 11:00 - 25 minutes - 23.5 MB

In today's episode, we look at the world of natural communication and connection with our canine companions. Think back to when you first brought your pup home, that initial bond, the trust, and the love that started to flourish. However, as life happens, unpredictable and potentially traumatic events can strain that bond. So, how do we foster a relationship that ensures our dogs look to us as trustworthy during these scary experiences? Reflecting on the nature of dogs, puppies natura...

EBD275 Building Lifelong Social Confidence in Dogs and Puppies

August 14, 2023 11:00 - 21 minutes - 20 MB

In this first episode of a three-part series, Kathy highlights the importance of building your dog’s social confidence. She uses a variety of scenarios to explain what it means and when it’s necessary to be an advocate for your dog. The series takes a closer look at ways you can stay connected with your dog in awkward and somewhat unpleasant social situations. Did you know that your puppy or young dog is at the most impressionable stage of their life? They’re experiencing m...

EBD274 What If Your Dog's Behavior Doesn't Mean What You Think It Means?

August 07, 2023 11:00 - 20 minutes - 18.8 MB

We often make unconscious decisions about what our dog’s unwanted behavior means, and then jump to conclusions and take actions based on those assumptions. But what if their behavior doesn’t mean what we think it means? In today’s episode, we’re going to take a look at why dogs behave certain ways, and how we commonly respond to those behaviors, without even thinking much about it. When you have greater clarity and a deeper understanding of what your dog does, why they do it, and...

EBD273 A Deeper Look At What It Means To Walk With Your Dog in Partnership

August 04, 2023 11:00 - 26 minutes - 24.2 MB

When we take a deeper look at what it means to walk in partnership with our dogs, we find opportunities for bonding, connection, mutual respect and kindness. Most of us dog moms envision walking our dogs as an enjoyable experience … but that’s not always how it goes! For many dog moms, walking their dogs can be a stressful and frustrating experience, rather than a beautiful bonding opportunity. But, what if walking with your dog was easy? It sounds like a dream come true, ri...

EBD272 Using the Power of Your Thinking to Become A Brilliant Partner

July 31, 2023 11:00 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MB

In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy dives into using the power of your thinking to reach the full potential of becoming a brilliant partner with your dog. Sharing some of her favorite strategies, Kathy makes a case for taking responsibility for our thoughts, feelings, and actions as key for having a successful and happy relationship with our canine partners. Visualizing the life we want to have and having a balance between achieving and growing can help us better unde...

EBD271 Changing Your Dog by Changing Your Thinking

July 24, 2023 11:00 - 28 minutes - 26 MB

All behavior is communication, so how your dog responds to you (or doesn’t respond to you) is how they are trying to tell you how they feel in the moment. When your dog seemingly refuses to listen to you, it can be really frustrating. Sometimes, it can even feel like your dog isn’t listening to you on purpose, which makes you even more frustrated. Thankfully, Kathy knows just what you need to do to change your story from ‘my dog won’t listen’ to ‘my dog loves to listen’! Now, the ans...

EBD270 Preventing and Rehabbing Unwanted Barking the Brilliant Partners Way

July 17, 2023 11:00 - 41 minutes - 38 MB

In this episode Kathy will help you identify the root cause of your dog’s excessive barking, and guide you through the eight steps of her Bark Busting Protocol to prevent and rehab unwanted barking, the partnership way. Pretty much every dog mom has a story of their dog’s over-the-top barking. Kathy certainly has a few stories of her own, and she shares the exact steps she took with unwanted barking with her own dogs in this episode. So, what are the steps to getting on top of un...

EBD269 The Benefits of Co-Regulation with Dogs

July 10, 2023 11:00 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MB

We’re making it real with this episode! It’s when we step into our place as trustworthy role models and loving leaders that our relationship with our dog truly blossoms. When we and our dogs are feeling safe, calm and happy – Kathy calls that ‘being in the green zone’ – then we are able to connect, make better choices and interrupt the behavior spiral of stress that no one wants. As Kathy emphasizes in this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, we need to move away from the desensitiz...

EBD268 Choose Your Best Adventure With Your Dog

July 03, 2023 11:00 - 22 minutes - 20.2 MB

Are you getting in the way of building the future of your dreams with your dog? When we welcome a dog into our lives, we usually dream of living in perfect harmony together with (preferably) no ‘unwanted behavior’. So, when things don’t turn out the way we thought they would, it’s easy to let ourselves get lost in a sea of negative thoughts. We become so focused on everything that’s ‘wrong’ with our lives (and our dogs), that we forget to focus on what’s truly important. Wh...

EBD267 [ENCORE] Anxious Dog Mom with Intense Border Collie Brings Unexpected Blessings

June 26, 2023 11:00 - 31 minutes - 29.1 MB

In this guest edition of Enlightened by Dogs, Kathy introduces Erin who tells us about her journey with her unexpectedly intense Border Collie, Jess. Erin, a lovely member of the Brilliant Partners Academy, picked up Jess with the hope of love, joy and adventure. To start off with, things were really hard! Jess’ behaviors left Erin feeling anxious, stressed and even panicked at times. It all started when they brought home a border collie bundle of joy they named Jess. The puppy w...

EBD266 [ENCORE] Reactive Rescue Dog Is The Best Teacher with Terri and Bella

June 19, 2023 11:00 - 43 minutes - 40.2 MB

This week, Kathy turns the spotlight on a member of the Brilliant Partners Academy. Terri joins this Enlightened By Dogs episode to tell the tale of her beloved Bella and their shared transformation. Terri’s life was turned upside down when they decided to adopt Bella from the local shelter...and quickly found out that EVERYTHING over-aroused her. Bella’s intensity and reactivity made almost everything in life seem impossible and they got into a red zone spiral they couldn't get out of...

