Dog Trainer's Podcast

In this episode, Mariano and Brent sit down with Josh Beckler of K9 Optima for a powerful and thoughtful conversation on the craft of dog training, the value of humility, and the systems that shape great trainers. Josh shares his unique journey—from developing an early bond with dogs, to a career in corporate investigations, and ultimately to becoming a respected voice in the dog training communit...

In this episode, Mariano and Brent sit down with JJ Siebrasse, a military veteran, former law enforcement officer, and respected dog trainer, to discuss the real, unfiltered journey of building a career and business in the dog training world. JJ shares how his unconventional path led him to dog training, opening up about early mistakes, the evolution of training methods, and the mindset shifts tha...

In this episode, Mariano and Brent welcome back Jonas Black for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about growth, grief, and the healing power of dogs. Jonas opens up about his transformative journey after “giving his life to Jesus Christ” and becoming a father, sharing how faith, family, and responsibility continue to shape his path as a trainer and leader. Together, we explore the emotio...

In this episode, Mariano and Brent sit down with Haley White of K9 Ethix —a professional dog trainer whose journey from the world of ballet to behavior work offers a powerful example of passion, resilience, and purpose. Haley opens up about her path from being a dog enthusiast to launching her own training brand, and how she navigated major life transitions, including pregnancy and motherhood, whi...

On this episode of the CANIS Pro Series, host Brent LaBrada emphasizes the essential role of behavioral assessments in dog training. Before any training begins, understanding a dog's unique behavior is crucial for creating a customized and effective plan. Brent takes listeners through his process of evaluating a dog and their family, from assessing a dog's temperament to identifying any...

Interview w/ Jacob Morgan of Yorkshire Canine Academy In this episode of the Dog Trainers Podcast, Mariano Alvarez and Brent Labrada sit down with Jacob Morgan from Yorkshire Canine Academy to explore his journey from professional rugby player to successful dog trainer. Jacob shares how mentorship, strategic content creation, and a strong personal brand have shaped his business. They discuss the e...

Episode Title: Mastering Client Conversations | The CANIS Pro Series In this episode of The Dog Trainers Podcast , Brent LaBrada introduces a brand-new segment: The CANIS Pro Series . In this first episode of the series, Brent dives into the crucial art of talking with new clients or leads who reach out to your business. A high percentage of dog trainers struggle with effectively communicating the...

Here’s a polished episode description for you: Lead Like a Leader ft: Tyler Muto In the final installment of our three-part series with Tyler Muto, we dive deep into what it truly means to lead—both in business and in life. Leadership isn’t just about authority; it’s about setting standards, leading by example, and fostering a culture of trust and belonging. We explore the balance between authorit...

Here's the revised episode description without emojis: Episode Title: Building the Future of Dog Training with Method Canine In this episode of The Dog Trainer’s Podcast , hosts Brent LaBrada and Mariano Alvarez welcome back Julius and Stephanie Vichinsky of Method Canine to discuss their latest venture—the Method Canine Institute—and the evolving landscape of professional dog training. Toget...

Part 2 of 3 with Tyler Muto: Communicate like a leader w/ Tyler Muto In part two of our three-part series with Tyler Muto, we dive deeper into the essential leadership and communication skills that every dog trainer needs to succeed. Being a great dog trainer doesn’t automatically make you a great manager, and this episode focuses on bridging that gap. We discuss the importance of self-awareness,...

Turning Dog Training into a Thriving Business with Will & Zack from Hayden Episode Description: Dog training is more than just a craft—it’s a business. In this episode, Mariano Alvarez and Brent LaBrada sit down with Will and Zack from Hayden to explore the challenges that dog trainers face when it comes to marketing, sales, and time management. They dive into the importance of understanding c...

Episode Title: Teach Like a Pro: My 3-Step Guide Episode Description: Welcome to Untamed Academy —where trainers and dog owners come together to improve communication, sharpen skills, and master the craft of dog training. In this episode, Mariano Alvarez, owner of Untamed Dog Co. and co-host of the Dog Trainer’s Podcast, tackles an often-overlooked topic: teaching. While many trainers focus on hon...

