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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.
Feb. 15, 2026

Should You Get A Dog For Your Dog, Or Is It a Big Mistake?

Should you get a dog for your dog… or are you about to double your stress, noise, behavior issues, and vet bills? Many pet parents see a bored, clingy, or “lonely” dog (or other pet) and assume the solution is a companion, a boyfriend, girlfriend, sibling, or built-in best friend. But adding another dog doesn’t automatically make life easier. It can just as easily increase barking, trigger resource guarding, amplify anxiety, and create daily management problems you didn’t have before, especially...
Oct. 5, 2025

Dog Training: Crate Training Without The Stress

Think crate training is as simple as putting your dog in the crate and calling it a night? That’s the biggest reason it fails. Crate training isn’t instant. It’s a step-by-step process that builds your dog’s trust and confidence over time. Rush it, and you’ll end up with whining, accidents, or full-blown crate panic. In this episode, I’m joined by Ruth Hegarty, multi-certified dog training and behavior expert, to share real pet parenting advice that actually works. Together, we’ll walk through ...
Sept. 28, 2025

Dog Training: Stop Buying The Wrong Crate

Confused about which crate is right for your dog? With so many sizes, styles, and price points, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and to end up wasting time and money on the wrong crate for your dog. The right crate isn’t just about convenience. It’s about safety, comfort, and setting your dog up for success. In this episode, I'm chatting with Ruth Hegarty, dog training and dog behavior expert from Creature Good Dog Training. Together, we share real pet parenting advice to help you confidently choo...
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...