Episode 9: Socialisation – Quality Over Quantity

More from The Resident Wild All episodes →

1. 

   S1 · E14 · 27 Jul 2026 · 28 min

   Episode 14: Loyal... or Anxious?

   If your dog follows you everywhere, is it a sign of love—or could it be something else?In this episode of Resident Wild, Kim and Neri answer a listener question about a Border Collie that never leaves its owner's side. Whether it's moving from room to room or stopping the moment their owner stops, the behaviour raises an important question: is this simply loyalty, or could anxiety be playing a role?Together, they explore how looking beyond the behaviour itself can help us better understand what our dogs are actually experiencing, and why context is everything when interpreting behaviours…

2. 

   20 Jul 2026 · 41 min

   Episode 13: Do Dogs Lie? Do dogs actually lie or are we completely misunderstanding their behaviour?

   This week on Resident Wild, Kim and Neri are joined by comedian and all-round legend Bradford Oakes, co-host of the podcast Fool Me Twice with Steven Van Aperen, where they explore deception, psychology and the fascinating ways humans can be fooled.Bradford brings a brilliant question to the table: Do dogs lie?What follows is one of the most entertaining conversations we've had, filled with laughs, unexpected tangents and some thought-provoking discussion about whether dogs are truly capable of deception—or whether we're simply interpreting their behaviour through a human lens.In Advice…

3. 

   13 Jul 2026 · 38 min

   Episode 12: Lead Reactivity, "Calm" Dogs & The Hand-Sniff Myth

   Why is my dog reactive on the lead but perfectly fine when they're off it?This week Kim and Neri answer a listener question about one of the most common behaviour concerns dog owners experience—lead reactivity. Together, they explore why a dog's behaviour can change so dramatically depending on whether they're attached to a lead, and why understanding the emotions behind the behaviour is far more valuable than simply trying to stop the reaction.In Advice Given Online, they unpack a video showing a trainer insisting a dog remain "calm" before leaving for a walk. But was the dog genuinely…

4. 

   S1 · E11 · 29 Jun 2026 · 45 min

   Episode 11 -Is That Bark Really About the Stranger? Body language and wagging tails

   A rescue dog barking at people walking past the house... but is it really about the people? In this episode of Resident Wild, Kim and Neri answer a listener question (4:10s) about a rescue dog that barks whenever someone passes the front of the home. Together, they explore the deeper reasons behind this behaviour, looking beyond the barking itself to better understand what the dog may be experiencing and communicating.In Advice Given Online, (26:25s) they unpack a social media post about dog body language and discuss why reading a dog's emotions is rarely as simple as ticking off a…

5. 

   S1 · E10 · 22 Jun 2026 · 50 min

   Episode 10: The Truth About Tennis Balls, Trauma and Growling

   Your dog loves chasing a tennis ball—but what is really driving that behaviour? In this episode of Resident Wild , Kim and Neri explore a listener question about ball chasing and why it can be far more complex than it first appears. From instinctive behaviours to emotional states, we unpack what may actually be happening when your dog becomes obsessed with the game. In our Advice Given Online segment, we tackle a statement that stopped us in our tracks: Dog owners have become too soft, and trauma in dogs has been exaggerated. This sparked a passionate and thought-provoking discussion about…

6. 

   S1 · E8 · 8 Jun 2026 · 39 min

   The Resident Wild - Episode 8 - When Siblings Fall Out and Yawning

   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,…

7. 

   S1 · E7 · 1 Jun 2026 · 41 min

   Episode 7: Wolves, Pushy Dogs & Food Bowl Myths

   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…

8. 

   S1 · E6 · 25 May 2026 · 45 min

   Episode 6 - Why Dogs of the Same Breed Can Be Completely Different

   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…

9. 

   S1 · E5 · 18 May 2026 · 35 min

   Episode 5 - Is Your Dog Really Bored?

   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…

10. 

    S1 · E4 · 11 May 2026 · 52 min

    Episode 4 - Living With Wild Wolves – A Conversation with Shaun Ellis

    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…