Tracy Franken: Retired Vet Tech , Dog Trainer, Dog Lover, Dog Bond Specialist š¾
Do you long to have a happy, confident dog you can take anywhere? Are you worried your reactive, fearful dog may hurt someone or something else? Do you have to āprepareā yourself to take your dog for a walk around the block? Hey there! Iām Tracy, a retired vet tech turned dog trainer, mom, wife and all-around dog lover. When I realized the key to building confidence in my dog was in understanding him and NOT just tossing treats and obedience my life changed! Now I have a pack of ājust good dogsā I trust to take anywhere. And I am sharing it all here! So put down that leash & let's get to it!
1d ago
Hey Dog Lover! š¾ So your dog was āfineā during the day⦠until they werenāt. The guests are gone, the cookies are stale, and suddenly your pup is pacing, snapping, or flat-out melting down. What gives? In this episode, we unpack the Holiday Hangover ā that post-festivity fallout where stacked stress finally spills over. Youāll hear: The signs your dog is approaching their limit š¬ Why āheās been fineā might be false reassurance Simple shifts to support recovery ā like crate time, quiet time, and rhythm resets Letās ditch the guilt and get curious. Because understanding how stress accumulates helps us prevent those post-holiday ābehaviour surprises.ā I hope you enjoy this one. Tracy xoxoxo Donāt forget to follow, share, and leave a review! Next Steps š¾š£ Want to work with me? Join the Fearless Framework , our 12-month online program that helps you not only understand your dog, but build confidence naturallyāwithout relying on tools, tricks, or treats. š BeyondObedience.ca/fearless š¶ Music credit to Shawn Trotter at ShawnTrotter.com
4d ago
Hey Dog Lover! š¾š¾ This time of year, we humans get a little bit... extra. Extra people, extra noise, extra sugar⦠and somehow, we expect our dogs to just ādeal with itā in the name of socialization. But what if holiday chaos isnāt an opportunity to socialize your dog ā itās a chance to lead them? In this episode, we talk about why ājust letting them figure it outā can backfire, and what you can do instead. Youāll learn how to: Read your dogās subtle āno thanksā signals š Step in and advocate without over-coddling Redefine pro-social as something way better than exposure therapy Spoiler alert: Your dog doesnāt need more exposure. They need you to show up with calm, clarity, and curiosity. I hope you enjoy this one. Tracy xoxoxo PS: Donāt forget to follow, share, and rate! Next Steps š¾š£: Join the Fearless Framework , our 12-month online program that helps you not only understand your dog, but build confidence naturallyāwithout relying on tools, tricks, or treats. š BeyondObedience.ca/fearless š¶ Music credit to Shawn Trotter at ShawnTrotter.com
Dec 11
š¾ Hey Dog Lover, If youāve been filling your online cart with dog toys and treats this holiday season⦠letās press pause. This episode is a gentle reminder that your dog doesnāt need more stuffāthey need you . Your calm presence. Your stable routines. Your ability to lead with confidence when things feel chaotic. Thatās the real gift. Weāll explore how consistency, emotional leadership, and relevance are what actually help your dog feel safe and settledāespecially during the holidays when stress can sneak in. So instead of asking āwhat should I buy my dog?ā letās ask: āhow can I be the gift?ā Spoiler: You already are. š We hope you enjoy this episode. Tracy xoxoxo Next Steps š¾š£ Ready to take your relationship with your dog to the next level? Consider joining the Fearless Framework , our 12-month coaching program with monthly Zooms, community support, and everything you need to build a big, beautiful bond with your dog. š beyondobedience.ca/fearless šµ Music Credit: Shawn Trotter ā shawntrotter.com
Dec 8
š¾ Hey Dog Lover, Does your rescue dog really trust you⦠or are they just surviving politely? In this episode, weāre diving into one of the biggest mistakes new adopters makeāassuming that a dog who cuddles, follows them, or āseems fineā is actually feeling safe . The truth? Trust goes deeper than tail wags or staying close. Weāll talk about what real trust looks like (hint: soft eyes, relaxed body, no bracing), how to spot the difference between affection and actual security, and how to approach this with curiosity rather than guilt. Because when your dog says āI donāt feel safe,ā theyāre not being stubbornātheyāre being honest. And thatās powerful feedback. How interesting! š¶ We hope you enjoy this episode. Tracy xoxox Next Steps š¾š£ Ready to take your relationship with your dog to the next level? Consider joining the Fearless Framework , our 12-month coaching program with monthly Zooms, community support, and everything you need to build a big, beautiful bond with your dog. š beyondobedience.ca/fearless šµ Music Credit: Shawn Trotter ā shawntrotter.com
Dec 4
