The Co-Regulated K-9s Podcast

Ep 25: [Part 2] "We Don’t Know How to Show Up for Grief", with Kelsey Carrol

Grief isn’t just about losing someone you love. It can come from the end of a relationship, a major life transition, or losing parts of yourself you thought would always be there. In this episode, I sit down with licensed therapist Kelsey Carroll to have an honest, nuanced conversation about grief—what it really looks like, why it can feel so isolating, and how to move through it without rushing the process. We talk about the pressure to “move on,” the ways grief shows up unexpectedly, and how to better support ourselves and others through loss. If you’ve ever felt like your world shifted with grief and no one quite understood how to meet you in it—this conversation is for you. In this episode, we cover: * Why grief isn’t just about death * Losing identity, relationships, and versions of yourself * The pressure to “move on” and why it can be harmful * Why grief feels so isolating * What it actually means to process grief * How to support someone who is grieving * Letting go without losing yourself About Kelsey: Kelsey Carroll is a licensed therapist who works with individuals navigating grief, life transitions, relational challenges, anxiety, and more. Her approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in honest conversations that lead to meaningful, practical change. boldpsych.com [https://www.boldpsych.com/]   Ashley's Resources: Get Ashley's Free Guide: How to Stay Calm When Your Dog is Losing It [https://www.coregulatedk9s.com/how-to-stay-calm] Apply to Work with Ashley 1:1: https://calendly.com/ashleycipolletti/discovery-call [https://calendly.com/ashleycipolletti/discovery-call] Learn More About Co-Regulated K-9s: https://www.coregulatedk9s.com [https://www.coregulatedk9s.com] Follow Ashley on Insta! @co_regulatedk9s     Keywords:   * grief podcast * Pet loss * how to process grief * grief and loss * grief after breakup * identity loss * emotional healing * therapist advice grief * coping with grief * life transitions mental health * feeling lost in life

Ep.24: [Grief Part 1] Losing Sadie

**Trigger warning of grief, death, and euthanasia** In today's episode I share my experience with grieving the loss of my dog Sadie. This authentic and vulnerable episode walks you through my decision-making process of when I knew it was time to make the end of life call for her, and how it actually felt....no filters, no script. I've realized through sharing my own experience grieving her, that so many of us out there are going through a similar challenge too, and how little authentic resources there are out there. My hope is that by sharing my experience, it helps you understand what to expect and eases some anxiety if you find yourself in a similar position. I also recognize that no one else's experience will look or feel exactly like mine and that is okay and to be expected. As you walk through grief with your own dog, you'll find your own path that works for you. Much love, xoxo Ashley

Ep. 23 Are We Making Our Dogs Anxious? High Drive Breeds, Shelter Dogs & the World We've Built with Bianca Barlow

Have you ever wondered if your dog's anxiety and your anxiety are actually feeding each other? In this episode, Ashley sits down with Bianca Barlow - certified dog trainer, life coach, and yoga practitioner - to explore the nervous system connection between dogs and the humans who love them.  Bianca brings a uniquely holistic perspective to dog behavior; one that looks at the whole picture, including the human on the other end of the leash. In this episode, Ashley and Bianca explore how the nervous system connection between dogs and their owners is more powerful than most people realize, and why addressing dog anxiety without addressing owner anxiety is often only half the answer. In this episode, you'll hear about: - Whether your dog's anxiety is causing YOUR anxiety (or vice versa) - How modern life makes it structurally difficult to meet the needs of our dogs and ourselves - Why high drive breeds are especially set up to struggle in today's world, and what their needs actually look like - The unique challenges facing shelter dogs dropped into trigger-dense environments with no decompression period -Lessons learned from observing dogs around the world Whether you have a reactive dog, an anxious dog, a high-drive dog, or you're just exhausted from trying to do right by your dog while also holding your own life together - this episode is for you. About Bianca Barlow: Bianca Barlow is a certified dog trainer, life coach, and yoga practitioner whose work sits at the intersection of canine behavior and human wellness. She brings a nervous-system-informed, whole-household approach to working with dogs and their people. Connect with Bianca: dogfulnesscoaching.com [https://www.dogfulnesscoaching.com/] @dogfulness_ [https://www.instagram.com/dogfulness_/] Connect with Ashley: coregulatedk9s.com [https://www.coregulatedk9s.com] @co_regulatedk9s [https://www.instagram.com/co_regulatedk9s/]   Key words: dog anxiety, anxious dog, reactive dog, dog reactivity, co-regulation, canine nervous system, high drive dog breeds, shelter dog, rescue dog anxiety, trigger stacking, dog trainer podcast, dog behavior podcast, nervous system dog training, modern life dogs, dog stress, dog owner anxiety, canine enrichment, dog wellness, force-free dog training, positive reinforcement.

Ep. 22: Nervous System Regulation and the Parallels Between Raising Dogs and Babies with Sarah Stoddard

In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Stoddard, a certified breathwork practitioner, new mom, dog mom, and somatic EMDR-informed practitioner, to talk all things nervous system regulation and co-regulation. We explore the striking parallels between parenting dogs and children, and how understanding your own nervous system is the first step toward helping your loved ones feel safe, calm, and supported. Sarah shares practical tips for dog parents and caregivers on how to resource yourself in stressful moments so you can be fully present for your dog or child. We dive into strategies for helping your dog or baby navigate big emotions, teaching self-soothing skills, and strengthening connection through mindful co-regulation. Whether you’re a dog parent, trainer, or someone interested in nervous system health, this conversation is full of actionable insights and real-life examples to help you stay grounded, build trust, and foster emotional resilience in both dogs and humans.   Key Topics Covered: * The science of nervous system regulation and co-regulation * Parallels between dog parenting and parenting children * How to resource yourself before supporting others * Tips for helping dogs and babies through difficult moments * Breathwork and somatic tools for emotional regulation Resources & Links Mentioned: * Connect with Sarah Stoddard at The Nurture Latte: http://www.nurturelatte.com [http://www.nurturelatte.com]; Instagram: @thenurturelatte * Connect with Ashley Cipolletti at Co-regulated K-9s: http://www.coregulatedk9s.com; [http://www.coregulatedk9s.com] Instagram: @co_regulatedk9s If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

Ep 21: Reactivity Training Tips | Navigating Your Dog's Triggers

In today's episode, you'll get a seat at the table for a reactivity masterclass with yours truly. We'll go over: what factors contribute to leash reactivity, why your dog's reactions aren't random, the systems I teach my clients, and the mindset shifts that will keep you sane when living with a leash-reactive dog. I'm sharing how I view every dog I work with as a mini science experiment, testing and tracking what works best in different scenarios to support them, what to do when you're trigger stacked and sh*t out of luck, and why supporting your dog's nervous system isn't about doing more...it's about doing things differently. Whether you're a trainer or a reactive dog parent, this episode will inspire you to get curious and build a relationship with your dog that fits the life you truly want. Here's what you'll hear inside this episode: - What even is leash reactivity - What are triggers - What factors contribute to leash reactivity - Why focusing more on arousal modulation than obedience is key - How triggers can vary in intensity - Navigating trigger stacking - Strategies to help you reframe your dog's behavior for what it really is - My favorite tips to improve your walks with your reactive pup   If this episode lands with you, send me a DM on IG @co_regulatedk9s [https://www.instagram.com/co_regulatedk9s/]   Work with Ashley 1:1 [https://calendly.com/ashleycipolletti/discovery-call] How to Stay Calm When Your Dog is Losing It Free Guide [https://www.coregulatedk9s.com/how-to-stay-calm] My Website [https://www.coregulatedk9s.com]