unPACKed – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome to unPACKed, an open-minded podcast taking a clinical, *not political*, approach to help pet parents around the world. Join Sailor Jerri and Mattison, certified trainers and canine behavior experts with a combined 3 decades of experience in behavioral dog training.

In this episode, we sit down with Emma to discuss her two rescue dogs, Bounty and Galaxy, and their challenges with reactivity and fear. After relocating to Kuwait, Bounty’s triggers—bikers, cars, and strangers—have intensified, while Galaxy remains unpredictable in her confidence. Emma shares her struggles with training in a high-stimulation environment and managing two dogs at once.

Mattison and Jerri explore the importance of shifting from overanalyzing triggers to focusing on practical solutions. They break down the difference between management and modification, emphasize the role of structured training, and discuss how small, consistent changes can make a big impact. This episode is all about reframing how we approach reactivity and finding a path forward.

Come back next month for another new case and LIVE unpacking, and later this year we'll check back in with Emma to get an update on her training journey.

To apply for a live unpacking, see photos of the dogs featured in this episode, or read full episode transcripts, visit us at www.unpacked.stream and connect with us on Instagram @unpacked.stream.

unPACKed was created by Jerri Scherff and Mattison Skoog-Simpson, and edited and produced by Mattison Skoog-Simpson.  Visual design by Mattison Skoog-Simpson and theme music by Oleksandr Stepanov.

Welcome to unPACKed, an open-minded podcast taking a clinical, *not political*, approach to help pet parents around the world. Join Sailor Jerri and Mattison, certified trainers and canine behavior experts with a combined 3 decades of experience in behavioral dog training.

In our first LIVE unPACKing of 2025, we're talking with Grace about her rescue dog Stella. 

Stella came to Grace from a neglectful situation where she was crated with two other dogs.  And although Stella has clear discomfort with the kennel, the most impactful behavior in Grace's life is Stella's intense stranger danger (both at people out in the world as well as her partner within the home).  We're digging in to strategies to help her teach new behavior patterns to Stella so the cycle doesn't continue to feed into and reinforce itself.

Come back next month for another new case and LIVE unpacking, and later this year we'll check back in with Grace and Stella to get an update on their training journey.

To apply for a live unpacking, see photos of the dogs featured in this episode, or read full episode transcripts, visit us at www.unpacked.stream and connect with us on Instagram @unpacked.stream.

unPACKed was created by Jerri Scherff and Mattison Skoog-Simpson, and edited and produced by Mattison Skoog-Simpson.  Visual design by Mattison Skoog-Simpson and theme music by Oleksandr Stepanov.

Welcome to unPACKed, an open-minded podcast taking a clinical, *not political*, approach to help pet parents around the world. Join Sailor Jerri and Mattison, certified trainers and canine behavior experts with a combined 3 decades of experience in behavioral dog training.

We have some exciting changes happening over here at unPACKed! Next month we'll be back with a brand new case and some exciting new content to close out the year.

To apply for our next season, see photos of the dogs featured in this episode, or read full episode transcripts, visit us at www.unpacked.stream and connect with us on Instagram @Sailorjerrithedogtrainer and @Freedbytraining.

unPACKed was created by Jerri Scherff and Mattison Simpson, and edited and produced by Josh Wasta under the Supervision of Straight Up Dog Talk LLC and Emily Breslin.  Visual design by Mattison Simpson and theme music by Oleksandr Stepanov.

This episode is brought to you by the Complex Canine Community. Use code "UNPACKEDPOD" for a month free!

Welcome to unPACKed, an open-minded podcast taking a clinical, *not political*, approach to help pet parents around the world. Join Sailor Jerri and Mattison, certified trainers and canine behavior experts with a combined 3 decades of experience in behavioral dog training.

This is an unPACK session - a shorter episode where we are giving you an inside look at the conversations we are having with REAL guardians as we unPACK their dog's very real behavior training plan.

In this episode, we are unpacking Scott's case plan with Julia (and John!). We're going back to the topic from last episode: Training with Accommodations.

To apply, see photos of the dogs featured in this episode, or read full episode transcripts, visit us at www.unpacked.stream and connect with us on Instagram @Sailorjerrithedogtrainer and @Freedbytraining.

unPACKed was created by Jerri Scherff and Mattison Simpson, and edited and produced by Josh Wasta under the Supervision of Straight Up Dog Talk LLC and Emily Breslin.  Visual design by Mattison Simpson and theme music by Oleksandr Stepanov.

Welcome to unPACKed, an open-minded podcast taking a clinical, *not political*, approach to help pet parents around the world. Join Sailor Jerri and Mattison, certified trainers and canine behavior experts with a combined 3 decades of experience in behavioral dog training.

Every episode, we highlight and help one owner who’s working through a behavioral issue with their dog or dogs.  We will fully unpack the situation, discuss the questions it’s important to ask as a trainer or behavior consultant, outline immediate management for safety, and provide realistic and sustainable modification plans.

In this episode, we are unpacking Accommodations in Training. Settle in with us and unPACK.

To apply for our next season, see photos of the dogs featured in this episode, or read full episode transcripts, visit us at www.unpacked.stream and connect with us on Instagram @Sailorjerrithedogtrainer and @Freedbytraining.

unPACKed was created by Jerri Scherff and Mattison Simpson, and edited and produced by Josh Wasta under the Supervision of Straight Up Dog Talk LLC and Emily Breslin.  Visual design by Mattison Simpson and theme music by Oleksandr Stepanov.

