The One-Minute Reset: A Simple Way to Regulate Your Dog (and Yourself)
The One-Minute Reset: How to Build Calm With Your Dog in Everyday MomentsEpisode Description:Wish you had a reset button after your dog reacts or a walk goes sideways? In this episode, I share my go-to One-Minute Reset — a simple, powerful tool to help you and your dog regulate and reconnect in under 60 seconds.Show NotesHave you ever wished for a way to “undo” a stressful moment with your dog?Maybe it’s the barking at the window. The lunge on a walk. The way your own heart pounds in your chest afterwards.Those moments can leave both you and your dog dysregulated long after they’re over. And here’s the thing: moving on without resetting doesn’t actually bring you back to calm.In this episode of The Mindful Dog Parent, I’m sharing my go-to tool for those moments: The One-Minute Reset. It’s simple, practical, and can change the way you and your dog recover from stress — together.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:Why regulation after a reaction matters: The nervous system science behind recovery.How sniffing helps your dog self-soothe: And why it’s one of the most powerful calming tools you have.The exact steps of The One-Minute Reset: A gentle, repeatable process to bring you both back to baseline.How this small practice builds trust: And why it works even if the moment didn’t go perfectly.A personal story: How a past reactive walk with my dog Maisy taught me the power of this pause.Who This Episode Is For:Dog parents of reactive or sensitive dogsAnyone who feels triggered or guilty after their dog strugglesPeople craving simple, doable tools to create more calm connectionWhy This Episode Matters:Because behaviour change isn’t just about prevention — it’s about recovery. The way you and your dog come back to baseline after stress is just as important as what you do before it.Try The One-Minute Reset:1️⃣ Pause when the moment allows.2️⃣ Invite your dog to sniff — no cues, no pressure.3️⃣ Take one slow breath.4️⃣ Stay present and observe.5️⃣ Move on gently when you both feel calmer.Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs start with the smallest pauses.Resources & Links:📥 Free guide: Practical Strategies for Overwhelmed Dog ParentsA Gentle Reminder:Your dog doesn’t need you to get it right every time. They need you to recover, reconnect, and keep showing up, together.Mentioned in this episode:Something New Is Coming: The Calm Connection ChallengeReady to feel calmer and more connected with your dog — and yourself?
In this short teaser, I’m letting you in on something exciting coming at the end of September… a free 4-day challenge created especially for overwhelmed, anxious dog parents who are craving more peace, ease, and confidence.
✨ Think of it as a gentle reset — no pressure, no perfect dog required.
Make sure you’re following the podcast and keep your eyes on your inbox so you don’t miss when the doors open. You’ll get daily support, calming tools, and simple ways to show up differently for your dog… and for yourself.
Not on my email list yet? Sign up to my free Strategies for Overwhelmed Dog Parents download so you’re the first to hear all the details:...
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The Pressure to Be a Good Dog Parent Is Burning You Out - Here’s What to Do
Burnout, Guilt & the Pressure to Keep Going (When You’re Already Tired)Episode Description (for listening apps):Burnout as a dog parent is real. In this guest episode with Dr. Amber Parks, we explore what burnout actually is, how it shows up in your relationship with your dog, and gentle, realistic steps to begin recovering.Show NotesHave you ever felt so emotionally drained that even loving your dog feels heavy?You’re not alone. Burnout as a dog parent is real, and it can sneak up on even the most dedicated, loving people.In this guest episode of The Mindful Dog Parent, I’m joined by Dr. Amber Parks, a veterinarian-turned burnout and stress coach who knows firsthand what it’s like to feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and stuck in something you once loved. Together, we unpack the hidden emotional toll of caring so deeply for your dog and why recovering your own wellbeing is the most important thing you can do for both of you.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:What burnout really is: And why it’s different to everyday stress.The signs of burnout in dog parents: Emotional, physical, and behavioural red flags to look out for.How burnout affects your connection with your dog: From patience levels to nervous system signals.Why loving your dog isn’t enough to avoid burnout: And why this has nothing to do with failing them.Gentle ways to start recovering: Small, doable steps to refill your cup without quitting everything.About Our Guest:Dr. Amber Parks, DVM, DABVP is a veterinarian-turned burnout and stress coach who helps high-achieving professionals reclaim energy, confidence, and joy without needing to quit their jobs. She specializes in helping clients overcome imposter syndrome, stop people-pleasing, and build sustainable lives that feel fulfilling, not draining.Who This Episode Is For:Dog parents who feel emotionally or physically exhaustedAnyone who loves their dog deeply but feels they’re running on emptyPeople craving gentle, realistic ways to recover calm and joyWhy This Episode Matters:Because being a good dog parent should never mean losing yourself in the process. Burnout isn’t about how much you love your dog, it’s about how much you’ve been pouring out without refilling.Your Gentle Takeaway:You can’t pour calm into your dog if you’re running on empty. Taking care of yourself is taking care of them.Resources & Links:📥 Free guide: Practical Strategies for Overwhelmed Dog ParentsA Gentle Reminder:Your dog needs you well, not worn down. Prioritising your mental health is one of the most loving things you can do for both of you.
