Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

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.

Victoria and Holly are joined on the Positively Hotline by Victoria's vet, Dr. Duffy Jones, as they talk about canine halitosis and why/how to brush your dog's teeth.  Also discussed, Holly's trip to the upper midwest, Victoria's emceeing of the Dog Jog, Halloween recap, upcoming live shows and more.  Ask Victoria questions include: potty training setbacks, treating the elderly as chew toys, and how to teach puppies not to chase other animals. Victoria with Anderson Cooper and Susie Essman Carhenge Holly in Deadwood

Victoria and Holly are joined in studio by noted psychologist Dr. Paula Bloom as they discuss how to change perceptions about certain breeds of dogs including pit bulls.  Also discussed: Victoria's upcoming live tour dates (11/10 in York PA, 11/19 in New Bedford MA, and 12/3 in Shropshire, England).  Ask Victoria questions include how to stop dogs from digging in the back yard, how dogs' internal clocks work, whether it's better to put a dog in daycare or have someone come feed the dog at home, and whether Victoria will ever sing on the podcast.

In this episode, Victoria and Holly are joined by concert pianist and Through A Dog's Ear co-founder Lisa Spector to discuss the Canine Noise Phobia Series - the groundbreaking new desensitization tool Victoria developed in partnership with Through A Dog's Ear.  Also discussed: update on Kashmir's knee surgery, Victoria's trip to San Diego for the APDT conference, SD Pet Expo and VSPDT evaluation day, Lennox update, and more.  Ask Victoria questions included whether you can rush training, the music in It's Me or the Dog, and how to get puppies to stop barking at training classes.

In the first episode of the new season, Victoria and Holly discuss what they've been up to for the past several months, including Victoria's filming of the 8th season of It's Me or the Dog, experiencing the recent earthquake and hurricane, Victoria on Anderson Cooper, the Hero Dog Awards, Holly's judging of Miss Tennessee, her dog Kashmir's knee surgery, and Victoria's development of her new Canine Noise Phobia series of desensitization products. Also discussed, Victoria's upcoming trip to San Diego for a dog training conference and pet expo, her upcoming live tour dates, Holly's work as a correspondent for CNN, and the new podcast sponsor, Pets Add Life. Ask Victoria featured questions about why it took so long for the new podcast season to start, how to puppy proof your home, whether neutering will stop bullying behavior and more. The hot topic was the case of Lennox, a pit bull type dog in Belfast who is scheduled to be euthanized due to Northern Ireland's antiquated breed specific legislation (BSL).

In this special 'Ask Victoria' episode, Victoria devotes the entire episode to answering listeners' questions. Topics include: * Removing urine odordogs walking while pooping * Dogs who are picky eaters, dog reactivity * Excessive licking * How to be apply to become a Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Trainer (VSPDT) * How to locate particular It's Me or the Dog episodes * Why dogs chew on sticks * Training older dogs without treats * Dog insecurity due to previous attacks * Anti-depressants for dogs Victoria and Holly also reveal their podcast producer's turkey-roasting prowess and promise future video evidence of this marvel in honor of Thanksgiving.

Victoria gives us an update on the new season of IMOTD while discussing her role as a counselor to humans on the show as well as dogs. The hot topic is pet bereavement and grieving: how pets grieve for each other and how animals have a greater capacity than we're aware of. Victoria discusses the loss of her 3 cats, including the recent passing of her Maine Coon Angelica and the impact of her death on her daughter, Alex. Holly discusses her 20-year old cat, Ricky, who is currently suffering from mass cell disease. Also discussed: the use of anti-depressants on animals, why it should be a last resort, potential side effects, and how important it is to pair the drugs with behavioral therapy. Also: other homeopathic remedies, dog-appeasing pheremones, anxiety wrap shirts, etc. They discuss listener emails about previous episodes, including responses to the conversation about extreme grooming. They touch on how animals learn and think, and especially which species of animals can recognize themselves. Listeners chime in about feeding their dogs BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet, the Michael Vick dogs, and requests for Victoria to sing on the show.

Victoria describes her experience training a piglet named Mud for a recent episode of It's Me or the Dog, and also her time training chickens and recording rap songs with dog owners from the show. Also discussed: * Victoria's exciting new global network of positive reinforcement dog trainers - Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training. * Victoria answers a fan's question about the people who influenced her as a dog trainer and are now Positively Expert Bloggers here - Karen Pryor, Ian Dunbar, Patricia McConnell, Nicholas Dodman, etc. * Victoria's good friend and songwriter/pianist Elio Pace - the artist behind the Positively Podcast themesong 'Addicted to the Phone'. * Ask Victoria questions about: * Food aggression misdiagnosed as rage syndrome. * The leave it command working on cats as well as dogs. * How to train a dog to pee on a weewee pad. * Birthday wishes to a special listner in Minnesota * Dogs sniffing people with old injuries

In this episode, Victoria describes what it's like filming It's Me or the Dog in New York City, including visits to Frank Sinatra's boyhood bakery. Also discussed: * Victoria's history as a dog walker in London during college * Backstage at the Lion King on Broadway with Victoria's friend Fred Berman (playing Timon the meerkat) * This year's American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) conference including the AVSAB and American Humane * The difference between dog behaviorists and dog trainers * Dogs versus Cats * Victoria's review of the movie "Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore" * The use of baby gates to manage relationships * Using positive reinforcement to help dogs and cats get along * Holly's experience with her dog Kashmir and her cat George - now best friends since filming It's Me or the Dog. * Victoria's Animal Academy quiz about rescue animal statistics and facts * Victoria's appearances on Regis and Kelly and the Today show Presa Canario

In this very special episode, Victoria and Holly are joined briefly by Victoria's daughter, Alex, who talks about her summer activities and future career plans. Other topics discussed include: * They also discuss the Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training program as Victoria prepares for another trainer evaluation day. * Victoria' attendance at the upcoming AVMA conference. * Victoria describes her work with PATH to combat the destruction done to wildlife because of the Gulf Oil Spill. * Misconceptions about pit bulls and Victoria's take why Breed Specific Legislation is misguided. * Victoria continues her dog breed quiz in this installment of Animal Academy, focusing on the history of dog shows. * Victoria's husband joins Holly and Victoria in the studio as they discuss how Victoria and Van first met during their time in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story musical in London.   PPATH - People Protecting Animals and Their Habitats Plott Hound - North Carolina state dog:

In this episode, Victoria and Holly discuss: * The first episode of the new season of It's Me or the Dog in New York City. * The toll of working away from her family * Holly's new coffeeshop - The Funky Monkey in Atlanta * Anthropomorphizing dogs in the form of dog painting and dog costumes. * Victoria's take on dog clothing. * The 2nd half of Victoria's dog senses quiz in Animal Academy. * Holly's background in the news and radio business - how she started, her history as a reporter with CNN, her work as a DJ on the radio, and what she's working on now. * Victoria answers listeners' questions about: * her dog Sadie * excessive salivation * the use of choke chains on leash-pulling dogs Email the show. Episode Links: 20/20 Show link to piece on dog painting/costumes YouTube clip - Dramatic Stalking Cat Holly at the Burt Reynolds Museum: