Episode 37: Daphne Mendoza-Tervanis (A Dog Trainer Life)

Welcome to ”Dog Training Bytes” – the show where canine professionals share their key takeaways, big a-ha moments, and hardest lessons learned from working with dogs.

Today’s guest is Daphne Mendoza-Tervanis, a dog behavior expert and founder of A Dog Trainer Life. Daphne’s journey into dog training is as inspiring as it is powerful—she immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico at age 10 and launched her own dog walking business in high school to pay her way through college. Since then, she’s worked at various dog training facilities, graduated from FetchFind Academy, and built a thriving training business of her own.

She now blends her behavior expertise with her passion for dog sports to help both pets and their people thrive.

You can connect with Daphne on Instagram and through her website.

Dog Training Bytes was created, produced, and edited by Mattison Skoog-Simpson. You can connect with Mattison on Instagram at @DogTrainingBytes and @FreedbyTraining. For information on guests and resources for help with your dog or your dog training education, visit www.dogtrainingbytes.stream. Visual design by Mattison Skoog-Simpson and music by Alexi Action.

Looking for more? Listen to my other show, unPACKed – a clinical dog training podcast co-hosted by Sailor Jerri the dog trainer.

Episode 36: Maddie Messina (Paws For Thought)

This episode is brought to you by Trust Your Dog Custom Dog Muzzles. Use code "FREED10" for 10% off custom muzzles and dog gear at TrustYourDog.com

Welcome to ”Dog Training Bytes” – the show where canine professionals share their key takeaways, big a-ha moments, and hardest lessons learned from working with dogs.

Today’s guest is Maddie Messina, a certified applied animal behaviorist and the founder of Paws for Thought Dog Training. With over eight years of experience and a Master’s in Animal Behavior, Maddie helps dogs and their people navigate complex behavior challenges—like fear, leash reactivity, and separation anxiety—with thoughtful, science-based support.

She specializes in working with puppies, adolescent dogs, and urban families, always with a focus on strengthening the human-animal bond. Maddie’s work has been featured in outlets like FamilyPupz, The Farmer’s Dog Blog, Reader’s Digest, and Spruce Pets—and I’m so excited to have her here today.

You can connect with Maddie on Instagram and through her website.

Dog Training Bytes was created, produced, and edited by Mattison Skoog-Simpson. You can connect with Mattison on Instagram at @DogTrainingBytes and @FreedbyTraining. For information on guests and resources for help with your dog or your dog training education, visit www.dogtrainingbytes.stream. Visual design by Mattison Simpson and music by Alexi Action.

Looking for more? Listen to my other show, unPACKed – a clinical dog training podcast co-hosted by Sailor Jerri the dog trainer.

Episode 35: Kirsten Matthews (The Canine Detective)

This episode is brought to you by Trust Your Dog Custom Dog Muzzles. Use code "FREED10" for 10% off custom muzzles and dog gear at TrustYourDog.com

Welcome to ”Dog Training Bytes” – the show where canine professionals share their key takeaways, big a-ha moments, and hardest lessons learned from working with dogs.

Today’s guest is Kirsten Matthews, a certified dog trainer, canine life coach, and the founder of The Canine Detective. K specializes in helping stressed and overwhelmed dog guardians cut through the chaos and reconnect with their dogs—and themselves. Her coaching blends deep empathy, science-based methods, and real-life problem solving to support clients facing behavior challenges, burnout, or big life transitions.

She offers one-on-one coaching virtually and is the host of the upcoming podcast Dear Dog Fanatic, where she gives honest, supportive advice to dog lovers navigating the messy parts of pet parenthood.

You can connect with Kirsten on Instagram and through her website.

Dog Training Bytes was created, produced, and edited by Mattison Simpson. You can connect with Mattison on Instagram at @DogTrainingBytes and @FreedbyTraining. For information on guests and resources for help with your dog or your dog training education, visit www.dogtrainingbytes.stream. Visual design by Mattison Simpson and music by Alexi Action.

Looking for more? Listen to my other show, unPACKed – a clinical dog training podcast co-hosted by Sailor Jerri the dog trainer.

Episode 34: Gwenyn Powers (Empowered Canine Solutions)

*Trigger Warning* In this episode, you’re going to hear about abusive training techniques.

Welcome to ”Dog Training Bytes” – the show where canine professionals share their key takeaways, big a-ha moments, and hardest lessons learned from working with dogs.

On today’s episode, Mattison is speaking with Gwenyn Powers.

Gwenyn is the founder of Empowered Canine Solutions. With a background in public health and business, Gwenyn blends her expertise in behavior and One Health to make dog training more accessible and community-focused.

She got her start working with shelter dogs while finishing her undergrad, and now specializes in behavior modification—especially reactivity. Gwenyn is passionate about creating low-cost, virtual resources that support both dogs and their humans in building safer, more connected lives together.

You can connect with Gwenyn on Instagram and through her website.

Dog Training Bytes was created, produced, and edited by Mattison Simpson. You can connect with Mattison on Instagram at @DogTrainingBytes and @FreedbyTraining. For information on guests and resources for help with your dog or your dog training education, visit www.dogtrainingbytes.stream. Visual design by Mattison Simpson and music by Alexi Action.

Looking for more? Listen to my other show, unPACKed – a clinical dog training podcast co-hosted by Sailor Jerri the dog trainer.

Episode 33: Robyn Anne (Paws & Flaws Dog Training)

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Welcome to ”Dog Training Bytes” – the show where canine professionals share their key takeaways, big a-ha moments, and hardest lessons learned from working with dogs.

On today’s episode, Mattison is speaking with Robyn Anne.

