Enlightened By Dogs With Kathy Kawalec

Behavior is communication. Since our dogs can’t tell us what they want or how they feel, they bark, growl, or pull away – especially when they feel unheard. And once a dog feels unheard, their behavior escalates from a whisper to a shout. Since we want them to hear our whispers, it’s important that we learn to hear their whispers too. On this episode of Enlightened by Dogs, Kathy delves into different dog personality traits and how they can open your eyes (and ears) to some of your dog’s innate behaviors. She also discusses “superpowers” based on each personality trait and how you can use that information to understand your dog better. In this episode: Why it’s important to look beneath the surface of your dog’s behavior Kathy explores five common dog personality traits How each dog personality trait links with a superpower Quotes: “It's important to remember that when your dogs pull away or growl, they're communicating that there's something going on under the surface.” “Though your dog's personality is ex

What’s causing the recent spike in reactivity among our dogs? It’s easy to blame it all on the recent lockdown. After all, dogs everywhere were cooped up indoors without the opportunity to socialize and take in the world around them. While that’s one way to look at it, it’s not quite accurate, and Marika Bertram joins Kathy on this episode of Enlightened by Dogs to explain why. She delves into the rise in reactivity, the common mistakes surrounding socialization, and how to turn things around. Marika was originally born in Australia and moved to Canada ten years ago. Her journey in the dog world began after rescuing a very reactive Rottweiler mix named Sierra. She soon found herself very overwhelmed by her behavior and attempted to seek help from various trainers, without much success. She became determined to learn how to help her by undertaking a number of professional dog training courses, which then led her from being a schoolteacher to helping others achieve harmony with their dogs. After years of traini

For all of us, the end game is to build trust between our dogs and us and eventually learn how to live a good life together. But before we get to that point, it’s important to accept where we are in that journey. Of course, no one likes to struggle, but once you accept where you are, it’s a lot easier to transcend to a place of cooperation and a trusting partnership. In this episode of the Enlightened by Dogs podcast, Kathy shares a segment of a Q&A session with two very related questions. She explains not only the importance of understanding your dog, but also explores how you can channel that into making mutually beneficial decisions. She also shares insights on how to expand your “green zone” to help your dog feel safe. In this episode: Why it’s important to understand your dog’s perspective and make them feel heard How to implement your ‘in the moment’ plan and ‘get ahead of it’ plan Kathy shares tips on how to change an orange zone situation to a green zone situation Quotes: “The difference between

Sometimes it’s comforting to know that you aren’t the only dog mom out there tackling a few bumps in the road on your partnership journey. But it’s also empowering to know that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and you can have that brilliant partnership you always hoped for. To offer some guidance, Kathy shares segments from a Q&A session with real dog moms facing very real challenges. She highlights the importance of being proactive and having a plan in place for uncomfortable situations. Additionally, she shares some tangible tips that can prevent your dog from getting triggered. In this episode: Kathy shares a segment where she answers questions from dog moms How proactiveness maintains the connection between you and your dog Why being attentive and responsive is vital when your dog is easily triggered Quotes: “It's up to us to create the routine so that our dogs are getting as close to 18 hours of sleep as they can.” “Planning ahead gives us the confidence to manage uncomfortable situations

How do you get your dog to feel safe and calm in your RV, apartment, or home? How do you get them to feel the same way while you’re out and about? The answer lies in focusing on your inner circle of influence and making it a safe space for your dog. In this episode of the Enlightened by Dogs Podcast, Kathy shares a segment from a recent Q&A session where she delves into how to create a safe inner circle of influence. She discusses ways you can move your dog from the orange to the green zone. She also explains how you can expand your circle of influence at a pace that’s comfortable for your dog. In this episode: Why we should focus on our inner circle of influence vs. what’s “out there” How experimentation helps create a safe space How to gradually expand our circle of influence Quotes: “The more that we focus on what’s out there, the more our dogs are going to focus on it too.” “You need to take the leading role in creating that circle of safety and trust, so you’re better set up to work within your cir