Want more? Listen to Mattison's other podcast, Dog Training Bytes.

This episode is brought to you by the Complex Canine Community. Use code "UNPACKEDPOD" for a month free!

Welcome to unPACKed, an open-minded podcast taking a clinical, *not political*, approach to help pet parents around the world. Join Sailor Jerri and Mattison, certified trainers and canine behavior experts with a combined 3 decades of experience in behavioral dog training.

This is an unPACK session - a shorter episode where we are giving you an inside look at the conversations we are having with REAL guardians as we unPACK their dog's very real behavior training plan.

In this episode, we are unpacking Taz's case plan with Isabel. We're going back to the topic from last episode: Resource Guarding.

To apply, see photos of the dogs featured in this episode, or read full episode transcripts, visit us at www.unpacked.stream and connect with us on Instagram @Sailorjerrithedogtrainer and @Freedbytraining.

unPACKed was created by Jerri Scherff and Mattison Simpson, and edited and produced by Josh Wasta under the Supervision of Straight Up Dog Talk LLC and Emily Breslin.  Visual design by Mattison Simpson and theme music by Oleksandr Stepanov.

Click Here to listen to Mattison's new podcast, Dog Training Bytes.

Welcome to unPACKed, an open-minded podcast taking a clinical, *not political*, approach to help pet parents around the world. Join Sailor Jerri and Mattison, certified trainers and canine behavior experts with a combined 3 decades of experience in behavioral dog training.

Every episode, we highlight and help one owner who’s working through a behavioral issue with their dog or dogs.  We will fully unpack the situation, discuss the questions it’s important to ask as a trainer or behavior consultant, outline immediate management for safety, and provide realistic and sustainable modification plans.

In this episode, we are unpacking Resource Guarding. Settle in with us and unPACK.

To apply for our next season, see photos of the dogs featured in this episode, or read full episode transcripts, visit us at www.unpacked.stream and connect with us on Instagram @Sailorjerrithedogtrainer and @Freedbytraining.

unPACKed was created by Jerri Scherff and Mattison Simpson, and edited and produced by Josh Wasta under the Supervision of Straight Up Dog Talk LLC and Emily Breslin.  Visual design by Mattison Simpson and theme music by Oleksandr Stepanov.

Welcome to unPACKed, an open-minded podcast taking a clinical, *not political*, approach to help pet parents around the world. Join Sailor Jerri and Mattison, certified trainers and canine behavior experts with a combined 3 decades of experience in behavioral dog training.

This is a follow up episode! We’re checking in with past guests to offer encouragement and adjustments as we unPACK their progress.

In this episode, we’re talking to Cristina, who we first met on Episode #2: Separation Anxiety.

To apply for our next season, see photos of the dogs featured in this episode, or read full episode transcripts, visit us at www.unpacked.stream and connect with us on Instagram @Sailorjerrithedogtrainer and @Freedbytraining.

unPACKed was created by Jerri Scherff and Mattison Simpson, and edited and produced by Josh Wasta under the Supervision of Straight Up Dog Talk LLC and Emily Breslin.  Visual design by Mattison Simpson and theme music by Oleksandr Stepanov.

Welcome to unPACKed, an open-minded podcast taking a clinical, *not political*, approach to help pet parents around the world. Join Sailor Jerri and Mattison, certified trainers and canine behavior experts with a combined 3 decades of experience in behavioral dog training.

This is a follow up episode! We’re checking in with past guests to offer encouragement and adjustments as we unPACK their progress.

In this episode, we’re talking to Amy, who we first met on Episode #1: Reactivity in a Multi Dog Household.

To apply for our next season, see photos of the dogs featured in this episode, or read full episode transcripts, visit us at www.unpacked.stream and connect with us on Instagram @Unpacked.Stream.

unPACKed was created by Jerri Scherff and Mattison Simpson, and edited and produced by Josh Wasta under the Supervision of Straight Up Dog Talk LLC and Emily Breslin.  Visual design by Mattison Simpson and theme music by Oleksandr Stepanov.

Welcome to unPACKed, an open-minded podcast taking a clinical, *not political*, approach to help pet parents around the world. Join Sailor Jerri and Mattison, certified trainers and canine behavior experts with a combined 3 decades of experience in behavioral dog training.

This is a very special crossover event! Sailor Jerri and Mattison are dipping over into the podcasting world of their friend, Em. In this bonus episode, unPACKed announces its partnership with Straight Up Dog Talk, a brand new podcast that's getting real about what really matters when you have dogs in your life.

Straight Up Dog Talk premiers on Wednesday, January 3th and you can listen on your favorite podcasting platform.

To apply for our next season, see photos of the dogs featured in this episode, or read full episode transcripts, visit us at www.unpacked.stream and connect with us on Instagram @Sailorjerrithedogtrainer and @Freedbytraining.

unPACKed was created by Jerri Scherff and Mattison Simpson, and edited and produced by Josh Wasta under the Supervision of Straight Up Dog Talk LLC and Emily Breslin.  Visual design by Mattison Simpson and theme music by Oleksandr Stepanov.