Love ’Em & Lead ’Em

What if the weird, frustrating, or downright annoying thing your dog is doing isn't about you at all?
In the second half of our conversation about The Things Our Dogs Know, Cory and Melaney talk about what can happen when we stop assigning human motives to our animals and start paying attention to what their behavior is actually telling us.
Dogs aren't spiteful. They aren't sitting around plotting their revenge. And when a dog who has behaved one way for years suddenly starts acting differently, instead of asking, “Why is my dog doing this to me?” it may be time to ask, “What changed?”
From a four-year-old Springer Spaniel who suddenly begins resource guarding, to scent behaviors that make perfect sense to a dog—even when they make absolutely no sense to us—Cory and Melaney talk about instinct, genetics, medical changes, stress, and why knowing what's normal for your dog matters.
And because apparently dogs weren't enough, the conversation expands to birds that seem to know when danger is coming, a Cooper's hawk that silences an entire backyard, Cory becoming an accidental killdeer wizard, and a Disney lion documentary that may owe the water buffaloes an apology.
Your dog isn't a tiny human in a fur coat. They're an animal with their own instincts, communication, senses, and way of experiencing the world.
Pay attention. Learn their language. And give them the respect of getting to know who they actually are.

How well do you really know your dog?
Not how well they sit, stay, heel, or follow directions. We mean: Do you know what they're telling you? Do you notice when something feels different? Do you understand who they are beyond the behaviors you'd like to change?
This week, Cory and Melaney get a little philosophical—and maybe a little woo-woo—about what happens when we stop trying to control every little thing our dogs do and start actually paying attention to them.
Inspired by a C.S. Lewis quote about free will, they talk about why the smartest, most incredible dogs can also be some of the hardest to live with—and why good training isn't about creating a perfectly obedient robot. It's about building communication with another living creature who has instincts, preferences, abilities, and an entire experience of the world that we may never fully understand.
From dogs who seem to know things before their humans do, to subtle behavior changes that turned out to signal something much bigger, Cory and Melaney share stories that make you wonder just how much our animals are telling us that we simply aren't noticing.
Because yes, sometimes your dog is doing something annoying. Sometimes a behavior absolutely needs to be trained, managed, or changed. But sometimes it's worth asking another question:
What is my dog trying to tell me?
Plus, Sardine Summer comes to a gloriously fishy end—with sourdough, hidden sardines, a mango allergy, and the discovery that there is definitely a limit to how much tinned fish two people should consume in one day.

Cory and Melaney return from the Alabama Coastal Birding Festival with matching shirts, 35 new lifer birds, and plenty of stories. From painted buntings and loggerhead shrikes to hummingbird research and migration fallout events, they share some of their favorite moments from an unforgettable birding adventure.
Then the conversation takes a turn toward a subject they feel surprisingly passionate about: dog names.
Why does every dog need a middle name? Are some names just too popular? Can a dog accidentally become the name you gave them? And what happens when trainers decide a dog's name for you?
Along the way, they discuss:
The most overused dog names they see every year
Why Bella, Luna, Nala, and Ollie are everywhere
The old hunting dog lore behind choosing a good name
Their favorite client dog names of all time
Why naming your Cane Corso "Diva" might be asking for trouble
The importance of a proper middle name when your dog is in trouble
Whether you're a birder, a dog lover, or currently trying to name a new puppy, this episode is full of laughs, stories, and strong opinions.

Choosing a dog trainer shouldn’t feel like guessing… but for most people, it does.
You call, ask for pricing, compare a few options—and hope you made the right choice. But here’s the problem:
Price alone won’t tell you if a trainer is actually right for you or your dog.
In this episode, we break down what you should be looking at (and what most people completely miss), including:
Why credentials don’t always mean what you think they do
The questions you need to ask about tools and methods
What to know about board & train programs (before handing your dog over)
Why environment, transparency, and aftercare matter more than price
And how to make sure the training actually transfers to you at home
Because at the end of the day, the goal isn’t just a trained dog—it’s a dog you can live with confidently.
If you’re considering training (or already overwhelmed by your options), this episode will help you cut through the noise and make a decision you feel good about.
📞 Want help figuring out what’s right for your dog? Give us a call: 502-356-3059📲 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogtrainingcampusalouisville/

If introducing your dog to other dogs feels stressful… you’re probably doing too much.
In this episode of Love ’Em & Lead ’Em, we break down how to properly introduce dogs to dogs and dogs to cats—and why most people are overcomplicating both.
We cover:
How to introduce dogs without creating tension, chaos, or fights
Why on-leash greetings with random dogs are a bad idea
The step-by-step method we use at camp to build calm, neutral interactions
How to safely bring a dog into a home with cats (or a cat into your dog’s world)
And yes… we’re giving cats the credit they deserve:
Why cats are not fragile little house pets—they’re apex predators with boundaries
Why “the best dog trainer might actually be a cat”
How cats naturally correct dogs better (and faster) than most humans
We also talk about what socialization actually means (hint: your dog doesn’t need more friends), and how bad introductions can create long-term behavior issues.
The big takeaway?The more pressure, emotion, and chaos you bring into introductions… the worse they go.
Keep it simple. Stay in control. And stop doing so much.

