Pet To Pal Podcast

Pet To Pal Podcast

Welcome to Pet To Pal Dog Training Your go-to channel for dog training tips, balanced training methods, and insider conversations with pet industry professionals. Here, we share: Podcast episodes featuring dog trainers, vets, groomers, and other pet experts. Dog training tutorials & advice to help you raise a well-behaved, happy dog. Funny and relatable dog content every pet parent will love. Whether you’re dealing with puppy training, leash reactivity, confidence building, or behavior problems, our goal is to help turn your pet into a pal through practical, positive, and effective

  1. 2d ago

    Nathan Aular | Legacy, Leadership & the Future of Balanced Dog Training

    What’s next for Dankroft? Nathan Aular of Dankroft K9 joins the Pet To Pal Podcast in episode 38 to talk about growing up around dog training, learning from his father Dan, developing his own training philosophy, and where he wants to take Dankroft in the future. We get into balanced dog training, using food and play, e-collars and prong collars, working with skeptical clients, and why trainers need to understand the human side of dog training just as much as the dog. Nathan also shares his perspective on the Toronto dog training community, the polarization between different training philosophies, board and trains, condo dogs, behavioral cases, and why trainers need to give their clients more credit for the challenges they face. We also dive into Nathan's passion for dog sports, PSA, and Iron Dog Canada, an organization designed to give everyday dog owners an opportunity to train, compete and build a stronger relationship with their dogs. And of course, we talk about the Dankroft legacy, what Nathan learned from his dad, how their approaches have evolved, and what he hopes to build for the next generation of Dankroft. In this episode:• Growing up with a professional dog trainer as a father• Learning from Dan Dankroft• Developing your own training philosophy• Balanced dog training• Food, play, e-collars and prong collars• Working with skeptical dog owners• The Toronto and GTA dog training community• Board and train: when it works and when it doesn't• Training dogs in Toronto condos• Behavioral cases and difficult decisions• Dog sports and PSA• Iron Dog Canada• Building a relationship with your dog through training• Maintaining consistency across a dog training team• The future of Dankroft K9• Carrying on a family legacy Follow Nathan:Instagram: @DK9Nathan Dankroft K9:Instagram: @DankroftK9 Iron Dog Canada:Instagram & Facebook: Iron Dog Canada 🎙️ Subscribe to the Pet To Pal Podcast for more conversations with dog trainers, veterinarians, groomers, behaviour professionals and other people working to improve the relationship between dogs and humans.

  2. Aug 10

    More Control, More Freedom For Your Dog? | Eric Straetmans from Beyond The Leash Dog Training

    What does it actually mean for a dog to be “trained”?In this episode of the Pet To Pal Podcast, I sit down with Eric Straetmans of Beyond The Leash Training for a wide-ranging conversation about real-world dog training, obedience, reliability, e-collar training, socialization, dog parks, board and trains, crates, and what it actually takes to build a dog that can function in everyday life.Eric has been training dogs for nearly 30 years and has built his approach around family obedience, control, neutrality and real-world reliability. We get into some controversial topics and challenge a few common ideas in the dog training industry.We discuss:-Why Eric stopped offering private lessons and focuses on group dog training-Why he hates board and train programs-Why training the owner may be more important than training the dog-Why your dog knowing “sit” at home doesn't necessarily mean your dog actually knows “sit”-Generalization in dog training and why dogs need to practice behaviours in different environments-The importance of duration, distance and distraction-Why Eric changed his mind about dog parks-Why socialization doesn't necessarily mean letting dogs play with other dogs-Neutrality and calm coexistence around people and dogs-Eric's philosophy on balanced dog training-E-collar training, corrections and conditioned responses-Learned optimism vs. learned helplessness-Whether stress during training is necessarily a bad thing-Why crate training can remain useful even after a dog no longer needs a crate every day-Why more control can actually give a dog more freedom-The difference between training a dog for real life vs. dog sports-Why reliability matters more than simply having a dog perform obedience in a controlled environmentWe also talk about the evolution of Eric's training philosophy, including why he went from being completely against dog parks to taking a more nuanced position, and why he ultimately chose to focus his career on family obedience rather than trying to be everything to everyone.If you're interested in dog training, dog obedience, balanced dog training, e-collar training, dog behaviour, reactive dogs, leash training, off-leash reliability, dog socialization, crate training or real-world obedience, this episode is worth watching.Guest: Eric StraetmansBusiness: Beyond The Leash TrainingPodcast: Beyond The Leash🎙️ Pet To Pal PodcastConversations with dog trainers, veterinarians, groomers, behaviour professionals and other people working in the pet industry.#DogTraining #DogTrainer #DogObedience #EcollarTraining #BalancedDogTraining #DogBehavior #PetToPalPodcast

  3. Aug 3

    The Truth About Modern Dog Ownership | Sierra Liberty (K9 Summit)

    What does it really mean to raise a calm, confident dog? In episode 36 of the Pet To Pal Podcast, Matthew Maltese of Pet To Pal Dog Training sits down with Sierra Liberty, owner of K9 Summit, to discuss modern dog ownership, puppy training, neutrality, proper socialization, separation anxiety, structure, crate training, e-collars, prong collars, and why so many owners unintentionally create behavioral problems despite having the best intentions. They also dive into social media, building a successful dog training brand, leading an all-female team, and how Sierra’s faith influences her leadership and business. Whether you’re a dog owner or a trainer, this episode offers practical advice and thoughtful discussion on raising dogs that are confident, stable, and enjoyable to live with.

