Fenzi Food For Thought
Denise Fenzi shares stories, conversations with friends, and insights into dog training, breaking down barriers in the training world. The podcast covers topics related to dogs and the human-animal bond, with a focus on positive training methods.
Episodes
What's Your Line in the Sand?
You might want to figure it out; decide what it is for yourself. For me? I don't use physical pain nor mental intimidation. Besides that… I do what works and what makes sense for the dog in front of me. Follow my training! Instagram
Being Nice
It's not hard to be nice. You might find yourself being happier for it. Note: this is not a dog related topic so… Take it for what it is. Follow my training! Instagram
Character Matters
Your character matters. If you have poor character in one area… You're a liar? Don't take responsibility for your actions? Mistreat others? I'd put money on the fact that you lack character in many areas. Which will call into question everything I might know about you - as it should. Celebrate those out there who recognize that character is important - and speak out appropriately. Follow my t
The Advice Nobody Can Absorb
If you want to be impactful as a dog trainer, or even as an engaged pet parent who hopes to influence how others live with their dogs, consider whether your solutions, suggestions, and advice are matched to what the learner can actually absorb and implement. The best advice in the world is not useful if the person receiving it cannot understand it, manage it, or realistically fit it into their li
The Best Training Isn't On Social Media
If you judge quality training from social media, and then come to conclusions about training that differs from your own, you will always miss the mark. You'll lose the opportunity to become educated about what truly represents the best training out there. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Let's Talk About Spay & Neuter
Should you spay or neuter your dog? I have no idea. But we can talk about it, and maybe that will help you make a decision. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
When Choice or Structure Isn't Obvious
Which is better, choice or structure. It's not obvious. That's what this live is about. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Train the Dog in Front of You: Breed Tendencies vs. Individual Quirks
What does it mean to train the dog in front of you? Here I talk about Tye/Border Collie vs Xen/Belgian vs Brito/Terrier - Breed tendencies vs. individual quirks. In short, Tye is an odd duck, so I train him the way he prefers. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Your Dog Doesn't Need Intentional Aversives to Learn
Nope. You don't have to add intentional aversive so that your dog learns how to handle them. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Accepting Misunderstanding
Learn to let misunderstandings stand - once you know someone is listening to misunderstand, you can comfortably move on. Don't get pulled into stupid conversations. For all you know, you're arguing with a 15-year-old… or someone who is deeply unwell and incapable of doing better. Either way, those conversations never end well. Spend your energy elsewhere. Follow my training! Instagram The High
The Benefits of Management
Fearful dog? A little aggressive and forward? The vast majority of the time, you can manage the behavior and make everyone happy. Even better, often good management creates a situation where the dog feels safe and knows they will be left alone, and the problem behavior goes away. Don't make things worse by forcing it. Might work for a few months but… high risk with little payoff. Follow my trainin
The Dog Conversations We Avoid
Rehoming dogs. Behavioral euthanasia. And the parts of these conversations we usually avoid. If you want the honest story of the dog I rehomed… you're in the right place. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Trainers Behaving Badly
Trainers behaving badly. Force-free trainers behaving badly. Balanced trainers behaving badly. And what we do when people show up poorly…especially in public spaces. This isn't about sides. It's about responsibility, restraint, and how much damage a single person can do…or not do…depending on how we choose to respond. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training!
The Least Aversive Option
If you use an aversive in training, is the goal to use the least aversive option, or the least aversive option that gets the job done and fits within your entire system of training? I talk about that here. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
The Art of Choice in Dog Training
Sometimes I'll take choice away if I think it's the right thing for the dogs. Sometimes I'll give choice. And sometimes I'll just stop working on a problem altogether… It depends. That's what this live is about - choices I make for Tye, depending on the circumstance. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Are Dogs Really More Anxious Today? …And Other Things We Can't Actually Know
If we make a blanket statement like, "dogs are more anxious today than they used to be", or "more dogs are being euthanized then were in the past"… How do you know that? And if it is true, how are you isolating the variables that might be contributing, in order to conclude that the one you've identified is the relevant one? Because often we make statements which rely on a foundation that is not k
Punishment in Training: Does Safety Justify It?
