Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs

Tracy Franken- Retired Vet Tech , Dog Trainer, Dog Lover, Dog Bond Specialist 🐾

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! I’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. 1D AGO

    206 | Less Commands

    Hey Dog Lover! 🐾 Does your dog listen perfectly at home… but completely disconnect once you step outside? Do you feel like the more stressed your dog gets, the less your commands actually matter? Have you ever wondered if your dog doesn’t need more obedience at all—but something entirely different from you? In this episode, we’re talking about why commands often fall apart under pressure—and why your dog may not actually need more obedience. Because when stress, pressure, instinct, and emotion take over… Dogs shift. And when they shift out of the thinking side of the brain and into instinctual processing, ā€œEnglish as a second languageā€ becomes much harder to access. Which means the real question becomes: šŸ‘‰ How do we stay connected to our dogs in BOTH worlds? We’re diving into: why obedience can become a substitute for relationshiphow stress changes processingthe importance of understanding your dog’s Dogonalityand why becoming relevant to your dog goes far beyond commandsBecause dogs don’t build relationships through obedience alone… They build them through shared experiences, trust, and meaningful connection. Hope you enjoy this one! Tracy xoxoxox RESOURCES Fearless Framework🐾 https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless Dogonality Quiz🐾 www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz Blog post for this episode🐾 www.beyondobedience.ca/blog CONNECT WITH ME Contact - > info@beyondobedience.caPodcast -ļ¼ž https://beyondobedience.ca/podcastConnect -ļ¼ž https://facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedienceResources - > www.beyondobedience.ca/quizMerch -> Get your Beyond Obedience merch! www.beyondobedience.ca/store 🐾NEXT STEPSšŸ‘£: Step 1: Join a supportive community of dog owners who are ready to move beyond obedience and build deeper trust and connection with their dogs, LIVING BEYOND OBEDIENCE FB Step 2: Take the Dogonality Quiz to understand how your dog processes stress, instinct, and the world around themšŸ‘‰ www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz Step 3: Learn how to become more relevant, aware, and connected to your dog in real-life situations inside The Fearless FrameworkšŸ‘‰ https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless Music Credit šŸŽ¶: Shawn Trotter www.shawntrotter.com

    26 min
  2. 4D AGO

    205 | Stop Watching your Dog (You're Being Weird About it)

    Hey Dog Lover! 🐾 Do you feel like your dog reacts ā€œout of nowhereā€ before you even have time to respond? Are you constantly trying to watch for subtle body language signs—but still feel like you’re always one step behind your dog? Have you ever wondered if the real issue isn’t your timing… but where your attention is actually going? In this episode, I’m challenging the idea that the answer to reactivity is simply learning more dog body language. Because while understanding your dog absolutely matters… Most reactions happen FAST. And if your entire strategy is trying to catch the lip lick, the freeze, or the tension right before the explosion—you’re probably already behind. Instead, we’re talking about what it looks like to become more aware with your dog. To stop obsessing over behavior…and start paying attention to: the environmentpressuremovementpotential threatsand what your dog is actually noticing before stress takes overBecause leadership starts long before the reaction. And the more present and aware you become, the more your dog starts to feel like they don’t have to navigate the world alone. Hope you enjoy this one! Tracy xoxoxo Resources Fearless FrameworkšŸ‘‰ https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless Dogonality QuizšŸ‘‰ www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz Blog post for this episodešŸ‘‰www.beyondobedience.ca/blog Connecting Contact - > info@beyondobedience.caPodcast -ļ¼ž https://beyondobedience.ca/podcastConnect -ļ¼ž https://facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedienceResources - > www.beyondobedience.ca/quizMerch -> Get your Beyond Obedience merch! www.beyondobedience.ca/store 🐾 Next StepsšŸ‘£: Step 1: Join a supportive community of dog owners learning how to build trust, confidence, and awareness with their dogs inside the free Facebook group Living Beyond Obedience Step 2: Take the Dogonality Quiz to better understand how your dog processes the world and responds under pressurešŸ‘‰ www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz Step 3: Learn how to stop reacting to behaviour and start building real partnership inside The Fearless FrameworkšŸ‘‰ https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless Music Credit šŸŽ¶ Shawn Trotter of shawntrotter.com

