Explore every episode of the podcast Ask Ali - A Professional Dog Trainer Answers Your Dog Training Problems!

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Whats.that.rattle asks if I have any harness suggestions to help with pulling for a strong hound.
I share three of my favourite harnesses we use with the hounds, and share why they're great for deep chested hounds.

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When you have a dog with fear reactivity, it can be hard to know how to introduce them to people in your home.

In this episode, I answer Caicos' question from Instagram about how to introduce a fear reactive dog to a new guest in their home. 

I discuss the benefits of keeping their guest informed, and then muzzle training their dog. 

Breaking down the process is really important, and steps like 

- Adding smells (a good trick is to take your guest's shoes off before they come over) 

- Taking walks together 

- Recognising where the dangers may be  makes the process a lot easier!

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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I'm so excited to share with you today's video: Is clicker training really necessary? Or is a marker word just as good?

This was a question that Stewie_McD asked me on Instagram and it got me thinking.

In this video, I'll discuss some of the science behind clicker training vs marker training and what conclusion I draw from it. Let's go!

If you want more reading, Clicker vs marker!

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Today, I'm talking about my dog who is startling out of sleep and showing aggression. Leisha asks for my opinion on whether she should adjust the dog's medication and train. I share my insight on what I suspect this may be, and that it's most likely centered in deafness or pain, but that I would strongly suggest you see a good vet.

I hope you enjoy!

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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In this episode, we're talking about what you can do when an off-leash dog approaches your dog.

If you've ever been out walking and had an off-leash dog come up to your pup, you know how stressful it can be. You have a few options: You can either try to get away from the situation as quickly as possible, or you can address it head-on with some helpful techniques.

I share some of my favourite tricks to deter an off leash "it's okay he's friendly" doggo!

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Today I'm answering whats.that.rattle's question about what to do when your reactive dog reacts and the situation was entirely unavoidable.

First off, I want to say that we forgive ourselves, because we are human and it is not our job to read other people's energy or body language. We are allowed to be human beings who sometimes make mistakes.

Afterwards, we walk away from the situation as quickly as possible, even if it means walking away from our pets for a bit so they won't be exposed to any possible triggers. Also, give them some down time as they'll be more likely to react whilst there is still cortisol in their system.

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In today's video, I'm answering lacoltural's question about whether she should adopt a second dog when her current dog doesn't necessarily like other dogs.

As always, I'm so glad you're here and can't wait to see you next week!

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Welcome to Ask Ali, where I answer all your questions about dog training. Today's question is from Jenn, who asks "what do I do about dog attacks in a multi-dog home?"

This is a really common issue that many of you may be dealing with right now. Sometimes this is really difficult, especially in this situation where the instigation was very unexpected, and at least one dog was in pain -- but it's still doable.

In today's episode I discuss how to bring down cortisol, and let both dogs destress, allowing both dogs to recover and repair their relationship as positively as possible

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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How do you re-grow confidence after your dog has been attacked? 

Well, you start by taking a step back. Increase your distance to things (muzzle train if necessary) and try to show your dog that the world isn't so scary. 

You can also enroll in dog spots or try some competitions online - and sometimes walking in a slightly nicer area can help you grow your confidence too. 

Luckily for us? Dogs bounce back really quick when we let them. 

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Support the show

Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

Send a text

Support the show

Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

Send a text

Support the show

Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

Send a text

Support the show

Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

Send a text

Support the show

Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

Send a text

Support the show

Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

Send a text

Support the show

Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

Send a text

Support the show

Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

Send a text

Support the show

Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Ali discusses enrichment options for a less able pitbull terrier. 

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Ali explains that this argument is something that she doesn't believe it's the case, and that mammals, lizards and birds and animals of all kinds respond to positive reinforcement. So why would our dogs be any different?

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Ali guides that this is often prey drive related. Suggesting finding appropriate outlets for this driver, and then counter conditioning and desensitization for the bike itself.

