The Dog Who Asked for More: Turning Dog Training Guilt Into a Better Relationship With Your Dog

Emily "Em" Breslin | Dog Training and Relationship Specialist
  • 4.9 (43)
  • Pets & Animals
  • Updated Semiweekly

Some dogs change your life while they're here. Others keep changing it long after they're gone. If your dog changed more than your daily routine, this is for you. The Dog Who Asked for More® started because one dog kept struggling with his energy and his behavior no matter how much training or play I threw at it, and I couldn't find a single person who could tell me why. So I became the person I was looking for. This show is for anyone whose dog changed their life in ways they're still figuring out. The one doing midnight research on dog food and behavior and dog anxiety and still not sure they're getting it right. The one living with a reactive dog or anxious dog and quietly carrying the mental math that comes with it. The parking lot calculations, the exit routes, the anticipation before the walk even starts. The one whose dog became part of every decision, every routine, every version of what comes next. The one in the slow goodbye with a senior dog, watching every good day and doing the math. The one who can't fully explain to people outside this world what their dog actually means to them. I'm Em. Former vet tech, dog trainer, and canine nutritionist, but I didn't become any of that on purpose. Fitz washed out of service dog training, and his energy and behavior never added up the way training said they should. Figuring out why became the reason I rebuilt my whole life. Toby has been alongside all of it, 15 years in, still teaching me what it means to stay present for a goodbye I can already see coming. This isn't a podcast about fixing you or fixing your dog. It's the full reality of life with dogs, told through what actually happened to me. Dog behavior, dog body language, dog reactivity, dog anxiety, enrichment, dog nutrition, grief, healing with dogs, and the mental health reality of loving an animal who asks more of you than you expected. Not because you need to be fixed. Because you deserve to feel less alone in it. If you're carrying compassion fatigue, burnout, guilt, or just the specific exhaustion of loving a dog who needs more than most, you found the right place. Solo episodes, guest conversations, and real stories. Three new episodes every week. Named Sniffspot's #1 Dog Training Podcast 2026. Ranked in the top 3% globally. Start anywhere. Keep listening. Your people are here. 🎥 Full video episodes available on YouTube at: youtube.com/@thedogwhoaskedformore

  1. 1d ago

    Pushing Your Dog's Progress Could Be Backfiring | Dog Training

    What if the thing that feels like giving up on your dog is actually the thing they need most? If you're living with a reactive dog, anxious dog, or a dog who seems constantly overwhelmed, you've probably been told to keep pushing forward. More training. More exposure. More practice. More consistency. But what if progress isn't about doing more? In this episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, Em shares the reality of living with Fitz and Toby, the management strategies that became essential from day one, and the powerful lesson that changed everything: sometimes healing happens when we stop pushing and start listening. Together, we'll explore why nervous system regulation matters, how chronic stress impacts learning, and why management isn't a sign of failure—it's often the foundation that makes real progress possible. After listening, you'll learn: Why reactive dogs often need recovery time before training can be effective.How management supports nervous system healing and creates the conditions for lasting behavior change.Why shorter walks, fewer outings, and more intentional choices may actually help your dog make progress faster. Press play to discover why pulling back isn't falling behind—and how giving your dog the space to recover may be the key to helping them move forward. 🐾 Help Us Hit the Road We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place. 👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com Free Enrichment Guide Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou Free 15-Minute Clarity Call Feeling stuck? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow 📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com This podcast explores life with dogs — including dog behavior, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, dog training, and the relationship with your dog. It's for dog parents navigating overwhelm, chronic stress, burnout recovery, and the challenges of life with a dog who asks for more. Episodes cover dog nutrition, canine nutrition, pet nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, dog communication, emotional healing, healing with dogs, self-trust, personal growth, and building a deeper connection with your dog. Whether you're raising a reactive dog, feeling discouraged, or simply trying to better understand your dog and yourself, this podcast helps you create a calmer life together and strengthen the bond that changes both of you. We're now taking this conversation on the road, bringing honest support directly to dog parents across the country. Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

