The Dog Who Asked for More: Life With Dogs and Behavior Support

Emily Breslin | Dog Training, Behavior, Nutrition Coach and Retired Vet Tech
  • 4.9 (30)
  • PETS & ANIMALS
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Dog behavior still confusing? Training not sticking? Does life with your dog feel harder than it should — even when you’re trying to do everything right? The Dog Who Asked for More® is a podcast hosted by Em, offering honest, judgment-free conversations about behavior, training, enrichment, nutrition — and the emotional reality of living with dogs who don’t fit neatly into the advice boxes. This is a space for nuance, lived experience, and making sense of what your dog might actually need — without shame, pressure, or one-size-fits-all answers. Start listening — no fixing required.

  1. 4H AGO

    Why Retiring Your Service Dog Isn’t Failure—It’s an Act of Love

    Is your service dog starting to pull away from their vest… and you’re not sure if it’s burnout or just a phase? That question can feel terrifying. Because when your dog has been your partner, your support system, your safety… the idea of retirement can feel like failure. Like you’re giving up. Like you’re doing something wrong. But sometimes what looks like “quitting” is actually communication. In this honest and deeply personal conversation, Em sits down with Kaitlyn of @thesaltysheps to talk about the moment she realized her dog Sebastian wasn’t asking for more training or more pressure. He was asking for rest. For relief. For space to just be a dog again. Together, they talk about the quiet signs of burnout, the grief that can come with letting go, and how choosing retirement can actually be one of the most loving decisions you make for your partner. If you’ve been carrying guilt or second-guessing what your dog needs, this episode will feel like permission to slow down, listen, and trust what they’re telling you. Free Resources & Support Dog Nutrition Quiz Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint. 👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz⁠ 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 PetMatRx Supplements We Trust Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness. Use code FITZ20 to save. 👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠ Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em This podcast explores life with dogs and life with pets through dog behavior, reactive dogs, dog anxiety, and real-life dog training challenges. It supports overwhelmed pet parents who want to better understand dog body language, communication, daily routines, and canine enrichment so dog life feels clearer and more manageable. Episodes focus on dog behavior while offering practical help and support, exploring common behavior patterns, and addressing real-life challenges many pet parents face — including experiences like dog barking, habits, obedience, and socialization — while also speaking to the emotional side of living with sensitive dogs and navigating lifestyle with dogs. Hosted by a canine nutritionist, dog nutrition coach, dog trainer, and retired vet tech, the show covers canine nutrition, dog nutrition, dog food and behavior, dog gut health, training challenges, training burnout, rescue dogs, dog grief, dog enrichment ideas, dog health, and dog myths — while exploring what it looks like to build a calmer, healthier life with your dog and strengthen the dog–human bond.

    34 min

  2. 2D AGO

    Why Your “High-Energy” Dog Might Actually Be Anxious

    You’ve tried walking them more.Playing longer.Adding more enrichment. And somehow your dog still feels… wired. Restless.On edge.Like they can’t settle. It’s easy to assume they’re just “high-energy.” That they need more exercise.More doing.More output. But what if it isn’t energy at all? In this episode, Em shares the moment she realized Fitz wasn’t high-energy — he was anxious. And all the extra movement wasn’t helping. It was making things worse. Because sometimes what looks like energy is actually overwhelm. And sometimes what our dogs need most isn’t more stimulation. It’s safety.Space.And real rest. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything “right” and your dog still can’t relax, this conversation will help you slow down and see what might really be going on underneath. Free Resources & Support Dog Nutrition Quiz Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint. 👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz⁠ 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 PetMatRx Supplements We Trust Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness. Use code FITZ20 to save. 👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠ Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em This podcast explores life with dogs and life with pets through dog behavior, reactive dogs, dog anxiety, and real-life dog training challenges. It supports overwhelmed pet parents who want to better understand dog body language, communication, daily routines, and canine enrichment so dog life feels clearer and more manageable. Episodes focus on dog behavior while offering practical help and support, exploring common behavior patterns, and addressing real-life challenges many pet parents face — including experiences like dog barking, habits, obedience, and socialization — while also speaking to the emotional side of living with sensitive dogs and navigating lifestyle with dogs. Hosted by a canine nutritionist, dog nutrition coach, dog trainer, and retired vet tech, the show covers canine nutrition, dog nutrition, dog food and behavior, dog gut health, training challenges, training burnout, rescue dogs, dog grief, dog enrichment ideas, dog health, and dog myths — while exploring what it looks like to build a calmer, healthier life with your dog and strengthen the dog–human bond.

