The Resident Wild

Before Season 2 begins, we're taking a few minutes to introduce the people behind The Resident Wild. Who are Kim Ellis and Neri Karazija, and what led us to explore the world of dogs through the lens of wolves? From Kim's years of experience working alongside wolves in Cornwall to Neri's two decades of working with dogs and their families in Australia, we share the journeys, experiences and influences that brought us together. It's a short, relaxed conversation about who we are, what we've learned and why we're passionate about helping people understand their dogs beyond their behaviour. Have a question you'd like us to explore in Season 2? 📱 WhatsApp: +61 494 726 453 (text or voice message). 📧 theresidentwildpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While we prepare for Season 2 of The Resident Wild, we're revisiting one of our favourite conversations from Season 1. Join Neri Karazija and Kim Ellis for a fascinating discussion with special guest Bradford Oakes , exploring canine communication, cognition and whether dogs are capable of deliberate deception. We've stripped away the usual podcast segments and kept the conversation with Bradford, giving you the opportunity to enjoy this thought-provoking discussion on its own. 🐾 Got a question about your dog? Send us a 30–60-second WhatsApp voice message on +61 494 726 453 , or email theresidentwildpodcast@gmail.com . Please let us know if you're happy for us to share your question on the podcast. Follow The Resident Wild on your favourite podcast platform, and share this episode with someone who loves dogs! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we prepare for Season Two of The Resident Wild , we're revisiting one of our most important conversations. Shaun Ellis has spent years living and working alongside both wild and captive wolves. In this extraordinary episode, he shares his experience of spending two and a half years living with a family of wild wolves in America . This experience, and the understanding that came from it, forms the very foundation of the work Kim and Neri do today. It's a story that challenges long-held beliefs about wolves and opens the door to a completely different understanding of our dogs. Whether you're hearing Shaun's story for the first time or returning for another listen, this is an episode worth revisiting. 🐺 The Resident Wild — Understanding dogs through what wolves really teach us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For our Season One finale, we're throwing out the usual format. No listener question, no Advice Given Online , no Debunk a Myth —just Kim and Neri having a relaxed (and possibly slightly chaotic) chat about the first season of The Resident Wild . We're looking back at our favourite conversations, guests, myths, ridiculous online advice and what 25 episodes have taught us. But more importantly… what's next? We're revealing some big changes for Season Two, including Real Dogs, Real People , new rotating segments and a much bigger role for you—the listeners. 🎙️ We want to hear your voices! You'll now be able to send us WhatsApp voice messages with your dog questions, stories and experiences, with the chance to hear yourself on the podcast. And because it's the finale, Speak English Proper ends Season One with possibly the most Australian expression we've had yet. 🇦🇺🇬🇧 Twenty-five episodes down. Season Two is going to be a little different… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Kim and Neri tackle six listener questions exploring the little behaviours that can tell us so much about our dogs. From greetings, affection and mysterious shake-offs to a dog who suddenly refuses to move, this episode is all about understanding what our dogs might really be communicating. And in Speak English Proper , things get wonderfully confusing as we discover what everyone calls the end of a loaf of bread—and attempt to explain the very Australian expressions "yeah nah" and "nah yeah"! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Kim and Neri are talking all things humping , looking beyond the obvious explanations to explore what might actually be happening for the individual dog. In Advice Given Online , they tackle the claim that a reactive dog simply hasn't seen enough other dogs. Does a dog struggling around other dogs really need more exposure—or could that make things worse? Then, in Debunk a Myth , it's the idea that dogs are naturally conflict avoidant. This conversation takes things back to the true nature of wolves and challenges some of the outdated ideas about wolf behaviour that are still influencing how we understand dogs today. Plus, Speak English Proper returns for another round of Australia versus England. Listener question 4:18 Advice given online 24:30 Debunk a myth 31.18 Speak english proper 39.58 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Kim and Neri answer a listener question about a Kelpie displaying exactly these behaviours and explore what might be happening beneath the surface. In Advice Given Online , they tackle the familiar idea that your dog should sit and wait while you eat first to reinforce who's in charge. Where did this thinking come from, and does it actually make sense to the dog? Then, in Debunk a Myth , they ask what a dog is really communicating when they roll onto their back and expose their belly. Is it always an invitation for a belly rub? And Speak English Proper returns for another round of Australia versus England. 