Dog ways

In a world where huskies live in Spain and chihuahuas in Canada, we need to be mindful of dogs' thermal regulation. The idea that "a dog is never cold" is a myth we would love to see disappear for good. In this episode, we break down which dogs need winter gear (more dogs than you think), how to choose a coat that keeps your dog truly warm, and when boots are worth it — plus we share our favorite...

Despite our desire to recreate a more natural, nature-based life with our pet dogs, procedures such as nail trimming, dental care, and coat maintenance remain unavoidable. How can we teach a dog to calmly cope with necessary procedures? What is cooperative care? And what can attempts to perform grooming through force and pressure lead to? — The information in this episode is purely educational and...

Separation anxiety is far more common than many dog owners realize — and it's often misunderstood. In this episode of Dog ways , we discuss what separation anxiety is and why it makes sense from an evolutionary perspective.  We talk about the signs people often misunderstand and share how to help dogs with separation anxiety. Finally, we discuss prevention and the bigger picture: why modern dogs s...

A big dog in a small flat — is this okay? Is it true that all dogs need to live in a big house with a garden? Or what are more important details that create approriate conditions for a dog? In this episode we discuss what kind of living environment creates the best life for a dog. — The information in this episode is purely educational and it is not a replacement for veterinary or behaviour advice...

More and more people are choosing to share their lives with small dogs. As our routines become busier and urban living more common, this shift makes perfect sense. In this episode of Dog Ways , we explore the myths and misunderstandings surrounding small dogs. Are they really more aggressive than large dogs? Do they truly need less care and are they actually more "convenient"? We also take a close...

When we talk about training big dogs, there's this stubborn idea that they need "a stronger hand" to behave. "Otherwise," people say, "they'll get dangerous." In this episode, we unpack where that belief comes from and talk about what life with large dogs is actually like: how to create safety without force, how big dogs are different from small dogs, what to expect day to day, and how to set up o...

We often talk about understanding dogs better — but what does that actually mean in practice? Dogs communicate through their body language A LOT, and we can learn to read it to make our life together more enjoyable. How? We explore in this episode. — The information in this episode is purely educational and it is not a replacement for veterinary or behaviour advice. If you are looking for an ethic...

In this episode of Dog Ways, we explore one of the most fundamental aspects of life with dogs — communication. Dogs have spent thousands of years learning to read us — our gestures, tone of voice, expressions, even words. But how well do we understand them in return? We talk about what it really means to "speak dog," why mutual understanding is the foundation of good training, and how better commu...

In this episode, we're talking about … choices! Giving our dogs choices is extremely important for their wellbeing. Our beloved dogs rely on us for food, shelter and comfort. And many of them even for such basic needs as going to the toilet! In this episode we discuss how this affects their wellbeing and behaviour, and what you can do to give your dog a more fulfilling life filled with more choice...

In this episode, we continue talking about wellbeing in dog training - both emotional and physical. When training and living with dogs, we often focus on what we need to teach them. We discuss training methods, argue whether we should be using this or that equipment… all while focusing on the "what". But we often forget to ask ourselves the very important question of WHY - why do we want to teach...

Behaviour issues very often arise as a consequence of the dog's needs not being met appropriately. But what does that mean exactly? What needs to dogs have that we may inadvertently not be meeting? In this episode, we discuss dogs' needs - as a species, as a breed and as an individual. — The information in this episode is purely educational and it is not a replacement for veterinary or behaviour a...

We all make mistakes when it comes to training and living with our dogs. In this episode, we talk about mistakes we've made in dog training and what we learned from them. We discuss ethics in dog training and how different training approaches may affect the dogs we work and live with. — The information in this episode is purely educational and it is not a replacement for veterinary or behaviour ad...

"Never use physical or psychological punishment on dogs" is one of the guidelines we follow strictly. It seems straightforward - but is it? Some behavioural advice, human reactions to dog behaviour and training techniques may seem kind, but could be perceived as punishment by the dog. We also usually easily recognise physical punishment, but when it comes to psychological punishment, things can be...

Understanding normal dog behaviour is essential if we want to prevent or solve behaviour issues. And more importantly - it allows us to offer our dogs the best life we possibly can. Join us as we talk about what dogs need and do to feel happy, comfortable and content. And what happens when normal dog behaviour is not allowed … — The information in this episode is purely educational and it is not a...

In this episode, we talk about our expectations and commands. Should we be commanding our dogs or should we be asking them to do something? What should we be teaching them at all? Why do otherwise obedient dogs sometimes disobey? We offer insight into a different approach towards our lives with dogs - about an approach based on building a strong, healthy relationship with our dogs and teaching wit...

Welcome to Dog ways - a Pet Dog Trainers of Europe podcast!  This is a podcast about ethical dog training. When working with dogs and their humans, we are always guided by the PDTE code of ethics. We look at dogs as individuals, always aiming at treating them with kindness and respect. In this short introduction episode, we answer the question "What does ethics mean to you?" Enjoy! — If you are lo...