Life Well Lived with Dogs: Recent Episodes
Leigh Siegfried
Hi, I'm Leigh Siegfried I am a relationship-based dog trainer and coach, who is demystifying dog training and teaching people the things that matter, for a life well-lived with dogs.
Hey friends it's been a minute!
I'm so excited for this week's chat with Summer Willow Fitch! Summer is a transformational leader helping businesses implement strategies to curate a better experience for both employees and customers.
She also, has a brand new puppy, Olivia.
In this episode we talk about the journey of having a new puppy at home, finding community and the discrepancies in adoption practices.
Summer's Workhttps://kabodconsults.com/
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://novapodcasts.com
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
This week I have a very special guest, Marianne Ahern from Glad Dogs Nation.
Marianne has been working with rescue programs and fostering dogs for 17 years. Eventually, she started wondering what could be a more impactful way of helping and supporting dogs in need. That's when Glad Dogs Nation was born.
In this episode, you'll hear how Marianne and her team take gently used children's toys and give them a new life as dog toys. 100% of the profits from these toys go to support their non-profit programs for pets in need.
Key Topics
- How Glad Dogs Nation was founded
- How you can get involved
- What's happening in the shelters
Check out https://gladdogsnation.com/ to shop available toys and see how YOU can get involved!
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://novapodcasts.com
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
Veterinarian Marisa Brunetti is back on the show this week to talk about pain in both dogs and cats.
It's only recently that us humans have recognized that dogs can feel pain too. Just like us, dogs deserve to have their pain looked at, treated and managed to the best of our ability.
But how do you know when your pet is experiencing pain? Today Marisa Brunetti, VMD is showing us exactly what to look for in our pets.
Key Topics
- How to recognize pain in your pet
- When to bring your pet in for pain
- What to expect as your dog gets older
- Medications
Check out Marisa's Podcast: IndeVets Happy Hour
Listen to our last episode w/ Marisa:
Ep 21: Changes in the Vet Industry w/ Marisa Brunetti, VMD
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://novapodcasts.com
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
It can be extremely overwhelming trying to do everything right by your dog. There's thousands of options and everyone has their opinion on them.
This week I'm challenging you to get back to basics with your training and reminding you what really matters when it comes to training your dog.
Key Topics
- Meeting biological needs first
- Using play as a runway for huge shifts in training
- Spending quality time with your dog to improve training
If you like this episode you'll also enjoy:Ep 23: Teaching your Dog Lessons Through Play
Ep 16: Micro Communication w/ your Dog
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://novapodcasts.com
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
A few weeks ago I promised I would dive into the Windows Theory.
I believe this can be a more powerful framework than training and teaching tactical skills alone.
The Window Theory is all about helping dogs understand what behavior & state of mind is appropriate throughout day to day situations by dividing your time into different "windows".
Listen to this episode to hear me explain the Window Theory in depth and give you practical examples that you can start implementing with your dog right away.
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://novapodcasts.com
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
What's your plan for communicating with your dog?
There are so many methods, tips and opinions on the best way to communicate what you want to your dog.
This week I'm building off the last two episodes to empower you to learn to communicate with your dog in a way that makes sense for both of you.
If you haven't yet, listen to Episodes 22 & 23 to get the full picture of creating success with your dog by looking at their health & enrichment through play.
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://novapodcasts.com
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
Hey friends,
This week I am continuing on last week's episode reflecting on the idea of starting with basic diagnostics and looking at things that impact behavior with our dogs.
Last week I dove into looking at your dog's health and their biological fulfillment as a starting point for any training you may want to do.
In this episode, I want to help you create a bigger context for all the things you're doing with your dogs. Today, I'm focusing on play with our dogs as a useful tool for training, creating a feedback system and bonding with your dog.
Key Topics
- Creating Clarity
- Going beyond performance based commands
- Developing a useful feedback system
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://novapodcasts.com
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
To start off the year at Opportunity Barks we hosted Jay Jack from Next Level Dogs & what he had to say blew everyone's mind.
