Shows
Sometimes There's Side EyeSTSE# 69: We Are ThankfulThis week we are talking about what we are thankful for in regard to all things dogs. Of course, you our listeners make the shortlist, as well as our dogs and all the comfort and joy they bring. Tune in to hear our complete list as well as a few dad jokes (which we are also thankful for).Follow us on https://www.instagram.com/sometimestheressideeye/
2025-11-2028 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE #68: Gentle "Parenting" Only for Gentle Dogs?Is gentle parenting only for gentle dogs? This week we explore if gentler methods can be effective with more unruly or difficult dogs. Or are kinder/force free methods only for easy or sensitive dogs? We explore our own experiences and take an honest look at how we interact and train with dogs who have different personalities. Follow us on https://www.instagram.com/sometimestheressideeye/
2025-11-0628 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE# 67: Useful Tricks/CuesThis week we are talking through training some of our favorite tricks and cues. Some of those include naming rooms in the house, go around, pick it up, take it with you, sit pretty, relax, etc. We also talk through teaching things formally vs. informally. So listen along for some fun inspiration and ideas. Follow us on https://www.instagram.com/sometimestheressideeye/
2025-10-2331 minSometimes There's Side Eye[REPLAY] STSE #7: The Shame GameCurrently ranked as our 2nd most popular episode! Let's remind ourselves to be kind to both ends of the leash.Are you playing the shame game, like the rest of us? Where does shame come from and how do we combat it? Explore the subject of the shame game, and the equally fun shame spiral, that so many of us find ourselves in when the life we planned with our dogs, goes awry. Dive into the reasons we so often experience shame and why no one should feel alone as we experience difficulties in training, behavior, and som...
2025-10-0933 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE #66: Is Confidence Contagious?This week we are talking about adding a confident dog to your home to help your shy dog. This can be immeasurably helpful for some dogs, while for others it makes almost no difference at all. We'll discuss what things to consider when adding another dog. We'll also talk about how to stack the deck in your favor for the best possible results. Follow us on https://www.instagram.com/sometimestheressideeye/
2025-09-2518 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE# 65: Grief Support with Kate Rapkoch of Paws + Breathe**Tissue alert....we discuss grief and loss in this episode***This week we are talking to Kate Rapkoch, who runs Paws and Breathe. Kate is not only a talented and trauma informed yoga instructor, but she is also a certified end of life pet doula. We have an open and sometimes emotional talk about pet loss as well as healing after a loss. Kate is kind enough to share her experience of loosing her own soul pup Champ, and how she stays connected to him and his memory now. Kate also shares a plethora...
2025-09-1154 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE #64: Comparison is the Thief of JoyThis week we are addressing the comparison game that so many of us are playing. We have a real and raw conversation on how comparison has been the thief of joyful moments with our dogs. We both find that we don’t compare our dogs' abilities to other dogs but instead compare our individual shortcomings to other more successful or experienced handlers. Realistically we should be proud of both our small and big accomplishments we experience with our dogs. So instead of finding ways to compare ourselves to others, we are committing to finding the joy in a variety of mo...
2025-08-2829 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE# 63: Behavioral EuthanasiaIn this episode we are taking on the difficult subject of behavioral euthanasia. Both Heather and Kristi share their personal experiences with behavioral euthanasia. For Heather a suspected brain tumor created huge changes in Cash's behavior and personality. For Kristi it was Ginny's increased anxiety that put Ginny and other dogs in the home at risk. However, other people have to make the hard decision for a beloved family dog who is perfect 99% of the time, but the other 1% might be a danger to the public or even the family. Although each journey is unique, everyone who is in this...
2025-08-1430 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE# 62 : The Hormone RollercoasterThis week we are talking about how hormones can drastically change behaviors in dogs. Trin's most recent heat cycle ended up leading to some aggressive behaviors, which was a bit triggering for Heather. However, as we have preached in the past, behavior doesn't change on a dime, and typically there is a medical issue. In this case the medical issue was hormones. Hormones can affect individual dogs very differently and in a wide variety of ways. Heather consulted with her vet and breeder and came to the decision to spay Trin. Trin is already showing signs of going back to her n...
2025-07-3131 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE# 61: Separation Anxiety w/ Caitlin WolfeThis week we are talking about separation anxiety with Caitlin Wolfe. After adopting a dog who suffered from separation anxiety Caitlin wanted to be able to help other dog owners experiencing the same thing. While Caitlin works with a variety of behavior issues, she is specifically CSAT certified for separation anxiety. Each dog is an individual and it's important that the training can be customized for each dog. Some dogs are okay as long as someone is home, other dogs need their owner present. This is why individual training plans are not only important but necessary. We are talking about some...
