Ruffly Speaking with Laura and Olivia
Ruffly Speaking with Laura and Olivia 17 episodes Nov 10, 2026
Ruffly Speaking is a podcast about dogs, humans, and the many ways our lives intersect. Hosted by dog trainers Laura Garcia and Olivia Lam, it explores dog behavior and training alongside psychology, science, culture, and the human experience. Through honest conversations with people from different backgrounds, the show challenges assumptions and considers perspectives that may differ from our own. It is aimed at dog guardians, professionals, and anyone curious about dogs and the questions they inspire.
Episodes
Ep.17 - Is There More to Dog Training Than Rewards and Corrections? | Bianca from Punk Mutts
What if we've been so focused on training our dogs that we've forgotten how to communicate with them?In this episode of Ruffly Speaking, we're joined by Bianca from Punk Mutts to question some of the biggest assumptions we make about dog behaviour, obedience, and what it means to build a relationship with our dogs.Bianca shares how her village dog, Eskel, completely challenged everything she thoug
Ep.16 - End of Season Recap!
After an incredible season of Ruffly Speaking, we're wrapping things up with one final episode before we take a break.Join us as we look back on the conversations, lessons, and moments that made this season so special. From our favourite episodes and biggest takeaways, to behind-the-scenes reflections and what surprised us along the way, we're sharing it all.We're also talking about what we've lea
Ep.15 - Is Dog Ownership a Scam??
In this episode of Ruffly Speaking, we discuss if dog ownership is a scam? Are we being sold an idealistic picture of what dog ownership looks like? Laura and Olivia chat about the financial aspects of dog ownership, including initial setup expenses and the decision to get a dog.We also delve into the influence of marketing on consumer behaviour, the impact of lifestyle marketing, and the capitali
Ep.14 - Toby Craze: Street Dogs, Rescues & the Complex Reality of "Saving" them
In this episode, we have a very fun and insightful conversation with Toby Craze from Craze Dog Training about rescue dogs, street dogs, and the nuance that comes with helping dogs adjust to life in a human world.Toby shares his experience working with overseas rescue dogs, shelter dogs, and free-roaming dogs in Thailand. We talk about the multilayered reality of rescue work, what can happen when d
Ep.13 - Bianca Barlow: A Holistic Approach to Raising Dogs
In this episode, we sit down with Bianca Barlow of Dogfulness to explore dog training through a thoughtful, global lens. Drawing from her experience as a German living in the United States, Bianca shares insights into the cultural differences that shape how we live with and train our dogs.We dive into what it really means to support both dogs and their humans—covering everything from navigating li
Ep.12 - “Wait…Is My Dog Overweight?!” Chunky Dog Denial, Facing Reality, and Doggie Diets
In this episode, we get real about our own experience with chunky dog denial. We talk about how easy it is to miss weight gain when it happens slowly, how we both brushed things off longer than we should have, and what finally made it click that our dogs were actually overweight.We also share our personal experiences helping our dogs lose weight, including the habits that were contributing more th
Ep.11 - Julia Schwark: More Than Ribbons - The True Rewards of Dog Sports
In this episode of Ruffly Speaking, we sit down with Julia Schwark, certified Dog Trainer and Trick Trainer, to explore the world of dog sports—her journey, her dogs, and how to find the right fit for each individual dog.We talk about why listening to your dog matters, how to adapt to their preferences, and how sports like agility and rally obedience can be more approachable than you might think.
Ep.10 - Wiggly Babies: The Science of Freeze-Dried Dog Treats & Building a Values-Driven Brand
In this episode of Ruffly Speaking, we sit down with Sally and Weber from Wiggly Babies to nerd out on the real science behind freeze-dried dog treats and the behind-the-scenes reality of running a business most people never see.We break down what freeze-drying actually is, why it preserves so many nutrients, and the downside people don’t always think about. Then we get into the heart of it: what
Ep.9 - Answering Your Business Questions!
In this episode, we chat about our passion for business and marketing - sharing our experiences and insights with you!We discuss balancing full-time work while growing our businesses, along with the marketing and branding strategies that have helped us connect with our community. We also talk about investing in visuals, paid ads, platform selection, and the role of Instagram and influencer marketi
Ep.8 - Camille Martens: From Walking Pumas to Walking Dogs (A Wild Path Into Pet Care)
In this episode, we sit down with Camille Martens from Farley’s Friends Pet Care to explore her incredible journey through the animal world — from working with wild cats in Bolivia to tree planting in the forests of BC with her loyal “bush dog,” and eventually building a dog walking business focused on trust and connection.Camille shares stories of feeding and walking pumas on leash, living deep i
Ep.7 - Alysha Carusi: A Tale of Dogs, Nature & a Journey of Personal Growth
Ever feel like the pet care world is loud, crowded, and everyone’s starting to sound the same?In this episode, we’re joined by Alysha Carusi from Tails & Tales, and we talk about what happens when you stop trying to imitate what’s “working” online—and start building a business that actually feels like you. Alysha shares her journey from media + marketing into pet care, how storytelling became
Ep.6 - Dog Life in Mexico: Observations About Dog Culture, Street Dogs & Daily Life
In this episode of Ruffly Speaking, hosts Laura and Olivia delve into the complexities of life with dogs in Mexico, sharing personal observations from Laura's recent trips back home. They discuss the behaviour of street dogs, the cultural differences in dog ownership, and the challenges of dog reactivity. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the human-animal bond and the var
Ep.5 - Justyne: The Business of Doing Good with Ollie B. Good
In this episode, Laura and Olivia are joined by Justyne, founder and owner of Ollie B. Good, a Langley based pet goods business that specializes in slow feeders for dog enrichment. The conversation covers the challenges of dog parenting, the transition from traditional jobs to entrepreneurship, and the balance between financial decisions and business growth. We discuss the struggles and rewards of
Ep.4 - Marina Yamada: A Multicultural Perspective of Dogs
Episode SummaryIn this episode, Laura and Olivia welcome Marina Yamada, a pet care professional with a multicultural background, to discuss her experiences with dogs in Japan and Canada. They explore the cultural differences in dog ownership, the role of pet care professionals, and the importance of understanding dog behaviour. Marina shares her aspirations to integrate psychology with dog trainin
Ep.3 - Laura Garcia: Leaving My Corporate Job to Build My Dream Career with Dogs
SummaryIn this episode of Ruffly Speaking, Laura shares her journey from a marketing career to the world of dog care, detailing her experiences at a doggy daycare and the challenges of dog training. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community, personal growth, and the evolution of her business, Curious Snoots. Laura discusses her aspirations for the future, including creating an appren
Ep.2 – Olivia Lam: Leaving the Beauty Industry for a Life with Dogs
💡 Episode SummaryIn this episode of Ruffly Speaking, Olivia shares her transformative journey from a corporate career to becoming a passionate dog trainer. The discussion delves into the challenges and rewards of owning a reactive dog, the importance of understanding dog behaviour, and the transition from a stable career to pursuing a passion in dog training. Listeners will gain insights into the
Ep.1 – Introducing: Ruffly Speaking (A New Podcast for Dog Lovers!)
💡 Episode SummaryIn this first episode of Ruffly Speaking, hosts Laura and Olivia introduce themselves and share their unique journeys into the world of dog training. They discuss their backgrounds, the challenges they faced with their own dogs, and their shared philosophy on dog training and behavior. The episode emphasizes the importance of empathy, understanding, and open conversations in the d
Official Trailer: Season 1 Ep 1
Wanna know how and why this podcast started? We spill the tea in our first episode coming out Tuesday, November 11th, 2025!
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