The Empathetic Trainer

Send us a Text Message. New Zealand Horse advocate and author, Julie Smart joins Barbara O'Brien in a conversation not just about training, but about retraining ourselves to listen, to watch, and to feel the subtle cues that horses give us when trying to communicate. We talk about how spending undemanding time with our horses changes how they feel about and us and can really help build a better, more trusting relationship. We also talk about how horses never stop learning and can be trained at any age with atunement and understanding. Julie recommends books like 'True Horsemanship Through Feel' by Bill Dorrance and Leslie Desmond, and 'Warwick Schiller's Principles of Training'. Julie shares her biggest failure, which involved a horse named Ethel, and how it taught her the importance of not believing what others say about horsemanship. They also talk about fear and the need to acknowledge and respect it, as well as the luckiest thing that has happened to Julie, which is having her mother as a role model. https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/

Send us a Text Message. Susan Friedland and I explore the world of Marguerite Henry, a beloved author whose stories have enchanted readers for years. From "Misty of Chincoteague" to "King of the Wind" and so many others, Henry's books have made a lasting impression on people of all ages. We talk about how much Henry loved horses, especially Morgan horses, and how her stories were influenced by her roots in the Midwest. Susan shares how Henry was kind and caring towards her readers, even writing them personal letters. Susan also had the chance to see original art by Wesley Dennis who illustrated many of Henry's books. Our chat also touches on how Henry's books have inspired young readers to love horses and how they've brought horse lovers together. Whether we're talking about the excitement of the Chincoteague Pony Penning Swim or the comfort horses can bring, we celebrate Henry's legacy and the happiness her books bring to so many people. https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/

Send us a Text Message. Join Barbara O'Brien as she chats with Laura Carter, a dog trainer and author, about the secrets to bonding with your dog, even during indoor downtime or when they're on rest. Laura shares practical tips for keeping your pup mentally engaged, including fun activities like scent work. They also debunk common myths about dog training, emphasizing the importance of kindness and personal interaction. Get ready for an enlightening conversation that will enhance your relationship with your best dog friend, especially during those times when they need extra care and attention! https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/

Send us a Text Message. In this interview, Barbara O'Brien talks with Kara Wilhelmsen from Creature Comforts Pet Services about her approach to animal training. Kera stresses the importance of kindness and understanding when working with animals, rather than using fear or intimidation. She shares her experiences working with dogs, including her own challenges with a reactive border collie named Tayla. Kera emphasizes using positive reinforcement and empathy in training, focusing on relaxation techniques and behavior modification. She also discusses the need for owners to learn about science-based training methods and the importance of reading dogs' body language. Kara warns against quick fixes and misinformation in training, and encourages empathy and compassion in both human and animal interactions. https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/

Send us a Text Message. Lockie Phillips, Founder of Emotional Horsemanship, joins us on our podcast to share his insights on empathy and horses. He tells us how we can reimagine horse training and move beyond obedience to establish a deeper connection based on compassion. Lockie believes that training programs should be horse centered and focused on the well- being of the horse rather than performance. And that real change requires patience, understanding and the willingness to adapt to the individual needs of each horse. This episode paints a hopeful picture of a future where the bond between horses and humans grows stronger through empathy and understanding. Join us as we explore this transformative philosophy in equine care and training. https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/

Send us a Text Message. Tune in to hear Lynn Acton, acclaimed author and horse trainer, share practical tips on how to build trust and connection with your horse. Learn about the basics of earning trust, using clear body language, moving away from dominance based training, and understanding horses' emotions. Lynn also talks about being a protector leader and what horses really want from us. Get simple and actionable advice for creating a strong bond with horses and keeping them happy by avoiding unnecessary stress. Whether you're a horse enthusiast or just curious, Lynn's down-to-earth wisdom makes it easy to connect with these amazing animals. https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/

Send us a Text Message. Join us as we speak with cat behaviorist, Mikel Delgado about how your cat's name can affect its personality and why it's hard for some cats to just get along. Learn about Mikel's journey from being in a punk rock band to cat expert. Learn how to make a happy home for multiple cats and discover easy ways to keep your cat content.Get simple tips to take better care of your cat and enjoy a closer connection. Tune in for an enlightening and fun chat about cats! https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/

Send us a Text Message. Summary Dr. Susan Faye discusses the importance of horses in our lives and the lessons they teach us. She emphasizes the need for emotional awareness and being present with horses and other animals. Dr. Faye explains how energy regulation and acknowledging our emotions can improve our relationships with animals. She also discusses her book 'Sacred Spaces' and the science behind the connection between humans and horses. Dr. Faye shares her experiences with horses and the transformative power of going slow. She encourages listeners to be in the world in a more meaningful way and make a positive impact. Takeaways https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/

