Your Dog Doesn't Respect You… Or Do They? The Truth About Dog Training and Behavior
2026/05/12 | 8 mins.
Does your dog ignore commands, pull on the leash, or seem like they just do not respect you? What if the problem is not respect at all? In this episode of Dog Works Radio, Michele Forto breaks down one of the most misunderstood ideas in dog training: the belief that dogs misbehave because they are trying to dominate, challenge, or disrespect their owners. This episode explores: Why dominance-based thinking still affects modern dog training What your dog is actually learning in difficult moments Why dogs behave differently in new environments How clarity and consistency improve obedience Why yelling louder rarely works The truth about reliable recall and dog behavior How real-world dog training builds trust If your dog listens perfectly at home but struggles outside, this episode will help you understand why. You will learn: How dogs make decisions Why reinforcement matters more than authority The role environment plays in dog obedience How to create more predictable behavior Why trust matters more than "respect" Other Episodes You Will Love · Zombie Dogs Support the Show This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II Like this episode? Share it with your dog training friends! Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review. FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Training Plan Take our Understanding Drive Behaviors quiz to see exactly what drive your dog is in and how to begin to train for it. Join the On-Air Dog Training Coaching waitlist for a chance to be coached on the air by Dr. Robert or Michele Forto and get your dog training questions answered in real time. Sign up now for 20% off our Group Coaching Program and learn how to build the best relationship possible for your dog. Take your dog training to the next level by enrolling in our Peak Performance membership. Follow Dog Works Radio for more dog training tips: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
From a dog meat farm in South Korea to a forever home in Alaska
2026/05/09
Join Nicole and Robert Forto as they give an update on Scooby's training: from a dog meat farm in South Korea to a forever home in Alaska. Other Episodes You Will Love · Zombie Dogs Support the Show This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II Like this episode? Share it with your dog training friends! Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review. FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Training Plan Take our Understanding Drive Behaviors quiz to see exactly what drive your dog is in and how to begin to train for it. Join the On-Air Dog Training Coaching waitlist for a chance to be coached on the air by Dr. Robert or Michele Forto and get your dog training questions answered in real time. Sign up now for 20% off our Group Coaching Program and learn how to build the best relationship possible for your dog. Take your dog training to the next level by enrolling in our Peak Performance membership. Follow Dog Works Radio for more dog training tips: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
Service Dog Training Explained: What It Really Takes to Build a Reliable PTSD Service Dog
2026/05/07 | 11 mins.
What does it really take to train a PTSD service dog that works outside of a controlled environment? In this episode, Michele Forto shares the true story of Danny and Gunner, one of the first service dog teams trained through Alaska Dog Works. Learn why structure, consistency, handler involvement, and real-world reliability matter far more than quick obedience results. A powerful episode about service dog training, PTSD recovery, leadership, and partnership under pressure. Other Episodes You Will Love · Zombie Dogs Support the Show This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II Like this episode? Share it with your dog training friends! Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review. FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Training Plan Take our Understanding Drive Behaviors quiz to see exactly what drive your dog is in and how to begin to train for it. Join the On-Air Dog Training Coaching waitlist for a chance to be coached on the air by Dr. Robert or Michele Forto and get your dog training questions answered in real time. Sign up now for 20% off our Group Coaching Program and learn how to build the best relationship possible for your dog. Take your dog training to the next level by enrolling in our Peak Performance membership. Follow Dog Works Radio for more dog training tips: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
On this episode of The Daily Dog Michele Forto profiles the French Bulldog on Dog Works Radio. Other Episodes You Will Love · Zombie Dogs Support the Show This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II Like this episode? Share it with your dog training friends! Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review. FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Training Plan Take our Understanding Drive Behaviors quiz to see exactly what drive your dog is in and how to begin to train for it. Join the On-Air Dog Training Coaching waitlist for a chance to be coached on the air by Dr. Robert or Michele Forto and get your dog training questions answered in real time. Sign up now for 20% off our Group Coaching Program and learn how to build the best relationship possible for your dog. Take your dog training to the next level by enrolling in our Peak Performance membership. Follow Dog Works Radio for more dog training tips: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
Dog Training Truths No One Talks About with Melissa McCue McGrath
2026/05/05 | 58 mins.
