Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Body Language, Anxious Dogs, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs

Tracy Franken- Dog Trainer, Vet Tech, Dog Lover, 🐾
  • 4.7 (31)
  • Pets & Animals
  • Updated Weekly

Do you wish you could enjoy life with your dog again? Are you struggling with a reactive, fearful, anxious, or misunderstood dog? Do walks, visitors, or everyday situations leave you feeling stressed, frustrated, or embarrassed? I'm Tracy Franken, a retired vet tech turned dog trainer. I discovered the secret to a life of ease with my dogs; Through trust-based training, and a deeper understanding of dog behaviour, I'll help you build confidence, strengthen your relationship, and create a dog you can trust in the real world. Because lasting change starts with understanding the dog you love.

  1. 1d ago

    231 | Is Your Dog Mirroring YOU? What Their Behaviour Might Be Trying to Tell You

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 What if some of the behaviour that's driving you crazy isn't just about your dog? What if your dog is actually reflecting something back to you? Maybe they're suddenly more reactive. Maybe they're barking more. Maybe they can't seem to settle. Maybe something that was getting better suddenly feels worse again. And you're looking at your dog thinking... What is going on with you?! But what if there's another question worth asking? What's going on with ME? Our dogs don't live in a vacuum. They live in relationship with us, and they're incredibly sensitive to the changes happening in the humans around them. They don't need to understand WHY you're stressed, frustrated, overwhelmed, angry, or going through a difficult time. They simply know something has changed. And sometimes their behaviour reflects that change right back to us. In this episode, we're talking about what happens when your dog's behaviour becomes a mirror and why looking at the whole picture can completely change the way you understand what's happening. We'll talk about: 🐾 Why your dog's behaviour isn't always just about your dog🐾 How dogs detect changes happening in the humans around them🐾 What I mean when I say dogs can "smell our thoughts"🐾 How incongruence in us can create uncertainty for our dogs🐾 The feedback loop that can develop between a struggling dog and a frustrated human🐾 A pattern I've seen repeatedly over the years while working with dogs and their people🐾 Why this conversation is NOT about blaming yourself for your dog's behaviour🐾 Why being emotionally stable doesn't mean never having emotions🐾 Three questions to ask when your dog's behaviour suddenly changes Because being part of the picture doesn't make you the problem. It means you have influence. And sometimes we're waiting for our dog to change so WE can feel better... while our dog may be waiting for something to change in US so they can feel better. So before you immediately ask: "How do I stop this behaviour?" Get curious. What's happening with my dog? What's happening with me? What's happening between us? No judgment. No blame. Just... How interesting. Hope you enjoy this one! Tracy xoxox RESOURCES 🐾 Join the Online Program Fearless Framework!https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless 🐾 Take the Quiz!https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz 🐾 Read the Blog!https://beyondobedience.ca/blog CONNECT WITH ME! Contact → info@beyondobedience.caPodcast → https://beyondobedience.ca/podcastConnect → https://facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedienceResources → https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quizMerch → https://www.beyondobedience.ca/store 🐾 NEXT STEPS 👣 Step 1: Join the free Living Beyond Obedience community and connect with other dog owners who are learning to lead through trust, relevance, and understanding. Step 2: Take the Dogonality Quiz to discover how your dog's unique personality shapes the way they learn, communicate, and respond to leadership. 👉 https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz Step 3: Ready to understand what's happening underneath your dog's behaviour and become the partner they can actually trust? Join The Fearless Framework at the beta price of $297 before beta pricing ends August 18th. 👉 https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless Music Credit 🎶: Shawn Trotterwww.shawntrotter.com

