Victoria Stilwell Positively: Recent Episodes
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Some techniques are so brilliant and simple that they end up "in the water" or in this case, in the water bottle. Today, I find myself in the position of wanting to ensure that those techniques, and one of their authors, get the credit she and her work deserve.
I want to be clear: In a recent episode of It’s Me or the Dog I did not knowingly use an element of LAT, and I have been using extremely similar methods to teach a dog to look at, and then away from, triggers (food, toys, people, other dogs, bikes, cars etc) for over 20 years. Recently, when a colleague demonstrated the use of a novel object such as a cup, a bottle, a toy, and a small plant pot for example to begin this chain, I only thought of it as a minor tweak to a procedure I have used for years. I did not know this was Leslie McDevitt's innovation, I have not read her book or seen her webinar, and the choice of a water bottle was a coincidence, because the family’s daughter had just come back from school, and we decided to use her pink bottle to begin the process.
I am very glad to learn of the origin of evolution, so I can publicly call attention to its author. I commend Leslie for the wonderful work she has done, and I hope that many more dog guardians discover the power of LAT and similar techniques. Through the show I created and other platforms I have built, I am grateful to be able to reach those who might otherwise not see these powerful methods. It is my honor to have the opportunity to share the most effective and kind techniques for helping dogs and their guardians with this wider audience.
I have always thought of all of us as on the same team, and hope to be a force for unity, not division. We have a common goal, and I believe our message is too important to devolve into personal attacks on motives, skill, and even appearance; I hope we can agree to that.
I have always believed that we all stand on the shoulders of giants, past and present - others in our industry who have arrived at practical ways to deliver kind, effective training. I, too, have been in a similar position many times, and I know how upsetting it can be. My hope now is that we can all come together, and rise above this, continuing to share positive training and communication techniques with those who seek our guidance in their lives with their canine companions.
Positively,
Victoria
The post A Message from Victoria first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
The 10th annual Dog Behavior Conference will be held on April 21-23, 2023 as a global online event.The Dog Behavior Conference (DBC) is an interactive online 3-day virtual conference experience which brings together experts and leaders in the field of animal training & behavior with dog lovers, dog trainers, groomers, pet sitters, dog walkers, veterinary professionals, animal shelter workers and other animal care specialists from all over the world.
Registration Now OpenEarlybird registration through December 31, 2022 is now available for the 2023 conference at $165 (approximately £135) and provides access to all of the presentations over all 3 days plus the downloadable resources and access to watch recordings of each presentation as much as you'd like after the conference.
As those who have attended in the past know, the DBC is a very special event in dog training circles. It brings together thought leaders from the dog world with dog trainers, dog owners and pet professionals from all over the globe. It's an invaluable opportunity to connect with a dynamic international group of like-minded people who share your passion and commitment for changing dogs' lives positively.
2022 DBC speakers include* Suzanne Clothier * Kristina Spaulding * Sarah Fisher * Victoria Stilwell * Jennifer Shryock * Darris Cooper * Sarah Heath * Abigail Witthauer * Andrew Hale * Maia Huff-Owen * Laurie Williams * Irith Bloom * and more!
We sincerely hope you'll consider joining this amazing collection of experts, dog geeks, trainers and general dog lovers in April at the Dog Behavior Conference. Seats are limited, so secure your spot today!
You can see more details about the DBC, its speakers, and other important info on the official conference page by clicking the button below.
We look forward to having you join us for our favorite weekend of the year - a unique chance to focus on your passion for dogs!
Registration is now open, so secure your seat for this unique experience today.
The post Attend the 2023 Dog Behavior Conference first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Enrichment, you can hear this word everywhere in the dog world these days. But what does it mean exactly? And do some enrichment activities create a different mental state than others?
The post Buzzword: Enrichment (What Does That Mean?) first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
The Dog Behavior Conference (DBC) is an interactive online 3-day virtual conference experience which brings together experts and leaders in the field of animal training & behavior with dog lovers, dog trainers, groomers, pet sitters, dog walkers, veterinary professionals, animal shelter workers and other animal care specialists from all over the world.
