Soul Touched by Dogs

Prefer video? Watch on YouTube. Cognitive decline affects thirty percent of dogs by age ten — yet most guardians are told there's nothing that can be done. Carter Easler, a clinical researcher in functional medicine, spent years caring for senior and hospice dogs in rescue, and what he learned changed how he thinks about aging, whole-dog health, and the quiet changes we can make before symptoms become crises. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN How to recognize the early signs of cognitive decline in your dog — including changes to sleep, disorientation, and shifts in temperament that often go unnoticed Why sleep quality is one of the most underrated pillars of longevity and resilience in dogs, and how tracking rest patterns can reveal what's really happening beneath the surface How intermittent fasting for dogs — restricting their eating window to eight to ten hours a day — supports gastrointestinal health, liver function, and cognitive clarity What root cause thinking looks like in practice, and why issues like reactivity, allergies, and anxiety often trace back to gut health and inflammation How to collaborate with your vet even when your approaches don't fully align — including what questions to ask, what information to bring, and when it might be time to find a more integrative partner Why the best diet for your dog isn't about perfection, but about whole foods, minimal processing, and what's realistic for your life and budget How to create an "ideal day" baseline for your dog that makes it easier to notice subtle changes, track progress over time, and show up to vet visits prepared A FAVOURITE MOMENT "There's no such thing as too late, even with our older dogs." — Carter ABOUT CARTER EASLER Carter Easler is a clinical researcher in functional medicine and the founder of Rootd Pet, where he helps guardians build whole-dog health plans alongside their vets. His work with aging dogs began in animal rescue, caring for senior and hospice dogs who had been surrendered because their families were told nothing more could be done. That experience led him to serve as Principal Investigator of The Senior Dog Study, a twelve-week study of a mushroom-based supplement in dogs with cognitive decline, published in the Journal of Clinical Medical Research in 2025. Carter has spent a decade teaching vets, retailers, and pet parents about cannabinoid and mushroom science — and he's known for making complex research usable, and for being honest about where the evidence is strong and where it's thin. CONNECT WITH CARTER EASLER Website: rootdpet.com Instagram: @rootdpet Free resource (Vet Visit Playbook): rootdpet.com/soultouched CONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGS To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com. And if you're a dog lover who wants community, trusted expert resources and coaching to create a calmer, happier, healthier life with your dog, come find us at planetcalm.co — the Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them.

Play-based dog training might sound like it's just for puppies, but Marc Windgassen has spent over 30 years proving otherwise — from hunting dogs carrying raw eggs without breaking them, to reactive dogs learning to see other dogs as background noise. In this conversation, he walks us through why play, not treats, becomes the most sustainable way to teach your dog what matters, and how understanding the "why" behind any method is what keeps it working long after the trainer leaves. Prefer video? Watch on youtube. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Why your dog might not play tug (even though every dog is wired to chase, catch and hold), and how to build that drive back without pressure or proximity stress How to use a game of tug to redirect a reactive dog in real-world environments — and why it works faster than trying to suppress the behaviour What happens in your dog's brain when you replace an old neural pathway (like lunging at cats) with a new one (like looking for the toy), and why consistency matters more than perfection Why teaching your dog the "why" behind a cue — not just the action — helps you adapt when life doesn't follow the script How to keep an older dog physically and mentally sharp through play, and why those small stabilizing muscles matter more than you think What it looks like to train online without losing influence — and why having the owner hold the leash from day one creates more lasting change How to create an invisible boundary in your kitchen (or anywhere else) using spatial pressure, so your dog stays safe and your mobility stays intact A FAVOURITE MOMENT "If your neighbors think you've gone mental, you're doing it correctly." — Marc ABOUT MARC WINDGASSEN Marc Windgassen is a German dog trainer with over 30 years of experience across multiple countries and disciplines. He specializes in online training and believes that explaining the "why" behind every method is what makes change stick. Marc is the founder of Dog Point, where he works with dog owners internationally to solve behaviour challenges and build confidence through understanding, not compliance. CONNECT WITH MARC WINDGASSEN Website: dogpoint.pet Instagram: @dogpoint.usa TikTok: @dogpointusa Facebook: dogpoint LinkedIn: Marc Windgassen Newsletter: The Dogpoint Newsletter CONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGS To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com. And if you're a dog lover who wants community, trusted expert resources and coaching to create a calmer, happier, healthier life with your dog, come find us at planetcalm.co - the Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them.