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Ali discusses how cats and dogs can get along. You can use management, training and create positive associations with calmness around cats.

Further reading
How To Stop Your Puppy From Chasing The Cat

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Ali discusses HappyLittleWinnie's question "How do I work on my dog's relaxation in public?"

Ali gives some examples using her dogs and who she would teach multiple things to, and who she wouldn't and why as a way to demonstrate why it would or wouldn't work to do that.

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Philos' Friend asked "How do I work on my dog's relaxation in public?"

Ali discusses applying the 3D's and rewarding calm behaviour. 

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Kovu asked "How do I stop my dog from reacting to the upstairs neighbours through the floor?"

Kovu is slightly nervous and alert barks at the noises the new upstairs neighbours make.

This one will be tough because of the fact that this is meant to be a decompression zone! 

Ali suggests finding a way to decompress with Kovu, manage sounds as best as possible and maybe even talk to the neighbours if their noise is excessive.

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Dog has started airsnapping at the young children in the family. 

Ali encourages the the questioner to assess the situation for whether it's true threat from discomfort, play, or illness.

Applying management as required!

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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"Do you have any recommendations for Dog coats?"

Ali explains that so far she's still in testing, but last year she loved the ruffwear powder hound. 

the questioner says that it's actually a coat for a toy poodle and Ali recommends checking out the GF Pet Alpine puffer!

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Ali gets asked "How do I stop my 7mo toy poodle chasing cars?"

Ali explains about the second fear phase and encourages understanding, satisfaction of needs and then training with counter conditioning & desensitisation.

Further reading
Second Fear Phase

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Ali gets asked "Do you have any muzzle recommendations for a dog who can slip their muzzle?"

Ali answers about her favourite muzzles

(find a full list on Best Muzzles )

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Ali gets asked what the difference is between the ruffwear front range and the perfect fit harness, both harnesses that Ali loves!

Further reading:
Best Dog Harnesses  

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Kovupupp asks what my experiences are with CBD as a training aid for dogs.

Ali explains that occasionally she uses CBD in training or with her own dogs.

She suggests testing & consulting with a vet!

Further reading

Complete guide to CBD for dogs

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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"How Do You Create Calmness Around New People & Dogs?"

Ali explains that Calmness is a process that most dogs need to learn, and its something that often becomes an issue when our dogs are a puppy and new people and dogs become super exciting.

Watching from a distance and rewarding calmness throughout would be a fantastic learning opportunity.

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Stephanie Taylor asks "How do you stop your dog from jumping up?"

Ali explains a few things about dog training theory, and why turning away or ignoring may not work.

Then guides that teaching a mutually exclusive behaviour works much better, such as a sit!

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Reggie & Rhi ask - "How do I bring guests into the home with an anxious dog?"

Ali goes through management options to assist, such as muzzle training and then what training you can do.

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Raising_eabha_the_irish asks "What's the question I wish dog owners asked me more?"

Ali explains that she wishes people asked her what breed of dog that they should get. 

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Elle asks "What's your opinion on clicker training?"

Ali explains that she's not really into it! That clicker training just adds in another  thing to carry, to remember, and that words are equally effective! 

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Kovupup asks "what insurance do you recommend?" 

Ali explains that she's not really in a position to recommend, but gives details of what she's using with her own dogs! 

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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WalksWithPablo asks "Ali, what are your opinions on medication for dogs with behavioural issues?"

Ali answers describing when she does and when she doesn't believe it's appropriate, discussing the benefits that dogs (and their parents) may see for using it.

Generally showing support for it's appropriate use, and explaining the "Window of responsiveness" theory.

Further reading:
Training your dog with Fireworks
Intro to reactivity in dogs
CBD & Dog training

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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@Rescuedandcherished asked what they should or could do when they're hiking in public and dogs keep running up to her dog.

Ali discusses how to approach this situation, and explains that level of overwhelm described is something trainers refer to as Trigger Stacking. That Ella experienced so many problems that she became totally overwhelmed and could not control herself any further.

