Working Dog Radio

Recorded live at the 2025 Hold the Line Conference the guys double up with TWO great guests! First up,Danny Valerino, who shares his background in K9 operations and the importance of information sharing among handlers. The conversation delves into the Integrated K9 Entry program, which aims to bridge the gap between patrol operations and K9 training. The hosts emphasize the need for a unified appr...

Eric and Ted sit down with special guest Aaron Harwick . They discuss handler selection and the direct correlation between effort and results in dog training. The conversation delves into the intricacies of K9 handler selection within police departments, emphasizing the importance of rejuvenation through K9 programs, the selection process, documentation, and the need for candidates to be coachable...

Our training episodes are wildly popular!! In this episode of Working Dog Radio, hosts Ted Summers and Eric Stanbro focus on the importance of verbal commands, control techniques, and the evolution of training methods. They share personal experiences, including a visit to the Pentagon- so damn cool, and delve into specific training techniques such as the heel command and the use of pressure in tra...

Dr. Kelly Fishman joins the guys and they discuss providing insights into canine rehabilitation and the significance of maintaining a dog’s health span. The conversation emphasizes the connection between dog care and human health, highlighting the benefits of having dogs as companions. In this conversation, Dr. Kelly Fishman discusses various aspects of pet health, focusing on nutrition, exe...

Ya’ll, we’ve known this Texan for some time! Eric, Ted sit down with 30 plus year law enforcement K9 handler Donnie Tarter and discuss the intricacies of K9 training and the challenges of evaluating green dogs. They explore the evolution of K9 units, the importance of handler experience, and the differences between tracking and scent work in law enforcement. We talk a little shit on do...

In this episode of Working Dog Radio we introduce Larry McCardle from the New York Department of Corrections, and delve into the challenges and experiences of K9 training in high volume prisons. They explore the impact of mental health on the corrections system, share stories about their canine partners, and discuss the evolution of training methods and the importance of handler-dog relationships....

In this episode, Ted Summers and Eric Stanbro discuss the intricacies of stock dog training with guest Josh Yarber!  They explore the evolution of working dogs, the importance of training techniques, and the relationship between livestock behavior and dog training. A Working dog is a Working dog!! The conversation highlights the significance of stress-free environments for livestock and the role o...

Eric Stanbro and Ted Summers discuss their experiences in dog training, particularly focusing on handler schools and the transition of trainers into law enforcement roles. They introduce Chris Altherr, a seasoned dog trainer, who shares his journey into the world of dog training, including his initial experiences with e-collars and the evolution of training techniques. The conversation delves into...

Ted Summers and Eric Stanbro sit down with guest CJ Byers of Relentless and discuss their experiences in the working dog community, focusing on the challenges and triumphs of dog training, handler schools, and the importance of mentorship. They share personal anecdotes about their journeys, the evolution of training techniques, and the significance of community connections in the canine world. The...

The guys sit down with K9 born and raised Adam Franklin, who shares insights from his upbringing in the dog training world and the significance of using food as a motivator in training. The conversation also touches on practical kennel hacks and the challenges of working with live animals. Adam, Ted and Eric discuss the evolution of dog training techniques, emphasizing the importance of fundamenta...

Join us on our member platform through our youtube channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8D9WOH6ny8eoiTCxFNpBtQ/join In this episode, Ted and Eric discuss all things grip, targeting and muzzle work. They share personal updates, insights from handler schools, and delve into the genetic and training components that contribute to a dog’s grip. They emphasize the sign...

In this episode, Eric and Ted discuss various topics related to K-9 programs, service dogs, and the Hero Academy with guest Danique Masingill. Danique shares her background in military police and her journey into the world of service and crisis response dogs. The conversation highlights the importance of dogs in mental health crises, particularly for first responders, and addresses the challenges...

In this episode, Ted Summers and Eric discuss the evolution of canine programs in military operations with special guest Shannon Krieger. Shannon was a “Plank Holder” of the Special Operations Canine Program and has watched the explosion over the last 20 years of Tactical Canines. Shannon shares his journey from a high school volunteer to a key figure in developing the Program. The guys cover the...

