Positively Dog Training – The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

Join Victoria as she welcomes Zazie Todd, PhD, an award-winning author, animal behavior expert, and founder of Companion Animal Psychology. Zazie's acclaimed books, Wag and Purr, demystify the science of animal behavior and provide practical insights on how to apply this knowledge in our everyday lives with our pets.

In this engaging discussion, Victoria and Zazie delve into two recent research articles. The first article explores new guidelines on spaying and neutering, focusing on when to spay/neuter and potential impacts on pet health. The second article discussed aggression and different characteristics of the dogs included in the study.

Listeners will gain valuable insights from Zazie's expertise and learn how to integrate scientific findings into their approach to pet care. Whether you're a pet owner, trainer, or animal enthusiast, this episode promises to enrich your knowledge and enhance your relationship with your furry companions.

In this Roundtable Discussion, Victoria and the Positively team discuss the Harmony Model.  The Harmony Model serves as a guide to the essential elements of living with our dogs. These elements include:

• Training
• Safety and Wellness
• Socialization
• Communication
• and Enrichment

To learn more about the Harmony Model, visit Positively.com or enroll in our FREE course.

Victoria is joined by Positively team member and published author, Wendy Lyons Sunshine.  Wendy has co-authored many parenting books and brings this expertise to her new book, Tender Paws: How Science Based Parenting Can Transform Our Relationship with Dogs.

Join Victoria and Wendy as they discuss the science, their personal experiences, and the experiences of others in the field that are included in the book.  Shared excerpts from the book lead this brilliant discussion about the “do-over”, discipline, mutual respect, and more. 

To learn more about Wendy, visit https://www.wendylsunshine.com/about/. To learn more about Tender Paws and where to purchase visit: Simon and Schuster. 

In this roundtable discussion, Victoria and her team talk about what aggression is, what it looks like, why it happens, and what we can do to help ourselves and our dogs.  

Living with a dog that displays aggressive behaviors  can feel overwhelming, scary, and sometimes embarrassing.  Many of the team have shared these same feelings and are here with some great tips on how to help both you and your dog.  

In this episode, Victoria is joined by Anna Webb, a broadcaster, and behavior and nutrition expert.  She is the host of A Dog's Life podcast where she explores all levels of modern dog ownership and brings to life why every dog is extraordinary.

Stay tuned for nuggets of information, on topics including:

• Sniffing out truffles
• Differences between the US and UK
• Dog Walking
• Nutrition
• and more. 

To learn more about Anna, visit https://annawebb.co.uk/pages/about-anna.  Subscribe to A Dog's Life podcast on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite streaming app.  

In this episode, we are joined by the Sarah Fisher, who delves into why movement is the foundation for all behavior. Sarah passionately explains her philosophy that understanding and facilitating movement can significantly help animals find their natural flow. This conversation sheds light on the importance of meeting the needs of the beings in front of us, emphasizing that movement isn't just a part of life—it's integral to life itself.

Sarah's expertise offers a profound understanding of how movement influences behavior and wellbeing, providing listeners with a deeper appreciation of its pivotal role.

Visit Sarah's website or attend the Dog Behavior Conference to learn more. 

Join Victoria and her team as they discuss strange behavior dogs do in the latest roundtable discussion.  From cleaning out the cupboards to obsessive licking, no behavior was left out. 

Learn why dogs might engage in these behaviors and how Victoria and her team work through them.  You will be surprised by what you learn in this entertaining and eye opening episode.

Don't forget to visit Positively.com to learn more and answer the question... Why Does My Dog...?

On this episode, Victoria and Andrew talk about his upcoming presentation for the Dog Behavior Conference.  Andrew shares his mantra with us:  "learn, support, and teach.  Learn from the dog first, support what you have learned, and teach things that are likely to be intrinsically valuable for that dog.  After that, train what you like."

C.A.K.E. is about understanding this:
Compassion
Awareness
Knowledge
Empathy

To learn more about Andrew Hale, visit https://trainpositive.co.uk/. 

Don't forget to join the Dog Behavior Conference to learn more about Bringing CAKE to Dog Training. 

In this episode, Victoria talks with Jo Pay about her upcoming presentation at the Dog Behavior Conference: Understanding Why Dogs Chase and What You Can Do About It.

For dogs, chasing is an enriching activity.  It's not wrong to the dog, but it certainly can  be a problem in our human world.  Stay tuned for a sneak peak into what Jo will be talking about at the 2024 Dog Behavior Conference.

To learn more about Jo, visit https://standishdogtrainer.co.uk/.

Join Victoria and her team in this roundtable discussion about changes that we and our dogs face as we travel through life together.

The team leaves nothing unsaid as they explore past and current planned and unplanned changes, plan for future changes, and talk about building resilience in our dogs to help them accept and recover from change.

Find more information about the Brave Collection and the Building Resilience course at Positively.com. 

In this episode, Victoria and Steve Dale talk about his upcoming presentation at the Dog Behavior Conference, Dogs weren’t Bred to be Couch Potatoes: Why We Must Enrich their Lives.

Enrichment is for all animals: from those living in the zoo to our companions (dogs and cats too). Enrichment is individual.  We need to know and understand our animal’s preferences and that their stage of life and breed may influence what enrichment looks like for them.

Victoria and Steve leave nothing unsaid in this entertaining, enlightening, and inspiring episode. Listen in to find out just how enriching a big pile of bed pillows can be for one cat in particular.

To learn more about Steve, visit stevedale.tv.  

In this episode, Victoria talks with Michael Shikashio about his upcoming presentation at the Dog Behavior Conference, Hostility in the Home: Dog Aggression Directed at Family or Visitors.

Victoria and Michael discuss the importance of understanding dog behavior and body language, the role of empathy in training, and innovative approaches to managing and helping dogs and their families. 

To learn more about Michael, visit aggressivedog.com or find him on Facebook or instagram. 

Join Victoria and her team in this roundtable discussion about building resilience in puppies and give them the tools they need to be successful in all stages of life including adolescence and as an adult.  

