Check back here regularly for this podcast series focusing on dogs. Hosted by the folks with emBark, the Chippewa Valley's premier and most trusted site for dog care and training.
Heather Mishefske (CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA), is a certified Professional Dog Trainer and Certified Behavior Consultant is here to answer all of your dog questions.
New Episodes drop every other Tuesday morning
Episode #29 (1/4/22) - Jumping Up CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Heather tackles the issue of dogs “jumping up”. She dives into the behavior, which can be a big issue for many dogs and their humans.
- Why do dogs do it?
- Does saying “off” to your dog, or squeezing their paws, serve as proper responses?
- Using the “treat scatter” method to redirect
- Developing the desired behavior through predictable scenarios
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Episode #28 (12/14/21) - Handling Large Gatherings for your Dog CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
We know holiday time can be stressful for adults. Well, it can be the same for dogs, especially if you are having lots of guests (strangers) coming over for gatherings. What should you know?
Heather is joined by Dawn Olson, another certified professional dog trainer at emBark. Dawn’s expertise is in managing the dynamic between kids and dogs and she provides some key points to whenever you have large gatherings (like at holiday time)
Tips on where the dog should be, hugging your dog and should you put costumes on your dog?
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Episode #27 (11/30/21) - Loose Leash Walking CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Like taking your dog for walks around your neighborhood and need to use a leash? Or think of when you have to leash your dog to bring them to place (like vets or to grooming). Well, that is a trained behavior for your dog and Heather takes us through the process to develop the best “loose leash walkers”
1) The human, not equipment, teaches loose leash walking
2) Defining what you want loose leash walking to be
3) What type of harness Heather prefers
4) What does 3AM have to do with anything?!?!?
5) Define your “take out window”
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Episode #26 - Humane Hierarchy: Best practices to handle behavior CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
1) What is this “hierarchy” and how does it apply? This is Heather’s tool box for working with dogs and improving behaviors.
2) Taking a holistic view of the dog
3) Changing behaviors by revising environments
4) Example of setting the dog up for successful behaviors
5) Using positive reinforcement with examples
6) Also positive punishment to stop behavior and does Heather see value in this
Application-of-the-Humane-Hierarchy-Position-Statement.pdf (ccpdt.org)
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Episode #25 - Winter Fun for Your Dog CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
- With colder weather here, things to do with your dog inside your home that benefits them
- Using things like “hand targets”, “chin rests” and “paw crosses”
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Episode #24 - Door Dashing
It’s a safety issue and one that frustrates many dog owners.
- What to do if your dog is prone to rushing out open doors
- She takes us through building proper behaviors through reinforcements
- She discusses house doors, car doors and other “doors”
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Episode #23 - Triggers and Thresholds
Heather takes up through recognizing when your dog is getting uncomfortable and what to do.
The fact that almost anything can be a trigger for a dog and what are the signs to look for
Learning how much your dog can handle
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Episode #22 Canine Accessories
Heather is telling us about her favorite canine accessories. From a variety of self-feeders, to snuffle mats, to harnesses for walking and treat pouches she covers many items she recommends.
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Episode #21 Lost Dogs of Wisconsin CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Lost Dogs of Wisconsin website
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Episode #20 Preparing your Dog to be Left Alone CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
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Episode #19 Basics of Dog Behavior CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
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Episode #18 Therapy/Emotional/Support Dogs CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Episode #17 Doggy Body Language CLICK HERE TO LISTEN.
Episode #16 Hiking with Your Dog CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Episode #15 Can Do Canines (& Prison Program) CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Episode #14 More Myth Busting CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Episode #13 Dog Training Myths CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Episode #12 Unleashing your dog reactivity CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Episode #11 Getting your dog to 'chill out' CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Episode #10 Your dog's personality CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Episode #9 Acupuncture for your dog CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Episode #8 Resource Guarding CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Episode #7 Why dogs do what they do CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Episode #6 Socializing your Puppy in a Pandemic CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Episode #5 Enriching your dog's life CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Episode #4 Families, babies and Dogs CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
EPISODE #3 - Come when Called CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
EPISODE #2 - Potty Training CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
EPISODE 1 - Let's Get to Know the area's Dog Expert
On the debut episode of this series, we are introduced to Heather from emBark. The podcast includes:
1) Her background and the start of emBark
2) The best part of working with dogs
3) The basic dog tips she gives
4) Things to consider when adding a dog to your family
5) The misconception of "Alpha" dogs
6) COVID-19 impacts on dogs.