Today, I wanted to share some of that with you.
Dogs have biological needs but, what does that look like in your home?
In this episode, I'm giving you practical and tangible activities for you to start allowing your dog to practice species specific behaviors.
Key Topics:
- Defining Enrichment
- The Right Questions to Ask
- Layered Stress Model
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://novapodcasts.com
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
Hello friends,
This week I have on my incredible friend Marisa Brunetti. Marisa is a practicing veterinarian and one of the founders of IndeVets.
IndeVets puts Vets first and strives to provide a better work-life balance for those they employ. To learn more about IndeVets and their mission visit https://indevets.com/
In this episode, we talk all about changes in the vet industry and walk through how these changes will affect all pet owners.
TW: Pet Death & Euthanasia
Check out Marisa's Podcast: IndeVets Happy Hour
Key Topics:
- Mental Health in Vets
- Changes in the vet industry
- The importance of having a good mentor
- How the tides are changing in the vet industry
- The effects of the Pandemic in the vet industry
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://novapodcasts.com
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
Today I'm so excited to have on Bryna Donnelly founder of Rescue Rebuild.
Rescue Rebuild is an organization that works to help people, pets, and the planet by mobilizing in response to need and amplifying the good. Specifically, they help shelters renovate, build & improve their structures to increase their success in animal welfare.
In today's conversation, we get the real side of what it means to be involved in animal welfare.
Check Out Rescue Rebuild
rescuerebuild.org
Key Topics:
- Working w/ people experiencing homelessness & victims of domestic violence to keep their pets safe.
- The role shelters can play to support people in crisis
- How you can get involved with animal welfare in your community
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://novapodcasts.com
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
Today, I'm talking with Opportunity Barks clients Ben & Laura.
Ben & Laura came to me after they adopted their dog Moose. Shortly after they brought him home they noticed he was very reactive to humans. I wanted them to come on the show to share their journey of owning a reactive dog and how they have come to live a fulfilling life with proper management.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, remember you are not alone and there's no shame in reaching out for help.
In this ep, you might hear the occasional bump and squeaky toy from a pup in the background. This is a dog podcast after all.
Key Topics:
- What to do if you have a reactive dog
- The journey of dog ownership
- The benefits of dog socialization
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://novapodcasts.com
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
Today I'm bringing you the incredible and brilliant Rae Dohar to talk about her experience with dogs + street dogs around the world
Warning: This conversation gets deep!
We talk about how culture influences attitude toward pets, genetics, and break the idea that all dogs want to be "saved"
Key Topics:
- Risks when rescuing street dogs
- The most effective ways to support street dogs
- How to work with what you have
- How genetics predispose a dog to certain behavioral traits
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://novapodcasts.com
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
Today I want to talk about doing right by your dog.
We all want to do the right thing, and the right thing is going to look different for everyone.
I'm here today to bust some myths you may hear from the training industry and share my own story of when this all opened up for me.
Key Topics:
- Being liked by your dog
- The internal dialogue as an owner
- Meeting your dog where they're at
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://novapodcasts.com
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
Do you ever find yourself asking your dog to do something and they start acting like you're invisible?
Maybe you need them to come back to you or stop jumping on your guests.
We've all been there.
Typically our first instinct when this happens is to immediately troubleshoot, "Why is my dog acting like this?"
In this episode, I'm telling you that the key is to start looking to the micro exchanges you have with your dog on a day to day basis and how that can lay the groundwork to be prepared for the more problematic moments you will face.
Key Topics:
- Micro vs. Macro
- Finding one command to slow or stop movement
- How to set up effective communication with your dog
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://www.instagram.com/shannonsvirtuallife/
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
Whether you're traveling or staying home this holiday season, many dog owners experience some difficult around this time.
Exposing your dog to new environments or having a dozen people in your home is bound to be a stressor to some dogs.
Today, I want to quickly walk you through how to advocate for your dog in these situations.
