Pet To Pal Podcast

Pet To Pal Podcast
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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. 6d ago

    Inside the Veterinary ER with Dr. Brianna Tobin

    What does a veterinarian actually see when a pet arrives at the emergency room? Dr. Brianna Tobin joins the Pet To Pal Podcast for a deep conversation about emergency veterinary medicine, from the first moments of triage to some of the hardest decisions a veterinarian can make. We discuss how ER vets determine which patients need immediate attention, why vital signs and an owner's observations can tell them more than appearances alone, and how veterinarians make decisions when they don't have all the information they need. Dr. Tobin also explains how existing diagnoses such as cancer can create diagnostic blind spots, why veterinarians need to resist anchoring on the first explanation, and how she approaches the process of building a clinical picture from incomplete information. We get into Fear Free veterinary care and the difficult reality of emergency medicine, including situations where sedation, restraint, or immediate intervention may be necessary to save a patient's life. The conversation then becomes much more personal. Dr. Tobin talks about euthanasia, supporting owners through impossible decisions, the emotional weight of losing patients, and how veterinarians learn to cope with the fact that sometimes you can do everything right and still lose the animal. We also discuss aggressive and anxious dogs in the ER, how behaviour and training can affect veterinary care, the relationship between trainers and veterinarians, veterinary misinformation, and what Dr. Tobin wishes every pet owner understood before an emergency happens. A conversation about emergency medicine, clinical judgment, animal behaviour, grief, and what it really means to care for animals when everything is happening at once. 🎙️ Pet To Pal Podcast with Matthew Maltese

  2. Sep 21

    The Messy Middle of Dog Training | Kait, KANE9 Dog Training

    Dog training isn’t just about training the dog. A huge part of the process is helping the human on the other end of the leash understand what their dog needs, manage their expectations, and navigate the emotional side of owning a difficult dog. In this episode of the Pet To Pal Podcast, Matt sits down with Kait of KANE9 Dog Training to talk about the realities of working with reactive and challenging dogs, why she considers herself a “Human Coach” as much as a dog trainer, and what she means when she talks about the “messy middle” of dog training. Kait shares her journey from working in corporate marketing and sales to becoming a full-time dog trainer after adopting her own challenging dog, Roadie. They discuss balanced training, e-collars and prong collars, how her approach to training tools has evolved, and why she has moved away from rigid step-by-step obedience in favor of a more intuitive approach. They also get into the emotional side of dog ownership, including shame, unrealistic expectations, family dynamics, and the difficult reality that some dogs may never fit the lifestyle their owners originally imagined. Matt and Kait also discuss advocacy and boundaries, including her “Thanks for not petting my dog” message, how strangers can unintentionally sabotage reactive dogs, and why owners shouldn’t be afraid to advocate for their dogs. The conversation also covers mentoring other trainers, imposter syndrome, burnout, building a dog-training business, social media scrutiny, and the pressure trainers can feel to present a “finished” dog online. A conversation about dogs, humans, training, business, and the reality behind the highlight reel

  3. Sep 14

    Understanding the Dog Behind the Behavior | Josh Beckler, K9 Optima

    What happens when a dog trainer who started with compulsion and corrections completely rethinks his approach? This week I'm joined by Josh Beckler of K9 Optima for one of my favorite conversations yet. Josh talks about his evolution as a trainer, from using leash corrections and compulsion to developing a more individualized, assessment-based approach to behavior. We dive into aggression, reactivity, fear, frustration, genetics, dopamine, nervous-system regulation, polyvagal theory, sensory communication, touch, leash pressure and the role of corrections in modern dog training. We also talk about the problems Josh sees with social-media dog training, the importance of actually putting in the reps with real dogs, and why trainers need to stay humble, curious and willing to ask, "What am I missing?" Josh is the author of The Infinite Approach: Modern Dog Training and Polyvagal Insights and founder of K9 Optima. A good episode for both dog owners and trainers, especially anyone interested in understanding what is happening underneath a dog's behavior rather than simply stopping the behavior itself.