The post Attend the 2022 Dog Behavior Conference first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
The word owner, in relation to dogs, has never been my favorite noun. I am a parent. Not of human children, but a parent all the same.
The post Creating a Connection: Beyond Ownership first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
What do the Beatles, Rolling Stones and Long Lost Family have to do with dogs? BAFTA winning radio and TV presenter, Nicky Campbell joins Victoria to talk all things music, TV, and most importantly, how dogs make the world a better place.
The post Episode 838 – Nicky Campbell first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Victoria is back in the UK filming a brand-new season of her hit TV show, It's Me or the Dog!
The post It’s Me or the Dog Is Back! (and looking for you…) first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Victoria's latest TV series, Dogs With Extraordinary Jobs, premieres in the US on the Smithsonian Channel on Wednesday, June 30 at 8pm ET.
The post NEW SERIES! Dogs With Extraordinary Jobs premieres on the Smithsonian Channel first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Obedience training has long been the accepted path to teaching dogs’ manners, but the concept of obedience might be doing dogs a disservice. Andrew Hale joins Victoria to go beyond the operant.
The post Episode 837 – Beyond the Operant first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
What is Free Work and how do dogs benefit? Dog behaviour expert Sarah Fisher joins Holly and Victoria to discuss how Free Work is changing dogs’ lives all over the world.
The post Episode 836 – Free Work and Adolescent Dogs first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
After a second ‘nipping’ incident in the White House, Victoria is joined by Veterinary Behaviorist Sarah Heath to discuss why some dogs like Major Biden show conflict behavior, and why understanding dogs’ emotional experience is the first step to helping them acclimate to new environments.
The post Episode 835 – Major Biden and the Emotional Sink first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Is the dog in your home a genius and are some dogs smarter than others? Adam Miklosi, ethologist and founder of the Family Dog Project in Budapest, Hungary unlocks the canine mind.
The post Episode 834 – Genius Dogs and Social Learning first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
So often we hear that 'bad dogs’ or 'aggressive dogs’ growl. 'Nice dogs’ don't growl, surely? Well, that's a bit like saying that only 'bad' people shout in frustration when someone drives inconsiderately and nearly causes an accident or only 'aggressive' people have disagreements with their partners/ family. For some reason, it’s considered normal and Read More
The post Nice Dogs Don’t Growl first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
'That's cheating!’ ‘That’s cheating!’. I looked up to see a man shouting over to me. He continued: ‘When your puppy came back to you then, you gave it a treat. That’s just bribing: they should do things because they want to please you.’ He walked off saying: ‘A pat on the head should be enough’. Well, Read More
The post That’s Cheating! first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Knowledge is a fluid thing. We move forward regularly, only to move backwards occasionally, when inaccurate information becomes suddenly popular. We can only continue to repeatedly educate, with the hope that our parroting of the facts, helps them to remain solidly in the public eye. So here we are back in the saddle with more Read More
The post Reality Check, Part 2: Five More Things That Your Dog Wants You to Understand! first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Dogs share a common ancestor – the wolf – but how did wolves turn into dogs and what can we learn from wolves that might help us with the relationship we have with our dogs? Behavioral scientist Clive Wynne joins the podcast to talk about the similarities and differences between dogs and wolves.
The post Episode 833 – Dogs and Wolves first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Aggression is a serious behavior issue that is all too common in our domestic dogs. Aggression expert Michael Shikashio joins Victoria and Holly to talk about why dogs aggress and what dog lovers can do about it.
The post Episode 832 – Dogs and Aggressive Behavior first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Why do dogs become anxious when home alone and how can this be prevented? Dog trainer Lisa Waggoner joins Victoria and Holly for this podcast on a common behavior problem that is hard to treat.
The post Episode 831 – How to Treat Separation Anxiety first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Do people respond differently to Pitbull type dogs? Holly and Victoria are joined by Heather Paul to start off this new year of podcasts to explore how people react to their dogs when out in public.
The post Episode 830 – Rescue and Pitbull Type Dogs first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Advocating for Animals – Victoria and Holly are joined by actor and animal activist, Peter Egan to discuss dogs, moon bears and how animals can make us more compassionate human beings.