  4. Jul 27

    Dog Groomer Roundtable: Fear-Free Grooming, Puppy Mistakes & Grooming Myths

    Professional dog grooming is about far more than making dogs look good. In this episode of the Pet To Pal Podcast, Matthew Maltese sits down with Nadia Bongelli, Mari Kusanagi (Top Knot Grooming), and Karol (Scooby Grooms) for an honest discussion about the realities of the grooming industry. Together, they explore fear-free grooming, puppy introductions, cooperative care, handling difficult dogs, owner expectations, and how groomers, trainers, and veterinarians can work together to improve canine welfare.  Whether you're a dog owner, groomer, trainer, veterinary professional, or simply passionate about dogs, this episode offers practical insights into one of the most misunderstood professions in the pet industry. In this episode: Fear-Free grooming explainedPuppy first-groom tipsGrooming myths and misconceptionsDog behavior during groomingNail trims and handling challengesGrooming cats vs. dogsSocial media's influence on groomingEthical grooming and animal welfareBuilding better collaboration between groomers, trainers, and veterinarians

  5. Jul 20

    The Reality of Veterinary Medicine with Dr. Aleksandra Ascione

    What is it really like to be a veterinarian? Dr. Aleksandra Ascione joins the Pet To Pal Podcast to discuss the realities of veterinary medicine. From the four-year journey to have her veterinary degree recognized in the United States to the emotional challenges of treating patients every day. We also explore preventative healthcare, vaccines, pet insurance, obesity, social media misinformation, compassion fatigue, and the relationship between veterinarians, trainers, and pet owners. If you’ve ever wondered what your veterinarian wishes every dog owner knew, this episode is for you

  6. Jul 13

    What 70 Therapy Dogs Taught This Company About Human Behavior

    In episode 33, Matt Maltese of Pet To Pal Dog Training in Toronto sits down with Rodney Kaufman, co-founder of Corporate Canine Therapy, to break down what it really takes to run a large-scale therapy dog operation. We discuss how therapy dogs are used in corporate settings, hospitals, and private environments—and why the work goes far beyond simply bringing dogs into a room. Rodney shares insights from over a decade of experience, including how they’ve built a network of 70+ therapy dog teams, what separates a suitable therapy dog from a typical pet, and the systems they use to maintain safety and consistency across every visit. We also get into dog behavior, common misconceptions around “friendly” dogs, and how proper socialization is often misunderstood by owners. This episode blends business, psychology, and dog training into a practical look at a rapidly growing space within the industry Be sure to follow + rate the show

  7. Jul 6

    How to Build a Calm, Balanced Dog | Samantha Johnson (Packlife LA)

    In episode 32 of the Pet To Pal Podcast, Matt Maltese of Pet To Pal Dog Training in Toronto sits down with Samantha Johnson of Packlife LA to talk about what actually creates a calm, balanced dog. We break down real-world dog training, reactivity, pack walks, leash work, and the biggest mistakes dog owners make. Samantha also shares her approach to balanced training, why overcorrecting doesn’t work, and how to build trust with your dog. We also explore the connection between nutrition and behavior, including gut health, diet choices, and how what your dog eats may be influencing anxiety and reactivity. If you’re looking for practical, honest insight into dog training (without the fluff), this episode delivers.

  8. Jun 29

    Inside the Mind of Canada's #1 Competitive Dog Groomer | Nadia Bongelli

    What does it take to become one of the best dog groomers in the world? Matthew Maltese of Pet To Pal Dog Training & host of the Pet To Pal Podcast sits down with Canada's top-ranked competitive groomer, Nadia Bongelli, for an in-depth conversation about the craft, psychology, and pursuit of excellence behind elite dog grooming. They discuss Nadia's journey into grooming, competitive grooming, corrective grooming, why prep work matters so much, handling difficult dogs, owner responsibility, socialization, sedation versus training, burnout, continuing education, gatekeeping, social media, and what separates good groomers from truly exceptional ones. This episode is packed with valuable insights for groomers, trainers, veterinary professionals, breeders, and anyone passionate about raising and caring for dogs.

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About

Welcome to Pet To Pal Dog Training Your go-to channel for dog training tips, balanced training methods, and insider conversations with pet industry professionals. Here, we share: Podcast episodes featuring dog trainers, vets, groomers, and other pet experts. Dog training tutorials & advice to help you raise a well-behaved, happy dog. Funny and relatable dog content every pet parent will love. Whether you’re dealing with puppy training, leash reactivity, confidence building, or behavior problems, our goal is to help turn your pet into a pal through practical, positive, and effective

Information

  • Creator
    Pet To Pal Podcast
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Pet To Pal Podcast
  • Show Website
    Pet To Pal Podcast

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