Reactive Dogs & Mountain Goats: When Training Gets Wild

Guest: Rachel Harris- Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Owner of A Good Feeling Dog Training Episode Summary Join Dr. Chelsea and Trish as they welcome Rachel Harris, a certified professional positive reinforcement dog trainer with 14 years of experience specializing in reactive and aggressive dog behavior. From her humble beginnings with Sonny, a terrified pit bull who became an agility champion, to wild adventures with her fearless American Staffordshire Terrier Waylon, Rachel shares honest stories about the joys and challenges of working with "spicy" dogs. Key Topics Discussed Rachel's journey into dog training and how reactive dogs "chose her" The importance of collaboration between veterinarians, vet techs, and dog trainers Virtual training programs and why they're often more effective than in-person sessions Understanding that reactive dogs aren't "bad" - they're overwhelmed and struggling Creative solutions for vet visits with anxious or reactive dogs The spectrum of dog behavior and bite incidents Unhinged Stories Featured Frisco the Labrador's chocolate pretzel heist A 20-minute chase around a training facility Waylon breaks into a stranger's house Through a cat door to chase their cat (while pit bulls were still banned in Denver!) Mountain goat standoff at 14,000 feet Waylon goes nose-to-nose with wildlife on a fourteener summit Resources Mentioned Website: AGFDogTraining.com Instagram: @agoodfeelingdogtraininginc (74K+ followers) Podcast: Disorderly Dogs (archive of episodes available) Adventure Dog Academy Follow Rachel's hiking adventures Reactive Redefined Virtual training program for reactive dogs Key Takeaways Dogs who react or growl are communicating discomfort, not being "bad" Reactive dogs can live full, expansive lives with proper management Virtual coaching can be highly effective because it trains the human-dog partnership Most "aggressive" dogs are actually scared, overwhelmed, or struggling to self-regulate Creative solutions and humility are essential when working with any animal Connect With Rachel Website: AGFDogTraining.com Instagram: @agoodfeelingdogtraininginc Podcast: Disorderly Dogs Connect With Unhinged and On-Call Website: unhingedandoncall.com Email: [email protected] YouTube: Watch full video episodes with visual content Submit your story to be a guest via the website form Rate & Review: Help us reach more veterinary professionals by leaving a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Remember: You're unhinged, but never alone.