Enlightened By Dogs: Living with Cooperation, Not Obedience – Details, episodes & analysis

Adopting a partnership approach can dramatically enhance your life and your relationship with your dog. This approach fosters a harmonious and respectful relationship, where both you and your dog actively contribute to enhancing the quality of your life together.

Here are some key aspects of the partnership approach:

• Heart and Connection: We focus on building a foundation of heart connection, and trust, supporting our dogs’ development.

• Emotionally Intelligent Choices: By engaging with our dogs through emotionally intelligent choices, we lead to a more harmonious home.

• Shared Responsibilities: Prioritizing love, trust, and cooperation not only improves behavior but also boosts our dogs' mental, physical, and emotional health, which in turn enhances our own well-being.

• Clear Boundaries: Setting clear, consistent, and compassionate boundaries allows our dogs to feel secure and understand what’s expected of them, helping them self-regulate and be integral family members.

This partnership approach radically changes how we interact with our dogs, fostering growth and enriching our lives together. 

Tune in for more insights and practical tips for improving your life and relationships with your dogs!

LOVE TO LEARN MORE? 

Become a calm and confident Dog Mom with a cooperative, happy dog ... without obedience training, or relying on treats or arousing games, or corrections of any type. 

Here are some next steps:

SUBSCRIBE to Kathy’s YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/c/DancingHeartsDogAcademy/videos

LISTEN or READ Kathy’s Podcast and Blog on her Website:

https://dancingheartsdogacademy.com/

GET STARTED work with Kathy:

https://dancinghearts.link/foundation

LET’S CONNECT on the socials for more partnership tips and advice:

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dancinghearts/

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathykawalec/

LISTEN TO PODCASTS:
Subscribe to the Enlightened By Dogs podcast in your favorite app! Don’t forget to leave us a rating and review – it would make Kathy very happy!  

Subscribe on  Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify

Connect on Facebook: facebook.com/dancinghearts/

Have you ever wondered how a simple laugh can change the entire dynamic between you and your dog? Laughter is known for its stress-relieving qualities among humans, but its effects are just as impactful on our dogs. When you laugh, you emit signals of safety and joy that can help calm and reassure your dog. Laughter acts like a reset button during stressful situations. It helps to reassure your dog that there's nothing to worry about, calming their nerves and transforming a potentially tense situation into a moment of bonding.

In this episode, we explore how laughter can not only diffuse tense situations but also prevent them from escalating. Here’s a brief overview of what we covered:

• The Science Behind Laughter: We discuss how laughter acts as a natural stress reliever for both humans and dogs, fostering a relaxed and joyful environment.

• Real-Life Stories: I share personal anecdotes demonstrating how laughter has helped turn potentially challenging situations with my dogs into moments of bonding and understanding.

• Practical Tips: You’ll learn simple yet effective ways to incorporate laughter into your daily interactions with your dog, enhancing communication and strengthening your bond.

• Expert Insights: We also touch on scientific insights and expert opinions that support the use of laughter as a tool for better canine communication.

Discover more about how you can use laughter to enhance your relationship with your dogs in our latest podcast episode!

LOVE TO LEARN MORE? 

Become a calm and confident Dog Mom with a cooperative, happy dog ... without obedience training, or relying on treats or arousing games, or corrections of any type. 

Here are some next steps:

SUBSCRIBE to Kathy’s YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/c/DancingHeartsDogAcademy/videos

LISTEN or READ Kathy’s Podcast and Blog on her Website:

https://dancingheartsdogacademy.com/

GET STARTED work with Kathy:

https://dancinghearts.link/foundation

LET’S CONNECT on the socials for more partnership tips and advice:

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dancinghearts/

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathykawalec/

LISTEN TO PODCASTS:
Subscribe to the Enlightened By Dogs podcast in your favorite app! Don’t forget to leave us a rating and review – it would make Kathy very happy!  

Subscribe on  Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify

Connect on Facebook: facebook.com/dancinghearts/

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. Kathy guides listeners through practical, real-life scenarios, demonstrating how empathy and understanding can transform recall from a struggle to a joyful interaction.

Key Takeaways:

• Recall as an Invitation, Not a Command: Shifting from commanding to inviting your dog strengthens your bond and makes recall a positive experience.

• Understanding Over Obedience: Understanding your dog's unique personality, needs, and emotions is key to effective recall training.

• Building Trust, Not Just Compliance: Fostering trust and safety with your dog leads to more natural and reliable recall responses.

• The Power of Connection: A deep, heart-centered connection with your dog is transformative in overcoming recall challenges.

• Practical Everyday Applications: Practical insights into everyday scenarios improve recall reliability and overall cooperation.

LOVE TO LEARN MORE? 

Become a calm and confident Dog Mom with a cooperative, happy dog ... without obedience training, or relying on treats or arousing games, or corrections of any type. 

