Lisa Waggoner - The Gift Every Dog Wants From Their Human

02/10/25 • 34 min

In this enlightening episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Lisa Waggoner, co-founder of Cold Nose College, about her journey in dog training and the importance of positive reinforcement.

We discussed everything from her rural North Carolina base to the impactful work she and her husband Brad do through the Victoria Stilwell Academy.

Lisa shared how important it is to make dogs feel physically and emotionally safe, the value of mental enrichment, and how her personal experiences have shaped her training methods.

We also touched upon her popular book, Rocket Recall, and the misunderstandings around dog needs. Join us for a heartfelt conversation filled with valuable advice for dog parents and trainers alike.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction
00:16 Lisa's Background and Cold Nose College
01:54 The Importance of Emotional and Physical Safety for Dogs
04:50 Lisa's Journey to Positive Reinforcement Training
10:09 Understanding Dog Body Language
18:44 The Significance of Time and Enrichment for Dogs
26:06 Debunking Dominance Theory
31:25 Conclusion and Resources

Find out more and connect with Lisa:

Website: https://www.coldnosecollege.com

Bio: Lisa Lyle Waggoner is a passionate advocate for humane, science-based, force-free dog training. She’s the author of The Original Rocket RecallTM: Teach Your Dog to Come. She’s a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed, a Pat Miller Certified Trainer-Level 2, Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer, and faculty member of the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training and Behavior, and an Ordained Interspecies Animal Chaplain.
Lisa is the founder of Cold Nose College, a labor of love that blossomed into a world-renowned center of education for both dog owners and professional trainers. She’s well-known for her clear, compassionate, and engaging teaching skills and is dedicated to helping dogs and their owners form a strong bond and enjoy their lives together.
She lives in western North Carolina in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and shares her life with her best friend, husband, and business partner, Brad, and their Australian Shepherd, Keaton.

Lisa's FREE gift: https://www.coldnosecollege.com/12-rules-of-rocket-recall

Are you tired of calling your dog’s name into thin air only to be met with indifference? Say goodbye to frustration and hello to harmony with our exclusive free resource: The 12 Rules of Rocket Recall Quick Reference Guide.

Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/coldnosecollege https://www.instagram.com/coldnosecollege/

The Special Valentine's offer:

60% savings on both offerings found on the website (both coupon codes are the same) and both valid Feb 9 through February 16, 2025.

Rocket Recall Instructor’s Handout Kit, Coupon Code LOVE2024
- The Rocket Recall Self-Paced Online Program LOVE2024

As always, all about Soul Touched by Dogs at https://soultouchedbydogs.com

In this enlightening episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Lisa Waggoner, co-founder of Cold Nose College, about her journey in dog training and the importance of positive reinforcement.

We discussed everything from her rural North Carolina base to the impactful work she and her husband Brad do through the Victoria Stilwell Academy.

Lisa shared how important it is to make dogs feel physically and emotionally safe, the value of mental enrichment, and how her personal experiences have shaped her training methods.

We also touched upon her popular book, Rocket Recall, and the misunderstandings around dog needs. Join us for a heartfelt conversation filled with valuable advice for dog parents and trainers alike.

Find out more and connect with Lisa:

Website: https://www.coldnosecollege.com

Lisa's FREE gift: https://www.coldnosecollege.com/12-rules-of-rocket-recall

Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/coldnosecollege https://www.instagram.com/coldnosecollege/

The Special Valentine's offer:

60% savings on both offerings found on the website (both coupon codes are the same) and both valid Feb 9 through February 16, 2025.

Rocket Recall Instructor’s Handout Kit, Coupon Code LOVE2024
- The Rocket Recall Self-Paced Online Program LOVE2024

As always, all about Soul Touched by Dogs at https://soultouchedbydogs.com

Previous Episode

Annie Phenix - Trauma Recovery for Dogs: Focus on Healing, Not Just Training

In this episode, I sit down with Annie Phenix, a seasoned dog trainer and best-selling author based in Utah, to discuss her journey and extensive experience in working with dogs, particularly those with traumatic backgrounds.

Annie shares her transition from Texas to Utah, her long-standing involvement in dog rescue, and her unique insights into canine behavior.

We delve into her experiences fostering over 400 dogs, the lessons learned from shelter dogs, and her acclaimed books that address aggressive and reactive behavior in dogs.

Annie emphasizes the importance of understanding canine trauma, the impact of genetics, and the necessity of creating a safe and nurturing environment for dogs. She also introduces her 30-day reset program and her community platform designed to help dog owners heal their pets from trauma.

Join us as we explore the profound ways in which trauma influences dogs and how positive reinforcement and compassionate care can lead to recovery and deeper connections.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction
00:23 Annie's Journey to Utah
01:33 Rescue Work and Dog Training
03:34 Writing and Teaching
05:35 Understanding Dog Trauma
09:23 Trauma Responses in Dogs
11:58 Genetics and Trauma
15:19 Adopting and Adjusting Dogs
20:16 Understanding Safety and Bonding with Your Dog
20:48 The Controversy of Shock Collars
21:13 Training Techniques and Emotional Regulation
21:36 Addressing Trauma in Dogs
22:07 Dealing with Pain and Behavioral Issues
22:45 The Importance of Growling and Communication
23:10 Cooperative Care and Nail Clipping Challenges
25:28 Adolescence and Behavioral Changes
26:51 The 30-Day Reset and Healing Steps
28:49 Reactive Dogs and Trauma Signs
32:33 The Impact of Trauma on Dogs
34:05 Conclusion and Resources for Dog Owners

Find out more and connect with Annie:

About Annie: Trainer and Bestselling Author Annie Phenix knew a lot about dogs when she took in her two Heeler-Border Collie brothers Finn and Cooper.

