Dog Works Radio® | Dog Training, Puppy Training, Dog Behavior & Service Dogs
Dog Works Radio is a dog training podcast for dog owners who want real-world results, better behavior, and a stronger relationship with their dogs. In every episode, professional dog trainers Dr. Robert and Michele Forto break down the dog training advice, behavior challenges, and canine myths that confuse most owners and show you what actually works in everyday life with dogs. Whether you are raising a new puppy, struggling with leash pulling, dealing with barking or reactivity, training a service dog, or simply trying to better understand your dog's behavior, this podcast gives you practical dog training strategies you can...
Your Dog Isn't Disrespecting You
Your dog is not plotting against you. On this episode of The Daily Dog, Nicole Forto draws the line most owners miss: understanding a behavior is not the same as tolerating it.
Jumping, leash pulling, counter surfing, and a stolen sock are not revenge. They are patterns that paid off. Nicole walks through the third option between "he's disrespecting me" and "he's just being a dog": teach the behavior you want, set the boundary, and follow through every time.
Key points
Disrespect is a human word. Dogs learn by what happens next.
What Is a Dog Training Strategy Call and Should You Book One?
You know something needs to change with your dog. Maybe walks have become a wrestling match, guests get jumped on at the door, or your dog knows "come" until something more interesting appears. But what actually happens when you contact a professional dog trainer?
In this episode of Dog Works Radio, Michele Forto explains what a strategy call with Alaska Dog Works is and, just as importantly, what it isn't. A strategy call isn't a sales pitch or a free training lesson. It's a focused conversation about what is happening with your dog right now, what your...
How to Train a Dog That Seems Untrainable
What do you do with a dog that seems completely untrainable? You give a command and get nothing. You offer treats, and the dog does not care. Toys do not work. Praise does not work. Eventually, you start wondering whether the dog simply cannot be trained.
In this episode of Dog Works Radio, Nicole Forto challenges that assumption. Some dogs are confused or distracted. Others have learned that if they ignore their owner long enough, the owner eventually gives up. And then there are genuinely difficult dogs that are highly independent, defensive, reactive, or willing to make...
What Breaks If the Founder Leaves for 30 Days | Family Dog Training Businesses
If the person whose name is on the van disappeared for thirty days, what would actually break at your shop?
Not the website. The eval. The hard dog. The refund. Saturday.
Michele Forto is solo on this episode of Dog Works Radio. She talks to owners of family-run dog training businesses in rural and mid-size markets, private lessons, group class, board-and-train, service and therapy work, where family is on the books and the founder is still the bottleneck.
Get the handout at https://dogworksradio.com/handoff
In this episode
Why...From Police K9s to Support Dogs with Dr. Coby Webb
What happens when decades of law enforcement experience, a career working with police K9s, and an interest in officer wellness come together?
On this episode of Dog Works Radio, Robert Forto talks with Dr. Coby Webb, a retired captain with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department who spent much of her 28-and-a-half-year law enforcement career working with dogs. Her experience included patrol dogs, bloodhounds, detection dogs, and supervising a canine unit that included 26 dogs.
Coby shares what life is really like as a police K9 handler, how different breeds are selected for different jobs, and...
Why Your Dog Listens in Class but Not in Real Life
Your dog sits perfectly in class, walks nicely when the trainer is nearby, and seems to know exactly what you want. Then you get home and everything falls apart. That does not necessarily mean your dog forgot the training. It may mean the training was never built to survive real life.
In this episode of Dog Works Radio, Michele Forto from Alaska Dog Works explains why dogs often learn the environment surrounding a behavior instead of developing a skill they can perform anywhere. Sitting quietly inside a training facility is very different from responding when a...
The 3 Keys to a Well-Trained Dog | What Actually Creates Reliability
This episode covers dog training fundamentals and how to train a dog so you end up with a reliable dog, not just a dog that sits in the kitchen. Michele Forto shares the dog training philosophy Alaska Dog Works uses after 30+ years: clear communication, structure, and follow-through.
If your dog listens at home and falls apart in real life, start here.
Listen for: why repeating cues teaches the wrong lesson, why you cannot out-train a bad rehearsal schedule, and the one key to install this week.
Companion article: alaskadogworks.com/the-3-keys-to-a-well-trained-dog/
<...Is My Dog Reactive or Aggressive?
Join host Nicole Forto as she discusses a common question: Is my dog reactive or aggressive? on this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips on Dog Works Radio
Other Episodes You Will Love
· How to Get the Best Results out of Dog Training
Support the Show
This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II
Like this episode? Share it with your dog training friends!
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FRE...
Don't Sell Your Soul to Social Media
Dr. Robert Forto just left the stage at Podcast Movement in New York. The session: Don't Sell Your Soul to Social Media. Michele Forto brings the talk home.