  2. 3d ago

    You Didn't Get the Wrong Dog. You Got Ready for the Wrong Life | Dog Training

    Did you choose your dog based on your real life—or the life you hoped you would have? When most people start looking for a dog, they focus on breeds, photos, energy levels, and what life might look like once that dog comes home. But what happens when the reality doesn't match the dream? In this episode, I sit down with Julie Swan of the Honest Dog Breeder Podcast to talk about ethical breeding, rescue dogs, dog behavior, and the often-overlooked role that lifestyle fit plays in long-term success. You'll learn: Why finding the right dog matters more than finding the "best" dog.The green flags and red flags to watch for when choosing a breeder or puppy.How lifestyle mismatches can create dog training challenges that have nothing to do with having a "bad" dog. Whether you're considering a puppy, thinking about adding another dog to your family, or trying to better understand the dog already in front of you, this episode will help you see the difference between a dog problem and a fit problem—and why that distinction changes everything. Listen now and discover what makes a successful relationship with my dog last for years. Download Julie's guide on How to Find the Right Breeder 👉 https://tinyurl.com/howtofindtherightbreeder 🐾 Help Us Hit the Road We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place. 👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com Dog Body Language Quiz Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz Free 15-Minute Clarity Call Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow 📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com This podcast explores life with dogs — including dog behavior, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, dog training, and the relationship with your dog. It's for dog parents navigating overwhelm, chronic stress, burnout recovery, and the challenges of life with a dog who asks for more. Episodes cover dog nutrition, canine nutrition, pet nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, dog communication, emotional healing, healing with dogs, self trust, personal growth, and building a deeper connection with your dog. Whether you're raising a reactive dog, feeling discouraged, or simply trying to better understand your dog and yourself, this podcast helps you create a calmer life together and strengthen the bond that changes both of you. We're now taking this conversation on the road, bringing honest support directly to dog parents across the country. Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

  3. 5d ago

    The Walk Is Over and Your Dog Is Fine. So Why Can't You Stop Replaying It? | Dog Training

    Your dog reacted. You managed it. You got through it. You made it home. So why does it still feel like you did something wrong? In this episode, I'm talking about the part of living with a reactive dog that doesn't get discussed nearly enough: the story you tell yourself after the reaction is over. The replay. The second-guessing. The moment where one bark, one lunge, or one difficult walk somehow becomes evidence that you're failing your dog. If you've ever come home from a walk and spent the rest of the day wondering what you should have done differently, this conversation is for you. In This Episode, You'll Hear: Why reactive dog incidents often feel much more personal than they actually are.How shame turns a single reaction into evidence that you're doing everything wrong.The mindset shift that helped me stop treating every reaction like a verdict on me or my dog. Reactive dogs react. That isn't the measure of success. The real question is what happens next. Listen now for an honest conversation about reactivity, shame, and learning to separate the incident from the story you tell yourself afterward. 🐾❤️ 🐾 Help Us Hit the Road We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place. 👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com Dog Body Language Quiz Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz Free 15-Minute Clarity Call Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow 📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com This podcast explores life with dogs — including dog behavior, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, dog training, and the relationship with your dog. It's for dog parents navigating overwhelm, chronic stress, burnout recovery, and the challenges of life with a dog who asks for more. Episodes cover dog nutrition, canine nutrition, pet nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, dog communication, emotional healing, healing with dogs, self trust, personal growth, and building a deeper connection with your dog. Whether you're raising a reactive dog, feeling discouraged, or simply trying to better understand your dog and yourself, this podcast helps you create a calmer life together and strengthen the bond that changes both of you. We're now taking this conversation on the road, bringing honest support directly to dog parents across the country. Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

