Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

A Holiday-themed podcast for your end-of-year listening pleasure! (Warning: not a lot of dog talk here.)

Dr. Paula Bloom joins the podcast as Holly & Victoria discuss the Morrison's Christmas advert featuring a dog being fed raisin-filled Christmas pudding, the tradition of holiday card letters and family photos, Paula's new book, 'Why Does He Do That? Why Does She Do That?', the psychology behind the 'Christmas Puppy or Kitten' syndrome, and Dr. Bloom's take on why this time of year especially makes people feel the need to be the best. Ask Victoria questions include a one-eye-blind Lab who has started barking at people and other dogs, a supposedly untrainable beagle mix whose sense of smell overtakes his willingness to listen to his owners, and more. Show Links: * Paula's book 'Why Does He Do That? Why Does She Do That?' * Morrison's Christmas Commercial A typical Christmas pudding.

Recap of Reindog Parade in the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Christmastime weather in Chicago, Victoria's daughter's thoughts about shock collars, Noah's Ark, Peter Emily Veterinary Dental Foundation, the importance of animal dentistry. Victoria also discusses the Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT) method with its creator, Grisha Stewart. Ask Victoria questions include: * Adopted Maltese/Yorkie mix who redirects onto her Westie friend by biting her legs whenever guests come through the door * a Gordon Setter who has started growling at things he doesn't like after previously being well-adjusted * and more... Show Links: * Noah's Ark * Peter Emily Veterinary Dental Foundation * Reindog Parade Photo Gallery (via Atlanta Botanical Gardens' Facebook page)

Beverley Cuddy, Editor and Founder of Dogs Today magazine calls the Positively hotline to discuss what goes into editing Dogs Today magazine, how the battle between dominance and postive training relates to the book '50 Shades of Grey', how she feels about the debate over training methods, the Alan Titchmarch TV interview with Cesar Millan, the state of dog-related programming in the UK and more. Ask Victoria questions include how to help a Pharaoh Hound who has started showing aggressive behavior since being attacked twice by other dogs in a dog park, a male Australian Shepherd originally trained using aversive methods who now sneaks out of the house at every opportunity, and an 8-year old Beagle rescue suffering from separation anxiety. Show Notes: Dogs Today subscription link The Pharaoh Hound

Recaps of Thanksgiving with Holly and Victoria's family, the upcoming Bail Bond program benefiting the Gwinnett County Jail Dogs program featured on Ehow Pets, and Holly hijacks Victoria's Animal Academy again with a tricky cat quiz for Victoria. VSPDT trainer Sam Wike of The Inner Dog in Long Branch, NJ calls the Positively hotline to discuss how Hurricane Sandy affected people and their pets after the storm, including the amazing work being done by local and national shelter groups, airlines and other organizations. Also discussed, pet abandonment, Sam's history as a canine police officer and work in the military, the rarity of being a male positive reinforcement trainer, the disadvantages faced by female positive trainers, his crazy upcoming training session with a 220-pound dog. Ask Victoria questions (featuring guest trainer Sam Wike) include a Pomeranian who bullies other dogs in the household and barks at the other dogs outside, one year old Collie who plays rough in the snow with the 5 and 7 year old kids in the house, how pharmacological tools may help a fostered one year-old Terrier mix who is terrified of everything, and how to help an 18-month old Beagle having trouble with housetraining.

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. Ask Victoria questions include: * helping Holly find a way to stop her dogs from digging in the backyard, especially when next-door neighbor Cavalier King Charles Winnie instigates the hole-digging fun * how to get a 3-year old German Shepherd farm dog to stop aggressing at other dogs on the farm and refusing to listen to the owners * why a 4-year old Australian Shepherd continues semi-rough behavior after rough-housing with the father of the family * what books Victoria has available about dog training * and more....   Show Links: * Liam J. Perk Foundation * How to join VSPDT * Find a VSPDT trainer * Sue Sternberg Official Website * American Humane Association

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. Ask Victoria questions include: * how to stop a pup who's started nipping during play * how to help an older cat who has started peeing outside the litter box * how to stop a dog from chasing cars and biting tires * why tethering your dog is a bad idea * the dangers and pitfalls of electric fences * how to help an unneutered male crossbreed exhibiting signs of aggression and marking behavior * why Victoria likes when dogs growl * how to help previously traumatized dogs overcome fear of men. Show Links: The Denver Dog Bite Prevention & Awareness Conference will be held on November 2nd, 2012. The Hero Dog Awards will be broadcast on November 8th, 2012 at 8pm ET/PT on the Hallmark Channel.

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. Show Links: Denver National Dog Bite Awareness & Prevention Conference www.denverdogbiteseminar.com

Van & Shawn hijack the opening of the podcast 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. Episode Links: www.detroitdogrescue.com www.Facebook.com/detroitdogrescue

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. Ask Victoria questions include: * How to stop a dog from nipping (resource guarding). * How to encourage a non-play-driven dog to play more. * How to get unfamiliar cats to coexist peacefully.   Show Links: Katrene Johnson (Morgan), Sirius K-9 Solutions www.siriusk9solutions.net Dr. Cynthia Otto, Executive Director of the Penn Vet Working Dog Center www.pennvetwdc.org

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). Included in the Ask Victoria segment: * How to get a dog to stop eating grain-based bird feed, and why grains are not good for dogs. * How to get one dog to stop pottying where the other dog in the house potties. * How, when and where should you get a new dog that's ok with cats and kids. * How to get a sofa-loving dog off the sofa. Show Links: * Pup Aid official site * Where's Mum? official site * Marc Abraham official site

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.

Holly with the Grinch 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. Back to Podcast Homepage

Sadie & Jasmine waiting patiently for the podcast recording to finish. 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.