Key learning points:
- Travel tips
- How to help your dog rest in other people's homes
- Developing a management strategy
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://www.instagram.com/shannonsvirtuallife/
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
On this week's episode I have on the amazing Georgie King (@walkwithwomen). Georgie helps women develop quality relationships with their body, food, emotions and other women.
Today, we discuss the intersection of dog's and mental health and how a dog can have a significant impact on a person's well-being.
Follow Georgie on Instagram! @walkwithwomen
Key Points in the Ep:
- Dogs and mental health
- Shelters after the adoption surge during Covid
- Family Dogs
- How trauma show up physically in both dogs and people.
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://www.instagram.com/shannonsvirtuallife/
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
As a dog owner, one thing many of us struggle with is a dog resisting grooming.
In many cases, it's a matter of interrupting the dog's resistant behavior before it becomes a habit. Preparing your dog for grooming -- and other weird events -- will lead to a better chance for success. Listen to this episode to learn the first steps I take when training my dog for "everyday weird"
Key Topics
- Getting your dog used to being restrained
- How to read your dog's body language
- Neutrality in dogs
- Sensitization vs Back-Chaining
If you liked this episode you might also like:Ep 02: Training Confusion & Conflict as a Dog
Ep 06: Leash Walking 101
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://www.instagram.com/shannonsvirtuallife/
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
In this age of mass consumerism it is easy to think that your dog needs the whole nine yards. Now, don't get me wrong it's great to give your dog gifts however, when we boil it down to what your dog ACTUALLY needs we get back to the basics.
In this episode, I'm talking about common misconceptions that often pop up when it comes to your dog's needs and providing you with a new perspective.
Topics covered:
- Creating natural outlets
- How much activity does your dog actually need?
- Does your dog need "friends"?
- Building trust with your dog
- The number one undervalued aspect of you and your dog's relationship
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://www.instagram.com/shannonsvirtuallife/
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
This week I am talking with the fabulous Katie Christian.
Katie and I became close while we were both at a retreat in Bali and I knew I had to have her on the show. She is a women's hormone practitioner, empowerment & confidence coach.
Disclaimer! This episode is a slightly different than our usual dog content.
A glimpse into the episode:
- Katie's journey to reclaim her health
- An important conversation about hormone imbalance in women
- Advocating for yourself and your health
- And of course, all about Katie's Frenchies
Check Out Katie ChristianIG: @katiechristian_
Youtube: Katie Christian
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://www.instagram.com/shannonsvirtuallife/
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
Heyooo
Welcome back to the Life Well Lived with Dogs Podcast! This week I'm rounding our "Starting Points" mini-series with Starting Points for Behavioral Training. Be sure to check out the last 2 episodes for Starting Points for a New Puppy and Starting Points for Adopted Dogs and Older Puppies.
In this episode, I want to help you understand what this journey into behavioral training might look like. If you have a reactive dog or a dog that is easily triggered by certain things, this is going to be the episode for you.
Key Topics
- Implementing solid management strategies to stop repetitive behavior
- Building a communication system with your dog
- The importance of self-regulation and keeping a calm demeanor
- Finding community
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://www.instagram.com/shannonsvirtuallife/
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
So you adopted a new dog and now you're feeling overwhelmed?
Don't worry, I got you.
In this episode, I'm talking all about where to start with your new dog. With an older dog, there are a couple of starting points that are different than if you adopted a puppy.
If you're experience puppy troubles be sure to check out last week's episode:
Starting Points for New Puppy Owners
Key Topics:
- How to set potty expectations
- How getting your dog okay with the crate will enhance their quality of life
- The first thing you should do when you bring your new dog home
- Giving your dog space
- How to start MEANINGFUL training
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://www.instagram.com/shannonsvirtuallife/
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
So you just got a new puppy and now you are overwhelmed af with EVERYTHING that comes with a new puppy. I'm here to tell you, you're not alone and you CAN do it.