The post Episode 829 – Advocating for Animals with Peter Egan first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Since It’s Me or the Dog first aired back in 2005, I have received thousands of emails, letters, social media messages and phone calls from dog lovers around the world who saw me working with dogs on TV and wanted to do the same (but usually not on TV).
The post Becoming a Dog Trainer first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Have you ever received negative comments or been bullied on social media? If you have then you understand how bad it can make you feel and how damaging it can be. This week’s post is not about dogs, but this is a conversation we all need to be having right now, and that is why I am sharing what has happened to me since I became known in the media world.
The post Social Bullying first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
“R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me.” In the film ‘The Blues Brothers,’ Aretha Franklin sings about her need for some respect. The words of the song are as applicable today in human relationships as they were then, but what does the word actually mean?
The post Does Your Dog Respect You? first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
I’ve only ever had female dogs. This has never been a conscious choice on my part, I just fell in love and adopted dogs that happened to be female. I don’t know if things would be any different if I had a male dog in the house, but people often ask me what the behavioral differences between male and female dogs are and if gender either influences or suits one lifestyle over another.
The post Differences Between Male and Female Dogs first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Do you have a dog that becomes restless in certain situations? Does she bark, whine, urinate, defecate, or vocalize inappropriately? Does she excessively lick herself, spin in circles or chase her tail? Does she jump up at you or other people, lunge towards other dogs or run up and down the perimeter of your fence?
The post The Reactive Dog first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
A new study led by biologist Ana Catarina Viera de Castro of the Universidae do Porto in Portugal reveals that shouting at dogs and using punitive methods to train them does short and long term damage, while using reward based methods yields better results both for learning and emotional health.
The post Today I Was Called a Snowflake first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
I won’t ever forget the faces that stared at me as I approached them; faces of dogs that had been subjected to a life of neglect and abuse at the hands of a cruel, relentless industry.
The post The Dog Meat Farms of South Korea first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
We all have dreams. For a long time, my two dreams were to be a good actor and to have the opportunity to make a living as a dog trainer.
The post How IMOTD Changed Me As a Dog Trainer first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
In a shabby, litter strewn, overgrown neighborhood in south Atlanta stands an old, white house with peeling paint and rotting wood.
The post The W-Underdogs – Kids Save Dogs, Dogs Save Kids first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Aggressive dogs. What a trigger topic for so many! Humans, as a species, are so often attracted to danger. You see it in our hobbies and our choices of heroes. For many dog lovers, there is so often nothing more attractive than an aggressive dog. This scenario not only appeals to our nurturing instinct, but Read More
The post The Allure of the Damaged Dog: Why We Rush Towards Danger first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Victoria is joined by dog behaviour expert and a driving force behind the UK Dog Behaviour & Training Charter Andrew Hale to discuss the interesting results to come out of the latest dog shock collar studies.
The post Episode 828 – A Fresh Take on the Debate About Shock Collars first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
A trainer’s most important job is to help people live harmoniously with their dogs and sometimes the only thing that is needed to create harmony is effective management.
The post The Power of Management first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Every dog lover uses labels to describe their dog’s personality – my dog is ‘aggressive’, ‘stupid’ ‘highly driven,’ ‘lazy,’ ‘stubborn,’ ‘happy,’ or ‘dominant,’ but labels can be misleading and limit a dog’s potential.
The post Labeling Dog Behavior first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
The rescue of 180 Chihuahuas sparks a larger conversation on how to transition dogs from crisis situations into homes.
The post Episode 827 – How to Transition Dogs from Crisis into Care first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
If you ask a group of dog trainers to define what an aversive means, you will get many different answers as well as some spirited discussion. Regarding behavior modification techniques, an aversive is ‘the avoidance of a thing, situation, or behavior that is achieved by using an unpleasant or punishing stimulus.’
The post Using Aversives first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Working or volunteering in a shelter is a rewarding but sometimes challenging job. No matter how lovely a shelter might be in terms of design, the animals housed within its walls will still experience the stress that comes from abandonment and transition.
The post Avoiding Bites In Shelters first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
The Human-Animal Bond is the connection between a human and a pet and includes the development of emotional attachment to that pet, with genuine feelings of affection and a sense of responsibility for their well-being.
