Spirit Dog Training Podcast: Recent Episodes
Steffi Trott
Spirit Dog Training brings you science-based, modern and effective dog training advice, explaining why your dog acts the way he acts, and how to approach training efficiently.
Lack of progress in training is very frustrating for every dog. But do you even assess progress the right way? As a dog trainer, I evaluate progress through two key parameters. In this episode I share why it doesn't matter at all if your dog has a bad training session, how you need to help your dog succeed during every single moment of training, and what you should do to reflect on how far you have already come!
Want to get started with our training programs for free? Visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
Is your dog refusing food in training? Do they routinely turn their nose up on the most delicious treats? There are FIVE main reasons for this ... and they are NOT what you'd think! Today we dive into WHY your dog may be noping out of treat training - and how to help them appreciate food rewards Want to get started with our training programs for free? Visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
Free trial | SpiritDog Academy
Using treats in reactivity training doesn't work for you because your dog refuses food completely around triggers? That is actually a very common issue ... with one easy, ingenious solution! In this episode I share the #1 question that will determine whether your dog can be trained with food - as well as how to do it!
Want to get started with our training programs for free? Visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
This week I discuss four non-negotiable life skills that EVERY dog owner needs to teach their dogs. These skills will set your dog up for success in situations that could otherwise be very stressful or even traumatizing! Want to get started with our training programs for free? Visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
You sent me a lot of emails and this week I answer your questions about socialization! We discuss "over socialization", how to socialize young puppies, setbacks in socialization during the teenage stage, why you need "boring" dogs for socialization and much more.
Want to get started with our training programs for free? Visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
In this episode I share actionable tips for socializing your dog! Starting at home ... and advancing all the way to the dog park. As you work through the 4 stages of socialization exercises, you will learn how to make sure your dog has a positive experience around all people and dogs.
Want to get started with our training programs for free? Visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
"Socializing" is a big buzz word in dog training ... but what does it actually mean? What is a well-socialized dog? And why are many socialization classes counter-productive? In this episode I discuss my thoughts around socialization and the frequent mistakes I see. In the next part I will share actionable socializing exercises you can do with your dog!
Want to get started with our training programs for free? Visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
When we are tackling a big training project, it is easy for us to lose track of the most important thing: To have FUN with our dogs! In this episode I explain why FUN is the foundation of your relationship and how to make sure that you never miss out on daily fun with your dog.
Want to get started with our training programs for free? Visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
In this episode I share my thoughts around a question that's pressing for all dog owners: "How long until my dog's behavior is fixed?" I discuss the three components that impact how long training will take ... and give you a way to reframe thinking about training timelines, too!
Want to get started with our training programs for free? Visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
Why does SpiritDog Training exist? What is the driving force behind it ... and what's my mission for dog owners worldwide? This is a philosophical episode that dives into the really big questions - that we should all answer for ourselves!
Want to get started with our training programs for free? Visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
A lot of dog owners worry about reinforcing unwanted behaviors by offering treats. For example: a dog freaks out at the window, the owner scatters treats and the dog stops barking and starts eating ... is that actually making them MORE likely to flip out? (Hint: no!) In this episode I explain why not every treat is a reward - and how you can navigate stressful situations skillfully with treats.
Want to get started with our training programs for free? Visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
Are you trying to fix your dog's reactivity with a "Look at me" approach? And your dog is fine as long as they are engaged with you ... but as soon as you take your eyes off them, they flip out again? In this episode I explain what the big misconception about engagement training for reactivity is - and how you can break through the training plateau!
Want to work through our reactivity training program for free? Visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
"How do I become a dog trainer?" is a question I get several times a week. In today's episode, I share three insights into working as a dog trainer that you probably did not expect! From honing training skills over people training to not spending a lot of time with one's own dogs ... I don't hold any secrets back in this one!
