DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training

In this episode, Nikki explores the vital role of the vagus nerve in your dog’s nervous system and how it directly influences behavior, stress, and emotional regulation. Often called the “nerve of safety,” the vagus nerve helps shift dogs out of survival mode and into connection, rest, and healing.
You’ll learn what the vagus nerve is, how it functions within the autonomic nervous system, what dysregulation looks like in dogs, and practical ways to support vagal tone through safety, co-regulation, touch, and environment. If your dog struggles with chronic stress, reactivity, anxiety, or shutdown behaviors, understanding the vagus nerve may change how you see their behavior—and how you support their healing.
dogspeak101.com
dogspeakgeek.thinkific.com
patreon.com/dogspeak

In this episode, I’m exploring the power of focused, intentional touch as a tool for nervous system regulation in dogs. We’ll break down three supportive modalities—massage, TTouch, and acupressure—and how each one influences the autonomic nervous system in different ways.
You’ll learn how these approaches can help reduce stress, improve body awareness, and support emotional regulation, especially in dogs living in chronic hyperarousal or shutdown. I’ll also walk you through when touch is appropriate, when it’s not, and how to begin in a way that feels safe and consent-based for your dog.
If you’re working with a sensitive, reactive, anxious, or easily overwhelmed dog, this episode will help you understand which type of touch may be the best fit—and how to use it thoughtfully as part of a regulation-centered support plan.
dogspeak101.com
dogspeakgeek.thinkific.com
patreon.com/dogspeak
TTouch
Acupressure

Imagine a wolf on the tundra. Every muscle, every nerve is geared toward capturing food. Today’s pet dogs still carry that legacy. But in our world of leashes, lawn chairs, and bicycles, those ancient patterns show up in unexpected ways — including behaviors that confound and worry caregivers. Today, we’re exploring what’s under the hood of those instincts, and how understanding them can transform your relationship with your dog.
dogspeak101.com
dogspeakgeek.thinkific.com
patreon.com/dogspeak
The Dog Key

In this episode, we go beyond dog food labels to explore what happens after your dog eats. We break down how nutrients are digested, absorbed, and used by the body, and why nutrition is about more than what’s in the bowl—it’s about what the body can actually access.
We discuss the role of the gut, enzymes, and microbiome, highlight common nutrient deficiencies in dogs, and explain how stress and poor digestion can interfere with absorption. This episode helps guardians understand how nutrition supports physical health, nervous system regulation, and a dog’s ability to cope and heal.
dogspeak101.com
dogspeakgeek.thinkific.com
Dr. Neely North
Handy Guide to Dog Blood Tests

Dog food is one of the most overwhelming topics for dog owners—and it’s not because you’re doing something wrong. Labels are confusing, marketing is loud, and advice often feels contradictory and fear-based.
In this episode, we decode dog food without the guilt or pressure. You’ll learn how to read ingredient lists and labels more clearly, why there’s no single “best” diet for every dog, and how factors like stress, digestion, and the nervous system play a bigger role in food tolerance than most people realize.
This episode is about helping you feed the dog in front of you—confidently, sustainably, and without panic—so mealtime can feel supportive instead of stressful.
Find our Food Recommendation List HERE
dogspeakgeek.thinkific.com
dogspeak101.com
patreon.com/dogspeak
Canine Herbalist Rita Hogan Canine Herbalist