Henry interviews Brian James, a former inmate who found redemption and a new purpose through a groundbreaking dog training program. Brian shares his harrowing journey from a childhood surrounded by addiction and neglect to becoming entrenched in gangs and ultimately serving a life sentence for a gang-related crime. 

In prison, Brian spent ten years in solitary confinement, hitting rock bottom with the death of his beloved grandmother, the only person who had ever shown him unconditional love. However, his life took a positive turn when he joined a dog training prison program called Pawsitive Change. Through training rescue dogs, Brian rediscovered love, acceptance, and a sense of purpose. 

The program not only helped him prepare for a potential parole but also paved the way for his current career as a dog trainer and animal advocate. Brian's story is a powerful testament to the transformative power of unconditional love and second chances.

Timestamps 

00:00 Intro

00:56 Welcome Brian

01:31 Brian's Troubled Childhood

04:22 The Night That Changed Everything

07:31 Facing the Consequences

10:36 A Turning Point: Grandmother's Death

14:08 Discovering the Pawsitive Change Program

17:05 Joining the Dog Training Program

25:23 Training German Shepherd Puppy

30:27 Adjusting to New Dogs

33:31 Impact of the Dog Program on Parole

35:34 Life After Prison: Training Dogs

39:48 Future Aspirations and Projects

Thanks for listening to The Best Damn Dog Show where we talk everything related to dogs and our pack.

#DogTrainer #PawsitiveChange #LifeInPrison #BestDamnDogShow #SecondChances

We reunite with Ms. T and welcome special guest Chris from Von Wolfenfel's K9 based in New York. Chris brings a wealth of knowledge from his extensive background in breeding and training working dogs, merging his East Coast expertise with our West Coast approaches. We dive  into the world of dog nutrition, protection training, and overall canine wellness. Chris and Miss T shares insights on the importance of a balanced diet, the role of genetics, and the benefits of natural supplements for dogs’ health and performance.

We also talk about Miss T's Pet MatRx brand of dog nutritional supplements and why it's different from other gut and immune support for your dogs.

This episode promises a holistic perspective on dog care, emphasizing the integration of nutrition and training to optimize every dog's potential. Join us as we explore how fostering strong, healthy dogs can bridge the gap between different training methodologies and create a unified canine community.

00:00 Welcome
00:36 Introducing Guests
01:15 The Importance of Dog Nutrition
02:44 Building a Strong Foundation
04:29 The Role of Genetics and Inflammation
14:13 The Impact of Poor Nutrition
17:09 The Dog's Perspective
18:55 Importance of Nutrition and Supplements
20:17 Understanding the Nervous System in Dogs
22:40 Building Resilience in Dogs
24:03 The Impact of Gut Health on Dogs
30:25 Final Thoughts

Links:
https://www.vonwolfenfelsk9.com/
https://petmatrx.com/

Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/doggonedecoy_aka_daboogieman/
https://www.instagram.com/vonwolfenfelsk9
https://www.instagram.com/petmatrx/

In this episode of  "Best Damn Dog Show", we're joined by our buddies Henry, Chris Knapp from Von Wolfenfels K9, and Smoke as we dive deep into the world of professional protection dog training. Chris shares his humbling experience working with other trainers for the first time, and we discuss the significance of training dogs for real-life protection scenarios. We emphasize the importance of understanding dog behavior, the role of decoys, and the nuances of teaching dogs to destroy human anatomy correctly in self-defense situations. 

From real-life training scenarios to the art of being a decoy, we explore the grit, dedication, and technique required to train dogs for police work, personal protection, and beyond. Discover the importance of reading a dog’s body language, the science of training with realism, and the passion that drives the working dog community. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to raise a dog that can save lives, this episode is for you.

Topics covered:
Real-world protection dog training
The role of decoys in dog development
The art and science of bite work
Advice for entering the working dog space

Follow the journey and learn how the bond between handler and dog can make all the difference.

🔗 Stay connected with our guests:
Smoke (IG: @doggonedecoy_aka_daboogieman )
Chris Knapp (IG: @VonWolfenfelsK9)

🎥 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more in-depth dog training stories on the Best Damn Dog Show Podcast!

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to the Best Damn Dog Show
00:57 Meet the Trainers: Henry and Chris
01:45 Real-Life Dog Training Scenarios
03:52 The Importance of Realism in Training
08:54 Decoy Techniques and Fundamentals
13:08 Training Philosophy and Fundamentals
16:11 Alertness and Threat Assessment
17:00 The Art of Being a Decoy
17:13 Importance of Reading Body Language
17:36 Proficiency with Equipment
18:27 Handling Unexpected Situations
19:32 Building a Dog's Foundation
20:19 Genetics and Breeding Ethics
20:38 Getting into the Working Dog Space
21:56 Ethical Breeding Practices
23:19 Shelter Dogs in the Working Space
24:28 The Rush of Working with Dogs
27:12 Connecting with the Trainers