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Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs
Tracy Franken: Retired Vet Tech , Dog Trainer, Dog Lover, Dog Bond Specialist 🐾
154 episodes
2 days ago
Do you long to have a happy, confident dog you can take anywhere? Are you worried your reactive, fearful dog may hurt someone or something else? Do you have to “prepare” yourself to take your dog for a walk around the block? Hey there! I’m Tracy, a retired vet tech turned dog trainer, mom, wife and all-around dog lover. When I realized the key to building confidence in my dog was in understanding him and NOT just tossing treats and obedience my life changed! Now I have a pack of “just good dogs” I trust to take anywhere. And I am sharing it all here! So put down that leash & let's get to it!
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All content for Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs is the property of Tracy Franken: Retired Vet Tech , Dog Trainer, Dog Lover, Dog Bond Specialist 🐾 and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Do you long to have a happy, confident dog you can take anywhere? Are you worried your reactive, fearful dog may hurt someone or something else? Do you have to “prepare” yourself to take your dog for a walk around the block? Hey there! I’m Tracy, a retired vet tech turned dog trainer, mom, wife and all-around dog lover. When I realized the key to building confidence in my dog was in understanding him and NOT just tossing treats and obedience my life changed! Now I have a pack of “just good dogs” I trust to take anywhere. And I am sharing it all here! So put down that leash & let's get to it!
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Pets & Animals
Kids & Family
Episodes (20/154)
Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs
147 | Most Trainers Don't Know What a Dog Is-{ Interview with Nelson Hodges Pt 1}

Hey Dog Lover,🐾

This episode is one for the books. I got to sit down with my mentor and dear friend, Nelson Hodges, for a conversation that honestly felt like cracking open the soul of our work with dogs.

We explored one foundational (and often misunderstood) question:
👉 What is a dog?
…and why getting that right changes everything else.

This is part one of a two-part conversation, and believe me, you’ll want to listen with a pen in hand and your curiosity dialled all the way up.

Because Nelson doesn’t just talk about dogs… he helps you see them. Really see them.

In this episode, we dive into:

  • Dogs can smell your thoughts ( I know this one hit me hard!)

  • How a dog’s survival instincts shape their behaviour — and how our responses often miss the mark

  • What it actually means to “know” a dog on their terms, not ours

    And so much more!

Expect to be challenged. Expect to be inspired. And most of all… expect to say “How interesting!” more than once. 😉

Hope you enjoy!


Tracy xoxox


🐾 Show Notes & Resources
To learn more about Nelson Hodges and his work, check out:
🌐 www.chrinstitute.com
Facebook: Canine Human Relationship Institute


Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!
We’d love to hear your takeaways from this episode — whether it’s an aha moment or a “how interesting!” shift in perspective.

Come share inside our Living Beyond Obedience Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation together. 🐕


Show more...
1 day ago
1 hour 5 minutes 18 seconds

Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs
149 | It's Not Personal, It's Pack Mentality {Peace in the Pack Series}

🐾 Hey there Dog Lover,

We’re diving into Part 6 of the Peace in the Pack series — and today’s episode is all about a sneaky dynamic that shows up in a lot of multi-dog homes (especially when you’re adding new dogs into the mix):
Us vs. Them.

Dogs are deeply wired for social structure. In their world, there’s with us… and there’s not with us. And when we humans unknowingly reinforce that division — through the way we set up our homes, introduce new dogs, or even talk about “my dog vs. your dog” — it creates unnecessary conflict and tension in the pack.

In this episode, we’re unpacking:

  • Why dogs are hardwired to value group cohesion
  • How crates, furniture, baby gates, and guest seating can accidentally send the wrong message
  • What “us vs. them” looks like in foster and blended households
  • Why even you can become a high-value resource that shifts the group dynamic
  • Real-life examples (including what I learned from my own pack and boarding dogs)

You’ll walk away from this episode with a clearer picture of how to structure your environment and mindset to support pro-social, pack-centered living — without accidentally drawing invisible battle lines.

I hope you enjoy this one.
See you next week for Part 7.

Tracy
xoxo


🐾👣 Next Steps:

If you’re ready to go beyond obedience and start living with your dog intentionally, it’s time to join me in The Fearless Framework.

