Positively Podcast - Victoria Stilwell - Pets & Animals on Pet Life Radio (PetLifeRadio.com)

A Thanksgiving-themed episode where Victoria and Holly are joined by their husbands (and Alex) and they all discuss what they're most thankful for. Holly quizzes the whole group with a new Animal Academy segment and Victoria's daughter Alex showcases her memorization skills by singing the 'Fifty Nifty United States' song.

Victoria describes the 40th birthday celebration she masterminded for her husband including a surprise party, 4-hour ziplining and city-wide adult scavenger hunts. A tribute to our war heroes on Veterans Day weekend as well as reviews of Lincoln, Argo and Skyfall and more. Victoria recaps her Denver Dog Bite Prevention and Awareness Conference and the first annual VSPDT member trainer retreat. Also, why Victoria decides to take her message of anti-BSL awareness to municipalities like Denver that currently have breed-specific legislation. Victoria plays her interview with expert trainer Sue Sternberg from last month's Association of Pet Dog Trainers conference.

Victoria recaps the Hero Dog Awards, including the story of Jinx - a police dog who saved lives during a raid, the 2012 winner, Alex meeting Betty White and Kristin Chenoweth, and much more. Holly's trip to a high-powered wedding. Victoria discusses this week's Denver Dog Bite Awareness & Prevention Conference on November 2, 2012. Discussion of how to educate and talk to kids about dog bite prevention and safety, including her trip to Savannah to talk to dog victim Javon Roberson's school about safe dog handling. Also, the turnaround in Savannah about the public stance on BSL to avoid discrimination thanks to Javon's advocate, Cheryl Labon, and her group, Women of Wisdom. Holly describes the pizza she created for Max's Coal Oven Pizza which benefits the Victoria Stilwell Foundation.

Holly describes her work on stories for CNN with Jennifer Arnold and Silver Sneakers, while Victoria discusses her work with Jim Crosby as they investigate recent canine homicides and conduct canine forensic research into why dogs attack. Also: News and information about Victoria's upcoming National Dog Bite Prevention & Awareness Conference in Denver on November 2, Victoria's latest Ehow Pets video about herding dogs, description of Victoria's childhood memories of lambing on a farm in Wales, a call for fans to help RAF military working dogs in Afghanistan and their handlers in order to help raise morale. Ask Victoria topics include: How to get dogs to stop digging up and eating plants in the garden, helping a previously abused dog too skittish to cope with sudden noises and changes in routine, When is the ideal time to enroll puppies in puppy classes, how to help a young dog who is sharing a household with kids that have multiple medical condition develop impulse control for, and how to get labs to settle down now that there are two new parakeets in the same house.

Van & Shawn hijack the opening of the show to discuss week 2 of the fantasy football season before Holly & Victoria restore order. They are then joined in studio by one of the producers and camera operators for Victoria's new Ehow Pets YouTube channel, as they discuss what it's like to shoot with Victoria and some of the new episodes they have coming up. The Positively Hotline guest is Hush, the founder and soul behind Detroit Dog Rescue. They discuss the history of Detroit Dog Rescue and its roots in a personal YouTube page. Also discussed: the problems involved in navigating the politics of trying to create a no-kill shelter and how quickly abandoned dogs have become feral packs wandering around Detroit.

Victoria describes her attendance at the powerful opening ceremony launch event for the University of Pennsylvania's Vet School Working Dog Center on the eleventh anniversary of 9/11. Holly discusses her recent visit to Dallas, and Victoria recaps her shoot in and around Detroit for her eHow Pets YouTube channel. They are joined on the phone by Katrene Johnson, the owner and handler of Morgan, one of the few surviving search and rescue dogs who worked in New York during the aftermath of 9/11. Also calling in on the Positively Hotline is Dr. Cynthia Otto, the Executive Director of the Penn Vet Working Dog Center to discuss the exciting new work being done at the Center, why positive training is the only truly effective tool to use with working dogs, and how to determine whether or not your dog would make a good working dog.

