Episodes

  • STSE 36: Bring on the Sports!
    Jun 27 2024
    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 perfect for you. We will be giving an overview of a variety of sports as well as going over resources to get started in them. This series is ideal for anyone looking to enrich the life of their dog regardless of if you live with a rescue or purebred. We hope you'll join us as we dive into the wide world of dog sports. Don't forget to review, subscribe, and share! Follow us on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sometimestheressideeye | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    11 mins
  • STSE Episode 35: Living with a Guide Dog
    Jun 13 2024
    In 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 with a guide dog as a seeing person. They also share how fake service dogs have impacted the service and guide dog community at large and their own detrimental experiences with fake service dogs. Even though we have known these two for years we learned so much in this interview, and we think you'll find the interview equally informative, thought provoking and entertaining. Don't forget to review, subscribe, and share! Follow us on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sometimestheressideeye | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • STSE Episode 34: Social Media and Shelter Dogs
    May 30 2024

    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. Coming from a background that celebrates and respects adopters we found this trend to be concerning and wanted to discuss the long term damage some of these flippant remarks can have. We believe there are lots of "normal" and safe dogs available for adoption, and we believe there are lots of amazing adopters. We hope that this episode makes you stop and think about how you talk about rescue dogs as well as adopters on social media so we can continue spreading the word about how great rescue dogs can truly be.

    Don't forget to review, subscribe, and share! Follow us on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sometimestheressideeye | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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    42 mins
  • STSE Episode 33: Bonding: Feeling the Pressure
    May 16 2024
    In 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 you can talk to, focusing on what attributes you are thankful for in your dog, and having an outlet when you need a break. Relationships with dogs are like any relationship, and it is not unusual for them to take time. It's been our experience that joy deepens and grows as you continue to grow in your relationship with your dog. We think that this may hit home for a lot of people, and if that's you, we want you to know you are not alone in your journey.
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    35 mins
  • STSE Episode 32: No Tricks, Just Treats!
    May 2 2024
    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't have a party all the time, as Heather said, so it's important to know the difference between a consolation prize so to speak and tricking your dog into doing something they don't want to do. Trust, reinforcement, and our overall relationship with our dogs are all closely related. It is beneficial to keep that in mind even in those frustrating moments that we all encounter when living with dogs. Don't forget to review, subscribe, and share! Follow us on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sometimestheressideeye | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    42 mins
  • Sometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 31: Scratching the Enrichment Itch
    Apr 18 2024

    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 individual and differing enrichment needs we are talking though a variety of enrichment ideas and what that might look like in a multi dog home. We're also addressing how enrichment needs change as aging dogs change. If you've ever wondered about enrichment or if you are as fascinated with enrichment as we are this is the episode for you!

    Don't forget to review, subscribe, and share!

    Follow us on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sometimestheressideeye | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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    37 mins
  • Sometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 30: Adding A Dog
    Apr 4 2024

    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 3rd dog requires more management, because additional relationships can quickly change the dynamic of the current household dogs. Please be sure to stay tuned to hear Heather say nice things about the bulldog as well in this episode!

    Don't forget to review, subscribe, and share!

    Follow us on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sometimestheressideeye | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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    31 mins
  • Sometimes There's Side Eye - Episode 29: Potty Training
    Mar 21 2024

    In 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 help anyone in this phase of puppyhood as well as anyone preparing for a new puppy or adult dog who is not already potty trained.

    Don't forget to review, subscribe, and share!

    Follow us on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sometimestheressideeye | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


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    56 mins