The team opens up about the importance of providing safety, understanding that there are important milestones in their lives, and what each puppy needs may be different based on their new home's family members, lifestyle, and environment.  

Don't have a puppy, don't worry.  There are a lot of nuggets that will benefit dogs at all stages. 

In this roundtable discussion, Victoria and her team share valuable insights and tips for creating effective training habits that benefit both dogs and their owners. They stressed the importance of considering a dog's individual needs and tailoring training methods accordingly. They discussed various training hacks and habit loops, emphasizing the significance of making training feel less overwhelming for clients.

One key takeaway was the concept of "habit stacking," where trainers encourage clients to integrate short training sessions into their daily routines. By pairing training moments with activities they already do, such as feeding, walking, or going to get the mail, clients can effortlessly incorporate training into their lives. 

On this episode, Victoria is joined by Brad and Lisa Waggoner, owners and founders of Cold Nose College.  Brad and Lisa share their individual journeys into dog training, stories of their dogs, and the secret sauce to achieving a fast and joyful recall. 

Lisa's book, Rocket Recall, is helping trainers and people grow their relationship with their dog while training this important life skill.  Lisa defines a Rocket Recall as “that glorious moment when anytime and anywhere you say ‘Come!’ and your dog immediately and enthusiastically turns on a dime and bounds rapidly to you.”

Stay tuned to learn more.

The fabulous Holly Firfer is back on the podcast and talking puppies! Holly is the VP of programming and Development for ReachTV and Scripps News Anchor. She is a former radio DJ, news correspondent and Victoria's podcast companion for many years, but recently she has taken on a new role - mum to Artemis, a rescued pitbull puppy. 

What has Holly's experience raising a puppy been like and did she make the right decision to go down the puppy path again? What were the biggest challenges and how is she coping with the next phase - adolescence?

In this episode, Holly shares the ups and downs of raising a puppy, living with a pitbull and the responsibility she feels to undo the misconceptions people have of the pitbull breed type.

In this episode, Victoria Stilwell hosts Justine Schuurmans from the Family Dog and author of The Dial Method, the busy parent’s shortcut to raising a family dog right. They share personal stories and experiences that emphasize understanding dogs’ needs, improving relationships, and the importance of accessible resources for families and professionals who work with dogs. 

“The Dial Method is a multi-functional system that could be used in different ways, meeting you exactly where you are and when.” The four core principles of The Dial Method are: see your dog, parent your dog, teach your kids, and create a plan.  The book, workbook, and video course are available at The Family Dog.

If you are a dog professional, sign up to become a Dial Guide.  The next training session is February 24-25, 2024. 

The Dial Method isn't just for dog professionals or families with kids and dogs.  Everyone can benefit from the information shared in this podcast.  Enjoy!

In this episode, Victoria Stilwell hosts Sean Brown, owner of Petsercise UK and a former rugby player. He's featured on "Dog Academy,” a show which can be viewed on Channel4.com. Sean is working with Pawsable Assistance Dogs, helping household pets become therapy or assistance dogs.

Victoria and Sean dive into positive training, emphasizing the importance of holistic training, encompassing both behavior and emotional well-being. The heart of their conversation centers on offering dogs enriching experiences that allow dogs to be themselves, fostering understanding, deepening the human-canine connection, in turn creating behavior change.

Stay tuned to learn the connection between seat belts and the dog training industry.

Find Sean on Instagram or Facebook.

In this roundtable discussion, Victoria and her team discuss the exciting newly launched Positively website and give you tips to help you during the holidays with your dog. As we head into the holidays, we reflect on how much our dogs mean to us.  How can we learn to be better listeners? How can we help them to understand our world? How can we help them become more BRAVE?

To find out, head over to Positively.com (after listening to the podcast of course) and register for a FREE account and take your first course on us. 

Happy Holidays, 
Victoria and the entire team at Positively
 
 

In this episode, Victoria talks with Niki Tudge, founder of Pet Professional Guild.  Learn more about Niki and what led her to create this amazing organization. 

How do you find a good trainer for your dog? What should you look for? Victoria and Niki take a deep dive into these questions and more.  They help you learn to advocate not only for dog, but also for yourself.  

In this episode, Victoria talks with Beverley Cuddy, editor of  Dogs Today Magazine, about the XL Bully ban that will take effect in the UK on January 1st unless something is done to prevent it.  

Beverley and Victoria dive into the reason for the legislation, what constitutes an XL Bully dog, and how the legislation will affect families, veterinarians, trainers, and many others. 

In this roundtable discussion, Victoria and her team discuss the labels in dog training.  Labels are often applied to certain behaviors dogs do, training methodologies or protocols, and more.  Are labels helpful or do they muddy the water? 

In this Holiday Episode, Victoria and her team discuss how appreciating what the dog does well now can help us create simple, effective training plans. 

In this roundtable discussion, Victoria and her team discuss whether we should be ignoring behavior we don’t like. Is there a more effective approach that considers what the dog is trying to communicate with the behavior? How can we meet their needs and create a solution that works for us?

Victoria is joined by world renowned reinforcement-based dog sports coach, Kamal Fernandez.

With over 25 years of dog training experience, Kamal is a well-known face in the dog training world, both on and off the television.  A much-celebrated trainer on TV shows like Dogs Might Fly and The Dog Academy, Kamal shares his extensive knowledge working with companion and sport dogs around the world. 

Kamal shares his insights about reactivity and what you can do if your dog is reactive to people or other dogs. A seasoned competitor at Crufts, Kamal explains how doing competitive obedience or sports with your dog enriches the relationship between you.    

You may have seen her on the hit online show Guardians of the Night, or watched her popular training videos online, but trainer Alex Sessa, also runs Peach on a Leash, a highly successful dog training business in Atlanta and the surrounding area. 

In this episode Alex and Victoria recount what it was like filming and working with police dogs for Guardians of the Night, and explore what it takes to build a successful dog training business. A powerful advocate for positive training methods, Alex discusses how real world positive training for companion and working dogs supports a healthy emotional life. 

