Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

This episode brought to you by Zukes. Holly and Victoria catch up following Holly’s deployments to cover recent hurricanes for CNN and chat about the many dogs and cats that ended up in Atlanta area shelters following the Houston and Florida hurricanes. Also, Victoria highlights the viral video produced by Lifeline Animal Project’s #DismissTheMyth campaign which combats the misconception that behavioral problems and/or age are actually not the #1 reasons why people don’t want to adopt from shelters. Watch the #DismissTheMyth video here. Why Victoria and Holly have both been ‘foster failures’ by adopting rescued pets, and Victoria’s history of fostering dogs and cats both in New York and Atlanta. But what happens when fostering or adopting doesn’t work and isn’t a good fit? Ask Victoria questions include: * A newly rehomed 9-month old mini-Dachshund was badly bullied in his original home and is now not only scared of other dogs, but nearly everything else in his world. * Large male European Doberman doesn’t snaps at and ‘doesn’t like’ kids – especially highly active young children. * Holly asks why Barnsley – her Black and Tan Coonhound – likes to lean on guests and friends’ legs. * GSD/Collie mix has problems going potty outside after being saved from an abusive situation. Show Links: * lifelineanimal.org

This episode is sponsored by P.L.A.Y. In the wake of the recent natural disasters (hurricanes, fires, etc.), Holly and Victoria talk through the importance of disaster preparedness, especially as it relates to looking after your pets. How to pack a pet-friendly emergency bag. Victoria also describes her experience documenting evidence and serving as a behavior analyst for a recent bust of a dogfighting facility in Georgia. Heather Paul from State Farm calls in on the Positively Hotline to discuss the dogfighting ring she helped Victoria document. They discuss the issue of what happens to fighting dogs once they’re rescued from situations like this. Victoria also asks Heather about State Farm’s longtime Arson Dog Training Program – the subject of a web series Victoria produced a couple years prior – and discusses the importance of not discriminating by dog breed when writing insurance policies. Ask Victoria is sponsored by Zukes Questions include: * Figuring out why a 6-year old dog doesn’t want to go outside for walks. * A dog who will not come back inside from the backyard after potty time in the morning. * A volunteer at a local shelter finds that a certain dog barks at every dog he sees. * Whether it’s a good idea to get two littermates (brothers) – what about potential fighting issues?

This episode of the Positively Podcast is brought to you by  Zukes. Listen here:  Victoria and Holly reconnect after a few months away during which they used social media to stay connected both personally and professionally. Follow them online at: * Holly’s Instagram: @HFirfer * Victoria’s Instagram: @VictoriaStilwell * Holly’s Twitter: @HollyFirferCNN * Victoria’s Twitter: @VictoriaS * Victoria’s Facebook: /VictoriaStilwell They discuss older dogs such as Victoria’s 15 year-old Chocolate Lab Sadie and Holly’s pit bull mix Kashmir who has been undergoing her second round of chemotherapy. Also: how to recognize signs of pain in your older dog, including Louise Swindlehurst’s 5 ways show they’re in muscular pain (via the Canine Massage Guild). Ask Victoria questions include: * Newly adopted dog is an avid humper who needs help learning curbing overly rambunctious play. * A single dog is great during the day but “naughty” at night – squeaking throughout the night. Would another dog to keep him company help manage this behavior? * 1 ½ year old Golden Retriever knows basic cues, but gets very anxious when guests come to the house to visit. * How to get a dog used to water so that they can have stress-free baths.  

Season 6 ends with a bang as Holly and Victoria chat about two huge new releases that listeners will be able to enjoy. The first is a CNN segment about Victoria that focuses on how and why she has remained at the top of her game in the dog training world. Watch the segment here or see below. And at long last, Victoria's brand new web series, Guardians of the Night, launched yesterday, February 21st. A new episode will be released every Tuesday at 2pm ET for eight straight weeks. The series follows a police K-9 unit through their trials and tribulations, including criminal apprehensions, puppy rescues, and even the tragic loss of one of their own. Prepare for a wild ride jam packed with action, emotion, and some incredible working dogs. To listen to the entire season of the podcast, click here.

On this jam-packed episode of the Positively Podcast, Holly and Victoria first  chat about Victoria's new book and some of the fascinating research that's being conducted on canine cognition. Here are a few of the questions they discuss: * Do dogs dream? * How can you tell if your dog is in pain? * Why do small dogs live longer than larger dogs? Also on this episode of the podcast is an interview with K-9 Ninja Roo Yori, who has become a household name both through his endeavors on American Ninja Warrior as well as his work promoting pit-bull type dogs. And finally, a round of Ask Victoria questions and Animal Academy questions will both fascinate and entertain you!

On this episode of the Positively Podcast, Victoria and Holly chat about the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training & Behavior. VSA Mentor Coordinator Aly Lecznar joins the show to chat about the latest updates from the program. Ask Victoria questions include: * What are the advantages of reward-based training vs. compulsion or punishment-based training? * How do you get your dog to pay attention to you on walks? * How can you get a dog and baby to get along? * What's the best way to stop a puppy's nipping?