The post Needs and Wants first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
The benefits of good exercise for dogs and people are well known. Exercise improves physical fitness and releases endorphins and opioids in the brain, promoting an overall feeling of wellbeing.
The post Dogs and Exercise first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
When I first started training dogs I was thrown into the deep end. I had run a successful dog walking business in Wimbledon, but didn’t handle many dogs who had a bite history.
The post The Most Important Job first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
If you have ever raised a puppy you know what it’s like to have sleepless nights. It’s inevitable that to begin with, some puppies have a hard time adjusting to a new home and vocalize their discomfort and loneliness, particularly at night.
The post Night Time Vocals first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
I have just returned from walking my dogs, which is always a social experience, judging by the amount of people I talk to while I’m out. I usually walk in the local park, which takes me past a playground.
The post Why We Love Dogs first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
“Sit! Sit! Sit!” Have you ever asked your dog to ‘sit’ and when she does not respond you repeat the cue again and again, getting louder and louder each time you say it?
The post Confusing Cues first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
There are many hot button issues in the dog world that cause spirited conversations and disagreements, including what training methods you should use and when you should or shouldn’t use words such as ‘dominance’ and ‘pack.’
The post Damned if You Do, Damned if You Don’t first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
I’m a dog lover and I want everyone to be as passionate about these amazing animals as I am. I would also like to take my dogs with me to more places, and I believe if people were a little more responsible, dogs might be accepted in more public areas than are currently allowed.
The post How To Not Be a Rude Dog Owner first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
As the modern dog’s role continues to evolve from that of working dog to companion animal, there is more pressure on all dogs to cope and behave well in an increasingly busy human world.
The post Managing Your Overwhelmed Dog first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
I don’t participate in competitive dog sports or obedience trials, but I do love watching dogs and their handlers having fun, and appreciate how much time it takes on both sides to become proficient.
The post Obedience first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
How do dogs perceive sound and can music help dogs suffering with separation anxiety and aggression? Joshua Leeds and Alynn Lecznar join Victoria for part two of this fascinating exploration into a dog’s ear.
The post Episode 826 – Part Two – Your Dog’s Perception of Sound first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
I’m flying to Portland, Oregon, from Los Angeles and the pilot has just told us that there will be turbulence the closer we get to Portland. It is 53 degrees at our destination with rain and gusty winds. He tells us that our descent is likely to be very bumpy.
The post Coping With Fear first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
I lived with a Labrador. She was a hungry hound who was on a constant mission to find food wherever and whenever she could get it. When she reached the grand old age of 16 I thought her food obsession might diminish a little, but it remained as strong as ever.
The post The Emergency Drop It first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
How does sound help reduce canine anxiety and can music really help prevent and reduce canine fear and noise phobias? Sound researcher and founder of Through A Dog’s Ear Joshua Leeds, joins Victoria along with Animal Scientist Aly Lecznar, to discuss the latest research on how sound can prevent and treat canine anxiety.
The post Episode 825 – Part One – How Sound Reduces Canine Anxiety first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
What should you do if your pet is stolen and why should veterinarians scan new patients? Debbie Matthews from www.vetsgetscanning.co.uk joins Victoria to talk about pet theft, Fern’s Law and the importance of compulsory scanning.
The post Episode 824 – Pet Theft and Vets Get Scanning first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Victoria is joined by Certified Animal Behaviourist Andrew Hale, to talk about the new UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter and how a different way of viewing canine behavior can improve the human/canine relationship.
The post Episode 823 – Announcing The UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
In this episode, Aly Lecznar joins Victoria to talk about canine fitness and how to exercise safely with your dog.
The post Episode 822 – Keeping Your Dog Fit During the Pandemic first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
I marched today in peaceful support of the change needed regarding the lack of true justice and equality for people of color and minorities. Here's my message to the haters.
The post Why I Marched first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Holly is back to give a journalist’s perspective on latest events and to talk about her senior dogs and canine cancer.
The post Episode 821 – Reporting During the Social Justice Movement first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Victoria explores why teaching obedience cues like ‘sit’ should not be the focus of dog training.
