Debbie Sheridan - There Are No Bad Dogs, Just Unheard Souls: What “Aggressive” Dogs Are Really Telling Us

Have you ever been told your dog was “aggressive”?

That you needed to show them who’s boss, or worse, that pain was the only way to gain control?

In this soul-stirring episode of Soul Touched by Dogs, I sit down with certified canine life coach Debbie Sheridan, whose journey from social work to dog advocacy is as powerful as it is healing.

It all began with two terrified shelter pups - Fitzy and Stella - who turned Debbie’s world upside down. When the advice she received from traditional trainers felt cruel and senseless, she trusted her instincts, dug deep into the science of dog behavior, and never looked back.

Today, Debbie works with fearful, misunderstood dogs - those often mislabeled as “aggressive” - and the people who love them.

In this conversation, we explore what dogs are really trying to say when they act out, how pain-based tools damage trust, and why the real work of dog training starts with us.

If you’ve ever had your heart broken by a dog’s fear, or questioned whether there’s a better way, this episode is your answer.

🔥 What We Talk About:

• Why Debbie left a career in human counseling to work with dogs
• The myth of the “aggressive” dog, and what’s really going on
• How traditional training methods can traumatize both dogs and their humans
• Why fear-based tools like prong and shock collars do more harm than good
• The emotional moment a client realized what her dog had endured
• How to build trust through connection, not control
• Why obedience isn't the goal, and what to focus on instead

🐾 Find out more and connect with Debbie

Debbie Sheridan began her career in social work, but it was two fragile rescue pups who led her to her true calling. After seeing the damage caused by force-based training methods, she chose a new path—becoming a certified canine life coach focused on helping people understand and support their dogs with empathy and kindness. Today, she specializes in working with fearful dogs, helping their humans see past the labels to the soul that’s waiting to be heard.

🌐 https://debbies4dogs.com

Find her on Facebook, at the Phoenix Advocacy Center, and with the Pet Professional Guild

Favorite Quote from the Episode:

“Kindness always wins. There’s never, ever a good reason to do something to another creature that doesn’t feel right to you.”

🎧 Listen Now
Tune in and let this conversation remind you that every so-called “bad dog” is just an unheard soul… waiting for someone to truly listen.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:24 Meet Debbie: Certified Canine Life Coach
00:52 Debbie's Journey to Becoming a Canine Life Coach
02:46 Understanding Fearful and Aggressive Dogs
07:10 The Importance of Kindness in Dog Training
08:47 Challenges with Traditional Training Methods
14:06 The Role of Gender in Dog Training Approaches
24:52 Debbie's Upcoming Book and Final Thoughts
26:16 Where to Find More About Debbie
27:12 Conclusion and Farewell

As always, all about Soul Touched by Dogs at https://soultouchedbydogs.com