Podcast Fenzi Food For Thought by Denise Fenzi Episodes

Explore every episode of the podcast Fenzi Food For Thought

Dive into the complete episode list for Fenzi Food For Thought. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

	Title	Pub. Date	Duration
	What is Superstitious Learning? And What is Single Incident Learning?	20 Jun 2025	00:26:07
In my last live, some people misunderstood the realities of single incident learning and superstitious learning. You don’t control these realities…the learner does. You want to know what they are so that you can minimize harm to your training when they show up. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Lessons from Electric Fencing	13 Jun 2025	00:28:15
All three of my dogs learned about electric fencing - the hard way. This live is about their different reactions… And how that might impact them into the future, especially if I were a trainer who chose to use electric collars. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Trial Analysis	28 Mar 2025	00:33:03
Trial analysis. What went right? What went wrong? And what am I going to do about it? Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Structure + Q&A	06 Apr 2023	01:04:26
Structure is good. Choice is good. It’s a matter of the right one at the right time. Plus a bunch of behavior conversation. Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Adolescence	29 Mar 2023	00:38:42
Adolescent a$$hole?! The truth is, some dogs aren’t so great during adolescence. Your compliant puppy is not so compliant anymore! This will give you some ideas for navigating this period of time. In short, you will be reducing your dog’s choices and increasing structure. Identify issues before hand, and cut them off before they have a chance to develop. Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Reactive dog handler	15 Mar 2023	00:25:34
This time I focus on the perspective of reactive dog handlers. If you are a professional trainer you might find this one interesting. Note: the Live mentioned from the day before didn't end up saved on IG, apologies for the confusion! Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Classical Conditioning Live with Q&A	15 Mar 2023	01:19:33
Here, CC stands for classical conditioning. I gave a variety of examples, both behavior and training-oriented, where classical conditioning gets behaviors much faster than operant conditioning, and with a more reflexive/fast response as your end result. I’m loving classical conditioning to train and maintain behaviors! I also answered random questions on various topics. Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Interview with The Canine Diva, Laurie Williams	06 Mar 2023	00:59:12
As a seasoned trainer and competitor, Laurie Williams has seen and experienced a lot, and tonight she shared her story as she transitioned from traditional to positive reinforcement based training. I enjoyed this interview and I hope you do as well! Follow Laurie's training! Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Evaluating Dogs	23 Feb 2023	00:40:02
I had the opportunity to do an in person training lesson; something thing I have not done in years. In this IG live, I talked about the dogs, and how I made the choices I made to address their behavior and training needs. I focus on a discussion of evaluating a dog’s need for movement or stillness, structure or choice. Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	The Blame Game	18 Feb 2023	01:02:11
What is the cause of the misfortune? Genetics? Environment? Something else altogether? Frankly, it doesn’t matter. The blame game leads to suppression of behavior via punishment and that leads to a loss of honesty. This IG live was all about the cyclical relationship between the blame game and the problems that result. We can be be better!
	Structure or Choice?	15 Feb 2023	01:09:20
Structure is not a bad word. Choice is not a bad word. You need both! Which one depends on the circumstances. Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Train Behaviour, Condition Emotions	11 Feb 2023	00:48:16
This is the number one thing I want dog trainers to understand. You cannot control a dog's “state of mind” by managing it through training their behavior. Emotions don’t work that way. Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Risk-Benefit Analysis	08 Feb 2023	00:42:32
We know quite a lot about keeping our dogs safe, but we don’t often consider how that creates trade-offs….Quality and quantity of life have a tendency to be at odds, when push comes to shove. We each make decisions based on our risk assessment. The world could be a much kinder place if we allowed others the same freedom without judgment. Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Puppy Integration	22 Mar 2025	00:46:55
It’s been about three weeks since I brought in the new young border collie, Ice. This is an update on the integration process. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Societal Norms & Dogs	30 Jan 2023	00:48:39
If you find consistent struggle to get along with your challenging dog in society, listen to this Instagram live I did. You might find it helpful in your efforts to get your needs met. Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Guest: Dr. Amy Cook	19 Jan 2023	01:14:00
This was such a fun time! Dr. Amy Cook joined me to talk about fear, anger, food, conditioning, what happens if you get your timing wrong, and a whole lot more! And if you worry about your timing or choices? You definitely want to listen to this one.