We’ll help you understand your dog — and yourself — in ways that lead to more confidence, connection, and peace in your home.

🐾 Join today: www.beyondobedience.ca/fearless
I can’t wait to start this journey with you.

Music Credit 🎶 Shawn Trotter @ shawntrotter.com

Show more...
4 days ago
31 minutes 18 seconds

Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs
148 | Should Your Dogs Be on the Furniture? Yes... and Also Maybe No. {Peace in the Pack Series}

🐾 Hey there, Dog Lover,

We're back with Part 5 of the Peace in the Pack series — and today, we're getting into one of those deceptively simple questions that opens the door to a whole lot of deeper conversations:

Should your dog be allowed on the furniture?

My answer? Yes.
…And also maybe no. 😉

This episode isn’t about setting rules — it’s about understanding what levels mean to dogs. From who gets the couch to who sleeps on the bed, your dogs are constantly making choices based on strategy, safety, and social standing.

In this episode, we dig into:

  • How elevation influences canine communication (and conflict)
  • Why leadership is more about clarity than control
  • The role of the den (your bed!) in pack dynamics
  • How little moments — like who moves who — say a lot about the social structure
  • Why some dogs show tension in elevated spaces (and what that actually means)

Plus, I’ll share a behind-the-scenes look at Irie and the occasional “toothy whispers” she shares with the rest of the pack — and what that taught me about space, status, and fairness.

I hope you enjoy this one.
See you next week for Part 6.

Tracy
xoxo


👉 Next Steps:

If you really want to understand your dog — and decode the way they move through the world — it starts with learning how to read canine conversations.

That’s exactly what we do inside The Fearless Framework — together.

🎉 Join today: www.beyondobedience.ca/fearless
I can’t wait to start this journey with you.


Music Credit 🎶 Shawn Trotter www.shawntrotter.com

Show more...
1 week ago
30 minutes 21 seconds

Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs
147 | Your Dog's NOT Jealous: Understanding Possession in the Pack { Peace in the Pack Series}

🐾 Hey there, Dog Lover,

We’re continuing our Peace in the Pack series this week with a topic that hits close to home for so many multi-dog households: possession and resource conflict.

Ever said, “Ugh, my dog is so jealous!” when one dog pushes the other away for attention?

Yeah. Let’s talk about that.

In this episode, I’m diving into:

  • What dogs actually value (spoiler: it’s not always food)
  • Why guarding you is often the biggest source of conflict — and how our human emotions add fuel to the fire
  • How possession shows up in subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways
  • The difference between healthy play and tension-filled control
  • Why “fairness” is a human concept, not a canine one


I’ll also share one of the biggest lightbulb moments I had comparing my house pack to my kennel pack — and what it taught me about my own role in the tension I was seeing.

If you've ever dealt with growling over toys, snippy moments between dogs, or tension when one dog comes in for love, this episode is for you.

I hope you enjoy this one.
See you in the next episode.

Tracy
xoxo


👣🐾Next Steps:

If you really want to understand dog behaviour, canine conversations, and how to create clarity and peace in your pack, you need to be inside The Fearless Framework.

This is where we walk the walk.
Together.
With heart, intention, and a healthy dose of dog nerdiness. 🐾

🎉 Join today: www.beyondobedience.ca/fearless
I can’t wait to start this journey with you.


Music credit: 🎶. Shawn Trotter www.shawntrotter.com

Show more...
1 week ago
37 minutes 48 seconds

Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs
146 | You Don’t Want a “Social” Dog : And Here’s Why {Peace in the Pack Series}

Hey Dog Lover,

You’ve probably heard it before — or maybe even said it yourself:
“He’s just social!”
“She’s friendly!”
“They love other dogs!”

But here’s the thing: “social” isn’t always what you think it is.
And in a multi-dog home, it might actually be the source of your tension.

In this episode, we’re digging into the four types of canine sociality — asocial, antisocial, social, and pro-social — and how this spectrum plays out in real-life relationships between your dogs (and between you and your dogs, too).

We’ll talk about:

  • Why “friendly” often means boundaryless

  • Why some dogs bulldoze others while others withdraw

  • How you might be acting social instead of pro-social with your own dog

  • And what a truly pro-social pack actually looks like

This episode might change the way you see your dogs — and your role as a leader — for good.

