Episode Transcript
[00:00:01] Speaker A: Welcome to the Dr. Random podcast. I'm Dr. Sarah, and here's the deal. We don't do boxes here.
Every episode is different.
Every conversation has its own flavor, and no topic is off limits. If you're looking for predictable, this isn't it. But if you want real conversations, honest takes, and a touch of intellect in the best way, you're in the right place. This is Dr. Random Podcast.
[00:00:31] Speaker A: Hello, and welcome to the Dr. Random Podcast. I'm Dr. Sarah, and today I am thrilled because we have with us as the guest Susan Marett, who is a.
[00:00:45] Speaker A: Professional dog trainer, and she is with purely positive dog training here in Charleston and in the surrounding areas, such as Mount Pleasant with Ashley, all over Charleston.
And she is amazing what she did with my little pup here, Ava. And that's why I wanted to have her on and share with you guys. So hopefully, maybe you can utilize what she does too. So, Susan, if you can go ahead and kind of talk about and introduce yourself to the audience. Sure.
[00:01:13] Speaker B: I. I've been a professional trainer here since 1997, and I have four other trainers on my team, and we all have different specialties, but mine are separation anxiety. I've been a certified separation anxiety trainer since 1919. Oh, my goodness. 2017. Excuse me. And I am a certified pet dog trainer, and I'm also a certified pet bird trainer as of last year.
[00:01:40] Speaker A: Oh, wow.
[00:01:41] Speaker B: Yeah, Branching out.
[00:01:42] Speaker A: That's cool. Yeah, Awesome. I love it, too, because I don't know why. I just had this picture in my head of Charleston with the pirates and the birds on the shoulder.
[00:01:50] Speaker B: Not like that.
[00:01:51] Speaker A: Not like that. But I just think that's ne.
[00:01:53] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:01:54] Speaker A: You know, just to give the audience a little background, too.
So, Ava, she's my Chihuahua. I had another chihuahua for almost 15 years. Her name was Gigi. And I guess you could say I was kind of spoiled in a way. She could care less about being around other dogs. And then I got little sweet Ava here, and she's great with people, kids, everything, but the minute she saw a dog, it was like Cujo came out or some kind of monster. And so I was like, what do I do about this? Because it got to a point where, you know, I couldn't even go to a restaurant and enjoy a meal, which I love doing with her, because if another dog came around, it was disastrous. And Susan came in and saved the day and rescued and helped us help me get Ava to a point where now it's just been a great success story. And we can dive into that a little bit more later. But I wanted to first go into some fun stuff, which I love. I'm so excited to talk about, like dog behavior, dog psychology.
What are some dog behaviors that you would say that alert a problem or a need for a dog? That maybe is something that maybe as dog owners, maybe we see a lot but don't really read into it as much as we should. Can you think of anything? Possibly.
[00:03:12] Speaker B: I would say one really good example is when you are taking your dog out and they stop being curious about the environment, they're no longer sniffing, exploring, interacting with the environment.
That may mean that they're stressed or anxious about something.
[00:03:28] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:03:29] Speaker B: You know, so there's some obvious things like appetite and energy level and not wanting to play.
I worked with someone yesterday whose dog really doesn't like to go for walks at all, which is flooring to her. So, you know, I think you have to look at, are they enjoying life? Like what lights them up, you know, do they interact with people, with dogs? If they're comfortable with that, yeah.
[00:03:50] Speaker A: Okay. Love that. That's actually. Yeah, that's very important. And what would you say are the most common or misunderstood dog communications that are dog behave?
[00:04:01] Speaker B: Top of the list, you know, hundreds of feet above everything else would be tail wagging.
[00:04:07] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:04:08] Speaker B: So dogs will wag their tails when they're aroused or when they're excited about something. And excitement can be everything from that's my favorite person in the world, I love them, and so happy they're home to I'm really excited you're reaching into the car that I'm sitting in and that's not going to go well for you.
