Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs

Tracy Franken: Retired Vet Tech , Dog Trainer, Dog Lover, Dog Bond Specialist šŸ¾
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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 ā€œprepareā€ yourself to take your dog for a walk around the block? Hey there! Iā€™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 ā€œjust good dogsā€ I trust to take anywhere. And I am sharing it all here! So put down that leash & let's get to it!

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    150 | Most Trainers Don't Know What a Dog Is-{ Interview with Nelson Hodges Pt 1}

    Hey Dog Lover,šŸ¾ 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:šŸ‘‰ What is a dog?ā€¦and why getting that right changes everything else. This is part one of a two-part conversation, and believe me, youā€™ll want to listen with a pen in hand and your curiosity dialled all the way up. Because Nelson doesnā€™t just talk about dogsā€¦ 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 dogā€™s survival instincts shape their behaviour ā€” and how our responses often miss the mark What it actually means to ā€œknowā€ a dog on their terms, not ours And so much more! Expect to be challenged. Expect to be inspired. And most of allā€¦ expect to say ā€œHow interesting!ā€ more than once. šŸ˜‰ Hope you enjoy! Tracy xoxox šŸ¾ Show Notes & ResourcesTo learn more about Nelson Hodges and his work, check out:šŸŒ www.chrinstitute.com Facebook: Canine Human Relationship Institute Letā€™s Keep the Conversation Going!Weā€™d love to hear your takeaways from this episode ā€” whether itā€™s an aha moment or a ā€œhow interesting!ā€ shift in perspective. Come share inside our Living Beyond Obedience Facebook group and letā€™s continue the conversation together. šŸ•

    1h 5m

  2. 5 DAYS AGO

    149 | It's Not Personal, It's Pack Mentality {Peace in the Pack Series}

    šŸ¾ Hey there Dog Lover, Weā€™re diving into Part 6 of the Peace in the Pack series ā€” and todayā€™s episode is all about a sneaky dynamic that shows up in a lot of multi-dog homes (especially when youā€™re adding new dogs into the mix):Us vs. Them. Dogs are deeply wired for social structure. In their world, thereā€™s with usā€¦ and thereā€™s not with us. And when we humans unknowingly reinforce that division ā€” through the way we set up our homes, introduce new dogs, or even talk about ā€œmy dog vs. your dogā€ ā€” it creates unnecessary conflict and tension in the pack. In this episode, weā€™re unpacking: Why dogs are hardwired to value group cohesionHow crates, furniture, baby gates, and guest seating can accidentally send the wrong messageWhat ā€œus vs. themā€ looks like in foster and blended householdsWhy even you can become a high-value resource that shifts the group dynamicReal-life examples (including what I learned from my own pack and boarding dogs)Youā€™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 ā€” without accidentally drawing invisible battle lines. I hope you enjoy this one.See you next week for Part 7. Tracyxoxo šŸ¾šŸ‘£ Next Steps: If youā€™re ready to go beyond obedience and start living with your dog intentionally, itā€™s time to join me in The Fearless Framework. Weā€™ll help you understand your dog ā€” and yourself ā€” in ways that lead to more confidence, connection, and peace in your home. šŸ¾ Join today: www.beyondobedience.ca/fearlessI canā€™t wait to start this journey with you. Music Credit šŸŽ¶ Shawn Trotter @ shawntrotter.com

    31 min

  3. 30 OCT

    148 | Should Your Dogs Be on the Furniture? Yes... and Also Maybe No. {Peace in the Pack Series}