If you want to start training with our library of over 1,300 training videos for free, visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
Is your dog reactive ... but only sometimes? Only towards some people ... some dogs ... or in some situations? Selective and situation-specific reactivity can be really puzzling for dog owners. In this episode I explain how to make sense of it ... and how to work with dogs who are not always reactive. If you want to start training with our library of over 1,300 training videos for free, visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
A topic that has been requested many times ... how do you navigate family disagreements and training? What about family members who are not committed to training ... family members who give you well-meaning (but useless) advice ... or family members who are fighting you regarding training? In this episode I share my experiences on navigating all of these with you!
If you want to start training with our library of over 1,300 training videos for free, visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
In this second episode on breed-specific training, I discuss why you may be WRONG in believing that your dog needs a breed-specific training approach. Falsely holding out for this can actually harm your training progress! So let's break down the difference between breed-specific training issues ... and "run of the mill" training issues. If you want to start training with our library of over 1,300 training videos for free, visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
Are your criteria too muddled? Are you able to be black and white in training? Or do you try to teach unrefined behaviors ... and hurting yourself with it in the long run? Today I explain why you should NOT be a wishy washy trainer! If you want to start training with our library of over 1,300 training videos for free, visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
It's a huge misconception that in order to teach our dogs how to do something right, we wait for them to get it wrong. If you attempt to train like this, you and your dog will be frustrated and disapppointed. In this episode I discuss why you already have the teaching skills you need deep within you ... and the questions you need to ask yourself to apply the knowledge to dog training! If you want to start training with our library of over 1,300 training videos for free, visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
The #1 question I always asked myself when teaching group classes "What do my students talk about in the car?" In this quick episode I discuss why your trainer should care about each and every student's happiness and their dogs' successes. If your trainer doesn't seem invested in making you proud of your dog - look for a different trainer! If you want to start training with our library of over 1,300 training videos for free, visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
Did you know that no two breeds are trained the same? If you do not take your dog's breed(s) into account when planning your sessions, you won't be successful. In this episode I explain how your dog's breed impacts training decisions, and how you can tailor training to your specific dog! If you want to start training with our library of over 1,300 training videos for free, visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
Should you teach your dog multiple things at once? Or will they get confused? How do you decide which behaviors to work on at any one time? In today's episode I will discuss whether you should train several behaviors ... and how to decide which ones! If you want to start training with our library of over 1,300 training videos for free, visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
Living with and training a reactive dog is a taxing, tiring task! What if there was a shortcut? In this episode I discuss if there is a way to cut corners in reactivity training ... and what the results will look like. If you want to start training with our library of over 1,300 training videos for free, visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
We are never only training a skill ... we are always training a skill and an emotion. Out of the two, the emotion is actually the one you should be most concerned about! Today I dive into why the wrong emotion can ruin skill training (even if the dog is good at the skill) ... and how to help your dog find the right mindset. If you want to start training with our library of over 1,300 training videos for free, visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
As a dog trainer who uses a lot of food rewards, one of the most common questions I get us "... And what happens when you don't have a treat?" Today I unravel how to make your dog independent from having to be bribed and lured, and explain why having or not having a treat should not make a difference in a well-trained dog! If you want to start training with our library of over 1,300 training videos for free, visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
Scent work is a fascinating dog sport. It's welcoming to dogs of all ages and physical abilities ... and it's an amazing way to bond with your dog! In this episode we interview highly accomplished scent work competitor, judge and professional bed bug detection dog handler Paige Gordon about how to get started and progress in the sport.
Every day I work with dog owners and help them break through behavioral and training struggles. And every day I know that if dog owners were more mindful of these 6 things ... a lot of issues would NOT happen in the first place! Today I give you a list of the 6 things I wished every dog owner did - implement these to see immediate improvement in your dog. Also in this episode I share a special gift with you ... you can now access all of my over 1,300 online lessons completely free at spiritdogtraining.com/free
Most dog owners with more than one dog would love to train them all at once. But is this even possible? Is it a good idea to have everyone train at the same time? What about dogs that can wait their turn? And what should you do if your dogs are so attached that you cannot separate them? In this episode I answer all of these questions!
