In this episode, hosts Jenny Nordin and Ashlyn Kauh sit down with Gina Cooley—board member of Dog Gone Seattle and owner of Double Down Dog Training—for a wide-ranging conversation about the real-world challenges of rescue and dog training.

Gina reflects on her early days as a first-time foster to Dusty, a feral cattle dog-pit bull mix, and how her experience with Bubba, a dog aggressive pitbull, shaped her path toward becoming an elite NePoPo® Gold dog trainer. From lessons learned in the chaos to insights gained through mentorships with Nelson Hodges and Brian Agnew, Gina walks us through the evolution of her philosophy and practice.

They explore

• How fostering forces you to realize what you don’t know
• The freedom—and pressure—of working with dogs outside of client timelines
• How NePoPo® changed everything (and how it prepares dogs for real-world success)
• Why relationship matters more than showmanship in choosing a trainer
• The troubling reality behind a widely shared Valor K9 “training” video, and what ethical training really looks like

With candor and generosity, Gina shares how she structures her programs to meet clients where they are, including thoughtful modifications for families with different comfort levels around tools. She talks about play as a cornerstone of connection, the social sensitivity of dogs, and the delicate balance between discipline and empathy.

This episode is packed with real talk, practical takeaways, and deep reflections on what it means to truly advocate for dogs—especially the quirky, complicated ones.

POD MENTIONS:

NePoPo
Heather Beck [K9 Lifeline]
Nelson Hodges [Canine Human Relationship Institute]
Bill Church [Bow Wow Bill’s]
Pitbull in Clinton kills neighbor’s Bichon Frise, leads to community meeting [Whidbey Record]
Duke Ferguson [Unleashed Potential]
Sparks K9
Meagan Karnes [The Collared Scholar]
Dogs Playing for Life
Brian Agnew [The Balanced Dog]
Jay Jack [Next Level Dogs]
Amy Pishner [Valor K9 Academy]
Amy Pishner “training” video
Larry Krohn [Pak Masters]
Recommended Trainers [Dog Gone Seattle]
Melanie Uhde (Reel) [Instagram]

PARTNER MENTIONS:
Double Down Dog Training
Forever Home Dog Rescue
Tacoma Humane Society

ADOPTABLE DOG MENTIONS:
Mac
Kelly

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Chapters

00:00 2.25 From Feral Dog Foster to Pro Dog Trainer with Gina Cooley of Double Down Dog Training

01:18 Introducing Gina Cooley, board member and owner of Double Down Dog Training

04:20 Dusty the feral cattle dog

13:35 Bubba not Dusty the Pivotal Moment in Trajectory

17:55 Transition from difficult dog owner to dog trainer

20:35 Influence of Rescue on Professional Career

25:08 Discussion on free shaping

29:01 First exposure to free shaping

31:31 Nepopo changed everything

34:25 What even is Nepopo?

39:34 K9 Lifeline

40:12 Surprises with Bear the GSD

55:07 Brian Agnew the Balanced Dog

01:01:24 The Amy Pishner Valor K9 Video

01:08:31 Rescue response

01:19:13 How to identify a good trainer

01:29:48 New format for puppy program

01:34:29 Rescue conversations around training

01:41:37 Snap your fingers at clients

01:44:23 Rapid Fire Questions

01:49:49 What's next for you and Double Down Dog Training