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. 16 HR AGO

    132 | NO! Isn't the Enemy.

    Hey Dog Lover! šŸ¾Ever feel a little weird about saying ā€œnoā€ to your dog?Like youā€™re doing something wrong or ā€œun-positiveā€? šŸ˜¬ In this episode, weā€™re unpacking the myth that ā€œnoā€ is a bad word in dog training.Weā€™ll explore why clarity isnā€™t cruel, why disagreement doesnā€™t mean disconnection, and how using both yes and no helps build trust, confidence, and a real relationship with your dog. If youā€™ve ever stood there, frozen, wondering what to do nextā€”or if youā€™ve been stuck in the all-or-nothing world of dog training lingo (looking at you, ā€œaversiveā€)ā€”this episode is for you. It's not about perfection. It's about understanding.Itā€™s about seeing the world through your dogā€™s eyes and becoming someone worth following.Because ā€œnoā€ isnā€™t the enemyā€”confusion is. Hope you enjoy this one.xoxoTracy šŸ’› šŸ•ā€šŸ¦ŗ Next Step: Ready to take your relationship with your dog to the next level? Join the free Facebook community!šŸ¦“ Living Beyond Obedience Ready to take your relationship with your dog to the next level? Join the Fearless Frameworkā€”an incredible community of dog lovers just like you, all working to better understand themselves and their dogs through leadership, trust, and connection. šŸ‘‰ Visit beyondobedience.ca/fearless to learn more. šŸŽµ Special music credit:Shawn Trotter ā€“ Shawntrotter.com

    22 min

  2. 3 DAYS AGO

    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 ā€œout of the blueā€? Maybe every time someone walks inā€”or outā€”the door, your dog launches into full-blown emotional mayhem. šŸ˜… Hereā€™s the truth: your dog feels it too. Whether itā€™s back-to-school chaos, a kid leaving for college, grief, stress, or just a shift in your household energyā€”dogs donā€™t miss a beat. And what we often label as ā€œbad behaviorā€ 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 isnā€™t a training issueā€”and what to do instead The real meaning of trust-based leadership when youā€™re the one feeling unsteady If youā€™ve ever found yourself saying ā€œmy dog is driving me bananas right now,ā€ but deep down know theyā€™re just trying to keep up with your changing worldā€”this oneā€™s for you. Hope you enjoy this one,ā€”Tracy šŸ¾ Next Steps: šŸ’Œ Be the first to know when something exciting is coming (hint: soon!)Join the mailing list at: beyondobedience.ca/contact šŸ‘„ Join the free community for support & honest conversation:facebook.com/groups/livingbeyondobedience šŸŽµ Musical credit to ShawnTrotter of shawntrotter.com

    26 min

  3. 28 AUG

    130 | Dog struggle with guests? Help Your Dog Build Bravery (Not Just "Tolerate Visitors")

    Hey Dog Lover šŸ¾ If your dog struggles when guests come overā€”whether itā€™s barking, hiding, or pacingā€”this episode is for you. Inspired by Jenee from the Living Beyond Obedience community, weā€™re digging into the Build Your Brave Protocol: Guest Edition so you can create a space where your dog feels safe and even starts to build confidence with each visit. Weā€™ll talk about: Setting up a comfort zone before guests arrive Responding based on your dogā€™s personality and needs Prepping your guests so theyā€™re part of the solution Reading early signs of discomfort before things escalate Knowing what ā€œsuccessā€ actually looks like for a fearful dog in guest situations Youā€™ll walk away with a step-by-step plan to help your dog move from just surviving visitsā€¦ to feeling a little braver each time. hope you enjoy this one! Tracy. NEXT STEPS šŸ‘£šŸ¾ šŸ¶ Join the free Living Beyond Obedience Facebook community: www.facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedience šŸ¾ Ready to go deeper? Check out The Fearful Dog: Fearless Framework at www.beyondobedience.ca/fearless Special thanks for the music to Shawn Trotter ā€” shawntrotter.com

    30 min

  4. 25 AUG

    129 | Why Quick Fixes Donā€™t Stick (and What Does)

