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Pets & Animals · Bethany Johnson

Confessions of a Dog Trainer

by Bethany Johnson

I'm a balanced dog trainer who loves to keep it real. I want to empower YOU to bring out the best in your dogs through training and support you along the way. I hope these episodes help you feel less alone!

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

E-Collar Levels, Reactive Dogs, and Why One Size Doesn't Fit All

If you've ever found yourself staring at your e-collar remote wondering if you should dial up, this episode is for you. Today I'm walking you through three reactive dogs

Oct 20
35 min

A New Puppy, a Lot of Grief + What Matters to Me Now

We got a puppy ♥️ After unexpectedly losing Theo and then saying goodbye to Charlie just a few days later, life has felt really heavy around here. And somehow, in the mi

Sep 17
32 min

The Truth About E-Collar Training (And Why People Get It So Wrong)

In this episode of Confessions of a Dog Trainer, I’m sharing the real story behind the book I didn’t plan on writing - and why e-collar training became the thing I couldn

Apr 15
48 min

Barking, Ball Obsession, Cat Chaos - What I’d Tackle First

In this episode of Confessions of a Dog Trainer, Bethany answers an amazing owner email from Brooke - who did a Board and Train with her two dogs, Maggie and Ivy, back in

Feb 27
44 min

Fearful Dogs + E-Collar Training: What People Get Wrong

In today’s episode of Confessions of a Dog Trainer, I’m bringing you behind the scenes with Hazel - a sweet, houndy little “Bambi body” dog who’s fearful of people and fa

Jan 29
44 min

Reactive Dogs: The “Little Things” That Change Everything (Azula’s Week 1)

In this episode, I’m walking you through week one with Azula - a 100+ lb Cane Corso in my 2-week board and train in Orlando, Florida - and what’s actually been making the

Jan 22
59 min

One Tool - Three Dogs: How E-Collar Training Changes Case to Case

In this episode, Bethany breaks down how e-collar training can look totally different depending on the dog in front of you - and why it’s not a one-size-fits-all tool. Sh

Jan 17
52 min

Why Multi-Dog Homes Feel So Hard - Resource Guarding, Management, and What to Do Instead

In this episode of Confessions of a Dog Trainer, Bethany dives into one of the most common (and stressful) challenges for dog owners - living in a multi-dog household whe

Jan 8
36 min

Reactive Dogs & E-Collar Breakthroughs: Meet Toast & Ozzy

Two reactive dogs. Two very different personalities. In this episode, I walk you through what I’ve been prioritizing with Toast and Ozzy during their first few days of tr

May 28 2025
40 min

Personalities, E-Collars, and Progress: Behind the Scenes of Milo’s Training

Episode Description: In this episode of Confessions of a Dog Trainer, Bethany shares the inspiring story of Milo, a board and train dog whose sweet, sensitive personality

Apr 8 2025
36 min

Small Dogs, Big Reactions: The Real Talk on E-Collar Levels

If you’ve got a little dog with big energy, this episode is for you. I’m talking through real-life lessons from recent board and train dogs - including a spicy little Fre

Mar 26 2025
54 min

Noelle’s Journey: Overcoming Reactivity with the E-Collar

Is your dog’s reactivity keeping you from enjoying walks? In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly how I worked with Noelle, a highly reactive Australian Shepherd mix,

Feb 28 2025
37 min

From Chaos to Calm : sharing what helped the most with Jax, the reactive and anxious aussie

In this episode, Bethany discusses the training journey of Jax, an anxious Australian Shepherd. She shares insights on managing his whiny behavior, the effectiveness of t

Feb 11 2025
48 min

Jax: A Case Study in E Collar Training (pushy, young, reactive and anxious)

In this episode of Confessions of a Dog Trainer, Bethany shares her experiences training a challenging dog named Jax, reflecting on personal loss and the importance of tr

Jan 30 2025
52 min

If I Was Starting a Dog Training Business From Scratch, I'd Do These Five Things

Show Notes: Go Home Guide Template Coaching Sessions (aka Reassurance Calls) The Trainer In You Mastermind- Apply for the next one in May! I hope this episode inspire

