Enlightened By Dogs With Kathy Kawalec

Kathy has 3 mindset hacks that are going to help you become a better partner for your dog in this week’s episode! What does she mean by “mindset hacks?” Kathy has a few partnership principles that she uses within her lifestyle to fast track or “hack” her way to a brilliant partnership with her furry friends, and she wants to teach them to you! In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy dives into a deep discussion about creating more optimism, leaving room for growth (and actually moving toward growing), and a new way to measure success! It’s an extremely enlightening episode, so get ready to move your life into a better place!   The various factors that influence how we think, feel, and respond are very important to be aware of when dealing with others. Blossoming into that better version of yourself is well worth the effort! How to cultivate an optimistic outlook on everything in life! You have to become the person who can before you become the person who does. Success isn’t only about what you accompli

Every morning Kathy pauses to stand in awe and wonder of her life with dogs and that’s what she’ll be talking about on today’s episode of Enlightened By Dogs! Gratitude and Love are two topics you’ve definitely heard her address before, but what about Awe? What is it, how do we feel it, and why is it so important to enter into a state of awe every now and then? Prepare to be awestruck by the answers as Kathy pulls back the curtain and describes what awe means to her and how she has factored it into her daily routine! In This Episode Kathy describes a part of her morning ritual: “GLA” How does spending time in a state of awe help in your life with dogs? Being in awe opens a doorway to a life of infinite potential and possibility, but first you have to try it for yourself! Quotes “Every morning I pause to stand in awe and wonder of my life with dogs” “Experiencing awe causes us, or allows us, to expand ourselves” “Only brilliance is possible, no matter what the present experience seems to be” “How would being

You’ve heard Kathy talk about how much we role model for our dogs, but in today’s episode of Enlightened By Dogs, she and her special guest Cecile Ruelle are flipping that notion on its head and showing us how much our dogs role model for us as well! There is so much to learn at any given moment from our four legged friends, and it stands from being present and in the moment all the way to accepting and loving ourselves as we are, and so much more in between! Get ready for a conversation charged with appreciation, realization and pure love as these two ladies unfold the lessons they've learned from their favourite beings on earth!   Flipping the script: Can dogs help us be better versions of ourselves by being our role models? The simple things dogs do that come naturally to them, that we as people can struggle with from time to time. How dogs can pull us out of our busy head[sace and into the present moment in order to enjoy our lives more fully. Your dogs don’t always have to be actively doing something to

Did you know that you are, indeed, the intentional creator of your own life? Really though! You can choose to bring things into your life, you can choose to get rid of things, you can even choose the thoughts you think! But how do you navigate such an important role? How do you ensure that you’re creating the right things for you and the life you so desire? That’s what Kathy’s talking about on this week’s episode of Enlightened By Dogs! She’s going into massive detail about how your dreams actually create a perfect roadmap to the life you want, if only you learn how to read it! A map is only one part of the journey, because you’ll also need to chart your course if you plan to get there, and luckily: Kathy explains how to break down our dreams into quarterly, monthly, weekly and even daily goals to give us a true look inside what goes into living an amazingly fulfilling life! In This Episode What’s truly important to you? The big picture approach to our goals and dreams. What are you choosing to do (or not)?

Have you ever decided to change your mindset? Did it work? Or did you find yourself back to the way you always have been within a couple of days? If you’re lie a lot of us in the world, the second one sounds more like you. But why does it happen? Why does changing your mindset never actually work? It may come as a surprise to you that our behaviours, and our wish to change them come from different parts of our brain, and Kathy is using today’s episode to go into detail about why simply wanting to change your mindset sets these two parts of your mind against each other! Don’t worry, This week’s episode of Enlightened By Dogs isn’t meant to scare you, it’s actually here to help you sort your mind out and create healthy changes that will last you a lifetime!   Which part of the brain is responsible for a change in your mindset? Do you want to change your mindset or is it truly a habit that needs to change? How do we create the lasting, permanent change that we desire in our life? How the Creative Alchemy Passio

