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 some common examples of how dog management and training intersect, when one is more appropriate than the other, and general aspects to consider when making decisions about management and training solutions. You will better understand what training can help with and when management is more appropriate. Visit the Podcast Episode Page to watch the video version, see additional content, and access a list of the episode references ..read more

In this episode, I share my thoughts on dog food. We go over how to evaluate commercial dog foods, kibble quality, special veterinary dog foods, and alternatives, Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in dogs, my journey of feeding dogs from kibble, to cooking, to raw feeding, and why raw feeding is safe. Visit the Podcast Episode Page for additional content and a list of episode references. Buy Ralf's book If Your Dog Could Talk - Understand Your Dog Like Never Before (5th Edition) on Amazon ..read more

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 world champion in the protection sport IGP but has worked in every dog discipline you have heard of. Ivan is known and respected across the globe and has lectured over 900 times and on every continent. We discuss Ivan's history with service dog training, the differences between training service dogs and other dog training specialties, and Ivan's key takeaways from his time at Guide Dogs for the Blind. Further, we explore the nec ..read more

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 learning. Understand what kind of stress is important to avoid and what stress is short-lived and irrelevant. We further review why stress measurements in many dog training studies are misleading. The episode closes with a brief review of the Salirli study on learning stress from different training tools. You will be surprised to hear about those findings. Visit the Podcast Episode Page to watch the video version, see additional ..read more

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 importance of having a Certificate of Analysis, understanding the molecular profile of your cannabis product, and how to avoid wasting your money. Further, we look at some drug interactions, how to work with your veterinary team, and how to get help with using cannabis for your dog from a Veterinary Cannabis Guide, Counselor, or Veterinarian. Visit the Podcast Episode Page to watch the video version, see additional content, and ..read more

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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 and which dogs benefit most. It benefits all dogs, but some are more affected than others when this is missed. Further, we look at the differences between how to socialize a dog from a shelter that may be older versus a puppy that joins the family at a young age. I also touch on my journey and how I look at socialization today compared to earlier in my career. In addition, I have some pointers on how you can get help with soc ..read more

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 locate. Most articles seem to center around bringing enough water and taking breaks. These points are, of course, important, but there is much more to consider. Some things are fairly obvious when bringing a dog on a hike, but many are not so straightforward. This episode and its companion article aim to close that gap. Visit the Podcast Episode Page to watch the video version, see additional content, and access a list of the ep ..read more

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, most online videos are ignorant of what this tool is suitable for and how to use it. It is either hailed as the greatest thing since sliced bread or condemned as a torture tool. Instead of piling onto this mess, I aim to explain the shock collar, when and why one may consider using it, when it is the best or only option, and how to see it in the context of real-world challenges instead of theoretical abstracts. Visit the Podca ..read more

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 right choice for your family. This includes the different risks and considerations going into this decision. It's not about what is better in abstract but how to approach this decision for each person or family. Visit the Podcast Episode Page to watch the video version, see additional content, and access a list of the episode references. Buy Ralf's book If Your Dog Could Talk - Understand Your Dog Like Never Before (5th Editio ..read more