Is your dog actually trained… or just obedient when asked?

In episode 20 of the Pet To Pal Podcast, I sit down with Max Alpert (Max On Track) - a Colorado-based dog trainer known for building real-world, adventure-ready dogs with freedom, reliability, and strong relationships.

We go deep on what actually works in dog training...beyond social media trends, quick fixes, and surface-level obedience.

From reactivity and leash pulling to play, punishment, and building true engagement, this episode breaks down the principles that separate average dog owners from confident handlers.

• ​The difference between a well-trained dog vs. a well-behaved dog
• ​Why most reactivity stems from fear (and how to fix it)
• ​The real role of punishment in dog training (controversial but necessary)
• ​Why your dog pulls on leash  and how to stop it
• ​How to build a strong relationship through play + adventure
• ​The truth about dog socialization & dog parks
• ​Why your dog’s behavior might actually be your fault
• ​How to safely introduce a kitten to a prey-driven dog
• ​The biggest mistake people make when choosing a dog breed
• ​Why most training advice online is misleading or incomplete

A trained dog listens when told.A well-behaved dog makes the right choice without being told. 

Max is the founder of Go Ahead Dog Training and the face behind Max On Track : specializing in off-leash reliability, adventure dogs, and real-life training that actually holds up outside.

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Youtube: @PetToPal

Website. www.pettopal.com

📲 Follow Max:Instagram / TikTok / YouTube: @maxontrackWebsite: https://goaheaddogtraining.com/

What started as a simple idea between friends turned into one of the fastest-growing concepts in the pet industry.

In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Rouche, co-founder of Puppy Yoga Club, to break down how they built a multi-city business that combines wellness, social experiences, and dog adoption. 

We get into:

• How Puppy Yoga actually works (and why it’s more than just a trend)
• Helping puppies get adopted through social experiences
• Scaling from 1 location to 20+ studios in months
• The realities of building a startup with no blueprint
• Balancing animal welfare with business growth
• The power of social media in building a viral brand
• Why experiences are replacing traditional services

Ryan also shares the challenges behind rapid expansion, dealing with criticism online, and why keeping the animals first is the foundation of their success. 

Whether you’re in the dog world, building a business, or just curious about the puppy yoga trend—this episode breaks down what’s really going on behind the scenes.

🎧 Follow / Subscribe for more episodes with trainers, founders, and professionals in the pet industry.

📍 Check out:

Pet To Pal:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pettopaldogtraining/?hl=en

Website: https://pettopal.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PetToPal

Puppy Yoga Club:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/puppy_yoga_club
Website: https://puppy-yoga-club.com

Pet To Pal Podcast - Method K9 Stephanie Vichinsky

In this episode of the Pet To Pal Podcast, Matthew Maltese of Pet To Pal Dog Training sits down with Adam Baker, founder and CEO of SodaPup, a fast-growing dog toy and enrichment brand in the pet industry.

This is a deep dive into product development, brand building, and scaling a business in the dog space, along with the philosophy behind creating toys that are actually designed for dogs, not just owners.

We discuss:

• How SodaPup started and evolved into a recognized dog product brand

• The process of designing durable dog toys and enrichment tools

• What most pet companies get wrong about dog toys and engagement

• Building products for real use cases (tough chewers, food enrichment, etc.)

• How social media contributed to global growth and brand awareness

• Lessons learned from scaling a business in the pet industry

• Balancing function, durability, and aesthetics in product design

If you’re a dog owner, trainer, or entrepreneur, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a successful brand in the dog industry.

Be sure to follow + rate & review to stay updated with future episodes

Most dog owners don’t realize how much grooming impacts their dog’s comfort, stress, and long-term health.

In episode 15 of the Pet To Pal Podcast, Matt Maltese of Pet To Pal Dog Training in Toronto sits down with professional dog groomer Giulia Laudari from Giu Giu’s Grooms to talk about the biggest misconceptions around dog grooming, how to prepare nervous dogs, and what owners should know before booking an appointment.