Hope you enjoy this one. See you in the next episode!


Tracy xoxoxo


Next Steps:👣🐾
If this episode hit home — if you found yourself thinking “Oh no… my dog might not be pro-social” or “I’ve been labeling my dog ‘friendly’ when really… they’re just kind of rude,” — then here’s the truth:

You don’t just need more training tools. You need a new lens.

And that’s exactly what the Fearless Framework is here to give you.

It’s not a course about fixing your dog — it’s a 12-month coaching experience designed to help you:

  • Build trust-driven leadership that actually works in a multi-dog home

  • Understand your dogs at a deeper level — from personality to behavior to pack dynamics

  • Stop second-guessing yourself and start leading with calm, grounded confidence

  • Create a peaceful, connected life with your dogs — not just a well-managed one

Because you and your dogs deserve more than obedience.
You deserve understanding, connection, and confidence.
You deserve to live beyond obedience.

💻 Join me inside the Fearless Framework at beyondobedience.ca/fearless
Let’s build something beautiful together.

Show more...
2 weeks ago
35 minutes 52 seconds

Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs
145 | The Secret to a Peaceful Pack: This One Concept Changes Everything {Peace in the Pack Series}

Hey Dog Lover,🐾

The truth is, a peaceful pack isn’t built by making your dogs follow the same training, the same rules, or the same boundaries.

Because every dog brings their own unique Dogonality™ to the table.

It’s easy to say “rules, boundaries, and expectations,”… but what we sometimes miss is that those rules might need to look different depending on the dog in front of us. And that’s not just okay — it’s essential.

In this episode, we’re talking about how to honour the individual dog — their play style, their processing style, their personality — while still guiding the whole crew under the shared umbrella of a pro-social pack.

This is where leadership meets relationship.
And it changes everything.

Hope you enjoy this one. See you in the next episode!


Tracy xoxoxo


Next Steps:👣🐾


🐾 Haven’t taken the Doggonality Quiz yet? Take it here — it’s the perfect first step toward clarity.
🧭 Ready to take this thing to the next level?

Want to deepen your leadership and confidence?

Join the Fearless Framework at beyondobedience.ca/fearless

🎶 Music by Shawn Trotter – shawntrotter.com


Show more...
2 weeks ago
28 minutes 57 seconds

Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs
144 | What If the Problem Child… Isn’t the Problem? {Peace in the Pack Series}

Hey Dog Lover,

We’re kicking off a brand-new podcast series today called Peace in the Pack — and if you’ve ever found yourself saying, “Ugh, this dog is driving me nuts,” then this one’s for you.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing a perspective shift that might just blow your mind (in the gentlest, most supportive way possible, of course 😉).

What if the dog that looks like the “problem child” — the one barking, pacing, reacting — isn’t actually the root of the issue? What if they’re just the messenger?

I’ll tell you the story of Jamie, her anxious dog Daisy, and her sweet new rescue Homer — and how what looked like a simple case of “fix Daisy” turned out to be a much deeper pack dynamic that was quietly playing out under the surface.

We’ll talk about:

  • How canine social pressure flies under the radar

  • What subtle behaviors to watch for (even from the “chill” dog)

  • Why reactivity is often a protest, not a personality

  • And how leadership means observing the whole pack, not just the loudest member

Because peace in your home starts with seeing what’s actually going on — not just what’s barking the loudest.

Hope you enjoy this one — see you in the next one! 🐾


NEXT STEPS🐾👣

If you’re ready to stop controlling your dog and instead start building real harmony and partnership with them, then you are ready for The Fearless Framework Online Program and Community

🦴 Use coupon code BOOTCAMP to save big on The Fearless Framework — and get bonus private coaching calls during our Bootcamp Special, on now through October 19th!
👉 beyondobedience.ca/special


Special music credit to Shawn Trotter – www.shawntrotter.com


Show more...
3 weeks ago
22 minutes 25 seconds

Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs
143 | 3 Things You Can Do Today to Deepen the Bond with Your Dog {No training Required}

Hey Dog Lover 🐾

It’s the Monday after Bootcamp… and Thanksgiving here in Canada. 🇨🇦

So I wanted to offer something simple, grounding, and honestly—really powerful.

