Think Like a Dog

Millie Braden and Andreia Albies
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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. 3 days ago

    Dog Training Q&A: Leash Reactivity, Crate Anxiety & Training Older Dogs

    Send us Fan Mail In this Q&A episode of Think Like a Dog Podcast, Andreia and Millie answer listener questions about some of the most common, and frustrating, challenges dog owners face. They break down what to do when leash corrections actually make reactivity worse, how excitement and rough play with other dogs can contribute to frustration on walks, and why teaching your dog to calmly exist around things they want can be such an important skill. They also discuss how to make moving to a new home easier for your dog, the safest position and training approach when running with your dog, and how pressure and release can create clearer communication on leash. Then, Andreia and Millie take a deeper look at crate and separation anxiety, including why the problem isn't always about the crate itself. Using real foster dogs Jeter and Rusty as examples, they explain how attachment, freedom outside the crate, daily routines, consistency, and following through with boundaries can all affect a dog's ability to settle. Finally, they answer an important question: Is it ever too late to change your relationship with your dog? Whether your dog is one year old or nine, structure, place work, crate training, and structured walks aren't simply "training exercises", they're part of creating a clearer, calmer way to live together. Topics include: Leash reactivity and fixation on other dogsWhen prong collar corrections increase activationPressure and release on the leashTeaching neutrality around dogs and exciting environmentsMoving to a new home with your dogRunning safely with your dogHarnesses, slip leads, and e-collar communicationCrate anxiety vs. separation and attachment issuesBuilding independence through place and crate workThe importance of consistencyTraining and introducing structure to older dogsWhy dog training is ultimately a lifestyle, not a list of commandsSupport 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/

  2. 10 Aug

    More Common Dog Training Misconceptions Explained | Part 2

    Send us Fan Mail We’re back with Part 2 of Common Dog Training Misconceptions Explained. In this episode of Think Like a Dog Extended, the team breaks down even more of the most common things they hear from dog owners, and the psychology behind why these beliefs can sometimes get in the way of progress. We talk about why not every dog is meant to be a service or therapy dog, how breed genetics and individual personality should shape your expectations, and why your dog doesn’t necessarily need to love every person or dog they meet. We also get into separation anxiety, crate training, enrichment toys, muzzle stigma, why having a big backyard doesn’t replace walking your dog, leash reactivity vs. dog park behavior, assumptions about a rescue dog’s past, and the problem with jumping from one TikTok dog-training method to another. The biggest takeaway: stop trying to fit your dog into the dog you imagined and start training the dog in front of you. No judgment, just honest conversations, common patterns we see every day, and practical advice to help owners better understand their dogs. 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/

  3. 27 Jul

    Common Dog Training Misconceptions Explained | Part 1

    Send us Fan Mail Millie is joined by Mirror Image K9 trainers Connor, Brandon, and Jill to discuss some of the most common phrases dog trainers hear from owners—and what those statements may reveal about a dog’s behavior and relationship with its family. The trainers break down the difference between a dog being well-behaved and truly well-trained, why obedience commands alone do not resolve reactivity, and why behaviors often described as “protective” may actually come from insecurity, stress, or resource guarding. They also explain why structure and boundaries inside the home directly affect leash behavior, separation anxiety, confidence, and a dog’s ability to follow direction during stressful situations. The episode concludes with an in-depth conversation about crate training, why some dogs resist the crate, and how consistent crate use can help dogs learn to relax and self-soothe. 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/

  4. 13 Jul

    Q&A: First-Time Owners, Fearful Dogs, Socialization & Leash Walking

    Send us Fan Mail In this Think Like a Dog Podcast Q&A episode, Andreia and Millie answer listener questions about preparing for your first dog, choosing the right breed or rescue, and managing a dog while working a full-time schedule. They discuss why fostering can help first-time dog owners find the right personality and energy level, how to build trust with a fearful rescue dog, and why giving nervous dogs structure can help them feel more secure. Andreia and Millie also share practical advice for couples who have different opinions about dog training, household boundaries, furniture privileges, crate training, and socialization. The episode also covers safely introducing a dog to other dogs, recognizing that every dog has different social preferences, and improving loose-leash walking with high-energy, high-prey-drive dogs. Throughout the conversation, they explain how owners can maintain realistic expectations, find reasonable compromises, and create a training approach that works for both the dog and the household. 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/

  5. 29 Jun

    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/

  6. 15 Jun

    7 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Doggy Daycare

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Think Like a Dog, Millie is joined by Mirror Image K9 trainers Jill, Brandon, and Connor to break down the most important questions every dog owner should ask before choosing a doggy daycare. They discuss dog-to-human ratios, pack size, vaccines, spay and neuter policies, staff training, structured breaks, toys and treats, dog integration, safety protocols, and the difference between a chaotic “play all day” environment and a structured daycare that supports a dog’s mental and behavioral health. This episode helps owners understand what red flags to watch for, what acceptable answers sound like, and what a truly structured daycare should be doing to keep dogs safe, supported, and balanced. 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/

  7. 1 Jun

    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/

  8. 18 May

    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/

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About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Millie Braden and Andreia Albies
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Think Like a Dog
  • Show Website
    Think Like a Dog