Canine Connection Podcast

Petra Ford & Laurie Winter Strimavicious

Canine Connection is a podcast for dog lovers, by dog lovers—people who are passionate about dog training and the incredible bond it builds between us and our dogs. We believe dog training is all about communication, and we’re here to talk about it in a way that’s approachable and relatable. Whether you're involved in dog sports or just want to better understand your pup, we’ll break down training concepts that apply across the board. Through honest conversations and inspiring interviews, we’ll explore mindset, motivation, and real-life experiences—plus share practical, actionable tips to help you grow alongside your dog. If you love all things dogs, dog training and dog sports and want to deepen your connection with your canine companion, you’re in the right place.

  1. Episode 34: Interview with Brenda Aloff

    24 MAR

    Episode 34: Interview with Brenda Aloff

    In this conversation, Petra, Laurie, and Brenda explore the nuances of dog training, focusing on understanding arousal, pressure, and emotional states. Brenda shares her unique approach to training that emphasizes connection, energy matching, and physiological regulation to achieve harmony and performance. They further explore canine and equine behavior, focusing on arousal management, body language, and training techniques. They emphasize the importance of understanding animal perception, physiological regulation, and the value of experimentation in training. Brenda has a unique perspective and an incredible understanding of dogs, and their language based on her background as a behaviorist, dog trainer and horse trainer. Brenda has had a tremendous influence on Petra’s training and understanding of dogs. So much interesting information to unpack in this episode! CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction and Background of Brenda Aloff 03:38 Understanding Dog Behavior and Arousal 06:15 The Importance of Connection in Dog Training 11:26 Energy Matching and Its Role in Training 20:25 The Art of Training: Balancing Mechanics and Feel 28:31 Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation in Dogs 40:08 Understanding Arousal in Dogs 42:52 Tactile Interventions for Emotional Regulation 45:58 Practical Applications in Training 50:59 Managing Arousal Levels in Different Scenarios 55:52 Self-Regulation and Communication in Dogs 01:00:51 The Importance of Bodywork and Energy Matching 01:06:00 Finding the Sweet Spot in Training 01:10:02 Building Precision and Control in Obedience Training 01:17:38 Training with Arousal and Obedience 01:19:11 Understanding Dog Emotions and Body Language 01:20:47 Perception Differences Between Dogs and Humans 01:22:49 The Role of Executive Function in Dogs 01:24:12 Impulse Control in Dogs 01:26:52 The Importance of Mechanical Skills in Training 01:28:40 Learning to Read Your Dog 01:30:03 The Need for Understanding Dog Communication 01:32:51 Navigating Dog Behavior in Trials 01:35:20 The Complexity of Dog Body Language 01:39:14 Experimentation in Dog Training 01:40:15 The Importance of Data in Training CONTACT US: https://www.youtube.com/@canineconnectionpod https://www.facebook.com/canineconnectionpodcast PETRA: https://www.facebook.com/petrafordtrainer/ www.petrasdogresourcecenter.com LAURIE: https://www.facebook.com/laurie.strimavicius https://www.facebook.com/groups/trainme2025

    1hr 45min
  2. Episode 33: Interview with Jenn Michaelis Stellmon

    16 MAR

    Episode 33: Interview with Jenn Michaelis Stellmon

    In this episode, Jenn Michaelis Stellmon shares her insights on training dogs and horses using clicker training, focusing on motivation, frustration tolerance, and generalization. Discover how species differences influence training strategies and learn practical tips for building confidence and resilience in your animals. In this engaging conversation, Jenn shares her insights on training dogs and horses, emphasizing the importance of emotional health, physical soundness, and the power of positive reinforcement. Discover practical strategies for shaping behavior, addressing emotional states, and integrating cross-species training techniques. Jenn emphasizes the importance of observation, and breaking down training down into tiny steps. She discusses how positive reinforcement and understanding emotional states can transform training outcomes and deepen the bond with all animals. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction and Background of Jen Stellmon 03:07 Training Techniques: Back Chaining and Freestyle 06:03 Transition to Horse Training: Clicker Training and Rehabilitation 09:08 Differences in Training: Dogs vs. Horses 12:10 Frustration and Learning: Managing Expectations 14:53 Generalization in Training: Dogs vs. Horses 18:14 The Importance of Agency in Learning 21:18 Handling Frustration in Training 24:04 Conclusion and Future Aspirations 30:28 Navigating Technical Difficulties 30:46 The Impact of Training on Dog Performance 35:30 Building Frustration Tolerance in Dogs 40:21 Understanding Emotional States in Dog Training 46:49 The Complexity of Dog Training 54:02 Strategies for Effective Dog Training 55:59 The Power of Data in Training 56:30 Exploring Clicker Training in Competitive Dressage 57:52 Positive Reinforcement: A Shift in Horse Training 59:47 The Joy of Training: Motivation and Expression 01:03:28 Innovative Ideas: Horse Training Camps 01:06:49 Understanding Behavior: The Role of Physical Health 01:09:29 The Importance of Shaping in Training 01:13:39 Building Rapport: Baby Steps in Training 01:17:18 The Challenge of Choosing the Right Horse 01:19:39 The Balance of Soundness and Relationship in Training CONTACT US: https://www.youtube.com/@canineconnectionpod https://www.facebook.com/canineconnectionpodcast PETRA: https://www.facebook.com/petrafordtrainer/ www.petrasdogresourcecenter.com LAURIE: https://www.facebook.com/laurie.strimavicius https://www.facebook.com/groups/trainme2025

    1hr 31min
  3. Episode 32: Importance of Life Skills

    2 MAR

    Episode 32: Importance of Life Skills

    In this episode of the Canine Connection Podcast, Petra and Laurie discuss the importance of life skills in dog training, emphasizing that understanding a dog's personality and behavior is crucial for effective training. They highlight the need for safety skills like recalls and stays. They discuss how life skills impact performance training. The conversation also covers the role of observation in understanding a dog's needs and motivations, and how past experiences can influence current behavior. The episode concludes with a reminder that training is an ongoing process that requires consistency and patience. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction and Seminar Insights 03:09 The Importance of Life Skills in Dog Training 06:21 Understanding Your Dog's Personality 09:08 Safety and Recall Training 12:17 The Role of Consistency in Training 15:10 Addressing Impulse Control and Relationship Dynamics 18:18 Maintaining Training Standards Over Time 22:10 Understanding Dog Behavior and Personality 25:18 Training Techniques Based on Dog's Nature 30:06 The Importance of Objective Observation 34:10 Emotional Detachment in Training 37:11 Life Skills and Responsibility in Dog Training FOLLOW US: https://www.youtube.com/@canineconnectionpod https://www.facebook.com/canineconnectionpodcast PETRA: https://www.facebook.com/petrafordtrainer/ www.petrasdogresourcecenter.com LAURIE: https://www.facebook.com/laurie.strimavicius https://www.facebook.com/groups/trainme2025

    41 min

About

Canine Connection is a podcast for dog lovers, by dog lovers—people who are passionate about dog training and the incredible bond it builds between us and our dogs. We believe dog training is all about communication, and we’re here to talk about it in a way that’s approachable and relatable. Whether you're involved in dog sports or just want to better understand your pup, we’ll break down training concepts that apply across the board. Through honest conversations and inspiring interviews, we’ll explore mindset, motivation, and real-life experiences—plus share practical, actionable tips to help you grow alongside your dog. If you love all things dogs, dog training and dog sports and want to deepen your connection with your canine companion, you’re in the right place.

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