Training often fails because we are not progressing skills well. But what does it actually mean to "advance a skill"? How do we break down the training process for our dogs correctly? How many steps are involved in teaching a solid behaviors? In this episode you will find answers to all of these questions!
Do you struggle to motivate yourself to train? Is consistency hard for you and your dog? There actually is a secret to training every day ... I call it "training momentum". In this episode I share how you can reach training momentum, and why most dog owners are only a few training sessions away from breaking through this wall!
Treats are reinforcements and corrective collars are punishments ... but is that really what the definition of those words is? Are you using reinforcers as skillful as you could? And did you know that the environment is constantly reinforcing and punishing your dog, too?
How do you find the right dog trainer for you and your dog? What expectations should you have for a dog trainer? But also ... what is your dog trainer expecting from YOU in the coaching relationship? In this podcast I take a deep dive into my expectations for dog owners and trainers. And I also have a pretty big surprise for you ...
We want our dogs in a happy, eager and enthusiastic state of mind for training ... but what exactly should we do to achieve this? In this episode, I am sharing 10 tips that will make your dog more comfortable - and ultimately, this will make your training more successful, too!
Is your dog reactive towards unannounced visitors? Do they love to chase wildlife when you run into it? Are they barking and lunging ... but only when coming across certain other dogs? Unpredictable behaviors are one of the hardest things to address in dog training. It feels like we don't even have a place to start! The good news it that with the right approach we can tackle these training challenges and succeed. In this episode I share my top 3 tips for moving past the struggles of unpredictable behaviors!
Preemptive doubts can hurt your dog training and hinder your progress! We discuss where the mindset of "this won't work ..." comes from and how to break through it. I talk about how many times I have personally failed, and why this should never be a reason to stop pursuing new training ideas!
If treat training makes you go "meh", this episode is for you. I discuss other forms of rewards (toys, praise, access to the environment) as well as whether rewards are even always needed! This is a big episode to answer all questions regarding treat alternatives.
Not all training problems are equal. Some require immediate attention and intervention ... while others are not as pressing. It can be hard to know whether you need to jump into action or not. This episode discusses the 4 criteria to determine whether you need to start training TODAY - or whether you can sit back and stop worrying.
My own dog training is always evolving ... and yours should be, too! In this episode I explain the continuous feedback loop between you and your dog that will take your training to the next level. I also share how I always improve my own training and online classes!
When training isn't working, both dog and human are left frustrated and demotivated. But it does not have to be this way! There are 5 common reasons why training isn't working ... as well as solutions! In this episode I discuss the most common training roadblocks in detail, and explain how small changes will lead to big improvements!
In this episode I dive into the nitty-gritty of what clickers are and how they work. I bust some myths and explain how to decide whether clickers are going to work for your dog and your training goals. I also share how I have come 180 degrees when it comes to using clickers for my own clients!
In this episode I discuss why some dogs are so unfocussed, impatient, demanding and hard to train ... and why you should NOT hope that they'll grow out of it (they won't!) But don't worry - I reveal the #1 thing you can do today to help your dog grow in all of these skills and become a joy to train!
What does your work stress have to do with dog training? Why does our dog do worse the longer a training session goes on?And how can we predict our dog's seemingly unpredictable outbursts? The surprising answer to all of these question lies in trigger stacking. In this episode, I dive deep into the detrimental effects of trigger stacking - as well as how to navigate them in your training!
Ready to dive into training for 2024? But hold on - Setting the wrong training goals will hinder your progress and demotivate you! In this episode I share the surprising truth about why traditional training goals are bad, as well as 6 goals to will truly accelerate your training progress.
In this episode I talk about a client case study. They reached out to me the day before Christmas with a big ask: To teach their dog and their visitors' dog to stop fighting! Listen in to learn how I handled this, and how to decide between training and "damage control" - especially during the busy holidays!
A lot of dog owners struggle with their dog's behavior in the yard. Whether digging, barking, fence fighting or chewing on patio furniture ... many dogs do NOT inherently behave well outside! In this episode I go into detail on why dogs misbehave outside and how to fix it.