Rehoming a dog sounds simple… until you’re actually in it.
In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most emotional and misunderstood topics in dog ownership—when it’s appropriate to rehome a dog, when it’s not, and the hard truths most people don’t want to hear.
We share real client stories (the kind that stick with you), break down common myths like the magical “farm,” and talk about what responsibility actually looks like when behavior issues show up.
We also cover:
Why most rehoming situations aren’t what people think
When rehoming can be the right decision
Why behavior problems don’t just “go away” in a new home
And what your options actually are when things feel out of control
As always, we’re here to help you navigate the tough stuff, make informed decisions, and do what’s best for both you and your dog—even when it’s not easy.
Expect honesty, a few rants, and probably a laugh or two.

This week on Love ’Em & Lead ’Em, Cory and Melaney start with birding adventures, slow walks with a bird club, and a few unexpectedly intense 10-mile hikes. But all that time in the woods leads to a surprising training insight.
The most uncomfortable thing we ask clients to do… isn’t complicated training, expensive equipment, or extreme discipline.
It’s stopping the constant talking to their dog.
In this episode, the ladies break down why quiet observation can be one of the biggest game-changers for anxious, clingy, or over-stimulated dogs. They explain how too much chatter can create insecurity, why dogs actually respond better to clear actions than endless words, and how small uncomfortable changes from owners can lead to massive improvements in behavior.
Plus: bird club stories, hiking mishaps, hydration debates, and why doing hard things—whether it's a 10-mile hike or ignoring your dog for a weekend—can build better habits for both humans and dogs.
Challenge of the week:Try not talking to your dog for a day… and see what you notice.

People ask us all the time:
“Will my dog forget me?”“How long are they in a kennel?”“What do they actually DO all day?”
In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain and walking you through a real day at Training Camp — from early morning potty breaks to evening tuck-ins.
We cover:
Why rest after meals is non-negotiable (and how we prevent bloat)
Why dogs are out of their kennels an average of 13 times a day
The 26 daily reps of door manners built into one potty break
Structured play vs. chaos
Why field trips are essential for real-world reliability
How our kennel layout is designed for calm and co-regulation
Why we feed “dinner” at 1pm
What the “Bad Boy Corner” actually is (and no, your dog isn’t bad)
We’re there all day with your dog — building structure, confidence, coping skills, and relationship — even when you’re not.
It’s not just staying somewhere.It’s immersive, behavior-based training done with intention and love.
If you’ve ever wondered what really happens at Training Camp… this episode is for you.

In Episode 18, we start with Mel being back on her bullsht*—thanks to an orchid rescue that turned into a truly unhinged slap-bet situation (no worries… Cory refuses to slap “a baby,” so the punishment becomes verbal roasting and threatened hugs).
Then we get into the real heart of the episode: a diagnosis isn’t destiny—and you have to train the dog in front of you, not the one in the paperwork.
We share two current camp cases:
Pippa, a chihuahua mix with a long list of behavior diagnoses that terrified her owner into five years of “bubble wrap” living
Bean, a golden mix with a bite history and anxiety—who’s now learning confidence, structure, and real-world coping skills
We talk about the gap between clinical labels and everyday life, why “comforting” can accidentally reinforce fear, and the moment Cory told a cardiologist: “You’re your dog’s French fry.” 😅
Bottom line: your dog can make huge progress—with the right plan, the right support, and a whole lot of consistency.
Want help with a dog who’s anxious, reactive, or “too much”? Follow along on Instagram: @dogtrainingcampusalouisville

Season 2 is officially here — and we’re kicking it off by looking back, looking ahead, and having a little fun along the way.
After a big 2025 (new podcast, biggest year ever at Dog Training Camp, and plenty of lessons learned), we’re starting 2026 with our dog training Ins & Outs list — the trends, habits, and choices we’re loving… and the ones we’re absolutely leaving behind.
In this episode, we talk about:
Why feeding schedules are in (for health, behavior, and sanity)
The importance of researching your dog’s breed and purpose
Why DNA testing your dog can be a game-changer
Getting one puppy instead of two (trust us on this one)
Hot girl walks, slow walking, and actually connecting with your dog
Why transparency matters when choosing a dog training company
Clear leash communication vs. just “watching your dog do stuff”
Why retractable leashes, littermates, backyard-only exercise, and “it’s okay, he’s friendly” are officially out
We also manage to cover birding updates, staff competitions, Northern Flickers, Sandhill Cranes, and yes… why chicken salad is apparently in for 2026.
If you’re a dog owner trying to do better, a trainer navigating trends, or just here for the laughs and real talk — welcome to Season 2 of Love ’Em & Lead ’Em. We’re glad you’re back with us.