Housewolves: The Pet Dog Collective

Melissa Major
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  • PETS & ANIMALS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to Housewolves: The Pet Dog Collective — the podcast for dog owners who want clarity, confidence, and a deeper connection with their dogs. Trainer Melissa Major brings you real-life training strategies, behaviour insights, meaningful interviews, and lifestyle conversations that help you truly understand your dog. Whether you’re navigating life with a brand-new puppy or leveling up with an adult dog, you’ll get practical tools to create a calmer home, a stronger bond, and a well-trained companion you can take anywhere. Rooted in working-dog principles but made for everyday owners, this show is all about real dogs, real training, and results that actually fit your life.

Episodes

  1. JAN 27

    From Whippet to Doberman: Lauren's Dog Training Odyssey

    Summary: In this episode of the Housewolves podcast, host Melissa Major welcomes Lauren, a passionate dog owner and competitor, to discuss her journey with her three dogs, particularly her Dobermans. Lauren shares her early experiences with dogs, starting with her first pet, a Whippet named Kissy, and how her love for dogs evolved into a competitive spirit. She recounts the challenges and joys of training her Dobermans, Cujo and Killer, and the various dog sports they participate in, including dock diving, barn hunt, and scent detection. Lauren emphasizes the importance of building a bond with dogs through training and sports, highlighting how these activities enrich both their lives and the lives of their owners. The conversation also delves into the complexities of owning multiple dogs, the financial and emotional commitments involved, and the significance of health testing for breeds like Dobermans, which are prone to specific health issues. Lauren's insights into the Doberman breed, including the differences between show and working lines, provide valuable information for potential dog owners. Ultimately, Lauren reflects on how her dogs have transformed her life, offering companionship, joy, and a sense of purpose. Takeaways: "I always wanted a dog, but my parents thought it was going to be a shiny new toy that loses its shine.""He changed my life. He is my once in a lifetime dog.""The bond you create with your dog is amazing.""I have met so many people because of this dog and I have learned so many things and skills because of this dog.""Dobermans are one of those breeds that do have a lot of health issues.""You can test for DCM, but even if you have a sire and a dam who have been normal, they can still produce it.""I don't know how to teach a dog to settle, but I expect them to be able to do it.""I think the Doberman community can be pretty harsh and nasty compared to other breed communities.""It's important to find a dog that fits your lifestyle and needs.""Life's really hard right now, but at least I have Kujo."Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Lauren and Her Dogs 01:33 How Lauren Got Started with Dogs 05:51 Transitioning to Dobermans and Dog Sports 09:00 The Impact of COVID on Dog Training 12:46 Exploring Dock Diving and Other Sports 19:12 The Joy of Scent Detection 23:15 Adding a Third Dog to the Family 29:00 The Financial Commitment of Dog Sports 37:23 Understanding Doberman Health Issues 49:34 The Life-Changing Impact of Kujo

    59 min

  2. JAN 20

    From Dog Lover to Professional Handler with Mackenzie Pavkovich

    Summary: In this episode of the Housewolves podcast, Melissa Major interviews Mackenzie Pavkovich, a passionate dog handler and trainer. Mackenzie shares her journey from being a dog lover to becoming a professional handler, detailing her experiences with various breeds, her transition into dog sports, and the challenges of balancing motherhood with her career. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding dog behavior, the thrill of working with high-drive dogs, and the personal growth that comes from pursuing one's passion. Mackenzie also offers valuable advice for aspiring dog handlers and reflects on the impact of dogs on her life. Takeaways: Mackenzie has always been a dog lover and caretaker.Her journey into dog training began during the COVID lockdown.She discovered balanced training to manage her rescue dog.Mackenzie went all in on dog handling and training.She learned a lot from her bond with working dogs.Detection work gave her a sense of purpose.Transitioning to IGP training was a significant step.Handling different breeds taught her about their unique traits.Aspiring handlers should gain hands-on experience with dogs.Mackenzie and Eric built a life together centered around dogs.Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Mackenzie Pavkovich 01:06 Mackenzie's Early Love for Dogs 05:01 Transitioning to Professional Dog Handling 11:03 Working with Detection Dogs 16:15 Exploring IGP and New Training Opportunities 20:20 Dog Breeds and Their Unique Traits 24:04 Advice for Aspiring Dog Handlers 28:01 Personal Journey and Life Changes 33:55 The New Puppy Adventure 37:02 Balancing Motherhood and Dog Training 41:01 Future Aspirations and Inspirations