Did you know that your thoughts and expectations for your dog can shape who they become? If you believe that they’re too reactive or too difficult to live with, they eventually morph into that. A huge part of being a brilliant partner is accepting your dog for who they are. But that’s not to say they’ll remain reactive or difficult to live with. Acceptance, patience, and love eventually make your dog the partner you want them to be. In this episode of the Enlightened by Dogs Podcast, Kathy discusses how our subconscious reactions to the behaviors our dogs display can end up ‘setting them in their ways.’ She also highlights the importance of accepting our dogs for who they are while encouraging them to be the best versions of themselves. In this episode: How your attitude and mindset influence your dog’s behavior What it looks like to accept your dog without judgement Why it’s vital to remember that behavior is communication Quotes: “Our dogs already accept us as perfect just the way we are, without judgemen

Being a loving and conscious dog mom isn’t always easy. Yes, you love your dog so much and you want to be the best dog parent you can be. However, sometimes it’s hard to remain patient and mindful when your dog seems to be doing everything but what you asked them to do. When this happens, Kathy suggests trying your best to step back into the role of a mindful dog mom. It’s tough, but you can do it! In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy shares 13 mindful dog parenting partnership principles plus eight life-changing behavior tips to help you become a more mindful dog mom. Does that sound good? If so, grab your headphones, take notes, and get ready for some life-changing tips that will bring you even closer to your wonderful dog. In this episode: The 13 principles of mindful dog parenting Why you should actively try to become more mindful Why it’s important to speak to your dog in a respectful way The benefits of having a daily routine Why you shouldn’t compare your dog to other dogs The importance of h

We’re celebrating 200 episodes of the Enlightened By Dogs podcast with a very special announcement – so tune in to hear more about that! I can’t believe we’ve hit 200 episodes! Time really does fly when you’re having fun. I want to thank each and every one of you for tuning in each week because without you guys, I wouldn’t be here making this show that has brought so many of us together. As a special thank you, I’ve decided to take you behind the scenes of this very podcast and let you in on some interesting things that happen “behind the mic”. I hope to continue spreading the word about living in cooperative partnership with our dogs, and I want you to help me! Please remember to subscribe to Enlightened By Dogs, leave a review, and share it with your friends – let’s keep growing this amazing community! CLICK HERE to open EBD in Apple Podcast app to leave your review Once you post your review, enter the drawing at: dancinghearts.link/review Thank you! In this episode: Interesting stats about the podcast –

Are you ready to become the best version of yourself and the human that your dog needs you to be? Well, it all starts with inspired action. It’s one thing to seek guidance on how to become a wholesome person and a brilliant partner. But it’s another to actually take these insights and use them to build an amazing partnership. On this episode of the Enlightened by Dogs podcast, Kathy takes us through a piece from a Brilliant Partners Academy training class. She shares four questions that will reveal the values you hold dearest and explains how you can use them to create a daily affirmation that will get you closer to the person you aspire to be. In this episode: Why it’s not just important to listen but to take inspired action too Kathy shares four questions to help you discover the qualities you value most How to create an affirmation that reminds you how you want to live Quotes: “It takes inspired action every single day to live a brilliant life, and when we are more brilliant, our dogs automatically match

Does leading a balanced life, whether on a personal level or with your dog, often seem out of reach? Perhaps it’s time to look at balance from a whole new perspective. While finding balance, it’s important to look for it in the little moments and approach it more holistically. Balance is not a destination but a process that we all strive to achieve every single day. Joining this episode of the Enlightened By Dog’s podcast, Beth Williams, P.T., A.P.T., weighs in on the concept of balance. She explores the different layers of balance and also explains how trust, support, and mindfulness can lead to a more balanced life for you and your dog. Beth is a licensed physical therapist for both humans and animals. Inspired by her heart-dog Nitro’s successful recovery from hip surgery in 1999, she opened the K9 Wellness Center, an outpatient physical therapy clinic for dogs (and the occasional cat).   During her career as a physical therapist for humans, Beth was a geriatric clinical specialist for 20 years, pursued adv