The post Episode 820 – Dogs Should Not Have to Do Sit first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Victoria is joined by VSPDT Kat Kekel, Behavior Tech at Cherokee County Animal Shelter to talk about sheltering, fostering and adopting animals during the pandemic.
The post Episode 819 – Animal Shelters During the Pandemic first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Petrepreneur marketing guru J. Nichole Smith joins Victoria to discuss the importance of identifying and building around your ‘why.’
The post Episode 818 – Finding Your ‘Why’ with J. Nichole Smith first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
If you live with a dog that displays aggressive behavior (lunging, growling, or even biting), using management to keep everyone safe is the first priority, along with a good behavior modification plan. What Is Management? One of my favorite descriptions of management is from the book “Behavior Adjustment Training 2.0: New Practical Techniques for Fear, Read More
The post How To Manage Aggressive Behavior first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Victoria is joined by Holly Root-Gutteridge, post-doctoral researcher at the University of Lincoln, to talk about how science is unlocking the canine mind.
The post Episode 817 – Victoria Talks to Holly Root-Gutteridge first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Do dogs feel love? Are they capable of hatred? Victoria connects with one of her favorite dog experts, Clive Wynne to explore.
The post Episode 816 – Victoria talks with Clive Wynne first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
But I bet that most of you knew that already. The dogs who live in fear or with anxiety, over people/things/animals that they see in the environment, are reveling in the fact that there are far fewer people who are trying to be up close and personal with them now. Their owners probably feel the Read More
The post Most Dogs Already Wanted Social Distancing: Now They Get it! first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Is your dog happy? Victoria is joined by Zazie Todd, author and creator of Companion Animal Psychology to discuss her upcoming Dog Behaviour Conference presentation.
The post Episode 815 – Victoria Talks to DBC Presenter Zazie Todd first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Victoria talks with veterinary behaviorist Dr. Meghan Herron about training methods, modifying behavior in a shelter environment, as well as her work for Gigi’s, an Ohio based organization that helps homeless dogs get into homes sooner.
The post Episode 814 – Victoria Talks with Dr. Meghan Herron first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
What is e-learning, and what should you look for in an online course? Victoria and Aly break it all down here.
The post Episode 813 – How to be an effective online learner from home first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
The International Dog Behaviour Conference is a global online event bringing together the most influential, progressive and inspirational pet industry experts with dog lovers, owners, trainers, and professionals from around the world.
The post Dog Behaviour Conference Now A Global Online Event first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Victoria visits Dr. Duffy Jones to talk through safety tips, the latest on the virus’ effect on our pets, and best practices for veterinary success during the pandemic.
The post Episode 812 – Veterinary Tips for Dealing with the Coronavirus New Normal first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
What’s the secret to staying engaged, productive and efficient when working or learning from home in the age of social distancing?
The post Episode 811 – The New Normal: Distance Learning & Telecommuting first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Victoria and Dr. Paula Bloom discuss the emotional impact of the coronavirus on people and their pets.
The post Episode 810 – The Emotional Toll of Coronavirus on People and Pets first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Tips for dog owners whose dogs are entering elderly status in order to keep them alert, active and healthy.
The post Episode 809 – Caring for Elderly Dogs first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
The animal rescue scene in Puerto Rico following the recent natural disasters, updates on Victoria’s Unsung Heroes video series, and Holly’s trip to an experiential art institution.
The post Episode 808 – Puerto Rican Animal Lifesavers first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
What’s the best way to acclimate a new puppy to a household? Whether or not to comfort a crying puppy, top tips for puppy housetraining, how long it takes for puppies to adjust to a new home, and more.
The post Episode 807 – Puppies! first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Following the death of UK presenter Caroline Flack, Victoria and Holly are joined by Dr. Paula Bloom for a special podcast focusing on mental health, depression and bullying on social media.
