In this episode of Rooted Tales by Rooted Owl, host Jeffrey Mendelson sits down with Irith Bloom, internationally certified dog trainer, behavior consultant, and founder of The Sophisticated Dog. Together, they unpack Irith’s lifelong resistance to harsh training methods and how that early instinct evolved into a professional mission to transform how we relate to our pets.Irith shares her journey from training a Rottweiler at age 10 using kindness and intuition, to discovering positive reinforcement after rescuing a high-energy English Shepherd in urban Los Angeles. That experience led her to pursue professional credentials, eventually becoming an educator, mentor, and co-founder of Carefree Companion, a platform advancing stress resilience in animals.From dog training to cultural analysis, this conversation explores how empathy, science, and global collaboration are reshaping animal care.Key Lessons Covered in This Episode:Understanding Negative Reinforcement vs. Positive ReinforcementIrith breaks down the difference and why she moved away from physical cues and pressure-based training toward methods that center agency, motivation, and mutual trust.The Rescue Dog That Changed EverythingHer experience rehabilitating a behaviorally challenged English Shepherd opened the door to modern training science—and a new career.Global Attitudes Toward Animal WelfareFrom Scandinavia’s gold standard to cultures still rooted in traditional dominance-based methods, Irith explores how societal values shape the treatment of animals.The Link Between Gender Equity and Humane TrainingDrawing from cultural studies and field experience, Irith connects more progressive animal welfare practices with societies that prioritize human rights and gender equity.How Carefree Companion Is Teaching Stress ResilienceCo-founded with animal behaviorist Dr. Christina Spalding, this professional-facing platform trains trainers to reduce animal stress, the key to long-term behavior change.Certifications That Set the StandardIrith discusses her commitment to ongoing education and why regulation, ethics, and credentials matter in an unregulated field.Key Takeaways:✅ Positive reinforcement builds trust—and it's effective✅ Culture plays a major role in how animals are treated✅ Stress resilience is foundational to behavior success✅ Empathy is a strength, not a soft skill—in both humans and animals✅ True progress blends science, compassion, and lived experienceListen Now:If you’ve ever questioned traditional training methods—or are curious how culture, kindness, and science can come together for better pet outcomes—this episode is full of insight. Irith Bloom brings wisdom, warmth, and real-world experience to the mic.Spotify | Apple PodcastsConnect with Irith Bloom:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/irith-bloom-25a6428 Website: TheSophisticatedDog.com Book: Your Puppy and You on Amazon or Dogwise Professional Resource: CarefreeCompanion.comKnow someone with a reactive...

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