    5 min

  3. 5D AGO

    Why It Feels Like Your Dog Isn’t Listening (Even When They Are)

    What if your dog isn’t ignoring you at all? What if they’re listening… but something in that moment makes responding harder than it looks? There’s a specific kind of frustration that comes from saying your dog’s name, giving the cue, knowing they heard you — and still feeling invisible. It can feel personal.Defeating.Like you’re doing something wrong. Especially when you’re already tired and just trying to get through the day. In this episode, Em shares real-life moments with Fitz and Toby and talks honestly about what “not listening” often really means. Because a lot of the time, it isn’t stubbornness or disobedience. It’s overwhelm.It’s environment.It’s capacity. And when you start seeing it that way, the whole interaction changes. If you’ve ever felt ignored, frustrated, or disconnected with your dog, this conversation will help you slow down and hear what they might actually be trying to say. Free Resources & Support Dog Nutrition Quiz Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog? Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint. 👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz⁠ 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 PetMatRx Supplements We Trust Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness. Use code FITZ20 to save. 👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠ Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em This podcast explores life with dogs and life with pets through dog behavior, reactive dogs, dog anxiety, and real-life dog training challenges. It supports overwhelmed pet parents who want to better understand dog body language, communication, daily routines, and canine enrichment so dog life feels clearer and more manageable. Episodes focus on dog behavior while offering practical help and support, exploring common behavior patterns, and addressing real-life challenges many pet parents face — including experiences like dog barking, habits, obedience, and socialization — while also speaking to the emotional side of living with sensitive dogs and navigating lifestyle with dogs. Hosted by a canine nutritionist, dog nutrition coach, dog trainer, and retired vet tech, the show covers canine nutrition, dog nutrition, dog food and behavior, dog gut health, training challenges, training burnout, rescue dogs, dog grief, dog enrichment ideas, dog health, and dog myths — while exploring what it looks like to build a calmer, healthier life with your dog and strengthen the dog–human bond.

    5 min

  4. FEB 11

    Why Life With an Anxious Dog Feels So Exhausting (and So Lonely)

    When your life quietly starts revolving around your dog’s anxiety, it can happen so slowly you barely notice. Until one day you realize you’re always “on.” Watching.Anticipating.Adjusting.Managing. Even when nothing is technically wrong. Living with an anxious dog can feel exhausting in a way that’s hard to explain to anyone else. Your routines change. Your relationships shift. Rest feels complicated. And sometimes it feels like there isn’t space for you anymore. In this episode, Em and Jess talk honestly about what life with an anxious dog really looks like inside the home — the guilt, the hyper-awareness, the loneliness, and the quiet ways it impacts both ends of the leash. Because this kind of exhaustion isn’t a personal failure. It’s what happens when you care deeply and carry a lot for someone who can’t tell you what they need. If you’ve been feeling stretched thin or alone in this season with your dog, this conversation will feel like sitting down with someone who finally gets it. Learn More about Handlers & Humans at: www.handlersandhumans.com Free Resources & Support Dog Nutrition Quiz Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog? Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint. 👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz⁠ 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 PetMatRx Supplements We Trust Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness. Use code FITZ20 to save. 👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠ Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em New episodes of The Dog Who Asked for More release every Monday and Wednesday. This podcast explores life with dogs and life with pets through dog behavior, reactive dogs, dog anxiety, and real-life dog training challenges. It supports overwhelmed pet parents who want to better understand dog body language, communication, daily routines, and canine enrichment so dog life feels clearer and more manageable. Episodes focus on dog behavior while offering practical help and support, exploring common behavior patterns, and addressing real-life challenges many pet parents face — including experiences like dog barking, habits, obedience, and socialization — while also speaking to the emotional side of living with sensitive dogs and navigating lifestyle with dogs. Hosted by a canine nutritionist, dog nutrition coach, dog trainer, and retired vet tech, the show covers canine nutrition, dog nutrition, dog food and behavior, dog gut health, training challenges, training burnout, rescue dogs, dog grief, dog enrichment ideas, dog health, and dog myths — while exploring what it looks like to build a calmer, healthier life with your dog and strengthen the dog–human bond.

    31 min

  5. FEB 9

    Nobody Talks About How Hard the First Weeks With a Puppy Really Are

    Bringing a puppy home is supposed to feel exciting. But a lot of the time… it just feels exhausting. Messy.Overwhelming.Like you’re already falling behind. If you’ve ever looked at your new puppy and thought, “Why is this so much harder than I expected?” — you’re not alone. In this episode, Em talks about what’s really happening underneath those first few weeks: the pressure to do everything “right,” the constant noise of advice, and the guilt that shows up when you’re just trying to keep up. Because most of the struggle isn’t about training. It’s about expectations. And when you shift those expectations, everything feels lighter. If puppyhood has felt harder than you thought it would, this conversation will help you slow down, breathe, and meet your dog where they actually are. Free Resources & Support Dog Nutrition Quiz Not sure if what you’re feeding is actually supporting your dog?Take the free quiz and get access to the Mini Bowl Blueprint. 👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/feedingquiz⁠ 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 PetMatRx Supplements We Trust Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness. Use code FITZ20 to save. 👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠ Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em This podcast explores life with dogs and life with pets through dog behavior, reactive dogs, dog anxiety, and real-life dog training challenges. It supports overwhelmed pet parents who want to better understand dog body language, communication, daily routines, and canine enrichment so dog life feels clearer and more manageable. Episodes focus on dog behavior while offering practical help and support, exploring common behavior patterns, and addressing real-life challenges many pet parents face — including experiences like dog barking, habits, obedience, and socialization — while also speaking to the emotional side of living with sensitive dogs and navigating lifestyle with dogs. Hosted by a canine nutritionist, dog nutrition coach, dog trainer, and retired vet tech, the show covers canine nutrition, dog nutrition, dog food and behavior, dog gut health, training challenges, training burnout, rescue dogs, dog grief, dog enrichment ideas, dog health, and dog myths — while exploring what it looks like to build a calmer, healthier life with your dog and strengthen the dog–human bond.

    5 min

  6. FEB 6

    Why Your Dog’s Stomach Still Feels Off (Even After Chicken and Rice)

    You followed the advice. Chicken.Rice.Keep it bland.Keep it simple. It’s what everyone says to do when your dog’s stomach is upset. So why does something still feel… off? For many dog parents, that “safe” diet doesn’t bring the relief they expected. Digestion stays sensitive. Energy feels low. Recovery takes longer than it should. And it’s easy to start second-guessing yourself. In this episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, Em gently explores why chicken and rice doesn’t work for every dog — not because you did anything wrong, but because every body is different. Through real-life experience and a whole-dog lens, this conversation looks at how stress, hydration, minerals, and gut support can matter just as much as what’s in the bowl — and why sometimes healing comes from supporting the system, not restricting it. This episode touches on dog nutrition, digestion, gut health, sensitive stomachs, and the quiet pressure pet parents feel to “do the right thing” when their dog isn’t feeling well. If you’ve ever wondered why the usual advice didn’t seem to help your dog, you’re not alone. Press play and listen with a little more trust in what you’re already noticing. Free Resources & Support Free Enrichment Guide: Paws, Brains, and Fun Start here. This free guide introduces simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer, more fulfilled, and more connected in everyday life. 👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/enrichment-guide⁠ 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 PetMatRx Supplements We Trust Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.Use code FITZ20 to save. 👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠ Email ⁠⁠thedogwhoaskedformore@gmail.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em New episodes of The Dog Who Asked for More release every Monday and Wednesday. This podcast explores life with dogs and life with pets through dog behavior, reactive dogs, dog anxiety, and real-life dog training challenges. It supports overwhelmed pet parents who want to better understand dog body language, communication, daily routines, and canine enrichment so dog life feels clearer and more manageable. Episodes focus on dog behavior while offering practical help and support, exploring common behavior patterns, and addressing real-life challenges many pet parents face — including experiences like dog barking, habits, obedience, and socialization — while also speaking to the emotional side of living with sensitive dogs and navigating lifestyle with dogs. Hosted by a canine nutritionist, dog nutrition coach, dog trainer, and retired vet tech, the show covers canine nutrition, dog nutrition, dog food and behavior, dog gut health, training challenges, training burnout, rescue dogs, dog grief, dog enrichment ideas, dog health, and dog myths — while exploring what it looks like to build a calmer, healthier life with your dog and strengthen the dog–human bond.