Does adding punishers to training make sense when safety is a consideration? Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
The "Click" and Training the Dog in Front of You
Why do I both click and then use a location specific marker with Tye? I explain it here, with Xen making a cameo appearance to demonstrate! And then a few thoughts about training the dog in front of you, and why I train different dogs differently. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Reading Stress in Dogs
Signs of stress all have normal variants that are not distress at all; remember that every time you're analyzing a dog for signs of stress! and… I talked a bit about my new dog Tye. He's making an incredible amount of progress; much faster than I could've predicted. That's genetics and resilience at work. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Acade
The Depth of Behavior Challenges
I've been noticing more honesty in the dog training world on IG lately… trainers from all camps admitting that some behavior issues aren't "fixed" but managed for life. I love seeing balance trainers share setbacks a year later, and force free trainers talking about acceptance and structure (management) rather than change. We also talked about the depth of behavior challenges… not just is your dog
About That Stress Inoculation...
Your dog lives such an stress-free life that you have to add more for their own good?! I talk a little bit about my dog's lives here today. Plenty of stress, whether I want it there or not. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
From Sheep Crosses to Kindness in Communities
Today's live I covered a lot… I talked about crossing Barbados sheep with Dorper—a great combo! Sometimes the cross is better than either parent. Then I shifted to what it means to admin a Facebook group. When do you allow unkind comments? What if they're true? And that doodle hate? It's gross. I talked about that a lot. Being mean just because the group agrees doesn't make it okay. Not in the dog
Why You Have A Dog Will Impact Your Training Choices
Why do you have a dog? Really. Think about it. So the choices you make with raising and training your dog lineup with that end goal? That's what this live is about. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Relationship is the Key to A Bomb-Proof Recall
Why do I talk about relationship is being the primary driver of my Dog recall rather than reinforcement history? Listen and find out. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Fences, Escapes, and Ruling Out Medical Concerns
Just a quick update on a few things I've mentioned lately in lives… How did all three dogs respond to the electric fence now that we're back on the property and the fence is back up? What was going on with Xen and his sudden crate/garage escaping drama — and why it's over now. And probably most important… what do we really mean when we say "rule out medical causes" before jumping into a traini
Rethinking Change in Dog Sports
Success in dog sports is an awesome way to show people that you can succeed without the intensional use of aversives. But success isn't going to lead to some huge change. That's not how to change works. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Pain & Behavioral Issues
Behavior problems… Can they stem from pain? Discomfort? What happens if you try to solve a behavior problem by applying a pain based correction yourself? This live pulls together several videos and lives that I've done over the past couple of weeks, talking about my own dogs. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Fallout in Dog Training
What is fallout, in the world of behavior? Can you see it in a short video clip? Does eating suggest a lack of fallout? I talk about these topics here. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Crating: Different Dogs, Different Issues.
Separation anxiety? Crate anxiety? Fear of missing out? Something else related but… Not even quite sure what it might be? Here I talk about my dogs, Ice and Xen. Different dogs with different issues, but the same way of thinking about problem-solving… If that interests you, take a listen. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
How R+ Has Evolved Beyond the Training
Being a positive reinforcement extremist has nothing to do with how you train dogs. It's about how you treat people. This live dives into how R+ has evolved beyond training methods—shaping how we engage, communicate, and show up in the dog training community. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
What is Good Training
In this live, I unpack common misconceptions about positive reinforcement training and explain why withholding reinforcement is still a form of clear communication. I share a personal story about my early shaping mistakes and describe how good modern training sets dogs up for success without guessing. This is a call for clarity, accuracy, and respect across all training approaches. Follow my tra
Stress & Resilience
If developing resilience requires experiencing stress, does that mean humans need to stress their dogs intentionally? Nope. We're stressing our dogs all the time, whether we mean to or not. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
When There Are Upsides to Training We Don't Like
Do applications of adversive occasionally benefit the dog? It should be obvious that the answer is yes, but if you're struggling with that… Listen to this one. Doesn't mean you have to run out and use them… Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Take An Extra Minute
If something needs to be said, you can say it without being rude. It just takes an extra minute… that minute makes no difference between simply expressing yourself or having an impact. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
What is Superstitious Learning? And What is Single Incident Learning?
In my last live, some people misunderstood the realities of single incident learning and superstitious learning. You don't control these realities…the learner does. You want to know what they are so that you can minimize harm to your training when they show up. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Lessons from Electric Fencing
All three of my dogs learned about electric fencing - the hard way. This live is about their different reactions… And how that might impact them into the future, especially if I were a trainer who chose to use electric collars. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Beyond Reinforcement and Punishment
Learning may well be a function of reinforcers and punishers. But behavior over time? Reliability? Habit and relationship should be the end goal. That's what I talk about here. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Conversations About Reactive Dogs
I sat down with a guy at a party and we talked about his reactive dog. What happened next? If you want to have intelligent dialogues with people that potentially change behavior, you might find this live interesting. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
What is "Not Fine" For a Dog?