Here are some next steps:

SUBSCRIBE to Kathy’s YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/c/DancingHeartsDogAcademy/videos

LISTEN or READ Kathy’s Podcast and Blog on her Website:

https://dancingheartsdogacademy.com/

GET STARTED work with Kathy:

https://dancinghearts.link/foundation

LET’S CONNECT on the socials for more partnership tips and advice:

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dancinghearts/

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathykawalec/

LISTEN TO PODCASTS:
Subscribe to the Enlightened By Dogs podcast in your favorite app! Don’t forget to leave us a rating and review – it would make Kathy very happy!  

Subscribe on  Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify

Connect on Facebook: facebook.com/dancinghearts/

Behavior is communication. Since our dogs can’t tell us what they want or how they feel, they bark, growl, or pull away – especially when they feel unheard. And once a dog feels unheard, their behavior escalates from a whisper to a shout.

Since we want them to hear our whispers, it’s important that we learn to hear their whispers too.

On this episode of Enlightened by Dogs, Kathy delves into different dog personality traits and how they can open your eyes (and ears) to some of your dog’s innate behaviors. She also discusses “superpowers” based on each personality trait and how you can use that information to understand your dog better.

In this episode:

• Why it’s important to look beneath the surface of your dog’s behavior
• Kathy explores five common dog personality traits
• How each dog personality trait links with a superpower

Quotes:

“It's important to remember that when your dogs pull away or growl, they're communicating that there's something going on under the surface.”

“Though your dog's personality is expressed primarily as one type, it's common to see a strong secondary personality type express itself in different circumstances.”

“Getting curious about our dog's behavior is a great launchpad to a deeper understanding so we can break free of the spiral of doubt, difficulty, and disconnection that so often occurs.”

Want More of Kathy?

• Brilliant Partners Academy
• Dancing Hearts Dog Academy Website
• Facebook Community

What’s causing the recent spike in reactivity among our dogs?

It’s easy to blame it all on the recent lockdown. After all, dogs everywhere were cooped up indoors without the opportunity to socialize and take in the world around them. While that’s one way to look at it, it’s not quite accurate, and Marika Bertram joins Kathy on this episode of Enlightened by Dogs to explain why.

She delves into the rise in reactivity, the common mistakes surrounding socialization, and how to turn things around.

Marika was originally born in Australia and moved to Canada ten years ago. Her journey in the dog world began after rescuing a very reactive Rottweiler mix named Sierra. She soon found herself very overwhelmed by her behavior and attempted to seek help from various trainers, without much success.

She became determined to learn how to help her by undertaking a number of professional dog training courses, which then led her from being a schoolteacher to helping others achieve harmony with their dogs.

After years of training people’s dogs, she kept searching for something more. Something just didn’t feel right, and there were so many dogs struggling even after being trained. In this time, she adopted two more dogs, one was a Rottweiler pup, and even after applying everything she learned, she still didn’t have the relationship she wanted and longed for.

Marika knew she had finally found what she was looking for when she found Kathy and her brilliant community, and the rest is history.

Listeners can find Marika on Facebook and Instagram by searching for ‘The Dog Listener’ or heading to www.revyk9.com.

In this episode:

• Common misconceptions surrounding socialization
• Why you should know your dog before attempting to socialize them
• How to kickstart the process of rethinking old socialization methods

Quotes:

“One big misconception floating around the dog world is that if you end up with this dog or puppy that's slightly reactive, you just need to expose them to more socialization.”

“You can do your best to create a positive experience for your puppy, but you don't have any control over what the next person or dog is going to do.”

“The existing model of socialization puts focus on our dog’s behavior instead of the ways we can create a sense of safety between us and them.”

Want More of Kathy?

• Brilliant Partners Academy
• Dancing Hearts Dog Academy Website
• Facebook Community

For all of us, the end game is to build trust between our dogs and us and eventually learn how to live a good life together.

But before we get to that point, it’s important to accept where we are in that journey. Of course, no one likes to struggle, but once you accept where you are, it’s a lot easier to transcend to a place of cooperation and a trusting partnership.

In this episode of the Enlightened by Dogs podcast, Kathy shares a segment of a Q&A session with two very related questions. She explains not only the importance of understanding your dog, but also explores how you can channel that into making mutually beneficial decisions. She also shares insights on how to expand your “green zone” to help your dog feel safe.

In this episode:

• Why it’s important to understand your dog’s perspective and make them feel heard
• How to implement your ‘in the moment’ plan and ‘get ahead of it’ plan
• Kathy shares tips on how to change an orange zone situation to a green zone situation

Quotes:

“The difference between how we react in uncomfortable situations and how our dogs react is that we can choose to leave or stay.”

“It's up to us to step up our game when it involves understanding our dog's perspective and making decisions that are more aligned with cooperation.”

“Your dog’s sense of safety is directly connected to how safe you feel.”

