Dog Works Radio® | Dog Training, Puppy Training, Dog Behavior & Service Dogs

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 ser...

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 R...

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 ab...

Stop posting or clicking on random dog trainer links. Listen to this first. Before you choose a dog trainer from these comments… take 2 minutes and hear this. 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 train...

Every year the rankings come out, people celebrate, argue, and wonder why their favorite breed moved up or down the list. But popularity can be misleading. The most popular dog isn't always the best for your family. Today, we break down the most popular dog breeds of 2025, why the French Bulldog keeps winning, which breeds are rising fast, and what these rankings should mean if you are thinking ab...

In this heartfelt episode of Dog Works Radio , host Robert Forto welcomes author Lisa Lacy to discuss her upcoming memoir  Dogs Don't Gaslight . Lisa shares stories of the six dogs who shaped her life, from an Italian Greyhound chasing a bear in Alaska to the rescue dog who brought chaos and healing into her home. They explore midlife reinvention, truth versus perception, resilience, addiction rec...

Your dog is not trying to dominate you. In this episode of Dog Works Radio , Dr. Robert Forto and Michele Forto tackle one of the most damaging myths in dog training: dominance theory. If you've been told your dog is "alpha," stubborn, manipulative, or trying to take over the house, this episode explains what's really happening and why outdated training advice often creates more confusion, frustra...

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 revie...

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,...

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 podcast...

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 surg...

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 rev...

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 rein...

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 d...

Most dog owners believe socialization means meeting as many people and dogs as possible. But what if that approach is actually creating stress, reactivity, or shutdown behavior? In this episode of Dog Works Radio , Michele Forto breaks down what socialization really means and why it has far less to do with interaction and far more to do with calm, controlled exposure. A well-socialized dog is not...

On this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips, Nicole Forto of Alaska Dog Works discusses socialization versus exposure 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 traini...

Does your dog erupt into barking chaos every time the doorbell rings? You're not alone. For many households, the sound of the doorbell instantly turns calm into confusion. In this episode of Dog Works Radio , Michele Forto explains why dogs react so strongly to the doorbell and how owners can turn that moment of excitement into a predictable and calm routine. Instead of trying to suppress barking,...

On this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips, Nicole Forto of Alaska Dog Works discusses coaching humans first 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 podca...

Many dog owners hesitate when they hear the price of professional training. Yet those same people might spend thousands of dollars for a few hours of entertainment, such as premium concert tickets. In this episode of Dog Works Radio, Robert and Michele Forto explore the real difference between short-term experiences and long-term value. While concerts create memories for a single evening, professi...

Many dogs behave well at home but struggle the moment they step into a busy environment. A crowded patio, a coffee shop, or even a quiet park can quickly overwhelm a dog that hasn't learned how to regulate their energy outside the house. In this episode of Dog Works Radio , host Michele Forto explains how to train what trainers often call the calm café dog, a dog that can settle comfortably in pub...

On this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips, Nicole Forto shares a update on working with a rescue dog from South Korea on Dog Works Radio You'll learn: What documented forensic cases show How and why scavenging behavior begins The role of canine survival instincts Practical emergency planning steps for dog owners How training and independence affect resilience If you live alone, off-grid, or...

Last week on Dog Works Radio, we explored the strange topic of "zombie dogs" and how real diseases can influence canine behavior. This week, we tackle another uncomfortable but honest question: would your dog eat you if you died at home? In this episode, we break down what forensic science reveals about post-mortem scavenging in dogs, how survival instincts override emotional bonds, and why this c...

In this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips, Nicole Forto of Alaska Dog Works Discusses Resource Guarding.   Other Episodes You Will Love How to Get the Best Results from Dog Training Sessions This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II Support the Show Like this episode? Share it with your dog training friends! Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcast...

Got a puppy for Christmas? Two months later is when real training begins. Learn what to focus on now, how to prevent bad habits, and how to build a well-mannered dog before adolescence hits. Other Episodes You Will Love How to Get the Best Results from Dog Training Sessions This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II Support the Show Like this episode? Share it with your do...

Your dog knows "sit." They just don't know why it matters. If your cues fall apart the moment distractions show up, the issue isn't intelligence. It's clarity, context, and how the behavior was built. In this episode of Dog Works Radio, Michele Forto breaks down the four core commands, sit, stay, down, and drop it, and explains why they are not about obedience at all. They're about impulse control...