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

Bringing home a Christmas puppy feels magical at first. Then the sleep loss, chewing, accidents, and overwhelm hit fast. In this episode of Dog Works Radio, Michele Forto explains exactly what to do after bringing home a holiday puppy, from vet care and routines to training, socialization, and managing expectations. This episode helps new puppy owners avoid common mistakes and start their relationship on the right path.

In the final episode of the Dog Works Radio Christmas puppy series, Michele Forto shifts the conversation from warnings to solutions. Instead of focusing on why holiday puppies often lead to stress, this episode lays out a calmer, more intentional path for bringing a dog into your home. Michele explains why timing matters more than sentiment, how you can gift the idea of a dog without harming a real one, and why fostering during the holidays can be an eye-opening, meaningful step for families.

If you're considering a dog but want to do it responsibly, this episode gives you the blueprint for a better beginning. And if you bring home a puppy anyway, Alaska Dog Works is ready to guide you with a free strategy call.

On this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips, Nicole Forto discusses: Christmas with your dog.

Products We Use for Dog Works Radio

Note: these may contain affiliate links, so I get a small percentage of any product you buy when using my link.

Dog Works Radio is a podcast education show brought to you by Dog Works Radio and is hosted by Nicole Forto. If you enjoy the show, I'd love for you to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast app!

And please let your friends and other podcasters know they can listen for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

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 expectations, and how structured training can turn things around fast. If you brought home a Christmas puppy and things feel overwhelming, this episode gives you clarity, guidance, and your next steps.

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 of living abroad. Together, Robert and Lisa revisit Bailey's early days in training, the challenges of public access, how a dog can change someone's presence and confidence, and how those lessons mapped directly onto her doctoral work in strategic leadership.

They talk about approachability, responsibility, accountability, empowerment, adaptability, and what it means to lead and follow at the right moments. Lisa also walks through the long process of writing her book through her DSL program and why she finished it the morning after Bailey passed away.

There's also a giveaway: the first five listeners who identify the food Bailey steals in the story will win a copy of the book sent directly from Amazon.

00:00 Intro 03:00 The origins of Bailey 07:40 Beginning the doctoral journey 11:20 Turning grief into a project 14:00 What Bailey taught about leadership 18:45 Duo extraordinaire 21:10 Responsibility and accountability 24:00 Empowerment and trust 26:30 Flight toward presence 29:45 Rapid-fire questions 32:40 How to find Lisa's book 33:15 Giveaway details

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

Note: these may contain affiliate links, so I get a small percentage of any product you buy when using my link.

Dog Works Radio is a podcast education show brought to you by Dog Works Radio and is hosted by Nicole Forto. If you enjoy the show, I'd love for you to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast app!

And please let your friends and other podcasters know they can listen for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

• A puppy is a multi-year financial and lifestyle commitment.
• The initial cost of a puppy is just the beginning.
• Training is essential for a well-balanced adult dog.
• Puppies require constant supervision and structured interaction.
• Emotional commitment is as essential as financial commitment.
• Puppies go through various developmental stages that need guidance.
• A dog should be considered a member of the household.
• Choosing the right time for a puppy is crucial for success.
• Families should prepare for the long-term responsibilities of dog ownership.
• Support and training can help prevent overwhelming situations for new owners.

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

Note: these may contain affiliate links, so I get a small percentage of any product you buy when using my link.

Dog Works Radio is a podcast education show brought to you by Dog Works Radio and is hosted by Nicole Forto. If you enjoy the show, I'd love for you to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast app!

And please let your friends and other podcasters know they can listen for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

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 episode offers honest guidance and a clear path forward with professional training support.

• The early days of dog training before social media

• How the pandemic changed the industry overnight

• What 3,000+ dogs have taught Michele about human behavior

• Why structure actually gives your dog more freedom

• Four timeless lessons every dog owner should know

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting advice online or wondered what separates real trainers from internet experts, this episode will reset your perspective. Michele breaks down what true, experience-based training looks like, and why it still matters more than ever.

🎧 Listen now: Dog Works Radio

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 and Canada.

Robert and Andrew talk about dog behavior, non-traditional mushing breeds, building a camera rig for racing, and what it takes to produce high-quality videos from 20 terabytes of footage. Andrew also gives insight into the community, the races he attends, and his philosophy on putting dog welfare first.