Hey Dog Lover š¾š¾ Ever saw a dog so cute you couldnāt help but just rush over to give them a little pet? ( Yeah, me too. ) But sometimes we need to pause and consider what our movement means to a dog. In fact, this is one of the biggestāand most misunderstoodāreasons fearful dogs struggle to feel safe, even with people who love them dearly. In this episode, we explore what it means to ācome in too hotā from your dogās perspective. Weāll talk about prey-mind vs. predator-mind, body language, and the often-overlooked subtleties of pressure and approach that can either build trust⦠or blow it. Youāll learn: What āpredator energyā looks like from a dogās point of view How to soften your presence so your dog can breathe Why the way you connect matters more than the thing you do If youāve ever been told your dog is āweirdā or āoverreacting,ā this one will shift your lens completelyāand help you show up in a way your dog can actually feel safe around. I hope you enjoy this one. Tracy xoxo Next steps: š¾š£ Join the Fearful Dog: Fearless Framework āour 12-month online coaching program thatās changing the game for reactive, anxious, and misunderstood dogs. When you enroll, youāll get: Monthly live Zoom Q&A calls and trainings to guide you through the tough stuff Access to a supportive private community of humans walking this same road A Relationship-First Roadmap that helps you lead with calm confidence Real coaching. Real connection. Real changeāfor you and your dog Because your dog doesnāt need perfect. They need you . Aligned, aware, and ready to lead with heart. Come join us at š beyondobedience.ca/fearless Music Credit š¶ Special thanks to Shawn Trotter ā www.shawntrotter.com
Dec 1
Hey Dog Lover š¾š¾ Youāve probably heard it beforeāājust toss some treats when your dog sees a trigger, to change their emotional response to the trigger." And yes, that can work. But thereās a small problem... Youāre not part of the solution. In this episode, weāre unpacking the popular advice around food, fear, and emotional responses in dogsāespecially when it comes to the why behind the behaviour. Because hereās the truth: if youāre not part of the process, youāre missing out on how YOU can influence your dogās behaviour in a meaningful way. Weāll talk about: Why ātreat and retreatā might not be the whole picture The difference between influencing vs. observing behaviour How to build trust from the inside outānot from the sidelines If your dog is still anxious, reactive, or unsureādespite all the food and effortāthis oneās for you. I hope you enjoy this one. Tracy xoxo Next steps: š¾š£ Join the Fearful Dog: Fearless Framework , our signature 12-month online coaching program built for dog lovers just like you. This is where everything changes. Hereās what youāll get inside: Monthly Zoom Q&A calls and trainings where we tackle your real-life challenges A private, supportive community of people walking the same path Step-by-step lessons on trust, leadership, and relevanceānot just rules and techniques Coaching that grows you , not just your dogās behaviour Your relationship will bloom. Everything gets better and easier when you understand how to be the person your dog needs you to be. Join us at: š beyondobedience.ca/fearless Music Credit š¶ Special thanks to Shawn Trotter ā www.shawntrotter.com
Nov 27
Hey Dog Lover š¾ In this episode, Iām joined by Paisley as we tackle real questions pulled straight from our Living Beyond Obedience communityāaka questions you didnāt even know you asked , but probably needed to. We cover everything from how to help a rescue dog whoās scared of strangers and medical routines, to introducing new dogs after a loss, to managing reactivity and overwhelm in anxious dogs. It's honest, thoughtful, and packed with relatable struggles and supportive solutions. Whether you're living with a fearful pup, navigating meds, or just wondering why your dog canāt seem to settleāyouāll probably find yourself in one of these stories. Hope you enjoy this one. Tracy XOXO _________________________________________________________ Next Steps š¾š£ Want to build your dogās confidenceāand your own? Come join us inside The Fearless Framework āa 12-month online course and community designed to help you and your dog move beyond fear and frustration using trust, leadership, and calm connection. Learn the tools to support your dog through their fear cycleāno treats, tricks, or timelines. Just real relationship-first progress. ⨠Learn more and enroll here: š beyond-obedience.thrivecart.com/fearless Special thanks to musician Shawn Trotter for this episodeās music. š¶ Visit shawntrotter.com for more.
Nov 24
Hey Dog Lover š¾ Ever have one of those weeks where everything feels a little too muchāand youāre still trying to be everything your animals need? In this unscripted, from-the-heart episode, Iām showing up real and raw to talk about the emotional side of living with animals. It wasnāt the episode I planned, but itās the one that needed to be shared. If youāve ever felt overwhelmed, stretched thin, or like youāre failing at this whole ādog momā thing⦠this oneās for you. Hope you enjoy this one. Tracy XOXO Next Steps š¾š£ Want to build your dogās confidenceāand your own? Consider joining us inside The Fearless Framework āmy 12-month online course and community designed to help you move through the fear cycle with trust, communication, and calm connection. This isnāt about obedienceāitās about understanding , leadership , and becoming someone your dog can truly trust. ⨠Learn more and enroll here: š beyond-obedience.thrivecart.com/fearless _____________________________________________________________ Special thanks to musician Shawn Trotter š¶ Visit shawntrotter.com for more.