Pet To Pal Podcast

What does it actually mean for a dog to be “trained”?In this episode of the Pet To Pal Podcast, I sit down with Eric Straetmans of Beyond The Leash Training for a wide-ranging conversation about real-world dog training, obedience, reliability, e-collar training, socialization, dog parks, board and trains, crates, and what it actually takes to build a dog that can function in everyday life.Eric has been training dogs for nearly 30 years and has built his approach around family obedience, control, neutrality and real-world reliability. We get into some controversial topics and challenge a few common ideas in the dog training industry.We discuss:-Why Eric stopped offering private lessons and focuses on group dog training-Why he hates board and train programs-Why training the owner may be more important than training the dog-Why your dog knowing “sit” at home doesn't necessarily mean your dog actually knows “sit”-Generalization in dog training and why dogs need to practice behaviours in different environments-The importance of duration, distance and distraction-Why Eric changed his mind about dog parks-Why socialization doesn't necessarily mean letting dogs play with other dogs-Neutrality and calm coexistence around people and dogs-Eric's philosophy on balanced dog training-E-collar training, corrections and conditioned responses-Learned optimism vs. learned helplessness-Whether stress during training is necessarily a bad thing-Why crate training can remain useful even after a dog no longer needs a crate every day-Why more control can actually give a dog more freedom-The difference between training a dog for real life vs. dog sports-Why reliability matters more than simply having a dog perform obedience in a controlled environmentWe also talk about the evolution of Eric's training philosophy, including why he went from being completely against dog parks to taking a more nuanced position, and why he ultimately chose to focus his career on family obedience rather than trying to be everything to everyone.If you're interested in dog training, dog obedience, balanced dog training, e-collar training, dog behaviour, reactive dogs, leash training, off-leash reliability, dog socialization, crate training or real-world obedience, this episode is worth watching.Guest: Eric StraetmansBusiness: Beyond The Leash TrainingPodcast: Beyond The Leash🎙️ Pet To Pal PodcastConversations with dog trainers, veterinarians, groomers, behaviour professionals and other people working in the pet industry.#DogTraining #DogTrainer #DogObedience #EcollarTraining #BalancedDogTraining #DogBehavior #PetToPalPodcast

What does it really mean to raise a calm, confident dog?

In episode 36 of the Pet To Pal Podcast, Matthew Maltese of Pet To Pal Dog Training sits down with Sierra Liberty, owner of K9 Summit, to discuss modern dog ownership, puppy training, neutrality, proper socialization, separation anxiety, structure, crate training, e-collars, prong collars, and why so many owners unintentionally create behavioral problems despite having the best intentions.

They also dive into social media, building a successful dog training brand, leading an all-female team, and how Sierra’s faith influences her leadership and business.

Whether you’re a dog owner or a trainer, this episode offers practical advice and thoughtful discussion on raising dogs that are confident, stable, and enjoyable to live with.

Professional dog grooming is about far more than making dogs look good.

In this episode of the Pet To Pal Podcast, Matthew Maltese sits down with Nadia Bongelli, Mari Kusanagi (Top Knot Grooming), and Karol (Scooby Grooms) for an honest discussion about the realities of the grooming industry. Together, they explore fear-free grooming, puppy introductions, cooperative care, handling difficult dogs, owner expectations, and how groomers, trainers, and veterinarians can work together to improve canine welfare. 

Whether you're a dog owner, groomer, trainer, veterinary professional, or simply passionate about dogs, this episode offers practical insights into one of the most misunderstood professions in the pet industry.

In this episode:

• Fear-Free grooming explained
• Puppy first-groom tips
• Grooming myths and misconceptions
• Dog behavior during grooming
• Nail trims and handling challenges
• Grooming cats vs. dogs
• Social media's influence on grooming
• Ethical grooming and animal welfare
• Building better collaboration between groomers, trainers, and veterinarians

What is it really like to be a veterinarian?

Dr. Aleksandra Ascione joins the Pet To Pal Podcast to discuss the realities of veterinary medicine. From the four-year journey to have her veterinary degree recognized in the United States to the emotional challenges of treating patients every day.

We also explore preventative healthcare, vaccines, pet insurance, obesity, social media misinformation, compassion fatigue, and the relationship between veterinarians, trainers, and pet owners.

If you’ve ever wondered what your veterinarian wishes every dog owner knew, this episode is for you

In episode 33, Matt Maltese of Pet To Pal Dog Training in Toronto sits down with Rodney Kaufman, co-founder of Corporate Canine Therapy, to break down what it really takes to run a large-scale therapy dog operation.

