Enlightened By Dogs With Kathy Kawalec

What are the underlying triggers of unwanted barking? You know, the real reasons that make your dog bark like their life depends on it. It’s natural for dogs to bark and we shouldn’t try to silence them completely. But, if your dog is excessively barking, it can become a real problem – not just for you, but for your neighbors too! Understanding what triggers your dog’s barking is vital if you want to resolve the issue. In this episode, Kathy reveals the four barking triggers and what you can do to help overcome them. Making your dog feel safe, calm, and happy is key for resolving unwanted behavior such as excessive barking. This episode will help you realize this and encourage you to take the first step towards building a brilliant partnership lifestyle for and with your dog. In this episode: Understanding that behavior is communication Why transactional dog training won’t solve your dog’s behavioral issues What a holistic approach to training looks like The four barking triggers and how to prepare for them

Humans talk. Birds sing. Dogs bark. Communication is natural and isn’t something we can or should try to stop… but inappropriate barking can be a real bugbear for dog moms! Unwanted barking is a complaint almost every dog owner can relate to. But what is actually going on when your best friend starts speaking at something strange? And what can we do to manage ourselves and our dogs in these situations? Dogs have different reasons and motivations for barking. In this episode Kathy will help you identify the root cause of your dog’s barking, guide you through the eight steps of her Bark Busting Protocol, and give you some examples from her experiences with her own dogs. And if you want to understand why our four-legged friends act in certain ways, how we can get closer to them so everyone thrives, and create a stronger bond with your dog, Kathy has an amazing offer on her Partnership Starter Kit 2.0. Get this exclusive offer here.  In this episode: A reminder that barking is normal and natural – but that doesn

Have you considered the effect your mental state has on your dog? Not many people think about how their thoughts and mental state can impact their partnership relationship with their dog. Even if you have thought about it briefly, it’s likely that you’ve just grazed the surface. If you’re ready to take the next step towards developing a brilliant and loving partnership lifestyle with your dog, this is the episode for you. Kathy reveals just how much your mental state can affect your dog, your partnership lifestyle, and even your training progress. The mind is a powerful tool and if you want to learn how to yield it in a way that helps establish a loving and trusting bond with your dog, buckle in! In this episode: How your mental state can affect your partnership lifestyle with your dog How you can learn to condition yourself to think more positively and with optimism Why our first impressions regarding our dog’s behavior is usually incorrect What it means to ‘step into your dog’s paws’ and see things through

Do you know who you truly want to be and how you want to feel in your lifestyle with your dog? As dog moms, we’re usually too busy focusing on the ‘doing’ part of being human that we often neglect the ‘being’ part of who we are as human BEINGS. Kathy shines some light on the hidden ‘being’ part of ourselves in this special episode of Enlightened By Dogs. She also shares some fun and simple exercises you can do at home to help you unlock who you truly want to be. So, are you ready to connect with your dog and share a loving partnership lifestyle with them? If so, grab a notebook and pen, and let’s dive in! In this episode: The connection between what we do and how we are being What it means to create heart connections with our dogs Why you should trust your heart more often Questions to ask yourself to help you discover who you want to be and how you want to live with your dog How to use the law of resonance to change your frequency What you can learn from your ‘dog people’ role models How to see things from

Do you want to build a stronger connection with your dog? Dogs and humans have lived side by side for centuries. However, “human” isn’t a dog’s first language. They’re much better at speaking “dog” and using body language to communicate with us. So, how can you learn to effectively communicate with your dog? On this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy talks about the language of partnership, which is the most effective way to build a deeper connection with your dog. She also reveals the single most powerful tool to live successfully (and drama-free) with your dogs. So, if you’re ready to dig deeper into communicating with your dog, this is the life-saver episode you’ve been waiting for! In this episode: Why effective communication with our dogs is so important Why miscommunication happens and how to resolve it How to meet your dog in the circle of understanding and cooperation The importance of paying attention to your dog’s feelings and understanding the intention behind their behavior Quotes: “Communica

