The Everyday Trainer Podcast

The Pet Industry Playbook | ft. Celine Tran + Shane Murray

Ever wondered what it really takes to build a successful pet business in today's digital landscape? This candid conversation with Celine, the creative force behind WulfSnacks and multiple 100K+ social media accounts, and dog trainer Shane Murray pulls back the curtain on the messy, challenging, and ultimately rewarding journey of pet industry entrepreneurship.Celine shares her unexpected path from aspiring veterinarian to pet influencer and business owner, revealing the moment during COVID when she decided to leave her veterinary assistant position behind. What started as homemade treats for her dogs with food sensitivities transformed into WulfSnacks, a thriving business that appears much larger online than its family-run reality. From cutting meat herself and packaging orders to managing multiple social platforms, Celine's story demonstrates the unglamorous work behind her success.Both guests emphasize that overnight success is a myth. Before viral moments, they spent years creating content that barely anyone watched. They discuss the critical importance of authenticity in standing out in oversaturated markets, why outsourcing weaknesses is essential for growth, and how to build valuable relationships in the dog training community.The conversation takes fascinating turns through topics like manifestation, maintaining work-life balance with 20+ animals, and their contrasting approaches to entrepreneurship—Shane's calculated transition versus Meg's leap-of-faith methodology. Whether you're a pet professional looking to grow your business or simply curious about the reality behind pet influencer success, this episode offers honest insights about what it really takes to build something meaningful in today's digital world.Follow Celine @CelineTails on Instagram and TikTok, and check out her upcoming Farmer's Market Box launching August 1st at wulfsnacks.com.

How To Speak Dog: Decoding the Language Between Human and Dog

Have you ever felt like you and your dog are speaking completely different languages? You're not alone. Communication barriers are the root cause of most training frustrations, but there's a solution that transforms even the most challenging relationships.In this illuminating episode, I break down the five essential communication systems that create crystal-clear understanding between dogs and humans. Drawing from years of experience with both everyday pets and complex behavioral cases, I reveal how mastering these systems creates a shared language that eliminates confusion and builds trust.You'll discover why consistent marker words matter more than you think, how leash pressure becomes a sophisticated guidance system rather than just control, and the subtle ways your body language might be sending mixed signals to your dog. We explore how to identify truly motivating rewards for your unique dog, and when appropriate, how e-collar conditioning provides wireless communication for reliable off-leash behaviors.This isn't about dominance or force—it's about fairness. Dogs can't meet expectations they don't understand, and training failures usually stem from communication gaps, not stubborn or "bad" dogs. With practical examples and real-world applications, I show how these five languages work together to create a nuanced conversation with your dog that respects their natural learning process.Whether you're struggling with basic commands or advanced behaviors, this episode offers a paradigm shift in how you approach dog training. Stop the frustration of miscommunication and start speaking your dog's language fluently. Your relationship—and your results—will never be the same.Ready to transform how you communicate with your dog? Join our supportive online community where we share videos, hold weekly calls, and build better human-dog relationships together.theeverydaytrainer.com

From Reactivity to Relaxation: Your Dog Training Questions Answered

Dog trainers Meg and Thoma tackle your most pressing canine questions in this comprehensive Q&A episode packed with practical solutions for common behavioral challenges.When it comes to getting dogs to truly settle down, they reveal why constant food rewards often backfire, creating dogs that stare intensely rather than genuinely relax. Their tethering approach offers a refreshingly different alternative to the overused "place" command, allowing dogs to find calm on their own terms without the pressure of perfect obedience. "It's almost like forced meditation," Meg explains, highlighting how this technique helps dogs learn self-soothing skills that transfer to real-world situations.For those struggling with rescue dogs, their counterintuitive advice might surprise you: play hard to get. "The harder you try, the harder it gets," Meg shares, comparing relationship-building to those finger traps from childhood. Rather than forcing affection, they advocate for patient coexistence and discovering what genuinely brings your specific dog joy—not what you think dogs should enjoy. This approach respects a dog's need to feel invisible at times while building genuine trust.The episode dives deep into tool selection, crate training philosophies, and managing reactivity with nuanced approaches that consider each dog's temperament and developmental stage. Their discussion on van life with multiple dogs provides fascinating insights into creating sustainable routines in limited spaces, emphasizing the importance of insulation, power management, and organizational systems designed around canine needs.What sets this episode apart is the trainers' refreshingly honest perspective drawn from real-world experience rather than idealistic theories. Whether you're struggling with a reactive puppy, considering a second dog, or simply trying to understand why your training efforts aren't sticking, you'll find actionable guidance grounded in decades of hands-on work with thousands of dogs. Tune in to transform your relationship with your four-legged companion through clear communication and realistic expectations.