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The Myth of the Perfect Dog: Letting Go of Unrealistic Expectations
The Myth of the Perfect Dog: Letting Go of Unrealistic ExpectationsEpisode Description (for listening apps):If you’ve ever compared your dog to the “perfect” dogs you see online and felt like you’re failing, this episode will help you release those expectations and embrace the imperfect, beautiful dog right in front of you.Show NotesHave you ever looked at someone else’s dog and thought, “Why can’t mine be like that?”It might be the calm café dog lying under the table, the off-lead recall videos on Instagram, or even the well-behaved pup at the park who seems to do everything right.And then you look at your own dog, barking at the window, bouncing off the walls, struggling to focus, and the weight of comparison hits.That’s what we’re unpacking in this episode: the myth of the “perfect dog,” how it sneaks into our relationship, and why letting go of it is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself and your dog.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:Where the perfect dog myth comes from: Social media, training culture, and unrealistic expectations.How comparison quietly fuels guilt and burnout: And why it hits so hard for sensitive, caring dog parents.Why your dog doesn’t need to be perfect: The difference between behaviour goals and emotional connection.A mindset shift: How to start celebrating progress over perfection.A gentle reminder: The dog who loves you? They’re already the perfect dog for you.Who This Episode Is For:Dog parents caught in the comparison trapAnyone feeling “behind” in their dog trainingPeople struggling with guilt or shame about their dog’s behaviourWhy This Episode Matters:Because chasing perfection doesn’t build connection. Letting go of unrealistic expectations creates space for joy, progress, and a deeper bond with the dog you actually have — not the one you think you should.Your Gentle Takeaway:The perfect dog doesn’t exist. But the perfect dog for you? They’re already right there, wagging their tail, doing their best.Resources & Links:Free guide: Practical Strategies for Overwhelmed Dog ParentsA Gentle Reminder:Your dog isn’t a test you have to pass. They’re a relationship you get to nurture.
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Why Your Dog’s Behaviour Feels So Triggering (And What to Do About It)
Why Your Dog’s Behaviour Feels So Triggering (And What to Do About It)Episode Description:When your dog’s behaviour feels triggering, it’s not because you’re a bad dog parent. In this episode, I explore why reactivity hits so hard, the emotional layers behind it, and gentle ways to reset with calm connection.Show NotesDoes your dog’s behaviour ever hit you right in the chest?Maybe it’s the barking at the window again, the sudden lunge on a walk, or the recall that falls apart no matter what you do.And the reaction inside you is instant: a knot in your stomach, heat in your face, maybe even shame creeping in with the thought, “Why can’t I handle this? What’s wrong with me?”You are not broken. And neither is your dog.In this episode of The Mindful Dog Parent, we’re unpacking why our dogs’ behaviour can feel so triggering — and what to do about it when those emotions surge.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:Why dog behaviour can feel so personal: The emotional mirror our dogs hold up to us.The role of the nervous system: How stress in you and your dog feeds into each other.Old emotional patterns: How past experiences, perfectionism, and fear of failing resurface in dog parenting moments.Gentle regulation tools: How to pause, reset, and find calm connection in the middle of the mess.A small, practical takeaway: One grounding step to use when you feel triggered in real-time.Who This Episode Is For:Dog parents of reactive or sensitive dogsAnyone who feels anxious, guilty, or ashamed after their dog strugglesPeople who want to build a calmer, more connected relationship with their dogWhy This Episode Matters:Because feeling triggered by your dog’s behaviour doesn’t make you a bad dog parent. It makes you human. Learning to regulate yourself first is one of the most powerful things you can do, for both ends of the lead.Try This:The next time your dog reacts, pause for 30 seconds.Breathe slowly.Notice what’s happening in your body.Then meet your dog with calm eyes, not more training cues.This one small shift can change everything.Resources & Links:📥 Free guide: Practical Strategies for Overwhelmed Dog ParentsA Gentle Reminder:Your dog’s behaviour is not a reflection of your worth. You are learning. They are learning. And you are in this together.
