The Dog Conversations We Avoid

The Dog Conversations We Avoid

Author: Denise Fenzi February 21, 2026 Duration: 1:06:23

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.

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Denise Fenzi invites you into a series of thoughtful conversations that go far beyond simple dog training tips. On Fenzi Food For Thought, she shares stories and engages with a community of curious, compassionate people who are passionate about understanding animals and themselves. The discussions often explore the intersection of education, personal growth, and the wilderness of sport, breaking down preconceived notions about how we connect with our canine partners. You’ll hear genuine dialogues that delve into the philosophy behind training, the importance of relationship, and the joy found in sharing a life with dogs. This podcast serves as a meeting place for those who want to think more deeply about their approach, whether in competition, companionship, or personal development. Tune in for a blend of personal reflection and insightful exchange, all centered on a profound respect for the animals that teach us so much. It’s a space where the love for the journey is just as important as any end goal, making every episode a piece of food for thought.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Fenzi Food For Thought
Podcast Episodes
Stress & Resilience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:05
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…
When There Are Upsides to Training We Don't Like [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:01
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 tra…
Take An Extra Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:53
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 H…
What is Superstitious Learning? And What is Single Incident Learning? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:07
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…
Lessons from Electric Fencing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:15
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 c…
Beyond Reinforcement and Punishment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:35
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 Driv…
Conversations About Reactive Dogs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:40
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. Fol…
What is "Not Fine" For a Dog? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:37
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 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:11
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 h…
Training Outcomes in the Dog World [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:32
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…