  2. 5d ago

    230 | Too Much Dog Training Advice? Why It's Making You Second-Guess Yourself

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Have you ever found yourself wondering... Am I doing this wrong? Should I let my dog approach? Should I create more space? Should I say something? Should I let them figure it out? Did I wait too long? Am I making this worse? And before you know it, you're having an entire committee meeting inside your head while your dog is standing there waiting for you to make a decision. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. The dog training world is FULL of advice about what you should—and absolutely should NOT—do with your dog. Do this. Never do that. Give them more choice. Give them more structure. Use this tool. Never use that tool. And somewhere in all that noise, we've become so afraid of getting it wrong that we've stopped paying attention to the most important source of information we have: The dog standing right in front of us. In this episode, we're talking about analysis paralysis, second-guessing yourself, and what good leadership actually looks like when you genuinely don't know what to do. We'll talk about: 🐾 Why so much dog training advice can leave you afraid of making the "wrong" decision🐾 How trying to follow all the rules can stop you from actually listening to your dog🐾 Why good leadership doesn't require you to have all the answers🐾 The power of saying, "I don't know YET"🐾 My simple Notice → Decide → Observe → Adjust process🐾 How "How Interesting!" can help you stop judging yourself when something doesn't work🐾 Why getting it wrong sometimes is actually part of figuring out what your dog needs🐾 The difference between knowing what to do and trusting yourself to figure out what to do next Because confidence isn't: "I always know what to do." It's: "I trust myself to figure out what to do next." Your dog doesn't need you to be perfect. They need you to pay attention, make a decision, notice what happens, and be willing to change course when something isn't working. So the next time you catch yourself thinking... "I don't know what I'm supposed to do!" Try asking yourself: "What do I know right now?" Start there. Hope you enjoy this one! Tracy xoxox RESOURCES 🐾 Join the Online Program Fearless Framework!https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless 🐾 Take the Quiz!https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz 🐾 Read the Blog!https://beyondobedience.ca/blog CONNECT WITH ME! Contact → info@beyondobedience.caPodcast → https://beyondobedience.ca/podcastConnect → https://facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedienceResources → https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quizMerch → https://www.beyondobedience.ca/store 🐾 NEXT STEPS 👣 Step 1: Join the free Living Beyond Obedience community and connect with other dog owners who are learning to lead through trust, relevance, and understanding. Step 2: Take the Dogonality Quiz to discover how your dog's unique personality shapes the way they learn, communicate, and respond to leadership. 👉 https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz Step 3: Ready to stop second-guessing yourself and start understanding what your dog actually needs from you? Join The Fearless Framework at the beta price of $297 before beta pricing ends August 18th. 👉 https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless Music Credit 🎶: Shawn Trotterwww.shawntrotter.com

  3. Aug 10

    229 | What Is Your Dog Learning About YOU? The Tiny Moments That Build (or Break) Trust

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Every single day, your dog is learning something about you. Not because you're training them. Not because you've set aside ten minutes to work on your relationship. They're learning about you in hundreds of tiny moments throughout the day. When something unexpected happens, what happens when they're with you? When they're unsure? When they're excited, frustrated, or overwhelmed? Because over time, all of those little experiences start answering a much bigger question for your dog: What can I expect from this person when I don't know what to do? In this episode, we're continuing our conversation about leadership and looking at what it actually means to become someone your dog can rely on. Because your dog isn't the only one you're learning about. Your dog is learning YOU, too. We'll talk about: 🐾 Why your relationship is being built in hundreds of tiny everyday moments🐾 What your dog may be learning from you when something unexpected happens🐾 How our own reactions can become part of what our dogs learn to expect🐾 Why predictable doesn't mean you have to respond the same way every time🐾 Why being calm ALL the time isn't the goal🐾 The importance of contrast and my "I-mean-it voice"🐾 Why clarity matters more than perfection🐾 One simple question you can ask when your dog isn't sure what to do Because leadership isn't something you declare. It's something your dog experiences. And every interaction gives you another opportunity to show your dog: You don't have to figure everything out alone. I'm here. We'll figure it out together. Hope you enjoy this one! Tracy xoxox RESOURCES 🐾 Join the Online Program Fearless Framework!https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless 🐾 Take the Quiz!https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz 🐾 Read the Blog!https://beyondobedience.ca/blog CONNECT WITH ME! Contact → info@beyondobedience.caPodcast → https://beyondobedience.ca/podcastConnect → https://facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedienceResources → https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quizMerch → https://www.beyondobedience.ca/store 🐾 NEXT STEPS 👣 Step 1: Join the free Living Beyond Obedience community and connect with other dog owners who are learning to lead through trust, relevance, and understanding. Step 2: Take the Dogonality Quiz to discover how your dog's unique personality shapes the way they learn, communicate, and respond to leadership. 👉 https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz Step 3: Ready to stop guessing what your dog needs and start becoming the partner they can actually trust? Join The Fearless Framework at the beta price of $297 before beta pricing ends August 18th. 👉 https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless Music Credit 🎶: Shawn Trotterwww.shawntrotter.com

