Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

Victoria Stilwell
  • 3.8 (164)
  • PETS & ANIMALS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

World-renowned dog trainer Victoria Stilwell (It’s Me or the Dog) talks pet topics, answers fan questions, and gives dog training and behavior advice.

  1. 11H AGO

    Episode 214: The Battle Over Conformation with Beverley Cuddy

    Beverly Cuddy joins Victoria to discuss the complexities surrounding dog breeding and health assessments in the UK, including the newly introduced Innate Health Assessment (IHA) tool, which aims to help potential dog owners choose healthier breeds.  Beverley shares her concerns regarding the tool's effectiveness and the potential negative impact on certain breeds, underscoring the importance of ethical breeding practices and the need for legislation that protects both dogs and responsible breeders.  Book your seat for the 2026 Dog Behavior Conference here. Solve reactivity with Victoria's powerful course on Positively.com: Help! Stop Reactivity. Learn more & enroll here. Solve behavior problems and find tools to help live your best dog life at Positively.com. Launch or level up your career as a professional dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy. Learn more here. Launch or level up your career as a professional dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy. Learn more here.

    1h 8m

  2. FEB 10

    India’s Free-Living Dogs in Crisis - Sindhoor Pangal

    Victoria is joined by canine behavior consultant, anthropozoologist, and upcoming Dog Behavior Conference speaker Sindhoor Pangal to explore the pressing issues surrounding free-living dogs in India, particularly in light of recent government actions aimed at mass dog relocation. Sindhoor’s focus highlights the importance of understanding the ecological and ethical implications of such measures, including an appreciation of how counterproductive to public health and animal welfare they are. They also discuss the misconceptions surrounding free-living dogs and the societal dynamics that contribute to their treatment in urban environments. The conversation delves deep into the emotional and social health of dogs, contrasting the Western approach to dog ownership with the more communal and symbiotic relationships seen in India. Sindhoor advocates for a shift in perspective, urging listeners to recognize the value of free-living dogs in their communities and the importance of fostering coexistence rather than conflict. Hear more from Sindhoor at this year’s Dog Behavior Conference in April! Book your seat for the 2026 Dog Behavior Conference here. Solve reactivity with Victoria's powerful course on Positively.com: Help! Stop Reactivity. Learn more & enroll here. Solve behavior problems and find tools to help live your best dog life at Positively.com. Launch or level up your career as a professional dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy. Learn more here.

    1h 1m

  3. FEB 3

    Trauma-Informed Care with Daniel Shaw

    Victoria and Daniel Shaw delve into the complexities of canine behavior, focusing on trauma-informed care, the impact of stress on dogs, and the importance of understanding the dog’s individual needs. Daniel shares insights from his background in psychology and neuroscience, discussing how these fields inform his approach to working with dogs and cats. They also touch on the challenges of assessing dog behavior in legal contexts and developing more appropriate risk assessment tools when evaluating behavior while emphasizing the importance of context, secure relationships, and realistic expectations in canine care. Book your seat for the 2026 Dog Behavior Conference here. Solve reactivity with Victoria's powerful course on Positively.com: Help! Stop Reactivity. Learn more & enroll here. Solve behavior problems and find tools to help live your best dog life at Positively.com. Launch or level up your career as a professional dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy. Learn more here.

    52 min

  4. JAN 27

    Multi-Dog Households with Kamal Fernandez

    In this conversation, Kamal Fernandez and Victoria take a trip down memory lane discussing their rich and varied history together on TV shows like The Dog Academy and Dogs Might Fly, while exploring the complexities of living in a multi-dog household, the challenges that arise, and the importance of truly understanding dog behavior in dynamic situations. Kamal shares some key insights about the keys to living successfully in multi-dog households and his upcoming presentation about the topic at the 2026 Dog Behavior Conference. The discussion also delves into the concept of drive in dogs, highlighting the difference between arousal and purposeful drive, and the implications for training and behavior management. An finally, Victoria and Kamal reflect on the legacy of the beloved Sarah Fisher, a true guiding light in the world of dog training and beyond.  Book your seat for the 2026 Dog Behavior Conference here. Solve reactivity with Victoria's powerful course on Positively.com: Help! Stop Reactivity. Learn more & enroll here. Solve behavior problems and find tools to help live your best dog life at Positively.com. Launch or level up your career as a professional dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy. Learn more here.