Send us a Text Message. When Dr. Ian Dunbar talks about dogs, it's impossible not to sit up and listen. His latest work, "Barking Up the Right Tree," is more than a book; it's a manifesto for compassionate canine companionship that promises to redefine our relationships with our four-legged friends. Tales of cows with personality and horses with heart remind us that the principles of positive reinforcement extend far beyond the backyard. Through personal anecdotes, like the transformation of an uncatchable horse named Pudding, we discover the patience and kindness necessary to train animals in a way that speaks to their nature, not against it. As we wrap up our time with Dr. Dunbar, we explore the revival of a classic puppy training program and the universal principles that apply not just to animal training, but to all aspects of life. The commitment to bettering the lives of pets—and by extension, their owners—is palpable, and the joy found in a well-behaved companion animal is a testament to the power of empathy and education. MORE INFO HERE - https://www.dunbaracademy.com/ Podcast Link -https://www.dogstardaily.com/radio https://www.facebook.com/doctoriandunbar, https://www.youtube.com/@DunbarAcademy, https://www.instagram.com/dunbaracademy/ https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/

Send us a Text Message. Ever wished you could truly understand the world of horses? Longed for a deeper connection that transcends conventional horse training? Join host, Barbara O'Brien as we talk with with liberty trainer Tiffany Stauffer of Grace and Grit Horsemanship, who left the financially secure world of engineering to start her own business helping people learn how to do liberty training and build trust with their own horse. https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/

Send us a Text Message. Do you remember the first time you bit off more than you could chew? When your overconfidence landed you in a pickle that you weren’t prepared for? Well, that's exactly what happened to me when I made the rookie mistake of booking a Siberian tiger for a high-end department store’s furniture shoot in my early days of running an animal actors agency. Picture this: a majestic tiger, a pristine white leather furniture set, and a terrified crew looking to me for a solution as chaos ensues. Curious about what happened next? This episode offers a sneak peek into the unpredictable, often hilarious world of working with animal actors. So, buckle up and join me, Barbara O'Brien, as I narrate the first of many such Tales from the Set! https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/

Send us a Text Message. Chris Kman, photographer and wild horse advocate shares with us her work to preserve the wild horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. The Park Service has proposed eliminating the horses from the park completely. Join us as Chris explains what is happening and what you can do to keep the horses, a national treasure whose roots go back to Sitting Bull's horses, at the park for future generations to enjoy. https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/

Send us a Text Message. Katenna Jones transitioned from a volunteer dog walker as a teen to a certified applied animal behaviorist and fear free trainer consultant. Learn why heavy-handed dominance based training didn't resonate with her and how punishment merely suppresses behavior rather than changing it. Listen in as she guides you through practical advice for handling pet behavioral issues and why reward-based techniques are key in training. We also spoke about consent and the concept of individuality in animal behavior. We touch on how medical issues can sometimes present as behavioral issues, and her empathetic approach to pet training. Join us on this exploration of the complex world of animal behavior with the inspiring Katina Jones. https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/

Send us a Text Message. Join us for an intriguing journey into the world of cats with Julie Ann Thorne, a certified behaviorist and author. Inspired by her rescue cat Pickle, Julie founded Naturally Cats and wrote the enlightening book, "Cat Chakras." Discover Julie's deep bond with Pickle and her fresh take on being a cat guardian. Julie delves into the mysteries of feline behavior, stressing the importance of understanding their body language and the impact of our emotions on them. From decoding aggression to highlighting the joy of interaction, Julie's expertise offers a new perspective. https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/

Send us a Text Message. Join us as we chat with Kerri Lake, author of Listen like a Horse and Spiritually Gifted. Kerri explains the value of awareness and the importance of being present in our lives. She shares how this self-awareness has helped her communicate and connect with horses. https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/

Send us a Text Message. Equine photographer, Shelley Paulson shares with us the life changing event that caused her to take a different career path and how her growing understanding of how horses think and feel has changed how she views them with a whole new lens. https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/

Send us a Text Message. Mary Corning is an award-winning author, horse advocate, mentor and retreat facilitator. Mary’s book, Perfect Practice, is about how to connect and communicate with people and horses by removing resistance and finding freedom of expression. https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/

Send us a Text Message. As a professional animal trainer and photographer, Barbara O'Brien has worked with animals in film and photography for over twenty years. Today, she’s meeting with Debra Schneider, animal communicator. When Debra talks to animals, they talk back. Learn how, you too, can begin to hear what your dog is telling you. https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/