Looking for some fun activities to keep your dog entertained at home? Being stuck inside with your dog can be a lot of fun. But sometimes it can be super difficult to keep your pooch entertained, especially if they’re a little hyper or just plain bored of being indoors all day! So, how can you help your dog burn off energy and have fun with them indoors? In this episode of the Enlightened By Dogs Podcast, Kathy continues on from episode 101 and shares one of her favorite partnership-friendly games that you can play with your dog in the house. Oh, and she also digs into some of her best tactics for building your partnership lifestyle with your dog and helps you to discover ways to find your balance in times of stress and uncertainty. In this episode: Understanding just how deeply attuned your dog is to your physical, mental, and emotional state How to become a “Zen Master” How to find your center in times of stress and anxiety, etc. Why hide and seek is such a great game to play with your dog How to teach you

Stuck inside? Dogs driving you a little crazy? Whether there’s a thunder storm outside or you’re self-isolating because of the coronavirus (COVID-19), being stuck at home all day with a restless (and bored) dog can brew trouble. We’re talking chewed up shoes, hysterical barking, constant whining for attention…. you get the picture. So, how can you keep your dogs (and yourself) entertained indoors? Find out on this week’s episode of the Enlightened By Dogs podcast, where Kathy shares a fun and simple partnership game you can play with your dog when you’re stuck inside and everyone’s going a bit stir crazy! In this episode: Hear about Kathy’s younger years when she lived in an apartment in Chicago with her dog, Max 5 steps to play the ‘Find It’ game with your dog indoors Why so many dogs love the 'Find It' game How games like this can build the bond between you and your dog and develop communication skills The benefits of playing mentally stimulating games with your dog Quotes: “It's fun, it's engaging, it en

Do you ever feel frustrated with how you tend to respond to your dog’s “bad behavior”? It can be difficult to conceal our frustration when our dog is reactive, distracted, stressed, anxious, worried or just… behaving badly. But we need to remember that this is how our dogs communicate with us. They express their feelings through their behavior, whether we like it or not. Thankfully, there is a way that you can turn your frustration into fascination and in this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy shows you how. Kathy unravels the mystery of dogs behaving badly and shares exactly why our dogs behave this way and what you can do to help your dog feel safe, calm and happy. If your dog’s behavior is making you feel frustrated and confused, the lessons shared in this episode will help you turn things around and transform your frustration into fascination! In this episode: How our dog’s express their feelings through their behavior Understand your dog’s feelings and building a deeper connection with your dog The

Are you feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed because of things like the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak? If so, you’re not alone. The coronavirus outbreak is uncharted territory for many of us and the sudden change to how we live our lives can cause you to feel stressed, worried, anxious, or overwhelmed. It’s totally normal to feel this way but as you might have guessed, if you’re feeling a little stressed lately, your dog is probably feeling a little stressed too. Our dogs mirror us in more ways than one. If they sense that you’re feeling stressed about something, they will mimic those feelings because that’s what dogs do. They trust you and your emotions. They assess situations as they happen based on how their leader assesses and reacts to certain situations. Of course, with a worldwide pandemic uprooting life as we know it for us all, containing feelings of stress and anxiety is becoming increasingly difficult. Kathy understands this on a personal level. A series of events in her personal lif

When your dog ‘misbehaves,’ what’s your first emotional response? Do you feel annoyed, frustrated, or angry? It’s okay to feel like this. Actually, it’s pretty normal to feel frustrated when things turn belly side up. But what you might not realize is that your emotional response and reaction could be making the entire situation much worse. In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy talks about how you can learn to take responsibility in difficult situations so that you can be more prepared when disaster strikes in the future. Kathy also shares a personal story about a time when she struggled to accept responsibility, followed by the empowerment she felt when she learned that taking responsibility doesn’t show weakness, it shows strength. In this episode: The problem with reacting out of frustration or anger when the un-predicted happens How to overcome our own bad habits and stop blaming others (or our dogs) when things go wrong Why you should stop putting your dog in uncomfortable situations Kathy share