The post Episode 806 – Mental health and social media bullying first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Just when I think that humans as a society who love dogs, are progressing into a more modern knowledge mindset, I get my placidity kicked right out from under me by witnessing so vile a hatred against a certain type of dog, that I struggle to breathe normally. So many cities who once enforced BSL Read More
The post Looks are Deceiving: Why Breed Bias is Wrong first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Victoria and Holly share a new vision for the future of the Positively Podcast and the way fans' questions will help drive what the podcast is all about. Victoria discusses her emotional trip to help Humane Society International close a South Korean dog meat farm and rehome the farm's animals while helping the farmers relaunch a plant-based business instead.
The post Positively Dog Training Episode 805 first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
What is Resource Guarding Resource guarding (also known as 'possession aggression') is behavior a dog may display in order to control access to a valued item or space. A valued resource includes anything of value to that particular dog. Just as people value different items, so do dogs. A dog may feel the need to Read More
The post What is Resource Guarding? first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
It’s no secret that exercising your dog can lead to a happier and healthier pup – not to mention a quieter house and a happier you. The complication is that exercising your dog takes time and sometimes we struggle to find time to exercise ourselves. However, without safe and effective exercise, your dog can gain weight, risk costly injury, and tear apart the house in response to pent up energy.
The post Three Secrets to Safe & Effective Exercise for Your Dog first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Victoria discusses misconceptions about what positive training is (and isn't) in the great debate about dog training methods. Also Dog Behaviour Conference, VSA, courses and Kindness is Powerful
The post Positively Dog Training Episode 804 first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Renowned pet behavior expert Victoria Stilwell will share her #1 secret to getting the most out of your relationship with your dog. Attend this free webinar to get Victoria's top tips on the dog/human connection as well as a powerful special offer just for webinar attendees.
The post Free Webinar: Supercharge Your Relationship With Your Dog first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
With well over half of all US households having one or more pets, it is more important than ever to be a good pet neighbor. We've collaborated with State Farm® in creating a free 35-minute online course that educates both new and experienced pet owners in how to read dog body language and safely interact Read More
The post Are You A Good Pet Neighbor? first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Obedience. Such a loaded word. It makes me cringe when it is used outside of the dog competition world. And quite honestly, I would love to see that word changed to something with a kinder connotation in that world as well. It’s been the status quo word reserved for dog training for so long that Read More
The post Relationship Goals: Precision or Good Parenting? first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
New versions of early 'It's Me or the Dog' episodes are being released with a “director’s cut”-style commentary by Victoria Stilwell. The world renowned dog trainer is narrating some behind-the-scenes info about those early episodes while also getting the chance to set the record straight about which training methods have evolved since the episodes were filmed – and why.
The post “Director’s Cut” It’s Me or the Dog Episodes! first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Puppies are fun but also require lots of care. Living with a puppy can be time consuming and stressful at times. Puppies require supervision, plenty of exercise, and attention. One common question I receive is "How do I stop my puppy from chewing things around the house?". I have created a puppy-proofing checklist to help Read More
The post Puppy-Proofing first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Malcolm the golden retriever is a young active dog who just needed a bit of structure in his life. Victoria Stilwell Academy graduate Deb Norris was there to provide it. We love seeing our graduates change the world for dogs and their people! Do you live with a Malcolm? Take a look at Malcolm's story Read More
The post Malcolm’s Story first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Hand targeting is an easy and useful behavior to teach for so many reasons. It's also a great foundation exercise for dogs of all ages. Hand targeting can be used for: Helping a puppy or a nervous dog become more comfortable with hands reaching towards him Building a pup's confidence around people Redirecting behavior Helping Read More
The post Training Tips: Hand Targeting first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Developing optimism involves many positive experiences, but also fair challenges (so the dog can practice successfully stretching its comfort zone, working through manageable difficulties and recovering from failure to try again).
The post Optimism first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
I have learned so much over the months I’ve been enrolled in VSA's Online Dog Trainer Course. My dog and I have both grown in confidence and I’ve been able to live my dream of helping adopted dogs stay at home by working with shelters and training dogs and their families in my community. I marvel often about how my dog has blessed my life with love, challenges and a new career. I could never have imagined that day I walked into the shelter that I’d be writing this today.
