Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

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World-renowned dog trainer Victoria Stilwell (from Animal Planet's It's Me or the Dog) joins CNN reporter Holly Firfer for fun, lighthearted, informative conversations and explorations into the dog world. From dog training and behavior tips to the latest news and humorous takes on all things pet-rel…

Victoria Stilwell


    • Dec 5, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 44m AVG DURATION
    • 143 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

    XL Bully Ban in the UK with Beverley Cuddy

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2023 68:55


    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. 

    Labels in Dog Training - A Roundtable Discussion

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2023 67:36


    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? 

    A Roundtable Discussion - Thanksgiving and dog training secret sauce

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2023 68:21


    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. 

    Should We Ignore Behavior - A Roundtable Discussion

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2023 71:38


    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?

    Reactivity, Competitive Obedience and Dog Sports. (Kamal Fernandez)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2023 57:29


    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.    

    Working, Living and Training Companion and Police Dogs (Alex Sessa)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2023 43:31


    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 Really Like Training - A Roundtable Discussion

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2023 67:36


    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. 

    The Tragedy of Pet Abduction (Dr. Daniel Allen)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2023 50:51


    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

    Dogs and Long Lost Families (Nicky Campbell)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2023 65:01


    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. 

    The Dog Academy and Living with Fearful Dogs (Jo Pay)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2023 54:34


    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. 

    Why Shock Collars Should be Banned (Carolyn Menteith)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2023 62:25


    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: ps.lord.benyon@defra.gov.uk  #BanShockCollars

    Patterns, Habits & Familiarity (Sarah Fisher)

    Play Episode Play 53 sec Highlight Listen Later Apr 18, 2023 61:22


    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."

    Keeping Kids & Babies Safe Around the Family Dog (Jennifer Shryock)

    Play Episode Play 56 sec Highlight Listen Later Apr 11, 2023 51:50


    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.

    Aggression, Stress and Resilience (Kristina Spaulding)

    Play Episode Play 48 sec Highlight Listen Later Apr 4, 2023 82:42


    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.

    Raising Service Dog Heroes (Abigail Witthauer)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2023 45:03


    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.

    How to Truly ‘See the Dog' (Suzanne Clothier)

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Mar 21, 2023 82:29


    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.

    Fighting the Dog Meat Trade (Pip Tomson)

    Play Episode Play 58 sec Highlight Listen Later Mar 14, 2023 53:20


    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.

    Rethinking Reinforcement (Maia Huff-Owen)

    Play Episode Play 53 sec Highlight Listen Later Mar 7, 2023 41:56


    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.

    The Nose Knows No Bounds (with Alexandra Horowitz)

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Feb 27, 2023 60:00


    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.

    Get Ready... New Podcast Season Coming Soon!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2023 11:06


    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.

    coming soon new podcast positively victoria stilwell academy
    Episode 838 – Nicky Campbell

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2021 60:19


    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 all things music, TV, and most importantly, how dogs make the world a better place.

    Episode 837 – Beyond the Operant

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2021 44:44


    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.

    obedience operant andrew hale
    Episode 836 – Free Work and Adolescent Dogs

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2021 48:04


    What is Free Work and how do dogs benefit? Dog behaviour expert Sarah Fisher joins Holly and Victoria to discuss how Free Work is changing dogs’ lives all over the world.

    Episode 835 – Major Biden and the Emotional Sink

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2021 43:42


    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.

    Episode 834 – Genius Dogs and Social Learning

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 48:22


    Is the dog in your home a genius and are some dogs smarter than others? Adam Miklosi, ethologist and founder of the Family Dog Project in Budapest, Hungary unlocks the canine mind.

    Episode 833 – Dogs and Wolves

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2021 45:48


    Dogs share a common ancestor – the wolf – but how did wolves turn into dogs and what can we learn from wolves that might help us with the relationship we have with our dogs? Behavioral scientist Clive Wynne joins the podcast to talk about the similarities and differences between dogs and wolves.

    Episode 832 – Dogs and Aggressive Behavior

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2021 47:05


    Aggression is a serious behavior issue that is all too common in our domestic dogs. Aggression expert Michael Shikashio joins Victoria and Holly to talk about why dogs aggress and what dog lovers can do about it.

    dogs aggression aggressive behavior michael shikashio
    Episode 831 – How to Treat Separation Anxiety

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2021 45:09


    Why do dogs become anxious when home alone and how can this be prevented? Dog trainer Lisa Waggoner joins Victoria and Holly for this podcast on a common behavior problem that is hard to treat.

    Episode 830 – Rescue and Pitbull Type Dogs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2021 53:38


    Do people respond differently to Pitbull type dogs? Holly and Victoria are joined by Heather Paul to start off this new year of podcasts to explore how people react to their dogs when out in public.

    Episode 829 – Advocating for Animals with Peter Egan

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2020 48:08


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

    Episode 828 – A Fresh Take on the Debate About Shock Collars

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2020 58:49


    Victoria is joined by dog behaviour 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 shock collar studies.

    Episode 827 – How to Transition Dogs from Crisis into Care

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2020 36:14


    The rescue of 180 Chihuahuas sparks a larger conversation on how to transition dogs from crisis situations into homes.

    Episode 826 – Part Two – Your Dog’s Perception of Sound

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2020 42:50


    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.

    Episode 825 – Part One – How Sound Reduces Canine Anxiety

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2020 41:45


    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.

    Episode 824 – Pet Theft and Vets Get Scanning

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2020 32:52


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

    Episode 823 – Announcing The UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2020 36:25


    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.

    Episode 822 – Keeping Your Dog Fit During the Pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2020 33:36


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

    Episode 821 – Reporting During the Social Justice Movement

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2020 41:06


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

    Episode 820 – Dogs Should Not Have to Do Sit

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2020 30:54


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

    Episode 819 – Animal Shelters During the Pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2020 23:32


    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.

    Episode 818 – Finding Your ‘Why’ with J. Nichole Smith

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2020 43:07


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

    nichole smith
    Episode 817 – Victoria Talks to Holly Root-Gutteridge

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2020 24:43


    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.

    Episode 816 – Victoria talks with Clive Wynne

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2020 32:02


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

    Episode 815 – Victoria Talks to DBC Presenter Zazie Todd

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2020 37:12


    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.

    Episode 814 – Victoria Talks with Dr. Meghan Herron

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2020 26:56


    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.

    Episode 813 – How to be an effective online learner from home

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2020 32:29


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

    Episode 812 – Veterinary Tips for Dealing with the Coronavirus New Normal

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2020 21:20


    Victoria visits Dr. Duffy Jones to talk through safety tips, the latest on the virus’ effect on our pets, and best practices for veterinary success during the pandemic.

    Episode 811 – The New Normal: Distance Learning & Telecommuting

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2020 35:19


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

    Episode 810 – The Emotional Toll of Coronavirus on People and Pets

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2020 36:38


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

    Episode 809 – Caring for Elderly Dogs

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2020 27:08


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

    dogs tips caring for elderly
    Episode 808 – Puerto Rican Animal Lifesavers

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2020 24:27


    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.

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