Do dogs like being trained or are they just tolerating it?  Join Victoria and her team in this month's roundtable discussion as they seek to answer this question from the dog's point of view. 

Pet Abduction is an ever-growing problem in the UK and as it stands now, by law, if your pet is abducted, the crime is treated no better than if a piece of furniture was stolen. Pet Theft Reform aims to change all that and the group has been campaigning since 2018 to make pet abduction a specific offense with access to proper custodial sentences for people who commit these heinous crimes.  

How can you keep your dog protected and what can you do to support the cause? Join Victoria and guest, Animal Geographer and Pet Theft Reform campaigner Dr. Daniel Allen, as they delve deep into the tragedy of pet abduction.

If you are a British citizen, show your support and sign the Pet Theft Reform petition to make pet abduction a specific criminal offense: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/640101

TV Presenter, Radio DJ and host of the BBC’s hit show, Long Lost Family, Nicky Campbell, is back to talk all things family, music and dogs. 

What do the Rolling Stones, finding long lost family members, elderly Labradors and West Highland Terriers have in common? Nicky Campbell of course! Nicky has had a long and distinguished career as a radio DJ, a TV presenter, and an animal lover. Along the way he has interviewed legendary bands, presented Top of the Pops, hosted his own successful radio shows, and has always been in the public eye, but it wasn’t until a nervous breakdown that he truly came to understand the power of animals. 

Adopted at a young age, Nicky understands what it is like to discover family members again, which makes him the perfect presenter for the achingly beautiful TV series, Long Lost Family.  But it is his dogs that fill him with joy and it is their power that has helped him on what has been, at times, a difficult journey. 

Join Victoria and Standish Dog Trainer, Jo Pay, as they take you behind the scenes of Channel 4’s hit TV show, The Dog Academy. 

Training dogs is challenging at the best of times, but training dogs on TV adds another layer of difficulty that is not for the faint of heart. Victoria and Jo share their experiences working on Channel 4’s popular show, The Dog Academy, and unleash some of their dog training secrets along the way.

How can you live successfully with a nervous/fearful dog? Jo relates how living with a dog that has special needs has given her a deeper understanding of how they experience the world, and how this journey has inspired her to help other dog lovers live successfully with their fearful dogs. 

Victoria is joined by dog trainer and behaviourist Carolyn Menteith to discuss why the UK government’s commitment to ban shock collars in England starting in February 2024 needs to be upheld and why there is a possibility the government could renege on this commitment. The pair discuss how shock collars (e-collars) work, why these devices are so popular in some parts of the world yet are banned in others, and why shock collar use is so problematic. 

Should dog trainers be regulated? Victoria and Carolyn discuss dog trainer regulation and why the formation of the UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter benefits every dog lover in the UK and beyond. Find out more about the Charter here.

To show your support for the shock collar ban and urge the government to honour their commitment, please write to: 

• The Rt Hon Lord Benyon, Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 

Please thank Lord Benyon for the work he has done to support the ban and urge him to please bring a debate in September so the ban can go into effect in February 2024.  You can email Lord Benyon here: [email protected]  #BanShockCollars

There's a reason Animal Centred Education founder and dog genius Sarah Fisher has joined Victoria on the podcast perhaps more than any other guest - she's one of Victoria's favorite people to talk to about dogs and how we can serve them better. This week, Sarah talks with Victoria about her upcoming 2023 Dog Behavior Conference presentation, "Patterns, Habits & Familiarity."

There’s nothing more important than keeping babies and children safe around the family dog. Victoria talks with #DogBehaviorConference presenter and Family Paws founder Jennifer Shryock about critical steps needed to help guardians create and maintain a safe environment in the home and beyond to avoid catastrophe.

Dr. Kristina Spaulding joins Victoria for a deep dive into the world of her #DogBehaviorConference presentation, “The Neurobiology of Aggression” and why understanding what that is helps guardians and trainers better serve aggressive dogs.  Geek out about the processes behind how behavioral scientists approach this all-important topic and how it applies to real-world dog training. Plus…  two bonus topics: building resilience in puppies and why not all stress is bad for dogs.

The art of raising well-adjusted assistance dogs - specifically Golden Retrievers - is a passion of this week’s guest, VSPDT trainer and #DogBehaviorConference presenter Abigail Witthauer. Victoria and Abigail share thoughts on what goes into her unique approach at her Alabama-based Roverchase Foundation as well as what she’ll be discussing during her DBC talk, “Service Dogs: Lessons learned while raising heroes.”

• Get dog training solutions at Victoria’s official Positively website.
• Become a dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy.

Victoria geeks out chatting to one of the most formative influences on her life and career as a dog trainer: Suzanne Clothier. Suzanne shares her fascinating background as a groundbreaking thinker in the world of animal training and behavior, especially surrounding the concept of what she coined Relationship-Centered Training and the unique journey her approach has undergone over the past several decades. Victoria digs into the importance of Suzanne’s Dog Behavior Conference presentation, ‘See the Dog: Temperament, Training, Choices & Relationships.’

• Get dog training solutions at Victoria’s official Positively website.
• Become a dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy.

Good Morning Britain's Pip Tomson joins Victoria to talk about her work fighting the dog meat trade in South Korea. Victoria compares her experience shutting down a dog meat farm with Pip’s, and the two celebrat e dogs’ adaptability and resilience in the face of the worst that mankind can sometimes impart. Victoria offers advice regarding how to help support dogs who have suffered trauma and negative experiences. Follow Pip’s dogs  on Instagram as they work to combat the dog meat trade: @Binditomson and @Robinakathugface.

How can we make training our dogs easier? Most dog trainers know about functional assessments and the ABC’s of dog training, but DBC speaker, VSA Faculty Advisor and PhD in Philosophy Maia Huff-Owen shares a new way of considering the ‘C’ in ABC’s (consequences). Maia and Victoria discuss Maia’s upcoming Dog Behavior Conference topic, “After the Click: Completing the training picture,” as well as why using food in training is not tantamount to bribery, how training dogs is like a dance, and how even the most subtle actions can make a huge impact on our dogs’ behavior.