Or you're reaching over my fence and you know that. And this is my yard and I'm wagging my tail because I'm very aroused in this moment and very alert.
[00:04:35] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:04:35] Speaker B: So I would say that one. If I had to nail down one, it would absolutely be that one.
[00:04:40] Speaker A: Okay. I can just think of situations possibly with small children. Maybe people think the dog is being friendly or happy to see the child. And maybe they're just like you said, maybe aroused or.
[00:04:51] Speaker B: Yeah. I think one of my mentors, Jennifer Shyrock, who. Who works primarily in the area of getting people ready to have a baby when they already have pets and also toddlers and dogs, which is a really sticky scenario for most people.
She has a. A phrase she says invites decrease bites, meaning, you know, if you. If a child calls a dog over and they just. And they just don't want to come, just opt out then to let them, you know, that's that's the tell. Right. So that this dog doesn't want to interact with you. So.
[00:05:27] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:05:27] Speaker B: I think, I would say in general, I think. I think kids are really good these days about asking if they can pet dogs. It's a little different area or subject and. And listen better than adults do about not pet dogs. For sure.
Yeah.
[00:05:40] Speaker A: Okay. And I would say one thing that I.
[00:05:46] Speaker A: Found so fascinating, too, is when we were doing Ava's training, there were days when you would go with just her, and then I would come along some other trainings. And when we went to the dog park where they had the small dog section and the larger dog section, you were so good at reading all the dogs, interacting with each other.
I don't know if you want to talk a little bit about that. If you remember, that was in the park under the bridge.
I just found it fascinating because I think some of the owners were a little oblivious. Like this dog. One of them, I remember we were observing was absolutely frightened, and all the other big dogs were coming around. I just found that so fascinating that, you know, you were able to, like, read really what was going on. I don't know if you want to talk more about that.
[00:06:30] Speaker B: Sure. I mean, I can talk about some general things.
[00:06:34] Speaker B: You know, I think if you're taking.
I'm not a big fan of dog parks. They're really great for some dogs, and they're. They're only good is the. That moment in that day, you know, if someone's dog is hiding under a bench or hiding under a picnic table. Like some of the dog parks here have picnic tables out or has their tail tucked or is. Is running away from dogs constantly that that dog needs to go. Meaning that dog needs this owner.
[00:07:00] Speaker A: His.
[00:07:01] Speaker B: His or her owner needs to step up and help them. You know, I don't mean they need to go. They're not appropriate for the dog park, but they're not having a good time.
[00:07:07] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:07:08] Speaker B: And the dog parks for having a good time, you know, and building good, good experiences, increasing them. It's not for. I'm panicked and frightened, and I just want to get away from everyone. And, you know, dogs tend to. If one dog is running fast, they tend to form a group and chase that dog, which is terrifying for the dog being chased. And that can get out of hand really quickly.
[00:07:30] Speaker A: So would you suggest. Because normally I feel like when you're in there, like, if, say, your dog's under the bench or under a picnic table, would you kind of just kind of bring them out and stand there and try to get them more comfortable with the other dogs? Or would you say I give them the.
[00:07:44] Speaker B: I give them the agency to. In time to come out themselves, and if you really didn't want to, I would be out, because that's not why they're there. Yeah, I think there are some older dogs that just love going to the dog park every day because they've always gone and they just like meandering around and thinking deep thoughts, I suppose. But there are. But I think, you know, the dogs that are going to benefit from dog parks or, you know, adolescent young adult dogs that need a lot of exercise and, you know, particularly, I don't want to say anything about particular breeds, but the dogs that are social and they really need their bucket filled up with interaction with people and dogs that can be a lot of different breeds, of course, for all breeds, but that's a big rabbit hole and tricky place to go into.
[00:08:26] Speaker A: But.
[00:08:27] Speaker B: But I. But there's a place for them. People are responsible. There's a place for them.
