Simone Mueller, MA is a certified dog trainer and dog behaviour consultant (ATN.AG) from
Germany.

She specializes in force-free anti-predation training and is the author of the two books of the
Predation Substitute Training series “Hunting Together” and “Rocket Recall”.

Simone is proud to be an Associate Trainer at the Scotland-based Lothlorien Dog Training Club
(AT-LDTC) and a member of both the Pet Professional Guild (PPG), the Pet Dog Trainers of
Europe (PDTE) and the Initiative of Force Free Dog Training.

Follow Simone’s work on Facebook and Instagram: #predationsubstitutetraining

Learn more: http://www.predation-substitute-training.com

Among what you will learn by listening:

What IS predation and what does it mean to have a dog with high prey drive?
What are some of the breed tendencies and how do they affect walking on a leash?
How does this relate to decompression? Do dogs with high prey drive need decompression?
What are some general tips when it comes to walking your dog?

To learn more about your host: Lisa Desatnik, CPDT-KA, FFCP, FDM, CPBC,
visit: www.SoMuchPETential.com. Follow So Much PETential on Facebook and Instagram.

If this episode is helpful, please considering LIKING and FOLLOWING it.

Thanks!

Guest:
Michael Shikashio, CDBC with AggressiveDog.com

Michael is a world-renowned expert on aggression in dogs, sought after globally as a keynote speaker at conferences, universities, and other educational organizations and platforms. His expert insight and opinions have been tapped for interviews with local, national and international media including the New York Times, New York Post, Fox News, The List TV, Baltimore Sun, WebMD, Women’s Health Magazine, Real Simple Magazine, and SiriusXM Radio. He also hosts the popular podcast show “The Bitey End of the Dog” where he chats with the foremost experts on dog aggression.

Through Michael’s AggressiveDog.com, he offers the most comprehensive course for dog trainers and dog behavior consultants worldwide; and recently launched a comprehensive course for dog owners. His annual Aggression in Dogs Conference features leading experts and attracts professionals from across the globe.  

What you will learn by listening:

What IS aggression?
Can aggressive dogs be cured? 
Can aggressive behaviors be stopped through punishment?
What factors should be considered to break the cycle of aggression?
Understanding some common motivators for dog aggressive behaviors  

For more information on Michael Shikashio and his educational opportunities, please visit 
www.AggressiveDog.com

For more information on your Touched by Pets Podcast Host, Lisa Desatnik, please visit
www.SoMuchPETential.com.

If you found this episode valuable, please consider rating, following and/or sharing my podcast.    

Barbara Bingham, CPBC, CPBT-KA is devoted to reinforcing good behavior in all animals using natural strategies from behavioral science. Experience with a variety of species such as marine mammals (notably including Hawaiian Monk Seals), horses, cats, dogs, small mammals, reptiles, and birds, gives Barbara an advantage in considering options for each individual. She is passionate about sharing the science of behavior and learning as a foundation for solving challenges and improving relationships.

She is a certified professional bird trainer through the International Avian Trainers Certification Board, and a certified parrot behavior consultant by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. Her extensive training experience includes work with a variety of species such as marine mammals (notably including Hawaiian Monk Seals), horses, cats, dogs, small mammals, reptiles, and birds

Barb lives in Ahwatukee, AZ with a horse, a cat, a Scarlet Macaw, a Military Macaw, a Triton Cockatoo, a Congo African Grey, and a Sun-day conure.  

In this episode:

Screaming is one of the common problems companion parrot owners face. Barb and Lisa will share their own personal stories (their own and their clients’) with pet parrots as well as discuss tips for problem solving. This begins with a conversation about Applied Behavior Analysis.

Among what you will learn by listening…

Why do pet birds vocalize?
What are positive strategies for problem solving a screaming parrot issue?
Is it a realistic goal to have a bird that is always quiet?
 
For more information on Barb, please visit her website at www.harmonyanimalbehavior.com. For more information about your Lives Touched By Pets Podcast host, Lisa Desatnik, please visit www.SoMuchPETential.com.

 

Guest:    Jessa Kenworthy CPDT-KA, ABCDT
                Training Director at 4 Paws for Ability  

Jessa has worked with 4 Paws for Ability placing life changing service dogs for over 16 years. Working with these dogs led her to an added passion of working with pet families at her local dog club and competing in multiple dog sports with her dogs.  4 Paws for Ability is a non-profit organization that breeds, raises, trains, and places service dogs with children and veterans who have disabilities. 4 Paws places over 120 service dogs annually, all trained with specific tasks and skills to mitigate the impacts of their partner’s disabilities. To date, more than 2,000 service dog teams have been created thanks to the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and donors. In this Episode, you will learn about the differences between:
a service dog
an emotional support dog
and a certified therapy dog
What is a service dog?
What is an emotional support dog?
What is the difference between and emotional support dog and a psychiatric service dog?
What is a therapy dog?