2025-07-181h 19Sometimes There's Side EyeSTSE #60: Adolescent AngstThe teen/adolescent years - regardless of the species they can be tumultuous. So how much stock should we put into teenageadolecent dog behavior? The adolescent years for dog can be messy. Often owners see a side of their dog they haven't seen before, or behaviors intensify during this time. We talk through some of the behaviors that we have experienced with our own dogs and how we addressed them. Training is always going to be a win for both the people and dogs involved. Adolescent dogs are growing, changing and becoming their adult self, so it is important to ke...
2025-06-2633 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE #59: Dog RelationshipsThis week we are talking about dog relationships and how they differ between individual dogs. We talk through a recent play group at Heather's house that included 6 dogs of varying sizes and personalities. There were several different play styles among the group and different interest levels between the individual dogs. We discuss how dynamics can change when adding or subtracting individual dogs. Of course we couldn't help but reminisce about the incredibly special relationship Lucy and Thiago shared for several years and how that differed that relationship was from others they had. Dog friendships, much like human friendships, look very...
2025-06-1231 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE #58: Service Dog Training w/ Sunny Bravo, Part 2In this episode we are continuing our conversation with dog trainer Sunny Bravo about service dogs. In our continued conversation we talk about what to look for when selecting a dog for service work. We also talk through who should be involved in the dog selection process. Once a dog has been selected Sunny likes to start the training process simply with body language, then adds leash pressure, toys and treats from there. We address what service teams should aspire to be and how much work goes into that level of reliability. Sunny was kind enough to share her...
2025-05-2941 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE #57: Service Dog Training w/ Sunny Bravo, Part 1This week we are talking with dog trainer Sunny Bravo who specializes in training service dogs. Sunny has been in the dog training industry for 26 years and has worked with a large variety of breeds. She has worked with everything from basic family dog training to human focused dog aggression cases. Sunny helps define the differences between emotional support animals, a therapy animal and a service animal. Service animals are trained to do a specific task to mitigate the owner's life altering disability. We discuss unwanted attention that goes along with having a service dog and what that looks...
2025-05-1553 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE #56: Two Tails of Dog BehaviorThis week we are addressing some of the complexities of dog behavior. Often, we are told things like ears pinned back or hackles up mean aggression, and while this may be true for some dogs it is not true for all dogs. Often dogs will raise their hackles due to excitement, surprise, or a number of other reasons. While there are guidelines on what a behavior might normally mean, each dog is an individual with individual nuances. We'll share examples of why watching the whole dog becomes important as well as why interpreting behavior on an individual basis is so i...
2025-05-0135 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE #55: Katherine & DosThis week we have Katherine Burbach on the episode talking about her relationship with her dog Dos over the years and how it has grown and changed. Dos can have big feelings about people and dogs when he's on walks, and Katherine realized early on that she needed a plan that she could easily implement with positive results. Stinky treats were the key to helping refocus Dos and helping him learn to be calm around others while on leash. This has helped the pair deepen their own relationship as well as helped set an example for their neighbors. By build...
2025-04-1734 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE #54: Perspective Matters!This week we are talking about different perspectives for the same event. This was inspired by a recent agility class that Kristi and Jaxon went to. Kristi had an apponion on what happened, the trainer had a different oppinion, and Heather had a third opinion about the same event and behaviors. As humans we often create a story and interpret behavior through the lens of the story we have created. When in reality we are living with and training a different species. When we allow ourselves to hear different perspectives it gives us more insight into what might be happ...
2025-04-0319 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE #53: Drive: What Did We Mean?What is Drive? In Episode 52 we talked a lot about drive, but never really defined it. Drive can look very different between dogs. Often we talk about drive in reference to prey and food, but drive can show up in a variety of forms such as people drive, owner drive, etc. Even drive within the same area can look really different. For example Heather has three dogs with food drive, but how that motivates and presents with each dog looks different. We also talk through how different motivations or drives can produce the same behavior. Trin and Jaxon both love t...
