Pod to the Rescue

Dog reactivity is one of the most challenging behavior issues we face in dog rescue, but there is hope for reactive dogs! We’ve helped lots of reactive foster and rescue dogs over the years, and so has Renée Erdman of Bravo Dog Behavioral Health. In this episode, we sit down to talk about reactivity: what it is, what it isn’t, and how to help your dog.🐶 In This Episode, You'll Learn:What is reactivity in dogs?How is it different from aggression in dogs?Why we often label this as “leash reactivity”How to help your dog’s underlying emotions that lead to reactive behaviorWhich types of training don’t workWhy our dogs aren’t damaged — and that there is help for reactivity!🐾 Links & Next Steps:Follow Renée Erdman on Instagram and check out her website: https://www.bravodog.ca/Enroll in Renée’s free body language and new dog adoption courses.Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for weekly behavior insights🎙️ Connect With Us:Website: https://www.podtotherescue.com/Emily Wolf, Brilliant Pup Behavior: https://www.brilliantpupbehavior.com/Jenni Pfafman, Elevated Dog Training: https://www.elevateddogtraining.com/Libby Felts, Bolder Dog and Bolder Dog Media: https://www.bolder.dog/

What makes rescue dogs unique — and why do they sometimes struggle with behavior issues? In this episode of Pod to the Rescue, we explore the behavior of rescue dogs through a trauma-informed, science-based lens. In this season opener, hosts Emily, Jenni, and Libby discuss why we still have a lot to say about rescue dog behavior!We break down why understanding dog behavior is essential for adopters, foster caregivers, and shelter and rescue professionals — and how rescue dog behavior is often influenced by genetics, early separation, trauma, and inconsistent environments.If you're wondering “why is my rescue dog afraid?” or “how can I help my adopted dog settle in?”—this episode is for you. Learn the common challenges rescue dogs face and how to support your rescue dog’s behavior with empathy, knowledge, and practical tools.🐶 In This Episode, You'll Learn:What do we mean by "rescue dog" — and why that mattersWhy dog behavior is the missing piece in many rescue organizationsHow early trauma and stress affect a dog’s behavior long-termHow to support a newly adopted dog through behavior challengesWhy building resilience is key to helping a new rescue dog adjust — and how to do it!Real-life examples from our rescue, our personal dogs, and tips from the fieldJenni’s “Resilience Unleashed” course, which uses Control Unleashed to help dogs build resilience🐾 Links & Next Steps:Check out Jenni’s “Resilience Unleashed” course and use PTTR2025 for 20% off: https://elevated-dog-training.newzenler.com/courses/resilience-unleashedFollow us on Instagram and Facebook for weekly behavior insights🎙️ Connect With Us:Website: https://www.podtotherescue.com/Emily Wolf, Brilliant Pup Behavior: https://www.brilliantpupbehavior.com/Jenni Pfafman, Elevated Dog Training: https://www.elevateddogtraining.com/Libby Felts, Bolder Dog and Bolder Dog Media: https://www.bolder.dog/

Season 4 Wrap and What’s to Come Emily and Libby wrap this season with an exciting announcement, a rescue update from Summit Dog Rescue, a new co-host, and a glimpse of what’s to come in Season 5. Thank you so much for tuning in to this season of Pod To The Rescue, and we’ll see you soon! 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

Canine Adolescence is the transition from puppyhood to adulthood. This fascinating conversation with Sarah Stremming, who is a dog behavior coach and the host of the Cog Dog Podcast, addresses this pivotal age of young dogs. Sarah, Emily, and Libby discuss adolescent canine behavior and how to most effectively observe and address behaviors to nurture confident, healthy dogs. They also discuss: How dogs’ responses to environments and caregivers can change during this transitional period Some of the difficulties this transition period can create for adolescent dogs How to best support the dog through these transitional changes How we can work with dogs experiencing threat Sarah’s approach to using food when a threat is present Sarah is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant of nearly two decades, and has 25 years experience of competing in dog sports. You can find Sarah and her online courses at http://www.sarahstremming.com. Your Dog's Friend https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXYsg9X4m6E Calm Canine Academy : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mcZ_HoxeSc 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

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

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.