We cover:

-Common dog grooming myths

-How to help nervous dogs feel more comfortable

-Why owners should sometimes not stay present during grooming

-How groomers, trainers, and vets can work together

-The physical and mental demands of professional dog grooming

-Why early exposure to grooming tools matters

-Bathing frequency, coat care, and grooming product choices

-Why you should never clip a double-coated dog

This is a practical conversation for dog owners who want to make grooming easier, safer, and less stressful for their dogs.

Subscribe for more conversations with dog trainers, groomers, vets, and pet industry professionals.

dog grooming, dog groomer advice, grooming myths, nervous dog grooming, double coated dog, how to groom a dog, dog care tips, professional dog grooming

Aggression in dogs is one of the most misunderstood topics in training…

And most people are approaching it the wrong way.

In episode 10 of the Pet To Pal Podcast, Kim from Suburban Paws sits down with Matt Maltese of Pet To Pal Dog Training in Toronto as we break down the reality of fear, reactivity, and aggression - and why Kim believes it’s not something that can simply be “fixed.”

We cover:

- The truth about aggressive dog behavior

- Why aggression is about management, not a quick cure

- How fear and reactivity actually develop

- The importance of reading dog body language

- Why many owners need to unlearn bad advice

- How to create safe, structured exposure

- Misused tools and confusion around leadership in dog training

This is a more nuanced, honest conversation about what it really takes to help dogs struggling with fear and aggression.

Subscribe for more conversations with dog trainers and industry professionals.

dog aggression, reactive dog training, fearful dog training, dog behavior problems, how to handle aggressive dogs, dog training mistakes, dog body language

Most dog training problems aren’t actually about the dog…

They’re about the owner.

In episode 11 of the Pet To Pal Podcast, Kyra Grams of Simcoe County Canine sits down with Matt Maltese of Pet To Pal Dog Training in Toronto to break down what really goes wrong in dog training - and why some trainers end up firing clients altogether.

We cover:

-Why dog trainers fire certain clients

-The biggest mistakes dog owners make

-Misconceptions around balanced dog training

-The role of corrections and consequences

-How to manage triggers and real-world environments

-Why consistency matters more than most people think

-The truth about dog parks, daycare, and socialization

This is a real, unfiltered conversation about what it actually takes to train a dog successfully.

Follow / Subscribe , Like + Share + Rate + Review for more conversations with dog trainers and industry professionals.

dog training tips, dog training mistakes, balanced dog training, dog behavior problems, how to train a dog, reactive dog training, dog owners mistakes

In episode 9 of the Pet To Pal Podcast, Matt Maltese of Pet To Pal Dog Training in Toronto sits down with Chris “Psycho” Sykes to break down the realities of dog training - from pet dogs to police K9s - and where even experienced trainers disagree.

We cover:

• The truth about aggressive dogs and difficult behavior cases

• When (and if) e-collars should be used

• The debate between different dog training methods

• How to evaluate puppy genetics and potential

• The difference between sport dogs, pet dogs, and working K9s

• Why many owners struggle to get real results

• The importance of communication, pressure, and timing

This is an honest, unfiltered conversation about what actually works in dog training—and what doesn’t.

Follow Chris Sykes:

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PetToPalDogTraining on IG

Subscribe for more conversations with dog trainers, vets, and industry professionals

dog training, aggressive dog training, e collar training, balanced dog training, police k9 training, puppy training tips, dog behavior problems

Most pet owners think they’re doing the right thing… but many are unknowingly harming their dog’s health.

In episode 16 of the Pet To Pal Podcast, Matt Maltese of Pet To Pal Dog Training in Toronto sits down with veterinarian Dr. Lindsay Butzer, DVM ​⁠ to break down what’s really happening inside the veterinary industry; from rising costs and burnout to the biggest pet care myths spreading online.

We cover:

• The truth about vet pricing and why costs keep rising

• The mental and emotional toll of being a veterinarian (and why burnout is so high)

• Raw diets, dog weight, and spay/neuter debates - what’s actually backed by science

• The biggest mistakes dog owners make with puppies and socialization

• How trainers and vets can work together to prevent behavioral and medical issues

• The reality behind corporate vet care and pet food misconceptions

• Tough conversations around euthanasia, adoption, and breeding

This is one of the most honest conversations you’ll hear about the modern pet industry - whether you’re a dog owner, trainer, or aspiring vet.