We're all screwed up (and that's OK‪)‬ Dawn Walton / Jess Probst

Dawn Walton, a human therapist, and Jess Probst, a dog behaviourist are taking a trip to Costco and decide to do a podcast to record their conversation as they drive (Dawn is driving while Jess holds the microphone. All safe!)

Along with the normal meandering conversation, this episode includes a discussion of the difference between Tonic Immobility (as experienced by sharks and chickens when they are upside down, possums and fainting goats, among others) and the Shutdown state. As with everything, the conversation involves exploring how this applies to dogs, and how we can see this in autistic humans. They discuss what we can actually do to help a dog or person in a shutdown state, particularly by activating the parasympathetic nervous system.

They also discuss the favourite topic of labels. Particularly how important it is to treat every individual (dog or human!) based on what you see in front of you. Decision trees can be used to ask the right questions and eliminate things that aren't relevant. So instead of A =B you can instead ask a series of yes or no questions to narrow things down. This can avoid falling into the trap of making assumptions, and of thinking that what you are doing is automatically right just because that is what you were taught.




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Dawn Walton, a human therapist, and Jess Probst, a dog behaviourist sit in Dawn's car and discuss Jess’s current existential crisis.


Jess discusses the different ways we can see our dogs and how some things are really obvious to her, but tricky to help others see. They explore ideas around how we can see ourselves and our dogs, and the ethical conundrum of doing something short term, that may be unpalatable, but creates permanent and profound change in the dogs - leading to much happier dogs, and humans!

Dawn explains the 3 A’s that she asks her clients to practice:

Awareness (I am in this different state)

Acceptance (of course I’m in this state because…)

Action (what am I actually going to do next)

This allows you to throw away the spiky stick and focus on what’s important. Resilience is not about the absence of a reaction - it’s about speed of recovery.




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Dawn Walton, a human therapist, and Jess Probst, a dog behaviourist sit in Dawn's car and discuss how different industries all have different 'camps' where each group believes they are doing things the only way that is right.

There is a residential for dog owners happening and there is a videographer attending to put together a documentary about what happens during the week. Jess was surprised to learn that, just like with dog training, there are different camps with different ways of doing things. Each one is critical of the other's approach.

How about we just be curious instead? Open your mind and explore different possibilities. Remember, as Dr. Seuss said " Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You"

They also discuss how a dog peeing everywhere is their equivalent of a Social Media post!

And of course they meander through the normal range of random topics during the hour.


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Dawn Walton, a human therapist, and Jess Probst, a dog behaviourist sit in Tim Hortons and discuss Narcissism and Circles! (The usual random subjects!)

Jess uses 3 circles to describe different states of the dog, and explains how she uses the 3 circles to decide the best course of action. The first is Introspective where the body language is shrinking and closed down. The last is Expansive where it's about exuberant energy. And the middle circle is Grounded

Dawn discusses her version of Steven Covey's circle of influence, where the first level is the Microscope level which you can focus on and directly influence. The next circle out is the Balloon level which you influence but only when you are focussing on it, like blowing up a balloon. And the outer circle is the River level where all you can do is flow with what is happening.



They also discuss how to spot a Narcissist and what that has to do with Social Media - particularly the trolls!


(please note this episode is recorded in Tim Hortons so may have more background noise than a usual podcast)






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Dawn Walton, a human therapist, and Jess Probst, a dog behaviourist sit in Tim Hortons and discuss Dawn's recently delivered workshop, which trains up others to do what she does - particularly the Rapid Trauma Reset.

They discuss their unique, and yet remarkably similar approaches, to work with humans and dogs. It's not about judgement. It's not about the story. It's about seeing what is in front of them and helping in the most effective way possible for all concerned.


(please note this episode is recorded in Tim Hortons so may have more background noise than a usual podcast)


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Dawn Walton, a human therapist, and Jess Probst, a dog behaviourist sit in Dawn's therapy room and discuss imposter syndrome.

As usual, they don't just take the 'official definition' but look at what it actually means in practice.

More people have imposter syndrome than you might realise.

And of course, it includes the "So What?" - looking at what steps you might try taking to overcome imposter syndrome.


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