[00:08:32] Speaker A: Okay. And is there any behavior or signal that a dog does that shows they need immediate attention? Would you say anything you can think of? Maybe more for health reasons or. Or maybe behavior? I'm not sure.
[00:08:47] Speaker B: Well, I can give one example. If they're displaying an obsession, obsessive compulsive behavior, like chasing shadows or chasing lights, chasing their tail, constantly licking the walls or furniture, the floor constantly. That could be medical, but it also. It might be behavioral.
[00:09:04] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:09:05] Speaker B: Meaning it. Meaning there needs to be an intervention.
[00:09:09] Speaker A: So funny you say that because Ava chases her tell sometimes a lot and goes in circles, and it's pretty hilarious, actually. I find it funny. Could that. Does that mean something? I wonder.
[00:09:19] Speaker B: It would. It would be, you know, she may just be having a great time and just playing by herself, and that's fine. It would be if it. It's a problem if you can't interrupt it.
[00:09:27] Speaker A: Oh, okay.
[00:09:28] Speaker B: It's a problem if it starts affecting their quality of life.
[00:09:30] Speaker A: Oh, okay. Okay. Yeah, yeah.
[00:09:32] Speaker B: But I mean, of course dogs do things like that. I'm not going to, you know, go on the make, you know, go to the bat phone and make a call. If my dog is looking, drywall for a second, you know, but yeah, if they're doing it a lot.
[00:09:45] Speaker A: Right. Yeah. It's hilarious because she. It's funny because she does it. If she finds an open space, she's like, woo. Or she'll get up on top of the bed and do little circles sometimes, and it's like a little Spurt. And then she stops. Yeah.
[00:09:58] Speaker B: Sounds like just fun.
[00:09:59] Speaker A: It's hilarious. Yeah. Okay. And do you have any funny stories you have with dogs? Like, funny like that you think kind of stand out over the years?
[00:10:07] Speaker B: I don't.
[00:10:09] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:10:09] Speaker B: I don't have any funny stories with dogs. I have.
I have a lot of funny stories about clients.
[00:10:15] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:10:17] Speaker B: And I'll just tell one.
[00:10:18] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:10:19] Speaker B: Which, you know, I. I had someone several years ago. I. I went to her home and.
And she opened the door and stood there for a moment and she said, I thought you were going to be fat.
[00:10:31] Speaker A: What?
[00:10:32] Speaker B: And I said.
I said, sorry. I said, why did you think that? Because. What are you going to say to that? I mean, you're not really ready for that kind of question. And you. She said, well, you just sounded really fat over the phone.
[00:10:44] Speaker A: What?
Oh, my gosh. Okay.
[00:10:51] Speaker B: So, yeah, I don't.
I would say, I mean, dogs are endlessly amazing and lovely and entertaining and funny. And so, you know, I, of course, like, wonderful, cute, funny things happen all the time.
[00:11:06] Speaker A: Yeah, I could totally say that. Where. Because you're dealing with a lot of different people with dogs. And sometimes I think even myself, sometimes with. I remember in the training, sometimes I felt like I wasn't myself. It's kind of like when you go to the airport and you go to TSA and everybody, like, doesn't know what to do. I was so nervous about the thought of her going around other dogs because she's so little, you know, And I think it brought out kind of a funny side to me. So you might have thought I was, like, awkward or something? Sometimes, at least I felt like I was being awkward. But, yeah, I could only imagine over the years with just dealing, you know, that that's probably you. Probably. Yeah. I mean, I mean, some comical things that have happened. Sure.
[00:11:46] Speaker B: I mean, people are interesting and eccentric, as am I. And, you know, your personality absolutely comes out with your dog and your concerns and. And wants and wishes with your dog.
I would, I would say the. The most significant thing about my work is just the moments that I literally am almost teary because we. We were able to take that dog outside the dog park and the dog was relaxed, or that dog did.
