Positively Dog Training - The Official Victoria Stilwell Podcast

What do pet dogs, invasive insects, and a ragtag group of behavior cases have in common? 

In this wildly inspiring and often hilarious episode, Victoria talks with longtime VSA faculty advisor Melissa McCue-McGrath about her groundbreaking work in a national study training pet dogs to detect spotted lanternfly eggs—an invasive species threatening agriculture across the U.S. From snowy deliveries of fly eggs in a Pokémon lunchbox to solving odor puzzles during heatwaves and blizzards, 

Melissa shares the extraordinary journey her students and their reactive, anxious, or aging dogs took to prove that even the “underdogs” can contribute to science. You'll hear how scent theory, behavior consulting, and teamwork came together in a study that saw pugs outperform German shepherds, pet dogs locate hidden satchels in fields, and one handler dodge a school resource officer while explaining, “It’s for science!” 

Melissa also reflects on her role as a VSA faculty advisor, her passion for teaching, and the power of accessibility in modern dog training education. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that training is for everyone—and every dog.

To learn more about Melissa visit https://melissamccuemcgrath.com/, or follow on Instagram. 

We’re keeping it light this summer with episodes every other week so you can stay inspired without missing the sunshine.

In this heartfelt and often hilarious episode, Victoria catches up with her longtime friend and colleague Shane Hartshorn, a VSA graduate, VSPDT, and one of the behind-the-scenes heroes of The Dog Academy. 

From wrinkled green shirts and sweaty filming days to profound reflections on positive reinforcement, Shane shares his inspiring journey from corporate training to canine behavior. He opens up about the impact his beloved dog Bertie had on his transition to humane, science-based methods and how encountering VSPDT Gemma Ibbotson changed everything. 

Victoria and Shane passionately discuss the dangerous persistence of punitive tools like shock and prong collars, the need for regulation in the industry, and the power of teaching empathy—especially to kids. The episode closes with a celebration of dogs' resilience, the joys of support training on set, and the profound bond between people and their dogs. It's a touching and motivating listen for anyone who believes dogs deserve better.

To learn more about Shane, visit K9 Education or follow him on Instagram. 

We’re keeping it light this summer with episodes every other week so you can stay inspired without missing the sunshine.

This powerful and eye-opening episode explores accessibility, empathy, and innovation in the dog training industry. Victoria is joined by VSA graduate and trailblazer Leah Bornstein, who shares her journey as a Deaf dog trainer and founder of Born to Be Dog Training. Alongside her are her interpreter Katie  Fusilier and longtime collaborator Neika Smessaert, who helped make Leah’s training journey more inclusive—and ultimately life-changing for both of them. 

Together, they discuss the value of accessibility in dog training education, how it expands opportunity for clients and trainers alike, and what the industry still gets wrong when it comes to serving diverse learners. 

Leah also shares how she created the first comprehensive ASL-based online training course and co-authored the Puppy Progress Planner, a practical guide for structured and inclusive puppy raising. The conversation is honest, funny, emotional, and deeply hopeful—a must-listen for anyone who wants to build a more compassionate and truly inclusive profession.

We’re keeping it light this summer with episodes every other week so you can stay inspired without missing the sunshine.

In this episode of the Victoria Stilwell Positively Podcast, Victoria sits down with UK-based trainer, and VSPDT, Adam Daines. Adam shares the story of how a difficult experience with traditional training methods as a 14-year-old shaped his unwavering commitment to positive reinforcement. Now running his successful business, Avon Dog Services, Adam opens up about his work with working-line dogs who often “go self-employed” when their natural needs aren’t being met. From practical enrichment ideas like tracking and “search and retrieve” games to his pioneering Training Holidays, Adam is redefining what pet dog training can look like. Plus, the two discuss their behind-the-scenes experiences on the Dog Academy series—camera interruptions and all! Whether you're a dog guardian struggling with reactivity or a future trainer trying to find your path, this episode is packed with insight, humor, and heart.

To learn more about Adam, visit Avon Dog Services. 

In this profoundly moving episode, Victoria speaks with Amr Nawwar, a VSA graduate and professional dog trainer based in Dubai. Born in a small village in Egypt and once fearful of dogs, Amr’s transformation is a testament to courage, curiosity, and conviction. With a background in pharmacy and a deep respect for science, Amr’s journey led him to question traditional training methods rooted in punishment and dominance. Now a vocal advocate for positive reinforcement, he discusses his challenges navigating cultural stereotypes about dogs and masculinity—especially within male-dominated, punishment-heavy training circles in the Middle East. He also shares insights on the power of effective social media communication and the ethical responsibility of trainers. This episode highlights the intersection of compassion, faith, and evidence-based practice, offering hope for a kinder future in dog training across the globe.

Amr's contact information:
Molly's Dog House
Instagram: @dubaidogstrainer
Arabic Content: Tik Tok

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode, Victoria Stilwell speaks with Neika Smessaert, a veterinary technician, certified dog trainer, and trailblazer for inclusivity within the dog training and veterinary worlds. Neika shares her journey from working in small animal clinics to becoming a vital advocate for deaf and hard-of-hearing trainers. 

With humor and humility, she recounts how learning ASL during the pandemic led her to mentor VSA’s first deaf student, Leah, opening the door for broader accessibility within the program. Together, they co-created the Puppy Progress Planner—a 12-week confidence-building resource for puppies and their humans—and launched a beautifully inclusive e-course designed to support learners of all backgrounds. Neika candidly discusses the importance of community, the emotional impact of hearing loss, and how curiosity—rather than perfection—is the true key to inclusion. This episode isn’t just about dog training. It’s about seeing each other fully and creating spaces where everyone belongs.

