Dog Days

Woof Academy

Hosted by the trainers of Woof Academy, Dog Days helps dog owners decode baffling behaviors so they can understand what their dog is really trying to say. Each episode unpacks real-life stories from the field to reveal the mindset behind common challenges like reactivity, disobedience, or sudden aggression — and offers insight into the relationship dynamics that drive them. You won’t find one-size-fits-all training tips here. Instead, you’ll hear from compassionate, often humorous experts who help you build clarity, confidence, and connection with your dog by shifting how you show up. Whether your pup pulls the sheets off the bed or pins other dogs at the park, you’re in good company — and you’re not alone.

  1. 1D AGO

    Truth and Consequences: Beyond the Treat Bag

    We all love positive reinforcement — and for good reason. Rewards are powerful, intuitive, and kind. But any balanced trainer will tell you: sometimes the reward just doesn't cut it. So what then? This episode digs into the full toolkit of dog training theory, exploring the alternatives to positive reinforcement that actually work — and more importantly, why and when to use them. Because the most effective training isn't about having only the right reward — it's about having a genuine conversation. When you learn to communicate in a language your dog understands, consequences create clarity, and the reward makes more sense. That's when real, BALANCED learning begins. This is Dog Days, where we dive into what’s really going on beneath your dog’s behavior—and how understanding their needs can unlock real, lasting change. You’ll hear honest stories of transformation, unexpected breakthroughs, and the kind of training wisdom that will help you feel more confident, connected, and calm with your dog. You won't find one-size-fits-all training tips here. Instead, you'll hear from compassionate, often humorous experts who help you build an enduring trust with your dog by shifting how you show up to the party. Whether your pup fits the description or not, there's something here for every dog parent.  ✨ Learn more about Woof Academy and explore our programs at woof-academy.com 🐾 Interested in becoming a dog trainer? Visit our training site: theacademy.dog 🎧 Subscribe to Dog Days and rate us on your favorite podcast platform—it helps more dog lovers find us. 📸 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/woofacademy_enc/ ❤️ Our "Heart Project", The Forever Home Foundation, can be found at foreverhome.dog

    50 min
  2. MAR 25

    Fangs & Feathers: How to Keep Everyone Safe

    We may be dog people — but really, we're animal people. And that means making room for all of them, even the ones with teeth and talons. In this episode, we dive into one of the most important (and occasionally heart-stopping) realities of life in today’s increasingly crowded world: predators are part of the deal. We focus on two of the most fascinating ones — coyotes and owls — and what it actually looks like to share space with them. Along the way, we introduce you to Jonny Quest, the teenage coyote who made himself our unofficial ranch greeter for several months. Was he a threat? A curiosity? A neighbor? Probably all three. We also get practical: what can you do to reduce the risk of a close encounter? Because predators aren't villains. They're just doing what they do. And if humans have been asking "why can't we all just get along?" for centuries, maybe it's time we started answering that question — one coyote, one owl, one dog at a time. This is Dog Days, where we dive into what’s really going on beneath your dog’s behavior—and how understanding their needs can unlock real, lasting change. You’ll hear honest stories of transformation, unexpected breakthroughs, and the kind of training wisdom that will help you feel more confident, connected, and calm with your dog. You won't find one-size-fits-all training tips here. Instead, you'll hear from compassionate, often humorous experts who help you build an enduring trust with your dog by shifting how you show up to the party. Whether your pup fits the description or not, there's something here for every dog parent.  ✨ Learn more about Woof Academy and explore our programs at woof-academy.com 🐾 Interested in becoming a dog trainer? Visit our training site: theacademy.dog 🎧 Subscribe to Dog Days and rate us on your favorite podcast platform—it helps more dog lovers find us. 📸 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/woofacademy_enc/ ❤️ Our "Heart Project", The Forever Home Foundation, can be found at foreverhome.dog

    59 min
  3. MAR 11

    The Art of the Approach: Reading the Room (and the Tail)