How are they trained?
Are their certifications?
Where are they allowed to be with their handler?
What types of work do they do?
Do they need to wear vests?
How can a business know if a service dog is a service dog?  

For more information about 4 Paws for Ability, please visit: www.4pawsforabilityorg.

For more information on this podcast host, Lisa Desatnik, CPDT-KA, FFCP, FDM, CPBC, please visit:
www.SoMuchPETential.com.

Guest:
Dr. Moira Hechenleitner, DVM, CSAT
Separation Anxiety Dog

Host:
Lisa Desatnik, CPDT-KA, FFCP, FDM, CPBC
So Much PETential

About Dr. Hechenleitner:

Dr. Moira Hechenleitner graduated from Mayor University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007, in Santiago, Chile. She is a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT), with a postgraduate in Animal-Assisted Therapy.

Dr. Hechenleitner is a founding board member of the Chilean Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT Chile) and has spent the last 15 years offering consultation services for pet guardians and teaching courses to dog professionals. She is a speaker on the topic of Separation Anxiety, giving seminars internationally in English and Spanish.

She helps dogs and their families from all over the world overcome separation anxiety through www.separationanxietydog.com.  In 2025, she will be hosting her first virtual Separation Anxiety Dog Conference – on May 5, 2025. You can learn more at this link: https://separationanxietydog.thinkific.com/courses/separation-anxiety-dog-online-conference-2025

 What you will learn in this Episode:

When should you begin acclimating your new puppy to alone time?

What are some considerations when it comes to acclimating your puppy or dog to being alone?

Is crate training helpful and what strategies should you consider to teach your new puppy or dog to be comfortable in the crate?

How does having multiple dogs impact this acclimation? 

If you enjoy this podcast, please ‘like’ it, follow my podcast and share it. I also want to invite you to follow So Much PETential on Instagram and Facebook. Learn more about my pet training at www.SoMuchPETential.com  

Guest:
Linda Castañeda
Lead Trainer for the Cat Ambassador Program
        at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden  

About Linda:
Linda grew up in the concrete jungle of Los Angeles but was inspired by watching David Attenborough throughout her childhood. She was immersed in nature when she attended Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, where she earned a bachelor’s in Biology. After starting her biology career in field research in Eastern Oregon and then in West Africa, she decided to meld her passions for conservation and animals by making her way into the zoo field. Linda attended the Exotic Animal Training and Management (EATM) program at Moorpark College in Moorpark, CA and found her way to the Cincinnati Zoo as an intern, then a seasonal summer hire. Linda had a brief stretch in Chicago at Lincoln Park Zoo before making her way back to Cincinnati Zoo. She spends her day working with a variety of African species, including cheetahs, servals, a porcupine, a red river hog and domestic dogs and cats.  While Linda is obsessed with cheetahs, she also works with global fishing cat conservationists through the Fishing Cat Conservation Alliance, where she serves on the board. 

What you will learn in this Episode:

What is the Cincinnati Zoo Cat Ambassador Program, how did it start and why is it important?

What types of training does Linda and her staff do with the cheetahs?

Why do they raise baby cheetahs with dogs? How can you help?  

For more information, please visit these links:
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/2024/05/01/cheetahs-dogs-friends-cincinnati-zoo/73499121007/

https://cincinnatizoo.org/becoming-an-ambassador-kris-and-remus-update/

https://cincinnatizoo.org/celebrating-cathryn-hilker-on-her-90th-birthday/    

Learn more about your host Lisa Desatnik, CPDT-KA, FFCP, FDM, CPBC, at
www.SoMuchPETential.com

Guest: Dr. Jill E Sackman, DVM, PhD
owner, Animal Behavior Consultants of Michigan


Dr. Sackman is a board-certified diplomate, American College of Veterinary Behaviors; and a board
certified diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. She is the owner of Animal Behavior Consultants of Michigan, PLC where she practices an approach to behavioral medicine that combines learning theory, skilled medical training, and experience along with compassion and effective communication to create an integrated treatment plan that is tailored to the individual patient’s needs. Prior to starting her private practice, Dr. Sackman spent several years in research and development at Johnson & Johnson where she led a team of veterinarians and engineers in developing cutting-edge medical products. She is sought after internationally as a speaker on behavior.

