Imagination is a Powerful Tool

What if one of the most important skills we can develop as trainers isn't knowing the next step... but imagining it?In this short episode, I explore why imagination matters in dog training and introduce you to an "Imagination Break," inspired by the wonderful work of PlayRx on Instagram. Rather than teaching a technique, this episode is an invitation... to slow down, become curious, and notice where your own imagination takes you.At the end of the guided story, I'll ask just two questions and then leave two minutes of silence. No analysis. No right answers. Just space to imagine.After you've listened, I'd love to know...What was the dog carrying?And what happened next?https://linktr.ee/cbwing to connect with Crystal

It’s January 17 2026, and there’s a lot of ice out there. Let’s explore what to do when you and your dog are stuck indoors, feeling cooped up, restless, or a little fried. This is a practical, compassionate brainstorm for caring for dogs when normal routines aren’t possible… and for caring for ourselves in the process.This episode focuses on observation, regulation, connection, and choice. You don’t need special equipment, extra energy, or a perfect plan. Ideas shared include:Free work and observation based enrichmentUsing your voice to connect and regulateConditioning to move and breatheKongs, Toppls, and safe chewing for settlingTreat toss and anticipation gamesRelationship and bonding activitiesUnderstanding the moment Music to shape the energy of the roomPlay as an invitation to reconnectYou don’t have to do all of these . . .  just try one.If you or someone you know is sheltering in place for any reason and trying to support their dogs while their own nervous system is stretched thin, this episode is for you.Thanks for being here. Keep chasing curiosity… and ask yourself, what’s on top?linktr.ee/cbwing to connect with CrystalKim Palermo at Fenzi Dog Sports Academy Animal Centered Education Sarah FisherThe Journey of Building Relationships with Dual-Purpose K9 with K9 Trainer TabithaAmy Cook at Fenzi Dog Sports Academy

The Pantone Color of the Year for 2026 is here… and it’s white. Cloud Dancer. And somehow that one announcement sent me down a full-on rabbit hole about culture, emotion, dog training, and why everything around us feels a little too beige these days.In this episode, I explore what Pantone colors actually reflect about us as humans... why the world keeps muting itself... and how our craving for neutrality shows up in the way we live, train, and let ourselves feel. We talk about neutrality versus peace, the pendulum swing of culture and dog training, and why our dogs may be the last truly vibrant things in a world that keeps trying to quiet everything down.If you’ve ever wondered why bright collars, neon biothane, or even your dog’s personality feel like a breath of fresh air... this one’s for you. It’s about color as emotion, boundaries as compassion, and the center point where clarity and aliveness finally meet.Come hang out with me while I chase this thread... all the way from Cloud Dancer to dog training to what it means to feel fully alive again.https://linktr.ee/cbwing

What can an octopus playing a piano teach us about dog training? Honestly… a lot more than I expected.In this episode I talk about the YouTube video where a musician spends six months teaching an octopus how to interact with a custom-built piano. What grabbed me wasn’t the trick itself, it was the process. He started with trust. He paid attention to what brought his learner joy. He built the environment around the octopus’s natural strengths instead of forcing a rigid plan.And then there’s the crab drop... the simple little mechanic that created duration through curiosity and anticipation. That moment opened up a whole new way of thinking about behavior for me.So today we explore relationship first training, learner-led creativity, environmental design, and how joy can shape cooperation more powerfully than pressure ever could. If you love watching learning unfold... and if you want to bring a little more curiosity into your own sessions... this one is for you.Want to learn more from Crystal? Click Here

In this first episode of What’s On Top, Crystal dives into a topic that’s been sitting at the front of her mind lately… arousal. Not the human kind. The dog training kind.Arousal isn’t good or bad—it’s just information. And when we learn to read it, shape it, and work with it instead of against it, our dogs become more thoughtful, connected partners.Crystal shares her experiences with her Malinois, Checkmate, and how over-arousal shows up as toy-shopping, impulsivity, and loss of thinking. She also talks about Rad-ish, who can shoot high or drop low in arousal and how movement has become her bridge back to balance.This episode explores:• how movement puzzles and canimetrics helped Crystal reconnect her dog’s mind and body• the surprising power of simple warm-ups like leg weaves, paws up, and bow• why “calm” isn’t always the answer• how arousal can go up or down… and still be “too much”• a case study of a Labrador whose jumping problem wasn’t physical—it was arousal without a throttle• why connection is the missing link in many arousal strategiesAlong the way, Crystal shares her favorite lessons, experiments, and the curiosity trail she’s been following:“This isn’t a method. This is me following curiosity until something makes sense.”“Arousal isn’t a problem… it’s just information.”“Movement helps the dog find their brain… but it doesn’t always plug them back into you.”“It’s not just body awareness… it’s us-awareness.”“I’m starting to think canimetrics is a warm-up and a throttle.”“The dog didn’t need to be calmer. She needed to be connected.”If you’re navigating over- or under-arousal in your own dog, or you just love exploring the overlap between behavior, movement, and connection… settle in.Let’s chase curiosity together.You can find me at https://linktr.ee/cbwingI'll post on the CBK9 Facebook group if you would like to comment there, too!