“This is a hunting exercise, not a biting exercise!!” In this episode, Ted and Eric discuss various aspects of dog training, focusing on building searches, proximity alerts, and tracking methodologies. They share insights from their experiences in handler schools, emphasizing the importance of teaching dogs to hunt rather than bite. The conversation also covers techniques for managing...

“Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough” Mark Twain. The guys sit down with WarHogg Tactical and Duco’s Handler Rick Hogg, We catch up since last he’s been on with a few new awesome projects like Scott’s Wish the “Duco Project”that he’s been involved in. Drew Kellerman helps us highlight the Heritage Distilling Company and their fundraising efforts for veteran and...

With so many countries banning tools of the trade, what does that look like for the US? Eric and Ted are joined by Jason Purgason, the owner of Highland Canine and the president of the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP). They discuss the challenges and importance of training tools in the dog training industry, as well as the legislative efforts to ban these tools. They emphas...

Some of our most popular episodes are the guys dropping knowledge! The guys sit down mano y mano discuss their recent experiences and upcoming training classes. They drop knowledge bombs on training techniques and strategies, including the power of twos in obedience and bite work, and the use of negative reinforcement in tracking. They emphasize the importance of variability and anticipation in tr...

Eric and Ted are joined by Justin Zook, the CEO of Horizon Structures, one of our fabulous sponsors. They discuss the different types of dog kennels that Horizon Structures offers, including individual runs and larger kennels for multiple dogs. They also talk about the customization options available, such as AC, heat, drains, and welded wire. Justin shares how they have made improvements to their...

Eric and Ted say this is ABSOLUTELY one of this year’s best episodes! In this conversation, Eric and Ted are joined by Ryan Smith, a fire chief, fire marshal, and police chief from Texas. They discuss Ryan’s work with his accelerant detection dog, Ember, and the challenges and training involved in this specialized field. They also touch on the use of drones and the importance of suppor...

Eric and Ted are joined by Krista Smith, the founder of Harlow’s Heroes, a nonprofit organization that supports retired and current canines. Krista shares her personal story of domestic violence and how her dog, Barrett, provided comfort and inspiration. She explains how Barrett’s legacy led her to start Harlow’s Heroes and discusses the organization’s mission and goals. Ha...

In this episode, Ted mentions we do a lot of things in K9 that don’t make sense. ⁣ What is one thing that you have realized in K9 that just doesn’t make sense? ⁣ ⁣ Your Working Dog Radio hosts, Eric @vanessk9 & Ted @ted_summers, sit down with owner of Elite Canine Training & Outfitters, and Got your Six K9s, Jeremy Van Beek. ⁣ This is our fifth episode from the Hold the Line K9 Conference...

Your Working Dog Radio hosts, Eric @vanessk9 & Ted @ted_summers, sit down with K9 Handler Jesse Owens. ⁣ This is our fourth episode from the Hold the Line K9 Conference Series. In this episode, the gents discuss Owens’ 9 years of experience as a female in law enforcement and her 5 years of experience handling K9 Wilson. ⁣They talk about the challenges and advantages of being a woman in a male-...

Your Working Dog Radio hosts, Eric @vanessk9 & Ted @ted_summers, sit down with a first time guest on the podcast; owner of Integrity Nose Worx, Bill Gaskins!⁣ ⁣ This is our third episode from the Hold the Line K9 Conference Series. In this episode, the gents discuss detection work, and the importance of situational awareness. We sit down with Bill Gaskins who spent 21 years in the Air Force, c...

Your Working Dog Radio hosts, Eric @vanessk9 & Ted @ted_summers, sit down with a repeat guest who truly needs no introduction; CEO and Founder of Tarheel K9, and Co-founder of PSA, Jerry Bradshaw!⁣ ⁣This is our second episode from the Hold the Line K9 Conference Series.  In this episode, the gents discuss the concept of drive capping in dog training. They explain that drive capping involves us...

⁣Your Working Dog Radio hosts, Eric @vanessk9 & Ted @ted_summers, sit down with East Hartford Police K9 Handler and CPWDA Trainer and Vice President, Todd Mona.⁣ ⁣ This is our first episode from the Hold the Line K9 Conference Series ⁣and the gents chat with a repeat guest, Todd Mona. Mona has been a police officer with East Hartford PD in Connecticut for almost two decades, and has been a K9...