• Get dog training solutions at Victoria’s official Positively website.
• Become a dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy.

Acclaimed author, speaker, researcher and professor Dr. Alexandra Horowitz of Barnard College, Columbia University’s Dog Cognition Lab joins Victoria to dig deep into the fascinating world of the anatomy, physiology and behavior-related wonder of the canine nose. What makes dogs’ noses so powerful and different from ours? Can they smell fear? Why do they use one nostril at a time? How do pheromones and sniffing play into dog/dog and dog/human greetings? Can dogs tell time through smell? Dr. Horowitz shares insights from her amazing work with the canine nose and beyond.

• Get dog training solutions at Victoria’s official Positively website.
• Become a dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy.

Victoria shares plans for the upcoming season of the Positively Podcast, including celebrity guests, expert advice and more! Plus details about the upcoming online 2023 Dog Behavior Conference.

• Get dog training solutions at Victoria’s official Positively website.
• Become a dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy.

What do the Beatles, Rolling Stones and Long Lost Family have to do with dogs? BAFTA winning radio and TV presenter, Nicky Campbell joins Victoria to talk  music, TV, animal welfare, and how our friendship with dogs enriches our lives.

Obedience training has long been the accepted path to teaching dogs’ manners, but the concept of obedience might be doing dogs a disservice. Andrew Hale joins Victoria to go beyond the operant.

What is ACE Free Work and how do dogs benefit? Dog behavior expert Sarah Fisher joins Holly and Victoria to discuss hidden pain in a dog's spine, neck, joints, and legs and how Free Work is helping adolescent and senior dogs all over the world.

After a second ‘nipping’ incident in the White House, Victoria is joined by Veterinary Behaviorist Sarah Heath to discuss why some dogs like Major Biden show conflict behavior, and why understanding dogs’ emotional experience is the first step to helping them acclimate to new environments.

Do all dogs have their own genius? Dog cognition researcher Adam Miklosi, ethologist and founder of the Family Dog Project in Budapest, Hungary, talks with Victoria Stilwell about social learning and other wonders of the canine mind.

How can we help shelter dogs get adopted more easily, and what can we learn about our own pet dogs from their ancestors? Dog researcher and ethologist Clive Wynne joins Victoria and Holly to talk about adoptable dogs and wild wolves.

Aggression is a serious behavior issue that is all too common in our domestic dogs. Michael Shikashio joins Victoria and Holly to talk about why dogs become reactive and aggressive.

Why do some dogs become anxious when left home alone and how can this common behavior problem be overcome? Dog trainer Lisa Waggoner joins Victoria and Holly to talk about how we can identify and treat separation anxiety using desensitization games, sound therapy, and other approaches.

Do people respond differently to rescue pitbull type pet dogs ? Holly and Victoria are joined by Heather Paul from State Farm. They talk about their own wonderful rescue dogs and compare the realities of insurance data versus public perception about pitbull type dogs and risks.

Victoria and Holly are joined by actor and animal activist Peter Egan to discuss dogs, moon bears, and how dogs and other animals can make us more compassionate human beings.

Victoria is joined by dog behavior expert and a driving force behind the UK Dog Behaviour & Training Charter, Andrew Hale, to discuss the interesting results to come out of the latest dog electronic shock collar studies. Does this type of research get to the heart of behavior change?

The rescue of 180 Chihuahuas sparks a larger conversation between Victoria Stilwell and Aly Lecznar about  how to transition dogs from crisis situations into homes. 

How do dogs perceive sound and can music help dogs suffering with separation anxiety and aggression? Joshua Leeds and Alynn Lecznar join Victoria for part two of this fascinating exploration into a dog’s ear.

How does sound help reduce canine anxiety and can music really help prevent and reduce canine fear and noise phobias? Sound researcher and founder of Through A Dog’s Ear Joshua Leeds, joins Victoria along with Animal Scientist Aly Lecznar, to discuss the latest research on how sound can prevent and treat canine anxiety.

What should you do if your pet is stolen and why should veterinarians scan new patients for a microchip? Debbie Matthews from www.vetsgetscanning.co.uk joins Victoria to talk about pet theft, Fern’s Law and the importance of compulsory scanning.

Victoria is joined by Certified Animal Behaviourist Andrew Hale, to talk about the new UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter and how a different way of viewing canine behavior can improve the human/canine relationship.

In this episode, Aly Lecznar joins Victoria to talk about canine fitness and how to exercise safely with your dog.

Holly is back to give a journalist’s perspective on latest events and to talk about her senior dogs and canine cancer.

Victoria explores why teaching obedience cues like ‘sit’ should not be the focus of dog training.

Victoria is joined by VSPDT Kat Kekel, Behavior Tech at Cherokee County Animal Shelter to talk about sheltering, fostering and adopting animals during the pandemic.

Petrepreneur marketing guru J. Nichole Smith joins Victoria to discuss the importance of identifying and building around your ‘why.’

Victoria is joined by Holly Root-Gutteridge, post-doctoral researcher at the University of Lincoln, to talk about how science is unlocking the canine mind.

Do dogs feel love? Are they capable of hatred? Victoria connects with one of her favorite dog experts, Clive Wynne to explore.

Is your dog happy? Victoria is joined by Zazie Todd, author and creator of Companion Animal Psychology to discuss her upcoming Dog Behaviour Conference presentation.

Victoria talks with veterinary behaviorist Dr. Meghan Herron about training methods, modifying behavior in a shelter environment, as well as her work for Gigi’s, an Ohio based organization that helps homeless dogs get into homes sooner.

What is e-learning, and what should you look for in an online course? Victoria and Aly break it all down here.

What’s the secret to staying engaged, productive and efficient when working or learning from home in the age of social distancing?

Victoria and Dr. Paula Bloom discuss the emotional impact of the coronavirus on people and their pets.

