In this episode, host Michele Forto breaks down one of the most misunderstood aspects of service dog training: the belief that task training is enough. At Alaska Dog Works, Michele explains why obedience and tasks are just the beginning, and how the real magic happens when dog and handler become a unified, emotionally aligned team.

You’ll learn:

• Why task training alone can fall short in real-world environments

• How to build confidence and emotional connection with your dog

• The unique challenges of training service dogs in Alaska

• Why the handler’s mindset is just as important as the dog’s obedience

• How the Lead Dog Service Dog Training Program helps teams thrive together

Listen now to understand why the bond between handler and service dog is the missing piece of true independence.

Suggested internal links to add in the episode blog post:

• Lead Dog Service Dog Training Program

• DAWGS Therapy Dog Program

• The Pack Membership

• Dog Works Radio Homepage

Products We Use for Dog Works Radio

Note: these may contain affiliate links, so I get a small percentage of any product you buy when using my link.

Dog Works Radio is a podcast education show brought to you by Dog Works Radio and is hosted by Michele Forto. If you enjoy the show, I'd love for you to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast app!

And please let your friends and other podcasters know they can listen for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

On this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips, Nicole Forto discusses: How Do I Motivate My Dog?

Products We Use for Dog Works Radio

Note: these may contain affiliate links, so I get a small percentage of any product you buy when using my link.

Dog Works Radio is a podcast education show brought to you by Dog Works Radio and is hosted by Nicole Forto. If you enjoy the show, I'd love for you to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast app!

And please let your friends and other podcasters know they can listen for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

In this powerful interview, host Robert Forto sits down with Robin Lucas, President of Rebel Rescue South Korea, to talk about how one woman’s mission turned a struggling Korean shelter into a global rescue organization. Discover how she transformed a 300-dog rescue in Pyeongtaek into a thriving nonprofit, what life is like for Jindo mixes in Korea, and how her team is bridging cultural gaps between American adopters and Korean volunteers.

Robin shares how she manages Rebel Rescue from Texas, the challenges of rehoming dogs across continents, and the story of Hotch, a Jindo mix waiting for his forever home. Whether you’re a dog lover, trainer, or rescue advocate, this episode offers inspiration from the frontlines of international animal welfare.

Products We Use for Dog Works Radio

Note: these may contain affiliate links, so I get a small percentage of any product you buy when using my link.

Dog Works Radio is a podcast education show brought to you by Dog Works Radio and is hosted by Robert Forto. If you enjoy the show, I'd love for you to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast app!

And please let your friends and other podcasters know they can listen for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

On this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips, Nicole Forto discusses: Why Does My Dog Only Listen to Me?

Products We Use for Dog Works Radio

Note: these may contain affiliate links, so I get a small percentage of any product you buy when using my link.

Dog Works Radio is a podcast education show brought to you by Dog Works Radio and is hosted by Nicole Forto. If you enjoy the show, I'd love for you to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast app!

And please let your friends and other podcasters know they can listen for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

In this bonus Q&A episode of Dog Works Radio, Robert and Michele discuss the logistical hurdles faced with trying to deliver a service dog to a remote town in Alaska that is off of the road sytem.

Have an idea for The Bark? Please submit it here: Dog Works Radio Episode Idea

Products We Use for Dog Works Radio

Note: these may contain affiliate links, so I get a small percentage of any product you buy when using my link.

Dog Works Radio is a podcast education show brought to you by Dog Works Radio and is hosted by Michele Forto. If you enjoy the show, I'd love for you to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast app!

And please let your friends and other podcasters know they can listen for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Most families hesitate to start dog training for three reasons: cost, time, and that spouse who says, “We don’t need it.” In this episode, Michelle Forto of Alaska Dog Works breaks down each objection and shows why they don’t hold up. You’ll learn how training saves money, gives you time back, and creates harmony at home. If you’ve ever put off training your dog, this conversation will change the way you see it.

Products We Use for Dog Works Radio

Note: these may contain affiliate links, so I get a small percentage of any product you buy when using my link.

Dog Works Radio is a podcast education show brought to you by Dog Works Radio and is hosted by Michele Forto. If you enjoy the show, I'd love for you to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast app!

And please let your friends and other podcasters know they can listen for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

On this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips, Nicole Forto discusses getting your dog ready for the cold weather ahead.

Products We Use for Dog Works Radio

Note: these may contain affiliate links, so I get a small percentage of any product you buy when using my link.

Dog Works Radio is a podcast education show brought to you by Dog Works Radio and is hosted by Nicole Forto. If you enjoy the show, I'd love for you to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast app!

And please let your friends and other podcasters know they can listen for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

In this bonus Q&A episode of Dog Works Radio, Michele and Nicole Forto digs deeper into the message behind Stop Looking for Shortcuts: Your Dog Deserves Better. She shares what really happens when families hit the “messy middle” of adolescence, why shortcuts set both owners and dogs up for failure, and how lasting transformation comes from consistency, patience, and coaching.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in training, this conversation will challenge your mindset and give you a fresh perspective on building a lifelong bond with your dog.

Have an idea for The Bark? Please submit it here: Dog Works Radio Episode Idea

Products We Use for Dog Works Radio

Note: these may contain affiliate links, so I get a small percentage of any product you buy when using my link.

Dog Works Radio is a podcast education show brought to you by Dog Works Radio and is hosted by Michele Forto. If you enjoy the show, I'd love for you to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast app!

And please let your friends and other podcasters know they can listen for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts