Robert Forto is an award-winning dog trainer with nearly thirty years of experience. His approach, called Peak Performance, focuses on leash walking, communication, manners, and creating a balanced mood. He’s an internationally respected podcast advice guru and successful business owner.

In short, he’s got a great life doing good work with people who really love their dogs. A dream life, right?

Yes … and he’s also got a not-so-secret dream: to run the Iditarod before he gets too old. The legendary race is nearly one thousand miles in length over some of the most challenging terrain on the planet.

It takes weeks to run … weeks of snow, and ice, and cold, and strain. Musher and pack must be one in mind and body in order to finish, let alone win, this grueling race.

After decades of building his pack of Huskies, one dog at a time … while running tens and tens of thousands of miles to learn and bond with his dogs … Forto is that much closer to achieving his dream.

Chapters

0:00 Welcome to The Long Leash

02:06 A Bumpy Ride in The Life of a Seasoned Dog Trainer

03:15 An Interesting Love Story for Robert

04:59 Me-Time for Mushers In Love

06:38 Ever Heard of the Rock and Roller Tour??

07:20 From Dog Training to Pursuing the Iditarod Dream

09:26 Hobby Farm Planted the Seed of the Iditarod Dream

13:04 Racing Down the Kenai Peninsula…. And Are Those Pterodactyls?!

15:43 The Life of Any Dog Musher During a Race – Passion Lives

17:38 A Bond and Affection Expressed in a Unique Way

18:19 Fresh Straw Bale = Treats!

19:01 Who Gets the Skittles Every Night??

19:28 Pack of Athletes – The Thoroughbreds

22:57 Who Gets to Be the Lead Dog?

25:00 … When The Symphony Begins – And The Neighbors Couldn’t Care Less

28:14 Summers in Alaska… Time to Relax, Snoopies!

28:58 Coaching Lead Dogs – Basic Commands Matter

31:56 $30,000 A Year in Food Bills

32:30 Alaska Dog Works

34:59 Dog Works Radio

39:01 Almost Reality: Reaching for the Iditarod

About Robert Forto

Robert Forto began mushing in 1994 and became interested in long distance sled dog racing shortly thereafter. He plans to compete in the Iditarod before he gets too old. Forto owns and runs Alaska Dog Works with his wife Michele. They teach dog lovers how to become excellent dog trainers using a unique philosophy and system of training.

He is also the host of a weekly radio show, Dog Works Radio where people all over the world call in to ask questions of Robert and other dog trainers.

About The Long Leash

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