What’s holding you back from living out your dreams of a perfect relationship with your dog? Most time, it boils down to misinformation and limited beliefs drawn from the outdated obedience training culture. There’s lots of advice out there for dog parents looking to navigate the tricky parts of their relationship with their dogs. But not all of them are right for you or your dog. Perhaps that’s why the life you’ve always dreamt of seems so unattainable. In this episode of the Enlightened by Dogs podcast, Kathy shares the five most common myths about living in cooperative harmony with dogs. She debunks these myths and highlights some of the great ways a partnership lifestyle could work instead. In this episode: Why you shouldn’t let misconceptions ruin a brilliant partnership with your dog Kathy shares 5 common myths that prevent a wholesome partnership How to start building the perfect life with your dog Quotes: “The longer you wait until everything is perfect, the less likely you'll ever be to start. And

Do you sometimes feel out of your depth as you try to understand your dog and form that meaningful connection with them? Well, you’re not alone. Many dog parents before you have struggled with confidence in the fact that they are doing right by their dogs. Naturally, once these feelings creep in, it becomes a bit harder to establish that incredible bond with their dogs. In this episode of the Enlightened by Dogs podcast, Kathy shares the testimonies of four different dog moms, who happen to be Brilliant Partners Academy students. They describe a range of different struggles and circumstances that mirror what most dog moms out there are braving through every day. It’s wonderful to see the transition from a place of little to no confidence up to the point where everything turned around for the better. In this episode: How BPA dog mom Sandra Chilton and rough collie Nigella transitioned from anxiety to a confident partnership What it took for Alicia Martin to rebuild trust with her dachshund, Joey Marika Bertra

Every dog is unique. But one of the common myths out there is that all dogs are more or less alike, and with the right obedience training, they’ll get their acts together, become more well-behaved and compliant. What this mindset does is set us up for a world of disappointment because it turns out that “real-life behavior” is nothing like what happens at the training class. So, we end up believing there’s something wrong with us, our dogs, or both. That’s why in this episode of Enlightened by Dogs, Kathy discusses the five different dog personality types — superpowers, quirks, and all. She goes on to explain how forcing our dogs into compliance could end up giving them a hard time, which in turn gives us a hard time. At the end of the day, the remedy is more clarity and lots of understanding. In this episode: Why a one-size-fits-all training approach causes a leak in trust and confidence The common dog personality quirks, sensitivities, and traits Kathy introduces her Love, Trust, Grow challenge Quotes: “To

Has anyone ever told you that exercise (and lots of it) is the best way to get your hyperactive dog to calm down? Even a quick Google search would land you on a page that recommends rigorous workouts and tons of activities whenever your dog seems over-energetic. While exercise is vital to your dog’s general wellbeing, it’s not the key to calming them down when they’re triggered or simply acting out. Fortunately, the solution is a lot simpler than you think — rest and understanding. In this episode of the Enlightened by Dogs podcast, Kathy is on a mission to debunk the myth that over-aroused dogs need more exercise. She shares a few reasons why dogs get over-aroused and how to handle them. She also breaks down the common dog personality types, their traits, and the physical activities best suited to them. In this episode: What it truly means when your dog is over-aroused What the arousal protocol is and how to apply it in your dog’s life Kathy shares some tips to help you consider your dog’s personality type

What does a partnership lifestyle with your dog mean to you? While it may vary from one dog parent to the other, it’s safe to say that there are a few underlying principles to look out for. Altogether, partnership with your dog involves more than a quid pro quo exchange on a daily basis. It’s a state of coexistence where both you and your dog are intimately interdependent through a two-way flow of benefits and mutual responsibilities. In this episode of the Enlightened by Dogs podcast, Kathy shares some details about what a life of partnership is and what it means to her. She explores principles like clarity, kindness, and boundaries and highlights the importance of self-reflection and mindfulness in the partnership lifestyle. In this episode: What makes your partnership with your dog masterful The importance of emotionally intelligent choices in partnerships How Kathy applies clearness, kindness, and boundaries in her personal life Quotes: “As loving dog parents, we understand that our dogs need unconditio