2025-03-2021 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE #52: Careful What You Wish For...This week we are talking about unexpected consequences of desired dog behaviors. We often have certain behaviors we are looking for when purchasing or adopting a dog, however many desired behaviors have an unforeseen flip side to them. Something as simple as dog sociability can lead to reactivity if socialization needs are not being met. Of course, there is nothing wrong with wanting an athletic dog who can keep up on hikes and runs, as long as you realize that most athletic dogs need daily exercise, not just weekend adventures. While a lot of people say they want a smar...
2025-03-0640 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE# 51: Modern Day Training for People and DogsWe are talking about a recent study that says 99% of dogs have behavioral problems. While we disagree with that number, we do agree that behavior problems are increasing. We also agree with a recent post Heather found stating that training has become more about educating people and less about hands on dog training. There are likely too many factors contributing to an increase in behavioral issues to name them all, but we are talking about a few of them that we believe are contributing to the rise in behavior issues. One major factor is that there have been a lot of...
2025-02-2041 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE #50: Kristi's First Cluster*It is our 50th episode!!!! *This week we are talking about our recent experience ata dog show cluster from both a newbie's point of view and a more experiencedpoint of view. We talk through how much is expected of the dogs in thissituation, and how much we appreciate our dogs being able to perform and behavedespite endless distractions in a new/strange environment. We arerecapping our highs and lows from the weekend including things like community,solid dog temperaments, and having fun with our dogs.Don't forget to review, subscribe, and share!Follow us on https://ww...
2025-02-0641 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE #49: Giving Up the "Good" Dog.What happens when an experienced foster falls in love with an "easy dog"? Typically they give the dog up to another home so that they can take on a more difficult dog. In this episode we are pushing back on the idea that experienced dog people should take on more difficult dogs just because they can. We also know that everyone defines "difficult" differently, so a difficult dog for one person could be the perfect match for someone else. We believe dogs should be enjoyed and loved and that the people adopting them also matter. So if you are an...
2025-01-2329 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE #48: Can Dogs Keep Their Brains & Their Balls?In this episode, we are talking all about dog balls. Unneutered males have a reputation of being aggressive, marking, humping and overall having a variety of behavioral issues. Because of this it is often thought that neutering a dog will solve any unwanted behavior in male dogs, however we are challenging that thought process. Recent studies show health benefits for later spay and neuter surgeries and/or keeping dogs intact. We are in no way saying that rescues should allow unaltered adult animals to be adopted out, but we do want to challenge the overarching trend of blaming all behav...
2025-01-0931 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE #47: Sports Series Wrap UpIn this episode, we wrap up our sports series. We talk through what we've learned from our guests, some common themes we saw, and our own outlook on sports. Dog sports provide such a unique way to bond with your dog; in addition to providing positive outlets for physical and mental stimulation. Sports can be great for the average pet owner just looking to have fun with their dog, as well as for the high drive "difficult to live with" type of dog, or even the person who loves earning all the ribbons. Our guests and their dogs came from a...
2024-11-2825 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE #46: Every Day Dog Owner Turned Sports Mom with Molly PurcellThis week we have Molly Purcell on to share her adventure of adopting a rescue puppy named Juniper, who has become an all-around sport dog. Molly and Juniper came to Heather for puppy training and Heather quickly saw the potential for Juniper to be a sport dog. Additionally, Heather was able to see that a confident, high energy, intelligent dog like Juniper was going to need a constructive outlet. So, although the Purcells never anticipated doing much more than the average pet owner in terms of going for walks/runs, Juniper has now trained in toss and fetch disc, fast cat...
2024-11-1435 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE #45: Agility with Amanda McGavinThis week we are talking with Amanda McGavin who shares her home with a pack of Brittanys. She currently trains and competes with her three Brittanys; Glory, Lyra, and Cherry Bomb, in agility. She also has experience in conformation, hunt tests, and field trials. Amanda started training agility in 2010 with her foster Brittany, Cooper who needed a positive outlet for his energy. We talk about some of the unexpected struggles and how mental management has been an important key to her success. We also touch on preventing injuries through warm ups, cool downs, and cross training for other sports...
2024-10-3144 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE #44: Shed Hunting with Eve HoehleIn this episode we talk with Eve Hoehle of Von Major Sheds Kennel about shed hunting. Eve lives with, competes with, and breeds German Short Haired Pointers. Shed hunting gets its name from the antlers animals such as deer, elk and moose "shed" each year. Shed hunting is scent work, but out in the open, off leash, and specifically for medium white tail deer antlers (if you are competing). The sport is less than 10 years old and was developed from wild shed hunting. Eve explains that for competition it can be any terrain which can make the sport physically demand...
