What does it really take to save lives in a shelter where the need never stops?

For leaders like Courtney Cross (Huntington Cabell Wayne Animal Shelter) and Ruby Fooks (Butler County Animal Shelter), it means getting scrappy — not just in strategy, but in spirit. Across the country, life-saving work is happening in shelters not powered by excess resources, but by relentless grit, creativity, and the strength of community.

In this episode, we’re joined by Cara Achterberg — author, advocate, and founder of the nonprofit Who Will Let the Dogs Out (Episode 75) — along with two remarkable shelter directors who are redefining what animal sheltering can look like when it’s rooted in community and driven by purpose.

Cara’s newest book, Who Will Let the Dogs Out, shines a light on shelters making extraordinary impact, often with limited means. She shares three core pillars of life-saving work: strong leadership, community engagement, and spay/neuter programs — all of which Ruby and Courtney embody.

You’ll hear how Ruby scrapped plans for a new shelter building to open a spay/neuter clinic instead — because that’s what her community truly needed. And how Courtney created space for community at a new shelter property while reducing a 50% euthanasia rate to just 3%.

Leaders like Courtney and Ruby aren’t just running shelters — they’re building trust, rewriting systems, and saving lives.

Find links and show notes at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode121

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Whether you’re looking for something fun to do with your dog or if you need help with a behavior issue, Control Unleashed might be exactly the training class you’re looking for.

Today, I’m joined by Angie Haines Madden of DogSpeak Training — the trainer my dogs & I have been working with through online Control Unleashed classes over the past several months.

A former zookeeper, Angie shares what drew her to the Control Unleashed methodology (developed by Leslie McDevitt) and how it shapes her approach to dog training.

I'll be honest — I was skeptical about taking an online training class at first. But it didn’t take long to see why Angie’s style of teaching works so well. Together, we talk about the power of learning from others, why recording your training sessions is so important (hint: it’s all about body language!), and how transformative these skills can be.

While my original goal was simply to find something fun to do with Nessie, I quickly discovered that Control Unleashed offers so much more than just games. Angie and I discuss how adaptable the Pattern Games are for a variety of real-world situations, and I share some of the ways we’ve incorporated them into our daily lives.

You'll also get to hear an impromptu coaching session, as Angie helps me work through a challenge Nessie and I are still facing — and why teaching your dog to relax is more important than you may realize.

Find Links & Show Notes at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode120

Get your free checklist: Join Erin the Dog Mom's email list to receive the 12 Changes in Your Dog to Never Ignore checklist.

Teef: The easiest way to improve your dog’s dental health is with a spoonful of Teef powder in their water. Save 20% on your Teef orders when you use the code: ADM.

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How are you enriching your dog’s life today? This Canine Enrichment Round-Up episode features segments with three amazing guests who are leading the way in canine enrichment. Each guest shares ideas to help you bring more joy to your dog’s life and celebrate their dog-ness.

First, we’ll hear from Michelle Baker of Fur Kids, Inc. in Tampa, FL. Michelle shares her inspiration for modernizing the world of doggy daycare. We’ll learn about a typical day at Fur Kids, the training and education their staff receives, and how they honor the needs of each dog in their care.

Next, we welcome back Tori Mistick of Wear Wag Repeat. As a Certified Canine Enrichment Technician, Tori reveals the enrichment you’re probably already doing without even realizing it!

Tori’s philosophy is that enrichment should be fun, easy & affordable. She shares games, tricks, and activities to easily incorporate into your routine, making your dog’s life more exciting. Be sure to check out Tori’s Canine Activity Pack for even more inspiration.

Last, but certainly not least, we meet Michelle Morrow of Paws with Me K9 in Concord, NH. Michelle tells us about the dog who inspired her to become a trainer and enrichment specialist.

Michelle’s enrichment classes, designed with shy, anxious, and reactive dogs in mind, are packed with fun activities like obstacle courses and sniffaris that challenge your dog’s mind and body while boosting their confidence.

Find link, photos and show notes at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode119

Get your free checklist: Join Erin the Dog Mom's email list to receive the 12 Changes in Your Dog to Never Ignore checklist.

Teef: The easiest way to improve your dog’s dental health is with a spoonful of Teef powder in their water. Save 20% on your Teef orders when you use the code: ADM.

Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.