Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

Certified Animal Behaviourist Andrew Hale joins Victoria to talk about the new UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter www.ukdogcharter.org. Why does the UK need the Charter and how does it improve dog training standards and animal welfare? How does the Charter make it easier for consumers to choose the right kind of trainer for their dogs? Andrew and Victoria also discuss how dog lovers can gain a new appreciation for their dogs’ behavior.

VSA Curriculum Manager and canine fitness guru Aly Lecznar joins Victoria on this week’s podcast to talk about ways you can exercise with your dog. How do you start running with your dog and how can you tell if he or she is enjoying exercising with you? What is the sport of Canicross and how do you take part? Most importantly how do you ensure that exercise is safe for your dog, especially in warmer weather? Aly answers these questions and more in this fitness-focused episode.

Holly Firfer is back on the podcast to talk about her work as a journalist for CNN during the recent events across the US as well as her two senior dogs Kashmir and Barnsley – both of whom are living with cancer.

Why are people so focused on teaching their dogs cues like sit and stay? Do we ever stop to think about what these cues mean from the dog’s point of view and why ‘sit’ in particular could be uncomfortable for them? Victoria explores our fascination with obedience training and gives her views on the direction dog training needs to go in the future.

Victoria and Behavior Tech Kat Kekel talk all things rescue. How are shelters coping during the pandemic and what is the most important thing a fosterer or new adopter can do when they get an animal home? Kat highlights the importance of allowing dogs and cats time to adjust to their new homes and shares her top enrichment ideas to keep them entertained.

Victoria chats with petrepreneur marketing guru J. Nichole Smith about her mission of helping people (especially in the pet world) translate their passion into an actionable profession (or hobby) by helping to identify their ‘why.’ Watch Nichole's presentation at the 2020 International Dog Behaviour Conference - register here.

Victoria is joined by Holly Root-Gutteridge, post-doctoral researcher at the University of Lincoln, to talk about how dogs think, the latest research in how dogs process human language and how science supports a humane training philosophy. REGISTER FOR THE ONLINE DOG BEHAVIOUR CONFERENCE HERE

Victoria chats with Arizona State University professor of psychology and founder of Canine Science Collaboratory Clive Wynne about his upcoming presentation for the International Dog Behaviour Conference - "Dog Is Love." Discussed: the concept of love as it relates to dogs – how and why do dogs love us? In what ways has research expanded our understanding of dogs' emotional experience and how can we use what science tells us to improve our relationships with dogs? Victoria geeks out with one of her favorite dog behavior experts. Register for the International Dog Behaviour Conference here.  

Victoria is joined by Zazie Todd, creator of the popular blog Companion Animal Psychology and author of the bestselling book, "Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy." A speaker for the upcoming International Dog Behaviour Conference, Zazie shares her advice on how people can build their dog’s resilience and give their dogs the life skills they need to be truly happy. UPCOMING EVENTS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE: * Register for the free live #DogBitePreventionWeek expert Q&A on Friday, April 17 - CLICK HERE * Register for the free live 'Ask the Dog Trainer with VSPDT' live Q&A on Sunday, April 19 - CLICK HERE * Register for the International Dog Behaviour Conference on May 9-10 -  CLICK HERE  

Victoria sits down with Dr. Meghan Herron, Veterinary Behaviorist and Senior Director of Behavioral Medicine, Education, Research and Outreach at Gigi’s, for a fascinating discussion on dog training methods and how to work with dog behavior issues in a shelter environment. Dr. Herron also tells Victoria about Gigi’s, a center that helps improve the lives of shelter dogs all over the state of Ohio by sheltering dogs from rural shelters that otherwise would not have a chance, and giving them vital medical and behavioral care before taking them to city area shelters for adoption.

Victoria and Aly dig into online learning, including how best to give dog trainers the tools and education they need to be truly successful at their jobs. Also discussed, definitions and clarifications of e-learning terminology and jargon in the adult learning field, including synchronous and asynchronous learning, in-person, online, blended, etc. The benefits of choosing an online course that fits your schedule rather than the other way around, and the importance of ensuring a relationship with your instructor as well as the use of storytelling in instructional design. Whether or not it’s useful to take notes and write things down while learning online.

Victoria pays a visit to her dogs’ veterinarian, Dr. Duffy Jones of Peachtree Hills Animal Hospital in Atlanta. A discussion about the latest news about pets being able to contract or carry COVID-19, the benefits of curbside veterinary service, and how to make effective use of the rise in telemedicine. Also, how to keep your pets healthy during health scare lockdowns, as well as the usual pet health issues during the springtime allergy season and the risk of pneumonia.

Victoria and Aly talk about how to be more effective when learning and working from home. Social distancing is the thing these days, but how do we keep from going nuts and what are the best practices to stay productive and efficient when working or learning from home. Dealing with the social aspect of isolation. Aly shares some top tips for how to be productive while staying home, including staying engaged and avoiding passivity. The use of rituals of physical, technical and mental preparation in staying efficient at home.

Victoria and Dr. Paula Bloom discuss how to keep both yourself and others emotionally healthy amidst the coronavirus outbreak. Also, they talk about what you can do to prepare you and your pet for longer periods of potential isolation. Victoria’s daughter Alex also talks about ways how the younger generation can cope with periods of long-term school lockdowns.

Holly shares her challenges doing yoga, meditation and Peloton, especially now that her dogs are getting older and don’t wake her up as early each morning. ‘Senioritis’ and the life changes that happen as dogs become more elderly, including how to watch for signs of ocular and/or cognitive decline by checking older dogs’ eyes. What to do when your dog starts to enter their later stages of life in order to keep them alert, active and healthy. Also, odd behavior – including shaking, panting and drooling – among both smaller and larger dogs, especially regarding food and other key resources.