In this episode of Dog Works Radio, Robert Forto sits down with professional dog trainer and author Melissa McCue McGrath about her new book, Misadventures of the World's Okayest Dog Trainer and also the real world of dog training, beyond the basics. Melissa shares her journey from growing up with sled dogs in rural Maine to working in behavior cases and animal shelters. Along the way, we talk about the challenges dog trainers face, the misconceptions clients often have, and why communication with people matters just as much as working with dogs. The conversation discusses: The impact of popular culture on dog ownership trends The gap between real training knowledge and public perception What dog owners should look for in a trainer The realities of working in shelters and behavior cases Why the dog training industry remains largely unregulated Melissa also discusses her new book and the lessons behind the "misadventures" that shape every trainer's career. If you are a dog owner, aspiring trainer, or someone curious about what really happens behind the scenes, this episode offers practical insight and honest perspective. Buy the book: Misadventures of the World's Okayest Dog Trainer Other Episodes You Will Love · Zombie Dogs Support the Show This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II Like this episode? Share it with your dog training friends! Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review. FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Training Plan Take our Understanding Drive Behaviors quiz to see exactly what drive your dog is in and how to begin to train for it. Join the On-Air Dog Training Coaching waitlist for a chance to be coached on the air by Dr. Robert or Michele Forto and get your dog training questions answered in real time. Sign up now for 20% off our Group Coaching Program and learn how to build the best relationship possible for your dog. Take your dog training to the next level by enrolling in our Peak Performance membership. Follow Dog Works Radio for more dog training tips: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
About Dog Works Radio® | Dog Training, Puppy Training, Dog Behavior & Service Dogs
Dog Works Radio is a dog training podcast for dog owners who want real-world results, better behavior, and a stronger relationship with their dogs.
In every episode, professional dog trainers Dr. Robert and Michele Forto break down the dog training advice, behavior challenges, and canine myths that confuse most owners and show you what actually works in everyday life with dogs.
Whether you are raising a new puppy, struggling with leash pulling, dealing with barking or reactivity, training a service dog, or simply trying to better understand your dog's behavior, this podcast gives you practical dog training strategies you can actually use.
Produced by Alaska Dog Works, Dog Works Radio combines over 30 years of professional dog training experience with real-world stories, expert interviews, and honest conversations about life with dogs.
You'll learn practical strategies for:
• Puppy training and early socialization
• Dog behavior problems and solutions
• Recall training and off-leash reliability
• Loose leash walking and reactivity
• Positive reinforcement dog training
• Service dog and therapy dog training
• Canine nutrition and health
• Real-world obedience training
• Building confidence in nervous dogs
• Understanding breed behavior and drive
• Creating better routines and communication with your dog
This podcast is designed for dog owners who are tired of generic advice and want clear, proven training methods that work in the real world.
Popular Guests Include: Jennifer Carter (author, canine nutritionist), Melissa McCue-McGrath (author, dog trainer), Lisa Lacy (author), Dr. Vanessa Serratore (veterinarian), Marc Goldberg (author and dog trainer)
Popular Topics Include: puppy biting, leash pulling, dog aggression, separation anxiety, recall training, service dogs, therapy dogs, dog nutrition, positive reinforcement, canine behavior, dog training myths, real-world obedience, dog confidence, and living better with dogs.
If you are ready to train a calmer, more reliable dog, hit follow and join one of the longest-running dog training podcasts anywhere.
Learn more at DogWorksRadio.com
Listen to Dog Works Radio® | Dog Training, Puppy Training, Dog Behavior & Service Dogs, Snoop and Sniffy: Dog Detective Stories for Kids and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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