I talk about genetics and how dogs turn out as adults. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Dog Training Jargon
About those words… Punishment, consequence, choice, structure, reinforce, strengthen… All of these words have different meanings depending on your background, training, and where you're coming from. Just because a word has a scientifically defined meaning doesn't mean that it is the "right" definition; it depends who you're talking to. A lay person definition is equally valid! look words up in th
Training Outcomes in the Dog World
Do balanced trainers train (fix) dogs and positive reinforcement based trainers manage them? No. Not not at all. That's a problem with words and definitions, not actual outcomes. Do balanced trainers show their work and positive reinforcement trainers not? No. You don't know where to look. If you want to see really good positive reinforcement trainers doing cool things, you have to look in their c
Can Dogs Be Willful?
Can dogs be willful? Can they actively choose to disobey, while understanding what you want? Yes they can. Now what? Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Balancing Priorities in the Dog World
Time. Priorities. Dog welfare. Human welfare. Guilt. Dog trainers on social media seem out of touch with real world people and their priorities. Are we even doing our job if we don't prioritize our human clients as much as their animals? Those are things I covered here. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Understand What Motivates Your Dog
No fetch? Chase but no return? No tug? Tugs but doesn't let go? Understand what motivates your dog makes training and problem-solving a lot easier. Taken further, it will set how you train each individual dog, which may be radically different than how you approached similar issues with the last dog. By comparing my Border Collie Ice and my Belgian Xen, both showing similar issues but with very d
Trial Analysis
Trial analysis. What went right? What went wrong? And what am I going to do about it? Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Puppy Integration
It's been about three weeks since I brought in the new young border collie, Ice. This is an update on the integration process. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
I Have a Puppy!
I've got a new puppy! In this life I talk about the process of integrating him into my home, the reality of high drive dogs and puppies, handler sensitivity and hardness, etc. We covered a lot of territory! Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Getting Through Your First Competition
The first time you compete… What's the best way to get through it?! I'll give you some ideas here. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Raising a Puppy
I shared my thoughts about how I planned to acquire my next dog, and what I will do with that dog to start my training during the first few months! Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Structure
Structure is a your friend - really. you can get your way without using physical force or mental intimidation. The end result is higher quality of life for both you and your dog. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Reactive or bored?
About that reactivity… is a given dog reactive, or simply bored? Lacking structure? Doesn't know what to do in a given circumstance? There are foundation skills that all dogs should have, and they are particularly valuable if the dog should exhibit reactive tendencies here and there. The ability to get your dog's attention is a critical foundation skill. If you can't get your dog's attention in
Habit
I wanted to illustrate it with the flea study but alas… It appears the flea study is not real. So I just talk about it. Habit! Most important thing you can keep in mind with your new dog or puppy. Plus a few thoughts on trying to train family. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Cooperative Care vs. Low Stress Handling
Do you know the difference between cooperative care and low stress handling? You should! It's important if you want to maintain a trusting relationship with your dog. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Safe Walks
A safe walk with a dog is a function of the equipment on the dog, the leash that attaches the equipment to the handler, the size, strength, and temperament of the dog, and the environment. All of these things should be discussed with dog training clients to ensure the comfort and safety of all. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Who are dog sports really for?
Dog Sports are not all about the dog. They are about people too! It's OK for you to seek happiness and joy, even if it doesn't mean maximizing your dog's happiness at every turn. Make it work; it's a cost of benefit analysis. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Puppy Genetics
I'm in camp "genetics" over environment. Take a listen to this one if you want to understand how I got here. Plus, a little bit on selecting a puppy from a breeder. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
A Quick Look in the Mirror
A quick look in the mirror… Are you doing the same things that you accuse others of? Behaving emotionally rather than rationally? Ignoring facts that don't fit the narrative that you want to drive forward? Probably. It's the human condition, and we all do it. The trick is to become aware of that, and maybe do better into the future. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online
Force Free Beyond Training
This live is my plea to apply a force free philosophy to entire life and not just to your dog training. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Critical Thinking
Apparently, folks are very capable of critical thinking skills! When they're motivated. How can we be motivated to show critical thinking all the time? Even when we're not not sure we like the conclusions. Especially when we're not sure we like the conclusions! Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
How and why science matters and where does it fit in the big picture?