    6 min

  7. FEB 4

    Why Your Dog Might Need Support, Not More Training

    You’re walking them.Training.Doing enrichment.Trying everything you’ve been told to try. And somehow… things still feel hard. Focus feels fragile.Recovery takes forever.Small stressors turn into big reactions. It can start to feel like you’re missing something — or doing something wrong. In this episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, Em explores a quiet shift that changed everything for her: realizing some behavior struggles aren’t about training harder at all. They’re about support. Because sometimes what looks like “stubborn” or “too much energy” is really a nervous system that’s overwhelmed, a gut that’s uncomfortable, or a body that hasn’t fully recovered. Through Opal’s story and real-life experience, this conversation looks at what began to change when the focus moved away from pushing and toward caring for the whole dog. This episode touches on dog behavior, nutrition, enrichment, recovery, regulation, and the small ways physical comfort can shape emotional steadiness. If you’ve been trying so hard and still feel stuck, you’re not alone. Press play and take a breath with us. This Episode is Powered by PetMatRx Free Resources & Support Free Enrichment Guide: Paws, Brains, and Fun Start here. This free guide introduces simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer, more fulfilled, and more connected in everyday life. 👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/enrichment-guide⁠ 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 PetMatRx Supplements We Trust Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness. Use code FITZ20 to save. 👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠ Email ⁠⁠thedogwhoaskedformore@gmail.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em This podcast explores life with dogs and life with pets through dog behavior, reactive dogs, dog anxiety, and real-life dog training challenges. It supports overwhelmed pet parents who want to better understand dog body language, communication, daily routines, and canine enrichment so dog life feels clearer and more manageable. Episodes focus on dog behavior while offering practical help and support, exploring common behavior patterns, and addressing real-life challenges many pet parents face — including experiences like dog barking, habits, obedience, and socialization — while also speaking to the emotional side of living with sensitive dogs and navigating lifestyle with dogs. Hosted by a canine nutritionist, dog nutrition coach, dog trainer, and retired vet tech, the show covers canine nutrition, dog nutrition, dog food and behavior, dog gut health, training challenges, training burnout, rescue dogs, dog grief, dog enrichment ideas, dog health, and dog myths — while exploring what it looks like to build a calmer, healthier life with your dog and strengthen the dog–human bond.

    29 min

  8. FEB 2

    The Guilt Around Crates and Muzzles No One Talks About

    Have you ever hesitated before pulling out the crate or the muzzle — even when you knew it was the safest choice? That little voice that says:“I should be able to fix this.”“People are going to judge me.”“Maybe I’m failing my dog.” Safety tools can carry a surprising amount of shame. Even when they’re exactly what our dogs need. In this episode of The Dog Who Asked for More, Em talks about the emotional weight so many dog parents carry around kennels, muzzles, and other forms of management. Not from a training or tactics lens — but from a real-life one. Because sometimes love isn’t about giving more freedom. Sometimes it’s about creating more safety. Through stories and everyday moments, this conversation explores how tools can support regulation, protect trust, and help everyone breathe a little easier — without pressure or guilt. This episode touches on dog behavior, reactivity, management tools, nervous system safety, and the quiet decisions we make to protect our dogs even when they feel heavy. If you’ve ever felt torn between what’s safest and what looks “right,” you’re not alone. Press play and take that weight off your shoulders. Free Resources & Support Free Enrichment Guide: Paws, Brains, and Fun Start here. This free guide introduces simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer, more fulfilled, and more connected in everyday life. 👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/enrichment-guide⁠ 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 PetMatRx Supplements We Trust Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness.Use code FITZ20 to save. 👉⁠ https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm⁠ Email ⁠⁠thedogwhoaskedformore@gmail.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em New episodes of The Dog Who Asked for More release every Monday and Wednesday. This podcast explores life with dogs and life with pets through dog behavior, reactive dogs, dog anxiety, and real-life dog training challenges. It supports overwhelmed pet parents who want to better understand dog body language, communication, daily routines, and canine enrichment so dog life feels clearer and more manageable. Episodes focus on dog behavior while offering practical help and support, exploring common behavior patterns, and addressing real-life challenges many pet parents face — including experiences like dog barking, habits, obedience, and socialization — while also speaking to the emotional side of living with sensitive dogs and navigating lifestyle with dogs. Hosted by a canine nutritionist, dog nutrition coach, dog trainer, and retired vet tech, the show covers canine nutrition, dog nutrition, dog food and behavior, dog gut health, training challenges, training burnout, rescue dogs, dog grief, dog enrichment ideas, dog health, and dog myths — while exploring what it looks like to build a calmer, healthier life with your dog and strengthen the dog–human bond.

    7 min
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4.9
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About

Dog behavior still confusing? Training not sticking? Does life with your dog feel harder than it should — even when you’re trying to do everything right? The Dog Who Asked for More® is a podcast hosted by Em, offering honest, judgment-free conversations about behavior, training, enrichment, nutrition — and the emotional reality of living with dogs who don’t fit neatly into the advice boxes. This is a space for nuance, lived experience, and making sense of what your dog might actually need — without shame, pressure, or one-size-fits-all answers. Start listening — no fixing required.

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