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

What does it really mean to socialize your dog?

Many dog owners believe socialization means letting puppies meet every dog, greet every stranger, and spend hours at the dog park. Unfortunately, those well-intentioned efforts often create the very behavior problems owners hope to avoid.

In this episode of Dog Training Unfiltered, Michele Forto explains what proper socialization actually looks like and why confidence, not popularity, should be your goal.

You'll learn why calm observation is often more valuable than constant interaction, how the critical puppy socialization period works, why dog parks are rarely the best place for young dogs, and how older dogs can continue building confidence throughout their lives.

Whether you're raising a new puppy or helping an adult rescue dog adapt to the world, this episode provides practical, science-based advice you can begin using immediately.

Visit Alaska Dog Works to learn more about our private training programs, puppy classes, and online resources.

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.

FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Training Plan

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.

What happens after the training ends?

In the final episode of The Journey: Leadership Through Partnership, Robert and Michele Forto explore the true measure of success. It isn't passing a certification or completing a program. It's what happens months and years later when trust, consistency, and shared experience become part of everyday life.

Danny and Gunner's story began as a veteran working with a service dog. It evolved into something much bigger. Their partnership helped shape Alaska Dog Works' veteran service dog program and ultimately influenced the leadership philosophy behind Peak Experience.

In this episode, you'll learn why sustainable success comes from building systems instead of chasing quick fixes, how confidence is developed through experience, and why the strongest teams are built one small moment at a time.

Whether you lead a business, coach a team, or simply want to become a better leader, this episode demonstrates that meaningful partnerships are never accidental. They are intentionally built through trust, accountability, and consistent effort.

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.

FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Training Plan

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 Part 4 of The Danny and Gunner Story, Robert and Michele Forto explore the moment every leader, team, and service dog partnership eventually faces: the test of pressure.

Training is one thing. Real-world performance is another. As Danny and Gunner move beyond controlled environments and into unpredictable situations, their partnership is challenged in new ways. Through public access training, growing confidence, and increasing responsibility, they learn that success is not measured when conditions are ideal, but when circumstances become difficult.

This episode examines the relationship between preparation and performance, the role of trust in leadership, and why pressure often reveals the true strength of any system. Whether you are leading a team, developing a culture, or navigating personal challenges, the lessons from Danny and Gunner's journey offer valuable insights into resilience, confidence, and long-term success.

Join host Michele Forto as she discusses reactive rescue dogs 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.

FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Training Plan

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.

Thinking about sending your dog to a board and train program? Before you make that investment, it's important to understand what these programs can and cannot accomplish.

In this episode of Dog Training Unfiltered, Michele Forto explains why board and train programs can be highly effective when they're built on a foundation of owner education, follow-up support, and realistic expectations. She discusses why no trainer can "fix" a dog without the owner's continued involvement, what separates great programs from average ones, and the questions every dog owner should ask before enrolling their dog.

Whether you're considering a board and train program or simply want to understand how dogs learn best, this episode offers practical advice based on decades of professional training experience.

• What a board and train program actually does
• Why owner participation determines long-term success
• The biggest misconceptions about board and train
• How follow-up training affects results
• Questions to ask before choosing a trainer
• Why consistency always beats shortcuts

Ready to build a stronger relationship with your dog?

Visit AlaskaDogWorks.com to learn more about our training programs.

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.

FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Training Plan

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 The Daily Dog, Michele Forto profiles the Yorkshire Terrier 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.

FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Training Plan

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.

Join host Michele Forto as she discusses Therapy Dogs in Mental Health Practice, What Therapists Need to Know 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.

FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Training Plan

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 believe they missed their chance to train their dog because they waited too long. Whether your dog is six, eight, ten, or even older, the truth is that dogs continue learning throughout their lives. In this episode of Dog Training Unfiltered, Michele Forto breaks down one of the biggest myths in dog training and explains why age is rarely the reason training fails.

You'll learn why older dogs often have advantages over puppies, how long-established habits can be changed, why mental enrichment becomes even more important as dogs age, and what you can do this week to help your dog succeed. If you've ever thought, "My dog is too old to train," this episode may completely change your perspective.

Whether you have a senior rescue dog, a longtime family companion, or a dog with years of unwanted habits, this episode offers practical advice and encouragement to help you move forward with confidence.

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.

FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Training Plan

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 The Daily Dog, Michele Forto profiles the Rottweiller 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.

FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Training Plan

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.

Your dog ignores "Sit," pulls on leash, or seems to tune you out. Stubborn? Or is something else happening?

In Episode 5, Michele Forto explains why the "stubborn dog" label often misses the mark and what to do instead. We cover clarity, foundations, distractions, motivation, and practical steps using Alaska Dog Works methods.

Real solutions from our command vocabulary, homework system, and real-world experience. Stop guessing, start understanding your dog.