Episode Details

You bought the “good” treats, you know, the all-natural, human-grade, $14-a-bag ones. You've got the *perfect* dedicated pouch after hours of research. You’ve studied your protocol. Shoot, at this point, you could probably coach your friends through it. 

And you have followed it with the devotion of a formerly gifted child who has to do everything right the first time, or the world will come crashing down. 

And your dog is still screaming at every dog, jogger, and suspicious mailbox on the block. 

In this episode, Allie and Emily see your perfectionism and your frustration, and meet you with empathy, compassion, a little sass, and at least 2 rambling, but important soapboxes. 

We’ll talk about why treats stall and walk you through some of the things we troubleshoot when things get stuck: threshold, treat value, timing, session length, and your own anxiety. Because addressing reactivity isn’t about a single moment; it’s about the whole picture.

TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways 

1️⃣ Treats are only a part of the plan – If a pet is already too stressed, treats aren’t what they need; they need relief. 

2️⃣ Go back to basics before you panic – Threshold, treat value, timing, session length, and your own anxiety are places to reflect on.

3️⃣ Reactivity is a symptom – Not a character flaw, or even the primary issue. Look deeper.

For the full episode show notes, including the resources mentioned in this episode, go here.

More from Pet Harmony

Pet Parents: enrichment ideas and practical behavior tips
📸 Instagram & Facebook: @petharmonytraining

Pet Pros: relatable moments and support for your work with pets and their people
📸 Instagram & TikTok: @petharmonypro

📬 Sign up for our weekly newsletter: https://petharmonytraining.com/join/

Subscribe & Review

If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to subscribe and review. It helps more pet parents and pros find us—and makes our tails wag every time. Thanks for being here! 💛

PETPro doors are open! 

Got the certifications, books, and theory down cold? But still feel like a fraud the second a case gets messy? You don't need more knowledge; you need a way to think through it.

PETPro teaches you to work through complicated cases, start to finish. 

Doors close September 23 at 11:59 pm and don't open again until next year.

Join us at petharmonytraining.com/petpro.