Why Retiring Your Service Dog Isn’t Failure—It’s an Act of Love

Is your service dog starting to pull away from their vest… and you’re not sure if it’s burnout or just a phase?

That question can feel terrifying.

Because when your dog has been your partner, your support system, your safety… the idea of retirement can feel like failure. Like you’re giving up. Like you’re doing something wrong.

But sometimes what looks like “quitting” is actually communication.

In this honest and deeply personal conversation, Em sits down with Kaitlyn of @thesaltysheps to talk about the moment she realized her dog Sebastian wasn’t asking for more training or more pressure.

He was asking for rest.

For relief.

For space to just be a dog again.

Together, they talk about the quiet signs of burnout, the grief that can come with letting go, and how choosing retirement can actually be one of the most loving decisions you make for your partner.

If you’ve been carrying guilt or second-guessing what your dog needs, this episode will feel like permission to slow down, listen, and trust what they’re telling you.

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Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

This podcast explores life with dogs and life with pets through dog behavior, reactive dogs, dog anxiety, and real-life dog training challenges. It supports overwhelmed pet parents who want to better understand dog body language, communication, daily routines, and canine enrichment so dog life feels clearer and more manageable. Episodes focus on dog behavior while offering practical help and support, exploring common behavior patterns, and addressing real-life challenges many pet parents face — including experiences like dog barking, habits, obedience, and socialization — while also speaking to the emotional side of living with sensitive dogs and navigating lifestyle with dogs.

Hosted by a canine nutritionist, dog nutrition coach, dog trainer, and retired vet tech, the show covers canine nutrition, dog nutrition, dog food and behavior, dog gut health, training challenges, training burnout, rescue dogs, dog grief, dog enrichment ideas, dog health, and dog myths — while exploring what it looks like to build a calmer, healthier life with your dog and strengthen the dog–human bond.