Episodes

  • Loose Leash Walking: Why Your Dog Pulls and How to Fix It
    Feb 10 2026

    On this episode of Dog Works Radio, professional dog trainers from Alaska Dog Works share practical dog training tips, discuss common dog behavior problems, and explain how positive dog training and consistency to create better behavior at home.

    If every walk feels like a tug of war, your dog isn't being stubborn or disrespectful. They're doing what has worked.

    On Dog Works Radio, we break down loose leash walking from the dog's perspective and explain why pulling is not a behavior problem but a reinforcement history. When dogs learn that tension equals forward motion, pulling becomes automatic. The solution isn't correction or force. It's changing the rules of the walk.

    You'll learn what loose leash walking really means, why perfect heel is not the goal, and how movement itself becomes the most powerful reward. We also cover the role of consistency, management, engagement, and why short walks often train better than long ones.

    This episode is ideal for dog owners who want calmer, more enjoyable walks without pain, frustration, or outdated training methods. Fixing the walk often fixes far more than just the walk.

    • Dogs pull because pulling has been reinforced, not because they are stubborn

    • Loose leash walking means slack in the leash, not a perfect heel

    • Forward motion is often a stronger reward than food

    • Consistency teaches faster than correction

    • Short, intentional walks build better habits than long ones

    • Engagement turns walks into a shared experience, not a battle

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    11 mins
  • Loose Leash Walking: Myth versus Reality
    Feb 8 2026

    On this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips by Dog Works Radio, Nicole Forto discusses Loose Leash Walking: Myth versus Reality

    Products We Use for Dog Works Radio

    My equipment: • SHURE SM7B Mic • Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones • Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro Recommended resources: • Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization • Keap CRM • Riverside.FM • Hindenburg Pro recording and editing

    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

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    4 mins
  • The Recall Revolution: 7 Rules for a Solid "Come"
    Feb 3 2026
    On this episode of Dog Works Radio, professional dog trainers from Alaska Dog Works share practical dog training tips, discuss common dog behavior problems, and explain how positive dog training and dog training consistency create better behavior at home. Reliable recall is not about control or obedience. It's about trust, value, and clear communication. In this episode of Dog Works Radio, host Michele Forto kicks off Season 2 by breaking down why recall often fails in the real world and how to rebuild it the right way. Using positive reinforcement and practical management strategies, this episode introduces the Recall Revolution, seven rules that turn "come" from a gamble into a dependable habit. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why recall is the ultimate real-world test of your dog's training foundation How unclear criteria and weak reinforcement sabotage recall Why is management essential for building a reliable recall safely How short, frequent practice sessions outperform long training drills The role play and engagement have in making recall emotionally rewarding How to increase difficulty without breaking your dog's confidence Sources Lead Dog Service Dog Training Program DAWGS Therapy Dog Program The Pack Membership Dog Works Radio Homepage Products We Use for Dog Works Radio My equipment: • SHURE SM7B Mic • Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones • Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro Recommended resources: • Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization • Keap CRM • Riverside.FM • Hindenburg Pro recording and editing Note: these may contain affiliate links, so I get a small commission on any product you buy through 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 Lead Dog Service Dog Training Program DAWGS Therapy Dog Program The Pack Membership Dog Works Radio Homepage Products We Use for Dog Works Radio My equipment: • SHURE SM7B Mic • Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones • Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro Recommended resources: • Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization • Keap CRM • Riverside.FM • Hindenburg Pro recording and editing Note: these may contain affiliate links, so I get a small commission on any product you buy through 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
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    10 mins
  • The First 90 Days with Your Puppy
    Jan 30 2026

    On this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips by Dog Works Radio, Nicole Forto discusses The First 90 Days with Your Puppy

    Products We Use for Dog Works Radio

    My equipment: • SHURE SM7B Mic • Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones • Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro Recommended resources: • Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization • Keap CRM • Riverside.FM • Hindenburg Pro recording and editing

    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

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    4 mins
  • 17 Years In: What Staying Power Really Looks Like | Dog Works Radio
    Jan 29 2026

    Seventeen years. No missed weeks. In this bonus episode, Michele Forto reflects on what staying power really looks like in dog training, leadership, and podcasting, and why consistency, trust, and clear standards matter more than hype.