    42 min

  3. JAN 13

    From Corporate to Canine: A Trainer's Transformation with Julia Major

    Summary: In this episode of the Housewolves podcast, Melissa Major interviews Julia Major, a dog handler and trainer, who shares her transformative journey into the world of dog training. Julia discusses her experiences with rescue dogs, the challenges of training high-drive breeds, and the importance of building a strong bond with dogs. She emphasizes the need for consistency in training, the impact of social media on expectations, and the rewarding nature of dog sports. Julia also reflects on the mental health benefits of working with dogs and offers advice for aspiring handlers, encouraging them to embrace their unique journeys and focus on personal growth. Takeaways: Julia Major shares her journey into dog training.The importance of building a connection with dogs.Transitioning from a corporate job to dog training changed her life.Rescue work provides valuable experience with different dog behaviors.Training high-drive dogs requires patience and understanding.Social media can create unrealistic expectations for dog handlers.Every dog handler's journey is unique and should be celebrated.The bond between a handler and their dog is built through trust and experience.Consistency in training is key to success in dog sports.Finding the right dog for the right purpose is crucial.Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Julia Major and Her Journey 03:00 The Impact of Dogs on Life Choices 05:57 Transitioning from Corporate to Dog Training 08:49 The Importance of Dog Training and Rescue Work 11:59 Building Relationships with Dogs 14:57 The Journey into Dog Sports 17:54 Finding the Right Dog for the Right Purpose 21:01 The Challenges of Training High-Drive Dogs 24:03 The Role of Dogs in Mental Health 26:57 The Importance of Consistency in Training 29:55 The Journey of Self-Discovery through Dog Training 33:00 The Reality of Dog Sports and Competitions 36:06 Advice for Aspiring Dog Handlers 38:53 The Importance of Trust in Dog Training 41:58 The Journey of Building a Connection with a New Dog 44:55 The Life of a Dog Trainer 47:57 The Future of Dog Training and Competing 51:00 Parting Thoughts and Reflections

    1h 6m

  4. 01/08/2024

    Riley's Journey to Service Dog Validation

    Riley started training her German Shepherd Dog to be a certified Service Dog at 8 months old. Her journey spanning over 4 years pushed her to her limits. There were moments of success and triumph, but not before nearly giving up on her dog and hitting a wall with training. Validating at the JIBC in 2022, Riley received some of the highest praise from the validator. Hear her journey in detail and learn more about what a recognized service dog is in the Province of British Columbia, Canada.

    1h 3m

  5. 12/06/2021

    Dr. Radica Raj: Preventative care, raw fed diets, chiropractic treatments & more!

    Dr. Radica Raj started practice as a Veterinarian in general practice but soon embarked on a more fast-paced career in Veterinary Emergency Medicine and Critical Care in Ontario. Within a year of practice in this field she was inspired to start her own emergency facility and subsequently opened a second general practice. While this path provided the stimulus and the challenges she had yearned for, she soon realized that there had to be a better quality of life for terminally-ill patients, for the geriatric patients disabled by osteoarthritis and for the paralyzed patients that could not walk. Determined to explore these avenues and find answers, she successfully completed her post-graduate diploma in Veterinary Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCVM) with the Chi Institute in Florida. She then completed a program in Animal Chiropractic at Options for Animals in Kansas and obtained an animal chiropractic certification from the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association (IVCA). She then started Phoenix Rising Integrative Veterinary Care thereby opening the door to an integrative veterinary clinic on Vancouver Island. She ensured that her services were integrative by performing surgery on her patients through another clinic even as she practised wholistic medicine. Dr. Radica Raj has experience handling emergencies, surgical and internal medicine cases as well as chiropractic, acupuncture, Chinese Medicine and Regenerative medicine i.e. PRP, prolotherapy, etc. On account of this, you will find that she is more than willing to collaborate with your family veterinarian and specialists involved in dealing with your pet’s health. Her scope of practice includes Internal medicine, Surgery, Emergency, Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine and Regenerative Medicine. She is now also certified in Canine Rehabilitation. https://phoenixrisingvet.com

    45 min

  6. 06/21/2021

    Cindy Hughes: From Thailand to Canada, the rescue of Sweepy.

