Ep 23. Maya Badham on the Partnership Planet Model: Building True Dog–Human Connections

In this inspiring Yappy Hour episode, Maya Badham introduces the Partnership Planet Model — a framework for living in genuine partnership with our dogs.

Welcome to The Yappy Hour, powered by Yappily! 🎉

What if life with your dog wasn’t about control or compliance, but about partnership, trust, and respect?
In this episode of The Yappy Hour, host Nathan Dunleavy sits down with Maya Badham, founder of S-A-H-S-D-A and creator of the Partnership Planet Model.

Together, they explore how compassion, ethics, and emotional intelligence can transform our relationships with dogs.

Whether you’re a guardian or a pet professional, this conversation will challenge the way you see life with your canine companion.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ The story behind Maya’s journey from trauma-informed human support to canine partnerships

✅ What the Partnership Planet Model is — and why it matters for dogs and humans

✅ How compliance vs partnership shapes our everyday choices with dogs

✅ Why co-regulation, autonomy, and agency are essential in dog–human relationships

✅ Practical examples of shifting from control to stewardship in real life

Key Takeaways:

  • The Partnership Planet Model challenges outdated obedience-based thinking, shifting focus to connection and consent.
  • Dogs deserve agency, choice, and respect and not just compliance.
  • Partnership is about progress, not perfection, we learn and grow alongside our dogs.
  • Behaviour challenges are often communication of unmet needs, not problems to be “fixed.”
  • Real success as a dog guardian is measured by the depth of connection, not by “perfect behaviour.”.

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in! Let’s celebrate the joy and challenges of dog parenting together, because we’re all here for the dogs. 🐾

Connect with Maya

Loop Safeguarding, Maya’s website

Connect with Nathan and Yappily

Connect with Nathan

Nathan Dunleavy website

Yappily Facebook

Yappily Instagram

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If you’re a behaviourist, dog trainer, dog walker, house sitter, vet, or groomer, and you believe in ethical care, we’d love for you to list your business on our directory. 🐾

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