    šŸ¾ Hey there, Dog Lover, We're back with Part 5 of the Peace in the Pack series ā€” 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.ā€¦And also maybe no. šŸ˜‰ This episode isnā€™t about setting rules ā€” itā€™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 controlThe role of the den (your bed!) in pack dynamicsHow little moments ā€” like who moves who ā€” say a lot about the social structureWhy some dogs show tension in elevated spaces (and what that actually means)Plus, Iā€™ll share a behind-the-scenes look at Irie and the occasional ā€œtoothy whispersā€ she shares with the rest of the pack ā€” and what that taught me about space, status, and fairness. I hope you enjoy this one.See you next week for Part 6. Tracyxoxo šŸ‘‰ Next Steps: If you really want to understand your dog ā€” and decode the way they move through the world ā€” it starts with learning how to read canine conversations. Thatā€™s exactly what we do inside The Fearless Framework ā€” together. šŸŽ‰ Join today: www.beyondobedience.ca/fearlessI canā€™t wait to start this journey with you. Music Credit šŸŽ¶ Shawn Trotter www.shawntrotter.com

    30 min

  4. 27 OCT

    147 | Your Dog's NOT Jealous: Understanding Possession in the Pack { Peace in the Pack Series}

    šŸ¾ Hey there, Dog Lover, Weā€™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, ā€œUgh, my dog is so jealous!ā€ when one dog pushes the other away for attention? Yeah. Letā€™s talk about that. In this episode, Iā€™m diving into: What dogs actually value (spoiler: itā€™s not always food)Why guarding you is often the biggest source of conflict ā€” and how our human emotions add fuel to the fireHow possession shows up in subtle (and not-so-subtle) waysThe difference between healthy play and tension-filled controlWhy ā€œfairnessā€ is a human concept, not a canine one Iā€™ll also share one of the biggest lightbulb moments I had comparing my house pack to my kennel pack ā€” 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. Tracyxoxo šŸ‘£šŸ¾Next 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. šŸ¾ šŸŽ‰ Join today: www.beyondobedience.ca/fearlessI canā€™t wait to start this journey with you. Music credit: šŸŽ¶. Shawn Trotter www.shawntrotter.com

    38 min

  5. 23 OCT

    146 | You Donā€™t Want a ā€œSocialā€ Dog : And Hereā€™s Why {Peace in the Pack Series}

    Hey Dog Lover, Youā€™ve probably heard it before ā€” or maybe even said it yourself:ā€œHeā€™s just social!ā€ā€œSheā€™s friendly!ā€ā€œThey love other dogs!ā€ But hereā€™s the thing: ā€œsocialā€ isnā€™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, weā€™re digging into the four types of canine sociality ā€” asocial, antisocial, social, and pro-social ā€” and how this spectrum plays out in real-life relationships between your dogs (and between you and your dogs, too). Weā€™ll talk about: Why ā€œfriendlyā€ 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 ā€” and your role as a leader ā€” for good. Hope you enjoy this one. See you in the next episode! Tracy xoxoxo Next Steps:šŸ‘£šŸ¾If this episode hit home ā€” if you found yourself thinking ā€œOh noā€¦ my dog might not be pro-socialā€ or ā€œIā€™ve been labeling my dog ā€˜friendlyā€™ when reallyā€¦ theyā€™re just kind of rude,ā€ ā€” then hereā€™s the truth: You donā€™t just need more training tools. You need a new lens. And thatā€™s exactly what the Fearless Framework is here to give you. Itā€™s not a course about fixing your dog ā€” itā€™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 ā€” 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 ā€” 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. šŸ’» Join me inside the Fearless Framework at beyondobedience.ca/fearlessLetā€™s build something beautiful together.

    36 min

  6. 20 OCT

    145 | The Secret to a Peaceful Pack: This One Concept Changes Everything {Peace in the Pack Series}

    Hey Dog Lover,šŸ¾ The truth is, a peaceful pack isnā€™t built by making your dogs follow the same training, the same rules, or the same boundaries. Because every dog brings their own unique Dogonalityā„¢ to the table. Itā€™s easy to say ā€œrules, boundaries, and expectations,ā€ā€¦ but what we sometimes miss is that those rules might need to look different depending on the dog in front of us. And thatā€™s not just okay ā€” itā€™s essential. In this episode, weā€™re talking about how to honour the individual dog ā€” their play style, their processing style, their personality ā€” 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:šŸ‘£šŸ¾ šŸ¾ Havenā€™t taken the Doggonality Quiz yet? Take it here ā€” itā€™s the perfect first step toward clarity.šŸ§­ Ready to take this thing to the next level? Want to deepen your leadership and confidence? Join the Fearless Framework at beyondobedience.ca/fearless šŸŽ¶ Music by Shawn Trotter ā€“ shawntrotter.com