Among what you will learn in this episode:

What is a veterinary behaviorist and how is a veterinary behaviorist different from a regular vet
When would it be a good time to be referred to or seek the assistance of a veterinary behaviorist
What are some of the reasons why physiology can impact aggression,
            anxiety, guarding
What signs should someone be looking for to indicate an underlying physiology problem

You can learn more about Dr. Sackman and how she can help at https://www.animalbehaviormi.com/

Learn more about your host Lisa Desatnik, CPDT-KA, FFCP, FDM, CPBC, at
www.SoMuchPETential.com.

Are you a parent of a baby or toddler…and a dog? This episode is for you!  

In my last episode, I spoke with my own teacher and mentor, Jennifer Shryock, owner and founder of Family Paws® LLC, about preparing for life with a baby and dog. I encourage you to go back and listen to that if you are an expecting parent.  

This time Jen and I talk about parenting a toddler and a dog together. How to plan for minimizing stress, safety and getting everyone’s needs met.  

That can be a challenge. I hope that this parenting discussion about families with a toddler and a dog will be helpful!    

About Jennifer Shryock, CDBC: Jennifer Shryock is owner and founder of Family Paws® LLC. She is a certified dog behavior consultant (CDBC), has a bachelor’s degree in special education, with over 30 years’ experience. She has served on multiple boards, including the International Childbirth Education Association, and was vice president of Doggone Safe, a non-profit dedicated to dog bite prevention and victim support. A recognized expert on dog and baby/toddler interactions and safety, Jen has mentored hundreds of dog professionals, written and spoken extensively about these topics including in media such as The Wall Street Journal and Martha Stewart LIVING.

While working with a rescue organization from which she adopted her dog, Jen found herself supporting families with babies or young children overwhelmed by the challenges of their situations. The need she saw for support and education led her to build resources for new and expecting families. Family Paws® offers the highly endorsed international program Dogs & Storks® for expecting and adopting families, Dogs & Toddlers™, and educational programs for dog professionals globally.   I am one of hundreds of licensed Family Paws parent educators worldwide who have completed Jen’s 13-week program to support young families.

For resources and much more information from Family Paws, please visit www.familypaws.com.

For information about dog training (and parrot behavior consulting) with Lisa Desatnik, CPDT-KA, FFCP, FDM, CPBC, please visit www.SoMuchPETential.com.

Jennifer Shryock is owner and founder of Family Paws® LLC. She is a certified dog behavior consultant (CDBC), has a bachelor’s degree in special education, with over 30 years’ experience. She has served on multiple boards, including the International Childbirth Education Association, and was vice president of Doggone Safe, a non-profit dedicated to dog bite prevention and victim support. A recognized expert on dog and baby/toddler interactions and safety, Jen has mentored hundreds of dog professionals, written and spoken extensively about these topics including in media such as The Wall Street Journal and Martha Stewart LIVING.

While working with a rescue organization from which she adopted her dog, Jen found herself supporting families with babies or young children overwhelmed by the challenges of their situations. The need she saw for support and education led her to build resources for new and expecting families. Family Paws® offers the highly endorsed international program Dogs & Storks® for expecting and adopting families, Dogs & Toddlers™, and educational programs for dog professionals globally.

I am one of hundreds of licensed Family Paws parent educators worldwide who have completed Jen’s 13- week program to support young families.

Among what we cover:

What is Active Awake Adult Supervision and why is it important?
Common challenges to give you thought
Tips for welcoming home your baby.

For resources and much more information from Family Paws, please visit www.familypaws.com.

For information about dog training (and parrot behavior consulting) with Lisa Desatnik, CPDT-KA, FFCP, FDM, CPBC, please visit www.SoMuchPETential.com.

This is a follow up to Episode 4 where I spoke with Dr. Moira Hechenleitner, DVM, CSAT,
talking about what is separation anxiety in dogs. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to
listen to that episode. Dr. Hechenleitner has spent the last 15 years offering consultation
services for pet guardians and teaching courses to dog professionals.

In this Episode 5, Dr. Hechenleitner talks about the treatment of separation anxiety.

There is hope!

why assessing your dog’s behaviors are an important first step
Dr. Hechenleitner’s 3 pillars of separation anxiety treatment including
what does the actual separation anxiety treatment training look like

Thanks for listening!

As a reminder, learn more about Dr. Hechenleitner and her support for dog owners and
dog professionals at www.separationanxietydog.com.

Learn more about me and my dog training at www.SoMuchPETential.com.

Separation anxiety is a very real phobia for many companion dogs. Being alone is
downright terrifying for them. And that makes living with these dogs so very stressful for
pet parents.

This is the first of a 2-part series discussing Separation Anxiety and its treatment.
My guest is my own coach, teacher, and mentor when it comes to helping others find hope
with separation anxiety.