Are you struggling with a reactive dog? If your dog gets over-excited, distracted, or anxious and won’t listen to you, the Brilliant Partners Academy can help you be the partner your dog needs! The Brilliant Partners Academy is a holistic, positive, heart-connected partnership training program that equips you with the tools, knowledge, and support you need to develop a deeper bond and a trusting relationship with your dog. In this special episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy interviews a few BPA members who share their stories including the highs and the lows with their dogs. Hear how far they’ve come since joining the Academy and discover the potential that every dog has to blossom and shine. You’ll hear about some common struggles we’ve all faced with our dogs and how these incredible dog moms were able to overcome those issues and master partnership skills so they (and their dogs) could start to enjoy a freeing and happy life together. We hope hearing these stories from some of our wonderful BPA members i

Are you finding it hard to feel safe, calm, and happy during difficult times? COVID-19 has caused a great deal of fear, uncertainty, and upheaval around the world. Many of us are in self-isolation and quarantine with our stress buckets filled to the brim. However, even though it seems like the entire world is upside down, it’s more important than ever that you and your dog are there for each other. Kathy touches on this difficult topic on this episode of Enlightened By Dogs and shares how you can be the partner that your dog needs, even in difficult times like this. A Brilliant Partnership works both ways – by focusing on building a safe, calm, and happy lifestyle with your dog (even when disaster strikes), you can depend on your dog to be there for you, just like you’re there for them too. In this episode: How difficult times impacts your relationship with your dog How to plant the seed of trust in your relationship with your dog How Kathy came up with the idea for Dancing Hearts A look at some of the Danci

Do you give your dog the freedom to give their consent? Allowing your dog to give consent is so powerful because it helps to build trust between you and your best friend. A shift in our intention can change everything for our dogs and, in this special episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy shares how the power of consent can help build trust between you and your dog. You’ll also get a peek inside a live coaching session between Kathy and members of the Brilliant Partners Academy (BPA). In this session, Kathy speaks to a member about her dog who is reactive at the vets. Hear what advice Kathy has to share with this fellow dog mom and listen to Kathy’s personal story of how she gives consent to one of her own dogs, Sue. In this episode: What it means to give your dog consent How to step into the role of a professional for your dog Why you should stop trying to fix your dog How giving your dog consent can help build trust How Kathy gives her dog Sue the freedom to give her consent and how you can do the same Qu

Are you being the calm leader and guide that your dog needs you to be? When things go south, our dogs look to us for guidance. Whether you realize it or not, you are role modeling for your dog. When you’re stressed and anxious, your dog is stressed and anxious too. When you’re calm and relaxed about a situation, your dog is much more likely to feel calm and relaxed too. But what happens when unexpected drama erupts, and your dog is triggered? Kathy has a protocol for that! In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy reveals the inner workings of her ‘Get Back to Grazing’ protocol that she teaches VIP members inside the Brilliant Partners Academy. The Get Back to Grazing Protocol teaches you how be a calm role model for your dog – even when the unexpected happens!   In This Episode: What the ‘Get Back to Grazing’ protocol is How your dog interprets your emotional and physical responses Breaking down the ‘Get Back to Grazing’ protocol into easy-to-follow steps The importance of protecting your mind from nega

Do you have a sensitive dog? A dog who is hypersensitive, nervous, or fearful around large crowds or when a fast car drives past? If you’re nodding yes, you’ll probably have a lot in common with Ulla Kjeldgaard and her Labrador, Bella. Bella had a hard time adjusting to busy city life. She didn’t have a back garden or yard to run about in, which meant going out into the city was unavoidable for potty breaks and daily walks. However, Bella was afraid of everything and everyone. It wasn’t until Ulla changed her own mindset and started to listen to her dog’s concerns that big changes began to happen. Today, Ulla and Bella are Brilliant Partners who tackle life together as a team. Listen to this episode of Enlightened By Dogs as Kathy and Ulla discuss some valuable lessons that come with having a hypersensitive dog in a really big city. In This Episode: How Ulla and Bella found each other Early struggles that Bella faced in the big city Why Bella was so fearful of city-life Why we have to stop trying to “fix” o