2024-10-171h 06Sometimes There's Side EyeSTSE #43: PARKOUR! Learn All About It!In this episode we are talking about dog parkour. Parkour combines elements of human parkour and dog obedience to create a fun and unique sport. Parkour, just like any sport, has different levels starting with Novice and going to Expert. They even have a Training level for dogs under 18 months since it's important to protect those growing pups' bodies. There are also specialty divisions that dive into mastering specific behaviors in creative ways. Parkour can be done on your own or through classes that are available online and in person. We really believe this is one of the most low pr...
2024-10-0323 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE #42: Dock Diving with Cady JonesThis week we are talking with Cady Jones about the sport of dock diving. Cady and her husband compete with their 12 dogs in a variety of dog sports including dock diving. Dock diving consists of a dog jumping off a stationary 40-foot dock for one of three events. Distance Jump is the most popular event. This is where dogs run from the end of the dock and jump for a toy that is being thrown for them. Hydrodash, on the other hand, has a bumper suspended from a rig that the dog needs to swim out to and retrieve. Last...
2024-09-1957 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE # 41: Scent Work with Tina VickreyThis week we are talking with Tina Vickrey, who is an ORT (Odor Recognition Test) judge and an active competitor in the sport of scent work. Scent work is relatively new and only became a dog sport in 2005. There are two major organizations you can compete with in scent work, which are AKC and NACSW. While both have the same goal and are considered the same sport, the organizations take very different approaches in how they set up and judge competitions. Although scent work is sometimes known for being good for older dogs who can no longer do sports that...
2024-09-051h 04Sometimes There's Side EyeSTSE #40: Weight Pull & Canine Fitness with Danielle CyrThis week we have Danielle Cyr on the podcast to discuss weighted pull and canine fitness. Daniel has a number of titles and certificates including Judges' Liaison and Treasurer for United Dog Sports of Northern New England, Founder/President of Dirigo Working Dogs, UKC Weight Pull Judge, APA Weight Pull Judge, Iron Dog Weight Pull Judge, W3PO Weight Pull Judge, CGC Evaluator, SPOT Evaluator, ATTS Tester and Certified Canine Athlete Specialist. Danielle got involved in the sport of weight pull when she needed to provide her shy dog an outlet to build confidence. It ended up being such a...
2024-08-221h 06Sometimes There's Side EyeSTSE #39: Barn Hunt with Heather BilodeauThis week we are talking about barn hunt with special guest Heather Bilodeau. Barn hunt is a relatively new sport and was created in 2012 to give dogs an outlet for their natural scent and hunting skills. Dogs use their natural abilities to sniff out rats that are in protective tubes within a preset course of stacked straw bales. There are several levels for people and dogs to compete at which we break down in detail. The sport can accommodate dogs and people of all ages and abilities. Additionally, there are no breed restrictions when it comes to this sport. This i...
2024-08-0854 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE # 38: Trick Training and Disc with Jessica StrickerThis week we are talking with Jessica Stricker who has 2 Australian Shepherds, Ivy and Riddler. She competes in a variety of sports including disc, dock diving, barn hunt, agility, scent work and fastCAT. Additionally, she is a Canine Good Citizen and Trick evaluator for AKC as well as being a trick evaluator, canine conditioning and fitness coach, animal actors evaluator, and stunt dog judge for Do More With Your Dog. As if that wasn't enough, she is a judge for UpDog and the Anthem Toss and Fetch club.
We discuss tick training, which is not technically a sport...
2024-07-2548 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE Episode 37: Adopted Dogs in Sports with Marissa SchneiderThis week we are talking with Marissa who is known on socials as @kotaspen. She is a dog mom and sport handler of two adopted dogs, Kota and Aspen. Marissa has experience in Dock Diving, Barn Hunt, Rally/Obedience, Agility and FastCat with her dogs. Additionally, she co-teaches group training classes on the weekends along with offering some day training.
We wanted to bring on this well-rounded guest for so many reasons, including her vast experience in so many different sports, as well as being able to showcase how owners of rescue dogs can compete in dog sports...
2024-07-1152 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE 36: Bring on the Sports!This week we are introducing our upcoming series on dog sports. We'll have a variety of guests from newer competitors to seasoned competitors, in a variety of dog sports. Heather obviously loves dog sports, while Kristi loves training for sports, but never competes. So even if you never plan to compete with your dog, we believe this series will be useful in giving you structured enrichment ideas for your dog. If you have ever wondered about how to get started in dog sports or been curious about a sport that you are not currently competing in, this series is perfe...