To find out more about Neika, visit Vet Tech Coach. 

In this episode, Victoria reconnects with Yaz Porritt to discuss the uncomfortable truths behind what they witnessed at Crufts 2025. They begin by acknowledging the backlash they’ve received for attending and supporting the event, despite their intentions to promote ethical training and welfare-centered education. Yaz shares how her Your Dog’s Pain Diary is being used by both pet parents and professionals to identify hidden pain, setting the stage for the broader conversation about canine well-being in public spaces like dog shows.

As the episode unfolds, they describe shocking scenes of aversive handling in the show ring in front of spectators and cameras. Victoria and Yaz suggest practical reforms, agreeing that education, not condemnation, is the key to change.

The conversation turns toward the Kennel Club’s complicated role—on one hand, providing crucial breed health data and influencing legislation; on the other, falling short on meaningful enforcement and transparency. Victoria and Yaz propose helping the Kennel Club pilot a welfare initiative that includes impartial monitoring, better judge training, and a visible commitment to ethical practices.

Despite the problems, both women stress their admiration for well-bred, well-handled dogs and the beauty of events like police demos, agility, and heelwork to music. Their hope is to preserve and improve dog showing—not dismantle it. With both criticism and compassion, they invite the Kennel Club and listeners alike to join them in creating a Crufts that’s not just the biggest, but truly the greatest.

To learn more or reach out to Yaz, visit Yorkshire Pooches Therapies. 

Victoria opens the episode by introducing the talented cast of trainers from The Bad Dog Academy, sharing how the show has taken off across the UK—and beyond—for its honest, emotional approach to training. Kamal reflects on how the show felt like something truly special from the start, allowing space for deep vulnerability in the human-dog bond. Sean emphasizes how emotionally intense the work is, even comparing it to the pressure of playing professional rugby. Jo shares how surprised she was to be selected, and how grateful she feels knowing the show prioritizes ethics and transparency in every case.

The trainers laugh about some of the show’s lighter moments—like Jo’s fan-favorite hair and Sean’s rising “mountain man sex symbol” status—while also discussing the overwhelming pressure they faced behind the scenes. But beyond the laughs, they reveal just how much unseen preparation goes into each case, including lengthy planning meetings that often get upended the moment the dog walks in.

Victoria and the team emphasize the intentional authenticity of the show—viewers see real first meetings with clients, genuine training challenges, and a commitment to showing progress, not perfection. Unlike other programs that rely on fast fixes or scripted setups, The Bad Dog Academy offers a transparent, respectful look at both the dogs and people involved. The crew even follows up with clients and their dogs after filming ends, something Jo, Sean, and Victoria say has created lasting bonds.

They also give a shout-out to producer Nick Grimshaw (aka "Grimmy"), whose charm and curiosity helped bridge the gap between the trainers and the viewing audience. The addition of Grimmy brought levity and structure, but most importantly, he stayed true to the show's heart—never pretending to be an expert, just a deeply interested dog lover.

As the episode winds down, the trainers reflect on the emotional impact of their work. From helping owners regain confidence to noticing subtle improvements in fearful or reactive dogs, every case mattered. They wrap with rapid-fire takeaways, laughter, and heartfelt praise for each other and the entire production team. It’s clear this isn’t just a show about dog training—it’s a story about human growth, mutual understanding, and the power of doing things the right way, even when it’s hard.

In this groundbreaking episode, Victoria welcomes Kari Bastyr—a Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist (CPCN) through the Feed Real Institute, certified behavior consultant, and gluten detection dog trainer—to explore the powerful link between canine nutrition, behavior, and emotional well-being. With certifications from the IAABC and VSPDT, and professional memberships with O.D.O.R. Service Dogs, the Pet Professional Guild, and the Animal Behavior Society, Kari brings both science-backed insight and hands-on experience to the table.

Kari opens up about her personal health journey with celiac disease and her dog Birdie—a trained gluten detection dog from Willow Service Dogs, where Kari also completed an internship with trainer Dawn Scheu. She explains how the gut-brain axis, microbiome diversity, and food-based inflammation can profoundly affect a dog’s behavior, contributing to issues like anxiety, fear, reactivity, and cognitive decline.

The conversation also includes practical takeaways, such as how to use prebiotics, probiotics, and fresh food toppers to support your dog’s health and behavioral wellness. Kari shares why minimally processed food matters, how nutrition can make or break a behavior plan, and why food truly affects mood—for both humans and dogs. Whether you're a trainer, pet parent, or someone navigating complex canine behavior challenges, this episode is a must-listen.

To learn more about Kari or to get in touch with her, visit Wag and Train or Celiac Service Dogs. 

In this gripping episode, Victoria chats with Jim Crosby—former police officer, canine behavior expert, and forensic investigator—about the heartbreaking and vital work of understanding fatal dog attacks. Jim opens up about his transition from law enforcement to animal behavior and being one of the only experts to combine behavioral science with crime scene investigation. From dogfighting raids to fatality cases, Jim shares powerful stories of real dogs, real outcomes, and real evidence, emphasizing how understanding canine behavior can save both human and animal lives.

They discuss the realities behind canine aggression, how trauma and environment influence behavior, and why breed-specific legislation misses the mark. Jim also dives into the work he's doing with the Canine Brain Project at Harvard, stressing the importance of accurate data collection and individualized assessment over knee-jerk reactions. Whether you're a trainer, pet parent, or policy-maker, this episode is a sobering but essential reminder that behavior is complex, context matters, and prevention starts with listening.