Tips for dog owners whose dogs are entering elderly status in order to keep them alert, active and healthy.

The animal rescue scene in Puerto Rico following the recent natural disasters, updates on Victoria’s Unsung Heroes video series, and Holly’s trip to an experiential art institution.

What’s the best way to acclimate a new puppy to a household? Whether or not to comfort a crying puppy, top tips for puppy housetraining, how long it takes for puppies to adjust to a new home, and more.

Following the death of UK presenter Caroline Flack, Victoria and Holly are joined by Dr. Paula Bloom for a special podcast focusing on mental health, depression and bullying on social media.

Victoria and Holly share a new vision for the future of the Positively Podcast and the way fans' questions will help drive what the podcast is all about. Victoria discusses her emotional trip to help Humane Society International close a South Korean dog meat farm and rehome the farm's animals while helping the farmers relaunch a plant-based business instead.

Victoria discusses misconceptions about what positive training is (and isn't) in the great debate about dog training methods. Also Dog Behaviour Conference, VSA, courses and Kindness is Powerful

Aly and Victoria discuss how you can make your dog feel more comfortable during the holidays. Whether your dog is shy of people or a social butterfly, discover great ways to prevent overwhelm and set your dog up for success. How can you teach visiting children to understand what your dog needs and to respect your dog’s space? Can you feed your dog table scraps?

In this podcast, Victoria and Aly share great ideas on how to provide enrichment for your dog when it’s cold outside. Aly shares some great canine fitness ideas, how to play hide and seek with your dog and making meal times more enriching.

Victoria is joined by Victoria Stilwell Academy's Curriculum Manager, Aly Lecznar, to talk about VSA's newly-launched Online Dog Trainer Course and the introductory Fundamentals of Dog Training & Behavior Course, including what makes VSA such a groundbreaking new learning opportunity both for dog owners and aspiring professional dog trainers.

Victoria and Holly ring in the new year with a special guest in studio and discussing several of the new projects and developments coming in 2018 in the Positively ecosystem.

Special Boxing Day episode finds Victoria explaining what’s special about December 26th to Holly as well as a discussion about avalanche dogs and a new batch of Ask Victoria training questions. 

Victoria shares the gifts she’s celebrating this holiday season, including the success of the #LucysLaw campaign, California’s ban on pet store sales, and Australia’s first state to ban puppy mills. Also: dogs unhappy going into kennels, over-bonded pets, and how to create safe boundaries without fences.

K9 officer Shawn Humphreys talks with Victoria and Holly about the world of police dog training, its challenges, and the changes he’s noticing with his move towards more positive training. Also, new VSA course dates, how to find a licensed trainer as well as leash-walking and separation anxiety issues.

The widespread outbreak of campylobacter infections due to poor practices on the part of Petland pet stores. A chat with Finding Shelter’s Grace Kelly Herbert in her fight against Amish puppy mills, the state of anti-puppy mill legislation, and how people can get involved locally to fight the puppy mill trade.

This episode brought to you by Zukes.Victoria and Holly talk about overweight pets, including Victoria’s ‘Fat Dogs’ specials on It’s Me or the Dog, as well as the struggle to keep weight off of pets.On the Positively Hotline, Victoria and Holly welcome the star of the recent Animal Planet show, ‘My Big Fat Pet Makeover,’ Travis Brorsen, to discuss Travis’s new show and the issue of obesity in pets.Ask Victoria questions include: How to get your dog to focus on you, especially in distracting environments. A 15-year old dog who suddenly developed a fear of sleeping at night. A rescued Jack Russell who gets so excited while harnessing up for walks in the morning.Show Links: Travis Brorsen’s webpage My Big Fat Pet Makeover show page

Why dogs and Halloween don’t mix, November’s pet awareness holidays, how to detect signs your dog is in pain. Also, consistency when paper training pups, mouthing puppies, constant barking, issues that come with adopting street dogs.

What’s the real reason so many people won’t adopt rescue dogs, and what happens when fosters or adoptions don’t go well? Also, a discussion about ‘foster failures’, bullied dogs, dogs that don’t like kids, dogs that lean on guests, and dogs that won’t potty outside.

How to be prepared for natural disasters with your pet, what happens to dogs rescued from dogfighting rings, how to help your dog want to go out for walks, how to get your dog back inside after potty breaks, stopping barking in shelter dogs, and whether to adopt littermates into a single household.

Victoria and Holly reconnect after a few months away and discuss how to recognize signs of pain in your older dog, keys to curbing rambunctious dog play, managing noisy nighttime behavior, overcoming anxiousness when guests visit your dog, and how to get dogs used to water.

Season 6 ends with a bang as Holly and Victoria reveal two brand new releases that listeners will be able to enjoy.

On this jam-packed episode of the Positively Podcast, Holly and Victoria first  chat about Victoria's new book and some of the fascinating research that's being conducted on canine cognition.Here are a few of the questions they discuss: Do dogs dream? How can you tell if your dog is in pain? Why do small dogs live longer than larger dogs?Also on this episode of the podcast is an interview with K-9 Ninja Roo Yori, who has become a household name both through his endeavors on American Ninja Warrior as well as his work promoting pit-bull type dogs.And finally, a round of Ask Victoria questions and Animal Academy questions will both fascinate and entertain you!

Victoria and Holly chat about the Victoria Stilwell Academy and the latest news from the program. They also answer your most pressing dog training questions!

Victoria and Holly cover the latest news related to puppy mills in both the US and UK, and have a fascinating chat with Marc the Vet about the topic.

Victoria and Holly are gearing up for the holiday season, and chat about how the stress of the holidays affects both people and their pets. Victoria gives some tips for keeping your dogs happy and healthy over the holidays, and the pair chats about their thoughts on when one person tells them they prefer one of their dogs over the other.Another feel-good holiday story the ladies cover is a young boy who is willing to give up everything he has to help a dog in need.Ask Victoria questions include: Is getting a new puppy a good idea for a grieving older dog? Do pit bulls need to be treated differently from other dogs? Why does my dog nip at guests when they come over? How can you teach a blind dog to negotiate stairs? How can you stop a dog from biting people's feet? What's the best way to stop a dog from jumping on people?