2024-06-2710 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE Episode 35: Living with a Guide DogIn this episode we have an in depth conversation with special guests Cindy and Khrisann about their life with a seeing eye dog. Cindy is legally blind and June is her current seeing eye dog. CIndy gives us the inside scoop on guide dogs including the process of getting one, going to school to be matched with your dog, retiring a guide dog, and what happens when a dog is not a good fit. Cindy also shares how things like the pandemic and the rise of eclectic cars can and has affected training. Khrisann shares her unique perspective of living...
2024-06-131h 14Sometimes There's Side EyeSTSE Episode 34: Social Media and Shelter Dogs
This week we are taking a post directly off social media and discussing it in detail. This post stated that "shelter dogs are not normal" and that they "may never be normal." We both feel that this statement is incredibly damaging to shelter dogs everywhere as well as rescue dogs. We work our way though some subtext that implies shelter dogs are not safe which we also disagree with as a generalization. Many of the comments on the post were blaming adopters and/or the public in general, which can be equally damaging to the adoption of shelter dogs. Comi...
2024-05-3042 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE Episode 33: Bonding: Feeling the PressureIn this episode, Heather is vulnerable enough to share her journey as she learns to bond with her newest dog, Trin. We are talking about why Heather has felt a lot of pressure to bond quickly with her new puppy and how that has been a struggle at times. While Trin is a wonderful puppy, there is a lot that goes into bonding with a new dog far beyond the puppy's personality. We also talk through some realistic advice for people who are feeling like they are struggling to bond with their dog. Things like finding non judgmental friends that...
2024-05-1635 minSometimes There's Side EyeSTSE Episode 32: No Tricks, Just Treats!This week we are talking about not tricking your dog. We talk through how we can build trust through positive reinforcement, which will enhance your relationship with your dog overall. Often our tone and intention can play a big role in how we set up our dogs for success both when they have a choice and when they don't. Many times, people aren't tricking their dog on purpose; the things they are asking of their dogs are simply non-negotiable. So we talk through how we can build reinforcement and trust even in activities that our dogs find less enjoyable. We can...
2024-05-0241 minSometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 31: Scratching the Enrichment Itch
This week we are talking about scratching the enrichment itch. Enrichment has become a popular buzzword in the K9 world, but for us enrichment just means fulfilling your dog's natural needs. This can look very different for different dogs. This episode was inspired by Kristi's foster dog Jaxon who was getting lots of different types of enrichment, but his needs were not being met until he was allowed dog to dog interactions on a regular basis. Dogs who have their enrichment needs met are easier to live with and that makes owning them more enjoyable. Since individual dogs have indi...
2024-04-1836 minSometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 30: Adding A Dog
In this episode we are talking through adding a 3rd dog to your home (or really any new dog to a home with existing dogs). Obviously expenses, time and space are considerations, but the list is much more than these basics. Whether you are adopting an adult dog or adding a puppy there are many things to think through beyond the basics like dog personalities and individual needs. Knowing your existing dogs, understanding their needs as well as the needs of the humans in your home are going to play a big part in adding another dog. Often adding a 3r...
2024-04-0431 minSometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 29: Potty TrainingIn this episode we are talking all things potty training! The good, the bad, and the shitty. We are going over the basics as well as common mistakes, and even some really great insider tips. Although the basics may be the same for big and small breed dogs there are some distinct differences pet owners should keep in mind. We are also discussing the benefits and downfalls of doggy doors, pee pads, and leashing your dog during this phase of training. Potty training, like all training, requires consistency and the right tools for the job. We think this episode will...
2024-03-2155 minSometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 28: Just "Advocate" for Your Dog Already!
This week we are talking about advocating for our dogs, but we're looking at it from a slightly different angle. We are talking about why advocating can be tougher than expected. There are a variety of reasons advocating can be difficult including standing up to an authority figure, not knowing how to advocate without causing a scene, along with countless other reasons. We'll be sharing our own experiences with advocacy - both the times we were successful advocates and the times we fell short. We're also going over ways to better prepare for unexpected and expected situations with our dogs. ...
