8 Fun Facts from a Dog Trainer That Will Surprise Every Dog Lover
This is Emily Breslin, a Licensed Vet Tech turned Dog Trainer & Dog Podcaster with 30 years of animal behavior experience.
Her goal is to advocate for dogs and bridge the communication gap between dogs and humans. Emily’s podcast has brought many of her listeners to tears, as she addresses topics in the dog world that people are afraid to say out loud.
Emily runs Straight-Up Dog Training and hosts the Straight-Up Dog Talk Podcast, where she helps dog parents navigate training, behavior, and health with honesty and compassion.
When she’s not working, she spends time with her two dogs, Toby and Fitz, who are her wonderful podcast co-hosts and greatest teachers in dog training!
Emily shared with us 8 fun, behind-the-scenes facts about her role:
🐕 “Most dogs don’t actually want to be pet by strangers. A lot of dogs are tolerating attention, not enjoying it. Learning to ask for consent from dogs (not just the owners) changed how I interact with all animals.”
🐕 “Sometimes I have to coach humans more than dogs. Dogs respond to energy, tone, and timing—so half my job is helping people regulate themselves before asking anything of their dog.”
🐕 “The dog training world is full of drama. I’ve had to dodge online trolls, keyboard warriors, and “trainers” who still believe in outdated punishment methods. It’s why I started my own platform—to give pet parents real, compassionate guidance without the noise.”
🐕 “I’ve had clients record training sessions in pajamas, from their bathroom. Why? It was the only quiet, neutral space where their dog felt safe enough to focus—and honestly, it worked.”
🐕 “Dogs aren’t misbehaving—most are overwhelmed. Barking, lunging, or “ignoring commands” is usually a cry for help, not rebellion. A big part of my job is teaching pet parents to recognize the why behind the behavior.”
🐕 "I film podcast episodes in one take—with my reactive dog snoring under the desk. Sometimes he’s the cohost, sometimes he’s the background noise. Either way, it’s all real life and no filters."
🐕 "I’ve had to stop recording because of barking, burping, or my dog body-slamming the door. Hosting a dog podcast sounds glamorous until a guest says something profound and your dog lets out a dramatic sigh into the mic."
🐕 "I’ve coached pet parents through reactivity training... while they were hiding behind parked cars. Real talk: sometimes we have to duck out of sight, reset, and try again. It’s not polished—it’s practical."
Emily is here to speak to any dog lover around the world who is curious about the world of dog training / dog behavioral consulting and may want to start their own doggy business!