Management is a very unpopular topic among dog training students ... but without management, training is likely to fail! Today we dive deep into understanding why management is the foundation of any training you do - as well as the key to success.
Is your dog failing at group training classes? Are they always the odd one out who's barking, pulling on leash and being unfocused?
In this episode I discuss 3 ways to make group classes easier - as well as how to know if a group class is NOT the right place for your dog.
Did treat training not work for you? In this episode I explain why some dogs don't take treats outside, why they only listen when they see a treat, why they sometimes learn the wrong thing with treat training ... and how to turn all of this around by improving your training mechanics!
Is your training stagnating? Did your dog make progress initially, but then you hit a plateau? It's frustrating and disappointing when you don't see progress anymore! The good news is that there are 5 common reasons why training is stagnating ... with 5 easy solutions! In this episode I discuss small changes you can make to get back on track and watch your dog improve rapidly.
Can old dogs learn new tricks? Every dog trainer will tell you 'yes', but the true answer is more complex than this. In today's episode I dive into the WHY and HOW of teaching adult dogs novel behaviors, and re-training known skills! We also discuss when you should NOT teach your old dog a new trick.
"Ignore bad behavior" Does this really work? In which situations is ignoring the right approach ... and in which might it make your dog's behavior WORSE? Dive in and discover why behavior can be stopped by ignoring ... and why it sometimes is absolutely the wrong choice!
In this episode I share one small change that you can make today - with big results! Listen in to find out how to reduce your dog's frustration, eliminate unpleasant training surprises and become a better trainer for your dog right away.
What should you do in the very moment that your dog is misbehaving? What is the "magical solution" ... and does this even exist? Join me to learn how your dog's behavioral history decides how they act in a certain moment, as well as what this has to do with why I cannot run a marathon tomorrow.
Many dogs suffer from separation anxiety. The solution is not intuitive at all: You actually need to leave your dog alone MORE OFTEN. But it needs to be done the right way ... in this episode, we discuss how to have dogs shake off the fear of being home alone!
For more tips and trainings visit us at:
https://academy.spiritdogtraining.com/
How often do you need to practice a skill in dog training? Why isn't your dog 100% better after 3 sessions? And what does this have to do with how many times you picked up your phone today?
Want to try dog agility with your dog? Think you are too slow for your dog? Think again! This sport is awesome for many dog and handler teams. We tell you how to get started!
Our vet Dr Cori is back to answer the most common questions about household accidents. What are some dangers you might not be aware of? How can you keep your dog out of trouble at home? And do we have to watch out for household dangers even after the puppy stage (hint: yes!)?
Let's dive right in!
Join me as I answer the most common questions about reactivity! From leash reactivity about reactivity to visitors to flipping out on car rides, I got answers and solutions.
We all may have a stereotypical picture in mind when thinking of a small dog: loud, yappy, unruly, reactive ... but why is that so? How can you prevent and even reverse small dog syndrome?
Is your dog one of the crazy ones - nervous, reactive or always in motion and ready for the next adventure? What if you are the one who is making him a little bit crazy? In this episode, I share 5 habits you might just have that are making your dog more wound up.
Is your dog a poop eater? Does he like to chew on stones? Does he carry and ingest sticks while on walks? We have Dr Cori back on the podcast and she lets us know everything about things that should NOT go into your dog's mouth!
Does your dog need increasing amount of exercise in order to be calm and well-behaved? He might have doggy exercise addiction! Learn how to spot this and how you can counter it in your dog.
In this episode I am joined by veterinarian Dr Corinne Wigfall. She will be on the show regularly and answer common medical questions about dogs.
Today we speak about aging dogs. How do you care for senior dogs? How do you keep them fit and healthy for as long as possible? What can be done to slow cognitive decline and manage potty accidents? Let's dive in!
Is your dog guarding bones from you? Has he growled or even snapped at you when trying to protect his treasures? In this episode I teach you how to approach a dog and his resource.