Because training probably takes up, what? Maybe 5–10% of your day tops?
So what’s happening in the other 95%?

That’s where your dog is learning the most about who you are—
and where your bond is really being built.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through 3 simple things you can do today (no training required!) to strengthen connection, deepen trust, and help your dog feel safe in your everyday life.

🔹 Be Quiet
If you want to talk to your dog... shut your mouth. (Yep—Nelson said it first. 😉)
We spend so much time narrating, cueing, correcting—
that we forget to actually listen.
Try this: spend 5–15 minutes moving through your world with your dog in silence.
Observe. Notice. Let the quiet speak.
Because the quiet moments are where the real communication happens.

🔹 Notice How You Move Through Space
Your presence affects your dog—every time you move, shift, or reach.
Leadership starts with noticing, not controlling.
So today, just pay attention:
How does your dog respond when you walk into a room or step closer?
No fixing. No labeling. Just awareness.

🔹 Be Curious About What Matters to Your Dog
If your dog stops to explore something—go see what it is.
Not to redirect. Not to control. Just to witness it with them.
That tiny act of curiosity says, “What matters to you, matters to me.”
And that’s where mutual relevance—and trust—grow.

You don’t need to “do” more training to build a better bond.
You need:
✨ More silence
✨ More noticing
✨ More genuine curiosity

When you change how you show up in the everyday moments, your dog will feel it—
and your relationship will grow stronger.

So… which one can you try today?

Hope you enjoy this one!


Tracy xoxox

NEXT STEPS 👣🐾

🎉 Missed Bootcamp?
You can still catch the replays and learn what calm, confident leadership really looks like to your dog.

🦴 Watch or join at: Calm Down, Dog Bootcamp

👥 Join our free community!
Come hang out with us inside Living Beyond Obedience, my private Facebook group where we talk about leadership, trust, and what it really means to be your dog’s safe place.
👉 www.facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedience

🎵 Podcast music by Shawn Trotter → shawntrotter.com


Show more...
3 weeks ago
21 minutes 46 seconds

Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs
142 | What Leadership Looks Like ...To Your Dog

Dear Dog Lover 🐾

Someone once asked me what good training looks like.
And I said — it looks like nothing at all.

Because when it’s good — when the relationship is solid — you don’t have to do much.
It’s quiet. It’s steady. It’s felt.
That’s not control.
That’s leadership.

In this episode, we’re peeling back the layers on a word that’s tossed around a lot in the dog world — leadership — and looking at what it actually means to your dog.

Because here’s the thing…
Leadership doesn’t look like “being in charge.”
It looks like awareness.
It looks like calm in uncertainty.
It looks like trust you can feel.

You’ll hear stories about Gunther (of course 😉) and how real leadership isn’t loud, reactive, or over-commanding — it’s quiet consistency. It’s being the one who notices, who moves first, who says with energy alone, “I’ve got this. You don’t have to worry.”

“You don’t have to be louder than your dog.
You just have to be calmer than their fear.”

This episode is for you if:

  • You’ve been trying to lead but it feels like micromanaging

  • You’ve ever confused obedience with influence

  • You’re ready to show up in a way your dog actually feels safe following

Because leadership isn’t positional — it’s relational.
You don’t earn it through control.
You earn it through clarity, consistency, and calm.

Hope you enjoy!

Please be sure to share! Rate! and Comment!

Tracy xoxox

NEXT STEPS 👣🐾

🎉 If you’ve been part of the Calm Down, Dog! Bootcamp this week — this is the work.
You’re already practicing what leadership looks and feels like to your dog.

And if you’re just tuning in, it’s not too late.
You can still catch the replays, join the conversations, and start showing up in a way your dog truly feels.

🦴 Save your spot at beyondobedience.ca/bootcamp


🎵 Podcast music by Shawn Trotter → shawntrotter.com


Show more...
4 weeks ago
18 minutes 51 seconds

Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs
141 | You Think it's Fear-But That's NOT the Problem

Dear Dog Lover 🐾

You’ve probably heard it before — “Your dog’s behavior problems are rooted in fear.”

