Podcasts · Kids & Family

Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Body Language, Anxious Dogs, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs

Tracy Franken- Dog Trainer, Vet Tech, Dog Lover, 🐾

255 episodes

Do you wish you could enjoy life with your dog again? Are you struggling with a reactive, fearful, anxious, or misunderstood dog? Do walks, visitors, or everyday situations leave you feeling stressed, frustrated, or embarrassed? I'm Tracy Franken, a retired vet tech turned dog trainer. I discovered the secret to a life of ease with my dogs; Through trust-based training, and a deeper understanding of dog behaviour, I'll help you build confidence, strengthen your relationship, and create a dog you can trust in the real world. Because lasting change starts with understanding the dog you love.

Episodes page 1 of 6

  1. 251 | Does Your Dog Know How to Do Nothing?

    · 22 min · S3 E251

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 When was the last time you and your dog did absolutely nothing? No training. No enrichment activities. No games, adventures, or walks with a purpose. Just... nothing. Recently, I attended a yoga…

  2. 250 | What Does It Mean to Influence Your Dog?

    · 19 min

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Is having an obedient dog the same thing as having influence over your dog? Not necessarily. Have you ever stopped to think about WHY you're asking your dog to do something? Is it because it's…

  3. 249 | No treat in your treat pouch? No Problem!

    · 30 min · S3 E249

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 What happens when you don’t have a treat? Or your dog can’t have one? What happens when the equipment you usually rely on isn’t available—or when life hands you a situation you’ve never actually…

  4. 248 | " What if I am the Reason My Dog Isn't Getting Better?"

    · 23 min · S3 E248

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Have you ever wondered if YOU might be the reason your dog isn't getting better? Maybe you've tried the training, followed the advice, bought the equipment, and done everything you thought you…

  5. 247 | When Did Living With Your Dog Stop Being Fun?

    · 22 min · S3 E247

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 When did living with your dog stop being fun? Maybe you got a dog because you pictured walks, adventures, companionship, road trips, or quiet nights curled up together. But somewhere along the way,…

  6. 246 | Why Is My Dog Fine One Day and Reactive the Next?

    · 27 min · S3 E246

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Does your dog have an amazing walk one day... only to completely lose it over what seems like the exact same thing the next? Find yourself wondering how your dog could handle something beautifully…

  7. 245 | What Are You Missing When You Walk Your Dog? Behind the Scenes Coaching with Lynn

    · 30 min · S3 E245

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Ever feel like you’re trying to do ALL the right things on a walk with your dog, but something still isn’t quite working? Wonder what you might be missing in those tiny moments before your dog reacts,…

  8. 244 | The Reactive Dog Win Nobody Talks About

    · 27 min · S3 E197

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Does one bad reaction from your dog leave you wondering what you did wrong? Do you find yourself embarrassed, frustrated, or worried about what everyone else thinks when your dog loses it? What if…

  9. 243 | Do This First When Your Dog is Reacting

    · 23 min · S3 E243

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Your dog sees another dog. And suddenly they’re at the end of the leash barking, lunging, pulling, jumping around, completely losing their you-know-what. And you’re standing at the other end…

  10. 242 | Is Your Dog’s Training Actually Making Things Worse?

    · 22 min · S3 E242

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Your dog sees something they’re worried about. Their body gets tense. Maybe they want to move away. Maybe they start barking. Maybe everything about their body is telling you: I’m not comfortable…

  11. 241 | Want to Build a Deeper Connection With Your Dog? Stop Telling Them to “Look at Me”

    · 24 min · S3 E241

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Your dog notices another dog coming down the road. Their ears go up. Their body changes. They’re looking at that dog because, for whatever reason, that dog matters to them. And what do we so often…

  12. 240 | Your Dog Knows the Command. That’s Not the Problem.

    · 23 min · S3 E240

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Come. Stay. Leave it. Off. Down. Let’s go. No. We humans are incredibly verbal. And somewhere along the way, we seem to have decided that because our dogs live with us, they must also be fluent…

  13. 239 | The Goal Was Never a Well-Trained Dog

    · 28 min · S3 E239

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 What did you actually want when you brought your dog home? Probably a dog you could do life with. A dog you could walk with. Take places. Go on adventures with. Hang out with. A dog you enjoyed…

  14. 238 | Your Dog Said No. Now What?

    · 32 min · S3 E238

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Your dog says no. Maybe they pull their paw away when you try to trim their nails. Maybe they move away when you reach toward them. Maybe they’re very clearly communicating: “I don’t want you to do…

  15. 237 | Why Training Isn’t Where to Start With a Fearful Dog

    · 26 min · S3 E237

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 If you have a fearful dog, chances are you've been told you need to build their confidence. More training. More exposure. More experiences. More opportunities to successfully accomplish things.…

  16. 236 | Are You Training Your Dog… or Just Performing Dog Training?

