Episode 12: Vibes Don't Lie, Check yourself!

A listener asked a great question about our “Zuko” episode: why did that dog like Cory but come after Melaney? Short answer: dogs read us—our body language, heart rate, even our scent—better than we read ourselves. In this conversation we unpack how your mental and physical state can flip a session from smooth to sketchy, why thresholds and territory matter, and how tiny life changes (a vet visit smell, moving a favorite chair, a new neighbor’s dogs) can ripple into “sudden” behavior shifts.

We also share practical tools: build a predictable routine, make a simple plan before you train, visualize success (shoutout Sheri Wolf Lucas), advocate for your dog with confident “no, you may not pet,” and know when to tap out for safety. Plus: cryptid tees, The Cranberries, and a post-college-drop-off birding field trip to get our heads right—because your vibe becomes your dog’s vibe.