Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

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: ps.lord.benyon@defra.gov.uk  #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 all things music, TV, and most importantly, how dogs make the world a better place.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The rescue of 180 Chihuahuas sparks a larger conversation on 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? 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.

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.

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.