They were taken from their mother at 5 weeks of age and thrown into a backyard with no supervision or enrichment. They came to her with several types of worms and fear in their eyes and little bodies.

Finn and Cooper were a LOT of work for Annie and her husband. But they were happy to put the time into showing them they were safe. Eventually (it took 7 months) they believed them and now they are thriving.

It's what inspired Annie to focus on what comes BEFORE training and develop the Phenix Healing Protocol where she takes dog owners through the process of healing their dogs - in just a 5-10 minutes a day, one tiny step, one day at a time.

Your first step: 7 Steps for Quick Healing
https://choosetotrainhumane.com/7-steps

Need step-by-step help with a new puppy or rescue dog, or to help your dog feel safe and calm again after a scary incident:
Check out The 30-Day Canine Trauma Reset
https://choosetotrainhumane.com/30-day-trauma-reset

The website: https://choosetotrainhumane.com/

The books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Annie-Phenix/author/B09R9PN18Z

On Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/phenixdogs

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1713528972260741

For professionals: https://www.facebook.com/phenixadvocacycenter/

As always, all about Soul Touched by Dogs at https://soultouchedbydogs.com

Next Episode

Dr. Laura Donaldson - Compliance is not Cooperation

Unpacking Canine Trauma with Dr. Laura Donaldson

In this enlightening episode, I sit down with Dr. Laura Donaldson to delve into the crucial topic of becoming trauma-informed when it comes to our dogs.

Dr. Donaldson shares her extensive knowledge on what trauma is, how it manifests in dogs, and the often-overlooked microtraumas that can significantly impact their well-being.

We discuss the parallels between human and canine trauma responses and the fundamental importance of ensuring safety and trust for traumatised dogs.

Dr. Donaldson offers practical advice on recognising signs of trauma, the importance of respecting a dog's need for agency, and ways to create a healing environment. Lastly, she highlights some valuable resources, including her Thinkific webinar, 'Why Becoming Trauma Informed Will Change Everything You Do With Dogs,' for those interested in a deeper dive into the subject.

00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Dr. Laura Donaldson
01:08 Dr. Laura's Background and Life in Upstate New York
03:37 Understanding Trauma in Dogs
05:48 Recognizing and Addressing Trauma Responses
09:35 Microtrauma and Its Impact on Dogs
17:08 Building Trust and Safety for Traumatized Dogs
21:10 Practical Steps for Trauma-Informed Dog Care
39:00 Resources and Further Learning
42:00 Conclusion and Farewell

Find out more and connect with Dr. Donaldson:

Website: https://fourpawsfourdirections.com

Bio: Dr. Laura Donaldson, PhD, CDBC, KPA CTP, CCUI is a Professor Emeritus from Cornell University located in Ithaca, New York, northeastern United States. She is an award-winning writer on dog behavior who has worked as a canine behavior specialist for 20+ years. Laura is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), a Karen Pryor Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP) and a Certified Trauma Professional.
She created the popular program called Slow Thinking is Lifesaving for Dogs®. Laura currently resides in upstate New York with her husband, two dogs, three cats, and an African Gray Parrot named Obi. When she isn’t speaking, teaching or writing, you will find Laura partnering with her working Border Collies to tend her flock of Navajo Churro sheep.

Your FREE gift: Free Webinar on GROUNDING: dogs healing from trauma. To register, click on this link: https://laura-s-school-1f3f.thinkific.com/courses/grounding-dogs-healing-from-trauma

Social media links:https://www.facebook.com/ledonaldson

Additional resources:

Dr. Laura Donaldson's almost-free webinar:
Why Becoming Trauma Informed Will Change Everything You Do With Dogs
https://laura-s-school-1f3f.thinkific.com/courses/why-becoming-trauma-informed-will-change-everything-you-do-with-dogs
The series of articles on canine trauma for Happy, Healthy Dog mentioned during the episode
Hidden in Plain Sight: Is Your Dog Experiencing Microtrauma?
https://happyhealthydog.org/drlauranov
Traumatized Dogs Need Empathy, Not Toxic Labels
https://happyhealthydog.org/drlauraddec
Why Becoming Trauma Informed Should Be Your 2025 New Year’s Resolution
https://happyhealthydog.org/drlaurajan
The Neurobiology of Trauma: Why It Is Important & What You Need to Know
https://happyhealthydog.org/drlaurafeb

And as always, all about Soul Touched by Dogs at https://soultouchedbydogs.com

Soul Touched by Dogs - Lisa Waggoner - The Gift Every Dog Wants From Their Human

Transcript

00:00:00.789

Welcome to the Soul Touched by Dogs Podcast, the show for dog lovers who see dogs not as toys or tools, but wise souls worth our respect and care. I'm an Herrmann, and I'm your host. I talk to poor some humans, people who do great work for dogs and their people. So come and join us for today's conversation.

Anke00:00:25.089

Hello and welcome,

Lisa00:00:26.509

Lisa. I'm super excited to have you here with