Dog Trainers Podcast: Think like a leader with Tyler Muto In this first episode of a three-part series, hosts Mariano Alvarez and Brent Labrada welcome the renowned Tyler Muto back to the show for an in-depth discussion about the skills dog trainers need to excel in their craft and businesses. Tyler shares invaluable insights into: Creating a clear vision for your training journey. The importance...

Episode Title: 3 Tips to Improve Your Communication Skills In this debut episode of Untamed Academy , Mariano Alvarez sets the stage for sharpening your skills and mastering the craft of dog training. Communication is a critical tool for every trainer, but it can be challenging to master—whether you're speaking to a group in a class or engaging one-on-one with a client. Mariano dives into the...

In this episode of the Dog Trainers Podcast, Mariano Alvarez and Brent LaBrada kick off Season Four by discussing the importance of optimizing dog training businesses. They explore key areas such as marketing, sales, and delivery, emphasizing the need to understand customer needs and experiment with services. The conversation also highlights effective time management strategies and the significanc...

In this festive episode, we reflect on an incredible year, celebrating milestones like the Kynology Shoot in LA, Brent’s new training facility, and unforgettable events like the Canine Conference and Kynology Event. We also thank our amazing guests and listeners for their support and share exciting plans for 2025 including starting season 4 of the Dog Trainer's Podcast! Join us as we wrap up...

Co-hosts Mariano Alvarez and Brent Labrada welcome dog trainer Darshan Herrán. They discuss Darshan's journey into dog training, the importance of quality breeding, and the influence of growing up in a dog-training family. The conversation also touches on modern dog training techniques, the role of social media, and the significance of play in training. Darshan shares insights on building rel...

Hosts Mariano Alvarez and Brent Labrada welcome Dr. Melanie Ude, a researcher and dog trainer. They discuss Melanie's journey from academia to dog training, the evolution of dog training perspectives, and the importance of asking the right questions in dog training and life. Melanie shares insights from her experiences, work with Canine Decoded, and upcoming projects, including a new educatio...

Robin MacFarlane is a well-respected dog trainer and advocate for the PROPER use and education of remote training collars. She has had an expansive career as a dog trainer, mentor, educator, advocate, and much more. In this episode, the guys have the opportunity to discuss Robin's origins as a dog trainer, the state of dog training content today, her efforts with PETT and others to help educa...

This interview is particularly special to Mariano. He got to interview his good friend and mentor, Dr. Stewart Hilliard. They discuss Stewart's lifelong passion project that has come to be known as Kynology. Stewart has teamed up with Michael Ellis and Forrest Micke to create what we at DTP believe to be the best dog training symposium on earth! Listen along with us as Stewart tells us all ab...

"I am a teacher of people and the subject is dog training" - Michael Ellis. This is a quote that sums up the job of a dog trainer perfectly! The issue sometimes is that dog trainers have so much to learn and master with dogs that we have to struggle to find time to learn how to improve our skills as educators and communicators. In this episode, Brent and Mariano discuss tips and lessons...

As a dog trainer, what do you tend to struggle with the most? Yup, us too! Managing time, juggling tasks, organizing a day or a week is a skill in itself! Sadly, it's a skill that most dog trainers struggle with. It's also something that can absolutely transform your business and give you your personal life back. In this episode, Brent and Mariano discuss some tips and tricks that they&a...

A concept that many dog owners and trainers struggle with is the concept of establishing authority with your dogs. What does that mean? Do I have to be harsh on my dog? How do I establish authority with my dogs? Brent and Mariano get into what authentic authority looks like in dog training. They discuss ideas on how to establish authority with your dog.  They also discuss common issues or misconce...

Method K9 is a wildly popular and successful dog training and rehabilitation program in Post Falls Idaho. We've had a chance to interview Stephanie Vichinsky, co-owner and head trainer in a previous interview (S2. Ep. 25) during which, she couldn't say enough good things about her husband and co-owner of Method K9 Julius Vichinsky. Julius is credited and the talent behind the scenes whic...

Dog trainers all across the globe typically adhere to a particular training system. This could be due to the way they were taught to train. This could be due to the type of dogs or clientele they regularly encounter, etc.  Now, here's the pro/con scenario: Pro - Different systems allow for trainers to learn new techniques from each other and evolve their own methods. Con - In the age of socia...