Holly and Victoria tackle the tough subject of puppy mills and what's being done to stop them in both the US and the UK. They also talk about the surprising people and organizations that are inhibiting the progress of anti-puppy mill legislation, and the theories as to why they want commercial breeding to be allowed to continue. Marc the Vet comes on the show to talk about his work campaigning against puppy mills in the UK, what the latest progress has been, and some very difficult challenges they have come across along the way. And finally, the trio discusses ways in which the general public can help put a stop to this cruel industry,

Victoria and Holly are gearing up for the holiday season, and chat about how the stress of the holidays affects both people and their pets. Victoria gives some tips for keeping your dogs happy and healthy over the holidays, and the pair chats about their thoughts on when one person tells them they prefer one of their dogs over the other. Another feel-good holiday story the ladies cover is a young boy who is willing to give up everything he has to help a dog in need. Ask Victoria questions include: * Is getting a new puppy a good idea for a grieving older dog? * Do pit bulls need to be treated differently from other dogs? * Why does my dog nip at guests when they come over? * How can you teach a blind dog to negotiate stairs? * How can you stop a dog from biting people's feet? * What's the best way to stop a dog from jumping on people?

Victoria and Holly are stuffed after Thanksgiving! You're going to want to hear the story of how Holly ended up with a deer eating her dinner over the holiday. The pair talks about Holly's incredible travels for CNN, plus Victoria's appearance on Harry Connick Jr.'s talk show. And of course, they've got to chat about the Reindog Parade and some of the fun experiences they enjoyed at the annual Atlanta-based event. Ask Victoria questions include: * Is there a better alternative to a prong collar for a dog that pulls on leash? * How can you stop a puppy from barking when left alone? * Is it a bad idea to get two sibling puppies?

Nichole of WorkingwithDog.com On this special edition of the Positively Podcast, Holly and Victoria invite Working with Dog founder Nichole Smith to the show to talk about her list of reasons why you should consider working as a "petrepreneur," and some professional advice for anyone looking to break into the pet industry. Ask Victoria questions include: * How can I get my dog to take treats more gently? * Will it traumatize my new puppy to leave her with a pet sitter while I go on a trip? * What's the best way to introduce two new puppies to my household routine?

Victoria and Holly chat about the Thanksgiving holiday and what they're thankful for. They also talk about why the month of November is the month with the most amount of car collisions with deer, and how you can stay safe. Victoria also chats about her trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania and what she learned about puppy mills in the process. Ask Victoria questions include: * Is keeping your dog in a backyard enough daily exercise? * How can you get your dog to focus on you in a distracting environment? * Why is my senior dog afraid to sleep alone at night?

Victoria and Holly are back with a bang for Season 6 of the Positively Podcast! The pair catches up on their latest travels and adventures across the globe, and Victoria talks about the first year of her dog training academy. Next, Victoria answers some of her listeners' "Ask Victoria" dog training questions, including how to work with a leash reactive dog, and how to get a dog to focus in a distracting environment. And to top it all off, Holly turns the tables on Victoria with a particularly tricky round of Animal Academy questions. Ask Victoria Questions include: * How to get "more control" over a difficult dog * How to help dog that's fearful and aggressive towards other dogs on walks * How to help a dog focus with distractions This season of the Positively Podcast is sponsored by Adaptil and this season of Ask Victoria is sponsored by Zuke's.

Victoria and Holly wrap up Season 5 of the Positively Podcast with a bang! They chat about a variety of topics, including an update on Victoria's dog training academy, how positive training works and some common misconceptions about Victoria's training methods, and her upcoming UK Dog Bite Prevention & Behaviour Conference. And exclusively in this podcast, you'll hear the firsthand account of Victoria's police dog bite accident: what happened, why it happened, and what she's doing to prevent another accident from happening in the future. Ask Victoria Questions include: * How do I stop my Cocker Spaniel from peeing in the house when left alone? * How can I help my dog be less afraid of my husband? * My Labrador puppy is afraid of water. Is there anything I can do to help him get over this fear?

Victoria and Holly discuss whether "dog adoption cafes" are a good idea or not. They also chat about an unconventional dog sanctuary in Costa Rica where the dogs are allowed to roam freely, and why Victoria thinks matching humans and dogs is so important. Victoria also gives listeners an inside scoop on how she taught a dog to fly an airplane as part of her latest TV project, Dogs Might Fly, which recently aired on Sky1 in the UK. Ask Victoria questions include: * How can I help my Maltese overcome her severe separation anxiety? * How can I stop my dog from resource guarding me? He won't let other dogs near me. * How can I help my senior dog know when to come when called?

Victoria and Holly Firfer chat with Shannoncourt Pet Care founder Shannon Spooner about Victoria's upcoming seminar in Ontario. The seminar is being hosted at the Cornwall Civic Complex on April 30th, 2016. Get your tickets to the seminar here.