We talk a lot about how dogs love us. But what if one of their greatest gifts isn’t just how they love—but how they receive love?

In this episode of Life Lessons from Dog, Kari shares a personal conversation that sparked a deeper reflection on what it means to let love in—especially when it feels unfamiliar. From a quiet moment on the couch with her Malamute, Eden, to the stories we carry about worthiness, productivity, and self-protection, this episode explores the vulnerability of being loved exactly as you are.

If you’ve ever struggled to soften into love, to trust it without questioning, or to receive care without feeling like you have to earn it—this one’s for you.

Topics include:

• Why receiving love can feel more vulnerable than giving it

• The connection between worthiness and overthinking

• What dogs model for us about presence and trust

• A story about Eden’s quiet companionship that changed everything

Tune in for a heartfelt reminder that you don’t have to be perfect to be loved—and that maybe, just maybe, it’s time to let the love in.

Why do we assume a fearful dog must have been abused? Or that a reactive dog is simply “too much to handle”? In this episode of Life Lessons from Dog, Kari Solberg unpacks the quiet power of the stories we tell—about our dogs, and about ourselves.

Through personal reflection and real-world training experience, Kari explores how narratives shape behavior, influence expectations, and often hold both people and dogs back from real growth. You’ll hear about Bianca and her puppies, and how even the most ideal upbringing doesn’t always override genetic wiring. You’ll also hear how the assumptions we carry—about trauma, identity, or ability—can quietly shape our choices, our relationships, and our progress.

Whether you’re navigating reactivity in your dog or bumping up against an old belief in yourself, this episode invites you to pause and ask: is this story helping… or holding me back?

Because sometimes, the biggest breakthroughs start with changing the story.

Play isn’t just for puppies—and it’s not something we’re meant to grow out of. In this episode of Life Lessons from Dog, Kari explores the essential role of play in both dog training and daily life. Drawing from years of experience with dogs who had forgotten how to engage socially, Kari shares how structured play brought balance, confidence, and joy back into their lives—and how a recent life transition revealed just how much she needed that same medicine, too.

You’ll hear stories of transformation from dogs like Archie and Ollie, reflections on what burnout can teach us about the absence of play, and a gentle invitation to reclaim the moments of silliness, curiosity, and connection that help us feel alive.

If you’ve been stuck in the grind or feeling disconnected from joy, this episode is your reminder: play isn’t frivolous. It’s healing. And it might be the very thing you didn’t know you were missing.Play isn’t just for puppies—and it’s not something we’re meant to grow out of. In this episode of Life Lessons from Dog, Kari explores the essential role of play in both dog training and daily life. Drawing from years of experience with dogs who had forgotten how to engage socially, Kari shares how structured play brought balance, confidence, and joy back into their lives—and how a recent life transition revealed just how much she needed that same medicine, too.

You’ll hear stories of transformation from dogs like Archie and Ollie, reflections on what burnout can teach us about the absence of play, and a gentle invitation to reclaim the moments of silliness, curiosity, and connection that help us feel alive.

If you’ve been stuck in the grind or feeling disconnected from joy, this episode is your reminder: play isn’t frivolous. It’s healing. And it might be the very thing you didn’t know you were missing.

In this episode of Life Lessons from Dog, host Kari Solberg delves into the concept of finding joy in everyday moments, drawing inspiration from her Alaskan Malamute, Eden. Kari shares heartfelt stories, including a memorable obedience trial that turned into an unexpected lesson in joy and presence. She reflects on how dogs like Eden embrace each moment with enthusiasm, teaching us to find happiness not in perfection, but in the simple, unplanned experiences of daily life. Tune in to discover how embracing joy as a practice can enrich your life and strengthen your bonds with those around you.

Transitions are rarely comfortable—especially the ones we didn’t plan for. But what if the discomfort isn’t a problem to solve, but a space to learn from?

In this episode of Life Lessons from Dog, Kari shares a recent life transition that knocked her off balance—and how sitting in the uncertainty of “the pause between” became its own kind of teacher. Drawing on her training philosophy with dogs, she explores the powerful lesson of waiting: the pause between the ask and the answer, the unknown and the becoming.

Whether you’re in a season of change, wrestling with a decision, or simply feeling like you’re in limbo, this episode is a reminder that clarity isn’t always immediate—but it does come. And often, the pause is where the real growth begins.

Because just like our dogs, we need time to process. And in that time, trust is built, confidence is developed, and a new version of ourselves quietly starts to emerge.

Key themes: life transitions, waiting, personal growth, dog training philosophy, trusting the process

Tune in—and let the pause do its work.

We hear it all the time—be yourself, and the right people will find you. But what does that actually look like in practice? And how does it apply to building real, lasting community?

In this episode of Life Lessons from Dog, I’m sharing how embracing my unique approach to dog training not only transformed my business but also attracted the right people into my life—clients who aligned with my philosophy, friendships that formed naturally, and a community that thrives on authenticity.

Just like dogs sometimes put on a front when they feel insecure, we, too, can fall into the trap of presenting ourselves in ways that don’t align with who we really are. But the truth is, the more we embrace what makes us us, the more we create the space for the right people to show up.

If you’ve ever struggled with feeling like you need to fit into a certain mold—whether in business, relationships, or just daily life—this episode is for you. Let’s talk about how leaning into your quirks, your strengths, and even your vulnerabilities can help you build something truly meaningful.

🔹 What You’ll Learn:

• How shifting away from industry norms helped me get better results (and happier clients)

• Why dogs and humans alike struggle when they aren’t able to be their true selves

• The key to attracting your people by embracing your natural strengths

• How authenticity fosters deeper, more meaningful connections

Listen now and discover why the best way to build community isn’t by trying to fit in—it’s by standing out as exactly who you are.

Have you ever ignored that nagging feeling in your gut, only to realize later that you should have listened? I’ve been there—especially in my work with dogs.

In this episode, I’m sharing a pivotal moment when I handed over the leash, trusting a professional’s expertise over my own instincts. I stood there, watching my dog struggle, feeling deep down that something wasn’t right. And when I finally stepped in, I realized something big: trusting yourself isn’t just important—it’s necessary.

We’re diving into the moments that challenge our confidence, the times we let outside voices override what we know to be true, and how learning to trust ourselves—whether with dogs, relationships, or big life decisions—can change everything.

Because sometimes, the best guide you have… is you.

🔹 Why ignoring your intuition comes at a cost

🔹 How trusting your gut can lead to better decisions

🔹 What dogs teach us about making choices with confidence

If you’ve ever struggled with second-guessing yourself, this episode is for you. Tune in and let’s talk about the power of listening to that quiet, internal voice that already knows the way.

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Grief is one of life's hardest teachers, but if we allow it, it can be one of the most profound. In this episode, Kari reflects on the loss of her mother and the many things she has said goodbye to throughout her life and career. From personal pets to behavioral euthanasia cases, she shares how each loss has shaped her understanding of grief, love, and the difficult choices we sometimes have to make.

Through the story of CeeBee--a dog whose struggles could not be overcome despite months of training--Kari explores the painful yet necessary reality of knowing when to let go. She unpacks how the lessons learned through grieving dogs have given her perspective on loss in all its forms, from the passing of a loved one to the loss of relationships, jobs, and life chapters.

If you've ever struggled to process loss or wondered how to navigate grief in a way that fosters healing, this episode is for you. Join Kari as she explores how love and loss are intertwined--and how, in the end, grief is simply the cost of having loved deeply.