Shy Dog Diaries

Shy Dog Diaries Home of Shy Dog Diaries podcast. Community for guardians of shy, fearful, anxious, or reactive dogs.

08/12/2026

Living with a sensitive dog can mean getting very familiar with uncertainty.

Will things get easier? Will a setback pass? Will we ever get to the place we hoped we would?

As Jill reminded me, I may not be able to control the uncertainty — but I can keep meeting Nessie where she is.

Does that make it easier?

No. Sometimes it still sucks. 😂

In this episode of Shy Dog Diaries, therapist and grief counselor Jill Gray joins me for a deeply personal conversation about guilt, grief, caregiving, and learning to make room for both our dogs’ needs and our own.

🎧 Listen to the full episode — link in bio.

07/19/2026

Have you become your dog’s emotional support human? 💜

When our dogs struggle with fear or anxiety, it’s easy to slip into survival mode.

We stop traveling. We avoid having friends over. We rearrange our schedules. We carry the weight of every setback and celebrate every tiny victory.

Sometimes, without realizing it, we become the ones who need reassurance that we’re doing enough.

In this week’s episode of Shy Dog Diaries, Melissa Bell shares her 18-year journey living with dogs experiencing fear, anxiety, and aggression—and the surprising moment her veterinary behaviorist told her something she’d never considered:

“You have become Red’s emotional support human.”

If you’ve ever loved a sensitive dog, I think you’ll see a little of yourself in this conversation.

🎧 Available now wherever you listen to podcasts. Link in bio.

Ozark and Sierra came for a surprise visit today. Nessie was over the moon.
07/15/2026

Ozark and Sierra came for a surprise visit today. Nessie was over the moon.

07/14/2026

There was some serious stalking happening in the garden… and apparently I was the prey. 👀

I stalked Nessie back until she finally charged—only to leap at the camera for a kiss, race inside for a stuffed toy, and return for a full case of the zoomies.

Stalking and chasing are parts of the predatory sequence, but dogs don’t only use these behaviors while hunting. Given the right context, they can also be expressed through safe, social play with people, other dogs, and toys.

The goal isn’t to suppress every trace of these natural instincts. It’s to help our dogs find appropriate outlets for them.

In Nessie’s version, the sequence appears to be:

stalk → chase → kiss Mum → capture stuffed animal → run around like a lunatic


07/13/2026

According to folklore, the Loch Ness Monster is a gentle giant. Nessie proves it, even with friends one-sixth her size.

Among the giants, she stood a little taller. 🌳
07/12/2026

Among the giants, she stood a little taller. 🌳

07/11/2026

Vito’s Thinking Game teaches a dog to move around an object independently, building problem-solving skills, confidence, and the ability to work at a distance.

This clip follows Nessie through her first three sessions—and then a fourth session nine months later, when something suddenly clicked. Her final trip around the trash can from five feet away felt like a true “aha” moment. 💛

Sometimes learning is still happening, even when we take a break.

07/10/2026

The personal ad worked. First date = success. 💕

07/07/2026

Structural integrity test: barely passed.

Home insurance status: pending.

07/06/2026

Is your dog park a mosh pit?

That question made me laugh during my conversation with Laurie Lawless of Shelter Behavior Integrations, LLC—but her answer was much more nuanced than simply saying dog parks are “good” or “bad.”

In this clip, Laurie explains why some dog parks are wonderful for certain dogs while others can be overwhelming, and why understanding your individual dog matters more than following one-size-fits-all advice.

It’s just one topic from a conversation that also explores shelter dogs, successful adoptions, playgroups, fearful dogs, and helping rescue dogs thrive after they go home.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of Shy Dog Diaries wherever you get your podcasts. Link in bio.

Address

2 Krotona St
Ojai, CA
93023-3901

Website

,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Shy Dog Diaries posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category