🐾 Because when we stop asking, "How do I stop this behaviour?" and start asking, "What is my dog trying to tell me?", everything begins to change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why does your dog constantly eat grass when there's seemingly nothing medically wrong? This week, Kim and Neri explore what else might be behind this surprisingly common behaviour and why, as always, it's worth looking a little deeper. In Advice Given Online , they're talking puppy mouthing and biting—why puppies do it and whether some of the advice we're given actually addresses what's happening underneath. Then, in Debunk a Myth , they tackle the belief that dogs protect their humans simply because they love them. It's a lovely idea—but there's a lot more to unpack. And Speak English Proper returns with another Australian-versus-English translation that leaves one side wondering what on earth the other is talking about. 🐾 Because when we stop asking, "How do I stop this behaviour?" and start asking, "What is my dog trying to tell me?", everything begins to change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Kim and Neri answer a listener question about a rescue dog who strongly objects to anyone touching their paws. They explore what's happening beneath that reaction and why forcing our way through fear isn't necessarily the answer. In Advice Given Online , they unpack some interesting puppy-picking advice: choose the puppy hiding away from the others because they'll be the quiet, easy one. But what might that behaviour actually be telling us? Then, in Debunk a Myth , they tackle the belief that dogs will simply grow out of being frightened of something. And Speak English Proper returns for another Australian-versus-English showdown. 🐾 Because when we stop asking, "How do I stop this behaviour?" and start asking, "What is my dog trying to tell me?", everything begins to change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Kim and Neri answer a listener question about dogs sharing their lives with cats. While neither claims to be a cat behaviour specialist, it leads to a fascinating discussion about relationships between species, individual differences and understanding the dog in front of us. In Advice Given Online , they unpack the advice that dogs shouldn't be allowed to scratch the ground after peeing or pooing. Why do dogs actually do it, and are we misunderstanding yet another perfectly natural behaviour? Then, in Debunk a Myth , they tackle the enormous statement that "dogs always want to please us." What does that even mean—and is pleasing us really what motivates our dogs? And Speak English Proper returns with one that takes the conversation somewhere rather unexpected... 🐾 Because when we stop asking, "How do I stop this behaviour?" and start asking, "What is my dog trying to tell me?", everything begins to change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Kim and Neri are joined by Saskia from the Netherlands , a veterinarian who has been learning the Wolfie Way, to answer a listener question about a dog who really struggles with veterinary visits. Together, they explore what the experience can look like from the dog's perspective, why some dogs find the veterinary environment so difficult, and how understanding their emotional experience can change the way we approach their care. In Debunk a Myth , Saskia joins the conversation about the belief that some breeds simply can't be trusted , leading to a fascinating discussion about genetics, breed and why we still need to understand the individual dog in front of us. And Speak English Proper gets an international upgrade this week—with Australia, England and the Netherlands all represented! listener question 2:02 Debunk a myth 34:04 speak english Proper 40:57 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Kim and Neri answer a heartfelt listener question about why dogs sometimes naturally gravitate towards one person in the household—and why it really isn't personal. In Advice Given Online , we challenge the idea that "a tired dog is a happy dog" and that exercise can fix behavioural problems. In Debunk a Myth , we ask whether dogs really need another dog to be happy. And Speak English Proper returns with a very ordinary piece of equipment that apparently has a completely different name depending on which side of the world you're standing! 🐾 Because when we stop asking, "How do I stop this behaviour?" and start asking, "What is my dog trying to tell me?", everything begins to change. listener question - 2:33 advice online-14.31 debunk a myth - 26.09 Speak english proper - 28.12 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 16 of Resident Wild , Kim and Neri answer a listener question from Katie in Melbourne about introducing a puppy into a family that already has a dog. It's a situation many families experience, but bringing a puppy home can change far more than just the number of dogs in the house. We explore the changing family dynamic, the existing dog's relationship with their humans, the puppy's development, and why simply expecting the dogs to "work it out" can miss some very important pieces of the puzzle. In Advice Given Online , we unpack the increasingly common advice to make dogs "work" for every piece of food they receive. Is food something that should always be earned, or is there another way to understand feeding, enrichment and our relationship with our dogs? Then in Debunk a Myth , we tackle one of the oldest pieces of advice in the dog world: "Just let them sort it out themselves." When it comes to dogs, this advice can be far more dangerous than it sounds. We explore why stepping back isn't always the neutral choice we think it is, and why understanding what's happening between dogs matters. And finally, Speak English Proper returns with another Australian-versus-English linguistic mystery involving something you might use to cut the grass. 🌱 A deep dive into puppies, existing dogs, relationships, development and what happens when we add another member to the family. 