Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

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Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

Victoria Stilwell

210 episodes

2 weeks ago

What is separation anxiety and why do so many dogs suffer with this condition? How can you tell the difference between separation anxiety and boredom? Why is it so difficult to treat and what therapies are out there that can help? Victoria chats with VSPDT trainer Nicola Cook from the Poochie People about her work with dogs that have separation anxiety and what experts like Nicola can do to help families navigate the tricky waters of this common, but complex, issue. Victoria also introduces V...

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What is separation anxiety and why do so many dogs suffer with this condition? How can you tell the difference between separation anxiety and boredom? Why is it so difficult to treat and what therapies are out there that can help? Victoria chats with VSPDT trainer Nicola Cook from the Poochie People about her work with dogs that have separation anxiety and what experts like Nicola can do to help families navigate the tricky waters of this common, but complex, issue. Victoria also introduces V...

Show more...

Episodes (20/210)

Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

Tackling Separation Anxiety with Nicola Cook

What is separation anxiety and why do so many dogs suffer with this condition? How can you tell the difference between separation anxiety and boredom? Why is it so difficult to treat and what therapies are out there that can help? Victoria chats with VSPDT trainer Nicola Cook from the Poochie People about her work with dogs that have separation anxiety and what experts like Nicola can do to help families navigate the tricky waters of this common, but complex, issue. Victoria also introduces V...

2 weeks ago

58 minutes

Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

Ask the Vet with Dr. Callie Harris

Victoria chats with Dr. Callie Harris about her experiences in veterinary medicine, including what it’s like to work in emergency vet med as well as being cast as a judge on the creative grooming TV show, Pooch Perfect with Rebel Wilson and as a veterinary expert for DogTV’s brand new show, The Experts. A graduate of the prestigious College of Veterinary Medicine at Tuskegee University, Dr. Harris shares her tips on keeping pets safe during the summer months as well as her expertise regarding...

1 month ago

55 minutes

Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

What Pet Dogs Can Do for Conservation with Melissa McCue-McGrath

What do pet dogs, invasive insects, and a ragtag group of behavior cases have in common? In this wildly inspiring and often hilarious episode, Victoria talks with longtime VSA faculty advisor Melissa McCue-McGrath about her groundbreaking work in a national study training pet dogs to detect spotted lanternfly eggs—an invasive species threatening agriculture across the U.S. From snowy deliveries of fly eggs in a Pokémon lunchbox to solving odor puzzles during heatwaves and blizzards,&nbs...

2 months ago

1 hour 6 minutes

Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

Healing Through Training - What Dogs Teach Us with Shane Hartshorn

We’re keeping it light this summer with episodes every other week so you can stay inspired without missing the sunshine. In this heartfelt and often hilarious episode, Victoria catches up with her longtime friend and colleague Shane Hartshorn, a VSA graduate, VSPDT, and one of the behind-the-scenes heroes of The Dog Academy. From wrinkled green shirts and sweaty filming days to profound reflections on positive reinforcement, Shane shares his inspiring journey from corporate training to ...

2 months ago

53 minutes

Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

Changing the Industry One Sign at a Time with Leah Bornstein and Neika Smessaert

We’re keeping it light this summer with episodes every other week so you can stay inspired without missing the sunshine. This powerful and eye-opening episode explores accessibility, empathy, and innovation in the dog training industry. Victoria is joined by VSA graduate and trailblazer Leah Bornstein, who shares her journey as a Deaf dog trainer and founder of Born to Be Dog Training. Alongside her are her interpreter Katie Faclier and longtime collaborator Neika Smessaert, who helped make L...

2 months ago

58 minutes

Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

Training Holidays & Spicy Dogs: Adam Daines Brings the Fun

We’re keeping it light this summer with episodes every other week so you can stay inspired without missing the sunshine. In this episode of the Victoria Stilwell Positively Podcast, Victoria sits down with UK-based trainer, and VSPDT, Adam Daines. Adam shares the story of how a difficult experience with traditional training methods as a 14-year-old shaped his unwavering commitment to positive reinforcement. Now running his successful business, Avon Dog Services, Adam opens up about his work w...

3 months ago

49 minutes

Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

Ask the Dog: From Fear to Fierce Advocate with Amr Nawwar

In this profoundly moving episode, Victoria speaks with Amr Nawwar, a VSA graduate and professional dog trainer based in Dubai. Born in a small village in Egypt and once fearful of dogs, Amr’s transformation is a testament to courage, curiosity, and conviction. With a background in pharmacy and a deep respect for science, Amr’s journey led him to question traditional training methods rooted in punishment and dominance. Now a vocal advocate for positive reinforcement, he discusses his challeng...

3 months ago

40 minutes

Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

Breaking Barriers - Inclusivity in Dog Training with Neika Smessaert

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode, Victoria Stilwell speaks with Neika Smessaert, a veterinary technician, certified dog trainer, and trailblazer for inclusivity within the dog training and veterinary worlds. Neika shares her journey from working in small animal clinics to becoming a vital advocate for deaf and hard-of-hearing trainers. With humor and humility, she recounts how learning ASL during the pandemic led her to mentor VSA’s first deaf student, Leah, opening the door fo...

3 months ago

51 minutes

Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

Ethics in the Spotlight - Reforming Dog Shows from Within with Yaz Porritt

In this episode, Victoria reconnects with Yaz Porritt to discuss the uncomfortable truths behind what they witnessed at Crufts 2025. They begin by acknowledging the backlash they’ve received for attending and supporting the event, despite their intentions to promote ethical training and welfare-centered education. Yaz shares how her Your Dog’s Pain Diary is being used by both pet parents and professionals to identify hidden pain, setting the stage for the broader conversation about canine wel...