Victoria and Holly are stuffed after Thanksgiving! You're going to want to hear the story of how Holly ended up with a deer eating her dinner over the holiday.

Holly and Victoria invite Working with Dog founder Nichole Smith to the show to talk about her list of reasons why you should consider working as a "petrepreneur."

Victoria and Holly chat about the Thanksgiving holiday and what they're thankful for. They also talk about why the month of November is the month with the most amount of car collisions with deer, and how you can stay safe.

Victoria and Holly are back with a bang for the first episode of the Positively Podcast's sixth season.

Exclusively in this podcast, you'll hear the firsthand account of Victoria's police dog bite accident: what happened, why it happened, and what she's doing to prevent another accident from happening in the future.

Victoria and Holly discuss whether "dog adoption cafes" are a good idea or not. They also chat about an unconventional dog sanctuary in Costa Rica where the dogs are allowed to roam freely, and why Victoria thinks matching humans and dogs is so important.

Victoria and Holly close Season 5 with a discussion on a disturbing video of Rottweiler growling at a child that is persistently trying to hug him, and they chat with award-winning working dog sculptor Austin Weishel.

Victoria and Holly chat about what they would do for animals if they won the lottery, Holly's annual "Regiftmas" party, and Victoria's upcoming trip to Villalobos Rescue Center.

Victoria and Holly get together on Christmas Eve for a special holiday edition of the Positively Podcast. They chat about a 100-year-old animal rescue volunteer, their holiday pet peeves, and the cringe-worthy Miss USA pageant night.

Victoria and Holly talk about the viral story of a military working dog and his handler that were injured during a building search and chat with founder of Mission K-9 Rescue, an organization helping similar dogs and handlers.

Victoria's mother stops by to discuss the history of Georgia, and the group discusses the Broadway musical Hamilton while being quizzed by Alex and a friend. Ask Victoria questions include a GSD who gets aggressive when owners leave the room, a Weimeraner mourning the passing of one of her owners, and a Pom who pees on the boyfriend.

Victoria and Holly recap this year's Reindog Parade and talk about dog costumes, the various Positively holiday contests, and the woman who taped her dog's mouth shut. They call W-Underdogs' founder, Gracie Hamlin to discuss the amazing work she does with Atlanta's underserved dogs and children.

In this special Thanksgiving edition of the podcast, Victoria and Holly welcome back Dr. Paula Bloom, who peppers Victoria with questions about her new puppy, Suki. Victoria catches up with the Positively mailbag in Ask Victoria, and Alex makes a guest appearance to stump the grownups with some tough questions in the (not so) Animal Academy.

Dr. Paula Bloom joins Victoria and Holly in studio to talk through the aftermath of the Paris terror attacks and their effect on how we deal with it. Also discussed: Diesel, the French police dog who died while apprehending one of the terrorists, Holly’s recent interview with Dr. Ruth, and Paula’s troubling experience with Vegemite.

Victoria and Holly start Season 5 of the Positively Podcast off with a bang, including some great Ask Victoria questions and an interview with 'Of Dogs and Men' filmmaker Patrick Reasonover.

Victoria and Holly talk about their experiences in Greece, where there is a massive stray dog problem. They interview Victoria Stilwell Dog Training Academy Director Tia Guest, and Victoria answers some tough Ask Victoria questions.

On this special episode, Victoria and Holly dedicate the entire show to answering Ask Victoria dog training questions. From what to do if your dog bites someone to how to improve a dog's fear of loud noises, this episode covers all your most pressing training questions.

Victoria and Holly chat about a controversial new documentary that Victoria participated in with the police K-9 unit she has been filming with. They also chat with pet radio host Steve Dale about the unique behavioral and medical issues that senior cats may face.

Victoria and Holly talk about international dog welfare controversies, and get Canine Assistants founder Jennifer Arnold on the Positively Hotline to discuss her new concept for training both service dogs and companion dogs.

As Victoria wraps up her #poopandtell campaign, she and Holly read some of their favorite submissions. Radio host and pet journalist Steve Dale calls in to the Positively Hotline to chat about cat socialization and stress-free veterinary care for cats.

This podcast is all about Dog Bite Prevention Week! Victoria and Holly chat with State Farm's Heather Paul to discuss why being a responsible pet parent is much more important than a dog's breed.

Victoria and Holly celebrate 10 years of It’s Me or the Dog by recapping some of their favorite moments from the show. Just in time for warmer weather, they also discuss the dangers of keeping a dog in a hot car. And you won’t want to miss this episode’s guest caller – Ceva’s veterinary behaviorist, Valarie Tynes.

Victoria and Holly talk about Holly’s interesting experience sitting next to a military working dog on her flight. State Farm Arson Dog Program Coordinator Heather Paul joins the show to chat about Victoria’s ‘Arson Dogs’ series and upcoming Arson Awareness Week. And Victoria answers some tricky ‘Ask Victoria’ questions.

Victoria and Holly (along with guest host, Positively Director of Digital Content Alex Andes) talk about Victoria’s new #poopandtell campaign, and Holly’s dog experiences in San Diego. This week’s Ask Victoria questions get her all fired up, and Alex stumps both Holly and Victoria with Animal Academy.

Victoria and Holly talk about their dogs’ recent health issues, including Jasmine’s dental and Kashmir’s major surgery. Victoria catches up on Ask Victoria questions. Dog trainer Nando Brown pops in for a chat about the upcoming Dog Bite Prevention Conference and their time at Crufts.

Victoria and Holly catch up on what they’ve been up to. They talk about Victoria’s two new web series, and what Holly’s been up to with CNN. Also on the topic list are dog shows and the various controversies at Crufts, and stress-relieving training tool Adaptil. And you won’t want to miss this episode’s Ask Victoria questions.