2024-03-0731 minSometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 27: The DobermanJoin us as we explore Kristi's brain, or at least her thought process. After watching a dog and owner out in public Kristi had a series of thoughts and feelings pile up in rapid succession. Since these thoughts and questions about dog behavior and dog training are where the idea for this podcast stemmed from, we decided to talk through it here with all of you. We think you will be entertained by the way Kristi's brain ping pongs from thought to thought, but we also hope you can see a little bit of yourself in some of those thou...
2024-02-2235 minSometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 26: The Dogtor is in!In this episode we will be discussing the veterinary industry and have a veterinarian guest that we will refer to as the "Dogtor." She has asked to remain anonymous so she can speak freely and unfiltered with us. We tackle all sorts of topics like pet insurance and why it might be useful for pet parents. We talk through the cost of diagnostic tests, and how vet care costs and treatments compare to human healthcare. The Dogtor gives us some solid advice on when to go to an emergency vet versus your primary vet for care, and when to ask f...
2024-02-081h 15Sometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 25 Grieving Your PetIn this episode we are talking about grief and are honored to have Dr. Jenn Pereira, who is a licensed professional counselor joining us. It will come as no surprise that we are going to issue a tissue warning for this episode, but we promise there is also a lot of laughter as well. We talk about pet loss being a form of disenfranchised grief and how that can affect our grieving process. Jenn gives us so many good nuggets of wisdom like how to include children in the grief process, how to best show up for friends and famil...
2024-01-251h 25Sometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 24 Puppy SocializationIn this episode we're discussing puppy socialization. We address what it is and what it is not, including the common misnomer that puppy socialization is simply letting puppies play together. We are also addressing why it is important for current and future training in addition to the lifelong benefits dog's experience through appropriate puppy socialization. As with any training implementation there are risks and rewards and we advocate for making smart choices on an individual basis while considering a variety of factors. Of course, as always, we advocate for fun for both you and your puppy!
Don't forget...
2024-01-1137 minSometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 23: Thankful!We are wrapping up 2023 talking about what we are thankful for. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we thought it was time to share some of the things we've been most thankful for this year with our listeners topping the list! Our thankful lists run the gamut from adding a puppy to the family to celebrating a life well lived at the rainbow bridge. We are issuing a tissue warning, but there are still plenty of laughs, sarcasm, and of course heartwarming stories as we make our way through some of the things we are thankful for this year. This...
2023-11-1630 minSometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 22: Odin's JourneyIn this episode we are talking with special guest Monica Adalsteinsson from Pup + Me Photo about her experience living with her last dog, Odin. We would like to warn listeners that there may be content in this episode that some individuals may find triggering as we revisit some of her experiences over the years which do include dog bites, etc. We also want to issue a tissue warning on this episode as all 3 of us shed a few tears at some point during this one. However, even with these warnings, we think this episode is an important one. We talk...
2023-11-021h 24Sometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 21: Puppy parties!!!This week we are talking about puppy parties! We've mentioned puppy parties in some of our previous episodes, and since Heather just got back from a puppy party, we are talking through this recent experience. This fun and lighthearted episode gives a more personalized recap of puppy parties for anyone who may be curious about them. We talk about how stations are set up, what the stations included, and why. We also talk through the benefits of meeting the puppies in person, and why this was important enough to Heather for her to travel to another country to participate. Add...
2023-10-1929 minSometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 20: Thinking of Getting a Dog?Are you considering adding a new dog to your family? In this episode we discuss the many things we personally think through before adding an additional 4-legged family member. One item that is a high priority on both of our lists is energy level. Now is not the time to hope your future dog will be your workout coach, inspiring you to a new levels of fitness that you've never experienced before. We also carefully weigh what health issues are important and what health issues are functional in our homes and for our dogs. Other top considerations are lifestyle, motivation...
2023-10-0545 minSometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 19: Ethical Breeding with Lorelei CraigWe are wrapping up our series on ethical rescue and breeding with ethical breeder Lorelei. She tells us about her breeding program and rescue efforts alike. Lorelei explains how much time and effort she put into selecting purchasers, selecting breeding pairs, and building a strong foundation for her puppies through things like puppy culture. She also shares everything from why she started breeding dogs to some of her favorites, and even some of the most difficult parts of dog breeding. We discussed some of the ways ethical breeders work together to keep dogs out of the shelter, while preserving the...