    · 24 min · S3 E236

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Have you ever learned a dog training technique, tried it with your dog exactly the way you were taught... and it didn't work? Maybe the problem isn't the technique. Maybe somewhere along the way,…

  17. 235 | Stop Telling Your Dog “No” Until You’ve Done This

    · 22 min · S3 E235

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 How often do you find yourself telling your dog: “No barking.” “No.” “Stop.” “Enough.” And then getting frustrated when they keep doing exactly what you just told them not to do? Here’s the…

  18. 234 | Why Should Your Dog Trust Your Decisions? What Leadership Actually Means

    · 19 min · S3 E234

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 We ask our dogs to trust our decisions all the time. Come with me. Leave that. Don’t go over there. Walk past this dog. Stay here. I’ve got it. But have you ever stopped to ask: Why should…

  19. 233 | Want to Matter More to Your Dog? Step Into Their World

    · 23 min · S3 E234

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 We spend a LOT of time trying to get our dogs to pay attention to us. Look at me. Come with me. Leave that. Let’s go. But how much attention are we paying to them? In this episode, we’re talking…

  20. 232 | Are You Doing Too Much for Your Dog? When Enrichment Becomes Another Job

    · 26 min · S3 E232

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Does your dog need more enrichment? More mental stimulation? More exercise? More games? More training? If you've ever worried that you're not doing enough to meet your dog's needs, this episode is…

  21. 231 | Is Your Dog Mirroring YOU? What Their Behaviour Might Be Trying to Tell You

    · 26 min · S3 E231

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 What if some of the behaviour that's driving you crazy isn't just about your dog? What if your dog is actually reflecting something back to you? Maybe they're suddenly more reactive. Maybe they're…

  22. 230 | Too Much Dog Training Advice? Why It's Making You Second-Guess Yourself

    · 24 min · S3 E230

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Have you ever found yourself wondering... Am I doing this wrong? Should I let my dog approach? Should I create more space? Should I say something? Should I let them figure it out? Did I wait too…

  23. 229 | What Is Your Dog Learning About YOU? The Tiny Moments That Build (or Break) Trust

    · 32 min · S3 E229

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Every single day, your dog is learning something about you. Not because you're training them. Not because you've set aside ten minutes to work on your relationship. They're learning about you in…

  24. 228 | Stop Trying to Be the Boss! What Leadership Really Means to Your Dog

    · 25 min · S3 E228

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 When you hear the word leadership, what comes to mind? Do you picture someone who's always in charge? Have you ever worried that becoming a "leader" means being controlling or acting like the boss?…

  25. 227 | Stop Trying to Make Your Dog Trust You

    · 25 min · S3 E227

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Have you ever caught yourself thinking, "I just wish my dog trusted me." Do you wonder what you can do to earn your dog's trust? What if we've been asking the wrong question all along? In this…

  26. 226 | Your Dog Doesn't Care About the Equipment as Much as You Do

    · 29 min · S3 E226

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Have you ever felt guilty for using a leash, a long line, a head halter... or even a muzzle? Do you worry that needing equipment means you're somehow failing your dog? What if we've been asking the…

  27. 225 | The Conversation You're Not Having With Your Dog

    · 29 min · S3 E225

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Have you ever stopped to wonder what you're actually communicating to your dog... before you ever say a word? Do you find yourself relying on commands, leash pressure, or constant reminders, yet still…

  28. 224 | The Most Overlooked Reward in Dog Training (It's Not Treats)

    · 25 min · S3 E224

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Have you ever wondered if treats are really the most powerful reward you can give your dog? Do you find yourself reaching for food every time you want to reinforce good behaviour? What if one of the…

  29. 223 | What Does It Mean To Ask Your Dog?

    · 24 min · S3 E223

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Have you ever noticed how often we tell our dogs what to do? Sit. Stay. Come. Leave it. Wait. Move. Off. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself: What does it actually mean to ask my dog?…

  30. 222 | Training Harder Isn't Working... Here's Why

    · 26 min · S3 E222

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Have you ever felt like you're doing all the right things... but somehow things still aren't getting better? Do you find yourself constantly searching for the next training tip, tool, strategy, or…

  31. 221 | Why Obedience Isn't Building The Relationship You Want

    · 32 min · S3 E221

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Have you ever looked at your dog and thought: "They know all of this... so why does it still feel like we're disconnected?" Does your dog listen perfectly in some situations but completely forget you…

  32. 220 | Why Did I Get This Dog? The Thought Nobody Wants to Admit

    · 27 min

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Have you ever looked at your dog and thought: "Why did I get this dog?" Have you ever felt guilty for even having that thought? Do you sometimes wonder if you're the problem... if you're failing...…

  33. 219 | The Pack of Two: The Relationship Your Dog Actually Wants

    · 31 min

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Have you ever worried that your dog doesn't have enough dog friends? Do you feel guilty when your dog isn't interested in greeting every person or playing with every dog they meet? Have you ever…

  34. 218 | My Dog Knows Better Than This: The Dog Training Trap Nobody Talks About

    · 24 min

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Have you ever found yourself saying: "But my dog knows this." Do you feel frustrated when your dog suddenly struggles with something they've done successfully dozens of times before? Have you ever…

  35. 217 | The Real Reason Your Dog Only Listens When You Have Treats

    · 33 min

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Does your dog seem to listen perfectly when you have treats... but completely forget everything the moment the food disappears? Have you ever wondered if your dog is only listening because of the…

  36. 216 | Am I Helping My Dog... or Making Things Worse?

