Shy Dog Diaries

Love the Dog in Front of You (A Shy Dog Diary Entry)

🎥 This episode is also available in video format on Spotify if you want to see some of Nessie’s recent progress. What if the biggest breakthrough with your sensitive dog isn’t fixing them—but finally understanding them? In this episode of Shy Dog Diaries, I’m sharing a deeply personal reflection on what changed when I stopped trying to turn Nessie into the dog I imagined… and started loving the dog right in front of me. I walk through some recent wins—from a surprisingly smooth vet visit to a bath-time recovery using “touch,” to our very first treat-free walk during the day—and how these moments helped me see progress differently. Then we dive into something many of us quietly carry: the gap between the dog we expected and the dog we actually have. I talk about: * Why that expectation gap creates stress (and even grief) * What it really means to “lower expectations” in a healthy way * How to work with your dog’s nervous system instead of against it * Why progress with sensitive dogs often looks microscopic—but matters deeply This episode is about shifting perspective, finding peace in the process, and recognizing the quiet, meaningful ways our dogs grow—and trust us. Connect with Shy Dog Diaries Instagram: @shydogdiaries [https://instagram.com/shydogdiaries] Email: pod@shydogdiaries.com

Helping Fearful Dogs Build Confidence with Dr. Kelly Lee

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Kelly Lee, founder of Dogkind Training, to talk about what it truly means to support fearful, anxious, and traumatized dogs. Dr. Lee holds degrees in Zoology, Applied Behavior Analysis, and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, and she’s an honors graduate of the Academy for Dog Trainers (CTC). But what makes this conversation so powerful isn’t just her credentials — it’s her lived experience with her own deeply fearful dog, Pancake. We talk about: * What to do when your dog simply refuses to go on walks * Why “just push them through it” can backfire * The power of agency and safe spaces * How to know if you’re stretching your dog… or overwhelming them * Why participation isn’t enough (and what to watch for instead) * How enrichment games build real confidence * The role of medication — and why it shouldn’t be a last resort * How to recognize and celebrate tiny victories that are actually huge If you’re raising a sensitive dog who isn’t a “café dog” — if you’ve questioned yourself, felt overwhelmed, or wondered whether you’re doing it right — this episode will meet you exactly where you are. Because progress with fearful dogs isn’t flashy.  It’s slow. It’s subtle. And it’s worth celebrating. Connect with our guest, Dr Kelly Lee Website: https://www.dogkindtraining.com/ [https://www.dogkindtraining.com/] Instagram: @dogkind_training Facebook: Dogkind LLC YouTube: @Dogkind Connect with Shy Dog Diaries Instagram: @shydogdiaries [https://instagram.com/shydogdiaries] Email: pod@shydogdiaries.com

Understanding Anxiety in Dogs with Veterinary Behaviorist Dr. Karen Sueda

What if your dog isn’t “difficult” or “stubborn” — but anxious, overwhelmed, and trying their best? In this episode of Shy Dog Diaries, I sit down with board-certified veterinary behaviorist Dr. Karen Sueda to talk about what’s really going on behind fear-based behaviors in dogs — and how we can truly help them thrive. Dr. Sueda explains what a veterinary behaviorist does, how anxiety can show up as fear, reactivity, or shutdown, and techniques for helping fearful dogs improve. Together, we explore desensitization and counter-conditioning, trigger stacking, rest days, latent learning, and the often-misunderstood role of behavior medications. Using my dog Nessie as a real-life example, this conversation offers hope for guardians of fearful and anxious dogs — especially rescue dogs who missed early socialization windows. We talk about why guilt is common but misplaced, why medication is not a failure, and how helping an anxious dog can change both ends of the leash. If you’ve ever felt alone, judged, or overwhelmed while loving an anxious dog, this episode is for you. Connect with our guest, Dr Karen Sueda Website: https://ksvetbehavior.com [https://ksvetbehavior.com/] Connect with Shy Dog Diaries Instagram: @shydogdiaries [https://instagram.com/shydogdiaries] Email: pod@shydogdiaries.com

Training with Dog Genie: From Fearful to Flourishing

In this episode, I’m joined by certified dog trainer and behavior consultant Genie Tuttle of Dog Genie to talk about helping shy and anxious dogs build confidence. Together, we revisit Nessie’s early training days and explore how choice and agency play a powerful role in behavior work. We also talk about how nose work and scent-based enrichment can transform fear into curiosity, giving sensitive dogs a way to engage with the world on their own terms. This is a warm, hopeful conversation for anyone navigating life with a “big-feelings” dog — and for those looking for compassionate, practical ways to help their dogs feel safer and more confident. Connect with our guest, Genie Tuttle Website: https://doggenie.com [https://doggenie.com] Instagram: @doggenie Connect with Shy Dog Diaries Instagram: @shydogdiaries [https://instagram.com/shydogdiaries] Email: pod@shydogdiaries.com

Intro to Shy Dog Diaries

In this very first episode, I introduce you to Shy Dog Diaries — a podcast about living with, training, and celebrating dogs who see the world a little differently. You’ll hear the story of my rescue dog Nessie, how she inspired this project, and what you can expect from future episodes: * Real stories about anxious and sensitive dogs * Expert interviews and lived experiences * Training insights and positive reinforcement tips * Funny hacks and heartwarming moments This podcast is for anyone who has ever loved a dog with big feelings — and wondered how to support them while also celebrating the joy they bring.  Thank you for joining me on this journey. I can’t wait to share more with you! Connect with Shy Dog Diaries Instagram: @shydogdiaries [https://instagram.com/shydogdiaries] Email: pod@shydogdiaries.com