The Dogs of Our Lives

Chrissy Messick
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

The Dogs of Our Lives podcast is all about living, learning, and growing with dogs. Listen to real-life transformation stories between dogs and their human guardians. Get inspired to take the next best step with your dog as we discuss successes, challenges, dog training, deeper connections, relationships, personal growth, and just a little bit of magic. Join us for heartfelt conversations that celebrate the incredible bond between dogs and their human guardians.

  1. #37 The KEY Differences Between Welfare and Wellbeing for Your Dog

    09/09/2025 ·  Bonus

    #37 The KEY Differences Between Welfare and Wellbeing for Your Dog

    That's a wrap on Season 3 and our special summer working dog series. In this final recap, I leave you with a reminder of what we've discussed (if you've missed any episodes, I highly encourage you to take a look through the episode list, as there are some really juicy conversations!) But what I want to highlight are the key differences between welfare and well-being for your dog, and why they matter. It's so important to treat your dog as an individual and meet all of their needs, not just the basics. Take the time to go deeper, and truly understand your companion animal, trust me, it'll be worth it! Stay tuned for Season 4 and many more fantastic conversations. I'd love to know what you'd like to hear on Season 4. If you have any suggestions, please leave a comment or get in touch via my website or socials: https://www.theanimalnature.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thenatureofanimals/ https://www.facebook.com/thenatureofanimals/ Thanks for listening to The Dogs of Our Lives Podcast!

    8 min
  2. #36 EXPERT Dog Trainer Spills All About Working Dogs in the Home - with Jean Donaldson

    08/19/2025

    #36 EXPERT Dog Trainer Spills All About Working Dogs in the Home - with Jean Donaldson

    Ever wondered if you should bring a working dog into your home? This episode of the Dogs of Our Lives podcast is going to be a must-listen for you. This week, I chat with Jean Donaldson, a pioneer in force-free positive reinforcement dog training. She has over 30 years of experience in dog behavior and training and is the Founder and Director of the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers. Jean also has several award-winning books, including The Culture Clash and Oh Behave! She shares her journey, career highlights so far and her insights into working and sporting dogs, which is especially important for anyone thinking about bringing any type of working breed dog into their home. This episode is part of our working dogs summer series, where I explore many aspects of training and behaviors that are specific to working dog breeds. Learn more about Jean at https://academyfordogtrainers.com/ I'm honored that Jean holds me in such high esteem as a behavior consultant and dog trainer, so if you'd like to learn more about my services, please check out my website: https://www.theanimalnature.com/

    48 min
  3. #35 Could Dog Agility Training Be The Ultimate Enrichment Exercise? - with Cheryl Parker

    07/22/2025

    #35 Could Dog Agility Training Be The Ultimate Enrichment Exercise? - with Cheryl Parker

    In this week's episode of this special working dog summer series of the Dogs of Our Lives podcast, I chat with a great friend of mine, Cheryl Parker, about her journey in dog agility. If you've ever thought about agility training for your dog, then this is a must-listen episode with Cheryl and her multi-award winning dogs Cheryl, an athletic trainer turned PA, started agility with her Cocker Spaniel Cooper in 2005, competing since 2010. She discusses the importance of building trust, desensitization, and positive reinforcement. Cheryl shares her experience with Sammy, a rescue with an eye-opening story about a hidden tooth issue causing anxiety, and her current dog Earl, who is still a work in progress with his agility journey! She emphasizes the physical, mental, and emotional care of agility dogs, including stretching, proper nutrition, and rest. Cheryl highlights the wonderful community aspect of agility and advises new participants to start with basic obedience and desensitization training before they get into agility training classes. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your fellow dog lovers! https://www.theanimalnature.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thenatureofanimals/ https://www.facebook.com/thenatureofanimals/

    49 min
  4. #34 How to Train a Search and Rescue Dog from an Expert Trainer - with Niamh Coleman

    07/08/2025

    #34 How to Train a Search and Rescue Dog from an Expert Trainer - with Niamh Coleman

    Welcome back to another episode of our special Working Dog Summer Series. If you've ever been interested in training your dog to be a search and rescue dog, then this episode is perfect for you! Even if you want to use some search and rescue techniques to enrich your dog's life, you'll hear some juicy nuggets to take away from this episode. In today's episode, I talk with Niamh Coleman about canine search and rescue, highlighting the training, physical, mental, and emotional needs of search and rescue dogs. Niamh, with over 20 years of experience, discusses the different types of search and rescue, including air scent, trailing, water recovery, and human remains detection. She emphasizes the importance of positive reinforcement, proper conditioning, and trust between the handler and the dog. Niamh also shares her journey, including her involvement with the Bonner County Sheriff's Department and the significance of the dog's role in the search process. If you'd like to get in touch with Niamh, you can contact her via her website:  https://www.canineconnectionco.com/ Don't forget to leave a review for the Dogs of Our Lives podcast and share with your fellow animal lovers! https://www.theanimalnature.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thenatureofanimals/ https://www.facebook.com/thenatureofanimals/