    Hey Dog Lover šŸ¾ Weā€™ve all tried itā€”a new harness, a head halter, or that ā€œmiracleā€ tip from a midnight scroll. Sometimes, these quick fixes helpā€¦ and thatā€™s okay. But theyā€™re not the full answer. In this episode, weā€™ll explore: How quick fixes can give you the breathing room to start real change Why true progress comes from calm, consistent leadershipā€”not just tools The danger of staying ā€œloudā€ in your communication with your dog How to keep building connection and trust after the quick fix moment has passed Your biggest takeaway? Quick fixes can open the door, but relationship and leadership are what build the house. Hope you enjoy this one! Tracy NEXT STEPS šŸ‘£šŸ¾šŸ¶ Join the free Living Beyond Obedience Facebook community: ā www.facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedienceā šŸ¾ Learn how to lead with clarity and confidence inside The Fearful Dog: Fearless Framework: ā www.beyondobedience.ca/fearlessā  Special thanks for the music to Shawn Trotter ā€” ā shawntrotter.comā 

    33 min

  5. 21 AUG

    128 | "But I Have Tried EVERYTHING!"- When Everything is the Problem

    Hey Dog Lover šŸ¾ Ever found yourself saying, ā€œIā€™ve tried everything and nothing is workingā€¦ā€? If your head is spinning and your dog still seems confused, youā€™re not brokenā€”and neither is your dog. Youā€™re just stuck in the noise. This episode is about why trying everything might actually be the thing holding you backā€¦ and how doing less can finally bring the calm and clarity youā€™ve both been craving. Inside this episode: šŸ¾ Why system-hopping creates noise, not progress šŸ¾ How conflicting techniques confuse your dog (and rattle your own confidence) šŸ¾ What happens when we rush to do instead of slowing down to see šŸ¾ Why quiet observation is your most underrated leadership tool šŸ¾ A gentle practice to shift from chaos to connectionā€”starting today Spoiler alert: You donā€™t need to try more. You need to see more. Because real transformation isnā€™t about mastering a hundred training toolsā€¦ Itā€™s about becoming someone your dog can count onā€”even when youā€™re doing nothing at all. Hope you enjoy this episode. Be sure to rate, share and leave a comment! Bye for now! Tracy šŸ¾ NEXT STEPS ā€” Choose Your Own Adventure šŸ¾ šŸŽ‰ Join the Free Facebook Group Surround yourself with people who get it. The Living Beyond Obedience community is full of curious, committed, and kind-hearted dog lovers just like you. Come share your wins, your ā€œHow interesting!ā€ moments, and your questionsā€”we're better together. šŸ‘‰ facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedience šŸ• Take the Dogonalityā„¢ Quiz Wondering why your dog does that thing? Want to understand their unique wiring so you can finally reach themā€”not just teach them? Take the quiz and discover your dogā€™s Dogonalityā„¢ (it's more accurate than your zodiac sign šŸ˜‰) šŸ‘‰ www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz šŸ’› Step Inside the Fearless Framework Okay, real talk: Are you actually ready to make life with your dog easier, calmer, and (dare we say) enjoyable again? Then why aren't you already inside the Fearless Framework?! Inside, you'll learn how to: Connect with your dog on their level (not ours) Build trust without bribes, tools, or shouting Reach your dog where they are, so everything else gets easier Youā€™ll stop second-guessing and start showing up as the calm, clear leader your dog already believes you can be. Interested? Letā€™s do this. šŸ‘‰ www.beyondobedience.ca/fearless šŸ‘‰ Already know you want to BE in the Student community? Enrol HERE Special thanks to Shawn Trotter of shawntrotter.com for the music šŸŽ¶