	Aggression with Guest Michael Shikashio CDBC	11 Jan 2023	01:09:43
I had the pleasure of chatting with Michael about all things aggression! We covered quite a bit of territory, from whether or not to use a muzzle to matters of medication to dogs in shelter. Follow Michael's training! Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Reward "Ugly" Behavior?	07 Jan 2023	00:21:22
Our society is based on punishment, and we have internalized that. We accept fear and sadness as acceptable emotions, and we want to comfort those who feel them. But we do not accept anger and frustration, and their emergence makes us want to punish those emotions when we see them. I talk about why you might struggle to apply the principles of classical conditioning to behaviors that society does not find acceptable. Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Want to be a Dog Training Professional? With Guests Michael and Jamie Badial	04 Jan 2023	01:04:10
In this live I was joined by Michael and Jamie Badial to talk about how to become a dog trainer, starting your business, and getting your first clients! This was a fun chat with lots of practical advice that you can apply right away to get your business up and running. Take a listen! Follow the Badials! Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Errors and the R+ World	28 Dec 2022	00:25:08
Errors are nothing to be ashamed of! Let’s talk about it. Be public about your errors! It will reassure your colleagues that they are not inferior beings because they have errors, and it will attract the general pet population who struggles to identify with trainers who show only perfection. Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Separation Anxiety with Guest Malena DeMartini	21 Dec 2022	01:18:59
What an excellent conversation! If you are struggling with separation anxiety with your dog, or if you know someone else who is, you will definitely want to listen to this interview. Follow Malena's training! Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Engagement Training	16 Dec 2022	00:16:48
This is the secret to getting your puppy or dog to opt into training with full attention, and to stay connected for long stretches of time. It works. Really. Take a listen. Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Pros and cons of pushing a dog in training	10 Dec 2022	00:23:24
As with most things, it’s not black-and-white. Some dogs benefit from more splitting, patterns, higher rate of reinforcement, and easier training sessions with less puzzling than other dogs. Those dogs might benefit from more lumping, more behavior chains, and more unpredictable/challenging training sessions with plenty of puzzling. In all cases, you need to watch your learner to determine how your interventions are being received. As a general rule, force free trainers err on the side of patterns and high rates of reinforcement for too long, making behavior chain goals hard to reach, and balanced trainers err on the side of the unpredictable and challenging training with too much frustration and lack of clarity in the work. You could pick your poison, or better still, watch your learner carefully and pick that just right path! Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Guest: Dante Camacho and Denise chat	06 Dec 2022	01:04:44
We had a great talk! We talked about relationship, playing with dogs, what Dante has learned working with other species, preparing for dog sports competition, and more! I hope you enjoy this. Follow Dante on Tik Tok @dantedogworks Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	I Have a Puppy!	07 Mar 2025	01:29:18
I’ve got a new puppy! In this life I talk about the process of integrating him into my home, the reality of high drive dogs and puppies, handler sensitivity and hardness, etc. We covered a lot of territory! Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Relationship	26 Nov 2022	00:32:27
Do you have a relationship with your dog or a dependency? Does your dog want to spend time with you, or are they trying to avoid the alternatives? We explored questions like that in this Instagram live. Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Behavior Meds for Dogs	21 Nov 2022	00:25:44
Are you against medication for your dog? Take a listen to this Instagram live recording where we talk about just that! Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Play in regards to behavior	17 Nov 2022	00:32:06
Here we have a short discussion of personal play, food play, and toy play, specifically in relation to changing the dogs emotional state. Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Example of controlling behavior but not an emotion	13 Nov 2022	00:14:50
Dice gave a perfect example of controlling his behavior without impacting the underlying emotion. This goes along with the fact that we can control external behavior but we need the learner’s cooperation to change emotions. Take a listen; this one is short. Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Condition emotions & train behaviors!	09 Nov 2022	00:40:04
It is critically important to know the difference between an emotion and a behavior. Changing a behavior to look the way you want does not mean the dog’s emotion has changed. It means you changed the behavior! Are you sure that’s what you want? Are you sure you understand what you’ve done? Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Errors: The Big Three	04 Nov 2022	00:42:00
Handling errors of impulse, quality and understanding! There are many reasons why dog make errors. In this live, I covered the three that showed up in my training session that morning: errors of impulse, errors quality of work, and errors of understanding. They are different, and require different approaches. Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Sensitive Dogs with Guest Sharon Carroll	22 Oct 2022	01:08:16
