Your dog is not trying to take control of your household. They are trying to understand what works.

In this final episode of Dog Training 101: From Chaos to Companion, Michele Forto unpacks one of the most persistent and damaging ideas in dog training: dominance theory. While it offers a simple explanation for complex behavior, it often leads to frustration, confusion, and broken communication between dogs and their owners.

This episode reframes behavior through the lens of clarity, reinforcement, consistency, environment, and emotional state. You will learn why outdated training beliefs hold people back and how a modern, structured approach creates better results and stronger relationships.

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.

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

©2009-2026 by Dog Works Training Company® All Rights Reserved.

On this episode of the One Minute Dog Training Tips, Nicole Forto disusses, Treats vs. Life Rewwards 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.

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

©2009-2026 by Dog Works Training Company® All Rights Reserved.

Tricks aren't just for entertainment. They are one of the most effective ways to build confidence, improve communication, and unlock better behavior in your dog.

In this episode of Dog Works Radio, we break down how simple behaviors like hand targets, spins, and waves can create small wins that lead to big changes. When training feels stuck, the problem is often pressure. Tricks lower the stakes, encourage engagement, and help dogs learn how to succeed.

You will learn why confidence matters more than compliance, how tricks improve focus and responsiveness, and how to use short training sessions to create lasting results. If your dog struggles with hesitation, distraction, or inconsistency, this episode offers a different way forward.

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.

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

©2009-2026 by Dog Works Training Company® All Rights Reserved.

On this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips, Nicole Forto talks about tips and tricks when treats no longer work in your dog training routine.

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.

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

©2009-2026 by Dog Works Training Company® All Rights Reserved.

When your dog is limping, dealing with a mass, or facing a serious diagnosis, how do you know what to do next?

In this episode of Dog Works Radio, host Robert Forto speaks with Dr. Vanessa Serratore, a veterinary surgical specialist based in Alaska, about the real differences between general veterinarians and specialists. They discuss common conditions like CCL injuries, cancer, and complex surgical cases, and explain when advanced care becomes necessary.

You'll learn how veterinary specialists support primary vets, what surgery and recovery actually look like, and how to make informed decisions about your dog's health. If you've ever wondered whether your dog's issue is behavioral or medical, or when to escalate care, this episode gives you a clear path forward.

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.

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

©2009-2026 by Dog Works Training Company® All Rights Reserved.

On this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips, Nicole Forto talks about a spring reset with your dog training routine.

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.

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

©2009-2026 by Dog Works Training Company® All Rights Reserved.

Your dog didn't forget their training, something changed. What looks like regression is usually a shift in context, reinforcement, or consistency. In this episode, we break down the real reasons dogs stop responding to cues and how small changes in environment, routine, or expectations can impact behavior.

You'll learn why dogs struggle to generalize behaviors across different situations, how reinforcement history affects reliability, and why emotional state plays a bigger role than most owners realize. We also walk through practical steps to rebuild your dog's training by lowering difficulty, restoring clarity, and reinforcing success.

If your dog is suddenly pulling harder, ignoring commands, or acting like they've never been trained, this episode will help you understand what's actually happening, and how to fix it the right way.

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.

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

©2009-2026 by Dog Works Training Company® All Rights Reserved.

On this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips, Nicole Forto of Alaska Dog Works discusses how owners can work on a better recall in dog training 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.

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

©2009-2026 by Dog Works Training Company® All Rights Reserved.