Love ’Em & Lead ’Em

Harvey, The Dog Who Changed Everything

In this deeply personal episode, Melaney and Cory pay tribute to Harvey—the unforgettable black German Shepherd who brought them together and helped shape both their business and their friendship.
From service dog struggles and wild training stories to grief, mental health, and the messiest lessons dogs can teach us, this episode is a raw, honest reflection on the dog who started it all. You’ll laugh, cry, and probably walk away feeling a little less alone in your own dog journey.
Because sometimes, the dog that changes your life is the one that challenges you the most.

Harvey, The Dog Who Changed Everything.

In this deeply personal episode, Melaney and Cory pay tribute to Harvey—the unforgettable black German Shepherd who brought them together and helped shape both their business and their friendship.
From service dog struggles and wild training stories to grief, mental health, and the messiest lessons dogs can teach us, this episode is a raw, honest reflection on the dog who started it all. You’ll laugh, cry, and probably walk away feeling a little less alone in your own dog journey.
Because sometimes, the dog that changes your life is the one that challenges you the most.
Timestamps:
2:03 - Saying Goodbye to Harvey Walker.
6:24 - How Harvey Entered Cory’s Life.
10:11 - The Birth of a Dog Trainer.
14:14 - The Challenge of Training Harvey.
20:50 - Mutual Recognition and Mental Health.
24:03 - The Dog That Glued Cory and Melaney Together.
38:18 - How to Know When to Euthanize a Dog.
42:42 - Behavior Modification at its Core.
 
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Trailer: Not Your Average Dog Training Podcast

Welcome to Love ’Em & Lead ’Em—a podcast about real dogs, real life, and the messy, meaningful work of training both.Hosted by Melaney, a former Military Police K9 handler, and Cory, a former special education teacher focused on behavior disorders, we’re the duo behind Dog Training Camp USA in Louisville, Kentucky. We’ve helped hundreds of families ditch the gadgets, skip the hot dogs, and build better relationships with their dogs—through leadership, structure, and a whole lot of heart.But this podcast isn’t just about dogs. It’s about the people holding the leashes. We talk about mental health, burnout, running a small business, friendship, and yes—birding. You’ll hear the real-life highs and lows behind the scenes as dog trainers, moms, business partners, and best friends.Each episode delivers practical training tips, unfiltered client stories, and raw conversations about the wild journey of living (and learning) with dogs. Whether your dog is a dream or a full-blown dumpster fire, we’ve been there—and we’ve got your back.New episodes every other week. Subscribe, laugh, and learn with us—because you don’t have to choose between loving your dog and leading them. You can do both.

Dog Trainers, Moms & Real Talk—This Is Love ’Em & Lead ’Em

Who we are, why we’re here, and why you’ll want to stick around.

Episode 0: Meet Your Trainers

In this short trailer, we introduce ourselves—Melaney, a former Military Police K9 handler, and Cory, a recovering special education teacher and co-owners of Dog Training Camp USA Louisville—and share the heart behind our approach to training.You’ll hear why we started this show, what you can expect in upcoming episodes, and how we help dog owners stop choosing between loving their dogs and leading them. Spoiler alert: you can absolutely do both.Whether you're dealing with leash pulling, puppy chaos, or just want to connect more with your dog, you're in the right place.Let’s get to work—together.

Agree to the Terms (Or Get Out of My Kennel)

This one’s for the crusty white dogs, the bird nerds, and anyone who's ever been told to “fake it till you make it.” In this episode, Mel and Corey dive into their early days of dog training chaos — from rogue German Shepherds and crusty little biters to leadership clashes and business-growing pains. They reflect on what it takes to lead people and dogs, share hard-won lessons from the field, and yes, get very sidetracked by bird drama. It's part comedy, part therapy, and all real talk from the frontlines of dog life and small biz ownership.

The Off Leash Myth: What It Really Takes to Trust Your Dog

Is your dream dog the kind that trots beside you leash-free, ready to recall at a whistle? In this episode, Melaney and Cory break down the fantasy and reality of off-leash dog training. From personal stories of their own pack to real-world client struggles, they tackle what it actually takes to build a reliable off-leash recall.Discover why long leash training, relationship-based obedience, and consistent practice are non-negotiable for success. Whether you're working with a beagle with a nose for mischief or a Labrador who loves the pond, this conversation dives deep into dog behavior, recall reliability, and breed-specific quirks.Perfect for dog parents, trainers, or anyone dreaming of ditching the leash but keeping the control. Plus, laughs, love, and a little chaos from their blended family of dogs and humans.

Puppy Palooza!

Cory and Melaney talk about the two different kinds of services for puppy training: private lessons and puppy camp.

Personal Protection Training and Spud McMuffin

Cory and Melaney discuss personal protection training as well as a dog they helped recently named Spud.

Old People, Dixie, and Maggie the Great Dane

Cory and Melaney discuss the hardships of older people owning young dogs, their favorite mini Australian shepherd Dixie, and a difficult potty training case.