Guest Sharon Carroll and Denise chat about sensitive dogs I have spent a lot of time talking about dogs who express arousal through high levels of energy, movement, and sometimes even aggression. Today I talked with Sharon and we looked at another kind of display; dogs that are also experiencing great arousal, but who internalize that experience through freezing, low energy, or simply poor performance. Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	The Spaces Inbetween	17 Oct 2022	00:51:02
The reality is, in most dog sports 70% of your time is spent waiting for the judges direction, moving to the start of an exercise, etc. Relatively little time is spent with the dog doing work. Have you trained the dog for this reality of a lot of waiting and relatively little doing? This live talks about my thoughts with my own dog, and how I plan to start working on this for our team. Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Stubborn, lazy, biddable?	12 Oct 2022	00:27:08
Are these developmental possibilities in a dog? Heck, are they even about the other, or are they about the one doing the describing? Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Splitting for Reactivity	10 Oct 2022	00:25:50
Can you separate what your dog sees, hears, smells and feels? Splitting these factors apart can help your reactivity training go faster. Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Getting Through Your First Competition	26 Feb 2025	00:41:18
The first time you compete… What’s the best way to get through it?! I’ll give you some ideas here. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Emotional well-being vs observable behavior	30 Sep 2022	00:37:33
It’s OK to be frustrated with your dogs behavior. And sometimes it’s OK to change the dog’s behavior so that you can be more comfortable. But that doesn’t mean you’ve changed how the dog feels. Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Reducing behavior (in degrees)	21 Sep 2022	00:30:09
In this live, we talked about how the placement of reinforcement impacts both precision and attitude. We considered this both in the realm of pet training and competition dogs. We talked about how to do a Cue transfer, considered dogs that are good candidates for luring versus shaping, and touched on the impact of patterns vs unpredictable choices in our work. Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	The Great Book Rules	17 Sep 2022	00:57:36
What things do you teach your dog? Why do you teach these things? How about your clients? Do you change your expectations for different dogs in different circumstances? Why or why not? We explored these issues in this live. Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Perfection Paralysis	12 Sep 2022	00:45:14
I think preparing for Dog sports competitions is one of the best ways to push your dog training skills. We talked about that here! How to avoid perfection paralysis. Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	The Consolation Prize	07 Sep 2022	00:25:00
It’s OK to give a motivator to a dog who has made an error. This episode is all about that process. Follow my training! The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	All about criteria	03 Sep 2022	00:47:19
We talked about setting, raising, and lowering criteria. Using the concept of foundation skills when setting criteria, and problem-solving, with an eye towards how to shift criteria.
	Barking	22 Aug 2022	00:31:36
In this live we discussed barking in a variety of contexts, and some options you may have to resolve it.
	Punishment in "degrees"	17 Aug 2022	00:36:20
Can you find ways to use punishment where the dog always wins?
	The Process of Behaviour Change	15 Aug 2022	00:34:04
Wait! You won’t solve your behavior challenge in two months! My dog brings some tremendous benefits to the table but we are far from out of the woods! Remember, my process is not your process. Take your time, especially if you have a challenging dog, and celebrate what goes right. We also talked about managing your own anxiety with overaroused and reactive dogs.
	Flooding & Habituation	12 Aug 2022	01:01:48
This live explored the difference between flooding and habituation, and discusses why I choose to put out information on dog aggression, reactivity and over arousal, even though I know some of that information will be used poorly or misunderstood.
	Raising a Puppy	21 Feb 2025	01:01:16
I shared my thoughts about how I planned to acquire my next dog, and what I will do with that dog to start my training during the first few months! Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
	Matters of Arousal	06 Aug 2022	00:37:20
In the past, I have done several IG lives where I talked about components of over aroused or reactive behavior in more detail. On this one, I tried to summarize how I use those qualities when working with my own dog. In short, I tend to think about arousal rather than worrying about controlling the environment. Because I cannot control the environment and the triggers; there are too many of them. But I can control his arousal via techniques that work for both of us.
	Forging in Heeling	01 Aug 2022	00:31:34
We covered more than that, but in effect, we had a conversation about what happens if an undesirable behavior has a reinforcing quality, even if it’s not obvious to us with that reinforcing quality might be. The short answer is that your choice of reinforcement might increase the behavior you want, but it won’t necessarily decrease the behavior you don’t want. Or at least not to the point of extinction.
	Reducing Reinforcement	28 Jul 2022	00:52:00
This is primarily aimed at dog sports competitors, but applies to pet dogs too. When reducing reinforcement, focus on your goal. What are you trying to accomplish? Recognize the trade offs of your choices when you select your route to ring readiness.

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