Make it Weird: Dog Stuff and Occasional Nonsense

Happy Halloween! Steph & Sienna breakdown how to best celebrate Halloween with your dog (and not give your dog trainer a fright)!

We also discuss what would be in our Dog Trainer Haunted House... Spooky stuff!

In this episode we discuss dog behaviour in terms of factory settings vs downloaded software and what that means.

Also wow, look at us with a new episode only a week after the last one... could it be... are we back?

There are lots of behaviour problems that exist without/before aggression is ever in the picture. Lots of behaviour issues can be worked on with a trainer, not just reactivity and aggression.

Sorry I sound so flat in this one guys, I blame it on the couch lol I'll sit up next time so I sound more alive - Steph

Other possible titles for this episode included: Sienna's worst day of 2025, Reasons not to own a Malinois, Go big or go home - Fel edition, and Broken bones are no bueno.

This injury happened in Sep of 2025, and this episode was recorded at the end of Oct 2025. Today (July 2026) Felony is pretty much fully recovered and is running loose, free, and at full speed daily. My bank account has still not recovered.

Train your dogs for skills they could need for an injury before you ever need them. Better to have them and never use them, then need them and not have them.

After an extended hiatus we're back where it all began, talking about confidence building! This is being published in Apr 2026, but if you listen to the whole episode you'll find out when we actually recorded this... oops?

To all those who have been asking for more podcast episodes for the last (almost) two years, we appreciate you more than we can say and without you pushing us to start up again, who knows if we ever would have actually done more. You guys are the real MVPs.

(Shout out to Kaiser's owner - the next one is recorded but not edited yet, if it's not out by the end of the month you have full permission to come in person and yell at me.)

Steph and Sienna are burned out and want you to know about it. This is the second episode in a series we're calling MIW Unfiltered, where we will be talking about the elements that make this industry challenging. The topics in this series need to be prominent conversations in the dog world, far more than they currently are.

We actually just stay on topic from the beginning- 0:00

Sienna learns about newspapers - 15:20

Do you like discount codes? I have one for Open Farm - use STEPHS15 for some money off. The wet food is 10/10.

If you'd like to support our podcast, we have a patreon, a buy me a coffee link or merch. Links below:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=98399230

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/betatrains

Merch: https://www.betadogtraining.ca/shop

Ok, bye!

Steph and Sienna are burned out and want you to know about it. This is the first episode in a series we're calling MIW Unfiltered, where we will be talking about the elements that make this industry challenging. The topics in this series need to be prominent conversations in the dog world, far more than they currently are.

Intro and a deep dive on Shrek: 0:00 - 6:25

Compassion fatigue: 6:25

Do you like discount codes? I have one for Open Farm - use STEPHS15 for some money off. The wet food is 10/10.

If you'd like to support our podcast, we have a patreon, a buy me a coffee link or merch. Links below:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=98399230

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/betatrains

Merch: https://www.betadogtraining.ca/shop

Ok, bye!

Steph and Sienna recap the trainer course from last week. Sienna goes through her notes and we chat about some of the trainer course topics. Sienna shows immense self control while dealing with Steph. Steph displays a bomb ass example of imposter syndrome.

Intro and nonsense: right from the start!

Recap begins: 3:35

Do you like discount codes? I have one for Open Farm - use STEPHS15 for some money off. The wet food is 10/10.

If you'd like to support our podcast, we have a patreon, a buy me a coffee link or merch. Links below:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=98399230

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/betatrains

Merch: https://www.betadogtraining.ca/shop

Ok, bye!

Today Steph and Sienna talk about the impact a dog's disability could have on training, and how training could help improve the quality of life for dogs that may need additional skills in the future as their communication skills or physical needs change. Also, Taylor released a new album.

Dog Stuff: right from the start!

Sienna's album review: 37:15

Do you like discount codes? I have one for Open Farm - use STEPHS15 for some money off. The wet food is 10/10.

If you'd like to support our podcast, we have a patreon, a buy me a coffee link or merch. Links below:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=98399230

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/betatrains

Merch: https://www.betadogtraining.ca/shop

Ok, bye!

Today Steph and Sienna make comparisons between elements of the dog world and various MLM's. There were notes, we got serious. Sienna has passionate opinions about shoes, and we talk about internet useage.

Timestamps -

Dog Nonsense: right from the start!

Sienna's shoe rant: 44:15

Additional Nonsense: 47:15

Do you like discount codes? I have one for Open Farm - use STEPHS15 for some money off. The wet food is 10/10.

If you'd like to support our podcast, we have a patreon, a buy me a coffee link or merch. Links below:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=98399230

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/betatrains

Merch: https://www.betadogtraining.ca/shop

Ok, bye!

Today Steph and Sienna discuss what goes into a proper training foundation for your dog, and also what doesn't. We also discuss what 'clickbait' actually means, the likelihood of us making it through a podcast without our favourite words, and the upcoming trainer seminar.

Timestamps -

Brief Nonsense: 1:15

Dog Stuff: 2:37

Additional Nonsense: 49:44

Trainer Seminar: 54:00

Do you like discount codes? I have one for Open Farm - use STEPHS15 for some money off. The wet food is 10/10.

If you'd like to support our podcast, we have a patreon, a buy me a coffee link or merch. Links below:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=98399230

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/betatrains

Merch: https://www.betadogtraining.ca/shop

Ok, bye!

Ever wondered why we called this 'Make it Weird'? If you missed the 60 sec explanation on Tiktok 2 yrs ago, this is the (much) longer version of that. In this episode, Steph and Sienna discuss what generalization is and what you could do to better generalize some of your dog's behaviours. We also hear how Sienna's construction era is going, and definitely don't get very concerned.

Timestamps -

Nonsense: 2:20

Dog Stuff: 10:15

Additional Nonsense: 55:40

Do you like discount codes? I have one for Open Farm - use STEPHS15 for some money off. The wet food is 10/10.

If you'd like to support our podcast, we have a patreon, a buy me a coffee link or merch. Links below:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=98399230

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/betatrains

Merch: https://www.betadogtraining.ca/shop

Ok, bye!

Find us on Patreon and Buy me a coffee! Links can be found on @betadogtraining TikTok!

What are training mechanics?! Stay tuned while Steph and Sienna explain. Plus some exciting news about Felony!

How well do you really know your dog? Take a Buzzfeed quiz and find out!

Do you have a nice, friendly dog? Ever wondered how you can help your reactive dog owner counterparts? Then this episode is for you!

Can't walk your dog in cold? No problem! Steph and Sienna discuss things to do to keep your dogs fulfilled in the winter.

Welcome to a new year of MIW!

This week, Steph and Sienna geek out about canine fitness, body awareness, and physical health. They have a lot of thoughts on this topic, so stayed tuned for an inevitable part 2 for this episode. Let us know your fitness related questions in the answer box!

On this episode, Steph and Sienna discuss basic skillsets they feel all dog owners/handlers should have. Spoiler: not everything is training related!