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On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, a brush fire – dubbed the Palisades Fire since it started along Palisades Drive – broke out in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, just a few miles from my home. This wasn't a unique occurrence; brush fires happen around Los Angeles every year, and there have been small fires in Pacific Palisades before.

 Have a dog that struggles to think clearly in or around the agility ring? Want to be proactive, so your dog can always keep his head? In this episode Bronagh and I talk about how to create that "thinking brain" even when exciting, overwhelming or intimidating things are happening around our dogs!  Transcript Melissa Breau: This is Meliss

If you're involved in dog sports or looking to strengthen your bond with your dog, rally training might be the perfect fit. Whether you're dreaming of agility titles, excelling in obedience competitions, or simply wanting a well-behaved pet, rally training lays a solid foundation for achieving your goals. Let's explore why this versatile sport is b

Looking to add some joy back into your training? Join Julie and I for a conversation about ways to use games to build connection, engagement, attention and... joy!    Transcription Melissa Breau: This is Melissa Breau and you're listening to the Fenzi Dog Sports Podcast brought to you by the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy, an online school dedi

Adding a second dog to FOMO (fear of missing out) training is no easy task. It requires patience, consistency, and careful attention to your dog's emotional state. One key part of overcoming FOMO is ensuring your dog has solid stationing skills before introducing any distractions. Once your dog is comfortable staying in one spot and can handle bein

In this episode Petra and I discuss the difference between attention and engagement. Join us for Petra's advice on preparing your dog for the competition ring.   Transcript Melissa Breau: This is Melissa Breau and you're listening to the Fenzi Dog Sports Podcast, brought to you by the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy, an online school dedicated t

​Join me for a conversation with canine sports medicine vets David Lane and Chris Zink about what sports handlers should know! We talk about what is included within the canine sports medicine umbrella, how to find a specialist, and where you can learn more.  Transcript Melissa Breau: This is Melissa Breau and you're listening to the Fenzi Dog

​How solid is your dog's understanding of their stand cue? Join us for a conversation on how to teach the stand and why it's such an important skill for competition obedience. Transcription Melissa Breau: This is Melissa Breau and you're listening to the Fenzi Dog Sports Podcast brought to you by the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy, an online school dedic

What do you do if you end up with a dog that barks and lunges at people or other dogs? Join us for a panel discussion on what to do first, whether it matters what emotions are driving the behavior, and what you might want to consider if your goals are to compete.   Transcription Coming soon!  Credits Today's show is brought to you by

 When done well, heelwork can be downright beautiful. But if you've ever tried to teach heelwork, you know it's much more complex than it might look at first. Join me and Dante for a conversation on the pieces that you need to consider to get lovely heeling with duration. Transcription Melissa Breau: This is Melissa Breaux and you're listening

Join us for a conversation on how pattern games can benefit dogs with big feelings — whether those feelings are positive or negative! Kim is a certified Control Unleashed instructor and shares insights into why the program was developed and how it can help.   Transcription Melissa Breau: This is Melissa Breaux and you're listening to

Nosework competitions require the ability to focus and work independently in new and novel locations — so Julie joined me for a conversation on how to build the necessary levels of environmental resilience.    Transcription Melissa Breau: This is Melissa Breau and you're listening to the Fenzi Dog Sports Podcast, brought to you by th

Dog training success happens when dogs are set up to learn in a way that builds their confidence and understanding. When training is designed to maximize success, dogs learn faster, stay engaged, and enjoy the process. My goal is to structure training sessions so that my dog wins as often as possible—practicing correct behaviors rather than rehears

Join us for a serious conversation on all things play! Denise and Crystal share how play impacts our relationships and our training with our dogs. Transcript Melissa Breau: This is Melissa Breau and you're listening to the Fenzi Dog Sports Podcast brought to you by the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy, an online school dedicated to providing high quality i

Motivation is Just an Emotion​ Motivation often feels like the magic spark that gets us moving. It's that rush of excitement when starting something new or the drive you feel after a particularly inspiring moment.But just like any other emotion, motivation comes and goes. One day, you're fired up to hit the gym or tackle a workout; the next, it mi

Join me and Dr. Amy Cook for a conversation on where her ideas for The Play Way came from, the science that inspired it, and how it's evolved (and continues to evolve). We also discuss the one letter that Amy thinks every trainer should add to their conversations about reactivity and thresholds.  Transcript Melissa Breau: This is Melissa Breau

Dog show nerves are real! As much as we tell ourselves that it's all about having fun, we still want our dogs to perform well. After all, we've put in countless hours of training and preparation, not to mention the financial investment. It's completely normal to feel a little nervous before stepping into the ring—but with the right preparation, you

Self-Care Is More Than a Trend We often see self-care dressed up in shiny fabrics, lavish dinners, and indulgent habits that don't align with our deeper vision for life. Social media floods us with this narrative, but what if there was a different approach?What if you redefined self-care? IMAGINE how you could transform your relationship with yours

Give this episode a listen to learn a bit more about Jessica, her background, what Circle Work is and what led her to develop it!  Transcription ​Melissa Breau: This is Melissa Breau and you're listening to the Fenzi Dog Sports Podcast, brought to you by the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy, an online school dedicated to providing high quality instruc

There are certain topics in the dog training world that feel almost taboo - among them is the topic of behavioral euthanasia. In this episode Deb and I have a frank but thoughtful conversation on evaluating the severity of a behavior issue and what factors go into that sort of decision.   Transcription ​Melissa Breau: This is Melissa Brea