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Carrying Dog Mum Guilt? Let’s Talk About It
The Weight of Dog Mum Guilt: Why You’re Not a Bad Dog ParentEpisode Description:Dog mum guilt is heavy, quiet, and constant. In this episode, I explore where it comes from, why so many dog parents blame themselves, and gentle ways to release it so you and your dog can thrive.Show NotesDo you ever feel like you’re letting your dog down?It’s the quiet voice that creeps in after a walk goes wrong. The knot in your stomach when your dog barks at the neighbour’s dog. The wave of shame when you lose patience or cancel that playdate.That heavy, lingering feeling? That’s dog mum guilt.And here’s what I want you to know: dog mum guilt doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you care.In this episode of The Mindful Dog Parent, we’re diving deep into the emotional weight so many of us carry as dog parents — and how to start putting it down.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:The moment guilt hit me hardest: A personal story of a walk gone wrong and the voice that said, “You’re failing her.”Where dog mum guilt really comes from: How unrealistic expectations, comparison culture, and old emotional patterns feed it.When love and guilt collide: Why the more we care, the heavier guilt can feel.Reframing guilt: Understanding the difference between helpful and harmful guilt.A practical tool — The Guilt Pause: A gentle, repeatable way to meet guilt with compassion instead of shame.Who This Episode Is For:Dog parents carrying the weight of guilt, shame, or self-blameAnyone who loves their dog deeply but still finds it hard sometimesPeople navigating reactivity, puppy chaos, or emotional burnoutYour Gentle Takeaway:You can love your dog with your whole heart and still find this hard. That doesn’t make you a bad dog parent — it makes you human.Try This Tool:The next time guilt creeps in, pause and ask yourself:Is this guilt helping me honour a value, or is it shaming me for being human?What would I say to a friend feeling this way?What’s one small way I can show care for me and my dog right now?Resources & Links:Free guide for overwhelmed dog parents: Practical Strategies for Overwhelmed Dog ParentsA Gentle Reminder:Your dog doesn’t need perfect. They need you, showing up, learning, and loving them through the messiness.
Welcome to The Mindful Dog Parent – the podcast for overwhelmed and anxious dog owners who really do love their dogs, but are secretly wondering… “Why does this feel so hard?”
I’m Sian, a trauma-informed dog trainer and trauma-informed coach for dog parents who are navigating reactivity, puppy overwhelm, and the exhausting emotional rollercoaster that comes with life alongside your four-legged best friend.
If you’ve ever:
- Cried after a walk
- Googled “am I failing my dog?”
- Felt totally burnt out trying to “get it right”
- Been overwhelmed by conflicting training advice
Or said, *“I just want to enjoy my dog again”...
...you’re in the right place.
This podcast is your calm corner of the internet, where mental health meets dog behaviour in a compassionate, no-shame space.
You’ll hear:
- Solo episodes packed with real talk, emotional support, and practical tips
- Stories from dog parents (just like you) who are struggling behind the scenes
- Occasional expert interviews on dog parent burnout, nervous system regulation, and trauma-informed care
- Encouragement, insights, and action steps that actually feel doable
- Gentle guidance to help you feel more calm, connected, and confident with your dog
Topics We Cover Include:
- Dog parent guilt, shame, and emotional burnout
- Reactivity, puppy struggles, and nervous system triggers
- Emotional regulation and training from a place of calm
- Boundaries, perfectionism, and people-pleasing as a dog owner
- Why “just be calm” isn’t helpful, and what to do instead
If you’re a sensitive soul, a tired dog mum (or dad), or just feeling like you’ve lost yourself in the chaos, this podcast is here to remind you:
You’re not broken. You’re not alone. And it doesn’t have to feel like this forever.
New episodes drop every week. Hit follow and join me for heartfelt, honest conversations that will help you take the pressure off, and finally enjoy your dog again.
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