The post How My Dog Inspired Me to Learn to Become a Dog Trainer first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
The world that we live in, especially in the United States, is a scary world for many dogs but none so much as the exceptionally fearful dogs out there. The expectations placed on dogs here can be exhausting to their emotional state. The amount of fear/anxiety that dogs who are worried about people/things/animals in their Read More
The post Hiding in Plain Sight: The Exceptionally Fearful Dog first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Victoria Stilwell’s 5th book entitled “The Ultimate Guide to Raising a Puppy: How to Train and Care for Your New Dog” will be released on October 1, 2019 in the US. The book is available to preorder now.
The post Victoria’s New Puppy Book Now Available! first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
You may think that as you’ve had your dog for most, if not all their life, you would know them inside out and be able to predict their behaviour in any situation. That may be perfectly true. However, there are certain things to consider as your dog ages and how this can affect how he Read More
The post How To Read Your Senior Dog’s Body Language During Walks first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
The difference between mouthing and biting It is not at all uncommon for puppies to use their mouths in nearly everything they do. This behavior is called 'mouthing' and is a completely normal part of development. Though this is very similar to biting, the intention is different. Distinguishing between the two is very important. Why Read More
The post Is It Mouthing Or Biting? first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Possession behaviors, also known as “resource guarding”, is a natural survival behavior that all animals display, including humans. These behaviors can be normal and mild, but they can escalate and become quite dangerous if not addressed appropriately.
The post Possession Prevention in Puppies first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
We as humans have made such progress with how we view dogs, but it seems with so many steps forward, we take a few more steps back At one time, dogs were given far more freedom than they have now, many having at least the daytime run of their neighborhoods. But that freedom also came Read More
The post Dogs Want Us To Know: The Reality of Choosing to Live With Dogs first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
There’s been a lot of discussion lately about the pros and cons of engaging (publicly or privately) with people in the dog world who hold views different from your own. This can be an especially thorny topic when the opposing (or at least not compatible) viewpoints relate to a core belief of yours – beliefs that we often safeguard and protect more dearly than anything else. This got me thinking about the best ways to handle such situations, and I figured I’d share my thoughts with you here.
The post Should We Even Talk To ‘The Other Side’? first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
We're very excited to share the news that full episodes of It's Me or the Dog are now available on YouTube via the @ItsMeOrTheDog channel. It's been quite a while since we broke ground on that series back in the early 2000's, and I never would've guessed that we'd end up shooting over 100 episodes and have the show airing in over 200 countries.
The post It’s Me or the Dog Free on YouTube! first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Those of us who get paid to help dog parents with their dog’s behavior issues need to be able to accurately and understandably convey to those dog parents that how they respond to each situation helps determine the outcome.
The post Mirror Image: How Your Energy Affects Your Dog’s Behavior first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
We resolve to remember, if only for a moment, to observe and appreciate the joy our dogs bring us simply by being alive.
The post Happy New Year! first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Aly and Victoria discuss how you can make your dog feel more comfortable during the holidays. Whether your dog is shy of people or a social butterfly, discover great ways to prevent overwhelm and set your dog up for success. How can you teach visiting children to understand what your dog needs and to respect your dog’s space? Can you feed your dog table scraps?
The post Positively Dog Training Episode 803 first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
In this podcast, Victoria and Aly share great ideas on how to provide enrichment for your dog when it’s cold outside. Aly shares some great canine fitness ideas, how to play hide and seek with your dog and making meal times more enriching.
The post Positively Dog Training Episode 802 first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Some pups would bark “bah humbug!” if they could. They just don’t appreciate the Christmas spirit.
The post Relieving Dog Anxiety over Howlidays first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
Victoria is joined by Victoria Stilwell Academy's Curriculum Manager, Aly Lecznar, to talk about VSA's newly-launched Online Dog Trainer Course and the introductory Fundamentals of Dog Training & Behavior Course, including what makes VSA such a groundbreaking new learning opportunity both for dog owners and aspiring professional dog trainers.
The post Positively Dog Training Episode 801 first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.
A tribute to a very special 10 year old dog who should have never been given up, but boy are we glad she was! I don’t deserve to have an “easy” dog because I can handle a difficult one. I love the scaredy dogs, the ones who don’t love to be touched at first, the ones Read More
The post The “Easy” Dog first appeared on Victoria Stilwell Positively.