    26 min
  3. MAY 14

    204 | What To Do When Your Reactive Dog Loses It

    Hey Dog Lover! 🐾 Are your walks starting to feel more stressful than enjoyable? Do you ever find yourself constantly scanning the environment… just trying to avoid a reaction? When your dog ā€œloses it,ā€ are you left wondering… what am I actually supposed to do right now? In this episode, I’m sharing what to do when your dog loses it—so you can stop feeling overwhelmed in those moments and start showing up with clarity and confidence. We’re diving into why those big reactions aren’t the time to ā€œtrain,ā€ what it really means when you’ve missed it, and how having a simple exit strategy can completely change the way you handle these situations. Because this isn’t about fixing your dog in the moment… It’s about learning how to guide them through it—and becoming someone your dog can trust when it matters most. Hope you enjoy! Tracy xoxox Resources: Fearless Framework (Build Your Brave Protocols)🐾 https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless Contact - > ā info@beyondobedience.ca⁠Podcast -ļ¼ž ā https://beyondobedience.ca/podcast⁠Connect -ļ¼ž ā https://facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedience⁠Resources - > ā www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz⁠Merch -> Get your Beyond Obedience merch! ā www.beyondobedience.ca/store⁠ Next Steps šŸ¾šŸ‘£ Step 1: Join a supportive community of dog owners who are ready to build trust, confidence, and a better relationship with their dog inside the free Facebook group Living Beyond Obedience Step 2: Take the Dogonality Quiz to discover your dog’s unique personality and how they experience the worldšŸ‘‰ www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz Step 3: Get step-by-step support inside The Fearless Framework and learn how to handle real-life situations with clarity and confidencešŸ‘‰ https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless Music Credit šŸŽ¶. Shawn Trotter of ShawnTrotter.com

    34 min
  4. MAY 11

    203 | Can You Over-Socialize Your Dog? (A Puppy Owner’s Question)

    Hey Dog Lover! 🐾 Have you ever been told you can’t over-socialize your dog? Are you trying to do ā€œall the right thingsā€ā€¦ but worried you might actually be overwhelming your puppy? Do you feel torn between exposing your dog to the world—and protecting their confidence at the same time? In this episode, I’m answering a thoughtful question from a listener who’s raising a young, shy puppy and trying to do right by her. After being told ā€œyou cannot overdo socializationā€ (with no caveats šŸ˜…), she started wondering… šŸ‘‰ Is that actually true? We’re diving into what socialization really means, why more isn’t always better, and how well-intentioned exposure can sometimes create overwhelm instead of confidence. Because socialization isn’t about doing more… It’s about doing what’s appropriate for the dog in front of you. This episode will help you better understand: The difference between exposure and experienceWhy some dogs need a slower, more thoughtful approachHow to recognize when your dog is becoming overwhelmedAnd how to build confidence without throwing your dog in the deep endIf you’ve ever questioned whether you’re doing too much—or not enough—this conversation will give you a clearer way forward. Hope you enjoy! Tracy xoxoxo RESOURCES: Contact - > info@beyondobedience.ca Podcast -ļ¼ž https://beyondobedience.ca/podcast Connect -ļ¼ž https://facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedience Resources - > www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz Merch -> Get your Beyond Obedience merch! www.beyondobedience.ca/store NEXT STEPS šŸ¾šŸ‘£ Step 1: Join a supportive community of dog owners learning how to build confidence and social skills in a way that actually works for their dog šŸ‘‰ https://facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedience Step 2: Take the Dogonality Quiz to better understand your dog’s personality and how they experience the world šŸ‘‰ www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz Step 3: Learn how to guide your dog through real-life situations with clarity and confidence inside The Fearless Framework šŸ‘‰ https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless Music Credit šŸŽ¶. ShawnTrotter.com

    27 min
  5. MAY 7

    202 | Is it Fear? Understanding Your Dog’s Reactive Behaviour

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 Does your dog seem totally fine one minute… and then suddenly overreact the next? Have you ever thought, ā€œThat came out of nowhereā€¦ā€ when your dog barks, lunges, or shuts down? Do you find yourself wondering if your dog is being difficult… or if there’s something else going on? In this episode, I’m unpacking a question most dog owners don’t even realize they should be asking: šŸ‘‰ Is it fear? We’re diving into how behaviour that looks like stubbornness, reactivity, or even ā€œbad behaviourā€ā€¦ might actually be your dog trying to navigate something they don’t fully understand. Because here’s the thing… If we misread what’s really going on, we end up responding in ways that don’t actually help—and sometimes even make things more confusing for our dogs. This episode will help you start looking at your dog’s behaviour through a different lens—one rooted in curiosity, awareness, and understanding. Hope you enjoy! Tracy xoxox RESOURCES: Contact - > info@beyondobedience.caPodcast -ļ¼ž https://beyondobedience.ca/podcastConnect -ļ¼ž https://facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedienceResources - > www.beyondobedience.ca/quizMerch -> Get your Beyond Obedience merch! www.beyondobedience.ca/store NEXT STEPS šŸ‘£šŸ¾ Step 1: Join a supportive community of dog owners who are learning to understand their dogs on a deeper level—and build trust through awareness and leadershipšŸ‘‰ https://facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedience Step 2: Take the Dogonality Quiz to discover how your dog thinks, processes the world, and responds in different situationsšŸ‘‰ www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz Step 3: If you’re ready to stop guessing and start understanding what’s really going on with your dog, The Fearless Framework will walk you through it step-by-stepšŸ‘‰ https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless 🐾 Little Thought to Leave You With… The goal isn’t to label your dog… It’s to understand them. Because when you understand what’s driving the behaviour… Everything starts to change. 🐾 Music Credit šŸŽ¶ ShawnTrotter.com

    21 min
  6. MAY 4

    201 | You Don't Want a Well Trained Dog. Here's Why?