🐾 Because when we stop asking, "How do I stop this behaviour?" and start asking, "What is my dog trying to tell me?", everything begins to change. listener question 3:22 advice given online 19:25 Debunk a myth 26:54 speak english proper 31:20 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should your dog be paying attention to you... or to the world around them?This week on Resident Wild, Kim and Neri answer a listener question from Elle in Scotland, who wonders why her dog spends so much time sniffing on walks instead of focusing on her. Together, they explore why sniffing is one of the most important ways dogs experience the world, what they're actually learning through their noses, and why allowing dogs to gather information can play an important role in their emotional wellbeing.In Advice Given Online, they unpack the increasingly common claim that dogs can have autism. While some dogs may display behaviours that appear similar to those seen in people, Kim and Neri discuss why applying human diagnostic labels to dogs isn't supported by current evidence, and why it's more helpful to understand the individual dog, their experiences and the behaviours they're showing.Then, in Debunk a Myth, they tackle a saying we've all heard: "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." Is there any truth to it, or are older dogs far more capable of learning than we've been led to believe?And to finish, another light-hearted edition of Speak English Proper, where Kim and Neri discover that what Australians call thongs, the British know as flip-flops.Join us for another episode exploring the science, psychology and relationships that shape the lives of our dogs.🐾 Because when we stop asking, "How do I stop this behaviour?" and start asking, "What is my dog trying to tell me?", everything begins to change.listener question 3:07advice given online 21:00debunk a myth 29:11speak english proper 32.43 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 like "velcro dogs."In Advice Given Online, they unpack the long-standing belief that dogs should never walk in front of their owners on a lead. Where did this idea come from, and does walking in front really mean anything about your relationship with your dog?Then, in Debunk a Myth, they tackle another common belief—that allowing your dog to sleep on your bed will make them dominant. It's a myth that has persisted for decades, but as always, the reality is far more nuanced.To finish, Kim and Neri introduce a brand-new light-hearted segment, Speak English Proper, where they compare the wonderfully different wordsand phrases used in Australia and England. It's a fun way to end an episode filled with thoughtful conversation, practical insights and plenty of laughs.Join us as we continue to challenge old beliefs and encourage a deeper understanding of the dogs who share our lives. 🐾listener question - 2:37community spotlight -15:07advice given online - 16:35Debunk a myth - 21:43Speak english Proper - 26:32 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Given Online, Kim and Neri unpack the growing trend of "teaching calm" and explain why genuine calmness isn't something that can simply be trained on cue. From a psychological perspective, true emotional regulation develops through safety, relationship and co-regulation—not by asking a dog to remain still.Then, in Debunk a Myth, they tackle another common misconception: Does a dog pee inside to get back at its owner? They explore why this belief has persisted for so long and what house-soiling behaviour is far more likely to be communicating.A fun, thought-provoking episode that blends wolves, dogs, people, psychology, comedy and a whole lot of curiosity about the dogs we share our lives with.🐾 Because the more we understand our dogs, the better we can understand the behaviour they show us.listener question 4:08Advice given on line 28:15Debunk a myth 35:40 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 calm... or had something else happened? It's a fascinating discussion about the difference between emotional regulation and emotional shutdown—with a memorable Gandalf reference from Kim along the way.Then, in Debunk a Myth, they tackle one of the oldest pieces of dog advice around: Should you always let a dog sniff your hand before greeting them? Like many things in the dog world, the answer isn't nearly as straightforward as we've been led to believe.Join Kim and Neri as they continue to challenge common assumptions and explore the deeper reasons behind the behaviours we see every day.🐾 Because when we understand the dog, the behaviour starts to make sense.Listener question 1:56Community spotlight 19:47Advice given online 21:13Debunk a myth 31:48 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 checklist. Context, individual differences and the whole picture matter far more than any single signal.Then, in Debunk a Myth (39:43s), they tackle one of the most common misunderstandings in dog behaviour: Does a wagging tail always mean a dog is happy? The answer may surprise you, as they explore what a wagging tail can—and can't—tell us about how a dog is feeling.Ifyou've ever wondered what your dog is really trying to communicate, this episode is packed with practical insights that encourage us to look beyond the obvious and understand the dog in front of us. 🐾4:10 listener question24.55 - community spotlight26.25 - advice given online39.43 - de bunk a myth Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 behaviour, emotional wellbeing, and the lens through which we choose to view our dogs. And in our Debunk a Myth segment, we take a close look at the common advice that growling should be punished. What does a growl really mean, and what happens when we discourage one of the most important warning signals a dog can give? This episode is packed with conversation, challenge, and a deeper look at some of the beliefs that continue to shape the dog world today. 🐾 2:45 listener question 30:14 info on the wolf centre course 32:19 advice given online 42.22 debunk a myth Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. 🐾 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.