In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Kelly Lee, founder of Dogkind Training, to talk about what it truly means to support fearful, anxious, and traumatized dogs.

Dr. Lee holds degrees in Zoology, Applied Behavior Analysis, and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, and she’s an honors graduate of the Academy for Dog Trainers (CTC). But what makes this conversation so powerful isn’t just her credentials — it’s her lived experience with her own deeply fearful dog, Pancake.

We talk about:

• What to do when your dog simply refuses to go on walks
• Why “just push them through it” can backfire
• The power of agency and safe spaces
• How to know if you’re stretching your dog… or overwhelming them
• Why participation isn’t enough (and what to watch for instead)
• How enrichment games build real confidence
• The role of medication — and why it shouldn’t be a last resort
• How to recognize and celebrate tiny victories that are actually huge

If you’re raising a sensitive dog who isn’t a “café dog” — if you’ve questioned yourself, felt overwhelmed, or wondered whether you’re doing it right — this episode will meet you exactly where you are.

Because progress with fearful dogs isn’t flashy. It’s slow. It’s subtle. And it’s worth celebrating.

Connect with our guest, Dr Kelly Lee

Website: https://www.dogkindtraining.com/
Instagram: @dogkind_training
Facebook: Dogkind LLC
YouTube: @Dogkind

Connect with Shy Dog Diaries

Instagram: @shydogdiaries
Email: pod@shydogdiaries.com