Dogs need wilderness as much as we do.

There's something magical that happens when we allow ourselves and our dogs to escape the constraints of urban living. This episode takes you along on our adventure to Yosemite and the surrounding wilderness, where unexpected encounters became transformative experiences.Our journey began dramatically when we spotted a wildfire starting on BLM land. After reporting it, we continued deeper into the wilderness, where fate led us to a private lakeside property. Instead of being turned away, we were welcomed by Scott, a bearded mountain man with a generous spirit. His stories about how nature rehabilitated both his troubled nephew and once-aggressive Rhodesian Ridgeback resonated deeply with our own philosophy about the healing power of natural spaces.Contrasting our peaceful lakeside experience with the crowded paths of Yosemite Valley provided powerful insights into what dogs truly need. While Yosemite's beauty is undeniable, the restrictions for dogs (limited to paved paths and parking lots) transform what should be a relaxing experience into what we jokingly called "a mall outing with a view." For dogs with behavioral issues, especially reactivity, the constant vigilance required in crowded spaces creates a feedback loop of stress that reinforces problematic behaviors.This is why we advocate so strongly for seeking out less-traveled natural spaces like national forests and BLM lands. These areas provide something increasingly rare in our modern world – the freedom for dogs to move naturally without constant restraint. We've witnessed remarkable transformations in our board-and-train dogs when given regular access to these environments. Whether you live in a van like us or in a traditional home, finding ways to regularly connect with nature isn't just a luxury for your dog – it's essential for their behavioral health and your relationship with them. Have you noticed how different your dog becomes when allowed to simply be a dog in nature? 

Navigating 25 Years of Dog Training Evolution ft. Stephanie O'Brien

What does 25 years of dog training experience teach you? Stephanie O'Brien, owner of Dog Genius Canine Education, takes us on a fascinating journey through her evolution as a trainer—from growing up raising guide dogs to becoming an expert in protection sports.Stephanie's story offers a rare glimpse into how dog training has transformed over decades. Before YouTube tutorials and Instagram influencers existed, trainers learned through direct mentorship, VHS tapes shipped from Europe, and traveling to competitions. Her vivid recollections of discovering Belgian Ring sport for the first time and the thrill of taking bites from champion protection dogs showcase a passion that's carried her through an extraordinary career.The conversation explores pivotal moments that shaped her approach: apprenticeships with contrasting mentors, importing her first "real" Malinois from Belgium, and eventually moving to California where she built a thriving business training dogs for celebrities and television appearances. Through these experiences, Stephanie developed a balanced training philosophy that prioritizes understanding each dog as an individual.What makes this episode particularly valuable is Stephanie's honesty about the challenges trainers face—from navigating polarized training philosophies to managing self-doubt even decades into a successful career. Her perspective reminds us that great training isn't about rigid methodologies but rather building relationships and adapting to the dog in front of you.Whether you're a seasoned professional or simply love dogs, this conversation offers wisdom that only comes from decades of hands-on experience with thousands of dogs across multiple training disciplines. Listen in as Stephanie shares why, even after all these years, every dog still teaches her something new.You can find Stephanie at her website here Visit our website theeverydaytrainer.com