    Cindy Hughes is the owner of Muddy Love Pet Photography. Cindy has loved animals ever since she was a small child. Over the years Cindy has volunteered her time for rescue organizations including the BCSPCA, Best Friends Animal Society and Soi Dogs. Cindy now calls the Sunshine Coast her home  and is mom to 3 dogs and a horse.  Cindy joins us on this podcast to talk about her brave rescue of a little dog in Thailand whose life she changed by slowly earning his trust and bringing him back with her to Canada. www.muddylove.com

    48 min

  7. 06/07/2021

    Shelby Eckford: A candid talk about dog breeding.

    Shelby Eckford is the owner of Westbrook Goldens. Westbrook Golden Retrievers is a small home based hobby breeder located on 5 rolling acres in beautiful Langley British Columbia. Their dogs and puppies are raised in their home along side their family. All of the dogs used in their breeding program have their appropriate health clearances, and have obtained their CKC and/or AKC championships. They strive to produce dogs that are exceptional family members but can also excel in other venues such as the conformation ring, field trials, or obedience.

    1h 2m

  8. 04/26/2021

    Melissa Major: My journey from positive only to balanced training.

    Melissa Major is the host of Housewolves and the owner of BC Westcoast K9 Services. She is a balanced trainer specializing in pet dogs with behavioural issues. Melissa has been working with animals for over 20 years and is based in Langley, British Columbia.  This episode walks you through Melissa's journey to becoming a balanced trainer by sharing her 2 biggest failures.

    20 min

  9. 03/15/2021

    Doug Deacon: Handler, Judge & Trainer discussing balanced training.

    Balanced Training with Doug Deacon SV/CAN Judge Doug Deacon was a founding member of the German Shepherd Schutzhund Club of Canada, which was formed in 1979. He received his SV judge’s license in 1983 and since then he has developed a reputation throughout Canada and the United States for maintaining high standards for working dogs. He has judged the Canadian National Schutzhund Championships on several occasions, the USA Nationals protection phase and the North American Championship twice. He has also judged many Regional Championships and numerous local trials in Canada, United States and the South America Championship. Doug was the tracking judge for the 1998 WUSV Championship held in Boston, MA., USA. He also judged the obedience portion of the WUSV Championship in Italy in 2003 and again in 2006 in Denmark.  Doug did judge at the WUSV Championship in Kiev, Ukraine in 2011.  As a dog trainer and handler, Doug won the 1980 USA Sch H - 3 National Championship in Denver, CO; the 1981 North American Championship and the 1982 FH Championship. He served on the Canadian team to the WUSV World Championship in 1985 and 1990 and then captain of Team Canada in 2004 and 2009.  In 2004 Doug and his dog Artos von Farbridge obtained the highest Sch H - 3 score in Canada with a 290 and had the highest average score of 286. He has participated in numerous Championships as a tracklayer and/or helper. Doug trains with the Delta Schutzhund Club in Delta, British Columbia. He has served as Vice President and as a director of the German Shepherd Schutzhund Club of Canada and was the National Training Director.  Doug was a police K-9 officer who developed the Minimal Force Canine program for six Police Departments in his area. This Police Dog Training Program used Schutzhund as its foundation. The success of this Police Training Program has put a demand on his time. He has conducted seminars for several different Police Services including Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Washington State K-9 Association, Minnesota K-9 and many more. September 2006 Doug retired from policing.  He spent 8 years with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and 23 years with the New Westminster Police Service

    28 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

Welcome to Housewolves: The Pet Dog Collective — the podcast for dog owners who want clarity, confidence, and a deeper connection with their dogs. Trainer Melissa Major brings you real-life training strategies, behaviour insights, meaningful interviews, and lifestyle conversations that help you truly understand your dog. Whether you’re navigating life with a brand-new puppy or leveling up with an adult dog, you’ll get practical tools to create a calmer home, a stronger bond, and a well-trained companion you can take anywhere. Rooted in working-dog principles but made for everyday owners, this show is all about real dogs, real training, and results that actually fit your life.

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