    32 min

  6. 18 AUG

    127 | Leadership Isn't Loud: Why Quiet Confidence Works

    Hey Dog Lover šŸ¾ Have you ever felt like youā€™re just not the ā€œleader typeā€? Maybe youā€™re not loud enough. Not confident enough. Not ā€œtrainer-yā€ enough. Hereā€™s the tail-wagging truth: You donā€™t need to be loud. You donā€™t need to be dominant. You just need to be clear. Calm. Trustworthy. In this episode, weā€™re redefining leadershipā€”not as something you do, but something you be. Because your dog isnā€™t looking for perfection... theyā€™re looking for someone who wonā€™t crumble when things get messy. Inside this episode: šŸ¾ Why ā€œloudā€ doesnā€™t equal ā€œleaderā€ (and what actually builds trust) šŸ¾ What calm, quiet confidence really looks likeā€”plus stories of Wellington and Nigel šŸ¾ How to use The Leadership Score Cardā„¢ to guideā€”not controlā€”your dog šŸ¾ Why quiet, observant people often make the best leaders šŸ¾ And how to stop second-guessing and start showing up with grounded clarity Your dog doesnā€™t need a boss. They need a guide. This is your invitation to step into that roleā€”with steadiness, not shouting. Hope you enjoy this episode. Be sure to rate, share and leave a comment! Tracy NEXT STEP šŸ¾šŸ‘£ If you're ready to take this whole living in harmony with your dog on a whole new level then you have to be inside: The Fearless Framework, a 3-step process to build trust and confidence in both you and your dog. šŸ’› Learn how your dog learns šŸ’› Build calm routines that rebuild trust šŸ’› And walk through the world togetherā€”without bribes, tools, or overthinking. Let's do this thing together! Special thanks to Shawn Trotter of shawntrotter.com for the music šŸŽ¶

    33 min

  7. 14 AUG

    126 | Your Dog Isn't a Fur Baby- But You are Still A Parent

    Hey Dog Lover! šŸ¾ Okayā€¦ so I donā€™t love the term ā€œfur baby.ā€ šŸ™ƒ But you know what? If youā€™re showing up, leading, loving, and learning alongside your dogā€”you are still parenting. Just not in the ā€œletā€™s dress up for brunchā€ kind of way. In this episode, Iā€™m sharing a story about the time a parenting coach absolutely went off on me for suggesting that dog leadership and parenting might have something in common. Spoiler alert: her own story accidentally proved my point. Weā€™ll talk about: Why ā€œpet parentingā€ gets a bad rap (and how to do it better) The 5 principles of parenting (from expert Dr. Aliza Pressman) that directly apply to dogs How to lead your dog without dominatingā€”or disappearing Why repair matters more than perfection (yep, even with your dog) This one isnā€™t about raising ā€œobedientā€ dogsā€”itā€™s about becoming the person your dog feels safe to follow. ā€œAm I messing this up?ā€ ā€œWill my dog ever forgive me?ā€ ā€œWhy is this SO hard sometimes?ā€ Then press play. Youā€™re not aloneā€”and youā€™re doing better than you think. Come check out the Fearless Frameworkā€”the relationship-first way to lead your fearful or reactive dog with heart, not just habits. Hope you enjoy this one! Tracy Be sure to like, share and rate the show! NEXT STEPS šŸ‘£šŸ¾ Join the Free Facebook Group Living Beyond Obedience for a like-minded fun community! Ready to take this dog thing to the next level? Join the Fearless Framework Student Community. Learn how to reach your dog so that everything else gets easier! Special thanks to Shawn Trotter for the music. šŸŽ¶ Links: Mels Robbins Episode with an interview with Dr Aliza Pressman

    25 min

  8. 11 AUG

    125 | Feeling Exhausted: Having a Dog Isnā€™t Supposed to Be This Much Work

    Hey Dog Lover šŸ¾ You love your dog. But if you're feeling frustrated, short-tempered, or just plain tiredā€”this episode is for you. Because hereā€™s the truth: You were told to train more. Socialize more. Enrich more. But what happens when you donā€™t have anything more to give? If having a dog is starting to feel like a full-time job... how interesting. In this episode, we explore why the relationship might feel heavier than it should: Why constant cueing means youā€™re always leading the dance (and thatā€™s exhausting) How micromanaging your dog signals a lack of trust Why bribery might feel like connectionā€”but isnā€™t And how over-correcting chips away at your dogā€™s confidence and your own This isnā€™t about trying harder. Itā€™s about trying differently. Letā€™s trade control for connection. Letā€™s shift from obedience to leadership. And letā€™s build a relationship that feels sustainableā€”for both of you. Hope you enjoy this episode. Be sure to leave a rating, review, or a comment to let me know you're enjoying this. NEXT STEPS šŸ¾šŸ‘£ If youā€™re ready to stop micromanaging and start mentoringā€” The Fearless Framework helps you: šŸ¾ Build a relationship rooted in trust, not transactions šŸ¾ Let go of constant correcting and managing šŸ¾ Lead with calm, confident clarityā€”without burning out Learn more: beyond-obedience.thrivecart.com/fearless Special thanks to music composer Shawn Trotter at shawntrotter.com

    23 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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