    43 min
  5. #33 Avoid The Warning Signs of Backyard Breeders - with Kim Crawmer

    06/24/2025

    #33 Avoid The Warning Signs of Backyard Breeders - with Kim Crawmer

    If you're concerned about buying a dog from a breeder, specifically a working dog. I'd encourage you to listen to this episode with Kim Crawmer, a certified dog trainer and breeder of Maremma livestock Guardian dogs. We discuss Kim's journey from breeding Cocker Spaniels to focusing on Maremma’s, emphasizing the importance of proper socialization, health testing, and training. She highlights the differences between Livestock Guardian dogs and herding dogs, the challenges of integrating these dogs into new environments, and the critical role of early socialization. Kim also addresses common myths about these dogs, stressing the need for responsible breeding and support for clients.  You may also believe you should get your dogs from rescue centers, but purchasing dogs from ethical breeders, especially working dogs, has its benefits and place in certain situations. If you're enjoying this special series about working dogs, I'd love it if you could share this podcast with other dog and animal lovers so I can continue to get the word out about kind and ethical dog guardianship. Find more about The Nature of Animals here:  https://www.theanimalnature.com/ Don't forget to follow us on our socials too! https://www.instagram.com/thenatureofanimals/ https://www.facebook.com/thenatureofanimals/

    45 min
  6. Unlocking the Secrets of Working Dogs: Their Mental & Physical Needs, Ethical Breeding & Heartwarming Rescue Stories.

    Season 3 Trailer

    Unlocking the Secrets of Working Dogs: Their Mental & Physical Needs, Ethical Breeding & Heartwarming Rescue Stories.

    Welcome to Season 3 of The Dogs of Our Lives podcast with me, Chrissy Messick. This summer I'll be focusing on working dogs. If you've ever experienced "challenging or difficult" behavior from your animal companion, especially if you have a working dog breed, then this season is exactly what you need. The series will explore the multifaceted lives of working dogs, delving into their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs. Topics include ethical breeding, rescue dogs, and the complexities of supporting these animals. I want to remind you that every dog is unique and deserves to fulfil its purpose, whether as a working dog or a companion. My aim is to highlight the importance of understanding and meeting the diverse needs of these dogs to help them thrive and enhance the human-dog bond. As always, I love to hear your feedback and your own stories, so please share your thoughts or leave us a review after listening. I'd love to share them in the next episode! https://www.theanimalnature.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thenatureofanimals/ https://www.facebook.com/thenatureofanimals/

    4 min
  7. The Dogs of Our Lives Season 2 Recap and What You Don't Want to Miss in Season 3!

    Season 2 Trailer

    The Dogs of Our Lives Season 2 Recap and What You Don't Want to Miss in Season 3!

    What a season 2 it has been! In this season of The Dogs of Our Lives Podcast, we have explored a variety of topics ranging from dog nutrition, pain management in dogs, humane education, and even busted some myths surrounding dog medication! Not only that, but we have delved into some challenging and difficult topics and listened to real-life stories about the relationship between humans and their animal companions. If you've ever wanted to learn how to communicate better and form a deeper connection with your dog, then the episodes in this series are exactly what you need. For season three, the podcast will slow down to release episodes every other Tuesday, focusing on a series about working dogs, including their needs, breeds, and roles, and how to live with them. If you'd like to hear about any specific stories, breed-specific coaching or anything else you'd love to learn about from The Dogs of Our Lives Podcast, then be sure to leave your comments and suggestions! https://www.theanimalnature.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thenatureofanimals/ https://www.facebook.com/thenatureofanimals/

    2 min
  8. #32 Swapping Traditional Dog Training Methods for a More Holistic Approach Will Deepen Your Connection with Your Dog - with Annika McDade

    05/27/2025

    #32 Swapping Traditional Dog Training Methods for a More Holistic Approach Will Deepen Your Connection with Your Dog - with Annika McDade

    Do you want to develop a deeper connection and understanding of your dog? If you are feeling frustrated by traditional training methods and want to explore a more holistic approach, then this is the episode for you. In this week's episode of the Dogs of Our Lives Podcast, I chat with Annika Alcorso (né McDade), a triple-certified Professional Behaviour Consultant & Coach with a passion for facilitating a deep connection between dogs and their people. Annika is a former dog trainer now focused on human coaching and animal communication, emphasising the importance of mindset changes, energy work, and intuitive communication in building a deeper bond with dogs. She shares her journey from working with sled dogs and wolves to her current practice, highlighting the significance of self-awareness and the dog's well-being. Annika also discusses the challenges of the dog training industry, her dog Cedar's impact on her life, and her upcoming projects, including a TV series and a podcast. https://www.canineconnectiontraining.ca/ I really enjoyed chatting with Annika about all things animal communication and the bond we can foster with the dogs in our lives, especially. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, and I'd love to hear your thoughts. https://www.theanimalnature.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thenatureofanimals/ https://www.facebook.com/thenatureofanimals/

    43 min
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About

The Dogs of Our Lives podcast is all about living, learning, and growing with dogs. Listen to real-life transformation stories between dogs and their human guardians. Get inspired to take the next best step with your dog as we discuss successes, challenges, dog training, deeper connections, relationships, personal growth, and just a little bit of magic. Join us for heartfelt conversations that celebrate the incredible bond between dogs and their human guardians.

Information

  • Creator
    Chrissy Messick
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Chrissy Messick
  • Show Website
    The Dogs of Our Lives

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