2023-09-211h 01Sometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 18: Ethical BreedingIn this episode, we talk about responsible/ethical breeders. First, we want to say this is an important and beneficial topic for everyone in the dog world; including rescue people, those looking for purebred or mixed breed dogs, and those in the sport and show worlds. We are talking about some of the ways to define ethical breeders including everything from contracts, education, taking a dog back for any reason, health testing, to something as simple as producing functional dogs. We decided to include breeders of purebred dogs as well as mix breed dogs when talking about ethical breeders and go...
2023-09-071h 24Sometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 17: Responsible Rescue with Christy ColeIn this episode we are excited to interview Christy Cole, the president of Desert Harbor Doberman Rescue (DHDR). We are addressing all sorts of topics with Christy; from how she got involved with Dobermans, to how responsible breeders can help end the need for rescue. Christy addresses both the immediate needs in rescue, as well as big picture, assessment, and planning.
DHDR is diligently working to do right by both humans and dogs and have a lot of value centered policies around that concept, including not adopting out dangerous dogs. While they adopt out about 100 dogs a year, t...
2023-08-2454 minSometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 16: These Are Our Favorite Things!Do you want to know some of our favorite dog related things? We seem to have a favorite everything! We are covering everything from favorite podcasts to favorite kennels, life jackets to nail files, and the list goes on. We even throw in 2 favorite items that aren't even products as a bonus. Listen to find out what all our favorite things are and why we recommend them.
This episode does not feature any sponsored products or links.
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2023-08-1024 minSometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 15: Responsible RescueIn this episode we are tackling the topic of responsible rescue. We acknowledge that this is a difficult topic, but we feel it's important because ethics matter when it comes to rescue. While there can be a lot of grey area and exceptions to the rules in rescue, we also think there can be some solid pillars to look for responsible rescue. Having a nonprofit status, transparency, responsible disbursement of available resources, dogs getting adopted out/dogs not being hoarded, cleanliness, ongoing owner support, a lifelong commitment to the dogs adopted out, and adopting out dogs that are safe fo...
2023-07-271h 12Sometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 14: Traveling with Dogs!This week, we are excited to have special guest and traveling guru, Tara McKinny, on the show! This episode is for everyone, whether you've never traveled with your dog or if you travel consistently with your dog. Tara has so many straightforward and epic ideas to make multidog vacations safe and fun for dogs with different needs/personalities, including dog reactive dogs. We are talking safety, short term rentals, camping, and all the products that will make traveling with dogs so much better. Of course, we are sharing stories of our success and hilarious mishaps, while traveling. We can prett...
2023-07-131h 23Sometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 13: Getting A Puppy!In this episode we are talking about puppies again, but this time we are discussing what to consider before, and when you meet your potential puppy. Getting a puppy is an amazing and joyous time, but full of emotion and sometimes void of logic. It's tough to be logical when you're surrounded by adorable puppies - we get that, we're dog people too! So we are addressing ways to help set yourself up for success in choosing the right fit for you and your family. We talk about overcoming the emotional factors with some simple tricks, such as taking a ste...
2023-06-2941 minSometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 12: RehomingThe topic of rehoming a dog can be a sensitive one. However, we believe there are situations where rehoming a dog can be in everyone's best interest. Join us as we share examples of rehoming successes, that we have been involved in or that have affected us personally. Explore how quality of life for everyone in your home (both 2 and 4 legged) should be considered when approaching the subject of rehoming, and why getting training isn't always enough. We will also address some best practices if you find yourself in a situation where you need to rehome your own dog. Despi...
2023-06-1549 minSometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 11: FosteringHave you ever thought of fostering, wondered how to better support fosters in your community, or are you curious what all the fuss is about when it comes to fostering? If so, this is the episode for you! On this episode we are pleased to introduce you to our first guest, Kelsey Ankrom, who formerly worked as the foster coordinator for Almost There Rescue and is a foster herself. We'll be discussing our personal experiences fostering along with a variety of topics around fostering. We'll be addressing things like what types of fostering individuals can sign up for, what to con...
2023-06-011h 24Sometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 10: Cooperative CareJoin us as we talk about all things cooperative care; from defining what cooperative care is to diving into how we are personally using it in our lives with our dogs, and even ways you can easily start to use it with your own dog(s). Find out how cooperative care can be used for day to day tasks as well as more substantial procedures in our dogs lives. Also learn why we think it is so important to give our dogs choices in their care and provide a way for them to say no. And join us as we se...
