Think Like a Dog

Millie Braden and Andreia Albies

Welcome to Think Like a Dog podcast hosted by Millie Braden and Andreia Albies. We discuss how to build the best relationship with your dog, dog psychology, and help guide you into the leader position so all your dog has to do is relax and follow. You will get input from a professional dog trainer and dog parents. From rescues to reactivity, we'll cover it all. Send us your questions at: info@thinklikeadogpodcast.com Join Our Podcast: https://www.thinklikeadogpodcast.com/join

  1. -5 h

    How to Be a Better Foster: Decompression, Structure, and Training Tips

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Think Like a Dog, Andreia and Millie talk about what it really means to be a great foster for a rescue dog. While fostering often starts with love and good intentions, this conversation explains why love alone is not enough to prepare a dog for a successful forever home. They break down the importance of decompression, structure, crate training, leash manners, place work, boundaries, and learning the dog’s personality. Andreia and Millie also explain why the first few days in a foster home matter so much, how too much freedom or affection can overwhelm a dog, and why fosters should focus on helping the dog become more adaptable instead of simply fitting the dog into their own lifestyle. This episode also covers multi-pet homes, safe introductions, meet and greets, transparency with adopters, and the hard truth that fostering means preparing the dog for their future home, not your personal preferences. Whether you are a first-time foster, experienced rescue volunteer, shelter volunteer, adopter, or someone considering fostering, this episode gives practical guidance on how to help rescue dogs succeed long-term. Support the show Follow Us On Instagram:  @thinklikeadogpodcast  @Mirrorimagek9 @OzzieAlbiesFoundation Work with Mirror Image K9 here:   https://www.mirrorimagek9.com/contactus Be Our Guest: https://www.thinklikeadogpodcast.com Learn More About The Best Chance Program: https://www.ozziealbiesfoundation.org/

    48 min
  2. 1 juin

    What Structured Dog Daycare Actually Looks Like

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Think Like a Dog, Millie is joined by Mirror Image K9 trainers Jill, Brandon, and Connor for an inside look at what it really means to run a structured dog daycare. They break down how Mirror Image K9’s day camp is different from a traditional doggy daycare, why not every dog is immediately eligible, and how structure, crate training, coping skills, owner involvement, and balanced pack dynamics all play a major role in keeping dogs safe and successful. The trainers also discuss their red, yellow, and green support system, how dogs “graduate” through different levels of support, why pickup and drop-off behavior matters, and what a typical day looks like inside a structured daycare environment. From pack walks and place work to crate drills, recall, socialization, and impulse-control exercises, this episode gives dog owners a clearer understanding of what healthy, intentional daycare should look like. This episode is especially helpful for anyone considering daycare for their dog, currently using daycare, or wanting to better understand how structure can support a dog’s behavior, confidence, and overall state of mind.  Support the show Follow Us On Instagram:  @thinklikeadogpodcast  @Mirrorimagek9 @OzzieAlbiesFoundation Work with Mirror Image K9 here:   https://www.mirrorimagek9.com/contactus Be Our Guest: https://www.thinklikeadogpodcast.com Learn More About The Best Chance Program: https://www.ozziealbiesfoundation.org/

    56 min
  3. 18 mai

    Why Most Dog Introductions Go Wrong: Leash Greetings, Socialization, and Neutrality

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Think Like a Dog, Andreia and Millie break down why so many dog-to-dog introductions go wrong and why humans often put too much pressure on dogs to “make friends.” They discuss why on-leash greetings can create tension, frustration, reactivity, and miscommunication, especially when dogs are pulling toward each other or being forced into an interaction. This conversation also explains why “dog friendly” is not always a clear or helpful label. Dogs have different personalities, limits, social skills, and preferences, and a successful greeting with one dog does not mean a dog will do well with every dog. Andreia and Millie talk through what healthy introductions should look like, why neutrality should come before socialization, what body language owners should watch for, and how shelter volunteers, fosters, adopters, and everyday dog owners can set dogs up for more successful interactions. This episode is especially helpful for dog owners dealing with leash reactivity, rescue dog introductions, dog park issues, multi-dog households, foster dogs, and anyone trying to better understand dog behavior and socialization. Support the show Follow Us On Instagram:  @thinklikeadogpodcast  @Mirrorimagek9 @OzzieAlbiesFoundation Work with Mirror Image K9 here:   https://www.mirrorimagek9.com/contactus Be Our Guest: https://www.thinklikeadogpodcast.com Learn More About The Best Chance Program: https://www.ozziealbiesfoundation.org/

    55 min
  4. 20 avr.

    From Chaos to Clarity: How Structure Changed Bug’s Life

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Think Like a Dog, Andreia and Millie break down one of their most complex rescue cases: Bug. Bug isn’t your typical “easy” dog. With a bite history, reactivity triggers, and a personality that requires structure, he represents a category of dogs that are often misunderstood, and too often given up on. This conversation goes beyond surface-level training advice and dives into what it really means to live with, manage, and advocate for a dog like him. Bug is extremely smart, eager to learn, and full of potential, but like many dogs, people tend to focus on his challenges instead of his strengths. Andreia and Millie discuss the realities of bite risk, why structure is not punishment, and how environment, expectations, and human behavior directly shape a dog’s outcomes. They also explain why traditional “affection-first” approaches don’t work for every dog, and how clarity, routine, and leadership can completely transform behavior. This episode is essential for anyone dealing with reactivity, considering adoption, or trying to better understand dogs that don’t fit the “happy-go-lucky” mold. It challenges common myths in rescue and training and offers a more honest, effective framework for building a relationship with your dog. CLICK HERE to learn more about Bug.  Support the show Follow Us On Instagram:  @thinklikeadogpodcast  @Mirrorimagek9 @OzzieAlbiesFoundation Work with Mirror Image K9 here:   https://www.mirrorimagek9.com/contactus Be Our Guest: https://www.thinklikeadogpodcast.com Learn More About The Best Chance Program: https://www.ozziealbiesfoundation.org/

    49 min

À propos

Welcome to Think Like a Dog podcast hosted by Millie Braden and Andreia Albies. We discuss how to build the best relationship with your dog, dog psychology, and help guide you into the leader position so all your dog has to do is relax and follow. You will get input from a professional dog trainer and dog parents. From rescues to reactivity, we'll cover it all. Send us your questions at: info@thinklikeadogpodcast.com Join Our Podcast: https://www.thinklikeadogpodcast.com/join

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