Dr. Moira Hechenleitner graduated from Mayor University College of Veterinary Medicine
in 2007, in Santiago, Chile. She is a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT), with a
postgraduate in Animal-Assisted Therapy.

Dr. Hechenleitner is a founding board member of the Chilean Association of Professional
Dog Trainers (APDT Chile) and has spent the last 15 years offering consultation services
for pet guardians and teaching courses to dog professionals. She is a speaker on the
topic of Separation Anxiety, giving seminars internationally in English and Spanish.

She currently resides in Noank, Connecticut and helps dogs and their families from all over
the world overcome separation anxiety. Learn more about her educational programs and
support for professionals and pet parents at www.separationanxietydog.com.

Among what you will learn from listening:

What is separation anxiety?
How does separation anxiety differ from confinement distress?
Are there causes of separation anxiety?
When you bring home a puppy or rescue dog, how can you acclimate to alone time?
Is there hope?

Come back to the second of this 2-part series with Dr. Hechenleitner as we talk about the
treatment of separation anxiety.

Thanks for listening!

As a reminder, learn more about Dr. Hechenleitner and her support for dog owners and
dog professionals at www.separationanxietydog.com.

Learn more about me and my dog training at www.SoMuchPETential.com.

EPISODE 3 SHOW NOTES

Episode 3:  Helping Parents Support Their Children Through Pet Loss  

This is my Part Two episode with Tammy Wynn, founder and CEO of Cincinnati based pet hospice, Angel’s Paws. In Part Two, we talked about supporting your pet, yourself and others through pet loss, on the journey to and past the Rainbow Bridge. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to listen to that episode (Episode 2).  

In this episode, our focus is on pet loss through the perspective of parents who share a life with human and non-human kids. Tammy and Joel Altman co-authored a beautiful book Gaining Wings, that helps families with kids deal with the grief of losing a pet over the Rainbow Bridge.

In the book, pages are compassionately mixed with explaining love and loss through a story for kids, and well thought out tips for parents. In a very gentle way, this book normalizes loss and grief, and reminds families to cherish the experiences and love shared. There are suggestions for creating a bucket list of activities to maximize families’ remaining time with their pet, and preplanning ways to celebrate their pet so as not to forget. 

Some of the points that will be covered in this discussion include:

Why you should put on your own oxygen mask as a first step
An explanation of a child’s perspective on pet loss
How to talk to your child about pet loss
How you can involve your child in the process of saying good-bye

For more information about Angel’s Paws, please visit www.AngelsPaws.com
To purchase the book, Gaining Wings, please visit www.GainingWings.com
For information on your host, Lisa Desatnik, please visit www.SoMuchPETential.com.

Episode 2: When Your Pet Crosses The Rainbow Bridge

In this first of a two-part episode, Lisa Desatnik, CPDT-KA, FFCP, FDM, CPBC, talks with Tammy Wynn, founder and CEO of Cincinnati, Ohio-based Angel’s Paws. You will gain a deeper understanding of supporting your pet, yourself, and others as your journey toward and past the Rainbow Bridge.

Angel’s Paws is the first complete end of life service offering in home pet hospice, including in home euthanasia, private cremation, free pet loss support groups and one to one grief counseling. The organization has compassionately helped over 30,000 pet parents through this process.

Tammy is a licensed therapist with over 30 years of experience. During the six years of preparation to open Angel’s Paws, she took a job as a hospice social worker to fully understand hospice and its operation in order to bring it to the animal world AND THEN studied to become a registered vet tech (RVT), the nursing equivalent in veterinary medicine, to truly bring the full spectrum of pet hospice to a reality.

Among the topics that will be covered:

The stages of grief
The Rainbow Scale and how it can help you to know when it is time to let go
The importance of self-care
Supporting a friend who is going through this process with their pet
Why celebration is helpful to your grieving process

In the second episode of this series, Lisa will talk with Tammy about how children grieve pet loss, and how to help them.

Learn more about Angel’s Paws here: https://www.angelspaws.com/

I have always had a heart for nonhuman animals. It was about 24 years ago when I began studying behavior because of a problem that I had with my own pet. I was really fortunate at the time to have found Dr. Susan Friedmann, who then had a listserv for parent owners around the world, teaching people how to solve issues using ABA or Applied behavior Analysis with their own pets. I'll tell you what, it opened my heart. It opened a floodgate of curiosity, and I have not stopped learning ever since then. I first began writing about behavior, and I kept studying and studying and gradually, with more knowledge, I started earning certifications. I then went full-time into training, and now I do a lot of both consultations and training for manners and helping puppies to succeed, and also working with families that have some pretty difficult and challenging behavior issues with their pets. It's really rewarding.