We discuss how therapy dogs are used in corporate settings, hospitals, and private environments—and why the work goes far beyond simply bringing dogs into a room.

Rodney shares insights from over a decade of experience, including how they’ve built a network of 70+ therapy dog teams, what separates a suitable therapy dog from a typical pet, and the systems they use to maintain safety and consistency across every visit.

We also get into dog behavior, common misconceptions around “friendly” dogs, and how proper socialization is often misunderstood by owners.

This episode blends business, psychology, and dog training into a practical look at a rapidly growing space within the industry

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In episode 32 of the Pet To Pal Podcast, Matt Maltese of Pet To Pal Dog Training in Toronto sits down with Samantha Johnson of Packlife LA to talk about what actually creates a calm, balanced dog.

We break down real-world dog training, reactivity, pack walks, leash work, and the biggest mistakes dog owners make.

Samantha also shares her approach to balanced training, why overcorrecting doesn’t work, and how to build trust with your dog.

We also explore the connection between nutrition and behavior, including gut health, diet choices, and how what your dog eats may be influencing anxiety and reactivity.

If you’re looking for practical, honest insight into dog training (without the fluff), this episode delivers.

What does it take to become one of the best dog groomers in the world?

Matthew Maltese of Pet To Pal Dog Training & host of the Pet To Pal Podcast sits down with Canada's top-ranked competitive groomer, Nadia Bongelli, for an in-depth conversation about the craft, psychology, and pursuit of excellence behind elite dog grooming.

They discuss Nadia's journey into grooming, competitive grooming, corrective grooming, why prep work matters so much, handling difficult dogs, owner responsibility, socialization, sedation versus training, burnout, continuing education, gatekeeping, social media, and what separates good groomers from truly exceptional ones.

This episode is packed with valuable insights for groomers, trainers, veterinary professionals, breeders, and anyone passionate about raising and caring for dogs.

In this roundtable episode of the Pet To Pal Podcast, Matthew Maltese is joined by fellow dog trainers Lindsay Tupper (Max K9 Training), Carolina Littlefoot (Beauty & Her Beasts K9 Training), and Grace Claremont (Optimal Performance K9) for an in-depth discussion on dog behavior, obedience, reactivity, sport training, and what actually matters when building a well-trained dog.

The panel explores the overlap between obedience and dog sports, why reactivity remains one of the most common challenges dog owners face, and the foundations that many owners skip in pursuit of quick results. They also discuss proofing behaviors, routine versus flexibility, crate training, resource guarding, breeding trends, leadership, fulfillment, and the mistakes that often contribute to behavior problems.

Whether you’re raising a puppy, dealing with reactivity, or simply looking to better understand your dog, this episode offers practical insights from four professional trainers with different backgrounds and perspectives.

Topics Covered:

* Obedience vs. sport dog training

* The root causes of reactivity

* Building reliable behaviors through proofing

* Routine, structure, and predictability

* Leadership and communication with dogs

* Resource guarding and prevention

* Crate training and creating safe spaces

* Genetics, breeding, and fulfillment

* Common mistakes dog owners make

* What professional trainers actually agree on

Follow the Pet To Pal Podcast for new episodes every Monday featuring trainers, veterinarians, groomers, industry professionals, and dog owners sharing their experiences and expertise. 🐾

There’s a lot of conflicting advice in the dog world right now—especially around flea and tick medications, raw diets, and “natural” remedies.

In this episode of the Pet To Pal Podcast, I sit down with veterinarian Dr. Hammond (@thehonestvet) to break down what’s actually true, what’s misunderstood, and what dog owners need to know.

We talk about:

* The real risk of flea & tick preventatives

* Why “natural” doesn’t always mean safe

* Raw feeding myths vs science

* Why vets recommend certain dog foods

* The growing distrust in veterinarians

If you’ve ever felt confused about your dog’s health, this episode will help you cut through the noise.

In episode 28 of the Pet To Pal Podcast, Jonas Black (Punk Ass Dog Trainer) joins Matt Maltese of Pet To Pal Dog Training for a wide-ranging conversation about dog training, behavior, neuroscience, mentorship, social media, industry reform, and personal growth.

We discuss the challenges facing modern dog training, the dangers of ideological thinking, why experience matters more than dogma, and how trainers can continue evolving throughout their careers.

Jonas also shares powerful stories about the dogs that shaped his journey, the lessons he learned from failure, his work in wolf advocacy, and how losing two beloved dogs changed his perspective on life and training forever.

A thoughtful and candid conversation for trainers and dog owners alike.