Dog Talk by Happy Dog Training

Unfortunately, far too many dog trainers fail to understand the ethological meaning of the terms dominance, submission, and aggression and misuse …

In this episode, we discuss veterinary visits with your dog. Taking your dog to the vet can be scary for your furry family member. It’s an unfamiliar place with many different animal smells. Your dog can sense the …

In this episode, we discuss dog training models. Generally, models are simplified views of reality to focus on the most important aspects to reduce …

In this episode, I speak with biologist Carl Person. Carl founded Animalia Herpetofauna, Inc.—one of the top rattlesnake avoidance training …

In this episode, we discuss dog parks. On the one hand, they provide a much-needed space for socialization, but on the other hand, they are dangerous places. We unpack the challenges and provide some tips to minimize …

In this episode, we discuss the end of life for our canine companions, how to make the last moments less stressful for them, euthanasia, the …

In this episode, we discuss enriching dogs' environments. This is a much broader topic than is often acknowledged. Enrichment is important for most species. We all have experienced boredom. It’s the birthplace of …

Podcast Episode 33: When Dogs Attack

In this episode, we discuss dog attacks. We review the risks and frequency of dog attacks on people nationwide. Taking precautions to avoid unnecessary risks and several self-defense …

If you wonder how to rescue a dog, we have tips for you! Sadly, millions of dogs live in animal shelters across the nation. So when you are ready to add a new member to the family, animal shelters are a great place to …

In this episode, I speak with certified, professional canine nutritionist Kay Stewart about the importance of canine nutrition. We should feed our …

In this episode, we discuss separation anxiety in dogs. Every dog finds forced isolation unpleasant. No dog enjoys you going to work and leaving them …

In this episode, we discuss the importance of motivation in dog training. Motivation is the most important aspect when training any dog and, sadly, the most neglected. In the sports dog world, the importance of creating …

In this episode, we discuss emotions in dogs. We explore the limbic system, the part of the brain responsible for emotions in all mammals. I briefly overview the Blue-Ribbon emotions and how and why this matters when …

In this episode, we discuss how the industry of dog training is failing dog owners. Too much ideology gets in the way of helping people live more …

In this episode, we discuss if you should train your dog. This may seem like a silly question at first, but it's actually not. If your dog has …

In this episode, we discuss dog walking. Dogs love walking, but they naturally would travel up to twenty miles daily if left to their own devices, …

This episode discusses the risks and benefits of spaying and neutering dogs. Studies have shown that we need to make some changes. It is often advocated to sterilize dogs to protect them from cancer. However, it turns …

In this episode, we discuss eleven dog myths that keep persisting despite them being false. This includes dog myths around veterinary procedures, …

In this episode, we discuss why clarity matters for dogs. Clarity matters in communicating with your dog, training your dog, and living with your dog harmoniously. Family dogs do best when they understand how everything …

In this episode, we discuss leash aggression in dogs. Most dog owners use this term if their dog loses their mind at other dogs, people, cars, bikes, or whatever, when on a leash. Off-leash the dog may even be fine. …

In this episode, we discuss dog misbehavior. That generally means any behavior by your dog you don't care for. But much of what is called dog misbehavior is rooted in genetic frustration. Most misbehavior is not that …

In this episode, we discuss food aggression in dogs. When I was a less experienced trainer, I thought this was an issue of poor pack hierarchy in the home. I know many dog trainers continue to believe this. Today I know …

In this episode, we'll discuss the concept of punishment. This is the follow-up promised in episode nine about reinforcement. But, while …

In this episode, we discuss veterinary care. Understand what to look for from veterinarians and how to manage and prepare for emergency veterinary expenses. Learn how pet insurance and services like Care Credit can help …

In this episode, we discuss the flaws of many scientific dog studies. Instead of peer-reviewed, validated, solid scientific studies, we deal with far …

In this episode, we discuss what goes into creating reliability in dogs during training. We review the stages of learning: acquisition, fluency, generalization, discrimination, and maintenance. We review which aspects …

In this episode, I discuss how we increase the confidence of dogs. We review the general principles and discuss the overall approach. We review …

In this episode, I discuss how we handle allergies with our personal dogs. We go over why an allergy test is the best way to get started and what other options to consider when addressing your dog's allergies with the …

In this episode, I share my thoughts on dog food. We go over how to evaluate commercial dog foods, kibble quality, special veterinary dog foods, and alternatives, Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs, Irritable Bowel …

In this episode, we discuss canine consent. It is the idea that dogs are sentient beings who deserve agency in their lives. According to this …

Every dog has a threshold at which it fails to perform. There is always a breaking point. That can mean distractions become too intense for a dog to …

In this episode, we'll discuss reinforcement. There are many misconceptions on the internet, YouTube, etc., about reinforcement. Especially positive …

We work with many dogs with varying degrees of anxiety. For example, my favorite breed, the German Shepherd Dog, is supposed to be naturally unshockable. This is based on the breed standard and origination. However, I …

Play-based dog training is the most effective form of dog training there is. Because it speaks to the fundamental nature of dogs. Canines refine their innate hunting skills through rough-and-tumble play with their …

Hiring a dog trainer can be daunting. You are confronted with many certifications you have never heard of and have no idea what they mean. You can …

Potty training your dog teaches it not to soil the home. It is often the first challenge dog owners face. Depending on your approach, you either have a good time with your dog during this phase or live through a peeing …

This episode features a dog training conversation with my shadow student Sara White. I first met Sara during a dog training workshop we attended together. Later, she contacted me about my shadow program, and here we …

Unfortunately, far too many dog trainers fail to understand the ethological meaning of the terms dominance, submission, and aggression and misuse …

As I am not a veterinarian, I am not permitted to give medical advice regarding canine health. I am not going to. I will share publicly available information from the latest studies on canine vaccines.

This is NOT an …

My name is Ralf Weber, and I am a TWC Certified Professional Dog Trainer. I have been training dogs for 18 years. This is my podcast 'Dog Talk' on anything dog-related. I am the owner of Happy Dog Training. A member of …