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This is a replay of our 2021 interview with aggression expert Michael Shikashio. We are thrilled to present today’s guest, Michael Shikashio. Michael is a world-renowned expert on dog aggression and has an incredible dearth of information he generously shares, which is helpful for owners, rescuers, and trainers alike. In this conversation, Michael, Emily and Libby define aggression, discuss the ways aggression can present in different dogs (and the different levels of assessing their aggression), and so much more. Make sure to listen to the full episodes, as Michael drops important gems throughout the episode. Michael is an internationally sought out speaker on the topic of aggression - has mentored and presented to thousands of animal professionals. He is the Founder of the Aggression in Dogs Master Course, teaches trainers and consultants in over 25 countries on how to work with aggression cases, and has been featured in countless media, including the New York Times, the New York Post, Web MD, and Women’s Health. Credits. Libby Felts and Emily Wolf (Hosts and Creators.) Original music by Mike Pesci. Graphic design, editing, and production by Alex Lee-Ammons and ⁠For The Love Media, LLC⁠. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sdr7/support

It is no secret that shelters can prove to be extremely stressful environments for dogs - even the friendlist, most easy-going dog can experience severe stress or fear in a shelter environment. In this incredible conversation, Emily, Libby and Tom Candy discuss how we can best support shelter dogs in and out of the shelter environment to build confidence, trust, and a sense of play. In this episode, they cover: How to work with dogs who display fearful behaviors in the shelter and kennel environments How to distinguish a dog’s shelter-based fear from their general fear The positive benefits of play for shelter dogs The constant game/challenge of cost-benefit analysis for shelter dogs COVID-related undersocialized dogs The genetic vs. evolutionary origins of shelter dogs’ fear How to prepare anxious or fearful dogs for adoption - and, how to prepare their families This is an excellent conversation for anyone who interacts with shelter dogs in any way; employees, fosters, potential adopters, and more. — For transcripts, visit www.podtotherescue.com Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/podtotherescue/ and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PodToTheRescue! Credits: Libby Felts and Emily Wolf (Hosts and Creators). Original music by Mike Pesci. Production and editing by Alex Ammons of For the Love Media. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sdr7/support --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sdr7/support

“What supplies do I need for fostering a dog?” “Should you use training tools on rescue dogs?” “What kind of harness should I get for my dog?” You have questions about fostering or adopting a dog, and we have answers! These are the tools and supplies we recommend for rescue dog fosters and adopters.  Emily and Libby are professionals who have been working in foster-based rescue for a long time, so they have accumulated a lot of “stuff” over the years. Don’t be intimidated by this list! While these are our favorites, there are many affordable options for good-quality supplies. Many items can be found for free or low cost on neighborhood swap groups. – Slip leads: how, when, and why we still use them (maybe not how you think!) – Harnesses: Balance Harness (https://www.blue-9.com/products/bhb), Ruffwear Front Range (https://ruffwear.com/products/front-range-everyday-dog-harness), Alpine Harness (https://www.alpineoutfitters.net/products/copy-of-urban-trail-adjustable-harness-half-back-shorty-custom-crafted), Perfect Fit (https://perfect-fit-dog-harness.com/) – Leashes: Blue-9 Multi-Function Leash (https://www.blue-9.com/products/lsh?variant=40875501093062), biothane leashes (https://www.trailblazingtails.com/collections/long-line-and-short-leash-collection) (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08GFR9YJ3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1) – Management tools: X-pen (https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/midwest-black-e-coat-exercise-pen-wdoor-for-dogs), baby gates – Crates: car crate is a must-have for transport, wire crate is good for management at home – Treat pouch: Doggone Good (https://www.doggonegoodclickercompany.com/Rapid-Rewards-Pouchtrade_p_216.html) , Ruffwear (https://ruffwear.com/products/home-trail-hip-pack) – Treats: Happy Howie’s (https://www.happyhowies.com/), Real Meat (https://www.realmeatpet.com/foods.html), Ziwi Peak (https://us.ziwipets.com/) – Clicker: (https://shop.clickertraining.com/products/iclick-original-clicker?variant=8050243397) Can also use a marker word or click with your tongue – Puzzle/enrichment toys: Toppl (https://www.westpaw.com/products/toppl-treat-toy), Kong (https://www.kongcompany.com/), Lickimat (https://lickimat.com/) – Targets/mats: You can use a towel, a bathmat, a dog bed, anything!  – Muzzles: a useful tool to have, but needs careful sizing and training before you need it. Check out the Muzzle Up! Project (https://muzzleupproject.com/) For transcripts, visit www.podtotherescue.com Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/podtotherescue/ and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PodToTheRescue! Credits: Libby Felts and Emily Wolf (Hosts and Creators). Original music by Mike Pesci. Production and editing by Alex Ammons of For the Love Media. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sdr7/support --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sdr7/support

