

The Dogs of Our Lives
Chrissy Messick
The Dogs of Our Lives podcast is all about living, learning, and growing with dogs. Listen to real-life transformation stories between dogs and their human guardians.
Get inspired to take the next best step with your dog as we discuss successes, challenges, dog training, deeper connections, relationships, personal growth, and just a little bit of magic.
Join us for heartfelt conversations that celebrate the incredible bond between dogs and their human guardians.
Get inspired to take the next best step with your dog as we discuss successes, challenges, dog training, deeper connections, relationships, personal growth, and just a little bit of magic.
Join us for heartfelt conversations that celebrate the incredible bond between dogs and their human guardians.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 6, 2025 • 44min
#29 The Overwhelming Pressure to be a Successful Dog Guardian - with Marissa Martino
Do you feel the pressure to be a good dog guardian?
Sometimes society, culture and even our community put so much pressure on us as dog guardians that it often becomes an overwhelming experience.
In this week's episode of The Dogs Of Our Lives podcast, I chat with Marissa Martino, a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, human coach and founder of Paws and Reward https://pawsandreward.com/
We talk about the importance of regulating our own emotions so we can better adapt and cope with our dogs (sometimes) challenging behaviors.
We look at why animal shelters are struggling and what you can do to help (especially if you've ever thought about adopting a dog)
Marissa also shares her own vulnerable experiences of dog guardianship and how her dogs have taught her so much throughout her life.
This is a juicy episode, so sit back and relax with a cup of your favourite drink and enjoy the conversation!
https://www.theanimalnature.com/
https://www.instagram.com/thenatureofanimals/https://www.facebook.com/thenatureofanimals/
Don't forget to comment with your reviews, thoughts or what you'd love to hear more of on The Dogs of Our Lives podcast. We'll read out the reviews in the next episode too, so stay tuned!

Apr 29, 2025 • 59min
#28 The Major Benefits of Seeking Advice From a Veterinary Behaviorist - with Dr. Ariel Fagen
When is the right time to reach out to a veterinary behaviorist?
That's just one of the questions we talk about in today's episode of The Dogs of Our Lives podcast.
I chat with Dr Ariel Fagen, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist based in Boulder, Colorado, who has also recently started practicing in Hawaii.
We discuss the difference between a primary care vet and a veterinary behaviorist, when to seek advice and some of the tools she uses to assess and treat the dogs she sees.
If your dog is displaying signs of unwanted behaviors, it may be due to an underlying health issue.
Listen to this episode to learn more, you may find it very insightful as to why your dog is displaying unwanted behaviours.
You can get in touch with Dr Ariel Fagen via her website: www.vetbehaviorcenter.com
Don't forget to leave your reviews so we can shout them out in the next episode!
https://www.theanimalnature.com/
https://www.instagram.com/thenatureofanimals/https://www.facebook.com/thenatureofanimals/

Apr 22, 2025 • 35min
#27 The Life-Changing Process of Understanding Your Dog - Jamie & Winnie’s Story
Do you really understand your dog? The tougher question may also be, do you understand yourself?
If you've been wondering how to form a stronger bond with your dog but are unsure how, then my signature course may be exactly what you need!
Understanding You & Your Dog: Where Traditional Training Ends, True Connection Begins - YourPath to Thriving with Your Dog.
Join the Waitlist!
In this week's Dogs of Our Lives Digging Deeper Episode, I chat with one of my clients, Jamie Preira.
She talks about the transformation that has taken place between herself and her dog, through training, understanding behavior and the signs that her dog was trying to communicate to her.
Jamie says that the whole process has changed her life.
Not only has Jamie's relationship with her dog changed, but there have been positive and surprising ripple effects throughout her personal life that have benefited her and those around her.
I'd love to know your thoughts and if you relate to any part of the conversation today.
https://www.theanimalnature.com/
https://www.instagram.com/thenatureofanimals/https://www.facebook.com/thenatureofanimals/