    1h 2m

  5. 08/05/2025

    Tackling Separation Anxiety with Nicola Cook

    What is separation anxiety and why do so many dogs suffer with this condition? How can you tell the difference between separation anxiety and boredom? Why is it so difficult to treat and what therapies are out there that can help? Victoria chats with VSPDT trainer Nicola Cook from the Poochie People about her work with dogs that have separation anxiety and what experts like Nicola can do to help families navigate the tricky waters of this common, but complex, issue. Victoria also introduces VSA’s brand new course for professional dog trainers: Reactivity for Dog Training and Behavior Professionals. This is a new and comprehensive approach to working with reactive behavior inside and outside the home, that will be available worldwide to all dog trainers and behavior professionals in the Autumn.  The Reactivity for Dog Training and Behavior Professionals course incorporates The Reactivity Zones Approach, an innovative and effective method of helping dogs and guardians tackle reactive behavior without having to adopt tricky, long-winded DS/CC protocols. This course is a game changer for trainers, guardians and dogs that work and live with reactive behaviors.

    59 min

  6. 07/08/2025

    Ask the Vet with Dr. Callie Harris

    Victoria chats with Dr. Callie Harris about her experiences in veterinary medicine, including what it’s like to work in emergency vet med as well as being cast as a judge on the creative grooming TV show, Pooch Perfect with Rebel Wilson and as a veterinary expert for DogTV’s brand new show, The Experts. A graduate of the prestigious College of Veterinary Medicine at Tuskegee University, Dr. Harris shares her tips on keeping pets safe during the summer months as well as her expertise regarding our senior pets and how to recognize and help elderly dogs with cognitive decline and ‘old dog’ vestibular disease.

    55 min

  7. 06/24/2025

    What Pet Dogs Can Do for Conservation with Melissa McCue-McGrath

    What do pet dogs, invasive insects, and a ragtag group of behavior cases have in common?  In this wildly inspiring and often hilarious episode, Victoria talks with longtime VSA faculty advisor Melissa McCue-McGrath about her groundbreaking work in a national study training pet dogs to detect spotted lanternfly eggs—an invasive species threatening agriculture across the U.S. From snowy deliveries of fly eggs in a Pokémon lunchbox to solving odor puzzles during heatwaves and blizzards,  Melissa shares the extraordinary journey her students and their reactive, anxious, or aging dogs took to prove that even the “underdogs” can contribute to science. You'll hear how scent theory, behavior consulting, and teamwork came together in a study that saw pugs outperform German shepherds, pet dogs locate hidden satchels in fields, and one handler dodge a school resource officer while explaining, “It’s for science!”  Melissa also reflects on her role as a VSA faculty advisor, her passion for teaching, and the power of accessibility in modern dog training education. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that training is for everyone—and every dog. To learn more about Melissa visit https://melissamccuemcgrath.com/, or follow on Instagram.

    1h 6m

  8. 06/10/2025

    Healing Through Training - What Dogs Teach Us with Shane Hartshorn

    We’re keeping it light this summer with episodes every other week so you can stay inspired without missing the sunshine. In this heartfelt and often hilarious episode, Victoria catches up with her longtime friend and colleague Shane Hartshorn, a VSA graduate, VSPDT, and one of the behind-the-scenes heroes of The Dog Academy.  From wrinkled green shirts and sweaty filming days to profound reflections on positive reinforcement, Shane shares his inspiring journey from corporate training to canine behavior. He opens up about the impact his beloved dog Bertie had on his transition to humane, science-based methods and how encountering VSPDT Gemma Ibbotson changed everything.  Victoria and Shane passionately discuss the dangerous persistence of punitive tools like shock and prong collars, the need for regulation in the industry, and the power of teaching empathy—especially to kids. The episode closes with a celebration of dogs' resilience, the joys of support training on set, and the profound bond between people and their dogs. It's a touching and motivating listen for anyone who believes dogs deserve better. To learn more about Shane, visit K9 Education or follow him on Instagram.

    53 min
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3.8
out of 5
164 Ratings

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World-renowned dog trainer Victoria Stilwell (It’s Me or the Dog) talks pet topics, answers fan questions, and gives dog training and behavior advice.

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