  4. Aug 6

    228 | Stop Trying to Be the Boss! What Leadership Really Means to Your Dog

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 When you hear the word leadership, what comes to mind? Do you picture someone who's always in charge? Have you ever worried that becoming a "leader" means being controlling or acting like the boss? If so, you're not alone. Leadership has become one of the most misunderstood words in the dog world. Somewhere along the way, it became associated with power, control, and making your dog do what you say. But that's never been what leadership has meant to me. In this episode, I'm sharing why I believe leadership is really about guidance, partnership, and knowing when to step forward—and just as importantly, when to step back. Because building trust with your dog isn't about proving who's in charge. It's about becoming someone your dog can rely on. We'll talk about: 🐾 Why leadership gets such a bad reputation in dog training 🐾 How redefining leadership can transform your relationship with your dog 🐾 Why fearful and confident dogs both need guidance—but for different reasons 🐾 The difference between leading with control and leading with trust 🐾 Why great leadership isn't about always having the answers 🐾 A story from the woods that completely changed the way I think about leadership We'll also explore: leadership trust partnership communication confidence curiosity and why sometimes the best way to lead your dog... is knowing when to let them lead you. Because leadership isn't about being the boss. It's about building a partnership where each of you brings your strengths to the relationship. Hope you enjoy this one! Tracy xoxox RESOURCES 🐾 Join the Online Program Fearless Framework!⁠https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless⁠ 🐾 Take the Quiz!⁠https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz⁠ 🐾 Read the Blog!⁠https://beyondobedience.ca/blog⁠ CONNECT WITH ME! Contact → ⁠info@beyondobedience.ca⁠ Podcast → ⁠https://beyondobedience.ca/podcast⁠ Connect → ⁠https://facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedience⁠ Resources → ⁠https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz⁠ Merch → ⁠https://www.beyondobedience.ca/store⁠ 🐾 NEXT STEPS 👣 Step 1: Join the free Living Beyond Obedience community and connect with other dog owners who are learning to lead through trust, relevance, and understanding. Step 2: Take the Dogonality Quiz to discover how your dog's unique personality shapes the way they learn, communicate, and respond to leadership. 👉 https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz Step 3: Ready to build a calmer, more connected relationship with your dog? Join The Fearless Framework and learn how to become the reason—and the reward—in your dog's life. 👉 https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless Music Credit 🎶: Shawn Trotterwww.shawntrotter.com

  5. Aug 3

    227 | Stop Trying to Make Your Dog Trust You

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Have you ever caught yourself thinking, "I just wish my dog trusted me." Do you wonder what you can do to earn your dog's trust? What if we've been asking the wrong question all along? In this episode, I'm sharing one of the biggest lessons Levi ever taught me about trust. Because when Levi first came home, all I wanted was for him to let me touch him. I wanted him to choose me. I wanted him to trust me. But eventually I realized... That desire wasn't really about Levi. It was about me. And that realization changed everything. We'll talk about: 🐾 Why trust can't be rushed 🐾 The difference between wanting your dog to trust you and becoming trustworthy 🐾 Why consistency matters more than perfection 🐾 How trust grows through hundreds of ordinary moments 🐾 Why forcing connection often creates more pressure 🐾 The quiet ways dogs discover who we really are We'll also explore: trust leadership relationship patience fear connection and why trust isn't something we convince our dogs to give us... It's something they discover over time. Because trust isn't something we get from our dogs. It's something we become. Hope you enjoy this one! Tracy xoxox RESOURCES 🐾 Join the Online Program Fearless Framework!⁠https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless⁠ 🐾 Take the Quiz!⁠https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz⁠ 🐾 Read the blog!⁠https://beyondobedience.ca/blog⁠ CONNECT WITH ME! Contact → ⁠info@beyondobedience.ca⁠ Podcast → ⁠https://beyondobedience.ca/podcast⁠ Connect → ⁠https://facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedience⁠ Resources → ⁠https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz⁠ Merch → ⁠https://www.beyondobedience.ca/store⁠ 🐾 NEXT STEPS 👣 Step 1: Join a supportive community of dog owners learning how to build trust, clarity, and healthier partnerships with their dogs inside the free Facebook group Living Beyond Obedience. Step 2: Take the Dogonality Quiz to better understand how your dog naturally responds to stress, pressure, and relationship dynamics. 👉 ⁠https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz⁠ Step 3: Learn how to navigate fearful, reactive, and emotionally complex behaviour with more confidence and clarity inside The Fearless Framework. 👉 ⁠https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless⁠ Music Credit 🎶: Shawn Trotter⁠www.shawntrotter.com⁠