    In this episode, we dive into the art of the introduction—and why you being fully present can make or break your dog’s first impressions. We break down what really happens when your dog meets new people or new dogs, and how subtle shifts in body language (theirs and yours) can be the difference between “aww, new besties” and “okay, this is… tense.” Whether your dog is meeting a new roommate, a new dog-park buddy, or your entire extended family at once (sorry, buddy), this episode gives you the tools to read the moment, support your dog, and make every “nice to meet you” a little smoother. This is Dog Days, where we dive into what’s really going on beneath your dog’s behavior—and how understanding their needs can unlock real, lasting change. You’ll hear honest stories of transformation, unexpected breakthroughs, and the kind of training wisdom that will help you feel more confident, connected, and calm with your dog. You won't find one-size-fits-all training tips here. Instead, you'll hear from compassionate, often humorous experts who help you build an enduring trust with your dog by shifting how you show up to the party. Whether your pup fits the description or not, there's something here for every dog parent.  ✨ Learn more about Woof Academy and explore our programs at woof-academy.com 🐾 Interested in becoming a dog trainer? Visit our training site: theacademy.dog 🎧 Subscribe to Dog Days and rate us on your favorite podcast platform—it helps more dog lovers find us. 📸 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/woofacademy_enc/ ❤️ Our "Heart Project", The Forever Home Foundation, can be found at foreverhome.dog

    1h 1m
  4. FEB 25

    Teaching an “Old” Dog New Tricks (Psst: They’re Faster Than You Think)

    In our 20th episode, we’re busting the myth that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks - and showing you why adult dogs often learn faster. We dig into what’s really behind sudden behavior changes (hint: it’s usually life changes like a new baby, a new dog, a move, or even a loss).  Along the way, we share real-life stories of dogs navigating big life transitions - and what their humans did to help them not just cope, but thrive. Learn how to build trust with a dog who, let’s be honest, has been studying you - and taking notes - since the day they came home. This is Dog Days, where we dive into what’s really going on beneath your dog’s behavior—and how understanding their needs can unlock real, lasting change. You’ll hear honest stories of transformation, unexpected breakthroughs, and the kind of training wisdom that will help you feel more confident, connected, and calm with your dog. You won't find one-size-fits-all training tips here. Instead, you'll hear from compassionate, often humorous experts who help you build an enduring trust with your dog by shifting how you show up to the party. Whether your pup fits the description or not, there's something here for every dog parent.  ✨ Learn more about Woof Academy and explore our programs at woof-academy.com 🐾 Interested in becoming a dog trainer? Visit our training site: theacademy.dog 🎧 Subscribe to Dog Days and rate us on your favorite podcast platform—it helps more dog lovers find us. 📸 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/woofacademy_enc/ ❤️ Our "Heart Project", The Forever Home Foundation, can be found at foreverhome.dog

    1h 1m
  5. FEB 11

    Tools of the (Dog) Trade: Collars, Leashes, and Other Clever Contraptions

    In this episode, we wander off the beaten path (and onto the sidewalk, and maybe into a muddy field) to look closely at the tools of dog training. Collars, leashes, interrupters, and shiny new gadgets all claim to “fix” your dog—but we’re here to figure out which ones actually help your dog think clearly and choose well. This isn’t a quick shopping list; it’s a smart, slightly nerdy tour of what works, what doesn’t, and why your dog deserves more than a one-and-done solution. Good tools don’t control your dog; they help you speak the same language. From basic collars to high-tech helpers, the right tools can make your dog easier to talk to than most humans. And if at first you don’t succeed? Well, that’s why they make more than one kind of collar. This is Dog Days, where we dive into what’s really going on beneath your dog’s behavior—and how understanding their needs can unlock real, lasting change. You’ll hear honest stories of transformation, unexpected breakthroughs, and the kind of training wisdom that will help you feel more confident, connected, and calm with your dog. You won't find one-size-fits-all training tips here. Instead, you'll hear from compassionate, often humorous experts who help you build an enduring trust with your dog by shifting how you show up to the party. Whether your pup fits the description or not, there's something here for every dog parent.  ✨ Learn more about Woof Academy and explore our programs at woof-academy.com 🐾 Interested in becoming a dog trainer? Visit our training site: theacademy.dog 🎧 Subscribe to Dog Days and rate us on your favorite podcast platform—it helps more dog lovers find us. 📸 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/woofacademy_enc/ ❤️ Our "Heart Project", The Forever Home Foundation, can be found at foreverhome.dog

    58 min
  6. JAN 28

    Dog Breeds: The Non-Sporting Group - Athletes, Armchair Quarterbacks & Everything In Between

