Love 'Em & Lead 'Em

About Love 'Em & Lead 'Em

Hosted by Melaney, a former Military Police K9 handler, and Cory, a former special education teacher focused on behavior disorders, the duo behind Dog Training Camp USA in Louisville, Kentucky. We’ve helped hundreds of families ditch the gadgets, skip the hot dogs, and build better relationships with their dogs—through leadership, structure, and a whole lot of heart.But this podcast isn’t just about dogs. It’s about the people holding the leashes. We talk about mental health, burnout, running a small business, friendship, and yes, being bird nerds. You’ll hear the real-life highs and lows behind the scenes as dog trainers, moms, business partners, and best friends.Each episode delivers practical training tips, unfiltered client stories, and raw conversations about the wild journey of living (and learning) with dogs. Whether your dog is a dream or a full-blown dumpster fire, we’ve been there—and we’ve got your back.New episodes every other week. Subscribe, laugh, and learn with us—becau...

Publisher

Melaney Brown and Cory Dahlkamp

Category

kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

11 Feb 2025

Latest episode

27 Aug 2025

Latest episodes

15 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   27 Aug 2025

   The Littermate Dilemma: Double Snuggles & Double Trouble

   00:00 Introduction and Freezing Library 01:21 Shirt Reveal and Funny Stories 03:45 Frustrations with Breeders 12:57 Litter Mate Syndrome Explained 18:19 Preventing Litter Mate Syndrome 18:53 The Importance of Rest for Puppies 19:20 Challenges of Crate Training Littermates 19:57 Dealing with Adult Dog Conflicts 20:43 Building Confidence in Timid Dogs 21:34 Preventing Littermate Syndrome 22:26 Extreme Cases of Littermate Syndrome 24:06 Happily Ever After Stories 27:56 Professional Challenges with Littermates 30:29 Case Updates: Nala and Guinness 35:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

2. 

   13 Aug 2025

   Too Sick to Train? …and Are We Matchmakers Now?

   This week’s episode dives deep into one of our most medically complex (and emotionally rewarding) cases yet — a little Frenchie named Guinness. After being rescued from a life of breeding, he came to us with major potty problems, a seizure disorder, and more medical question marks than we’ve ever seen in one tiny body. Euthanization was on the table… but his dad wasn’t giving up, and neither were we. What happens when a dog might be *too sick to train* — and what does giving him a chance really take? Then we lighten things up with the debut of a brand-new segment: Matchmaking with Matt. Our producer Matt wants a Shiba Inu, and we break down whether that’s a great fit or a disaster waiting to happen. (Spoiler: it’s giving “cat in a dog’s body.”) We talk breed research, choosing the right dog for your life, and why picking a dog is not unlike dating. Whether you’re a rescue advocate, a Frenchie fan, or just wondering if you're ready for a Shiba, this episode brings all the feels — and plenty of laughs.

3. 

   30 Jul 2025

   When Jumping Means, "Try Me!"

   What we thought was excited jumping takes a turn when we meet Zuko — a powerful, sweet-faced, intensity-packed dog with a serious guarding streak and a zero-chill attitude. What started as a leash reactivity consult quickly became a masterclass in body language, impulse control, and surviving a close call (spoiler: no one got bit, but it got real close). Later, we balance the chaos with a sweet update on Nala, a rescued golden retriever who went from shutdown to spoiled queen. We talk about what it really means when a dog "doesn't know how to dog," and how small wins can lead to lifelong change. Whether you're managing your own Zuko or raising a Nala, this episode is packed with practical tips and real talk from the field.

4. 

   16 Jul 2025

   Chihuahua Chaos & Potty Problems

   In this episode of Love 'Em & Lead 'Em, we’re unpacking a recent rescue situation involving four small dogs with some very big opinions. From tangled potty routines to sibling squabbles and split living arrangements, it was clear this family needed a reset — fast. Join Cory and Melaney as they unpack the lessons from this multi-dog rescue case, explore codependent human-dog dynamics, and share how simple changes can lead to powerful transformations. Plus, a surprise visit from Mat with a Google review that reminds us why we do what we do. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by dog ownership (or questioned your own sanity after adding just one more dog), this one’s for you.

5. 

   2 Jul 2025

   Harvey, The Dog Who Changed Everything.

   Dog trainers Melaney and Cory share the story of Cory's challenging but beloved German Shepherd, Harvey Walker, and how he unexpectedly fostered their friendship and helped them both heal through difficult times in this interview.

6. 

   18 Jun 2025

   Dog Trainers, Moms & Real Talk—This Is Love ’Em & Lead ’Em

   The hosts introduce the Love 'Em & Lead 'Em podcast, explaining its purpose and the value listeners can expect to gain.

7. 

   12 Jun 2025

   Episode 0: Meet Your Trainers

   Trainers Melaney and Cory introduce their podcast, focusing on their approach to dog training, which helps owners both love and lead their dogs effectively.

8. 

   12 Jun 2025

   Trailer: Not Your Average Dog Training Podcast

   Hosts Melaney and Cory introduce their dog training podcast, promising practical tips and real-life stories to help listeners build better relationships with their dogs based on love and leadership; this is a trailer episode.

9. 

   4 Jun 2025

   Harvey: The Dog That Changed Everything

   Hosts Melaney and Cory share a heartfelt tribute to Harvey, a German Shepherd, exploring themes of love, loss, mental health, and the profound impact of unexpected companions on life's journey.

10. 

    7 May 2025

    Agree to the Terms (Or Get Out of My Kennel)

    This one’s for the crusty white dogs, the bird nerds, and anyone who's ever been told to “fake it till you make it.” In this episode, Mel and Corey dive into their early days of dog training chaos — from rogue German Shepherds and crusty little biters to leadership clashes and business-growing pains. They reflect on what it takes to lead people and dogs, share hard-won lessons from the field, and yes, get very sidetracked by bird drama. It's part comedy, part therapy, and all real talk from the frontlines of dog life and small biz ownership.

11. 

    25 Apr 2025

    The Off Leash Myth: What It Really Takes to Trust Your Dog

    Is your dream dog the kind that trots beside you leash-free, ready to recall at a whistle? In this episode of Leash on Life, Melaney and Cory break down the fantasy and reality of off-leash dog training. From personal stories of their own pack to real-world client struggles, they tackle what it actually takes to build a reliable off-leash recall. Discover why long leash training, relationship-based obedience, and consistent practice are non-negotiable for success. Whether you're working with a beagle with a nose for mischief or a Labrador who loves the pond, this conversation dives deep into dog behavior, recall reliability, and breed-specific quirks. Perfect for dog parents, trainers, or anyone dreaming of ditching the leash but keeping the control. Plus, laughs, love, and a little chaos from their blended family of dogs and humans.

12. 

    26 Mar 2025

    Puppy Palooza!

    Cory and Melaney talk about the two different kinds of services for puppy training: private lessons and puppy camp.

13. 

    12 Mar 2025

    Personal Protection Training and Spud McMuffin

    Cory and Melaney discuss personal protection training as well as a dog they helped recently named Spud.

14. 

    19 Feb 2025

    Old People, Dixie, and Maggie the Great Dane

    Cory and Melaney discuss the hardships of older people owning young dogs, their favorite mini Australian shepherd Dixie, and a difficult potty training case.

15. 

    11 Feb 2025

    Jumping, Tiny Tim, and Tony

    Cory and Melaney discuss the common behavioral issue of dogs jumping on their owners, an interesting camp dog named Max, and a behavioral case involving integrating a new dog into an established pack.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

58,526

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 39 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

35

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

32

Contact Love 'Em & Lead 'Em

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.