    Products We Use for Dog Works Radio

    My equipment: • SHURE SM7B Mic • Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones • Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro Recommended resources: • Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization • Keap CRM • Riverside.FM • Hindenburg Pro recording and editing

    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

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    8 mins
  • Engagement Over Obedience: Transforming Dog Training Through Play
    Jan 27 2026
    On this episode of Dog Works Radio, professional dog trainers from Alaska Dog Works share practical dog training tips, discuss common dog behavior problems, and explain how positive dog training and dog training consistency create better behavior at home. In this episode of Dog Works Radio, the hosts delve into the importance of engagement in dog training, emphasizing that a dog's distraction often stems from boredom rather than stubbornness. They introduce the concept of turning training into a game, which not only makes the process enjoyable for the dog but also enhances learning and reliability. The discussion highlights the three C's of effective training: clear criteria, meaningful consequences, and consistency, and how these principles can be integrated into play-based training to foster a stronger bond between dogs and their owners. The hosts explain that play is not chaotic but rather a structured way to engage dogs, making them more likely to choose their owners over distractions. They provide practical examples of training games that can be easily implemented without special equipment, reinforcing the idea that fun and effective training can coexist. The episode concludes with a reminder that training should feel like a relationship rather than a chore, encouraging listeners to adopt a playful approach to dog training for better results. Lead Dog Service Dog Training Program DAWGS Therapy Dog Program The Pack Membership Dog Works Radio Homepage Products We Use for Dog Works Radio My equipment: • SHURE SM7B Mic • Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones • Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro Recommended resources: • Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization • Keap CRM • Riverside.FM • Hindenburg Pro recording and editing Note: these may contain affiliate links, so I get a small commission on any product you buy through 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 Lead Dog Service Dog Training Program DAWGS Therapy Dog Program The Pack Membership Dog Works Radio Homepage Products We Use for Dog Works Radio My equipment: • SHURE SM7B Mic • Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones • Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro Recommended resources: • Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization • Keap CRM • Riverside.FM • Hindenburg Pro recording and editing Note: these may contain affiliate links, so I get a small commission on any product you buy through 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
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    10 mins
  • Sometimes You are Inconsistent in Dog Training
    Jan 23 2026

    On this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips by Dog Works Radio, Nicole Forto discusses why Sometimes You are Inconsistent in Dog Training

    Products We Use for Dog Works Radio

    My equipment: • SHURE SM7B Mic • Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones • Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro Recommended resources: • Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization • Keap CRM • Riverside.FM • Hindenburg Pro recording and editing

    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

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    3 mins
  • What Makes a Service Dog Reliable
    Jan 22 2026

    On this episode of Dog Works Radio, professional dog trainers from Alaska Dog Works share practical dog training tips, discuss common dog behavior problems, and explain how positive dog training and dog training consistency create better behavior at home.

    Service dogs, reliability is not just a buzzword; it is a critical component that can significantly impact the lives of individuals with PTSD. In this podcast, we will discuss into the essential qualities that make a PTSD service dog truly reliable, drawing insights from a recent podcast episode featuring experts in canine training.

    • Lead Dog Service Dog Training Program

    • DAWGS Therapy Dog Program

    • The Pack Membership

    • Dog Works Radio Homepage

    Products We Use for Dog Works Radio

    My equipment: • SHURE SM7B Mic • Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones • Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro Recommended resources: • Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization • Keap CRM • Riverside.FM • Hindenburg Pro recording and editing

    Note: these may contain affiliate links, so I get a small commission on any product you buy through 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

    • Lead Dog Service Dog Training Program

    • DAWGS Therapy Dog Program

    • The Pack Membership

    • Dog Works Radio Homepage

    Products We Use for Dog Works Radio

    My equipment: • SHURE SM7B Mic • Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones • Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro Recommended resources: • Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization • Keap CRM • Riverside.FM • Hindenburg Pro recording and editing

    Note: these may contain affiliate links, so I get a small commission on any product you buy through 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

    Show more Show less
    5 mins