Cog-Dog Radio
Sarah Stremming, The Cognitive Canine
Dog trainer, blogger, competitor.
Episodes
Mentioned books

17 snips
Apr 8, 2025 • 13min
Dog Sports Mythbusting
Delve into the surprising truths about dogs in sports, like how they don’t experience jet lag. Discover that gastrointestinal distress can be common during trial weekends and it’s normal for dogs to lose their appetite while traveling. Addressing myths about canine behavior ensures our competition partners are cared for properly, emphasizing their welfare and comfort in the high-pressure world of agility.

Mar 31, 2025 • 5min
Slow School Part Three: Fast and Slow Schools, Finding Balance
“But Sarah, my dog needs to go fast!” Yes, your dog probably does need to go fast. And striking the balance between fast and slow schools, and curating your program to the individual dog you are working with, is key.
Sign up for courses and join the membership here: sarahstremming.com
Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogdogradio
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay

Mar 24, 2025 • 5min
Slow School Part Two: Emotional Regulation
Explore the fascinating connections between gentle parenting and dog training. Discover how emotional regulation influences a dog's behavior and learn about the circumplex model that illustrates emotional dynamics. Hear a relatable example about driving emotions to better understand arousal shifts. Delve into the importance of teaching dogs to down-regulate through practical techniques and why common calm training methods may fall short. Finally, uncover how natural relief and co-regulation can enhance emotional well-being for both dogs and their guardians.

Mar 17, 2025 • 4min
Slow School Part One: What the F is Slow School?
Discover the innovative concept of Slow School, designed to help dogs and their guardians achieve better self-regulation. The podcast dives into the importance of somatic therapy and skill-building for dogs that struggle with decompression. Learn how these strategies not only benefit pets but also enhance the bond with their humans. This engaging discussion sets the stage for future insights into emotional regulation and healthy boundaries.

6 snips
Mar 12, 2025 • 8min
Patreon Minisode 4
Discover the art of fostering friendships between dogs, focusing on shared experiences beyond mere play. Learn how community connections with fellow dog owners can enhance social interactions. Delve into the complexities of dog behavior, particularly in parks, and explore the concept of protective aggression. Understand the importance of recognizing triggers and health factors while promoting positive reinforcement techniques for better behavior.

Mar 10, 2025 • 14min
Behavioral Diversity in Sports Dogs
Explore the importance of behavioral diversity for sport dogs and how it impacts their happiness. Discover ways to enhance their lives beyond just athleticism, focusing on enrichment activities that promote overall well-being. Reflect on the question: if you stopped competing tomorrow, would your dog's life still be fulfilling? This insightful discussion encourages a balanced approach to dog care, ensuring your furry companion thrives both in and out of the sport.

Mar 3, 2025 • 47min
Do 99% of Dogs Have Behavior Problems? With Dr (Jessica) Perry Hekman
A recent paper (The Prevalence of Behavior Problems in Dogs in the United States) claimed that over 99% of pet dogs have behavior problems. That number is staggering! But what does the data really say? In this crossover episode with the Functional Breeding Podcast Dr Perry Hekman and Sarah Stremming break down this spin on the data and what we might actually gleam from the numbers.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S155878782400090X?fbclid=IwY2xjawInPzlleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHcN5aqgAU3VxnSfQ9zu0eaChX-3Xgq8c-ziu6Zood32n19XHF09IINVAyA_aem_03njisr3yKUuPBrduLaE2A
www.functionalbreeding.org
https://vetapps.vet.upenn.edu/cbarq/
https://functionalbreeding.org/events/

Feb 24, 2025 • 18min
Dogs as Captive Animals Part Three: Radical Imagination
Congratulations, you’ve taken the red pill. Now adjust your mind, then your behavior, and finally society to better serve the animals in our care, including ourselves. If you listened, let us know: what are your “red pill moments”?
Sign up for courses and join the membership here: sarahstremming.com
Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogdogradio
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay

Feb 18, 2025 • 9min
Dogs as Captive Animals Part Two: Does Animal Welfare Science Have it Right?
The field of animal welfare science is expanding into and affecting the industry of pet dog behavior, and that is a good thing. But this science is not enough, and it is important to appraise what it can and can’t do before we as behavior professionals or guardians of captive dogs hang up our hat and claim we’ve done our best. Explore modern egg farming as a metaphor for keeping dogs and lean into this continued conversation
Sign up for courses and join the membership here: sarahstremming.com
Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogdogradio
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay

19 snips
Feb 11, 2025 • 12min
Dogs as Captive Animals Part One: Dog More, Type Less
Explore how to enrich our dogs' lives by allowing them to embrace breed-specific behaviors. Delve into intriguing questions like whether a border collie's fixation on cats actually enhances its happiness. Discover the needs of terriers in terms of instinctual activities and whether guardian breeds are better off being vocal or quiet. This insightful discussion sheds light on the unique ways we can cater to our canine companions' natural instincts for a more fulfilling life.