2023-05-1838 minSometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 6: Honoring Your Dog's Dogness
In this episode, explore how recognizing dogs as their own species may help deepen their relationships with the humans who love them. Consider if dogs becoming part of the family in modern America has been more of a blessing or a curse for dogs. Also, listen as Heather and Kristi share the ways they enjoy letting their dogs be dogs. and strive to meet their dog's needs, including everything from sniff walks to rolling in cow poop.
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2023-05-0630 minSometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 9: TrainingOn this episode, come explore the sometimes tumultuous, and often divisive subject of dog training. Learn more about some of the labels like "positive reinforcement" and "balanced" training, and ways we can show kindness and respect to both people and dogs, regardless of what side of the fence you find yourself on. We hope you enjoy learning a little more about our training history and where we are now, in our training journeys with our dogs. We know this can be a tricky subject. We hope that you find our "just think about it and get curious" approach to be a...
2023-05-0457 minSometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 8: Pet Insurance
Have you ever been in a situation where you couldn't comfortably afford your pet's veterinary care? Most pet owners have experienced this at some point. What if money wasn't a concern, would it change the veterinary care you chose for your pet? Kristi and Heather break down the benefits and pitfalls of pet insurance. They explore the idea of being a partner with your veterinarian, when the money concerns are taken off the table. Listen as they share their own experiences with their dog's health, and how those experiences impacted their finances. How Much Is Pet Insurance? (2023 Guide) – Forbes A...
2023-04-2049 minSometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 7: The Shame GameAre you playing the shame game, like the rest of us? Where does shame come from and how do we combat it? Explore the subject of the shame game, and the equally fun shame spiral, that so many of us find ourselves in when the life we planned with our dogs, goes awry. Dive into the reasons we so often experience shame and why no one should feel alone as we experience difficulties in training, behavior, and sometimes just day to day life with our dogs. Both Heather and Kristi share some of their own experiences, and the shame they...
2023-04-0633 minSometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 5: DoodlesThis week Heather and Kristi take on the topic of Doodles. Love them or hate them, Doodles are now a common part of the dog landscape in America. Kristi and Heather will address why they think this is, some things to contemplate if considering a Doodle, and why bashing Doodles is harmful to more than just Doodles. This episode will give you some food for thought regardless of your personal feelings towards Doodles, and some laughs along the way.
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2023-03-0927 minSometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 4: Exploring "It's All in How You Raise Them" and "I Want to Get a Puppy so I Can Raise it Right"In this episode, Heather and Kristi take a closer look into the common phrases "It's all in how you raise them" and "I want to get a puppy so I can raise it right". Hear several examples of dogs who were and were not "raised right" and had unexpected outcomes in each case. Additionally, join Heather and Kristi in exploring the why behind these common sayings and why they might be doing more harm than good.
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Follow us on IG: @sometimestheressideeye | Instagram
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2023-02-2334 minSometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 3: Why Do We Assume The Worst In Our Dogs?In this episode, Kristi and Heather explore the idea of why we assume our dogs are being jerks and what else could be contributing to the difficult, unusual, or uncooperative behaviors they display. We hear about common issues that most dog owners will experience at some point including health, training, and environmental examples. Also dive into more advanced issues in the same vein of dog behavior. Hopefully this episode creates some curiosity around behaviors you see and helps you stop to consider if your dog is really being a jerk, or if they are just asking for a little extr...
2023-02-0945 minSometimes There's Side EyeSometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 2: Our Dogs
*Welcome to Sometimes There's Side Eye, thank you for giving us a listen! We know our audio on episode 1 and 2 isn't the best, but stick with us because we get it dialed in as we go. We can guarantee, no matter the audio quality, we always have a good time and share some interesting perspectives! Thanks for listening!*
Join Heather and Kristi as they recount the dogs that shaped them. In this episode, learn where their personal dogs came from, how each dog contributed to making them who they are today, and the lessons they are thankful t...
2023-01-261h 08
Sometimes There's Side EyeIntroduction - Sometimes There's Side Eye: A podcast about two friends having real and unfiltered conversations about dogs and people.*Welcome to Sometimes There's Side Eye, thank you for giving us a listen! We know our audio on episode 1 and 2 isn't the best, but stick with us because we get it dialed in as we go. We can guarantee, no matter the audio quality, we always have a good time and share some interesting perspectives! Thanks for listening!*
We are Heather Brendle and Kristi McNeeley! In this episode, find out why we wanted to create this podcast, and learn about the dogs we are currently living with. We explain our differing backgrounds, how we met, and why...
2023-01-1721 min