Prefer video? Watch on youtube. Turning cherished dog photos into lasting art sounds simple until you realize most of those hundreds of images on your phone will never make it off the screen. Luke Welsh understands the gap between digital memories and something you can hold, see every day, and pass down — and he's built a business around closing it with the kind of quality and care that honours what those photos actually mean. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Why a professional-grade canvas matters more than you think when it comes to preserving a memory that will hang in your home for years How to choose the right photo from your camera roll, even if you're not sure which one captures the moment that still makes you laugh or tears at your heartstrings What happens behind the scenes when someone who actually cares about your story takes your photo and prepares it for printing, including colour correction and enhancement The kinds of moments dog lovers most often want to preserve beyond the passing of a beloved dog — family portraits, celebrations, even the everyday shots that somehow mean everything How a custom canvas can become the gift you give when someone already has everything, especially when it's a photo they didn't know they needed on their wall Why working with someone who treats your pet's photo like the family treasure it is makes all the difference in what you receive A FAVOURITE MOMENT "These people are trusting us with this photo. Even though it's not a valuable gold watch or diamonds, it's so valuable to them." — Luke ABOUT LUKE WELSH Luke Welsh is the co-founder of Love My Pet Canvas, a business he runs with his wife Tammy. With 42 years of experience in the printing industry as a quality manager, Luke brings meticulous attention to detail and professional-grade standards to every canvas they produce. More than that, he and Tammy are devoted pet lovers who've adopted and cared for many dogs over the years — each one leaving pawprints on their hearts and inspiring them to help others preserve those same kinds of precious memories. CONNECT WITH LUKE WELSH Website: lovemypetcanvas.com Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070365874880 Special offer for Soul Touched by Dogs listeners: Use promo code Pawsome at checkout for a discount on your order. CONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGS To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com And if you're a dog lover who wants community, trusted expert resources and coaching to create a calmer, happier, healthier life with your dog, come find us at planetcalm.co - the Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them.

Prefer video? Watch on YouTube. Trauma recovery in dogs isn't just about bad behavior that needs fixing — it's about a nervous system that got stuck in survival mode and can't switch off. When your dog startles at every sound, can't settle, or seems suspicious of the world, training alone won't reach what's really going on. Annie Phenix, a certified behavior expert who specializes in the most serious cases, shows why healing the body first is the missing piece in helping anxious, reactive, and traumatized dogs find peace. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Why some dogs bounce back from hard experiences while others get stuck in a trauma loop — and what that has to do with how their nervous system regulates itself, not the event itself How a dog's nervous system works almost exactly like ours, and why addressing it first makes behavior change happen faster than counter-conditioning alone What it looks like when a 120-pound Doberman Dane who wanted to eat strangers heals in six months — and why he could do it faster than most humans with similar trauma Why your dog jumps up on the counter or digs in the couch when they're anxious — and how these behaviors are actually attempts to self-soothe and ground their nervous system The one simple environmental change (a white noise machine) that can help noise-sensitive dogs finally get deep, restorative sleep in their own home How to know if your dog's behavior problem is actually rooted in pain — and why even mild physical issues can create huge emotional responses What glimmers are, and why looking for tiny moments of peace, joy, and curiosity is more useful than waiting for your dog to be "fixed" A FAVOURITE MOMENT "You can't heal in the environment that caused the stress." — Annie ABOUT ANNIE PHENIX Annie Phenix is a certified canine behavior expert and trauma-informed professional who works virtually with dog owners around the world. She specializes in the most serious and complex behavior cases — the dogs other trainers say can't be helped — and has a remarkable success rate. Annie is the author of two best-selling books on canine behavior, including Positive Training for Aggressive and Reactive Dogs, and runs the Canine Trauma Clinic, a private community where dog lovers learn how to regulate their dog's nervous system and support real healing. She's also the founder of the Phenix Advocacy Center for R+ Canine Professionals, a nonprofit focused on mental health and wellbeing in the dog training world. CONNECT WITH ANNIE PHENIX Website: choosetotrainhumane.com Canine Trauma Clinic: choosetotrainhumane.com/canine-trauma-clinic Facebook: facebook.com/phenixdogs Free guide — 7 Steps to Quick Healing: phenix-dogs-canine-behavior-experts-llc.kit.com/7-steps CONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGS To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com. And if you're a dog lover who wants community, trusted expert resources and coaching to create a calmer, happier, healthier life with your dog, come find us at planetcalm.co — the Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them.

Prefer video? Watch on youtube. Mental health benefits of dogs aren't always visible the way physical health is, but they may be the most powerful gift our dogs give us. Daniel Popovic joins the show to talk about grief, rescue dogs who carry trauma, and why the stories we share about our dogs matter more than we might realize — especially when we're struggling. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Why the grief of losing a dog can hit harder than you expect, even when you thought you were prepared How dogs pick up on energy and trauma in ways we don't, and what that means when you bring a new dog into your home What caregiver fatigue really looks like when you're caring for a senior dog, and why it's okay to admit it's hard Why resource guarding and reactivity might be about your energy in the room, not just the dog's history How having a dog holds you accountable in ways that quietly shape your mental health, your routine, and your sense of purpose Why younger generations — especially those navigating isolation, stress, or big life transitions — benefit deeply from having dogs in their lives What it means to make room for a dog when your life feels full, and why the sacrifice is worth more than you give back A FAVOURITE MOMENT "Every misstep is a stepping stone to success. There's a diamond underneath every challenge — you just have to look for it." — Daniel ABOUT DANIEL POPOVIC Daniel Popovic is a product innovation executive, author, and podcast host who spent years generating over two billion dollars in product value across multiple industries before turning his attention to what matters most: the human-animal bond. After losing his Doberman Marley in devastating circumstances, he wrote a book to process his grief — and discovered it resonated with others navigating the same heartbreak. Now he hosts the Every Paw Print, Every Story podcast, works with rescue dogs carrying trauma, and is developing a framework to speak at universities about how dogs anchor our mental health and shape us into better leaders and humans. CONNECT WITH DANIEL POPOVIC Website: pawpads.pet CONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGS To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com. And if you're a dog lover who wants community, trusted expert resources and coaching to create a calmer, happier, healthier life with your dog, come find us at planetcalm.co - the Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them.