If you try one training method with your new rescue dog, try this one! This week, Emily and Libby speak with Kathy Sdao, world-renowned dog trainer, speaker, writer, and educator. Sdao’s accessible training technique, SMARTx50, is a powerful tool that distills behavior science into the lay person's terms, making it accessible for our human learners: dog rescuers, fosters and adopters. They discuss how to use SMARTx50 to help our dogs fit into our human world, and this conversation is lively and full of both science and heart; evidence and experience. Some topics discussed are: How to take training out of the science theory realm into the practical, accessible world of humans training their dog Helping resolve dogs anxiety by using reinforcers How her work with marine mammals influences her training approach Human praise as payment - does it work or not? How the Smartx50 technique can be adapted to a shelter environment Kathy has been passionate about animal training ever since she quit a good job to move halfway around the world to train dolphins at the Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Laboratory at the University of Hawaii. Now, 35 years later, she offers her expertise as an applied animal behaviorist to dog owners in Washington State and across the world, to seminar and webinar audiences and to professional training organizations. Kathy has taught 300 seminars, workshops, conferences and webinars; many of these presentations have been professionally recorded and are available for purchase. Kathy’s training philosophy and advice is summarized in her book, Plenty in Life is Free: Reflections on Dogs, Training and Finding Grace. For transcripts, visit www.podtotherescue.com Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/podtotherescue/ and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PodToTheRescue! Credits: Libby Felts and Emily Wolf (Hosts and Creators). Original music by Mike Pesci. Production and editing by Alex Ammons of For the Love Media. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sdr7/support --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sdr7/support

Puppy socialization is critical for a dog’s healthy development, but what happens if there is a highly contagious respiratory illness being passed around the dog community? Emily and Libby address this current situation by re-airing this episode so you can make a good decision by weighing the costs and benefits of puppy socialization, and how to have healthy play with other puppies amidst illness. Some topics discussed are: The first 12 weeks of a puppy’s life are the "critical window" for socialization  What proper socialization is, and is not Why exposure alone is not socialization  Practical ways to help puppies form positive associations with the world around them What flooding is and why it’s problematic The dilemma of too much vs. too little exposure How rescues and shelters can work with adolescent dogs who missed socialization This is a wonderful conversation for anyone working with puppies on a regular basis or new adopters. For transcripts, visit www.podtotherescue.com Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/podtotherescue/ and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PodToTheRescue! Credits: Libby Felts and Emily Wolf (Hosts and Creators). Original music by Mike Pesci. Production and editing by Alex Ammons of For the Love Media. Our webmaster is Nadia Magallon of Rewarding Dog Training. — Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sdr7/support --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sdr7/support

When SDR rescued a dog with hearing impairment, they turned to Tiffany Baker for her expertise on the most effective ways to work with deaf dogs. We hear about Blue throughout the episode as SDR’s case study, and in this episode Emily, Libby and Tiffany also cover topics like: How she uses control unleashed for deaf dogs Pattern games and why the framework of predictability is important for all dogs - especially deaf dogs “Up Down” Tactile cues for deaf dogs Pairing deaf dogs with hearing dogs Tiffany Baker is a Certified Canine Behavior Consultant and the founder and owner of Boss Babe training. She has been working with dogs for over seven years, and specializes in aggression with a focus on families with disabled pets. For transcripts, visit www.podtotherescue.com Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/podtotherescue/ and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PodToTheRescue! Credits: Libby Felts and Emily Wolf (Hosts and Creators). Original music by Mike Pesci. Production and editing by Alex Ammons of For the Love Media. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sdr7/support

Libby and Emily sit down with Annie Phenix, an award winning author and trainer who is known for her methods that train for behavioral concerns without using fear, force, pain, or intimidation.  This conversation is underlined by the importance of trust, joy, and love in our relationships with our animal friends. They also talk about: Building trust with our dogs How we can use somatic therapy on our dogs Ways to work with new and foster dogs to reduce agitation, stress, and separation anxiety Bringing joy into the ways we train our dogs “Sample days,” or case studies, into different dogs’ lives For transcripts, visit www.podtotherescue.com Follow us on Instagram and Follow us on Facebook! Credits: Libby Felts and Emily Wolf (Hosts and Creators). Original music by Mike Pesci. Production and editing by Alex Ammons of For the Love Media. Our webmaster is Nadia Magallon of Rewarding Dog Training. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sdr7/support