  6. Jul 30

    226 | Your Dog Doesn't Care About the Equipment as Much as You Do

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Have you ever felt guilty for using a leash, a long line, a head halter... or even a muzzle? Do you worry that needing equipment means you're somehow failing your dog? What if we've been asking the wrong question all along? In this episode, we're exploring one of the biggest mindset shifts in relationship-based dog training. Because equipment doesn't build trust... And it doesn't destroy it either. The real question isn't what you're using. It's how you're using it. We'll talk about: 🐾 Why dog training equipment carries so much emotional baggage 🐾 The assumptions people make about muzzles, head halters, harnesses, and long lines 🐾 Why equipment itself is emotionally neutral 🐾 The difference between using tools for safety versus control 🐾 How your emotions influence the conversation with your dog 🐾 Why communication always matters more than the equipment We'll also explore: trust leadership communication choice safety relationship and why the leash... The muzzle... The harness... Or the long line... Are simply part of the language you're speaking together. Because equipment doesn't have emotions. We do. And the deeper the relationship... The quieter the conversation becomes. Hope you enjoy this one! Tracy xoxox RESOURCES 🐾 Join the Online Program Fearless Framework!⁠https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless⁠ 🐾 Take the Quiz!⁠https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz⁠ 🐾 Read the blog!⁠https://beyondobedience.ca/blog⁠ CONNECT WITH ME! Contact → ⁠info@beyondobedience.ca⁠ Podcast → ⁠https://beyondobedience.ca/podcast⁠ Connect → ⁠https://facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedience⁠ Resources → ⁠https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz⁠ Merch → ⁠https://www.beyondobedience.ca/store⁠ 🐾 NEXT STEPS 👣 Step 1: Join a supportive community of dog owners learning how to build trust, clarity, and healthier partnerships with their dogs inside the free Facebook group Living Beyond Obedience. Step 2: Take the Dogonality Quiz to better understand how your dog naturally responds to stress, pressure, and relationship dynamics. 👉 ⁠https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz⁠ Step 3: Learn how to navigate fearful, reactive, and emotionally complex behaviour with more confidence and clarity inside The Fearless Framework. 👉 ⁠https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless⁠ Music Credit 🎶: Shawn Trotter⁠www.shawntrotter.com⁠

