Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

In this podcast episode, Victoria Stilwell and Steve Dale discuss his new book, Ask the Dog, and the importance of consent and bite prevention. 
Their freewheeling conversation explores humane dog training, the dangers of aversive methods like shock collars, veterinary breakthroughs, and the far-reaching impact of scientific research in feline health. 
Book your seat for the 2026 Dog Behavior Conference here.
Launch or level up your career as a professional dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy. Learn more here.
Create your free Positively account here.
Solve behavior problems and find tools to help live your best dog life at Positively.com.

Jo Pay joins Victoria to discuss her journey of raising a new puppy, Jig, a 16-week-old border collie. They explore the challenges and joys of puppy training, the importance of socialization, and the realities of managing expectations as a dog trainer and owner. 
Jo shares her experiences with choosing the right breeder, the significance of sleep for puppies, and strategies for socializing Jig in a safe and controlled manner. The conversation emphasizes the emotional resilience needed for both puppies and their owners, highlighting the rewarding yet demanding nature of raising a puppy.
Book your seat for the 2026 Dog Behavior Conference here.
Launch or level up your career as a professional dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy. Learn more here.
Create your free Positively account here.
Solve behavior problems and find tools to help live your best dog life at Positively.com.

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.
Launch or level up your career as a professional dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy. Learn more here.
Create your free Positively account here.
Solve behavior problems and find tools to help live your best dog life at Positively.com.

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.
Launch or level up your career as a professional dog trainer with the Victoria Stilwell Academy. Learn more here.
Create your free Positively account here.
Solve behavior problems and find tools to help live your best dog life at Positively.com.

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