Dog Talk by Happy Dog Training

Episode 56: Dog Management

In this episode, we discuss dog management. Dog management has become the default approach for far too many situations that could be addressed through training. We review

Episode 55: Service Dog Training with Ivan Balabanov

In this episode, I speak with dog training legend Ivan Balabanov about Service Dog Training. Ivan is best known for his accomplishments in dog sports. He is a two-time wo

Episode 54: Using Cannabis for Dogs

This episode discusses using cannabis for dogs. We review what to look for and to consider before grabbing a random cannabis product off the shelf. You learn about the im

Episode 53: Don't Bother Service Dogs

Episode 52: Dog Socialization

This episode discusses dog socialization. We review how to socialize a dog correctly and what socialization is about. Also, we discuss the importance of socializing early

Episode 51: Hiking with Dogs

This episode discusses hiking with your dog. You can find many resources for human hikers online, but comprehensive information for canine hiking companions is hard to lo

Episode 50: The Shock Collar

This episode discusses the likely most controversial tool in dog training, the electric collar, aka shock collar. This tool can get some people's blood boiling. However,

Episode 49: Ignorance, Nonsense and Stupidity

This episode discusses dumb ideas, some of which have become accepted norms. We review three cases of stupidity in particular. First, trainers attacking dogs as a means o

Episode 48: Should You Buy or Rescue a Dog?

This episode discusses the advantages and disadvantages of rescuing a dog from a shelter vs buying a dog from a breeder. We review what you should consider in making the

Episode 47: Stress in Dog Training

This episode discusses stress in dog training. It is a supplement to The Layered Stress Model episode. We review unavoidable learning stress moments that come with all le

Problems without Resolutions

This episode discusses problems without resolutions. A skilled dog trainer can address many challenges with dogs successfully. However, with experience comes perspective

Rebroadcast: Play-Based Training

Play-based dog training is the most effective form of dog training there is. Because it speaks to the fundamental nature of dogs. Canines refine their innate hunting skil

Animal Welfare for Dogs

This episode discusses animal welfare for dogs. The permanent management of unwanted dog behavior has become a pandemic. It’s all the rage with veterinary behaviorists, f

How Smart Are Dogs?

This episode discusses the intelligence of dogs. How smart are they? We review the two experiments that place the dog's cognitive ability around the age of a 2-year-old c

Natural Remedies for Dogs

This episode discusses natural remedies for dogs. I am not a veterinarian and this is not health advice. I am sharing my own experiences with natural approaches that have

Working with Aggressive Dogs

Living with an aggressive dog is stressful. Never being sure what will happen on your daily walk, potential injuries, vet bills, legal consequences, etc. You don’t have t

Helping Dogs with Cannabis with Dr. Casara Andre

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Casara Andre about helping dogs with cannabis. I met Dr. Andre during a dog trainer conference in 2019 and subsequently worked with her

The Process of Teaching Dogs

This episode discusses the different phases of teaching dogs new skills. We review acquisition, fluency, discrimination, generalization, and maintenance. Further, we exam

Rebroadcast: Dominance and Submission Explained

Unfortunately, far too many dog trainers fail to understand the ethological meaning of the terms dominance, submission, and aggression and misuse them. If this topic inte

Taking Your Dog to the Vet

In this episode, we discuss veterinary visits with your dog. Taking your dog to the vet can be scary for your furry family member. It’s an unfamiliar place with many diff