The Dog Owners' Podcast

In this heartfelt episode of the Dog Owners Podcast, Brent is joined by Vinnie Somma and his wife Francesca as they open up about the recent loss of their beloved St. Bernard, Xena, who was a cherished part of their family for nine years.Together, Brent and Vinnie share their personal experiences with grieving a dog, navigating the emotional challenges that come with end-of-life decisions, and coping with the pain of saying goodbye to a lifelong companion. This episode offers honest insight and practical guidance for dog owners facing the difficult reality of losing a dog.The conversation also explores how the loss of a dog can impact the pack dynamic in multi-dog households, what behaviors to watch for in surviving dogs, and how to support them through the grieving process. Finally, Brent and Vinnie discuss one of the hardest questions many dog owners face: when and if you’re ready to welcome a new dog into your life after loss.Whether you’re currently caring for a senior dog, grieving a recent loss, or preparing emotionally for the future, this episode provides compassion, clarity, and reassurance that you’re not alone.

Separation anxiety is one of the most common dog behavior problems, and it can be frustrating, confusing, and exhausting for dog owners.In this episode of the Dog Owners Podcast, Brent and Vinnie break down separation anxiety in dogs, including how to recognize it, why it happens, and the exact training process needed to reduce and eliminate anxiety for good.You’ll learn:What separation anxiety actually looks like in dogsThe different types of canine anxiety and how to tell them apartWhy some dogs panic, bark, destroy, or shut down when left aloneCommon mistakes that accidentally reinforce anxietyA step-by-step approach to help your dog feel calm, confident, and independentIf your dog struggles when you leave the house, this episode will give you a clear, practical roadmap to help your dog relax, self-soothe, and feel safe — even when you’re gone.🎙️ Whether you’re dealing with mild anxiety or severe separation issues, this episode will help you take control and start seeing real improvement.

In this episode of The Dog Owners Podcast, co-hosts Brent and Vinny break down everything you must know before socializing your dog. Whether you’re a new dog owner or an experienced handler, this conversation dives deep into the true meaning of dog socialization, the common misconceptions, and the exact prerequisites, procedures, and protocols needed to help your dog develop into a safe, confident, and socially functional companion.You’ll learn:What real dog socialization actually is (and what it’s not)The foundational skills your dog needs before meeting new dogs or environmentsProtocols for structured, safe socializationHow to prevent fear, reactivity, and negative associationsThe step-by-step framework for building a well-balanced, socially fluent dogIf you want to raise a dog that can confidently interact with new dogs, people, and environments, this episode gives you the roadmap. Tune in and discover how to set your dog up for lifelong social success.

Struggling with a reactive dog? In this episode of the Dog Owners Podcast, professional dog trainers Brent LaBrada and Vinnie Somma break down exactly what dog reactivity is, why it happens, and how to finally overcome it. They share their complete, step-by-step system for treating reactivity—covering triggers, genetics, environment, training foundations, and real-world strategies that help dogs build confidence and stay calm under pressure.Whether your dog reacts to dogs, people, cars, or new environments, this episode gives you the tools to understand the root causes and start making real progress. Perfect for dog owners, dog lovers, and anyone looking to help their dog live a more relaxed, confident life.

In this episode of The Dog Owners Podcast, professional trainers Brent LaBrada and Vinny Somma break down everything dog owners need to know about nervous, anxious, or insecure dogs. They bust common myths about anxiety, explain what actually causes fearful behavior, and share the confidence-building strategies they’ve learned over 15 years of working with puppies, rescue dogs, and older anxious dogs.Whether your dog struggles with new environments, people, other dogs, or everyday sounds, you’ll learn practical steps to help your dog feel safer, more secure, and more fulfilled—so they can finally live their best life.