In this episode, I'm giving you tangible practices you can implement to solve the most common puppy problems including:
- Chewing
- Biting
- Potty Training
My goal is to give you realistic expectations as a new puppy owner .
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://www.instagram.com/shannonsvirtuallife/
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
Hey friends,
This week is super exciting because I have on my first guest, Lindsay VanSomeren!
Lindsay and I have know each other for a little while and when I learned she used to participate in dog sledding I knew I had to bring her on to share her story with you.
Today, Lindsay is a freelance writer located in Washington where she writes on money, wildlife and the environment.
Some topics we cover are:
- How Lindsay got into dog sledding
- What the dog sledding community is like
- What taking care of multiple racing dogs consists of
- How climate change is affecting the world of dog racing
- and some bonus training strategies.
Check out Lindsay hereWebsite - https://www.lindsayvansomeren.com/#/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsayvansomeren/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/jiigibiig
Hello Hello!
Leash walking is one of the skills we work on most at Opportunity Barks and I'm here to share some of the tips we use so that you can start implementing these at home!
Some of the topics I cover this week are:
- Demystifying the "holy grail" of loose leash walking
- How to get your dog used to new equipment such as a leash or collar
- Strategies to get your dog to start paying attention to you on walks
- How to use movement & pressure as the ultimate training tool when it comes to the leash
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://www.instagram.com/shannonsvirtuallife/
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
Welcome back to Life Well-Lived With Dogs!
This week I'm covering a super important topic in the dog world, separation anxiety. This is something that most dog owners will experience at some point in their journey.
In this episode, I'm going to talk about
- How to know you have an extreme case of separation anxiety
- When to seek help
- Strategies you can implement at home to support your dog
- What to expect as "normal" behavior
If you found this episode helpful please remember to subscribe and leave a review. It would mean the world to me!
Relevant to this EpisodeEpisode 03: Simple Daily Enrichment
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://www.instagram.com/shannonsvirtuallife/
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
Welcome to The My Dog Got Kicked Out of Daycare Club the not so fun place that many pet owners find themselves in.
When you're faced with this dilemma it's important to remember that pet professionals want to see the dog thrive and are fierce advocates for the dogs they look after.
In this episode, I'm walking you through why your dog getting kicked out of daycare can be a good thing.
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://www.instagram.com/shannonsvirtuallife/
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
Hello friends!
Now that we've gotten the disclaimers and confusion out of the way in the previous episode. I'm bring you simple and easy ways to enrich your dogs life daily.
These practices are as easy as giving your dog a piece of cardboard to rip up and play with to simply doing nothing.
Dog training CAN be easy and fun and it is all about finding what you can incorporate into your life.
Reach Out to Me:
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://www.instagram.com/shannonsvirtuallife/
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
Welcome back to another episode of A Life Well Lived With Dogs Podcast!
In this episode, I'm diving into how dog training methodologies have evolved into what they are today.
This is a honest conversation about how confusing finding the right method can be for you. There's so much out there and everyone has their own opinion about the "right" way to train your dog.
My goal with this episode is to empower you to find a method that feels good to you and when you're not getting the results you want, ask bigger questions and ask better questions.
Reach out to me:hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://www.instagram.com/shannonsvirtuallife/
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403
Welcome to a Life Well Lived with Dogs Podcast
I'm Leigh Siegfried, a dog training and behavior expert that's been working with dogs and people for nearly 20 years and I'm here on this podcast to share my experience and support people through the journey of dog ownership.
On this inaugural episode, I'm talking about my roots in the dog world and how the experience with my first dog made me realize that not only do people need to train their dogs but, just as importantly, advocate for them.
If you have any topics or questions you'd like me to talk about in a future episode definitely reach out and let me know!
Contact Me
hello@opbarks.com
@opbarks on Instagram
opbarks.com
CreditsProduction: Shannon Kuehl https://www.instagram.com/shannonsvirtuallife/
Music: Daniele Musto https://app.soundstripe.com/artists/403