Jan 23 2025
31 min

How Routine Can Transform Your Dog's Behavior: Tips from a Dog Trainer

In this episode of Confessions of a Dog Trainer, Bethany shares her personal journey and reflections on dog training, particularly focusing on the joys of working with sm

Jan 9 2025
29 min

E COLLAR STARTER EPISODE : if you're curious about E Collar training, this episode is for YOU

Use code CUPOFJOE to get 30% off any guide or bundle through 11/29 - - -shop linked here In this episode of Confessions of a Dog Trainer, Bethany discusses the fundament

Nov 21 2024
1 h 20 min

Post Board & Train Follow Up Visit : reactivity and the E Collar

In this episode of Confessions of a Dog Trainer, Bethany discusses the significance of follow-up visits after a board and train program, emphasizing the importance of own

Oct 31 2024
43 min

Why some dogs can do things that others can't : with Kait from @kane9dogtraining

In this episode of 'Confessions of a Dog Trainer', Bethany and Kait discuss the complexities of dog behavior, training, and the expectations of dog owners. They reflect o

Oct 24 2024
58 min

Essential Tips for New Dog Owners: Puppy And Older Dog FAQ

In this episode of Confessions of Dog Trainer, Bethany discusses the essential aspects of bringing a new dog or puppy home, including the importance of crate training, ma

Oct 15 2024
54 min

Chart trend

Position in the Pets & Animals chart (US), last 90 days.

#28
all-time peak
5
days in the top 50 since Sep 2025

Chart positions

Where Confessions of a Dog Trainer ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Nov 11, 2026).

#130 ▼ 6 Pets & Animals US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

After spending a ridiculous amount on a Board & Train as well as an Animal Behavioralist I have learned more from Bethany in these podcasts, her E Collar Training Guide and videos on IG in handling my reactive dog. I'm so sorry I didn't find her sooner...I would have made the trip from CA to work with her!! She understands what it's like to be the owner of a reactive dog, which in 50+ years of being a Dog Mom had never happened before.

TPLS10S · Mar 2026

Listening to Bethany talk about all things dog training inspires me to do better. I am a small business owner myself (fellow dog trainer here!) and Bethany brings me out of my funk and/or burn out. She always keeps things positive and informative. I could talk/listen to Bethany all day!

Jessica1Mather · Jun 2024

So much of our relationship with our dogs, has to do with how we feel about ourselves. Bethany shares how her life experiences led to dog training, and wonderful dog training tips for reactive/anxious/nervous dogs. Love the conversational and casual nature of this podcast.

Alqieuejfb · Oct 2023

As a dog lover with a big dog with an even bigger personality this was just what I needed! Awesome content and Bethany’s voice is great for podcasting! Thanks Bethany!

amyrnfl · Oct 2021

Shock collars and prongs are banned in my country. So much research supports NOT using them. Please don’t let dog trainers convince they are okay to use. They cause discomfort to dogs, can damage the dog human bond, all vet organizations world wide condemn them. 🥲 if you need to shock a dog or put metal prongs around their next you need more education!

fjvsy · Nov 2024

As a trainer with the philosophy of not using fear-based teaching methods, I was wanting to learn more about e-collars to get a better understanding of the other perspective. I put in a good-faith effort to truly understand the talking points behind why certain trainers advocate for the use of these tools. Unfortunately, I found the episodes to be very scattered and unorganized. There doesn’t seem to be any linear thought process in how these episodes are put together. Not only do I not have a better understanding of why e-collars aren’t as bad as every professional, credible animal health and welfare organization claims, the host doesn’t actually seem to know what they’re talking about. I was hoping for some reasons or rebuttals against the multitude of peer-reviewed journal articles citing the damages of using these methods, but there was none of that. I came here to genuinely try to learn something, and I am leaving being more convinced than before that e-collars have no place in animal learning and the human-animal bond. I came with an open mind willing to change my opinion, but that just was not possible after listening to the episode on e-collars. Hopefully someday this person will realize that they’re not actually changing the animal’s underlying emotional state when you zap them for doing normal dog things. It feels like one of those “who’s gonna tell her…?” situations.

throckm6 · Sep 2024

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