Help keep the hotline alive, donate now →

Training And Behavior Episodes

Good behavior starts with understanding—not frustration. These episodes help you uncover the “why” behind your pet’s actions and teach you how to build trust, reduce stress, and create calm, cooperative relationships. Learn realistic techniques that fit your lifestyle and your pet’s personality, no gimmicks or harsh methods required.

Topics included: dog training basics, puppy training, cat training basics, kitten training, cat behavior, crate training, leash manners, reactivity, anxiety, house training, socialization, communication cues, and positive reinforcement.
Oct. 5, 2025

Think crate training should be easy? Pop your dog in the crate at night and hope for the best? That’s the biggest mistake most pet parents make. Crate training isn’t instant — it’s a step-by-step process that builds your dog’...

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 28, 2025

Confused about which crate is right for your dog? With so many sizes, styles, and price points, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The right crate isn’t just about convenience for you — it’s about safety, comfort, and creating a ...

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 21, 2025

Think your litter box setup is fine, yet your cat is still peeing on the bath mat? In this episode, Amy shares expert pet advice and reveals the six “everybody knows” rules cat parents accidentally bend, and how tiny fixes in...

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 7, 2025

Is crating your dog cruel, or could it actually be one of the kindest things you do for them? Many pet parents picture their pup feeling trapped or lonely, so they avoid crates altogether. But when used the right way, a crate...

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 31, 2025

Are you at the end of your rope with your dog’s behavior, but not sure if it’s time to hire a professional dog trainer, or worried about picking the wrong one? You’re not alone. The dog training world can feel like the Wild W...

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 24, 2025

That friendly, purring shelter cat you fell in love with can sometimes turn into a ghost or even a hissy ball of nerves the moment you get them home. It’s not rejection. It’s survival mode. And how you handle those first few ...

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 10, 2025

Feel like the more you try to fix your dog’s behavior, the worse it gets? If you’re dealing with barking, leash pulling, jumping, or flat-out ignoring commands, the problem might not be your dog: it might be what you’re accidentally reinforcing without realizing it. In this episode, I’m joined by professional dog trainer and behavior consultant Bradley Phifer, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KSA, Executive Director, CCPDT to unpack the everyday mistakes that teach dogs to keep misbehaving, even when you're try...

Listen to the Episode
Oct. 15, 2024

What if the way you’ve been taught to train your dog is creating more problems? In this episode, I speak with Angie Winters, author of "Don't Train Your Dog ," about why traditional dog training tips and methods often fall sh...

Listen to the Episode
Oct. 1, 2024

Ever wonder what your dog is thinking—or how much they really understand? In this episode, I talk with Jennifer S. Holland, New York Times bestselling author of Dog Smart: Life-Changing Lessons in Canine Intelligence . We exp...

Listen to the Episode
July 23, 2024

Tired of your dog barking nonstop, pulling on the leash, or chewing everything in sight? In this episode, I’m joined by dog training expert Ruth Hegarty to break down the most common behavior problems pet parents face and dog...

Listen to the Episode