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

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 podcasting style by leaving a review.

Take our Understanding Drive Behaviors quiz to see exactly what drive your dog is in and how to begin to train for it.

Join the On-Air Dog Training Coaching waitlist for a chance to be coached on the air by Dr. Robert or Michele Forto and get your dog training questions answered in real time.

Sign up now for 20% off our Group Coaching Program and learn how to build the best relationship possible for your dog.

Take your dog training to the next level by enrolling in our Peak Performance membership.

Follow Dog Works Radio for more dog training tips: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

©2009-2026 by Dog Works Training Company® All Rights Reserved.

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, professional dog training shapes the relationship you will share with your dog for the next ten to fifteen years.

The conversation breaks down what professional training actually involves, why behavior problems often develop when training is skipped, and how structured guidance can transform the everyday relationship between dogs and their owners.

If you have ever wondered whether dog training is worth the investment, this episode offers a perspective that may change the way you think about the value of training.

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.

Take our Understanding Drive Behaviors quiz to see exactly what drive your dog is in and how to begin to train for it.

Join the On-Air Dog Training Coaching waitlist for a chance to be coached on the air by Dr. Robert or Michele Forto and get your dog training questions answered in real time.

Sign up now for 20% off our Group Coaching Program and learn how to build the best relationship possible for your dog.

Take your dog training to the next level by enrolling in our Peak Performance membership.

Follow Dog Works Radio for more dog training tips: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

©2009-2026 by Dog Works Training Company® All Rights Reserved.

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 public environments while you go about your day.

This episode explores why calm behavior is not automatic, how the environment affects your dog's ability to relax, and why emotional regulation is a skill that must be intentionally taught. Michele walks through practical training steps you can use at home and gradually build toward real-world environments.

You'll also learn how the, Three C's of Training: Criteria, Consequences, and Consistency, play a crucial role in helping your dog understand what calm behavior actually looks like. When applied correctly, these principles allow your dog to feel more confident, more secure, and better prepared to navigate the world alongside you.

If your dog becomes distracted, anxious, or overstimulated in public places, this episode will help you understand why and show you how to build calm behavior step by step.

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.

Take our Understanding Drive Behaviors quiz to see exactly what drive your dog is in and how to begin to train for it.

Join the On-Air Dog Training Coaching waitlist for a chance to be coached on the air by Dr. Robert or Michele Forto and get your dog training questions answered in real time.

Sign up now for 20% off our Group Coaching Program and learn how to build the best relationship possible for your dog.

Take your dog training to the next level by enrolling in our Peak Performance membership.

Follow Dog Works Radio for more dog training tips: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

©2009-2026 by Dog Works Training Company® All Rights Reserved.

calm dog training, how to train a calm dog, dog training for public places, teaching a dog to settle, dog training emotional regulation, dog training podcast, calm behavior dog training, dog training tips for distractions, positive reinforcement dog training, dog training for real world environments

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 in rural Alaska, this is a conversation worth having. Preparation is not fear—it is responsible dog ownership.

For help with obedience, separation anxiety, board-and-train programs, or service dog development, visit AlaskaDogWorks.com or call (206) 752-3647.

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.

Take our Understanding Drive Behaviors quiz to see exactly what drive your dog is in and how to begin to train for it.

Join the On-Air Dog Training Coaching waitlist for a chance to be coached on the air by Dr. Robert or Michele Forto and get your dog training questions answered in real time.

Sign up now for 20% off our Group Coaching Program and learn how to build the best relationship possible for your dog.

Take your dog training to the next level by enrolling in our Peak Performance membership.

Follow Dog Works Radio for more dog training tips: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

©2009-2026 by Dog Works Training Company® All Rights Reserved.

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 conversation matters especially for dog owners in Alaska. From remote cabins to winter road closures, delayed response times can change the equation.

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 in rural Alaska, this is a conversation worth having. Preparation is not fear—it is responsible dog ownership.

For help with obedience, separation anxiety, board-and-train programs, or service dog development, visit AlaskaDogWorks.com or call (206) 752-3647.

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.

Take our Understanding Drive Behaviors quiz to see exactly what drive your dog is in and how to begin to train for it.

Join the On-Air Dog Training Coaching waitlist for a chance to be coached on the air by Dr. Robert or Michele Forto and get your dog training questions answered in real time.

Sign up now for 20% off our Group Coaching Program and learn how to build the best relationship possible for your dog.

Take your dog training to the next level by enrolling in our Peak Performance membership.

Follow Dog Works Radio for more dog training tips: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

©2009-2026 by Dog Works Training Company® All Rights Reserved.

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 podcasting style by leaving a review.

  Take our Understanding Drive Behaviors quiz to see exactly what drive your dog is in and how to begin to train for it.

  Join the On-Air Dog Training Coaching waitlist for a chance to be coached on the air by Dr. Robert or Michele Forto and get your dog training questions answered in real time.

  Sign up now for 20% off our Group Coaching Program and learn how to build the best relationship possible for your dog.

  Take your dog training to the next level by enrolling in our Peak Performance membership.

  Follow Dog Works Radio for more dog training tips: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

  ©2009-2026 by Dog Works Training Company® All Rights Reserved

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 dog training friends!

  Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review.

  Take our Understanding Drive Behaviors quiz to see exactly what drive your dog is in and how to begin to train for it.

  Join the On-Air Dog Training Coaching waitlist for a chance to be coached on the air by Dr. Robert or Michele Forto and get your dog training questions answered in real time.

  Sign up now for 20% off our Group Coaching Program and learn how to build the best relationship possible for your dog.

  Take your dog training to the next level by enrolling in our Peak Performance membership.

  Follow Dog Works Radio for more dog training tips: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

  ©2009-2026 by Dog Works Training Company® All Rights Reserved

puppy training, new puppy advice, dog training podcast, Christmas puppy, dog behavior help, stop puppy biting, leash training puppy, dog training tips, Alaska dog trainer, first-time dog owner

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, trust, calmness, and safety.

You'll learn:

• Why "sit" is really about impulse control • How to build a stay that doesn't collapse under pressure • Why down lowers energy and create calm • How to teach drop it without confrontation • Why behaviors don't automatically generalize to new environments • How to make core cues reliable in the real world

Other Episodes You Will Love

• The Real Zombie Virus: Rabies, Cujo, and the Science of Mind Control

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.

Take our Understanding Drive Behaviors quiz to see exactly what drive your dog is in and how to begin to train for it.

Join the On-Air Dog Training Coaching waitlist for a chance to be coached on the air by Dr. Robert or Michele Forto and get your dog training questions answered in real time.

Sign up now for 20% off our Group Coaching Program and learn how to build the best relationship possible for your dog.

Take your dog training to the next level by enrolling in our Peak Performance membership.

Follow Dog Works Radio for more dog training tips: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

©2009-2026 by Dog Works Training Company® All Rights Reserved

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(--header-height)" dir="auto" data-turn-id="bd24f3b9-05a7-4a3d-8ab0-057846d9d674" data-turn-id-container="bd24f3b9-05a7-4a3d-8ab0-057846d9d674" data-testid="conversation-turn-15" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn="user"> *]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:fc9f7f24-b691-4f80-915f-2e2752552ab7-7" data-turn-id-container= "request-WEB:fc9f7f24-b691-4f80-915f-2e2752552ab7-7" data-testid= "conversation-turn-16" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant">

What are "zombie dogs" and why do some dogs suddenly seem aggressive, disconnected, or completely out of control?

In this episode of Dog Works Radio, professional dog trainers Dr. Robert and Michele Forto break down the viral idea of "zombie dogs" and explore the real dog behavior issues that often cause owners to describe their dogs this way.

Learn about fear-based behavior, overstimulation, canine stress signals, reactivity, prey drive, neurological concerns, and the environmental triggers that can make a dog appear unpredictable or "possessed." You'll also hear why social media often spreads dangerous myths about aggressive dogs, dominance, and canine behavior problems.

This episode covers:

• What people mean when they say "zombie dogs"
• Why some dogs suddenly change their behavior
• Fear, stress, and overstimulation in dogs
• The difference between aggression and reactivity
• Warning signs owners often miss
• Why dogs "shut down" emotionally
• Breed tendencies and behavior genetics
• How poor training and inconsistent structure create behavior problems
• What to do if your dog seems unpredictable
• How real-world dog training builds confidence and stability

Plus, Dr. Robert and Michele discuss the emotional side of living with difficult dogs, the role of leadership and communication, and why understanding behavior matters more than labeling dogs as "bad."

Dog Works Radio is produced by Alaska Dog Works and features real-world dog training, canine behavior education, service dog training, puppy training, and honest conversations about life with dogs.

If you enjoy episodes about dog behavior, reactive dogs, canine psychology, aggression, and real-world dog training, follow Dog Works Radio wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more at DogWorksRadio.com

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 podcasting style by leaving a review.

  Take our Understanding Drive Behaviors quiz to see exactly what drive your dog is in and how to begin to train for it.

  Join the On-Air Dog Training Coaching waitlist for a chance to be coached on the air by Dr. Robert or Michele Forto and get your dog training questions answered in real time.

  Sign up now for 20% off our Group Coaching Program and learn how to build the best relationship possible for your dog.

  Take your dog training to the next level by enrolling in our Peak Performance membership.

  Follow Dog Works Radio for more dog training tips: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

  ©2009-2026 by Dog Works Training Company® All Rights Reserved

On this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips by Dog Works Radio, Nicole Forto discusses Proofing Your Dog for Real Life

Other Episodes You Will Love

• Winter Training Tips for Your Dog

• 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 podcasting style by leaving a review.

  Take our Understanding Drive Behaviors quiz to see exactly what drive your dog is in and how to begin to train for it.

  Join the On-Air Dog Training Coaching waitlist for a chance to be coached on the air by Dr. Robert or Michele Forto and get your dog training questions answered in real time.

  Sign up now for 20% off our Group Coaching Program and learn how to build the best relationship possible for your dog.

  Take your dog training to the next level by enrolling in our Peak Performance membership.

  Follow Dog Works Radio for more dog training tips: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

  ©2009-2026 by Dog Works Training Company® All Rights Reserved