And while that might be true, fear itself isn’t the problem.
Fear is normal. It’s necessary. It’s survival.

In this episode, we unpack what really happens when your dog feels fear — and how your response to it can either build trust or break connection.

You’ll hear stories about Gunther, my young pup, and how sitting quietly in a field turned fear into calm… and how standing tall during a siren helped him regulate through trust instead of redirection.

Because here’s the truth:
✨ Fear doesn’t need to be fixed. It needs to be felt, seen, and walked through — together.

If we rush to correct or distract, we risk missing the very thing our dogs need most: a partner in survival.

This episode is for you if:

  • You’ve ever tried to “train away” your dog’s fear

  • You’re curious about what real emotional safety looks like

  • You want to learn how to lead with calm confidence (instead of commands)


    Hope you enjoy! Be sure to share, rate or comment!


    Tracy xoxox


    NEXT STEPS 👣🐾

🎉 Join the Calm Down, Dog! Bootcamp — happening October 7–9!
Learn the skills to help your dog process fear, build confidence, and feel safe again — without obedience drills or overwhelm.

🦴 Save your seat here: beyondobedience.ca/bootcamp


🎵 Podcast music by Shawn Trotter → shawntrotter.com


Show more...
1 month ago
23 minutes 29 seconds

Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs
140 | How to Know What’s Really Going On With Your Dog : A Real-Time Behavior Breakdown {BTS Series }

Hey Dog Lover 🐾

In this special behind-the-scenes episode, you’ll be listening in on a powerful coaching moment from inside The Fearless Framework community.

This time, I’m working with Candice and her dog, Arlo, as we do a real-time video analysis of Arlo’s behaviour. It’s a super cool conversation where we get to slow things down, look closely at what’s really going on, and talk through what Candice can do next to help Arlo feel more confident and supported.

She walks away with tactical steps—and you might, too.


Hope you enjoy!

Please be sure to Follow, Share and/ or Leave a Review!


Tracy xoxo


NEXT STEPS 👣🐾

🎉 Want your own chance to get coaching like this—for free?
It’s not too late to join the Calm Down, Dog! Bootcamp, happening live September 7th–9th.
We’ll dive deep into what actually helps fearful and reactive dogs feel safe—and on Day 3, I’ll be doing live coaching, just like this.

🦴 Save your seat at beyondobedience.ca/bootcamp

Podcast music provided by shawntrotter.com


Show more...
1 month ago
24 minutes 47 seconds

Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs
139 | Moving with a Reactive Dog: How to Reset Boundaries, Leadership, and Trust {A Behind-the-Scenes Coaching Series}

Hey Dog Lover 🐾

In this special episode, you’re getting a sneak peek behind the curtain—into a real coaching call from inside The Fearless Framework Online Program

We’re quietly eavesdropping (with permission, of course 😉) on a session between me and Laurel, who’s preparing for a big move with her dog, Henry. As Laurel shares, we dive into how a fresh start can be more than just a change of scenery—it can be a powerful opportunity to reset boundaries, redefine leadership, and help your dog feel safe and confident in a new environment.

Whether you’re moving or just dreaming of a reset in your relationship with your dog, this conversation is packed with practical insight, grounded strategy, and the gentle encouragement you’ve been craving.

Hope you enjoy this peek behind the scenes! 💬

Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with another dog lover who could use a little clarity and calm.

Tracy xoxo

✨ PS: The Calm Down, Dog! Bootcamp is almost here!
Join us for this free 3-day live experience happening October 7–9th. @ 12pm ET /11 am CT /10am MT/ 9am PT


You’ll learn:

  • Why obedience doesn't work on fear (and what to do instead)

  • The one shift that changes everything for your fearful dog

  • How to show up as the calm, confident leader your dog actually needs

Hint: Day 3 is your chance to get personal coaching—just like Laurel did. ;-)


Save your seat now at beyondobedience.ca/bootcamp

Special thanks to:
🎶 Shawn Trotter — shawntrotter.com

Show more...
1 month ago
33 minutes 50 seconds

Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs
138 | Bad Training Advice You Should Ignore (And What to Do Instead)

Hey Dog Lover 🐾

This one might come with a little ambient background noise, courtesy of my son mowing the lawn — because hey, life doesn’t pause when you're trying to record a podcast. 😅

But while he’s out there pushing a mower, we’re in here pushing back on one of the most common (and misguided) pieces of training advice:

“Just ignore the behaviour you don’t like.”

