

Fenzi Dog Sports Podcast
Melissa Breau
Published every Friday, the Fenzi Dog Sports Podcast is brought to you by the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy. Each episode of the Fenzi Dog Sports Podcast will feature an interview with a leading name in the competitive dog sports training world, talking in depth about issues that often get overlooked by traditional training methods.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 24, 2023 • 37min
E334: Irith Bloom - What is Arousal?
In this episode Irith and I dive deep into what arousal is, what it means, and what we can do about it. Irith breaks down both the science and the practical, applicable skills we can apply.

Nov 17, 2023 • 24min
E333: Julie Symons - Lost Item Recovery
Come learn all about this new nosework game! Julie and I chat about what's involved, how to get started, and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the new sport!

Nov 10, 2023 • 16min
E332: Laurie Huston - Teaching Commitment in Agility
What can commitment do for your agility team? Laurie and I chat about what it means and the difference it can make when playing the game!

Nov 3, 2023 • 1h 11min
E331: Megan Foster, Julie Daniels, Amy Cook, and Erin Lynes on Adolescent Dogs
Guests Megan Foster, Julie Daniels, Amy Cook, and Erin Lynes discuss the changes that occur during adolescence in dogs and how to navigate through this phase. Topics include emotional preparation, teaching potty routines, addressing separation issues, training vs natural behavior, flexibility in routines, and the need for open conversations about dog adolescence.

Sep 22, 2023 • 29min
E330: Shade Whitesel - "From Toy Skills to a Formal Retrieve"
Shade Whitesel joins me to talk about how fluent toy play skills allow for more two-way communication during training, and how toy skills can be used to build a faster, better formal retrieve.

4 snips
Sep 15, 2023 • 53min
E329: Amy Cook, PhD - "Thresholds and Decision Making with a Reactive Dog"
What is a threshold? Does it matter? Join Amy and I for a fascinating discussion on how what we know can impact or enable our choices when we're out with our dogs.

Sep 10, 2023 • 23min
E328: Megan Foster - "Building & Maintaining Your Agility Startline Stay"
What do position changes have to do with maintaining a startline stay? Join Megan and I as we chat about teaching and maintaining your startline... even once you begin competing!

Sep 3, 2023 • 22min
E327: Jennifer Henion - "R+ Training for Retriever Hunt Tests"
Jennifer Henion joins me on the podcast today for a conversation about hunt tests — what they are, how she wound up focused on them, and managing the culture that comes with them.

Aug 25, 2023 • 36min
E326: Hélène Lawler - Start Buttons, Stop Buttons, and Arousal, Oh My!
Hélène Lawler, dog sport behavior training expert, joins host Melissa to discuss the power of start buttons, stop buttons, and arousal checks in dog training. They explore the concept of start buttons, consent protocols, and the benefits of giving dogs control. They also mention a webinar and workshop on these topics for a more in-depth understanding. Overall, the discussion focuses on improving communication and trust while reducing arousal levels in high-stress dogs.

Aug 12, 2023 • 37min
E325: Deb Jones, PhD - "Canine Cooperative Care"
Have a problem when you want to do your dog's nails? Or maybe for you it's some other aspect of grooming or vet care! In this episode Deb and I talk about cooperative care training — what it is and why it matters.