Robyn Anne is the founder of Paws & Flaws Dog Training, offering in-person training in Bangkok and virtual support worldwide. A Level 4 PETbc Accredited Trainer, CPD Advanced Canine Behavior Diploma holder, and Fear Free Certified Professional (FFCP), she specializes in helping anxious and fearful dogs build confidence while guiding their guardians in fostering trust and understanding.

Growing up in Cyprus, Robyn’s passion for rescue dogs began with volunteering and fostering, leading to hands-on experience with Asian village dogs, rescues, and family pets. She takes a holistic approach, integrating emotional well-being, routines, and overall health into personalized training plans. Through Paws & Flaws, she also works with Thai shelters to improve adoption rates and canine welfare, creating lasting positive change for both dogs and their humans.

You can connect with Robyn on Instagram and through her website.

Dog Training Bytes was created, produced, and edited by Mattison Simpson. You can connect with Mattison on Instagram at @DogTrainingBytes and @FreedbyTraining. For information on guests and resources for help with your dog or your dog training education, visit www.dogtrainingbytes.stream. Visual design by Mattison Simpson and music by Alexi Action.

Looking for more? Listen to my other show, unPACKed – a clinical dog training podcast co-hosted by Sailor Jerri the dog trainer.

Episode 32: Alex Dunn (Emmy’s Way Dog Training)

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Welcome to ”Dog Training Bytes” – the show where canine professionals share their key takeaways, big a-ha moments, and hardest lessons learned from working with dogs.

On today’s episode, Mattison is speaking with Alex Dunn!

Alex Dunn, CPDT-KA, M.Ed, is the owner and head trainer of Emmy’s Way in Grand Rapids, MI. A former educator specializing in English as a Second Language, Alex discovered a passion for dog training after rescuing her dog, Emmy. She pursued extensive education, including coursework with Fenzi Dog Sports Academy and a training internship, before launching her own business.

Alex specializes in reactive dogs, scentwork, and confidence-building through tricks. With a compassionate, curiosity-driven approach, she helps pet parents strengthen their bond with their dogs through individualized, positive reinforcement training.

You can connect with Alex on Instagram and through her website.

Dog Training Bytes was created, produced, and edited by Mattison Simpson. You can connect with Mattison on Instagram at @DogTrainingBytes and @FreedbyTraining. For information on guests and resources for help with your dog or your dog training education, visit www.dogtrainingbytes.stream. Visual design by Mattison Simpson and music by Alexi Action.

Looking for more? Listen to my other show, unPACKed – a clinical dog training podcast co-hosted by Sailor Jerri the dog trainer.

Episode 31: Jessica Williams (You Did What With Your Weiner)

This episode is brought to you by Trust Your Dog Custom Dog Muzzles. Use code "FREED10" for 10% off custom muzzles and dog gear at TrustYourDog.com

Welcome to ”Dog Training Bytes” – the show where canine professionals share their key takeaways, big a-ha moments, and hardest lessons learned from working with dogs.

On today’s episode, Mattison is speaking with Jessica Williams!

Jessica Williams is the founder of You Did What With Your Weiner and Pet Talk Media, a Certified Family Dog Mediator, and an expert in Dachshund behavior. A Dachshund owner for over 20 years, she has spent more than 150,000 hours studying the breed and is the President of Washington State’s largest social Dachshund club. Jessica holds a Master’s in Communications in Digital Media, has completed various dog training certifications, and is a graduate of the Advanced Canine Behavior Mentorship. Through her award-winning blog, she provides education on Dachshund health, training, and adventure. When not working, she enjoys hiking, camping, and traveling with her wiener dogs.

You can connect with Jessica on Instagram, on her website, and you can read her blog here.

Dog Training Bytes was created, produced, and edited by Mattison Simpson. You can connect with Mattison on Instagram at @DogTrainingBytes and @FreedbyTraining. For information on guests and resources for help with your dog or your dog training education, visit www.dogtrainingbytes.stream. Visual design by Mattison Simpson and music by Alexi Action.

Looking for more? Listen to my other show, unPACKed – a clinical dog training podcast co-hosted by Sailor Jerri the dog trainer.

Episode 30: Gineva Bailey (Pup & Co Muskegon)

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Welcome to ”Dog Training Bytes” – the show where canine professionals share their key takeaways, big a-ha moments, and hardest lessons learned from working with dogs.

On today’s episode, Mattison is speaking with Gineva Bailey!

From Gineva:

I am owner and trainer at Pup & Co Muskegon. A small mobile training company, where I work with pet dogs and their guardians to increase their quality of life together, by helping them gain knowledge and functional skills that they can use to make their everyday lives better with their dogs.

My goal is to make training & support more inclusive and accessible within my community, especially to the rescue dog population, who I interact with often. I specialize in dogs with "big feelings" and rescue dogs, but enjoy working with all kinds of pups and people.

My personal training journey includes learning from many different "styles" of training while working with horses, donkeys and dogs for over a decade. The training I offer focuses on the importance of a regulated nervous system & emotional state while building confidence, healthy coping strategies, resiliency with a set of solid functional skills. I am so grateful for the opportunity to do this work and learn alongside so many amazing animals and their guardians. I am thrilled to be a part of any conversation about training, behavior and personal evolution, they certainly go hand in hand in my life.

You can connect with Gineva on Instagram and through her website.

Dog Training Bytes was created, produced, and edited by Mattison Simpson. You can connect with Mattison on Instagram at @DogTrainingBytes and @FreedbyTraining. For information on guests and resources for help with your dog or your dog training education, visit www.dogtrainingbytes.stream. Visual design by Mattison Simpson and music by Alexi Action.

Looking for more? Listen to my other show, unPACKed – a clinical dog training podcast co-hosted by Sailor Jerri the dog trainer.