The Rooted Podcast

This episode is a little different and one of the most meaningful conversations we’ve recorded so far. Today, we sit down with our daughters, Brielle and Ezra, for an open, unscripted conversation about what it’s really like growing up in a household where dogs aren’t just pets they’re part of the work, the lifestyle, and the family. We talk about life behind the scenes of dog training, what they’ve learned from being around working dogs, how dogs have shaped their confidence and perspe...

“What the Decoys Do”** Decoys are one of the most important — and most overlooked — pieces of the working-dog puzzle. In this episode of The Rooted Podcast, Alison and Mike talk about what decoys actually do, why the role matters, and how it influences the dogs we train, test, and put on the field. They discuss the general differences between training decoys, trial decoys, and the gray area in between — and how each role plays a part in developing a dog that can understand the work. Whether y...

Welcome to The Rooted, where we strip away the fluff and talk about what’s really happening in the dog world. In this episode — The Woke Dog Trainer Era — we dive into how the industry has become a battlefield of ideology, ego, and moral grandstanding. From the San Francisco Standard article claiming that “wokeness has infected dog training,” we break down how philosophy has replaced practicality and how that affects dogs in the real world. We also take on the growing debate around bite work ...

In this episode, tensions rise as Michael and Alison go head-to-head in their quest to define the "Perfect Dog." With years of experience and strong opinions on training, temperament, and working ability, they each bring their own unique perspective to the table. What qualities make a truly ideal canine companion? Is it all about obedience and control, or does personality and drive play a bigger role? Join us as they break down their must-have traits, debate what really matters in a well-roun...

In our very first episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on us. Who are Alison and Michael Nezbeth? How did two people with a love for dogs, a knack for chaos, and a drive for something bigger turn a dream into Grassroots K9? We’re talking origins, the hustle, the fails, and the moments that shaped our journey—not just as trainers but as business owners, partners, and (somehow) semi-functional humans. If you’ve ever wondered how Grassroots K9 started or what it takes to build a life around...