You want to live a happier life with you dog, don’t you? In today’s episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy shares 5 simple strategies to ensure you live a happier life with your dog starting today! This time of year is great for reflection and making big plans for the future, and what plan could possibly be better than planning to be happy with your furry friend? While it’s not complicated, being happy is a habit best formed with a friend, and our dogs can be a great reminder of just how simple happiness can truly be! So click play and find out how to live the happiest life possible, in the simplest way possible, and close our your year in pure joy!   December is a great time of year for reflection and planning ahead. It’s also a great time to learn 5 simple strategies to live a happier life with your dog! We all have 2 things in common: We wants dogs in our loves for brilliant reasons, and things don’t always go as planned for us. What are you currently giving your attention to? Are you open to new informati

What lies at the intersection of unconditional love, being fully present and filling your heart with gratitude in real life? It’s a bit of a heavy question, and it may be tough to imagine what the answer is, but that’s exactly what Kathy is talking about on today’s episode of Enlightened By Dogs! It seems as though it's a wonderful place to be, and getting there is a little more simple than you may think! Are you Intrigued? Please read a little more! It’s often said that having a relationship with a child can be similar to having a relationship with a dog, and the evidence is piling up in this episode! After reading studies related to children in sport, and the relationship they grow with their parents, Kathy stumbled upon a set of magic words that had resounding impact on the happiness of college athletes. Now, being her, she couldn’t leave it at that and decided to apply it to her life with her furry friends! Tune in to the episode and hear about how she did it, and what her results have been! In This Episo

Do you have a difficult dog in your life? The kind of furry friend that seems to march to the beat of their own drum, and you can’t hear it? That was the case with Anya and Zoe! Zoe had a habit of running off to find fun, and leaving Anya to wonder where she was for hours! At first, Anya wasn’t very pleased with this kind of behaviour from her friend, but after a few shifts in perspective, a little growth, and a plan, Anya and Zoe quickly became the Brilliant Partners that we fans of the podcast love and celebrate! Tune in to this week’s episode of Enlightened by Dogs as Kathy and Anya discuss the process of taking Zoe from difficult doggy to fantastic furry friend!   How Anya and Zoe began their blessed partnership together, and why it may not have felt like a blessing at first. Embarking on a journey to “fix” Zoe and her habit of running off. A shift in perspective and letting go of the need to control the process turned a negative situation into a positive one! What if “problems” are actually gifts? If yo

How would you like to hear some real life “in the wild” examples of using gratitude to bounce back after meltdowns and difficult situations? That’s what today’s episode of Enlightened by Dogs is all about! 7 different Brilliant Partners join forces with Kathy to bring you living examples of using gratitude to get back to grazing! Difficult situations happen, they’re pretty much inevitable, but we can sometimes drag them on longer than they need to be. The same can actually be said of our dogs! The more we know, and the more aware we are, the better chances we have of turning a difficult circumstance or meltdown into an opportunity to celebrate small wins! Tune in to this episode to hear amazing and inspiring stories to help you bolster your brilliant partnership with your dog!   How Autumn foliage helped one dog lover, and her furry companions calm down and enjoy their day after a walking dog startled them! Jet lag and a lack of sleep lead to an unpleasant walk, but a deep breath and a few small steps toward

What if it were easy to stay in the flow of love and connection with your dogs no matter what was going on around you or in your life? It would be nice, but often times it just isn’t the case! While we strive to be intentionally creating heart to heart connections with our dogs, sometimes it’s just not that simple. Things can get hectic and stressful, and pressure can climb and become uncomfortable. But what if putting an end to that feeling of struggle is easier than you think? What if the answer is extremely simple, and right under your (and your dog’s) very nose? That may very well be the case, and Kathy is here in this week’s episode of Enlightened By Dogs to share a super simple concept with you, that if you’re open minded and willing to try, could change your life and the lives of the people you love and hold dear! Sound good to you? Click play and learn more!   What acts are you doing that separate you from the things you want most in life? Why accepting things as they currently are, living in the mom