    29 min

  7. 16 OCT

    144 | What If the Problem Childā€¦ Isnā€™t the Problem? {Peace in the Pack Series}

    Hey Dog Lover, Weā€™re kicking off a brand-new podcast series today called Peace in the Pack ā€” and if youā€™ve ever found yourself saying, ā€œUgh, this dog is driving me nuts,ā€ then this oneā€™s for you. In todayā€™s episode, Iā€™m sharing a perspective shift that might just blow your mind (in the gentlest, most supportive way possible, of course šŸ˜‰). What if the dog that looks like the ā€œproblem childā€ ā€” the one barking, pacing, reacting ā€” isnā€™t actually the root of the issue? What if theyā€™re just the messenger? Iā€™ll tell you the story of Jamie, her anxious dog Daisy, and her sweet new rescue Homer ā€” and how what looked like a simple case of ā€œfix Daisyā€ turned out to be a much deeper pack dynamic that was quietly playing out under the surface. Weā€™ll talk about: How canine social pressure flies under the radar What subtle behaviors to watch for (even from the ā€œchillā€ 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 whatā€™s actually going on ā€” not just whatā€™s barking the loudest. Hope you enjoy this one ā€” see you in the next one! šŸ¾ NEXT STEPSšŸ¾šŸ‘£ If youā€™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 šŸ¦“ Use coupon code BOOTCAMP to save big on The Fearless Framework ā€” and get bonus private coaching calls during our Bootcamp Special, on now through October 19th!šŸ‘‰ beyondobedience.ca/special Special music credit to Shawn Trotter ā€“ www.shawntrotter.com

    22 min

  8. 13 OCT

    143 | 3 Things You Can Do Today to Deepen the Bond with Your Dog {No training Required}

    Hey Dog Lover šŸ¾ Itā€™s the Monday after Bootcampā€¦ and Thanksgiving here in Canada. šŸ‡ØšŸ‡¦ So I wanted to offer something simple, grounding, and honestlyā€”really powerful. Because training probably takes up, what? Maybe 5ā€“10% of your day tops?So whatā€™s happening in the other 95%? Thatā€™s where your dog is learning the most about who you areā€”and where your bond is really being built. In this episode, Iā€™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. šŸ”¹ Be QuietIf you want to talk to your dog... shut your mouth. (Yepā€”Nelson said it first. šŸ˜‰)We spend so much time narrating, cueing, correctingā€”that we forget to actually listen.Try this: spend 5ā€“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. šŸ”¹ Notice How You Move Through SpaceYour presence affects your dogā€”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. šŸ”¹ Be Curious About What Matters to Your DogIf your dog stops to explore somethingā€”go see what it is.Not to redirect. Not to control. Just to witness it with them.That tiny act of curiosity says, ā€œWhat matters to you, matters to me.ā€And thatā€™s where mutual relevanceā€”and trustā€”grow. You donā€™t need to ā€œdoā€ more training to build a better bond.You need:āœØ More silenceāœØ More noticingāœØ More genuine curiosity When you change how you show up in the everyday moments, your dog will feel itā€”and your relationship will grow stronger. Soā€¦ which one can you try today? Hope you enjoy this one! Tracy xoxox NEXT STEPS šŸ‘£šŸ¾ šŸŽ‰ Missed Bootcamp?You can still catch the replays and learn what calm, confident leadership really looks like to your dog. šŸ¦“ Watch or join at: Calm Down, Dog Bootcamp šŸ‘„ 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 dogā€™s safe place.šŸ‘‰ www.facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedience šŸŽµ Podcast music by Shawn Trotter ā†’ shawntrotter.com

    22 min
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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 ā€œprepareā€ yourself to take your dog for a walk around the block? Hey there! Iā€™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 ā€œjust good dogsā€ 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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