Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs

138 | Bad Training Advice You Should Ignore (And What to Do Instead)

Hey Dog Lover 🐾This one might come with a little ambient background noise, courtesy of my son mowing the lawn — because hey, life doesn’t pause when you're trying to record a podcast. 😅But while he’s out there pushing a mower, we’re in here pushing back on one of the most common (and misguided) pieces of training advice:“Just ignore the behaviour you don’t like.”Here’s the truth:Ignoring your dog’s behaviour can frustrate your dog as much as it does you.And it definitely doesn’t help them feel safer or more supported.In this episode, I’m sharing:Why ignoring behaviour can actually make things worseThe story of Gunther and the crate — and how I handled it (hint: it wasn’t with treats or silence)What it really looks like to model the behaviour you want instead of waiting for it to appearWhy your dog needs leadership, not just passivityThe truth is: your dog isn’t trying to be difficult.They are being a dog, and you have to give them feedback. Do you agree with this behaviour? Or not? Either way, they need to know. Hope you enjoy this! Please be sure to share, rate and review! Tracy xoxoxHINT: If you say nothing, you have *agreed* with the behaviour. 🐾👣 Next Steps:Join the {Free} 3 day Bootcamp! Have you been told you’re the problem in your dog’s behaviour?Maybe it was a trainer.Maybe it was the internet.Maybe it was your own inner critic whispering that if you were just more consistent, more firm, more “alpha” or more positive… your dog would be fixed by now.Here’s the truth:You are not the problem.But you are the solution.In the Calm Down, Dog! Bootcamp, we’re leaving behind the blame — and picking up the real tools that create lasting change.Over 3 days, I’ll show you how to:Stop trying to train your dog out of behavior that comes from stress or confusionShift from reactivity to relationshipLead in a way that feels good for both of youUnderstand what your dog really needs from you — and how to give it without bribery or burnoutThis Bootcamp isn’t about obedience.It’s about ownership — of your energy, your leadership, and your connection with your dog.If you’ve ever been made to feel like you’re doing it all wrong… come hang out with me instead. We do things differently here.Join the Calm Down, Dog! Bootcamp⁠beyondobedience.ca/bootcamp⁠Special music credit to Shawn Trotterwww.shawntrotter.com

137 | Why I Can't Adopt Dogs

🎉THE CALM DOWN, DOG! BOOTCAMP IS BACK 🎉— and I couldn’t be more excited.It’s happening October 7–8, and we’re diving deep into the real work of living with dogs — not just training them.In this episode, I’m sharing the real reason I got a new German Shepherd puppy… and the realer reason why I’ve been rejected by rescues and breeders more than once.Yep.Despite working professionally with dogs for over 20 years, I’ve had doors closed on me simply because I don’t subscribe to the “purely positive” training model.Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on:Why I don’t train with treats or corrections — I train with relationshipHow my pack helps raise balanced, confident dogs (including Gunther)The difference between controlling behavior and creating trustWhy relationship-first leadership is more misunderstood — and more effective — than you thinkAnd yes… I’ll be teasing a powerful moment I caught on video that I’ll be sharing exclusively inside the Bootcamp.If you’ve ever felt like mainstream training advice doesn’t work for your dog — this one’s for you.Hope you enjoy this one!Tracy xoxo🐾👣 Next Steps:Join the Calm Down, Dog! Bootcamp of course!! beyondobedience.ca/bootcampSpecial music credit to Shawn Trotterwww.shawntrotter.com

136 | Puppies, Planes and AHa! Moments: Unscripted Lessons In Building Dog Trust

Hey Dog Lover! 🐾In this delightfully spontaneous episode, we’re keeping it real because, well, life happens! I’m sharing a little behind-the-scenes peek into my world: the whirlwind of getting a new German Shepherd puppy named Gunther, a recent jaunt to England, and some curious insights I picked up about dog culture across the pond. “How interesting!” you’ll hear me say because it’s all about bringing that curiosity back home and letting it shape the way we build trust and leadership with our dogs.So, join me as I chat candidly about the ups and downs of this new adventure. It’s a bit of a mixed bag episode, but I promise it’ll be full of heart, a few laughs, and some thoughtful reflections on how to raise a confident, curious pup.Next steps👣🐾 If you’re eager to dive deeper into creating calm and confidence with your own dog, don’t miss our upcoming Calm Down Dog Bootcamp! It’s happening October 7-9th, and you can fetch all the details at beyondobedience.ca/bootcamp. Let’s be the reason and the reward in our dogs’ lives, together. 😉

135 | Beyond the Bark: Tools, Boundaries & Understanding {Series Part 3}

Hey Dog Lover! 🐶Welcome to Part Three of the Beyond the Bark Series! In this final episode, we’re wrapping up my contribution to a recent article on barking with some of the most practical — and controversial — questions around the topic.Here’s what we’re covering today:How furniture placement can actually reduce barking (yep, where your couch goes matters!)Using tools like curtains, crates, and X-pens to prevent escalation and create calmer spacesWhy too much “free reign” often leaves dogs feeling like they have to control too much real estateThe controversial topic of bark collars, shock tools, and water guns — and why I believe leadership, fulfillment, structure, and boundaries should always come firstMy closing thought: the key to everything with dogs is learning to understand them, not forcing them to fit into our human worldThis episode ties it all together and helps you rethink barking not as a nuisance, but as information you can actually use to lead your dog more clearly.xoxo,Tracy 💛👣🐾 Next Steps:If you want to understand your dog on a deeper level so that everything gets easier, join me inside the Fearless Framework. It’s where we break the fear cycle and build the kind of trust and confidence that makes barking less of a problem in the first place.👉 BeyondObedience.ca/fearless👣🐾 Bonus: Come join the free Living Beyond Obedience community on Facebook, where you can connect with like-minded dog lovers, ask questions, and share your journey.👉 facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedience🎵 Music Credit: Shawn Trotter – shawntrotter.com

134 | Beyond the Bark: Puppies, Prevention & Adult Dogs {Series Part 2}

Hey Dog Lover! 🐶Welcome to Part Two of the Beyond the Bark Series! In this episode, we’re tackling the questions about puppies and adult dogs when it comes to barking.As part of my contribution to a recent article on barking, I was asked:With puppies, what can we do to prevent barking at things like the doorbell, the garbage truck, or people passing by?What about adult dogs? Is it too late to train them out of barking?Here’s what we’re unpacking today:Why the real key for puppies isn’t “stopping barking” but socialization and exposureWhy it’s absolutely not too late for adult dogs — yes, they can learn new tricks!My go-to tip for helping your dog stop alert barking in real life situationsThis episode will give you practical steps for both puppies and adults so you can respond with clarity and confidence.xoxo,Tracy 💛👣🐾 Next Steps:If you want to understand your dog on a deeper level so that everything gets easier, join me inside the Fearless Framework. It’s where we break the fear cycle and build the kind of trust and confidence that makes barking less of a problem in the first place.👉 BeyondObedience.ca/fearless👣🐾 Bonus: Come join the free Living Beyond Obedience community on Facebook, where you can connect with like-minded dog lovers, ask questions, and share your journey.👉 facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedience🎵 Music Credit: Shawn Trotter – shawntrotter.com