Do you or your dog ever get over aroused or excited and kind of lose your mind? I bet you do! Everyone experiences overarousal to some degree, and in today’s episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy breaks down how to calm down after being overwhelmed or over aroused! Regardless of who gets over aroused first, you or your dog, the protocol that Kathy shares will help you get back to being safe, calm and happy together in no time! You may not be aware that your dog looks to you for loving leadership, and follows your cues when situations come up, so if your dog is freaking out, it may be because secretly, you are too! Mastering your own reactions in times of distress can make a significant impact on how long it takes for you and your dog to come back down to earth after being overwhelmed, but that’s easier said than done. With Kathy’s Get Back to Grazing protocol, she gives you the tools to be a great leader to your dog by living and modeling the exact reactions you’d love to see! Not sure how to get the job done

Do you have a regular ritualized gratitude practice in your everyday ordinary life? Using intentional gratitude can not only change your dog's behavior, but can significantly advance your partnership lifestyle! If you get stuck in endless loops of negative feelings and emotions, or if you sometimes feel like you take things in your life for granted, this episode has the antidote! From spiritual laws that govern us as people to a small but significant activity that you can work into your daily life, Kathy shares her perspectives and practices in order to show you the practical side of such a powerful force!  Being grateful works in an almost magical way, and Kathy is here in this week’s episode of Enlightened By Dogs to help you conjure up a little gratitude magic of your own!    Why not having an intentional gratitude practice in your life feels like you’re missing out on magic! Are you feeling, showing and expressing your gratitude, or are you simply taking things for granted? Do you have a tendency to

What is an invitation as it relates to us and our dogs? What defines an invite? How does inviting your dog to engage with you differ from giving a trained cue, and why does it matter so much? These are just some of the questions that surface during Kathy’s weekend long Brilliant Partners Live Workshop. Since they were such good questions, and inspire deep thought, Kathy decided to share her thoughts and responses with you on this episode of Enlightened By Dogs! A Brilliant Partner’s goal is to live a lifestyle dripping with fun, respect, connection and love, so find out how to get the love lava flowing, and create true connectivity with your furry friend! Click play and learn all about the differences between a loving invitation, and a trained cue, and why one is definitely more effective than the other!   How does an invitation open the pathway to connection? What does a cue sound like? Why are we extending an invitation in the first place? What is love lava, and how do we get it flowing? What does an invit

Do you know what stands in the way of you forming a heart connection with your dog? Have you been trying to connect on a deeper level with your friend, but things seem to be getting in the way? It’s such a core piece of what makes a relationship and friendship so strong, and yet so many of us struggle, and sometimes aren’t even aware of it! Having a genuine heart to heart connection and bond with our dogs is what both sides truly want, and Kathy is here to share 3 things that may be stopping you from reaching your ultimate happy place with your dog! Are you falling into any of these traps? Tune in and find out if you are, and how to get back on track to creating an amazing partnership to be proud of!   What stands is the way of you having a heart to heart connection with your dog? Are you being present and in the moment? Are you worried about getting it wrong? Are you letting your dog give you breaks from the hamster wheel of life? Are you being sucked into the drama? The REAL reason we get dogs, a

Do you know about the dance invitation? Do you know how to invite your dogs to dance? How do you know if you’re doing it properly, and if you’re getting it right, why won’t your dogs join you?  In last week’s episode: Giving Our Dogs the Opportunity to Say No, Kathy introduced us to the concept of Connect, Observe, Decide, and how to create opportunities to give our dogs choices. Today, Kathy is furthering our education on the topic by sharing issues that can arise and common mistakes people make when first trying to invite their dogs to dance. She’s giving us the most common mishaps, and how to avoid falling into the same traps that other people do when trying to build a genuine connection and partnership with their dogs! Kathy's making sure that we don't repeat history by misusing the dance invitation, or expecting it to be something that it truly isn't meant to be. Not sure how to create that meaningful connection? Click play!   Mistake #1: Using the dance invitation as if it’s a recall and expecting comp