Apr 15, 2025 • 31min
#26 Are You TRULY Enriching Your Dog's Life? - with Lindsey Fontana-Dreszer
Dogs are wonderful creatures that bring unlimited joy into our lives. We OWE it to them to provide them with a life full of enrichment and understanding.
Sign up for my last LIVE masterclass, Beyond Obedience: The Art of Trust & Partnership with Your Dog, it's completely FREE, and you'll get an exclusive bonus for showing up live on the 21st April.https://www.theanimalnature.com/masterclass-registration-page
In this week's episode, I chat with Lindsey Fontana-Dreszer, founder and owner of Dogby Box, a subscription-based service that provides enrichment activity boxes that aim to deepen the bond between you and your dog.
We discuss why understanding dog behavior and dog body language is important for prevention in dog training.
Lindsay shares her journey from advertising to dog training, influenced by her experiences with her own dogs, Hazel and Gracie.
Remember to always stay curious and proactive in dog care, which will help prevent behavioral issues and foster a stronger human-dog relationship.
Find out more or order your subscription box here: https://dogbybox.com/products/discovery-kit?selling_plan=689250435372&variant=50227676512556
Don't forget to leave us a review, and we'll give you a shout-out in the next episode!https://www.theanimalnature.com/
https://www.instagram.com/thenatureofanimals/https://www.facebook.com/thenatureofanimals/

Apr 8, 2025 • 9min
#25 4 Clear Signs When to Seek Veterinary Advice to Find Out If Your Dog Needs Medication - Digging Deeper Episode
Wondering if your dog needs medication to improve their behavior and well-being?
In this Digging Deeper episode of The Dogs of Our Lives podcast, I delve further into the topic of dog medication following on from my conversation with Dr Stacey Jones last week.
If you haven't yet listened to that episode, head over to episode 24 to listen in full. Our conversation was truly enlightening.https://www.theanimalnature.com/podcasts/the-dogs-of-our-lives/episodes/2149006598
I discuss 4 clear signs that will help you understand whether your dog needs medication and how to ask for help from veterinary professionals.
P.S. I am beyond excited to announce my first masterclass: Beyond Obedience—the Art of Trust & Partnership with Your Dog.
You can find all of the details here: https://www.theanimalnature.com/masterclass-registration-page
If you want to build a deeper connection and understanding of your dog, you definitely won't want to miss this masterclass! Plus, there's a free bonus to those who show up live!
If you're not sure whether you need this masterclass (personally, I think you should watch anyway), you can take my quiz to find out exactly how well you know your dog:https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/66ec7fcfbc1d7c432638a1a7
Keep in touch:https://www.theanimalnature.com/https://www.instagram.com/thenatureofanimals/https://www.facebook.com/thenatureofanimals/

Apr 2, 2025 • 1h 11min
#24 Busting Myths Surrounding Dog Medication - with Dr. Stacey Jones
In this week's episode, we'll bust some myths surrounding dog medication.
So if you've ever had any questions about dog medication and how it works, this episode of The Dogs of Our Lives podcast is for you.
I talk with Dr. Stacy Jones, a veterinarian at the Veterinary Behavior Center in Boulder, Colorado. Stacey emphasizes the use of medications as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, dispelling myths about their use and highlighting their role in reducing anxiety and improving quality of life.
We also discuss the misconceptions around veterinarians' financial motivations when prescribing medications: spoiler alert, that's another myth!
Not only do we dispel some myths around dog medication, but we also talk about the importance of the role of the family when treating dogs and their behavior.The animal guardians need to understand what is going on with their dogs, how to treat them, and how to care for them long-term.
It's such an interesting topic of discussion relating to dog behavior, so I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Don't forget, if you leave us a comment and a review, I'll read it out in the next episode!
How Well Do You Know Your Dog? Take the quiz to find out, the questions and answers might surprise you!https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/66ec7fcfbc1d7c432638a1a7
Learn more: https://www.theanimalnature.com/https://www.instagram.com/thenatureofanimals/https://www.facebook.com/thenatureofanimals/