    · 25 min · S3 E216

    Hey Dog Lover🐾 Have you ever wondered if you're helping your dog too much? Do you struggle to know when your dog needs support... and when they simply need space to figure things out? Have you ever worried that…

  37. 215 | What My Dog Taught Me About Confidence, Trust, and Partnership

    · 33 min · S3 E215

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Have you ever struggled to know when to help your dog and when to simply let them figure things out? Do you sometimes wonder if you're supporting your dog... or accidentally getting in the way of…

  38. 214 | Stop Trying to Be the Bigger Squirrel : Why Your Dog Chooses the Environment Over You

    · 35 min · S3 E214

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Do you ever feel like squirrels, smells, birds, and absolutely everything else are more interesting to your dog than you are? Have you been told you need better treats, higher-value rewards, or more…

  39. 213 | Why Does Your Dog React Differently Around Certain Dogs/People?

    · 33 min

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Have you ever noticed that your dog behaves differently around certain people? Do you sometimes wonder why your dog seems calmer around some dogs and more reactive around others? Have you ever…

  40. 212 | Why Your Dog Pulls on Leash No Matter What You Try

    · 37 min

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Have you tried different harnesses, collars, and training methods only to find that your dog still pulls on leash? Do you feel like you're constantly managing your dog instead of actually enjoying…

  41. 211 | Why Dog Training Tools Aren't Solving Your Walking Problems

    · 34 min · S3 E211

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed by all the opinions about dog training tools? Are you wondering if the next harness, collar, leash, or gadget will finally solve your dog's walking problems?…

  42. 210 | Is Your Dog Manipulating You? Fearful Dogs, Boundaries & Leadership

    · 23 min

    Hey Dog Lover🐾 Have you ever worried that saying “no” to your dog might damage your relationship with them? Do you sometimes feel emotionally exhausted trying to figure out whether your dog needs support… or clearer…

  43. 209 | Why Your Dog’s Behaviour Isn’t Random (And What You’re Missing)

    · 33 min

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Does your dog sometimes seem completely fine one day… and totally overwhelmed the next? Have you ever caught yourself saying: “This reaction came out of nowhere”? Do you feel like you’re constantly…

  44. 208 | Did I Just Ruin My Dog? Training Setbacks Explained

    · 42 min

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Have you ever had a moment with your dog go sideways and immediately thought: “Oh no… did I just ruin everything?” Has your dog ever suddenly become worried about something they were previously…

  45. 207 | Your Dog Doesn’t Need More Exercise

    · 35 min · S3 E207

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Have you ever taken your dog on a long walk only to come home and feel like they’re STILL completely wired? Does it sometimes feel like the more exercise you give your dog… the more intense,…

  46. 206 | Less Commands, Need I Say More?

    · 26 min

    Hey Dog Lover! 🐾 Does your dog listen perfectly at home… but completely disconnect once you step outside? Do you feel like the more stressed your dog gets, the less your commands actually matter? Have you ever…

  47. 205 | Stop Watching your Dog (You're Being Weird About it)

    · 26 min

    Hey Dog Lover! 🐾 Do you feel like your dog reacts “out of nowhere” before you even have time to respond? Are you constantly trying to watch for subtle body language signs—but still feel like you’re always one step…

  48. 204 | What To Do When Your Reactive Dog Loses It

    · 34 min

    Hey Dog Lover! 🐾 Are your walks starting to feel more stressful than enjoyable? Do you ever find yourself constantly scanning the environment… just trying to avoid a reaction? When your dog “loses it,” are you left…

  49. 203 | Can You Over-Socialize Your Dog? (A Puppy Owner’s Question)

    · 27 min

    Hey Dog Lover! 🐾 Have you ever been told you can’t over-socialize your dog? Are you trying to do “all the right things”… but worried you might actually be overwhelming your puppy? Do you feel torn between exposing…

  50. 202 | Is it Fear? Understanding Your Dog’s Reactive Behaviour

    · 21 min

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Does your dog seem totally fine one minute… and then suddenly overreact the next? Have you ever thought, “That came out of nowhere…” when your dog barks, lunges, or shuts down? Do you find yourself…

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