Do you give your dog the freedom to say no to you? In a world where having a well trained, obedient dog is touted like a medal of honor, it may seem weird to entertain the idea of giving our dog the option to say no to us. In this week’s episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy will be sharing why we might want to start, and the massive impact it can have on our relationship with our dogs! Would you give your dog the option to say no to trivial things if it means getting your way with more important things? If the answer is yes, then click play and tune in as Kathy breaks down the idea of relinquishing your need to have it your way, in order to create a strong partnership with your dog. What do partners do? They respect each other! Which means that when you need something from your dog, they’re far more likely to do it for a partner that they love and respect, instead of someone who just bullies them and pushes them around! Listen in as Kathy shares detailed examples from her day to day life, in order to demonst

How do you socialize your dog? Are you the type to force your friend to face their fears? What about bringing them into crowded dog parks to expose them to other dogs? Have you been wishing for a better way to socialize? One that actually works and doesn’t stress out your dog or break their trust? Today on Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy is busting through 3 socialization myths that leave you and your dog in worse shape than when you started! Tune in and learn why these socialization methods are so damaging, and how avoiding them at all costs will lead to a much stronger bond with your four legged family members! Worried you might be doing one of these things? Then it's time to click play, and find out! If you're not, then great! But if you are, now is your chance to stop what you're doing, learn a better way, and begin building a deep, trusting connection with your dog! In This Episode Why do we go about socializing our dogs in all. Myth #1: Exposure is not positive socialization. When do we need to take extra c

What is responsible role-modeling and what does that look like? Why does it matter? How does it positively impact your relationship with your dogs? These are questions you may not feel the need to ask, but as they say: we don’t know what we don’t know! In this episode, Kathy is giving you one of the most powerful tools to put in your toolbox to ensure that you’re loved and respected enough to be listened to by your furry friends! After all, Monkey see, Monkey do. A lot of what our dogs do mimics our behaviour perfectly, but without knowing we’re guilty of the same behaviors, we often try to correct our dogs without first correcting ourselves! Want to know how to spot which behaviours to correct? Want to know how your dogs look up to you for guidance? Tune in to this week’s episode of Enlightened By Dogs and put your best foot forward so that your dogs can do the same!   How do you keep a pack of Border Collies happy when they can’t go outside because of landscaping and construction? What does responsible rol

Being a Brilliant Partner to your dog takes a shift in perspective. In fact, it takes multiple shifts in your mindset to become the best partner you could possibly be! But what are these shifts? How do you identify them? What can you do to begin reframing your dog’s needs, wants and behaviours? In this week’s episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy is sharing the 10 perspective shifts you’ll want to experience in order to truly show up for your dog! What does that mean? Often times, how we think of something creates our feelings and reality, so by changing the way we think about things, and adjusting our mindset, we can create huge impact in our lives! You don't even NEED to do them all to begin seeing results! Even just taking one of these shifts, and using it on a daily basis will show massive improvements in how you think, and how your life changes as a result of that!   Recognizing the Brilliant Partnership Ambassadors! The cornerstones of a loving partnership. 10 mindset shifts that will massively impact

Imagine adopting 2 Great Pyrenees dogs and having them join your family. Everything is going well, and everyone is getting along. Then one day, you decide to take in a deaf dog, and give him a chance at a great life with your loved ones. It starts going down hill. The new dog is stressed out, frustrated, and you can’t communicate with him. Your other dogs are feeling out of sorts. The new dog starts to destroy the house, and fight with the other male dog in your house. You have to start boarding off rooms and keeping everyone separated. Sound a little like a nightmare? Well that was Bettina Nowicki’a life when she adopted Murphy!! Murphy is not a bad dog, but when he came into a new place, with strange new people and dogs, he didn’t adjust very well. Everything seemed hopeless until Bettina met Kathy and stumbled upon the winning formula! Murphy began to improve within days of making small “baby step” changes, and now Murphy is a full fledged and loved member of her family! The other dogs even lie with him an