Victoria and Holly reconnect for a special holiday-themed episode of the Positively Podcast to recap the year in dogs, share the amazing exploits their work has taken them to, and take Victoria's daughter's animal quiz.

Holly stumps Victoria with an Animal Academy after Victoria recaps her skiing trip. Dr. Duffy Jones of Peachtree Hills Animal Hospital calls the Positively Hotline to discuss allergies in pets, including Victoria's Chocolate Lab, Sadie, who suffers from extreme itching and licking on her foot during allergy season.

Holly introduces Victoria to After the Rapture, Victoria talks ski vacations, & Dr. Marty Becker (America's Vet) calls in to discuss his new fear free vet visit program.

Global Pet Expo, the Oscars, Dr. Marty Becker's fear-free vet visit protocol, Victoria's Swedish dog training seminar, the Miami Dog Bite Prevention conference on April 26th, and Victoria's recent inclusion on the board of directors for Canine Assistants.

The stay cue, Banana Joe the Affenpinscher, Dognition exclusive discount, cold weather tips, indoor scent marking, eating before your dogs, bad bedtime behavior and Jane's Addiction.

Valentine's Day gifts, the beauty of Ireland, Westminster Dog Show, dog photo contest winner, the launch of Dognition, the importance of recall, a new Animal Academy quiz and more.

Victoria's trip to Ireland for an upcoming project, how Holly lost her verbal filter, the Miami Dog Bite Conference & a chat with VSPDT trainer Amy Weeks.

Discussion of the recent fatal dog attack by a chained dog, the dangers of tethering, the Miami Dog Bite Prevention Conference, a chat with Family Paws Parent Education founder Jennifer Shryock about dog/child safety, Ask Victoria questions and a new contest to win a signed copy of Victoria's new book.

Holly's CNN shoot in Jerome, AZ, Victoria's resolution to for eat more healthily, how to feed your dogs a better diet, animal cruelty, MN-based VSPDT trainer Amy Sandmann talks about her therapy dog work with Pet Partners & more.

Recaps of new year's eve, re-giftmas, an interview with expert trainer Pia Silvani, the concept of 'dog psychology' in training, housebreaking Great Dane puppies, grieving dogs and more.

A Holiday-themed podcast for your end-of-year listening pleasure! (Warning: not a lot of dog talk here.)

Dr. Paula Bloom joins the podcast to discuss dangerous foods for dogs, holiday cards, holiday puppies and more, plus new Ask Victoria questions.

Reindog recap, shock collars, Noah's Ark animal sanctuary, Peter Emily's veterinary dentistry, BAT creator Grisha Stewart, and Ask Victoria questions about redirection, growling and more.

Dogs Today editor Beverley Cuddy calls the Positively hotline to discuss everything from how the book 50 Shades of Grey relates to dog training to the battle between dominance positive training. Also, new Ask Victoria questions.

Thanksgiving recaps, cat quiz, VSPDT trainer Sam Wike, and Ask Victoria questions about bullying Pomeranians, a hat-stealing Collie, drugs for foster Terriers and unhousetrained Beagles.

The husbands join Holly & Victoria in this special Thanksgiving episode where they discuss what they're most thankful for. Holly reveals a new Animal Academy quiz and Victoria's daughter sings her 50 state song.

Recaps of 40th birthday plans, the Denver Dog Bite Conference and VSPDT member retreat, interview with dog trainer Sue Sternberg, and Ask Victoria questions about digging dogs, aggressive farm dogs, rough play and more.

Recaps of the Hero Dog Awards and preview of the Denver Dog Bite Conference, child/dog safety tips, the opposition to BSL in Savannah, Holly's pizzas for charity and Ask Victoria questions.

Victoria & Holly catch up on overdue Ask Victoria questions, talk about how to help military working dogs in Afghanistan, and Victoria's canine forensic investigation work with Jim Crosby.

Victoria & Holly are joined by the founder of Detroit Dog Rescue and the producer of her new Ehow Pets YouTube channel.

Victoria & Holly talk to the director of the Penn Vet Working Dog Center & the handler of a 9/11 working dog. Also discussed: the eleventh anniversary of 9/11, resource guarding, nipping, play drive in dogs and coexisting cats.

TV vet Marc Abraham joins the podcast to discuss his Where's Mum and upcoming Pup Aid benefits, and Holly has a new batch of Ask Victoria fan questions.

Victoria & Holly's new podcast season includes a recap of the past several months, a chat to Canine Assistants founder Jennifer Arnold, and a report on the Lennox case.

Victoria finally sings in this holiday episode and is joined in studio by her mother, from whom Holly tries to uncover dirt from Victoria's past.

Victoria & Holly recap the Reindog Parade, Holly's work on CNN and Homeless Pets Clubs. Filmmaker Jemima Harrison calls in to discuss breed standards issues.

Victoria recaps her recent trip to the UK. Holly talks about her work this week on CNN. Victoria's & Holly's husbands join them in studio to defend their dog-owning habits and shed light on the co-hosts' life beyond the cameras.

Why do some people choose domination with their dogs and/or kids? Victoria, Holly, and Dr. Bloom discuss this, interesting dog trivia and more.

Victoria & Holly discuss Thanksgiving traditions and safety tips in this holiday episode. They're also joined by VSPDT trainer Daphne Robert-Hamilton for Ask Victoria, and Holly tries to stump Victoria in Animal Academy.

Discussion of new study regarding the way kids are disciplined & how it relates to dog training. Also: author Bob Vetere on how +R training applies to business.

Victoria and Holly are joined again by Dr. Paula Bloom to discuss pets as therapeutic solutions for their owners.  Also discussed: Native American festivals, PAWS Atlanta 45th Anniversary, Victoria's live tour and Holly's trip to Mexico.  Ask Victoria questions include whether it's a good idea to add a rescued kitten to a home to alleviate your dog's boredom, how and whether to teach your dog not to fear fire, and dogs that chase moving cars.  Victoria also tries to stump Holly with her latest Animal Academy about dog breeds.