I have absolutely been in tears several times with separation anxiety clients because I did a virtual assessment with the dog after working for weeks, and that dog has just slept for an hour while the person is out. And there isn't really, for me, a better feeling than that because it's life changing for the dog. It's a huge Quality of life issue.
[00:12:32] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, okay. Yes, that's, Are there any definite no's with dogs or yeses you would say? Like you can just think of. If not, that's okay. But I was just kind of curious, like, if you would say, no, don't ever do this with your dog, or definitely, yes, do this with your dog. Anything that comes to mind.
[00:12:49] Speaker B: There's so many things.
I mean, there's no dog trainer probably on the face of the earth that likes retractable leashes.
I mean, any piece of equipment that carries, you know, an amputation warning probably should be avoided, you know. Okay, yeah, so that, that's a no.
I wish that people would pay more attention to their dogs and walks. I see so many people that are, that are talking on their phone or listening to music, and I feel like we're, most people are so keen and so desperate in many cases to have their dog listen to them and follow commands, respond to them. And, and yet we're so checked out often, you know, about what our dog is doing and what they're interested in.
And it's sad.
[00:13:35] Speaker A: I mean, even myself, I observe sometimes, I really hope that when people have a dog, they really want to have the dog and know what to expect when they take on the life of a dog. Because I think one of the saddest things I've seen, of course, is when people give up a senior for adoption or something, or they, I don't even want to say adoption. They just, you know, get rid of a senior dog because they don't want to deal with it. That breaks my heart.
And I've done like, I don't know, the Humane Society walks different things like that. But I think it's kind of interesting, like with Ava and my dog before, in a way, I feel like they both found me. I wasn't really seeking a dog, which I think is sometimes the best way to find a dog, of course. But of course I would encourage people to go to shelters and like adopt dogs and do what they can, you know, rescue, save a dog. So I find it, when I think about it, it's like, wow, both times I had Gigi and then I had Ava, they both in a way, like found me, I was reached out or, you know, that's how I found them. So it's kind of amazing in that way.
[00:14:35] Speaker B: Well, if, well, if I can add something, I, I, I think one of the best things you did for Ava, and of course this little bit of this is self serving, but, you know, you chose positive training route for her behavioral issues.
And I, you know, I.
I often have people call and say, well, I've got. I've got a Chihuahua. And I. I know that, you know, there are tougher training methods out there, and. And. But I've got a Chihuahua. But. So I, you know, I don't want to use those kinds of methods. I know those are okay for big dogs, but. But they're. They're not. In my mind. Positive methods are for all dogs of all sizes, of all breeds, of all types, and so it's not just for Ava. And then we can pick her up like a football. When she stopped beh.
Like that, she wouldn't be squirmy, but we can. But, you know, that's a great thing you did for her, too, because it means she had a better learning experience.
And she's doing things because she's not doing things because she's afraid of you.
She's doing things for you because she wants to.
[00:15:34] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:15:34] Speaker B: You know, and that's really important as well. It's not enough. If a training method is effective, I think it should be humane as well.
[00:15:42] Speaker A: I totally agree with that. And, yeah, and I think that, you know, with. Dogs are just. Oh, my gosh, to me, I think of them as little angels. They're so sweet. And, like, I had a thing, you know, like, sometimes we can get, like, oh, we have dog hair all over the house, or blah, blah, blah. And then I'm like, well, wait till the day when you all of a sudden realize you miss that dog hair. Being around the house, you know, I just feel like having a dog has so many sentimental things to it, too. And I think that utilizing something like your services, it's like, you know, I always love that saying of the Having our dogs can feel short because their lives, you know, we wish they could live longer than they do dogs, but to them, when they're with us, that's their whole life. And so that's how I look at it when I have a dog. Like, that's their whole life. And so we have to make it good for them.