  4. Jul 10

    Nobody Talks About The Grief That Starts While Your Dog Is Still Here | Pet Loss

    You don't notice the changes all at once. It's the extra medication with breakfast. The slower trip up the stairs. The way your dog sleeps a little more than they used to. The way your daily routine quietly shifts around their needs until one day you realize just how much has changed. In this episode, I'm talking about a kind of grief that doesn't get discussed very often: the grief that starts before the loss. The grief of loving a senior dog who is still here while becoming increasingly aware that your time together is finite. The strange space between gratitude and heartbreak. The way you find yourself paying closer attention, memorizing small moments, and trying to stay present while part of you is already worried about the future. In This Episode, You'll Hear: Why the small changes in your senior dog can feel more emotional than the big ones.The quiet grief that comes from knowing your dog is aging while they're still right beside you.How to stay present with the dog you have today instead of getting lost in the future you're not ready to face yet. If you've ever looked at your dog and thought, I know this won't last forever, this episode is for you. You're not grieving too early. You're paying attention. You're noticing the moments that once felt ordinary because somewhere along the way you realized they aren't ordinary at all. Listen now for a conversation about loving a senior dog through the chapter you're in, staying present with the time you still have, and finding room for both gratitude and grief at the same time. 🐾❤️ Free Resources & Support 🐾 Help Us Hit the Road We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast Shop PetMat Rx Supplements The Best of the Best Supplements from PetMat Rx. 👉 https://petmatrx.com/?ref=tdwafm Is your dog's food actually working for them? A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress Free 15-Minute Clarity Call Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow 📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com This podcast explores life with dogs — including dog behavior, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, dog training, and the relationship with your dog. It's for dog parents navigating overwhelm, chronic stress, burnout recovery, and the challenges of life with a dog who asks for more. Episodes cover dog nutrition, canine nutrition, pet nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, dog communication, emotional healing, healing with dogs, self trust, personal growth, and building a deeper connection with your dog. Whether you're raising a reactive dog, feeling discouraged, or simply trying to better understand your dog and yourself, this podcast helps you create a calmer life together and strengthen the bond that changes both of you. We're now taking this conversation on the road, bringing honest support directly to dog parents across the country. Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

  5. Jul 8

    Dog Breath Has Nothing to Do With Your Dog's Mouth | Dog Health

    Have you ever felt like you're constantly chasing a new symptom with your dog? Maybe it's bad breath. Maybe it's itching. Maybe it's digestive issues that improve for a while, then come right back. You've changed foods, tried supplements, spent hours researching, and you're still wondering what you're missing. In this episode, I sit down with Kendall, co-founder of Kingdom, to talk about why some of the most common health issues in dogs may not be separate problems at all. We get into the connection between oral health, gut health, skin health, and the microbiome, and why focusing only on what you can see on the surface can leave you stuck. In this episode, you'll hear: Why bad breath may be more than a dental issue, and what it could reveal about your dog's overall healthHow gut health can influence itching, coat condition, and other symptoms that seem unrelatedWhat to look for in supplements and health products if you want to address root causes If you've been doing everything you can for your dog and still feel like you're not getting answers, this conversation will help you look at it differently. Sometimes the goal isn't doing more. Sometimes it's understanding what your dog has been trying to tell you all along. 🐾 Help Us Hit the Road We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place. 👉 thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com Is your dog's food actually working for them? A two-minute check-in for dog parents who are doing their best and still not sure if it's enough. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogfoodstress Free 15-Minute Clarity Call Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow 📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com This podcast explores life with dogs — including dog behavior, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, dog training, and the relationship with your dog. It's for dog parents navigating overwhelm, chronic stress, burnout recovery, and the challenges of life with a dog who asks for more. Episodes cover dog nutrition, canine nutrition, pet nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, dog communication, emotional healing, healing with dogs, self trust, personal growth, and building a deeper connection with your dog. Whether you're raising a reactive dog, feeling discouraged, or simply trying to better understand your dog and yourself, this podcast helps you create a calmer life together and strengthen the bond that changes both of you. We're now taking this conversation on the road, bringing honest support directly to dog parents across the country. Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