  4. Sep 7

    4 Dog Trainers Get Honest About Dog Training

    What does it actually take to train a dog? Matthew sits down with Eric Straetman of Beyond the Leash, Mazen Khan of Apex K9 Canada, and Nathan Aller of Dankroft K9 for an open discussion about modern dog training and behaviour modification. They discuss puppy socialization, reactivity, genetics, littermate syndrome, dog parks and daycare, puppy blues, e-collars, prong collars, corrections, board and trains, and the difference between a trained dog and a well-behaved dog. The trainers also share how their philosophies have changed throughout their careers, what separates an average trainer from a great one, why coaching the human is often the hardest part of the job, and their thoughts on the growing influence of social media and online dog trainers. A candid conversation between four trainers about what actually works, where trainers disagree, and what they believe dog owners need to understand. Guests:Eric Straetman | Beyond the LeashMazen Khan | Apex K9 CanadaNathan Aller | Dankroft K9Host: Matthew Maltese | Pet To Pal Dog Training

  5. Aug 31

    The Truth About E-Collar Training | Bethany Johnson on Reactivity, Confidence & Modern Dog Owners

    Are e-collars really cruel, or are they one of the most misunderstood tools in dog training? In episode 40 of the Pet To Pal Podcast, I sit down with Bethany Johnson of Walking Dog Training, one of the most recognizable voices in balanced dog training and e-collar education, to unpack the misconceptions surrounding e-collar training and what actually creates calm, confident dogs. Bethany explains why she believes the conversation around e-collars has become emotional instead of practical, how clear communication builds confidence in both dogs and owners, and why so many reactive dog owners feel isolated and overwhelmed. We discuss: * Why so many owners feel like they’re failing their dog * The biggest myths about reactive dogs * How structure, boundaries, and communication work together * Whether stress in training is always a bad thing * How e-collars can increase confidence rather than fear * Conditioned vs. unconditioned e-collar training * Common mistakes trainers make when introducing an e-collar * Why the dog training world focuses so much on tools instead of results * The ongoing debate around balanced training and force-free methods Whether you’re curious about e-collars, struggling with a reactive dog, or simply interested in becoming a better dog owner, this conversation offers a thoughtful perspective on modern dog training and owner education. Connect with Bethany Johnson 📍 Instagram: @walkingdogtraining 🌐 https://walkingdogtraining.com If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and leave a review. It helps the podcast reach more dog owners and trainers every week.

  6. Aug 24

    Why Most Dog Owners Are Confusing Their Dogs | Noelle Farr (Aligned K9)

    What if the biggest thing holding your dog back… is the way you’re communicating? In episode 39 of the Pet To Pal Podcast, Matthew Maltese sits down with Noelle Farr, owner and trainer of Aligned K9, to discuss what really creates clear communication between dogs and their owners. They explore why so many dogs struggle with reactivity, the difference between managing behavior and truly changing it, why dogs don’t generalize behaviors the way we think they do, and why simply talking more to your dog often makes communication worse—not better. Noelle also shares her journey from special education teacher to professional dog trainer, how that background shaped her approach to teaching both dogs and people, and why she believes effective training is less about rigid methods and more about understanding the individual dog in front of you. Whether you’re raising your first puppy, living with a reactive dog, or simply looking to improve your relationship with your dog, this episode is packed with practical advice and fresh perspectives. In this episode: Why communication matters more than obedienceThe biggest mistakes owners make without realizing itCan reactivity actually be solved?When (and if) corrections belong in trainingWhy dogs struggle to generalize commandsCommon mistakes when teaching duration and stayThe importance of body awareness and proprioceptionMalinois myths and working dog realitiesSocial media dog training trends that aren’t always helpfulWhat dogs can teach us about living in the presentIf you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with another dog owner. Follow Noelle Farr (Aligned K9):
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedk9
Website: https://alignedcanine.com Follow Pet To Pal Dog Training:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pettopal

  7. Aug 17

    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.

  8. 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

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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
    44
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Pet To Pal Podcast
  • Show Website
    Pet To Pal Podcast

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