Have you ever dealt with a dog who experienced separation anxiety? Separation anxiety can present in dogs in myriad behaviors, and this can have a major impact not only on the dog but on the humans caring for those dogs. In this episode, Libby and Emily dig into this issue with Jenni Pfafman. Jenni is a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer with years of experience working in-person and virtually with dogs who deal with separation anxiety. The conversation opens with a case study about a recent SDR rescue pup, and how Jenni walked Emily through the process of managing - and decreasing - the dog’s separation anxiety. In this episode, they also discuss: How to help dogs’ nervous systems relax How to make a decision to use medication for dogs with separation anxiety To crate or not to crate? When to crate a dog for safety vs. avoiding destruction Going slow to go fast Dogs experiencing separation anxiety from other dogs For transcripts, visit www.podtotherescue.com Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/podtotherescue/ and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PodToTheRescue! Credits: Libby Felts and Emily Wolf (Hosts and Creators). Original music by Mike Pesci. Production and editing by Alex Ammons of For the Love Media. Our webmaster is Nadia Magallon of Rewarding Dog Training. — Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sdr7/suppor --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sdr7/support

In this episode, Emily and Libby talk about their own rescue experiences, including “foster failures” and finding lifelong companions. At Summit Dog Rescue, we do things a bit differently; one of those things is how they advocate for modern ethical training methods backed by science. They talk about training faux pas that they used to use - methods that can even be harmful for the dog - because “it’s what people were doing.” They talk about why they use the methods they do and the proven track record of success. They talk about the importance of mission, education, and their support of spay and neuter programs as a way to stop the cycle of needless dog deaths in America. Learn more about Summit Dog Rescue here. Credits. Libby Felts and Emily Wolf (Hosts and Creators.) Original music by Mike Pesci. Graphic design, editing and production by Alex Lee-Ammons and For The Love Media, LLC. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sdr7/support

Michelle Stern cares about supporting parents, supporting kids, and helping dogs feel safe emotionally and physically; these three passions position her perfectly to work with families who are integrating their dogs into homes with children. This episode will support any listener who is, or plans to, integrate their dogs and children together in a way that is healthy and balanced. In this conversation they also cover: The behavior changes that can occur as a dog adjusts to a home What a “yes space” is and why it is impactful How blue painter’s tape can support your child’s boundaries Ways to encourage calm and sleep for your dog Meeting the needs of your children AND your dog Finding age-appropriate ways for your child and dog to interact The gift of growling Michelle Stern is a certified professional dog trainer, dog behavior consultant, certified family dog mediator, mom, and former classroom teacher. Her podcast is the Pooch Parenting Podcast, and you can learn more at PoochParenting.net. You can find the ABCs of Growling here. — For transcripts, visit www.podtotherescue.com Follow us on Instagram and Facebook! Credits: Libby Felts and Emily Wolf (Hosts and Creators). Original music by Mike Pesci. Production and editing by Alex Ammons of For the Love Media. Our webmaster is Nadia Magallon of Rewarding Dog Training. — Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sdr7/support --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sdr7/support

 We’re kicking off Season 4 with SDR’s education coordinator, Deb Matlock. Deb explains humane education’s focus as one that promotes empathy and compassion; whether it’s about dog training or environmental issues, this way of education indicates a focus on how we connect in a way that develops empathy and compassion. Deb, Libby and Emily cover: How Humane Education can create a higher quality of life for dogs The Five Freedoms (standards of care for captive animals) The changing cultural standards for dog training How to compassionately introduce better training techniques to misinformed humans Learn more about Deb Matlock: https://wild-rhythms.com/ For transcripts, visit www.podtotherescue.com Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/podtotherescue/ and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PodToTheRescue! Credits: Libby Felts and Emily Wolf (Hosts and Creators). Original music by Mike Pesci. Production and editing by Alex Ammons of For the Love Media. Our webmaster is Nadia Magallon of Rewarding Dog Training. — Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sdr7/suppor --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sdr7/support

Hey listeners, we're back! We have some exciting episodes planned for this season, including interviews with Annie Phenix, Kathy Sdao, and more industry veterans as well as up-and-coming trainers and rescuers. Make sure you subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! And share with your rescue friends to make sure they don't miss it, either. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sdr7/support