  6. Jul 6

    Your Dog Survived The Fireworks. Now They Need Time To Recover | Dog Training

    The noise has stopped. The holiday is over. But your dog is still jumpy, restless, reacting to things that normally wouldn't bother them, and you're starting to wonder if something is wrong. In this episode, Em explains what's actually happening inside your dog's body after a stressful event and why recovery often takes much longer than most dog parents expect. If you've been worried that your dog should be "over it" by now, this conversation will help you understand what normal recovery really looks like and how to support your dog through it. You'll Hear: Why your dog may still seem stressed days after the fireworks are over. What cortisol does in the body and how it affects recovery after a fear event. Why less activity, less pressure, and more rest may be exactly what your dog needs right now. If your dog isn't acting like themselves after fireworks season, this episode will help you stop second-guessing what happened and start supporting the recovery process with more confidence and less worry. Free Resources & Support 🐾 Help Us Hit the Road We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉⁠https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast⁠ Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place. 👉 ⁠thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com⁠ Free Enrichment Guide Simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer and more fulfilled. 👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/livingwiththedoginfrontofyou⁠ Free 15-Minute Clarity Call Feeling stuck? We'll talk through what's going on and find the next step together. 👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠ 📧 ⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠ This podcast explores life with dogs — including dog behavior, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, dog training, and the relationship with your dog. It's for dog parents navigating overwhelm, chronic stress, burnout recovery, and the challenges of life with a dog who asks for more. Episodes cover dog nutrition, canine nutrition, pet nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, dog communication, emotional healing, healing with dogs, self trust, personal growth, and building a deeper connection with your dog. Whether you're raising a reactive dog, feeling discouraged, or simply trying to better understand your dog and yourself, this podcast helps you create a calmer life together and strengthen the bond that changes both of you. We're now taking this conversation on the road, bringing honest support directly to dog parents across the country. Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

  7. Jul 3

    Every Dog Decision Is Yours Alone, and Nobody Warns You What That's Like | Life With Dogs

    Being the only one who decides for your dog costs more than you think. You've stayed up at midnight researching food, training, or health decisions, wishing someone would just tell you that you're not getting it wrong. If you're the only one making every call for your dog, this episode is for you. The emotional weight of constant second-guessing, the financial pressure of getting it wrong, the exhaustion dog parents carry silently every day, especially when there's no partner, no backup, and nobody else who fully understands what's at stake. In this episode, you'll learn: Why deciding everything alone slowly erodes your confidence, even when you're making good choicesThe real emotional and financial cost of carrying every call by yourselfHow finding even one person who gets it can change how the weight actually feels If you've been carrying the weight of being the only decision-maker for your dog in silence, this episode will help you feel a little less alone in it. 🐾 Help Us Hit the Road We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉⁠https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast⁠ Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place. 👉 ⁠thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com⁠ Dog Body Language Quiz Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results. 👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz⁠ Free 15-Minute Clarity Call Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on. 👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠ 📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com This podcast explores real life with dogs — including dog behavior, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, and dog training problems. It's for dog parents who feel overwhelmed navigating life with dogs and want a clearer understanding of their dog and a calmer daily life together. Episodes also cover dog nutrition, canine nutrition, pet nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, and dog communication — connecting behavior, health, and daily routines to help you better understand your dog and reduce stress. We're now taking this conversation on the road, bringing honest support directly to dog parents across the country. Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

  8. Jul 1

    How Dog Training Turned Into A Relationship With My Dog That Carried Me Through War, Divorce, And Starting Over