Here’s the truth:
Ignoring your dog’s behaviour can frustrate your dog as much as it does you.
And it definitely doesn’t help them feel safer or more supported.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

  • Why ignoring behaviour can actually make things worse

  • The story of Gunther and the crate — and how I handled it (hint: it wasn’t with treats or silence)

  • What it really looks like to model the behaviour you want instead of waiting for it to appear

  • Why your dog needs leadership, not just passivity

The truth is: your dog isn’t trying to be difficult.
They are being a dog, and you have to give them feedback.

Do you agree with this behaviour? Or not? Either way, they need to know.

Hope you enjoy this!

Please be sure to share, rate and review!

Tracy xoxox

HINT: If you say nothing, you have *agreed* with the behaviour.

🐾👣 Next Steps:

Join the {Free} 3 day Bootcamp!

Have you been told you’re the problem in your dog’s behaviour?

Maybe it was a trainer.
Maybe it was the internet.
Maybe it was your own inner critic whispering that if you were just more consistent, more firm, more “alpha” or more positive… your dog would be fixed by now.

Here’s the truth:
You are not the problem.
But you are the solution.

In the Calm Down, Dog! Bootcamp, we’re leaving behind the blame — and picking up the real tools that create lasting change.

Over 3 days, I’ll show you how to:

  • Stop trying to train your dog out of behavior that comes from stress or confusion

  • Shift from reactivity to relationship

  • Lead in a way that feels good for both of you

  • Understand what your dog really needs from you — and how to give it without bribery or burnout

This Bootcamp isn’t about obedience.
It’s about ownership — of your energy, your leadership, and your connection with your dog.

If you’ve ever been made to feel like you’re doing it all wrong… come hang out with me instead. We do things differently here.

Join the Calm Down, Dog! Bootcamp⁠beyondobedience.ca/bootcamp⁠

Special music credit to Shawn Trotter
www.shawntrotter.com


Show more...
1 month ago
23 minutes 56 seconds

Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs
137 | Why I Can't Adopt Dogs

🎉THE CALM DOWN, DOG! BOOTCAMP IS BACK 🎉— and I couldn’t be more excited.
It’s happening October 7–8, and we’re diving deep into the real work of living with dogs — not just training them.

In this episode, I’m sharing the real reason I got a new German Shepherd puppy… and the realer reason why I’ve been rejected by rescues and breeders more than once.

Yep.
Despite working professionally with dogs for over 20 years, I’ve had doors closed on me simply because I don’t subscribe to the “purely positive” training model.

Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on:

  • Why I don’t train with treats or corrections — I train with relationship

  • How my pack helps raise balanced, confident dogs (including Gunther)

  • The difference between controlling behavior and creating trust

  • Why relationship-first leadership is more misunderstood — and more effective — than you think

And yes… I’ll be teasing a powerful moment I caught on video that I’ll be sharing exclusively inside the Bootcamp.

If you’ve ever felt like mainstream training advice doesn’t work for your dog — this one’s for you.

Hope you enjoy this one!

Tracy xoxo


🐾👣 Next Steps:
Join the Calm Down, Dog! Bootcamp of course!!
beyondobedience.ca/bootcamp

Special music credit to Shawn Trotter
www.shawntrotter.com



Show more...
1 month ago
33 minutes 1 second

Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs
136 | Puppies, Planes and AHa! Moments: Unscripted Lessons In Building Dog Trust

Hey Dog Lover! 🐾

In this delightfully spontaneous episode, we’re keeping it real because, well, life happens! I’m sharing a little behind-the-scenes peek into my world: the whirlwind of getting a new German Shepherd puppy named Gunther, a recent jaunt to England, and some curious insights I picked up about dog culture across the pond.

“How interesting!” you’ll hear me say because it’s all about bringing that curiosity back home and letting it shape the way we build trust and leadership with our dogs.