  7. Jul 27

    225 | The Conversation You're Not Having With Your Dog

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Have you ever stopped to wonder what you're actually communicating to your dog... before you ever say a word? Do you find yourself relying on commands, leash pressure, or constant reminders, yet still feel disconnected? What if the most important conversation with your dog isn't happening through your words at all? In this episode, we're exploring one of the biggest shifts you can make in your relationship with your dog: understanding the silent conversations that happen every single day. Because dogs aren't just listening to what we say. They're reading how we move. How we breathe. How we approach. How we invite. And by the time we say the word... The conversation has already begun. We'll talk about: 🐾 Why dogs communicate differently than humans 🐾 How body language, movement, and timing shape every interaction 🐾 Why the leash shouldn't be your primary conversation 🐾 What it really means to "ask" your dog 🐾 How relationships become more fluent over time 🐾 Why the deepest relationships are often the quietest We'll also explore: communication leadership trust connection clarity body language and why the goal isn't to become louder... It's to become more fluent. Because the deeper the relationship... The quieter the conversation becomes. Hope you enjoy this one! Tracy xoxox RESOURCES 🐾 Join the Online Program Fearless Framework!⁠https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless⁠ 🐾 Take the Quiz!⁠https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz⁠ 🐾 Read the blog!⁠https://beyondobedience.ca/blog⁠ CONNECT WITH ME! Contact → ⁠info@beyondobedience.ca⁠ Podcast → ⁠https://beyondobedience.ca/podcast⁠ Connect → ⁠https://facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedience⁠ Resources → ⁠https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz⁠ Merch → ⁠https://www.beyondobedience.ca/store⁠ 🐾 NEXT STEPS 👣 Step 1: Join a supportive community of dog owners learning how to build trust, clarity, and healthier partnerships with their dogs inside the free Facebook group Living Beyond Obedience. Step 2: Take the Dogonality Quiz to better understand how your dog naturally responds to stress, pressure, and relationship dynamics. 👉 ⁠https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz⁠ Step 3: Learn how to navigate fearful, reactive, and emotionally complex behaviour with more confidence and clarity inside The Fearless Framework. 👉 ⁠https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless⁠ Music Credit 🎶: Shawn Trotter⁠www.shawntrotter.com⁠

  8. Jul 23

    224 | The Most Overlooked Reward in Dog Training (It's Not Treats)

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Have you ever wondered if treats are really the most powerful reward you can give your dog? Do you find yourself reaching for food every time you want to reinforce good behaviour? What if one of the most meaningful rewards your dog experiences isn't something you carry in your pocket... But something you feel? In this episode, we're talking about one of the most overlooked rewards in relationship-based dog training: your genuine delight. Because there is a big difference between saying, "Good dog," and laughing because your dog made you smile. We'll talk about: 🐾 Why genuine joy creates deeper connection than we often realize 🐾 The difference between transactional rewards and relational rewards 🐾 How laughter strengthens trust and relevance 🐾 Why dogs notice our emotional state long before our words 🐾 The science behind feel-good hormones and social bonding 🐾 How delight can become one of the most powerful reinforcers in your relationship We'll also explore: trust connection leadership relevance joy fulfillment and why sometimes the greatest reward you can give your dog isn't a treat... It's the feeling that being with you is genuinely fun. Because when your dog becomes the reason you smile... And your dog experiences your delight... You're building something much bigger than obedience. You're building relationship. Hope you enjoy this one! Tracy xoxox RESOURCES 🐾 Join the Online Program Fearless Framework!⁠https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless⁠ 🐾 Take the Quiz!⁠https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz⁠ 🐾 Read the blog!⁠https://beyondobedience.ca/blog⁠ CONNECT WITH ME! Contact → ⁠info@beyondobedience.ca⁠ Podcast → ⁠https://beyondobedience.ca/podcast⁠ Connect → ⁠https://facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedience⁠ Resources → ⁠https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz⁠ Merch → ⁠https://www.beyondobedience.ca/store⁠ 🐾 NEXT STEPS 👣 Step 1: Join a supportive community of dog owners learning how to build trust, clarity, and healthier partnerships with their dogs inside the free Facebook group Living Beyond Obedience. Step 2: Take the Dogonality Quiz to better understand how your dog naturally responds to stress, pressure, and relationship dynamics. 👉 ⁠https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz⁠ Step 3: Learn how to navigate fearful, reactive, and emotionally complex behaviour with more confidence and clarity inside The Fearless Framework. 👉 ⁠https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless⁠ Music Credit 🎶: Shawn Trotter⁠www.shawntrotter.com⁠

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About

Do you wish you could enjoy life with your dog again? Are you struggling with a reactive, fearful, anxious, or misunderstood dog? Do walks, visitors, or everyday situations leave you feeling stressed, frustrated, or embarrassed? I'm Tracy Franken, a retired vet tech turned dog trainer. I discovered the secret to a life of ease with my dogs; Through trust-based training, and a deeper understanding of dog behaviour, I'll help you build confidence, strengthen your relationship, and create a dog you can trust in the real world. Because lasting change starts with understanding the dog you love.

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