Mar 25, 2025 • 11min
#23 Five Easy Ways to Better Understand Humane Education - Digging Deeper Episode
I discuss humane education in this week's Digging Deeper episode of The Dog of Our Lives podcast.
I really want to emphasise its role in developing critical thinking, empathy, and ethical decision-making.
I believe I developed empathy for animals while growing up on a farm and seeing first-hand the treatment of the animals around me at the time.
But what exactly is humane education?
I talk about five key points to better understand the idea of humane education, which include daily modeling of respectful animal interactions, addressing biases, experiential learning through farm sanctuaries, thoughtful observation of animals' natural behaviors, and building community support systems.
These practices foster a humane approach, reinforcing respect for all living beings and creating a cultural shift towards ethical treatment of animals.
If you'd like to learn more, I'd encourage you to listen to my interview with Emily Tronetti:
https://www.theanimalnature.com/podcasts/the-dogs-of-our-lives/episodes/2148999390
If you're enjoying The Dogs of Our Lives Podcast, I'd love you to leave us a review, and I'll give you a shout-out in one of our episodes!
Don't forget to take the "How Wll Do You Know Your Dog?" quiz, the questions and the results may surprise you!
https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/66ec7fcfbc1d7c432638a1a7
Stay up to date with The Nature of Animals via my website:https://www.theanimalnature.com/
Or on our socials:https://www.instagram.com/thenatureofanimals/https://www.facebook.com/thenatureofanimals/

Mar 18, 2025 • 44min
#22 Is Humane Education The Key to Unlocking Our Understanding of Our Dogs and The World Around Us?
Emily Tronetti, an educator and consultant specializing in humane education, discusses the vital role of empathy and critical thinking in human-animal relationships. She explains how humane education fosters compassionate coexistence, urging listeners to reflect on their daily interactions with dogs and other animals. Personal anecdotes reveal her journey and enduring friendships formed through animal welfare. Tronetti highlights the societal shifts necessary for promoting empathy and introduces her upcoming book chapter on humane education.

Mar 11, 2025 • 16min
#21 The Surprising Connection Between Gut Health and Dog Behavior - Digging Deeper Episode
Do you know about the gut-brain axis?
In this week's Digging Deeper episode of The Dogs of Our Lives podcast, I explore the gut-brain axis and its impact on dog behavior.
This topic is a follow-up to my conversation with canine nutritionist, Dr Alexia Mellor.In that episode (number 20) we discussed so much, but gut health came up a lot which is why I wanted to dig a little deeper into the connection between gut health and behavior.
I talk about five factors affecting gut health and behavior: pain, inflammation, malabsorption, microflora imbalance, and metabolic dysfunction.
As always, I am an advocate for a holistic approach where we need to consider diet, stress, and environmental factors.
Don't forget to leave us a review and comment for a chance to be featured in one of our episodes!
You can learn more and stay in touch here:
https://www.theanimalnature.com/
https://www.instagram.com/thenatureofanimals/
https://www.facebook.com/thenatureofanimals/

Mar 4, 2025 • 1h 10min
#20 The Gut Health and Behavior Connection-with Dr Alexia Mellor
Could your dog food actually be harming your dog's health and affecting their behavior?
In this week's episode of the Dogs of Our Lives podcast, I chat with Dr. Alexia Mellor a canine nutritionist, also known as the Mystic Dog Mama.
She emphasizes the importance of fresh food for dogs, noting that processed kibble may lead to gut imbalances and behavioral problems.
Alexia discusses the role of energetics in nutrition, the significance of gut health, and the benefits of bone broth.
She also highlights the integration of energy work and animal communication in holistic pet care, stressing the importance of trusting one's intuition and inner wisdom.
If your dog has been showing signs of challenging behavior, maybe it's time to look at their diet.
Find out more at https://mysticdogmama.com/
Don't forget to leave us a review and let us know what you thought of this episode.
Take the quiz! "How Well Do You Know Your Dog?"https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/66ec7fcfbc1d7c432638a1a7