In this episode, Victoria and Kristina Spaulding discuss learned helplessness and learned control in dogs, exploring their neurobiology, impact of trauma, and implications for training and rescue. They explore science-based strategies to enhance canine resilience, and how drastically a dog’s wellbeing can change as a result.

• Launch or level up your career as a professional dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy. Learn more here.

• Create your free Positively account 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.

In this episode, famed dog behavior expert Patricia McConnell joins Victoria Stilwell to discuss Patricia's new mystery novel, Away to Me, why no dogs die in her book, and the heart-wrenching saga of the Ridglan Beagles.

Victoria asks Patricia about her influential books, her journey from traditional to modern dog training, and her activism against unethical animal research. They explore the emotional and scientific aspects of animal behavior, the power of storytelling, and the importance of advocacy.

• Launch or level up your career as a professional dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy. Learn more here.

• Create your free Positively account here.

• Solve behavior problems and find tools to help live your best dog life at Positively.com.

• Solve reactivity with Victoria's powerful course on Positively.com: Help! Stop Reactivity. Learn more & enroll here.

• Launch or level up your career as a professional dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy. Learn more here.

Andrew Hale joins Victoria to explore supportive walking and practical strategies for understanding and managing dogs' behavior in challenging environments. They answer listener’s questions and discuss creating supportive and individualized environments for dogs and their owners, to build connection, communication, and trust for better outcomes.

• Launch or level up your career as a professional dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy. Learn more here.

• Create your free Positively account 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.

Separation anxiety expert Malena DeMartini joins Victoria to explore the causes, symptoms, and effective treatment strategies for canine separation anxiety. They explore how behavior modification, management, and professional help can improve your dog’s quality of life.

Guest Links:

• Malena DeMartini's Website
• CSAT Certification Program
• Find a CSAT Trainer Near You

• Launch or level up your career as a professional dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy. Learn more here.

• Create your free Positively account 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.

Melissa McCue-McGrath joins Victoria to discuss her new book 'Misadventures of the World's Okayest Dog Trainer,' her experiences with unconventional cases, and the challenges faced by women in the dog training industry. This episode offers insights into real-world dog training, industry dynamics, and empowering women professionals.

Guest Links:

Melissa McCuma McGrath's Website: https://www.melissamcgrath.com 

Book: Misadventures of the World's Okayest Dog Trainer - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7F4X9XK

• Launch or level up your career as a professional dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy. Learn more here.

• Create your free Positively account here.

• Solve behavior problems and find tools to help live your best dog life at Positively.com.

• Solve reactivity with Victoria's powerful course on Positively.com: Help! Stop Reactivity. Learn more & enroll here.

• Launch or level up your career as a professional dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy. Learn more here.

Helen St. Pierre joins Victoria to share her inspiring journey from shelter work to founding Old Dogs Go to Helen, a sanctuary dedicated to providing end-of-life care for senior and special needs animals. They explore quality of life and how to support aging pets with dignity.

They also talk about disease trajectories in aging pets, signs that indicate it's time for end-of-life decisions, the euthanasia process and what to expect, and supporting pet owners through grief and decision-making.

• Launch or level up your career as a professional dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy. Learn more here.

• Create your free Positively account 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.

 In this podcast episode, Victoria Stilwell and Steve Dale discuss his new book, Ask the Dog, and the importance of consent and bite prevention. 

Their freewheeling conversation explores humane dog training, the dangers of aversive methods like shock collars, veterinary breakthroughs, and the far-reaching impact of scientific research in feline health. 

• Launch or level up your career as a professional dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy. Learn more here.

• Create your free Positively account 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.

Jo Pay joins Victoria to discuss her journey of raising a new puppy, Jig, a 16-week-old border collie. They explore the challenges and joys of puppy training, the importance of socialization, and the realities of managing expectations as a dog trainer and owner. 

Jo shares her experiences with choosing the right breeder, the significance of sleep for puppies, and strategies for socializing Jig in a safe and controlled manner. The conversation emphasizes the emotional resilience needed for both puppies and their owners, highlighting the rewarding yet demanding nature of raising a puppy.

• Launch or level up your career as a professional dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy. Learn more here.

• Create your free Positively account 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.

Andrew Hale joins Victoria to discuss the profound impact of Sarah Fisher on the dog training community, emphasizing the importance of curiosity in both personal and professional development. They explore the joy of working with dogs, the concept of supportive walking, and the significance of understanding a dog's internal environment. 

The conversation also delves into the complexities of threat circuits and how they affect both humans and dogs, highlighting the need for a compassionate approach in dog training. Finally, they touch on the value of conferences and community in fostering growth and learning in the field of animal behavior.

Links to conferences mentioned in podcast:

• Emotional Wellbeing in Animals Conference 2026, Torquay
• Dog Behavior Conference - Registration now open!

• Launch or level up your career as a professional dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy. Learn more here.

• Create your free Positively account 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.

Yaz Porritt joins Victoria to discuss the critical aspects of pain management and nutrition in dogs, including the importance of understanding pain as a multifaceted issue and the role of the microbiome in overall canine health. 

Their discussion also covers hydration, the four pillars of pain assessment, and the impact of dog conformation on health. They also delve into the controversial practices at Crufts, advocating for better welfare initiatives and the need for a shift in breeding standards to prioritize the health and well-being of dogs.

• Launch or level up your career as a professional dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy. Learn more here.

• Create your free Positively account 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.

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. 

• Launch or level up your career as a professional dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy. Learn more here.

• Create your free Positively account here.

• Solve behavior problems and find tools to help live your best dog life at Positively.com.

• Solve reactivity with Victoria's powerful course on Positively.com: Help! Stop Reactivity. Learn more & enroll here.

• Launch or level up your career as a professional dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy. Learn more here.