So, join me as I chat candidly about the ups and downs of this new adventure.

It’s a bit of a mixed bag episode, but I promise it’ll be full of heart, a few laughs, and some thoughtful reflections on how to raise a confident, curious pup.



Next steps👣🐾

If you’re eager to dive deeper into creating calm and confidence with your own dog, don’t miss our upcoming Calm Down Dog Bootcamp!

It’s happening October 7-9th, and you can fetch all the details at beyondobedience.ca/bootcamp.

Let’s be the reason and the reward in our dogs’ lives, together. 😉

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1 month ago
34 minutes 25 seconds

Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs
135 | Beyond the Bark: Tools, Boundaries & Understanding {Series Part 3}

Hey Dog Lover! 🐶
Welcome to Part Three of the Beyond the Bark Series! In this final episode, we’re wrapping up my contribution to a recent article on barking with some of the most practical — and controversial — questions around the topic.

Here’s what we’re covering today:

  • How furniture placement can actually reduce barking (yep, where your couch goes matters!)

  • Using tools like curtains, crates, and X-pens to prevent escalation and create calmer spaces

  • Why too much “free reign” often leaves dogs feeling like they have to control too much real estate

  • The controversial topic of bark collars, shock tools, and water guns — and why I believe leadership, fulfillment, structure, and boundaries should always come first

  • My closing thought: the key to everything with dogs is learning to understand them, not forcing them to fit into our human world

This episode ties it all together and helps you rethink barking not as a nuisance, but as information you can actually use to lead your dog more clearly.

xoxo,

Tracy 💛


👣🐾 Next Steps:
If you want to understand your dog on a deeper level so that everything gets easier, join me inside the Fearless Framework. It’s where we break the fear cycle and build the kind of trust and confidence that makes barking less of a problem in the first place.
👉 BeyondObedience.ca/fearless

👣🐾 Bonus: Come join the free Living Beyond Obedience community on Facebook, where you can connect with like-minded dog lovers, ask questions, and share your journey.
👉 facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedience

🎵 Music Credit: Shawn Trotter – shawntrotter.com

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1 month ago
35 minutes 43 seconds

Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs
134 | Beyond the Bark: Puppies, Prevention & Adult Dogs {Series Part 2}

Hey Dog Lover! 🐶
Welcome to Part Two of the Beyond the Bark Series! In this episode, we’re tackling the questions about puppies and adult dogs when it comes to barking.

As part of my contribution to a recent article on barking, I was asked:

  • With puppies, what can we do to prevent barking at things like the doorbell, the garbage truck, or people passing by?

  • What about adult dogs? Is it too late to train them out of barking?

Here’s what we’re unpacking today:

  • Why the real key for puppies isn’t “stopping barking” but socialization and exposure

  • Why it’s absolutely not too late for adult dogs — yes, they can learn new tricks!

  • My go-to tip for helping your dog stop alert barking in real life situations

This episode will give you practical steps for both puppies and adults so you can respond with clarity and confidence.

xoxo,

Tracy 💛

👣🐾 Next Steps:
If you want to understand your dog on a deeper level so that everything gets easier, join me inside the Fearless Framework. It’s where we break the fear cycle and build the kind of trust and confidence that makes barking less of a problem in the first place.
👉 BeyondObedience.ca/fearless

👣🐾 Bonus: Come join the free Living Beyond Obedience community on Facebook, where you can connect with like-minded dog lovers, ask questions, and share your journey.
👉 facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedience


🎵 Music Credit: Shawn Trotter – shawntrotter.com

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1 month ago
23 minutes 24 seconds

Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs
133 | Beyond the Bark: Why Dogs Bark {Series Part 1}

Hey Dog Lover! 🐶
Welcome to Part One of my brand-new Beyond the Bark Series! This is the first of three episodes where we’re digging deep into one of the most common (and often misunderstood) dog behaviors: barking.

Fun fact: I was recently asked to contribute to an article on barking (how interesting, right?), and in this episode I’m sharing some of the answers I gave to the journalist’s questions.

Here’s what we’re covering today:

  • The main reasons dogs bark — and the most common triggers

  • The difference between alert barking, demand barking, and separation barking

  • Why barking isn’t always “bad” — it can also come from fear, play, or even curiosity

  • Whether barking is natural or a learned response (hello, nature vs. nurture!)