    In this episode of our Dog Breed series, we’re shining a spotlight on the wonderfully wild Non-Sporting Group. Don’t let the name fool you—these dogs still need exercise… even if some of them would rather supervise from the couch (we’re looking at you, Bulldogs). We break down why this group has become the “miscellaneous drawer” of the dog world, where breeds that don’t quite fit anywhere else end up. From tiny charmers to larger-than-life characters, we explore their wildly different sizes, personalities, energy levels, and looks. Think of it as the box-of-chocolates chapter in canine companionship: with the Non-Sporting group, you never really know what you’re going to get—and we’re here to help you choose wisely. This is Dog Days, where we dive into what’s really going on beneath your dog’s behavior—and how understanding their needs can unlock real, lasting change. You’ll hear honest stories of transformation, unexpected breakthroughs, and the kind of training wisdom that will help you feel more confident, connected, and calm with your dog. You won't find one-size-fits-all training tips here. Instead, you'll hear from compassionate, often humorous experts who help you build an enduring trust with your dog by shifting how you show up to the party. Whether your pup fits the description or not, there's something here for every dog parent.  ✨ Learn more about Woof Academy and explore our programs at woof-academy.com 🐾 Interested in becoming a dog trainer? Visit our training site: theacademy.dog 🎧 Subscribe to Dog Days and rate us on your favorite podcast platform—it helps more dog lovers find us. 📸 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/woofacademy_enc/ ❤️ Our "Heart Project", The Forever Home Foundation, can be found at foreverhome.dog

    54 min
  7. JAN 14

    Dog Breeds: The Herders...Out-Thinking the Thinkers

    In this episode, we’re hanging out with the brainiacs of the dog world: the herders. These are the overachievers who don’t just need a walk around the block—they need a job, a puzzle, and maybe a performance review. We share real-life stories about meeting the needs of these furry physical and mental athletes—so they’re not just tired, but satisfied. Along the way, we might have to level up our own game, too. Join us as we try to out-think the thinkers… or at least keep up with them. This is Dog Days, where we dive into what’s really going on beneath your dog’s behavior—and how understanding their needs can unlock real, lasting change. You’ll hear honest stories of transformation, unexpected breakthroughs, and the kind of training wisdom that will help you feel more confident, connected, and calm with your dog. You won't find one-size-fits-all training tips here. Instead, you'll hear from compassionate, often humorous experts who help you build an enduring trust with your dog by shifting how you show up to the party. Whether your pup fits the description or not, there's something here for every dog parent.  ✨ Learn more about Woof Academy and explore our programs at woof-academy.com 🐾 Interested in becoming a dog trainer? Visit our training site: theacademy.dog 🎧 Subscribe to Dog Days and rate us on your favorite podcast platform—it helps more dog lovers find us. 📸 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/woofacademy_enc/ ❤️ Our "Heart Project", The Forever Home Foundation, can be found at foreverhome.dog

    53 min
  8. 12/31/2025

    Talking with Brian Daugherty of the San Diego Humane Society: Our Shelters and Animal Welfare

    In this episode, we sit down with Brian Daugherty, Executive Vice President of San Diego Humane Society, for a candid conversation about dogs and modern animal welfare. We explore the challenges facing shelters today, why dog welfare is often misunderstood, and the complex decisions organizations must navigate to keep animals safe and healthy. Brian shares real stories of both hardship and hope, highlighting the incredible resilience of dogs, the people who care for them, and the community efforts that make a difference. Tune in to learn how you can be part of the solution for dogs in need — from adoption and fostering to advocacy and everyday choices that improve canine lives. This is Dog Days, where we dive into what’s really going on beneath your dog’s behavior—and how understanding their needs can unlock real, lasting change. You’ll hear honest stories of transformation, unexpected breakthroughs, and the kind of training wisdom that will help you feel more confident, connected, and calm with your dog. You won't find one-size-fits-all training tips here. Instead, you'll hear from compassionate, often humorous experts who help you build an enduring trust with your dog by shifting how you show up to the party. Whether your pup fits the description or not, there's something here for every dog parent.  ✨ Learn more about Woof Academy and explore our programs at woof-academy.com 🐾 Interested in becoming a dog trainer? Visit our training site: theacademy.dog 🎧 Subscribe to Dog Days and rate us on your favorite podcast platform—it helps more dog lovers find us. 📸 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/woofacademy_enc/ ❤️ Our "Heart Project", The Forever Home Foundation, can be found at foreverhome.dog

    1h 7m
5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Hosted by the trainers of Woof Academy, Dog Days helps dog owners decode baffling behaviors so they can understand what their dog is really trying to say. Each episode unpacks real-life stories from the field to reveal the mindset behind common challenges like reactivity, disobedience, or sudden aggression — and offers insight into the relationship dynamics that drive them. You won’t find one-size-fits-all training tips here. Instead, you’ll hear from compassionate, often humorous experts who help you build clarity, confidence, and connection with your dog by shifting how you show up. Whether your pup pulls the sheets off the bed or pins other dogs at the park, you’re in good company — and you’re not alone.

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