And I think everything that we can do as dog owners for our dogs is so important. And it's like, you know, you might. I know people get frustrated. Oh, the. The dog threw up or he's sick or, you know, or did this. But there's, you know, and that can be, you know, frustrating, of course, sometimes when the doggies have their little mishaps, but it's not a big deal. It's like, we don't have them that long. And so we need to cherish it.
[00:16:55] Speaker B: Sure, Yeah. I mean, if you don't have buyer's remorse a handful of times with a new puppy, then you're probably not really having a new puppy.
[00:17:04] Speaker B: But it passes.
[00:17:06] Speaker A: Yeah. Totally worth it. And.
Yeah. And I highly recommend what you do and just. I don't know. And I think your services and expert care you provide is amazing, and I would highly recommend you to lots of people out there. Oh, and Susan, I want to actually know about if you're okay with it. I want to know about you and your home life with your doggies. So you have, I think, kind of a tribe, you could say. But could you tell me about it?
[00:17:35] Speaker B: I think of my house as like a clown car in a circus, and the door opens and a bunch of clowns spill out. I think that's pretty much how it feels every day. So I have three dogs that have all been rescued, you know, or rehomed to me. So I have a border collie who was found six or seven years ago in north. In North Carolina during some flooding. Just a stray dog. He is lovely, but beautiful. A prince, you know.
His name is Killian. I have a rottweiler, Nyla, who is about to turn six years old that was rehomed to me from someone. And she's just one of the smartest dogs I think I'll ever have. And she is a truck on steroids. I tell clients that all the time. She's something else. I took her swimming today to a place called Wagon Splash in North Charleston.
That is her great love in life. She would kill people probably to get in that pool or at least run through them, really.
[00:18:32] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:18:33] Speaker B: Just such good enrichment for her. So mentally and physically tiring. So, Nyla. And then I have a golden retriever named rory who is 12.
[00:18:42] Speaker A: Okay. I love that.
[00:18:43] Speaker B: I don't care what anyone says about puppies. If you. If you really want to, you know, earn your stripes caring for dogs, then care for a geriatric dog. Because that. When you're getting into those senior years and they have a lot of medications, they take, like, older people, and they don't hear and see very well, and they get lost in the house and they don't know where you are, and they stand in the middle of the hallway and bark. It's like. It's a lot, you know? So I think, yeah, special place in heaven for people that take amazing care of geriatric dogs. And that's a really special thing.
[00:19:12] Speaker A: Oh, yes, I can only imagine.
[00:19:15] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:19:16] Speaker A: That is.
[00:19:16] Speaker B: She's sweet.
[00:19:18] Speaker A: Rottweilers and German shepherds.
So growing up we actually had. I grew up with boxer Great Dane mix.
[00:19:26] Speaker B: Oh, did you?
[00:19:26] Speaker A: So those were the dogs I grew up with. So it's funny that I have a little dog but I grew up with mix of boxer Great Danes. So it was crazy because they were huge, like big like Great Danes. But they kind of look like a Boxer kind of. But mixed with the Great Dane. I remember, I don't know those. I remember just those dogs were so sweet. And I love growing up around those dogs. And then my aunt and my grandparents both had rottweilers, so I was used to those dogs. And then it's kind of funny, my grandparents growing up, their neighbor had a German shepherd and his name was Hilo. Like hello from Hawaii. I don't know how this worked but somehow the dog start coming over my grandparents house a lot and then ended up just becoming their dog. I think one day they were like, do you just want to have the dog? So they ended up taking over Hilo. But it was kind of cute because it was like, okay, but that's just an interesting story. Like the dog used to come over a lot to my grandparents house and they ended up just taking over.
[00:20:23] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:20:24] Speaker A: And then my mom has what you call American bullies.
Those dogs are scary looking, intimidating. But if you really get to know these dogs, they are like teddy bears. They're the sweetest things ever. They're actually known as nursery dogs in England, used in nurseries with children because they're so good with children. They're very protective dogs. But they are very protective and. But it's interesting. My mom has a brother and sister.