Victoria and Holly are joined on the Positively Hotline by Victoria's vet, Dr. Duffy Jones, as they talk about canine halitosis and why/how to brush your dog's teeth.  Also discussed, Holly's trip to the upper midwest, Victoria's emceeing of the Dog Jog, Halloween recap, upcoming live shows and more.  Ask Victoria questions include: potty training setbacks, treating the elderly as chew toys, and how to teach puppies not to chase other animals.Victoria with Anderson Cooper and Susie EssmanCarhengeHolly in Deadwood

Victoria and Holly are joined by Dr. Paula Bloom as they discuss how to change perceptions of pit bulls, dogs digging in backyards, doggie daycare and much more.

In this episode, Victoria and Holly are joined by concert pianist and Through A Dog's Ear co-founder Lisa Spector to discuss the Canine Noise Phobia Series - the groundbreaking new desensitization tool Victoria developed in partnership with Through A Dog's Ear.  Also discussed: update on Kashmir's knee surgery, Victoria's trip to San Diego for the APDT conference, SD Pet Expo and VSPDT evaluation day, Lennox update, and more.  Ask Victoria questions included whether you can rush training, the music in It's Me or the Dog, and how to get puppies to stop barking at training classes.

In the first episode of the new season, Victoria and Holly discuss what they've been up to for the past several months, including Victoria's filming of the 8th season of It's Me or the Dog, experiencing the recent earthquake and hurricane, Victoria on Anderson Cooper, the Hero Dog Awards, Holly's judging of Miss Tennessee, her dog Kashmir's knee surgery, and Victoria's development of her new Canine Noise Phobia series of desensitization products.Also discussed, Victoria's upcoming trip to San Diego for a dog training conference and pet expo, her upcoming live tour dates, Holly's work as a correspondent for CNN, and the new podcast sponsor, Pets Add Life.Ask Victoria featured questions about why it took so long for the new podcast season to start, how to puppy proof your home, whether neutering will stop bullying behavior and more.The hot topic was the case of Lennox, a pit bull type dog in Belfast who is scheduled to be euthanized due to Northern Ireland's antiquated breed specific legislation (BSL).

In this episode, Victoria describes what it's like filming It's Me or the Dog in New York City, including visits to Frank Sinatra's boyhood bakery. Also discussed:
Victoria's history as a dog walker in London during college
Backstage at the Lion King on Broadway with Victoria's friend Fred Berman (playing Timon the meerkat)
This year's American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) conference including the AVSAB and American Humane
The difference between dog behaviorists and dog trainers
Dogs versus Cats
Victoria's review of the movie "Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore"
The use of baby gates to manage relationships
Using positive reinforcement to help dogs and cats get along
Holly's experience with her dog Kashmir and her cat George - now best friends since filming It's Me or the Dog.
Victoria's Animal Academy quiz about rescue animal statistics and facts
Victoria's appearances on Regis and Kelly and the Today showPresa Canario

In this episode, Victoria and Holly discuss:The first episode of the new season of It's Me or the Dog in New York City.The toll of working away from her familyHolly's new coffeeshop - The Funky Monkey in AtlantaAnthropomorphizing dogs in the form of dog painting and dog costumes.Victoria's take on dog clothing.The 2nd half of Victoria's dog senses quiz in Animal Academy.Holly's background in the news and radio business - how she started, her history as a reporter with CNN, her work as a DJ on the radio, and what she's working on now.Victoria answers listeners' questions about:her dog Sadieexcessive salivationthe use of choke chains on leash-pulling dogsEmail the show.Episode Links:20/20 Show link to piece on dog painting/costumesYouTube clip - Dramatic Stalking CatHolly at the Burt Reynolds Museum:

In this episode, Victoria and Holly discuss:

• Victoria's recent travels to the UK for the Dogs Trust Awards.
• Her trip to San Diego for Petapalooza.
• Her upcoming plans to be in New York City for the upcoming season of It's Me or the Dog.
• The inside scoop on the behind the scenes of what goes into each episode of It's Me or the Dog from casting through the final edit.

In Victoria's Animal Academy quiz, she grills Holly about dog breed trivia.
During the Ask Victoria segment, Victoria answers listeners' questions about:

• separation anxiety
• fear aggression in a rescued German Shepherd/Lab mix Episode

Links:

• Dogs Trust http://www.dogstrust.org.uk

In this episode, Victoria and Holly discuss Victoria's appearance at North Carolina's Puppy Mill Awareness Day and Victoria's recent Venice vacation.Other topics include:The issue of animal cruelty, the inadequacy of certain animal welfare laws and Ahimsa House.Victoria's Animal Academy about dog senses.The recent special episode of It's Me or the Dog when Victoria helped PAWS Atlanta achieve a total shelter makeover.Holly's obsession with barkless Basenjis via the famous YouTube clip of a Basenji singing along to the Godfather theme song.Ask Victoria topics included:How to stop your dog from herding the whole family.How to train recall in a 22-year old dog who has recently gone blind.Whether Victoria will film any upcoming It's Me or the Dog episodes in the UK. In this inaugural edition of Victoria Stilwell's Positively Podcast, Victoria and her co-host Holly Firfer describe what the podcast series is all about.Episode 102 links:Ahimsa HouseVictoria's Mother Dancing 'The Nutcracker' on the BBC in 1957

In this inaugural edition of Victoria Stilwell's Positively Podcast, Victoria and her co-host Holly Firfer describe what the podcast series is all about.
Topics in this episode include:
How Victoria met Holly during the filming of her It's Me or the Dog episode entitled "Monstrous Mutts."
Victoria's upcoming attendance at North Carolina's Puppy Mill Awareness Day
Victoria's first Animal Academy quiz
Victoria's experience filming 'Curb: The Discussions' for TV Guide with Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld
Ask Victoria listener questions regarding: dogs giving signals before toileting; tail-chasingcoprophagia (poop-eating)
Episode 1 Links
Puppy Mill Awareness Day Official Site
Humane Society video footage of puppy mills// Buddy - Alaskan Hero Dog video