Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

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!
Book your seat for the 2026 Dog Behavior Conference here.
Solve reactivity with Victoria's powerful course on Positively.com: Help! Stop Reactivity. Learn more & enroll 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.
Book your seat for the 2026 Dog Behavior Conference here.
Solve reactivity with Victoria's powerful course on Positively.com: Help! Stop Reactivity. Learn more & enroll 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. 
Book your seat for the 2026 Dog Behavior Conference here.
Solve reactivity with Victoria's powerful course on Positively.com: Help! Stop Reactivity. Learn more & enroll 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.

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

Victoria is joined by canine behavior consultant, anthropozoologist, and upcoming Dog Behavior Conference speaker Sindhoor Pangal to explore the pressing issues surrounding free-living dogs in India, particularly in light of recent government actions aimed at mass dog relocation. Sindhoor’s focus highlights the importance of understanding the ecological and ethical implications of such measures, including an appreciation of how counterproductive to public health and animal welfare they are. They also discuss the misconceptions surrounding free-living dogs and the societal dynamics that contribute to their treatment in urban environments.

The conversation delves deep into the emotional and social health of dogs, contrasting the Western approach to dog ownership with the more communal and symbiotic relationships seen in India. Sindhoor advocates for a shift in perspective, urging listeners to recognize the value of free-living dogs in their communities and the importance of fostering coexistence rather than conflict.

Hear more from Sindhoor at this year’s Dog Behavior Conference in April!
Book your seat for the 2026 Dog Behavior Conference here.
Solve reactivity with Victoria's powerful course on Positively.com: Help! Stop Reactivity. Learn more & enroll 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.

Victoria and Daniel Shaw delve into the complexities of canine behavior, focusing on trauma-informed care, the impact of stress on dogs, and the importance of understanding the dog’s individual needs. Daniel shares insights from his background in psychology and neuroscience, discussing how these fields inform his approach to working with dogs and cats. They also touch on the challenges of assessing dog behavior in legal contexts and developing more appropriate risk assessment tools when evaluating behavior while emphasizing the importance of context, secure relationships, and realistic expectations in canine care.
Book your seat for the 2026 Dog Behavior Conference here.
Solve reactivity with Victoria's powerful course on Positively.com: Help! Stop Reactivity. Learn more & enroll 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.