The Resident Wild

For decades, dog owners have been told they need to be the "alpha," establish dominance, and climb to the top of their dog's social hierarchy. But what if that foundation was never true to begin with?In the very first episode of Resident Wild, Kim and Neri unpack one of the most influential, and misunderstood theories in the history of the dog world.Together they explore:Where the dominance theory actually came from.What modern wolf research has revealed about wolf families.Why wolves don't live in rigid dominance hierarchies.How understanding wolves through the correct lens changes the way we understand our own dogs.Why relationship, safety and connection create lasting behaviour change.In Debunk a Myth, they also tackle the long-held belief that you should never let your dog stand over you.Whether you've owned dogs for years or have just welcomed your first puppy, this episode may completely change the way you see your dog and your relationship with them.Listener Questions 2:00Debunk a myth 22.56

Why does your dog ignore you when you call? Is it stubbornness... or is something else going on?In this episode of Resident Wild, Kim and Neri answer a listener question about one of the most common frustrations for dog owners—a dog that simply won't come back when called.Rather than focusing on obedience, they explore what recall can tell us about a dog's emotional state, relationship, and motivation. Could your dog be making a choice based on how they're feeling in that moment? And what role does connection play in creating a reliable recall?In Debunk a Myth, they tackle another widely misunderstood behaviour: eye contact. Is direct eye contact a sign of trust, a challenge, or are we interpreting it through a human lens? By looking at dogs through the perspective of the wolf and understanding natural social behaviour, they reveal why eye contact is far more nuanced than we've been led to believe.Whether your dog has selective hearing or seems completely distracted by the world around them, this episode offers a fresh perspective on one of the most common challenges dog owners face.

Is your dog struggling when you leave home... or are they trying to tell you something deeper?Separation anxiety is one of the most talked-about behaviour concerns in the dog world, but what does it actually mean?In this episode, Kim and Neri explore a listener question about why some dogs struggle to cope when left alone and why the answer often lies far beyond simply teaching a dog to "get used to it."Together, they discuss emotional security, relationships, and what dogs may be communicating through behaviours such as barking, pacing, destruction or vocalising when their family leaves.In Debunk a Myth, they unpack the long-standing advice that you should always eat before your dog to show them who's boss. Where did this belief come from, and does it have any place in our understanding of dogs today?This episode invites listeners to see separation anxiety through a completely different lens—one built on understanding rather than control.

What can wolves teach us about the dogs who share our homes?In this very special episode of Resident Wild, Kim and Neri are joined by internationally renowned wolf specialist Shaun Ellis.Shaun shares the extraordinary story of how he came to live alongside a family of wild wolves and the remarkable experiences that shaped his understanding of their social lives, intelligence and relationships.His work has challenged many of the long-held beliefs surrounding wolves and, in turn, has helped reshape the way we understand our domestic dogs.From unforgettable stories in the wild to fascinating insights into wolf families, communication and cooperation, this conversation offers a rare glimpse into a world very few people have ever experienced.Whether you're fascinated by wolves or simply want to better understand your own dog, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Is your dog bored... or are they trying to tell you something else?This week, Kim and Neri revisit one of their favourite topics—boredom—and explore what it really means for our dogs.Answering several thoughtful listener questions, they discuss how we can better understand what our dogs actually need, why behaviours often labelled as attention-seeking deserve a different interpretation, and how to recognise when a dog is genuinely content.Rather than asking how to stop unwanted behaviours, this episode encourages listeners to ask a different question altogether: What need is my dog trying to meet?In Debunk a Myth, they tackle another common belief—that you should never let your dog win a game of tug-of-war. Is it really about dominance, or have we misunderstood the game completely?A thoughtful conversation about behaviour, communication and seeing our dogs as individuals with emotional needs.0.51 – preamble about the episode1.28 – converstation from last session about boredom3.08- recap on bordom and meaning8.08 – listener question – how do I know what my dog needs/13.18 – example of how to start19.19 -managing behaviours vs repairing19.53 – listener questions – how do I know if my dog is happy26.20 – debunk a myth

How can two dogs from the same breed—even the same breeder—be completely different?In this episode of Resident Wild, Kim and Neri answer a listener question that opens the door to one of the most fascinating discussions in canine behaviour.Drawing on Shaun Ellis' remarkable observations while living alongside wild wolves, they introduce the concept of social character—the idea that every individual dog has their own natural role, strengths and way of interacting with the world.It's a conversation that challenges the assumption that breed alone determines behaviour and explains why every dog deserves to be understood as an individual.In Debunk a Myth, they explore the long-standing advice to ignore your dog when you come home. Does this actually help, or could it be missing something much more important about connection and relationships?This is one of the podcast's deeper conversations, but one that lays the foundation for understanding dogs through a completely different lens.

How do wolves greet each other after being apart? Is there really a pecking order in a wolf pack? In this episode, we explore a listener question about wolf social dynamics and what they can teach us about our dogs.We also answer a question from a listener whose dog seems pushy towards their canine housemate. Learn why this isn't about dominance or leadership, and discover what may actually be driving the behaviour.In our Debunk a Myth segment, we tackle the belief that taking food away from your dog teaches them that you're the boss. Find out why this outdated advice can sometimes create problems instead of solving them.Join us for another fun, thought-provoking episode packed with practical insights and plenty of dog nerding along the way!

Two puppies from the same litter, raised together from day one, so why are they suddenly not getting along?In this episode of Resident Wild, Kim and Neri answer a listener question about two 16-month-old sibling dogs whose relationship has started to break down. We explore how social dynamics can change as dogs mature, why 'littermate syndrome' is a label not an understanding of why and how understanding each dog's individual needs can help.In our Debunk a Myth segment, we unpack the idea that dogs yawn simply because they're tired. Yawning can be a much more complex form of communication, offering valuable insight into a dog's emotional state and how they're experiencing the world around them.A fascinating episode about relationships, communication, and looking beyond the surface of behaviour. 🐾

Has my puppy missed out on socialisation?This week on Resident Wild, Kim and Neri answer a listener question from who is worried her 12-week-old puppy may have fallen behind after spending the past four weeks at home completing his vaccination schedule.The conversation opens up the broader topic of socialisation and challenges some of the common misconceptions surrounding it. What does healthy socialisation actually look like? Is it about meeting as many dogs, people and environments as possible, or is there something more important at play?We also introduce a brand-new segment, Advice Given Online, where we take a closer look at popular dog advice found on social media and the internet. First up: a claim that puppies must meet 60 dogs in 60 days.And in our Debunk a Myth segment, we unpack the belief that dogs know when they've done something wrong. Is your dog really feeling guilty, or are we totally misunderstanding what we're seeing?Join us for an episode all about socialisation, learning, and looking beyond the headlines to better understand our dogs. 🐾