    What happens when the dog beside you stops being part of the job and becomes the one constant in your life? After years of dog training, deployments, Secret Service missions, and life-changing transitions, Paul Bourgeois discovered that his military working dog, Rroddie, was giving him something far beyond protection or performance. Through war, divorce, retirement, and the difficult transition back to civilian life, Rroddie became the one thing that stayed the same when everything else changed. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the deepest relationships with dogs often develop during the hardest seasons of life.How military working dogs support their handlers in ways that go far beyond their official training.What losing a heart dog can teach you about stability, grief, and the bonds that continue long after they're gone. If you've ever felt like your dog carried you through something you couldn't explain to anyone else, this conversation will stay with you long after the episode ends. Connect with Paul ⁠https://www.instagram.com/pbourgeois881/⁠ 🐾 Help Us Hit the Road We're raising money to take this podcast on the road — an RV, a microphone, and 20 years of experience coming to you. 👉⁠https://tinyurl.com/fuelthepodcast⁠ Shop What Em Uses with Fitz & Toby Enrichment tools, nutrition support, and daily essentials — all in one place. 👉 ⁠thedogwhoaskedformore.myshopdot.com⁠ Dog Body Language Quiz Not sure what your dog's behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results. 👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz⁠ Free 15-Minute Clarity Call Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we'll talk through what's going on. 👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow⁠ 📧 em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com This podcast explores life with dogs — including dog behavior, dog anxiety, reactive dogs, dog reactivity, dog training, and the relationship with your dog. It's for dog parents navigating overwhelm, chronic stress, burnout recovery, and the challenges of life with a dog who asks for more. Episodes cover dog nutrition, canine nutrition, pet nutrition, dog food, dog enrichment, dog body language, dog communication, emotional healing, healing with dogs, self trust, personal growth, and building a deeper connection with your dog. Whether you're raising a reactive dog, feeling discouraged, or simply trying to better understand your dog and yourself, this podcast helps you create a calmer life together and strengthen the bond that changes both of you. We're now taking this conversation on the road, bringing honest support directly to dog parents across the country. Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, it helps support the podcast and the RV tour.

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4.9
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About

Some dogs change your life while they're here. Others keep changing it long after they're gone. If your dog changed more than your daily routine, this is for you. The Dog Who Asked for More® started because one dog kept struggling with his energy and his behavior no matter how much training or play I threw at it, and I couldn't find a single person who could tell me why. So I became the person I was looking for. This show is for anyone whose dog changed their life in ways they're still figuring out. The one doing midnight research on dog food and behavior and dog anxiety and still not sure they're getting it right. The one living with a reactive dog or anxious dog and quietly carrying the mental math that comes with it. The parking lot calculations, the exit routes, the anticipation before the walk even starts. The one whose dog became part of every decision, every routine, every version of what comes next. The one in the slow goodbye with a senior dog, watching every good day and doing the math. The one who can't fully explain to people outside this world what their dog actually means to them. I'm Em. Former vet tech, dog trainer, and canine nutritionist, but I didn't become any of that on purpose. Fitz washed out of service dog training, and his energy and behavior never added up the way training said they should. Figuring out why became the reason I rebuilt my whole life. Toby has been alongside all of it, 15 years in, still teaching me what it means to stay present for a goodbye I can already see coming. This isn't a podcast about fixing you or fixing your dog. It's the full reality of life with dogs, told through what actually happened to me. Dog behavior, dog body language, dog reactivity, dog anxiety, enrichment, dog nutrition, grief, healing with dogs, and the mental health reality of loving an animal who asks more of you than you expected. Not because you need to be fixed. Because you deserve to feel less alone in it. If you're carrying compassion fatigue, burnout, guilt, or just the specific exhaustion of loving a dog who needs more than most, you found the right place. Solo episodes, guest conversations, and real stories. Three new episodes every week. Named Sniffspot's #1 Dog Training Podcast 2026. Ranked in the top 3% globally. Start anywhere. Keep listening. Your people are here. 🎥 Full video episodes available on YouTube at: youtube.com/@thedogwhoaskedformore

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