Victoria talks with Holly about her upcoming trip to Detroit to film with Ehow Pets, the trials and tribulations of writing her 3rd book, her support of the new Penn Working Dog Center preview, and 3 new trainers who recently joined the VSPDT network. Marc Abraham, founder of Pup Aid and Where's Mum, is featured on the Positively Hotline to discuss the worldwide efforts to ban puppy farming (puppy mills).

In the first episode of the new season, Victoria and Holly catch up on what's been happening for the past several months including: Victoria's European tour recap, the recent season of It's Me or the Dog, Victoria's new Ehow Pets YouTube channel, Victoria's new book, and Holly back working at CNN. They are joined on the Positively hotline by Jennifer Arnold from Canine Assistants. Included in the discussion: how the organization was started, why they breed dogs instead of rescue, the difference between the US and Europe re dogs in public, Why Retrievers make the best service and working dogs, how much it takes to train a Canine Assistants dog, and how many dogs they train and place each year. Also, the story of a diabetic man who was asked to leave a restaurant because he had his service dog with him. Finally, Victoria recaps the battle to try and save Lennox in Belfast, including her trip to Belfast to visit the family and what's next in the fight against BSL

Victoria opens this holiday episode by singing Silent Night and discussing how her holiday preparations are progressing, including recent mischievous acts by her daughter's elf. Holly puts in her requests for holiday gifts. Victoria's mother makes a very special guest appearance in studio and discusses what Victoria was like as a child, her mother's love of dogs, her history as a ballerina, and much more. Victoria tries to stump her mother and Holly with her holiday trivia-themed quiz while Victoria's daughter provides some Christmas background music.

Victoria and Holly recap their appearance at this year's Reindog Parade at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, which also included HGTV's Vern Yip, Victoria's mother, daughter and several other notable celebrity judges. Holly describes her experience covering the Penn State child molestation case in State College, PA. Victoria talks about her recent talk to several schools' Homeless Pets Club members and why the program is so important to her. This week's special Positively Hotline guest is filmmaker Jemima Harrison of Passionate Productions, creator of the powerful documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed. They discuss the current issues surrounding the current unhealthy breed standards as well as her work promoting awareness of physical and mental factors involved with the propagation many popular breeds in the UK, US and beyond. Ask Victoria questions include Victoria's recommendation for flying with small dogs as hand luggage, how she handled flying with Jasmine, and how to control excited dogs who run around in your car.

Victoria recaps her recent trip to the UK, including her day in Parliament discussing the need to change breed standards. Holly talks about her work this week on CNN covering the child abuse murder case in Canton, GA. Victoria's and Holly's husbands join them in studio to defend their dog-owning habits and shed light on the co-hosts' life beyond the camera.

Victoria and Holly recap their Thanksgiving holidays and discuss the concept of 'delayed gratification' as it relates to Black Friday. They are joined in studio by guest Dr. Paula Bloom to discuss what makes some people actually want to use dominance with their dogs and/or kids, how domination is about the need to control, why our culture celebrates machismo and more. Also: Victoria runs away to the fair, corporal punishment with kids and dogs, and Animal Academy questions about interesting dog trivia.

In this Thanksgiving episode, Victoria and Holly talk about their favorite Thanksgiving traditions and why they love the holiday so much. Also included: safety tips regarding foods, great pet paintings of rescue dogs in the 2012 'Rescue Dog to Therapy Dog' Calendar, a recap of Victoria's live show in New Bedford, MA including the great people at Forever Paws shelter in Fall River. Accomplished VSPDT trainer Daphne Robert-Hamilton from Monroe, WA calls in on the Positively Hotline and answers a few Ask Victoria questions regarding cat-chasing, showdogs who don't like men, housetraining, and aggression. In Victoria's Animal Academy, Holly takes a crack at trying to stump Victoria with some obscure doggie facts.

Victoria and Holly discuss a new study regarding how children are disciplined and how it relates to the most effective and humane methods to train your dog. American Pet Products Association CEO Bob Vetere calls in to the Positively Hotline to discuss Pets Add Life as well as Bob's new book and how positive training techniques can be used successfully in the business world. Victoria's Animal Academy deals with dogs in show business. Also: people as dog breeds, the perils of all-inclusive travel deals, updates on Victoria's live shows, why Holly & Victoria don't shop with their husbands, and more

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.