[00:20:55] Speaker A: Cash and bb and they are hilarious. I find them very entertaining just because of their personalities and the looks they make. Because when you see a scary dog, but they're kind of gumpy or kind of like, I don't know, I think it's funny, but all just the different dog breeds they have out there.
And it's kind of funny too with me having two chihuahuas in a row. I wasn't really seeking to have a Chihuahua even. So I guess they've just found me somehow. It's an interesting story with Ava actually. I guess I'll share it. My sister who lives in Sonora, California. I don't know.
I know that's way far from here, but it's basically like the forest on the way to Yosemite and she takes nature walks a lot with her kids and they were out walking and they Saw this, like, little tiny thing kind of moving around in the leaves. And she was like, what is that? And went over there, and it was little Ava as a puppy.
The sad thing is not to put a damper on this conversation. We're guessing it was near a pond, which is sad. We're thinking that somebody may have tried to, you know, dump off some puppies, unfortunately. But she was rambunctious enough to escape or get out. And so my sister went to the local vet. They're trying to find the owner. Nobody was coming forward. And so my sister was like, sarah, I think I have a dog for you. And I was like, oh, I don't know if I'm ready. It was after Gigi, and I was very brokenhearted from that because I had her almost 15 years. And I was like, I don't know. And so she shows up and she shows me her. And I was like, what? And she looks like a spawn of her child from Gigi. Like, they look so much alike. I was like, okay. So I was kind of like, I gotta think about it. It was kind of overwhelming for me. And I was like, of course. I'm like, okay, she's mine. I was like, I'm keeping her.
That's how I found and got to be a little Ava.
[00:22:49] Speaker B: She's making very intense eye contact with me right now.
[00:22:54] Speaker A: But, yeah, I think dog stories, you know, I think so many of us have dogs now, and it's becoming more and more that they're being accepted as family.
Although as dog owners, we've always thought of them as family, but I think is, you know, like, rules out there, like, with, you know, planes. And I think, you know, I can take her on the plane. I don't think they're allowed to go underneath on planes anymore. Except things that have happened. They're allowed.
I'm not sure. But, yeah. I just think our little furry companions are so important, whether you have cats, dogs, birds. Birds, what you have out there.
And I think that I would definitely want to encourage everybody out there to utilize Susan's services with purely positive dog training. And, Susan, do you want to share with maybe the best way contact with you or how to get a hold of you or how to utilize your services?
[00:23:47] Speaker B: Sure. Our website is purely positive.com and we're on Instagram and Facebook.
Yeah. My cell number is on the website, so you can call or text anytime. And I. Or Amanda, who's our client services manager and a fantastic trainer as well. We'll get back to you.
[00:24:05] Speaker A: Great. That's awesome. And I. Yeah. And I will say that Susan introduced me with some treats for Ava, and it's like this, like a role. And I don't know, I would just say that is she loves these treats. It's like. It's like a rolled dog food that you cut up and make little treats, but they're, you know, they're fresh and healthy, and she loves them.
So I guess you call that. What's the word you used for that with the treats?
[00:24:34] Speaker B: It's a high value treat. Is that what you.
[00:24:36] Speaker A: Yeah. Or the training word we used for that. It was called. But the tr. She's treat motivated. Is that what we called it?
[00:24:44] Speaker B: She is treat motivated.
[00:24:45] Speaker A: Treat motivated.
[00:24:46] Speaker B: As am I. Yes.
[00:24:52] Speaker A: All right, Ava, what? Do you think you're going to say something?
No. Okay. All right.
Well, thank you so much for coming on the show today, Susan.
[00:25:04] Speaker B: Thank you for having me.
[00:25:05] Speaker A: And I really enjoyed talking with you and learning some new things from you today. And I just want to thank everybody for listening out there in this. Ciao. See you guys next time.
