Pet To Pal Podcast

What really happens behind the grooming table?

In episode 27 of the Pet To Pal Podcast, Matthew Maltese of Pet To Pal Dog Training sits down with professional dog groomers Nancy Bryson, Alessia Macri, and Giulia Laudari for a candid discussion about matting, pricing, difficult clients, dog behavior, social media trends, and the realities of working in the dog grooming industry.

The panel shares insights on common grooming misconceptions, why some dogs require shave-downs, how grooming affects behavior, and what dog owners can do to make grooming appointments safer and less stressful for their dogs.

Along the way, they also share some hilarious and unforgettable stories from their years working with dogs.

If you've ever wondered what your groomer wishes you knew, this episode is for you.

Guest Instagram Accounts:
@nancybrysongroomer
@thedogstudiovaughan
@jujusgrooms

Follow the Pet To Pal Podcast for more conversations with experts from across the pet care industry.

In Episode 26, Justin Rigney joins the Pet To Pal Podcast to discuss his background in law enforcement K9 work, dog sports, and pet dog training.

With over 30 years of experience, Justin shares insights on:

* Working dogs vs pet dogs

* Behavior modification and training philosophy

* The role of genetics in dog performance

* Real-world K9 deployments and decision-making under pressure

A deep, experience-driven conversation on what it actually takes to train reliable dogs.

In episode 25 of the Pet To Pal Podcast, Matt Maltese of Pet To Pal Dog Training in Toronto sits down with agility competitor, dog trainer, and wellness educator Grace Clairmont from Learning Through Dogs, Optimal Performance Canine, and Little Chief & Co.

We dive deep into:

-What separates a good dog from a national-level sport dog

-The reality of living with high-drive working breeds

-Whether some qualities in dogs simply can’t be trained

-Balancing competition, obedience, and relationship

-Pressure, nerves, and the mental side of dog sports

-Why some dogs thrive under stress while others shut down

-Reactive dogs, genetics, and realistic expectations

-Raw feeding, nutrition, supplements, and pet industry trends

-Management vs training

-Why dog owners often expect the wrong things from their dogs

Grace also shares the story of her cattle dog Hotch — a dog who struggled with reactivity and aggression early on before eventually competing successfully at a national level.

This was one of the most honest conversations we’ve had yet about dog training, sport culture, and the emotional side of working with dogs.🐾

Grace:

📍 @learningthroughdogs

📍 @optimalperformancecanine

📍 @littlechief.dog

Matt: @pettopaldogtraining

www.pettopal.com

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This episode of the Pet To Pal Podcast, Matt Maltese of Pet To Pal Dog Training in Toronto dives deep into the pet industry with former Bone & Biscuit owner Megan Billingsley.

After running one of Ontario’s top-performing pet stores, Megan shares what really happens behind the scenes - how pet food is marketed, how to actually read labels, and what most dog owners get wrong.

We cover:

• The truth about pet food ingredients and labels
• Grain-free diets, DCM, and common nutrition myths
• Franchise vs independent pet stores
• What products actually work (and what doesn’t)
• Customer behavior, trends, and buying psychology
• The realities of owning a pet store

If you’ve ever felt confused about what to feed your dog—this episode will clear it up.

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In episode 23 of the Pet To Pal podcast, Matt Maltese of Pet To Pal Dog Training in Toronto sits down with Karolina Littlefoot of Beauty and Her Beast Dog Training.

Karolina started her career using positive-only methods, but over time, working with different dogs, breeds, and behavioral issues forced her to rethink everything.

We break down what actually works in real-world dog training, why some approaches fall short, and how clear communication - using both “yes” and “no” - can completely change your dog’s behavior.

We also get into:

• The biggest mistakes dog owners make every day

• Why crate training is essential (and misunderstood)

• How dogs actually learn (timing, reinforcement, and consistency)

• The truth about tools like prong collars and e-collars

• Why the dog training industry is so divided

• How to build confidence in nervous or reactive dogs

• What horse training teaches about pressure, release, and behavior

This is a practical, honest conversation about what it really takes to build a well-behaved, stable dog.

Follow Karolina:

Instagram: @beautyandherbeastsco

Website: www.beautyandherbeasts.com

Follow Matthew

Instagram/Facebook/TikTok : @pettopaldogtraining

Website: www.pettopal.com

If you found this helpful, make sure to like, subscribe, and share it with another dog owner.

In episode 22 of the Pet To Pal Podcast, Matt Maltese of Pet To Pal Dog Training in Toronto sits down with Andre Yeu, founder of When Hounds Fly, one of Toronto’s largest dog training companies, to break down what actually works in dog training - and what doesn’t.

With over 20,000 dogs trained, Andre shares a systems-based approach to behavior that challenges a lot of common beliefs in the industry.

We get into:

• Why most dog training fails (and how to fix it)

• Positive reinforcement vs correction-based training

• The truth about board & train programs

• Why guarantees in dog training are misleading

• How to choose the right trainer for your dog

• Puppy socialization and preventing behavior issues early

• The reality of tools like prong collars and e-collars

• Debunking dominance theory and “alpha” myths

This is a real, nuanced conversation, not black and white - about what creates long-term results for both dogs and owners.

If you’re a dog owner, trainer, or just want a better relationship with your dog, this episode will give you a clearer framework for how training actually works.

Follow Andre / When Hounds Fly:

Instagram: @whenhoundsfly

Website: https://whenhoundsfly.com

Follow Pet To Pal:

Instagram / Facebook / Tik Tok: @pettopaldogtraining

Website: www.pettopal.com

🎙️ Pet To Pal Podcast

Hosted by Matthew Maltese

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In episode 21 of the Pet To Pal Podcast, professional dog trainer Matt Maltese sits down with Nancy Bryson, a grooming industry veteran with over 50 years of experience.

Nancy shares what most dog owners get wrong about grooming, how the industry has evolved since the 1970s, and what it really takes to become a skilled professional groomer.

We discuss:

• Common grooming mistakes dog owners make

• How to tell if your dog has had a bad grooming experience

• The difference between good and great groomers

• Grooming tools, techniques, and industry trends

• Why brushing is more important than most people think

This episode is valuable for dog owners, groomers, and anyone interested in understanding dog behavior, handling, and care at a deeper level.

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.

Follow Matt Maltese:

Instagram / Tik Tok / Facebook: @pettopaldogtraining

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