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

This episode of Dog Works Radio breaks down the moment every Christmas puppy owner eventually hits: the shift from adorable holiday calm to barking, chewing, biting, and chaos. Michele Forto explains why this happens, how normal it really is, and why so many families feel blindsided in January. You'll learn what behaviors signal normal development, why the holiday "puppy bubble" creates false expe...

In this episode of Dog Works Radio, Robert sits down with longtime friend and client Dr. Lisa DeVore , calling in from South Korea, to talk about her new book Paw Prints on Leadership: What My Service Dog Bailey Taught Me About Leadership . Lisa shares how Bailey, a once-stray dog who became her trained psychiatric service dog, helped her navigate life, work, military contracting, and the stress o...

On this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips , Nicole Forto discusses: Chutes and Ladders in Dog Training? Products We Use for  Dog Works Radio My equipment:   • SHURE SM7B Mic • Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones • Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro   Recommended resources:   • Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization • Keap CRM •...

This episode of Dog Works Radio delves into the hidden costs and long-term responsibilities of puppy ownership, especially during the holiday season. It emphasizes that bringing a puppy home is not just a festive moment but a multi-year commitment that involves financial, emotional, and lifestyle adjustments.   The hosts discuss the various expenses associated with puppy care, the time commitment...

On this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips , Nicole Forto discusses: Is Dominance Theory Real in Dog Training? Products We Use for  Dog Works Radio My equipment:   • SHURE SM7B Mic • Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones • Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro   Recommended resources:   • Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization • Keap...

This episode breaks down the emotional appeal of giving a puppy as a Christmas gift and why so many holiday puppies end up in shelters by spring. Michele Forto explains the three main reasons families choose holiday timing, the common challenges that begin in January, and the most overlooked responsibilities new owners face. If you're considering a Christmas puppy, or already committed, this episo...

In this cross-posted episode of The Mushing Podcast and Dog Works Radio, Robert Forto talks with Andrew Comoletti, a Boston-based dog walker, musher, and filmmaker whose Border Collies launched him into the world of dog-powered sports. Andrew shares how he turned dog walking into a full-time career, how he races with both his own dogs and client dogs, and why he films mushing events across the US...

On this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips , Nicole Forto discusses: How Long Will It Take To Train My Dog? Products We Use for Dog Works Radio My equipment:   • SHURE SM7B Mic • Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones • Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro   Recommended resources:   • Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization • Keap CRM...

Dogs are often labeled reactive, stubborn, or "too much," but today's guest believes they're usually just a miscommunication away from thriving. In this episode of Dog Works Radio, Dr. Robert Forto sits down with  Emily Breslin , retired vet tech turned dog trainer, certified canine nutritionist, enrichment expert, and host of The Dog Who Asked for More podcast. Emily shares her incredible journey...

On this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips , Nicole Forto discusses:  Thanksgiving Food Do's and Don'ts for Your Dog Products We Use for  Dog Works Radio My equipment:   • SHURE SM7B Mic • Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones • Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro   Recommended resources:   • Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization...

On this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips , Nicole Forto discusses: Thanksgiving Manners for Your Dog Products We Use for  Dog Works Radio My equipment:   • SHURE SM7B Mic • Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones • Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro   Recommended resources:   • Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization • Keap CRM • R...

In this episode of Dog Works Radio, Robert Forto interviews Sam Spoto , an ER veterinary professional who now works in the pet insurance world. Sam shares how years in emergency medicine shaped the way she thinks about insurance, unexpected vet bills, and the tough decisions dog owners are forced to make when money and medical care collide. Listeners will learn when pet insurance makes sense, why...

On this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips , Nicole Forto discusses: Separation Anxiety Tips for Dogs of All Ages Products We Use for Dog Works Radio My equipment:   • SHURE SM7B Mic • Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones • Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro   Recommended resources:   • Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization • Ke...

Everyone's a dog trainer these days, or at least, that's what social media makes it look like. But long before the hashtags, flashy reels, and influencer trainers, Alaska Dog Works was already out in the snow and mud, helping families build lasting relationships with their dogs. In this episode, Michele Forto reflects on more than three decades in the dog training world and what that kind of exper...

What if your dog came when called every single time—not because you had a treat, but because they wanted to? In this episode of  Dog Works Radio , Michele Forto reveals the three foundational keys to a truly well-trained dog that every handler can use: Win your dog's mind:  build focus and trust Motivate your dog: make obedience exciting Encourage the right behavior: reward what you want to see ag...

On this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips , Nicole Forto discusses: the Arctic Puppy Foundation Program at Alaska Dog Works Products We Use for Dog Works Radio My equipment:   • SHURE SM7B Mic • Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones • Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro   Recommended resources:   • Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and moneti...

On this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips , Nicole Forto discusses: Mental Stimulation Games for Dogs Products We Use for  Dog Works Radio My equipment:   • SHURE SM7B Mic • Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones • Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro   Recommended resources:   • Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization • Keap CRM • R...

In this heartfelt episode of Dog Works Radio , host Robert Forto reconnects with long-time friend and author Dorothy Wills-Raftery , known to many as the FiveSibes Mom . Together they discuss her touching new children's book Wolfie, What Is the Rainbow Bridge? a gentle story written with her grandson to help children understand the loss of a beloved pet. Dorothy shares the real-life inspiration be...

In this bonus episode, of The Bark. Nicole and Michele Forto dive deeper into task training for service dogs. 

On this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips , Nicole Forto discusses: Decompression in Dogs Products We Use for  Dog Works Radio My equipment:   • SHURE SM7B Mic • Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones • Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro   Recommended resources:   • Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization • Keap CRM • Riverside. FM...

In this episode, host Michele Forto breaks down one of the most misunderstood aspects of service dog training: the belief that task training is enough. At Alaska Dog Works , Michele explains why obedience and tasks are just the beginning, and how the  real magic happens when dog and handler become a unified, emotionally aligned team. You'll learn: Why task training alone can fall short in real-wor...

On this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips , Nicole Forto discusses: How Do I Motivate My Dog? Products We Use for  Dog Works Radio My equipment:   • SHURE SM7B Mic • Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones • Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro   Recommended resources:   • Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization • Keap CRM • Riverside...

In this powerful interview, host Robert Forto sits down with Robin Lucas , President of Rebel Rescue South Korea , to talk about how one woman's mission turned a struggling Korean shelter into a global rescue organization. Discover how she transformed a 300-dog rescue in Pyeongtaek into a thriving nonprofit, what life is like for Jindo mixes in Korea, and how her team is bridging cultural gaps bet...

On this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips, Nicole Forto discusses: Why Does My Dog Only Listen to Me?  Products We Use for Dog Works Radio My equipment:   • SHURE SM7B Mic • Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones • Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro   Recommended resources:   • Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization • Keap CRM • R...

In this bonus Q&A episode of Dog Works Radio , Robert and Michele discuss the logistical hurdles faced with trying to deliver a service dog to a remote town in Alaska that is off of the road sytem.  Have an idea for The Bark? Please submit it here:  Dog Works Radio Episode Idea   Products We Use for  Dog Works Radio My equipment:   • SHURE SM7B Mic • Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio • Bos...