  • And yes… whether some dogs are simply more prone to barking based on their genetic makeup

This episode will help you stop seeing barking as “noise” and start seeing it as communication.

Hope you enjoy!

xoxo,

Tracy 💛

👣🐾 Next Steps:
If you want to understand your dog on a deeper level so that everything gets easier, join me inside the Fearless Framework. It’s where we break the fear cycle and build the kind of trust and confidence that makes barking less of a problem in the first place.
👉 BeyondObedience.ca/fearless

👣🐾 Bonus: Come join the free Living Beyond Obedience community on Facebook, where you can connect with like-minded dog lovers, ask questions, and share your journey.
👉 facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedience


🎵 Music Credit: Shawn Trotter – shawntrotter.com

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2 months ago
23 minutes 23 seconds

Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs
132 | NO! Isn't the Enemy.

Hey Dog Lover! 🐾
Ever feel a little weird about saying “no” to your dog?
Like you’re doing something wrong or “un-positive”? 😬

In this episode, we’re unpacking the myth that “no” is a bad word in dog training.
We’ll explore why clarity isn’t cruel, why disagreement doesn’t mean disconnection, and how using both yes and no helps build trust, confidence, and a real relationship with your dog.

If you’ve ever stood there, frozen, wondering what to do next—or if you’ve been stuck in the all-or-nothing world of dog training lingo (looking at you, “aversive”)—this episode is for you.

It's not about perfection. It's about understanding.
It’s about seeing the world through your dog’s eyes and becoming someone worth following.
Because “no” isn’t the enemy—confusion is.

Hope you enjoy this one.
xoxo
Tracy 💛


🐕‍🦺 Next Step:

Ready to take your relationship with your dog to the next level?

Join the free Facebook community!
🦴 Living Beyond Obedience

Ready to take your relationship with your dog to the next level?

Join the Fearless Framework—an incredible community of dog lovers just like you, all working to better understand themselves and their dogs through leadership, trust, and connection.

👉 Visit beyondobedience.ca/fearless to learn more.

🎵 Special music credit:
Shawn Trotter – Shawntrotter.com


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2 months ago
21 minutes 42 seconds

Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs
131 | Your Dog Feels it Too: Barking Anxiety & the Emotional Side of Dog Behaviour

Hey Dog Lover,

Have you noticed your dog barking more lately? Acting out in ways that seem “out of the blue”? Maybe every time someone walks in—or out—the door, your dog launches into full-blown emotional mayhem. 😅

Here’s the truth: your dog feels it too.

Whether it’s back-to-school chaos, a kid leaving for college, grief, stress, or just a shift in your household energy—dogs don’t miss a beat. And what we often label as “bad behavior” is actually a cry for stability, connection, and leadership.

In this episode, we unpack:

  • Why transitions affect your dog more than you think

  • How emotional energy (yep, yours) shows up as reactivity, anxiety, and barking

  • Why this isn’t a training issue—and what to do instead

  • The real meaning of trust-based leadership when you’re the one feeling unsteady

If you’ve ever found yourself saying “my dog is driving me bananas right now,” but deep down know they’re just trying to keep up with your changing world—this one’s for you.

Hope you enjoy this one,
—Tracy


🐾 Next Steps:

💌 Be the first to know when something exciting is coming (hint: soon!)
Join the mailing list at: beyondobedience.ca/contact

👥 Join the free community for support & honest conversation:
facebook.com/groups/livingbeyondobedience


🎵 Musical credit to ShawnTrotter of shawntrotter.com

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2 months ago
25 minutes 31 seconds

Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs
Do you long to have a happy, confident dog you can take anywhere? Are you worried your reactive, fearful dog may hurt someone or something else? Do you have to “prepare” yourself to take your dog for a walk around the block? Hey there! I’m Tracy, a retired vet tech turned dog trainer, mom, wife and all-around dog lover. When I realized the key to building confidence in my dog was in understanding him and NOT just tossing treats and obedience my life changed! Now I have a pack of “just good dogs” I trust to take anywhere. And I am sharing it all here! So put down that leash & let's get to it!