How and why science matters to those of us deeply vested in the Dog community. Plus other stuff. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Facing Bias in the Dog World
So many thoughts. How can we learn to be more critical learners, observers, and communicators? How can we face our own bias and become stronger as a result? Who can we talk to when we have questions? Covered a lot of territory in this one. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Learn About People
Maybe allow people who are different into your world, and then you can learn about them. Learn about people, and you can have an impact. Don't allow people into your world and don't learn about them? Then you can't do much beyond ignoring (best case scenario) or antagonizing (worst case) others who feel differently than you. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training!
Do aversives cause aggression?
Do aversives cause aggression? If so, why are famous trainers using them and showing well-balanced dogs? What does the research say? I'm not a scientist, so mostly I can tell you what I see around me, and my thoughts on the matter. If you're interested, check it out. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Different Opinions for Different Animals
Should dogs roam the neighborhood? How about near busy roads? How about a quiet rural area? How about chickens - can they roam? Why or why not? If someone else has a different opinion about this than you for each type of animal, how might you change their perspective via education and perspective taking? Or do you opt for embarrassment and shaming? How's that working? Follow my training! Instag
Can We Stop Talking About "Them"?
I hope those of us in the Dog industry stop talking about "them". "They" can speak for themselves. If you have a question, ask "them." When you make assumptions about why people do what they do, or say nasty things about their character because they don't share your opinions? That reflects on you and it makes it very difficult to have honest conversations when you're present because you ruin goo
Relationship-Based Training
What relationship-based training means to me. I give the example of an informal recall with my dog. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Live with OC Canine Coaching
Super informal chat with Bryndon Golya, CDBC of OC Canine Coaching about management, training, medication, giving "enough" to our dogs and…plenty in between! Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
I Answer Your Questions About Moving Our Community Forward
This live covers follower questions sparked by a panel hosted by Jo-Rosie Haffenden. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
The Rooster Problem
The solution to the Dog Trainer people is to be like the chicken people. In this live I talk about roosters. If the dog people were like the chicken people, we could make radical advances in our field. Take a listen. Tell me what you think. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Train Your Dog!
Train your dog! Even if you don't reach 100%, who cares? You're still ahead of where you were if you hadn't trained at all. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Why Do I Play In Bite Sports
In this live I talk about why I do bite sports. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
The Meaning of "Train the Dog in Front of You"
Train the dog in front of you. What does that mean? Seeing as I wrote a book with this title, I have opinions about it! Two dogs can have the same issue, and the solutions can be radically different. At the end of the day, you have to know your dog… I give examples in this live to help you understand the concept. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog
The Minutiae of Dog Training
If you like the minutiae of dog training, you might like this live. Here I talk about the challenge I have with my dog in the Mondio ring search exercise… He prefers to bite than to bark! I talk about a "good training" solution which involves breaking it down into small pieces…small splits are good dog training. I talk about the fact that it didn't work. I talk about brainstorming to come up wit
Aversives for Clarity?
Does positive reinforcement training mean withholding half of the information the dog needs to to be successful? Would the dog find more clarity if you included aversives? Would that actually be a relief to the dog? I give my thoughts on that here. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Life Is Complex
Life is complex. Dogs are one piece of the puzzle of complexity. Be open to the challenge of varied perspectives. Be respectful! And try to make things better. Dog trainers can do that. You're more than a dog trainer. You can change lives, and I'm not just making that up. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Words Are Power!
Your words are your power. Do not take someone else's words to placate them. Choose your words carefully. Explain what you need to explain. And reserve the right to say… It depends. I need more information. Getting a group of people together is easy when you simplify complex topics. Who doesn't appreciate simplicity? Well. Me. As long as life remains complex, I will explain in as many words as
Counterconditioning, Desensitization, and Habituation
Continuing on with basic principles around force free training. Here I introduce counter conditioning, desensitization and habituation. Xen was along for the ride, so he illustrates some of the principles - what do you do when it gets too intense? Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
What Drives Behavior?
Does reinforcement history or emotion/instinct drive behavior? Both. Emotion drives "behavior" - the general category of things we do. And reinforcement history drives the specific behavior which the learner chooses, from amongst all of the available options. The challenge here is that the word "behavior" means both the general category and a specific choice of a specific behavior. Both are ha
Get to the Root of the Problem!
Today, I explored where most force free behaviorists would start looking at a problem behavior… At the root! What matters less than the behavior in front of you is where it's coming from. What instincts or emotion are fueling it? If you can identify that, and do some thing about it, your behavior problem might simply disappear. Obviously that's your best case scenario but… It's still where you w
Training or Management?
Today I talk about the difference between training and management, and I give several examples to help you on your way. Follow my training! Instagram The High Drive Dog More online training! Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
