Hey, Confidence Crusaders! Neuro nerds! And dog lovers? 

Yup!

This episode of Real Confidence is about to go to the DOGS. Stay with me — it’s not just about teaching Spot to sit. It’s about how your energy — your confidence — shapes your dog’s behavior (and maybe even your life). 

Joining me is Brady Foulk, a pro dog trainer with a gift for turning “chaotic canine” into “calm and collected.” But here’s the twist: it’s not just about training your pup — it’s about training you.

And because we recently adopted a new puppy, Porter, after we had to say goodbye to our beloved rescue pooch Georgie last summer, I wanted all the tips because it’s been close to two decades since we had a little tail-wagger in the house.

Brady shared pro tips on how to inspire our dogs (no bribery or yelling required), spot when they’re overwhelmed (hello, frustrated sniffs!) and build their confidence step by step. 

Whether you’re a proud pet parent or just here for the confidence hacks, this episode’s got you. You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and you’ll totally rethink how you approach leadership—with your dog and your life.

Key takeaways you don’t want to miss:

• Dogs can smell your emotions — yes, literally. If you’re anxious, they’re anxious. If you’re confident, they’re confident.
• Leadership matters — your dog mirrors your energy. 
• Confidence is teachable — for you and your dog. 
• How to read your dog’s body language for signs of overwhelm
• Fun fact: Brady’s puppy is learning to ride a skateboard. Yes, really!

Listen now and let’s sniff out some confidence together. 

Brady is a committed dog trainer who loves helping dogs and their humans thrive together at home and out in the world. With extensive experience in canine behavior, obedience, emotional support, and service dog training, he has developed a practical, compassionate approach to building trust and confidence in dogs and their owners. Brady’s philosophy is simple: a confident, well-trained dog leads to a happier, more harmonious home life. Learn more about Brady and his work at newdirectiondogtraining.com.

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Alyssa Dver Confidence Crusader & Neuro Nerd

Confidence Crusader, Neuro Nerd and Success Equalizer, Alyssa Dver leads the American Confidence Institute and the global association ERG Leadership Alliance that directly helps all workplaces be more diverse, equitable and inclusive. She received a Stevie Award for Thought Leadership, has two TEDx talks, hosts the popular podcasts Real Confidence and Distilled Confidence, and authored 8 expert-endorsed books including “Confidence is a Choice: Real Science. Superhero Impact.” and “ERG Intelligence.” She can be seen delivering 150+ talks each year, coaching at MIT and Wharton innovation centers and as spokesperson for both L’Oreal’s IT Cosmetics brand and The American Distilling Institute.