To see a video of the process:
https://spiritdogtraining.com/tips-for-preventing-resource-guarding-in-dogs/
Many owners want to train their dogs without treats so that the dog does not "rely" on the treats to show desired behavior. But how does this concept translate to real training situations? Should you strive to reduce treats right from the start?
We all have limited time to train our dogs - so why not make these training sessions as effective as we can? I share 7 actionable tips you can start implementing today to get faster and better results, without putting in any more training time.
Many dogs are resource guarders. This behavior is often misunderstood, misinterpreted and not correctly addressed. In this episode I share stories from my resource guarding clients as well as secrets to understanding and managing it this issue.
Do you struggle to keep up with your dog's shedding? Not sure how often/how long/with which brush to comb your dog? Does he have the "dreaded" behind-the-ear mats?
In this episode I sit down with my friend and professional groomer Judy Schmille. She has groomed my dogs for many years and she has a lot of grooming tips and tricks to share!
It is so much easier to raise your puppy the right way from the start than to try and fix ingrained issues later. In this episode I will share 8 puppy raising mistakes you need to avoid by all means!
If your dog is one to take off after every deer, rabbit or squirrel he sees, this episode is for you. We explore WHY dogs love to chase so much, and how you can use positive methods to channel his desire to hunt into playing with YOU.
Doggy fitness training? What's that, how do you do it, and why do you need it in the first place?
In this episode we talk to international agility competitor and canine conditioning expert Kim Fuqua who shares how she become a doggy fitness instructor, how you can get started with your own dog and what a profound impact conditioning will have on your dog's longevity, health and wellbeing.
What's it like to own a dog who is so reactive that a dog trainer picks you out to film a whole online class on reactive dog training?
In this episode I talk to the wonderful Beverly, owner of Brodie who is the star of my reactivity class. She has gone on quite the journey with her dog, with many ups and downs - eventually resulting in an amazing improvement and the fact that Brodie can now LIVE and be friends with another dog.
Is your dog one of the "non-food-motivated" ones? Let's talk about why dogs seem not food-motivated and how we can work with them!
Is your dog becoming agitated before dinner time? Do you still keep dinner at the same time every day so that you can show him that his agitation won't change when he can eat? This might not actually get the message across the way you are hoping it will ...
There are 7 similarities all owners of well-trained dogs have. In this episode you will learn about habits you should get into - because they are shared by all awesome dog and handler teams!
Have you ever heard of the Scottish Collie? That's right - not a Rough or Smooth Collie, but the Scottish Collie. I had not, until I met a client a year ago who owned one. In this interview we are speaking with the president of the Scottish Collie Preservation Society, Denise Maher, about the history, characteristics and comeback of the Scottish Collie.
The Scottish Collie
European dog agility is very different from the sport here in the USA or Australia. In the second part of our interview with Emily Abrahams she tells us how she navigated dog agility competitions in Europe, how she gets regular training time living in a van and how we could perhaps unite the differences of dog agility all over the world.
Dog Agility Training and Van Life
2 years ago Emily was a school teacher in Australia, lived in a house and trained her dogs in agility. Today, Emily lives in a van, travels all over Europe, competes with her Border Collie Loki, hikes, explores, writes, photographs, and is an all-around badass. We talked to her about her journey.
Van Life with a Dog
In this episode I explain my ideas about puppy raising, puppy training, why I don't believe in "socialization" and what to do instead.
My Puppy Training
Growing up a Spirit dog
My thoughts on puppy raising
There are the dogs that seem to naturally be great at cooperating. And then there are the dogs who like to see just how far they can go and how much they can get out of life. I have one of each category - this episode talks about how you can train the independent and wild ones to work together with you.
Living with a spirited dog
Everyone who has ever owned a dog has seen that dog be distracted by something at one point or another. We all wish our dogs would listen to us just because we are their owner, and that they would find us more interesting than anything else. The magical formula is this: They are Experience Junkies.
In this podcast you will learn why you (and I, and everybody else) are probably not a perfect trainer, and how to work towards becoming the most important thing in your experience junkie's life.
Your Dog the Experience Junkie