Do you have a reactive or anxious dog? If your dog is reactive to triggers like other dogs, it can be really frustrating for both you and your dog. Your dog may feel fearful, worried or anxious about a certain situation, while you’re trying your best to support and help them. Yet, nothing you try is working and it seems like their reactivity is getting worse instead of better. Kathy has seen this happen time and time again. But, there’s a reason why your reactive, hypersensitive, distracted, fearful, worried or anxious dog doesn’t trust you. In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy reveals why trust and confidence has leaked from your relationship with your dog. She also helps you to turn things around and rebuild the trust between you and your best friend, and it all starts by asking yourself three simple questions…   In This Episode: The problem with common approaches to reactive dogs Why you need to be a loving leader for your dog How dogs learn through the role modeling of those around them Three cl

How can you train an “untrainable” dog? Do such dogs even exist? When Kathy met Maya, a six-month old border collie with a sweet temperament, she had already been re-homed three times and Kathy was her fourth. Each owner said the same thing as the last. Maya was out of control. She was “untrainable.” Poor Maya had a rough time of it but thankfully, Kathy wasn’t about to give up on her. She took what her previous owners said with a grain of salt. After all, how bad could it be? What followed was months of foundation building, bonding, and training. Above all else, Kathy made sure that Maya’s needs were being met and that she felt safe, calm and happy with her new forever family. Kathy shares Maya’s story in this episode of Enlightened By Dogs in hopes that it’ll inspire you to never give up on your “untrainable” dog.   In this episode: Hear about Kathy’s border collie Maya, the “untrainable” dog What partnership principles Kathy used when training Maya Three questions you should ask yourself before making any

Some of our most important life lessons come from our hardest dogs. We all have high and low points with our dogs and Kathy is no exception. Like the rest of us, Kathy has had her fair share of challenges and struggles throughout the years. But, instead of looking at them as ‘mistakes,’ or ‘failures,’ – she views them as important life lessons. It was these very same lessons that led Kathy on the path towards enlightenment and she has her hardest dog, a border collie named Phoenix, to thank for it. In this deep and insightful episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy shares a heart-breaking story that many struggling dog moms will relate to. Hear how she overcame difficult challenges and learn how her hardest dog taught her the true meaning of living a joy-filled partnership lifestyle with dogs. It’s a candid episode that might just fill your eyes with tears…but your heart with hope.   In This Episode: Kathy talks about a time when she really struggled and almost gave up on her dreams The importance of resilienc

Do you have a transactional or a relational lifestyle with your dog…and which is better? Dogs are socially intelligent beings and show human-like social cognition in a variety of ways. You can (and should) use that intelligence to form cooperative partnerships as a lifestyle with your dog. We have more in common with our dogs than we think. The concept of using our dogs social intelligence to develop meaningful bonds with them is just one of the partnership principles that members of Kathy’s Brilliant Partners Academy live by. Kathy dives into the topic of transactional vs relational further on this episode of Enlightened By Dogs and reveals a few revelations that might surprise you. One such revelation uncovers the truth about why treats, toys, and games do not build a trusting partnership lifestyle. Yes, this episode might be a little controversial, but by the end of it, you’re going to have the knowledge, tools, and insight to build a happy and peaceful relational lifestyle with your loyal companion – and

Have you ever wondered what your dog is trying to tell you? Here’s a hint - since your dog can’t talk it out, they act it out. Dogs use body language like ear and eye position, body posture, facial expressions, and movement, to communicate with you. But, do you know how to listen to your dog? Just because dogs can’t speak our language, doesn’t mean that we can’t learn theirs. Kathy is somewhat of a ‘dog whisperer,’ and uses her dog’s behavior as cues of communication. But she doesn’t want to keep all of this knowledge to herself! In this episode of Enlightened By Dogs, Kathy reveals why it’s so important to understand your dog’s behavior if you want to build a trusting, harmonious, and deeply connected relationship with your dog. If you want to understand your dog’s behavior better, this eye-opening episode will help you decipher what your dog is trying to tell you so that you can become a great partner for and with your dog.   In this episode: Why so-called “bad behavior” is really a cry for help How to spo