EBD265 [ENCORE] How Deeply Listening Helps A Reactive Dog

June 12, 2023 11:00 - 37 minutes - 34.1 MB

You may think that you’re listening to your dog’s wants and needs, but listening isn’t always what you think it is. We all want to do what’s best for our dogs. However, sometimes, in the quest for a successful relationship, we can get stuck pursuing traditional training methods that just aren’t working. The reality is, truly listening to your dog can look very different from how you might have imagined it. When you open up your mind and your heart to your partnership’s possibilit...

EBD264 [ENCORE] Broken Family with Reactive Dogs Restores Harmony

June 05, 2023 11:00 - 36 minutes - 33.2 MB

Bettina’s life was turned upside down when they decided to adopt Murphy, a deaf dog with OCD, after seeing his handsome face on a rescue website. It quickly became apparent that Murphy had a LOT more going on than a hearing impairment… Bettina says…”We adopted Murphy knowing his deafness meant special needs, but quickly his OCD behaviors that included tearing out drywall and resource guarding turned our life upside down. Soon it was not only affecting us, but our other dogs too. Bear s...

EBD263 [ENCORE] First Time Dog Mom with Adopted Reactive Dog Tells How She Turned Their Life Around

May 29, 2023 11:00 - 32 minutes - 29.3 MB

Living with a reactive dog can be a frustrating experience, and as a first-time dog mom, it can be an overwhelming and seriously confusing one as well. In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy revisits a conversation she had with first-time dog mom Paulina Grzesinska-Mrozek. Paulina was struggling with her dog Badi, who was very reactive to other dogs and people both in their apartment and on walks. Paulina struggled to understand Badi and couldn’t figure out why he always b...

EBD262 [ENCORE] Hope for Reactive Dog Moms: 4 Remarkable Stories

May 22, 2023 11:00 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MB

If you've been struggling with understanding your dog and feeling uncertain about knowing what the right thing to do is, I have got an episode for you! We're featuring dog moms, my amazing and brilliant students who had the same questions as you, the same struggles as some of you, and the same worry, overwhelm, frustration, disappointment as many of us feel, at least at times. What I love about my students' stories is that they really paint a picture of what is possible and what it looks...

EBD261 From Frustration to Understanding and A Deeper Connection with Your Dog

May 15, 2023 11:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MB

In this episode of Enlightened by Dogs, Kathy Kawalec delves into the concept of understanding our dogs' behavior as communication, helping us to move away from frustration. She teaches us how to reframe our thoughts and reactions to our dogs when they don't seem to listen, and to see their actions as an unmet need rather than defiance. Kathy emphasizes the importance of connecting with our dogs on a deeper level by stepping into their paws and meeting them where they are. This episod...

EBD 260 Decoding Your Dog’s Behavior By Listening to Whispers

May 08, 2023 11:00 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MB

In this episode of "Enlightened by Dogs," Kathy takes us on a journey into the captivating world of dog communication and behavior by listening to whispers. Together, we'll learn how understanding these subtle cues can significantly enhance the bond between you, the loving dog mom, and your canine companion. Discover the importance of recognizing your dog's "whispers" before they escalate into "shouts," and join Kathy as she shares three empowering tips to help you better understand y...

EBD259 From Bark to Heart: Understanding Your Dog Through Dialogue

May 01, 2023 11:00 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MB

In this enlightening episode of "Enlightened by Dogs," host Kathy Kawalec explores the importance of communication as the foundation for building a successful, heart-centered relationship with your dog. Kathy delves into the various aspects of communication, including the exchange of information, ideas, and feelings between you and your dog. Throughout the episode, Kathy emphasizes the importance of a dialogue loop, a two-way exchange between you and your dog that fosters understanding and...

EBD 258 Your Dog Triggered? Pause Breathe Connect

April 24, 2023 11:00 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MB

In this episode, we’re digging deeper into what is happening when your dog is triggered, and how to interrupt meltdowns with a pause, breathe, connect technique. Kathy explores the concept of using the natural biology of connection to help our dogs calm down, emphasizing the importance of meeting both our own and our dogs' social needs. As social animals, humans and dogs share many needs, including the needs to feel safe and connected. When these needs are met, trust and cooperation flouri...

EBD257 How Old Thinking Keeps Us Stuck in Old Behaviors

April 17, 2023 11:00 - 23 minutes - 21.1 MB

In this week's episode of Enlightened by Dogs, Kathy Kawalec debunks three common myths around dog obedience training and old thinking that keeps us and our dogs stuck in old unwanted behaviors. As a dog mom, you may have fallen for one, two, or even all three of these myths that have been holding you back from creating a brilliant life with your dog. Kathy shares her experiences from 20+ years of coaching, mentoring, and instructing other dog moms, helping them achieve a level of succ...

EBD256 Why Understanding Your Dog's Personality Traits Matters

April 10, 2023 11:00 - 23 minutes - 21.2 MB

In this episode, Kathy leads a discussion about your dog’s personality traits, how that relates to their behavior, and why this matters. This deeper understanding of your dog's personality will foster a stronger bond and create a more cooperative environment between you and your dog. By looking into the "shadow traits" that may be the hidden drivers of your dog’s more challenging behaviors, dog moms can gain a better sense of how to better communicate with their pup. To help dog...

Enlightened By Dogs: Living with Cooperation, Not Obedience

Episodes