In these instanced Ali advises that a few things will need to happen;
1 - Leave.
2 - Tell the park ranger/proper authority
3 - Take breaks on the trail for water and sniffing.

All of this should definitely help!

Further reading:
Rules for hiking with your dog
Cortisol Breaks

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Miss_Starry'sDog asks If I have some good resources against prong collars and ecollars (shock collars). 

Further reading
Prong Collars
Ecollars

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Mylo_andchefmom ask, "Should I Crate Training My Puppy As A Foster Carer?"

Ali discusses how crate training functions, why it's important and why it's particularly important that Mylo_andchefmom follows the shelter's instructions if at all possible.

Explaining also how a 'normal' dog parent would make this decision and how it should be implemented.

She also discusses how she uses crate training with her own dogs and using it as a 'safe space' for her own dogs. Whilst none of them are crated every night, all three of Ali's dogs are comfortable being in a crate.

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Reggie & Mom, Rhi, Ask "Should I only use treats for our reactivity training?"

Ali discusses how rewards can still be used for regular obedience training and reactivity training (desensitization and counter conditioning)

Further Reading:
High Value Rewards

Reducing treats in positive reinforcement training

Intro to reactivity in dogs

Best Gear For Large Reactive Dogs

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Eleonorevangaasbeek asks Ali, "How do we build confidence in our dogs?"

Ali explains that dog sports are fantastic for building confidence, general obedience and good socialisation is a good thing!

Further reading:
Parkour for dogs
Guide to Socialisation

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Nillster_ asks "Why do dogs come to humans and ask for affection, even though they want space?"

Ali explains that it's not necessarily that they feel comfortable, and that they may be doing it to placate their humans and suggests adding in cooperative care in the context of consent to pet!

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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SchnauzerStormy asks "How do I get my intact male dog to move on from the smell of a female in heat?"

Ali advises that we teach a "move on" style cue, how to train that and to use strong smelling treats to reprogrammed their nose. 

Also suggests a ready cue.

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Molly P Shea asks "Is 9yo too late to train a reactive dog who has bitten?"

Ali explains that the bite history adds in complexity that will make the training more difficult, but that they are trainable.

Biting becomes a learned behaviour and is something that your dog can forgo steps in the "ladder of aggression" that will complicate things.

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Alison Boones "How do we tell the difference between fear an excitement reactivity?"

Ali discusses how it can be hard to know, gives some tips on how to tell either way, and that fear will result in "Aggressive" displays, whilst excitement will be "over intense" play.
And to use body language!
but that it doesn't actually, truly matter because the training is the same.

Further reading
Intro to reactivity
Pandemic puppies
Spectrum of sociability

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Eric The Red Lab asks "how do we approach busy areas and new reactivity towards dogs?"

Ali explains that as a young dog, he's in a second fear phase, and that as a new adopted dog, that the family might be seeing new behaviours that are just surfacing.

And how to approach new, busy areas!

Further reading:
3D's of Dog Training

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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Laura asks "Why is my 7mo dog whining? The Vet says they're healthy."

Ali suggests it may be to do with hormones! That males can get antsy if there is a girl in his environment that may be in heat. That neutering may help, but will not guarantee.
It could also be habitual, i.e. a learned behaviour and suggests creating an alternative behaviour.
Also, ensure that needs are satisfied and the whining isn't making this sort of request, i.e. if they need to go out to the bathroom.
Find the pattern!
Ali also says if other dogs are whining, then a vet check should be done!

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com

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"Why does my dog cover his food?"

Ali explains that dogs tend to hide food they value. Explaining that this may or may not be a problem, and that in the past rescues who may not have been fed properly in the past makes them more prone to hiding or "storing" food.

Ali suggests testing! Increase food, decrease food and see if it changes the response.

Also, consider a vet check.

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Ali Smith is the founder of rebarkable.com This episode comes from an instagram live, head to @re.barkable or submit your question to woof@rebarkable.com