The Secret Lives of Dog Pros

Two puppies. Twice the cute. Twice the fun. What could possibly go wrong? In this episode, Nicole and Peet talk about littermate syndrome —what it is, whether it’s actually real, and why dog trainers get a little nervous when someone says, “We figured they’d keep each other company.” Can you successfully raise two puppies together? Absolutely. But it may take a lot more than buying two crates and twice the kibble. And sometimes, by the time you ask your trainer whether getting the second puppy is a good idea… you’ve already brought him home.

How do you know when your dog needs more than training? In this episode, Nicole, Peet, and Dr. Rachel talk about the dogs who seem unable to turn their brains off—from noise sensitivity and obsessive behaviors to anxiety that makes everyday life genuinely hard. Using the story of a little dog whose world became consumed by shadows and reflections, they unpack the difference between a training problem and a dog who may be struggling to cope. When is medication worth considering? Will it change your dog's personality? Is using medication “giving up” on training? And what are dog trainers and veterinarians actually looking for when they suggest it might be time? A conversation about anxiety, medication, training—and why sometimes the goal isn't to make a dog easier to live with. It's to make life easier for the dog.