A new year is always the perfect time for new beginnings, resolutions and meaningful reflections. Which makes it a great time to revisit what it means to be a leader for our dogs, beyond the stereotypical “boss” or “master” figures. In this episode of the Enlightened by Dogs podcast, Kathy highlights the benefits of approaching leadership from a platform of love. She also explains why good listening and genuine curiosity are vital to fostering an environment where both you and your dog feel safe, calm, and happy. In this episode: Kathy shares the attributes of a loving leader Why good leadership is based on trust (not counter conditioning or desensitization) How good listening leads to mindful leadership Quotes: “Behavior is what you do, culture is how you learn to do it — so we're not born with culture and neither are our dogs.” “A loving leader knows that a kind, confident leader doesn't command but asks and seeks cooperation — this eventually creates trust.” “It’s proven that across species — including h

How you treat your dog and others is directly informed by who you are. So, the next important question is, are you simply “who you are” or “who you truly want to be?” The difference between the two lies in your genuine heart’s desires — what do you value? What qualities are actually important to you? The answer to these questions fuels your conscious intention to be the person you’ve always wanted to be. In this episode of the Enlightened by Dogs podcast, Kathy discusses how understanding what’s important to you feeds into your relationship with your dogs, and others. She also shares simple prompts and contemplation exercises to get you started on the journey to discovering if you’re authentically you. In this episode: How understanding your core values impacts your partnership with your dog How to be intentional about your desires Kathy shares simple contemplation exercises for discovering your heart’s desires Quotes: “Even with structured dos and don’ts, the effectiveness and results of what we do, and ho

Naturally, you want your dog to feel safe, calm, and happy as much as possible. But stressful situations are part of life as we know it. Often, these situations affect you long before your dog gets triggered and end up provoking a cascade of thoughts that could sever your connection with your dog. How do we control these thoughts and, in turn, ensure that our dogs don’t learn to be anxious or reactive in stressful situations? It all starts with a conscious decision to focus on the connection you share at that moment. In this episode, Kathy explores ways to guard your mind against bouts of unhealthy thoughts about others. She also explains the effect this has on your dog’s social skills and provides a six-step thought reframe protocol to tackle the issue at the root. This episode brings a three-part series to an end. If you missed the first two, check out EBD188 and EBD189 to learn all about being an advocate for your puppy when it counts the most and how to support your dog through traumatic experiences. In t

You want to protect your dog from traumatic situations just as you want to protect all your loved ones. But, as we all know, it’s not always possible to prevent bad things from happening. So, when an unfortunate incident does happen, how can you help your dog move past it? Building your dog’s social confidence back up after a traumatic event requires a lot of trust from both you and your dog. In this episode, Kathy explores the ways in which you can work together to bank trust, grow confidence, and prepare against or recover from the effects of stressful situations. This is the second episode of a three-part series, where Kathy shares how to build your dog’s social confidence. Part one was all about being an advocate for your puppy by creating affirming, confidence-building experiences. If you missed it, go ahead and listen to EBD 188 next. In this episode: How to be your dog’s trusted partner What to do when a traumatic event happens Kathy’s trust-enhancing strategy for trauma recovery Quotes: “Spend real

Did you know that your puppy or young dog is at the most impressionable stage of their life? They’re experiencing most things for the first time, which is thrilling! But it’s equally scary because unpleasant experiences can have a long-lasting impact on how they experience ordinary life events moving forward. So, we need to be intentionally mindful of our puppies and young dogs, until they’re confident and resilient enough to stand on their own paws. In this first episode of a three-part series, Kathy highlights the importance of building your dog’s social confidence. She uses a variety of scenarios to explain what it means and when it's necessary to be an advocate for your dog. The series takes a closer look at ways you can stay connected with your dog, especially in awkward and somewhat unpleasant social situations. In this episode: What being an advocate for your dog looks like How to address well-meaning yet unwanted opinions How to support your dog when you feel the pressure to be social Quotes: “We ne