# Vivian Zottola - Being a Good Dog in a Human’s World

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/soul-touched-by-dogs-6619614/vivian-zottola-being-a-good-dog-in-a-human-s-world
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/soul-touched-by-dogs-6619614/vivian-zottola-being-a-good-dog-in-a-human-s-world.md
Podcast: [Soul Touched by Dogs](https://stenobird.com/podcast/soul-touched-by-dogs-6619614)
Published: 2025-09-02T10:04:59+00:00
Episode link: https://soultouchedbydogs.transistor.fm/episodes/vivian-zottola-being-a-good-dog-in-a-human-s-world
Audio file: https://p.podderapp.com/1495290720/media.transistor.fm/56b5b7fe/760c9f17.mp3
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/soul-touched-by-dogs-6619614/episodes/vivian-zottola-being-a-good-dog-in-a-human-s-world
Duration seconds: 1474

## Resource

What does it mean to be a good dog in the human world? In this heartfelt, eye-opening conversation, I’m joined by Vivian Zottola, human-dog relationship therapist, educator, and author, to talk about what it really takes to live in harmony with our dogs. Vivian brings decades of experience (and a deep well of wisdom) to help us shift the way we think about our relationships with our canine companions. We explore what happens when dogs are treated like toys or tools instead of sentient beings, why understanding their perspective changes everything, and how learning to listen to our dogs can make us more compassionate humans too. Whether you live with dogs now or are simply curious about the profound bond between species, this episode will leave you thinking differently about how we relate, not just to our pets, but to each other. 💡 A few key takeaways: Why many behavior issues start with misunderstanding, not misbehavior How dogs “speak” to us - and how we can learn to listen The link between learning to understand dogs and becoming more empathetic with people The hidden dangers of treating dogs like siblings or toys, especially around children How Vivian’s work and writing gently guide us back to mutual respect and shared connection 💬 A favorite quote from this episode: "Emotionally, we are the same. When we start to understand what our dogs are trying to say, it changes how we see the world - and each other." — Vivian Zottola 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:24 Meet Our Guest: Vivian 00:43 Vivian's Journey with Dogs 01:23 The World of Dog Training and Therapy 02:29 Collaborations and Further Education 06:29 Balancing Work and Personal Life 06:54 Understanding Dog Behavior 10:40 Promoting Vivian's Book 15:19 The Importance of Respecting Dogs 20:34 Educational Initi…

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