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.
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.
Sept. 21, 2025
Cat Won't Use the Litter Box? 6 Rules You’re Probably Breaking
Understanding cat litter box issues is one of the top problems cat owners face. You think your litter box setup is fine, yet your cat is still peeing on the bath mat or worse, on your bed! In this episode, I share expert pet advice and reveal the six “everybody knows” rules cat parents accidentally break and how small, practical changes in cat care can stop cat anxiety and outside-the-box accidents for good. You’ll learn why health issues always come first, what “clean” really means to a cat, h...
Sept. 7, 2025
Is Crating Cruel? 5 Surprising Benefits for Your Dog
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 can become your dog’s safe space — and one of the most useful tools in your pet parenting toolbox. In this episode, I break down 5 major benefits of crating your dog. You’ll hear why it’s about more than house training, and how the right approach can bring calm, comfort, a...
Aug. 31, 2025
Dog Training Isn’t Working? Find The Right Trainer
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 West. With no regulations, conflicting advice, and plenty of flashy websites, it’s hard to know who’s truly qualified to help. Choosing the wrong dog trainer can waste your money, make your dog’s behavior worse, escalate dog aggression problems, and damage the trust between y...
Aug. 24, 2025
Bringing Home a New Cat? Build Trust Fast With the CATS Method
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 days sets the tone for your entire relationship. Even if you don't have a cat, many aspects of these steps toward acclimating a new pet to your home would apply to dogs, birds, and other species of pets to reduce stress and make their transition easier on them. In this epis...
Aug. 10, 2025
Dog Training: Stop Rewarding Bad Behavior
Feel like the more you try to fix your dog’s behavior, the worse it gets? If you’re in the thick of dog training and 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 dog training expert and behavior consultant Bradley Phifer, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KSA, Executive Director, CCPDT to unpack the everyday mistakes that teach dogs to kee...
Oct. 15, 2024
Dog Training: Why “Don’t Train Your Dog” Might Be The Best Advice
What if the dog training methods you've learned are creating more problems than they're fixing? 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 short and what to do instead. Drawing from over 20 years of experience in dog rehabilitation and parenting, Angie shares how forming an emotional bond and setting clear expectations can lead to better behavior than dog training based on fear or bribery ever ...
Oct. 1, 2024
How Smart Is Your Dog Really? What Science Says
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 explore the fascinating science behind canine cognition, from their superpowered sense of smell to how they adapt to our routines, emotions, and environments. You’ll walk away with a new appreciation for just how intelligent and emotionally attuned your dog truly is. BY THE TIM...
July 23, 2024
Dog Training: Fix The 5 Biggest Behavior Problems
Tired of your dog barking nonstop, pulling on the leash, or your dog 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 training tips to help fix them using positive, effective methods. From recall issues to destructive chewing, Ruth shares practical dog training strategies that work for real-life households. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: Why your dog pulls on ...
June 11, 2024
Your Pet Can Feel Your Stress, Here’s How To Fix It Fast
Ever notice your pet act weird when you’re stressed, angry, or frazzled, even when you never said a word? That’s not in your head. Your emotions can change the whole energy in your house, and your pets respond to it fast. In this episode, Amy sits down with HeartMath resilience trainer and equine-facilitated coach Amy Budd to break down why your pet “catches” your nervous system, how we accidentally create more reactivity, and the simple reset that helps you calm yourself so your pet can calm d...
March 5, 2024
Dog Owner Etiquette: Big Mistakes Everyone Notices
Ever feel like taking your dog out in public turns into chaos, side-eyes, and stress? Most “bad dog” moments are really people problems, like using too much leash, missing body language cues, or pushing a dog into situations they’re not ready for yet. In this episode, I talk with Nancy Hassel, founder of American Pet Professionals, about real-world dog etiquette, the kind that keeps your dog safer and makes everyone’s life easier, from your neighborhood walks to the vet to the park. BY THE TI...