    Hey Dog Lover! 🐾 Have you ever thought… ā€œMy dog knows what to do… so why aren’t they doing it?ā€ Do you feel like you’ve done the training—but real-life situations still feel unpredictable? Are you starting to realize that a ā€œwell-trainedā€ dog isn’t the same as a calm, confident one? In this episode, I’m sharing why focusing on having a ā€œwell-trained dogā€ might actually be the thing keeping you stuck—so you can start shifting your focus to what really matters in everyday life. We’re diving into the difference between training and relationship, why obedience doesn’t always translate into real-world success, and what your dog actually needs from you outside of structured training moments. Because your dog doesn’t live in training sessions… They live in the other 95% of life. And that’s where trust, leadership, and connection come into play. Hope you enjoy! Tracy xoxox RESOURCES Contact - > info@beyondobedience.caPodcast -ļ¼ž https://beyondobedience.ca/podcastConnect -ļ¼ž https://facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedienceResources - > www.beyondobedience.ca/quizMerch -> Get your Beyond Obedience merch! www.beyondobedience.ca/store NEXT STEPS šŸ¾šŸ‘£ Step 1: Join a supportive community of dog owners who are ready to move beyond obedience and build real trust, confidence, and leadership with their dog inside the free Facebook group Living Beyond Obedience Step 2: Take the Dogonality Quiz to better understand how your dog thinks, learns, and respondsšŸ‘‰ www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz Step 3: Get step-by-step support inside The Fearless Framework and learn how to create a calm, confident dog in real-life situations—not just training sessionsšŸ‘‰ https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless Music CreditšŸŽ¶: ShawnTrotter.com

    22 min
  7. APR 30

    200 | Your Dog Is Watching You More Than You Think (The Leadership Mistake You Don’t See)

    Hey there Dog Lover🐾 Do you feel like your dog listens sometimes… but not consistently? Are you focused on what you’re teaching… but still not seeing results? What if your dog is learning more from how you show up than what you say? In this episode, I’m sharing the leadership scorecard your dog is constantly using so you can better understand why your dog responds the way they do. We explore how dogs are always observing your consistency, clarity, and emotional state—and how shifting your awareness can transform your relationship and your results. Hope you enjoy! Tracy xoxox Links Mentioned Fearless Framework Course: https://beyondobedience.ca/fearlessTake the Dogonality Quiz: www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz 60min 1:1 Coaching Call: Calm Coaching Call Next Steps: Step 1: Join a supportive community of dog owners learning how to become better leaders for their dogs in the free Facebook group Living Beyond Obedience Step 2: Take the Dogonality Quiz to discover your dog’s unique personality www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz Step 3: Get more personalized support with The Fearless Framework course at https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless Connect With Me: Contact - > info@beyondobedience.caPodcast -ļ¼žhttps://beyondobedience.ca/podcastConnect -ļ¼ž https://facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedienceResources - > www.beyondobedience.ca/quizMerch-> Get your Beyond Obedience merch! www.beyondobedience.ca/store Music CreditšŸŽ¶: Shawn Trotter www.shawntrotter.com

    23 min
  8. APR 27

    199 | Is Socialization Making Your Dog Worse? What Fearful & Reactive Dogs Actually Need

    Hey Dog Lover🐾 Have you been told your dog just needs more socialization? Does your dog seem more overwhelmed the more you expose them to things? What if more exposure isn’t the answer… and might actually be making things worse? In this episode, I’m sharing why socialization isn’t always the solution so you can stop overwhelming your dog and start building real confidence. We dive into how exposure without safety can create more fear, why reactive and sensitive dogs need a different approach, and what to focus on instead to help your dog feel secure in the world. Hope you enjoy this one! Tracy xoxox Links Mentioned Fearless Framework Course: https://beyondobedience.ca/fearlessTake the Dogonality Quiz: www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz 60 min 1:1 Coaching Call: Calm Confident Coaching Next Steps šŸ¾šŸ‘£: Step 1: Join a supportive community of dog owners navigating fearful or reactive dogs in the free Facebook group Living Beyond Obedience Step 2: Take the Dogonality Quiz to better understand your dog’s behaviour www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz Step 3: Get more personalized support with The Fearless Framework course at https://beyondobedience.ca/fearless Resources: Contact - > info@beyondobedience.caPodcast -ļ¼žhttps://beyondobedience.ca/podcastConnect -ļ¼ž https://facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedienceResources - > www.beyondobedience.ca/quizMerch-> Get your Beyond Obedience merch! www.beyondobedience.ca/store Music Credit šŸŽ¶ Shawn Trotter www.shawntrotter.com

    25 min
4.9
out of 5
73 Ratings

About

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! I’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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