Want More of Kathy?

• Brilliant Partners Academy
• Dancing Hearts Dog Academy Website
• Facebook Community

Sometimes it’s comforting to know that you aren’t the only dog mom out there tackling a few bumps in the road on your partnership journey.

But it’s also empowering to know that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and you can have that brilliant partnership you always hoped for. To offer some guidance, Kathy shares segments from a Q&A session with real dog moms facing very real challenges.

She highlights the importance of being proactive and having a plan in place for uncomfortable situations. Additionally, she shares some tangible tips that can prevent your dog from getting triggered.

In this episode:

• Kathy shares a segment where she answers questions from dog moms
• How proactiveness maintains the connection between you and your dog
• Why being attentive and responsive is vital when your dog is easily triggered

Quotes:

“It's up to us to create the routine so that our dogs are getting as close to 18 hours of sleep as they can.”

“Planning ahead gives us the confidence to manage uncomfortable situations that may arise with our dogs.”

“While some dogs go from the red to green zone faster than others, they generally don’t make that transition quickly.”

Want More of Kathy?

• Brilliant Partners Academy
• Dancing Hearts Dog Academy Website
• Facebook Community

How do you get your dog to feel safe and calm in your RV, apartment, or home? How do you get them to feel the same way while you’re out and about?

The answer lies in focusing on your inner circle of influence and making it a safe space for your dog. In this episode of the Enlightened by Dogs Podcast, Kathy shares a segment from a recent Q&A session where she delves into how to create a safe inner circle of influence.

She discusses ways you can move your dog from the orange to the green zone. She also explains how you can expand your circle of influence at a pace that’s comfortable for your dog.

In this episode:

• Why we should focus on our inner circle of influence vs. what’s “out there”
• How experimentation helps create a safe space
• How to gradually expand our circle of influence

Quotes:

“The more that we focus on what’s out there, the more our dogs are going to focus on it too.”

“You need to take the leading role in creating that circle of safety and trust, so you’re better set up to work within your circle of influence.”

“Creating a circle of influence is all about crafting a different experience so your dogs feel safe inside your shared space.”

Want More of Kathy?

• Brilliant Partners Academy
• Dancing Hearts Dog Academy Website
• Facebook Community

Did you know that your thoughts and expectations for your dog can shape who they become?

If you believe that they’re too reactive or too difficult to live with, they eventually morph into that. A huge part of being a brilliant partner is accepting your dog for who they are.

But that’s not to say they’ll remain reactive or difficult to live with. Acceptance, patience, and love eventually make your dog the partner you want them to be. In this episode of the Enlightened by Dogs Podcast, Kathy discusses how our subconscious reactions to the behaviors our dogs display can end up ‘setting them in their ways.’

She also highlights the importance of accepting our dogs for who they are while encouraging them to be the best versions of themselves.

In this episode:

• How your attitude and mindset influence your dog’s behavior
• What it looks like to accept your dog without judgement
• Why it’s vital to remember that behavior is communication

Quotes:

“Our dogs already accept us as perfect just the way we are, without judgement.”

“We don't judge a seed just because it's not a tree. We accept it as perfect, and it's in that kind of acceptance that our dogs can blossom into their full potential.”

“So often our dog's behavior triggers negative thoughts and emotions, and that’s because we're judging that behavior as inappropriate.”

Want More of Kathy?

• Brilliant Partners Academy
• Dancing Hearts Dog Academy Website
• Facebook Community

Being a loving and conscious dog mom isn’t always easy. Yes, you love your dog so much and you want to be the best dog parent you can be. However, sometimes it’s hard to remain patient and mindful when your dog seems to be doing everything but what you asked them to do.

When this happens, Kathy suggests trying your best to step back into the role of a mindful dog mom. It’s tough, but you can do it! In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy shares 13 mindful dog parenting partnership principles plus eight life-changing behavior tips to help you become a more mindful dog mom.

Does that sound good? If so, grab your headphones, take notes, and get ready for some life-changing tips that will bring you even closer to your wonderful dog.

In this episode:

• The 13 principles of mindful dog parenting
• Why you should actively try to become more mindful
• Why it’s important to speak to your dog in a respectful way
• The benefits of having a daily routine
• Why you shouldn’t compare your dog to other dogs
• The importance of having empathy as a mindful dog mom
• How to teach by example
• Why dogs thrive when they have a job
• How to live in the moment

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Quotes:

“Be responsible for your own mindset and actions. Develop awareness of yourself first.”

“If you develop awareness of your own responses and your own reactions, you'll soon be able to choose empathy and compassion when your dog really needs it.”

“Don't trade what you most want for short-term obedience.”

“Truly embrace the principle that your dog is not giving you have a hard time, they are having a hard time.”

Want More of Kathy?

• Brilliant Partners Academy
• Dancing Hearts Dog Academy Website
• Facebook Community