4 months ago

50 minutes

Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

Secrets of The Bad Dog Academy

Victoria opens the episode by introducing the talented cast of trainers from The Bad Dog Academy, sharing how the show has taken off across the UK—and beyond—for its honest, emotional approach to training. Kamal reflects on how the show felt like something truly special from the start, allowing space for deep vulnerability in the human-dog bond. Sean emphasizes how emotionally intense the work is, even comparing it to the pressure of playing professional rugby. Jo shares how surprised she was...

4 months ago

58 minutes

Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

The Gut-Brain Connection with Kari Bastyr

In this groundbreaking episode, Victoria welcomes Kari Bastyr—a Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist (CPCN) through the Feed Real Institute, certified behavior consultant, and gluten detection dog trainer—to explore the powerful link between canine nutrition, behavior, and emotional well-being. With certifications from the IAABC and VSPDT, and professional memberships with O.D.O.R. Service Dogs, the Pet Professional Guild, and the Animal Behavior Society, Kari brings both science-backed...

4 months ago

51 minutes

Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

Forensic Breakthroughs with Jim Crosby

In this gripping episode, Victoria chats with Jim Crosby—former police officer, canine behavior expert, and forensic investigator—about the heartbreaking and vital work of understanding fatal dog attacks. Jim opens up about his transition from law enforcement to animal behavior and being one of the only experts to combine behavioral science with crime scene investigation. From dogfighting raids to fatality cases, Jim shares powerful stories of real dogs, real outcomes, and real evidence, emph...

4 months ago

59 minutes

Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

Unleashing Success - Jamie Diaz’s Journey to Dog Training Stardom

In this episode, Victoria Stilwell welcomes Jamie Diaz, founder of Dynamite Dog Training and a rising star in the dog training world. Jamie shares her journey from starting her Florida-based training business to building a massive online following by showcasing real-time, authentic dog training content. She discusses the challenges of working in an industry often dominated by outdated methods, her strategies for creating meaningful content, and the impact of social media on dog training educa...

5 months ago

48 minutes

Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

The Power of Kindness - A Conversation with Patricia McConnell

In this deeply moving episode, host Victoria Stilwell welcomes renowned author and applied animal behaviorist Patricia McConnell to discuss her impactful career, powerful personal journey, and her unwavering dedication to improving the lives of dogs and their people. Patricia reflects on how her book The Other End of the Leash revolutionized dog training by shifting the focus toward understanding canine communication and building relationships based on empathy and respect. The conversation de...

5 months ago

51 minutes

Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

Breaking Barriers - Navigating Aggression in Dogs with Jo Pay

In this insightful episode, Victoria talks with Standish Dog Trainer Jo Pay. They dive deep into understanding and managing canine aggression. Drawing from her experiences on The Dog Academy, Jo emphasizes the importance of recognizing subtle body language cues, implementing effective management strategies, and building trust through humane training techniques. She recounts her powerful experience working with Marvin, a Border Collie who transformed from a fearful, reactive dog to a confident...

5 months ago

1 hour 6 minutes

Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

The Heart of Rescue - Behind the Scenes of The Dog House with Sue Ketland

In this episode, Victoria Stilwell welcomes Sue Ketland, the renowned behavior and training specialist from Woodgreen Pets Charity, and a familiar face from The Dog House on Channel 4. With 35 years of experience in dog welfare, Sue shares behind-the-scenes insights on how the show has reshaped the public’s view of adoption, the complexities of matching dogs with families, and the heartwarming successes that keep her motivated. She also opens up about the emotional challenges of rescue work, ...

5 months ago

55 minutes

Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

Acing Adolescence - Understanding & Supporting Teenage Dogs with Sarah Fisher

Adolescence can be one of the most challenging stages in a dog's life—and for their caregivers! In this episode, renowned canine behavior expert Sarah Fisher joins Victoria Stilwell to discuss how we can better support adolescent dogs through their period of rapid growth, exploration, and change. Sarah shares insights from her ACE Free Work approach and explains why movement is critical for development, how we often misinterpret mouthing behavior, and why traditional training methods may not ...

5 months ago

1 hour 5 minutes

Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

Stop Being Such a Human - Seeing the World Through a Dog’s Eyes with Sam Wike

In this thought-provoking episode, Victoria Stilwell welcomes Sam Wike, a former police officer and certified explosive detection K9 handler who now dedicates his expertise to companion dog training. Sam discusses the challenges humans create in training due to their need for control and how true partnerships with dogs require understanding their perspective rather than imposing our own. He emphasizes the importance of communication, patience, and respecting dogs as intelligent beings with th...

6 months ago

51 minutes

Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

Understanding & Helping Fearful Dogs with Zazie Todd

Victoria Stilwell welcomes Zazie Todd, PhD, an award-winning author, animal behavior expert, and founder of Companion Animal Psychology on the podcast to discuss the science of stress in dogs, how to identify signs of anxiety, and the role of medications in behavior modification. The conversation touches on cognitive bias in dogs, optimism vs. pessimism, and how early positive experiences shape a dog’s outlook. Zazie shares insights on why fear and anxiety in dogs are on the rise, how c...

6 months ago

45 minutes

Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

The Science and Art of Being Social - Understanding Dogs and Ourselves with Andrew Hale

In this insightful episode, Victoria Stilwell welcomes back Andrew Hale to discuss the deep connections between human and canine social experiences. As a certified animal behaviorist and advocate for dog-centric care, Andrew delves into the importance of secure attachments, social safety, and emotional regulation in both species. The conversation challenges traditional views on training, highlighting how reactivity and behavior issues often stem from social processing struggles rather than me...

6 months ago

48 minutes