Podcasters were told to post more, clip more, and feed the algorithm. That builds a business on rented land. When an account is restricted, reach collapses, or a host deletes a library by mistake, you find out what you actually own.
Michele covers borrowed vs owned audiences, the path from show to site to offer to list to home, and three moves before your next episode: turn...
Dogs, Animal TV, and the Stories Behind the Camera with Rick Dowlern
What really happens behind the scenes of some of television's most popular animal shows?
On this episode of Dog Works Radio, Robert Forto sits down with television producer and showrunner Rick Dowlearn, whose career has taken him into veterinary clinics, wildlife facilities, remote communities, and animal stories across North America and beyond. Rick has worked on animal-focused productions for Nat Geo Wild, Disney+, Discovery, and Animal Planet, including several seasons connected to Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet.
Rick shares what a showrunner actually does, how production crews capture real veterinary and animal stories without interfering with...
Lead Dog Access Program: Foundation Training for Independence
On this episode we open with a Foundation announcement that belongs on Dog Works Radio: partnership, training, and helping people live more independently with their dogs.
The Team and Trail Foundation is now accepting applications for the Lead Dog Access Program. This is a Foundation program, not a commercial Alaska Dog Works enrollment. Selected teams receive the complete Lead Dog service dog curriculum at a discounted Foundation rate of $9,600. Up to six placements are available each year.
Priority is given to veterans and people living with PTSD, people with mobility, psychiatric, or autism-related disabilities, and...
The Dogs of 9-11
On September 11, 2001, hundreds of working dogs and their handlers answered the call. They searched through twisted steel and concrete, guided people out of the World Trade Center, recovered those who were lost, and offered comfort to firefighters and recovery workers during one of the darkest moments in American history.
In this special episode of Dog Works Radio, Michele Forto remembers the dogs of 9/11 and the handlers who trusted them to do extraordinary work under extraordinary conditions. The episode shares stories of dogs including Sirius, Roselle, Salty, Apollo, Trakr, and Bretagne, while also exploring the lasting e...
Stop Leash Pulling: Dog Training That Actually Works in Alaska
If walking your dog feels more like being towed down the trail, the problem probably is not your leash, collar, or lack of exercise. It is the way your dog has learned the walk.
In this episode of Dog Works Radio, Michele Forto from Alaska Dog Works explains why dogs pull, how owners accidentally reinforce the behavior, and why equipment alone rarely solves the problem. She breaks down the importance of timing, teaching the dog that a slack leash keeps the walk moving, and practicing the behavior where it actually matters: neighborhoods, parking lots, sidewalks, t...
Will Training Take Away My Dog's Personailty?
Join host Michele Forto on this case study about training and your dog's personality, on this episode of The Daily Dog on Dog Works Radio
Other Episodes You Will Love
· How to Get the Best Results out of Dog Training
Support the Show
This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II
Like this episode? Share it with your dog training friends!
Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review.
FREE! Grab our 7-Day Rea...
Why is my dog reactive off leash? | Dog Works Radio
Join host Michele Forto as she discusses why is my dog reactive off leash? on this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips on Dog Works Radio
Other Episodes You Will Love
· How to Get the Best Results out of Dog Training
Support the Show
This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II
Like this episode? Share it with your dog training friends!
Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review.
FREE! Grab o...
Black and Tan Coonhound | The Daily Dog
Join host Michele Forto as she profiles the Black and Tan Coonhound on this episode of The Daily Dog on Dog Works Radio
Other Episodes You Will Love
· How to Get the Best Results out of Dog Training
Support the Show
This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II
Like this episode? Share it with your dog training friends!
Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review.
FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Tr...
Service Dog Training in Alaska: What It Really Takes
Service dog training is about much more than putting a vest on a dog and teaching basic obedience. A reliable service dog must have the right temperament, learn specific disability-related tasks, demonstrate strong public-access behavior, and continue performing consistently in the real world.
In this episode of Dog Works Radio, Michele Forto explains what service dog training really looks like in Alaska. She discusses how service dogs differ from therapy dogs and emotional support animals, how dogs are evaluated for service work, why training commonly takes 18 to 24 months, and what owner-trained teams should expect.
You'll...
Your Dog Is the Doctor: How Dogs Improve Your Health with Dr. Dan Guirguis
Other Episodes You Will Love
· How to Get the Best Results out of Dog Training
Support the Show
This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II
Like this episode? Share it with your dog training friends!
Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review.
FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Training Plan
Take our Understanding Drive Behaviors quiz to see exactly what drive your dog is in and how to begin to train...
Hearing Support Dogs in Alaska: Why We Start with the Handler and the Right Puppy From Day One
Join host Michele Forto on this case study about, Hearing Support Dogs in Alaska: Why We Start with the Handler and the Right Puppy From Day One, on this episode of The Daily Dog on Dog Works Radio
Other Episodes You Will Love
· How to Get the Best Results out of Dog Training
Support the Show
This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II
Like this episode? Share it with your dog training friends!
Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog tra...
Will dog training change my dog?
Join host Nicole Forto on this case study about training and your dog's personality on this episode of One Minute Dog Training Tips on Dog Works Radio
Other Episodes You Will Love
· How to Get the Best Results out of Dog Training
Support the Show
This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II
Like this episode? Share it with your dog training friends!
Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review.
FREE! Grab o...
English Foxhound | The Daily Dog
Join host Michele Forto as she profiles the English Foxhound on this episode of The Daily Dog on Dog Works Radio
Other Episodes You Will Love
· How to Get the Best Results out of Dog Training
Support the Show
This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II
Like this episode? Share it with your dog training friends!
Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review.
FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Training Plan<...
The Taylor Swift Effect: Is a Samoyed the Right Dog for You?
Taylor Swift may be famous for being a cat person, but photos of Travis Kelce traveling with a fluffy white Samoyed puppy have people talking. Could celebrity influence suddenly make the Samoyed one of the next must-have dog breeds?
In this episode of Dog Works Radio, Michele Forto looks beyond the celebrity buzz to discuss what families need to know before bringing home a Samoyed. These beautiful northern working dogs are intelligent, social, active, and independent, with coats that require serious maintenance.
Michele also explains why sudden breed popularity can create problems when people choose...
When a Free Service Dog Costs You Three Years
Join host Michele Forto on this case study about When a "Free" Service Dog Costs You Three Years on this episode of The Daily Dog on Dog Works Radio
Other Episodes You Will Love
· How to Get the Best Results out of Dog Training
Support the Show
This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II
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Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review.
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Back to School Safety and Dog Training
Join host Michele Forto of Alaska Dog Works as she talks about back-to-school safety and dog training on this episode of Dog Works Radio.
Other Episodes You Will Love
· How to Get the Best Results out of Dog Training
Support the Show
This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II
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Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review.
FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-W...
The After School Rush and Dog Training
Join host Michele Forto of Alaska Dog Works as she talks about after-school activities with kids and dogs on this episode of Dog Works Radio.
Other Episodes You Will Love
· How to Get the Best Results out of Dog Training
Support the Show
This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II
Like this episode? Share it with your dog training friends!
Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review.
FREE! Grab our 7-Day R...
The Kids Are Going Back to School. Is Your Dog Ready?
Join host Michele Forto of Alaska Dog Works as she talks about making sure your dog is ready when your kids head back to school on this episode of Dog Works Radio.
Other Episodes You Will Love
· How to Get the Best Results out of Dog Training
Support the Show
This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II
Like this episode? Share it with your dog training friends!
Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a revi...
The American Hairless Terrier | The Daily Dog
Join host Michele Forto as she profiles the American Hairless Terrier on this episode of The Daily Dog on Dog Works Radio
Other Episodes You Will Love
· How to Get the Best Results out of Dog Training
Support the Show
This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II
Like this episode? Share it with your dog training friends!
Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review.
FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Traini...
The Power of Structure and GSD Mixes | The Daily Dog
Join host Michele Forto as she presents a case study on the power of structure and GSD mixes on this episode of The Daily Dog on Dog Works Radio
Other Episodes You Will Love
· How to Get the Best Results out of Dog Training
Support the Show
This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II
Like this episode? Share it with your dog training friends!
Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review.
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Why Your Dog Listens at Home but Ignores You Outside
Your dog sits perfectly in the kitchen, comes when called across the living room, and seems to know exactly what you are asking. Then you walk outside, and suddenly it feels like all that training disappeared.
In this episode of Dog Works Radio, Michele Forto explains why your dog probably has not forgotten their training and is not deliberately ignoring you. Instead, dogs often struggle to generalize behaviors from one environment to another. Add new smells, other dogs, wildlife, traffic, people, and dozens of other distractions, and a simple command can suddenly become much harder.
...
Starting Service Dog Training in Alaska
Join Michele Forto as she presents a case study: Starting Service Dog Training in Alaska, on Dog Works Radio
Other Episodes You Will Love
· Zombie Dogs
Support the Show
This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II
Like this episode? Share it with your dog training friends!
Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review.
FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Training Plan
Take our Understanding Drive Behaviors quiz to see exa...
The Beauceron | The Daily Dog
Join host Michele Forto as she profiles the Beauceron on this episode of The Daily Dog on Dog Works Radio
Other Episodes You Will Love
· How to Get the Best Results out of Dog Training
Support the Show
This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II
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Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review.
FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Training Plan
Why Does My Dog Follow Me Everywhere? What Your Dog Is Really Telling You
Have you ever wondered why your dog follows you everywhere, from the kitchen to the bedroom and sometimes even the bathroom? You are definitely not alone. The so-called "Velcro dog" is something many dog owners know very well, but there is more behind this behavior than simple affection.
In this episode of Dog Works Radio, we discuss why dogs follow their people, how reinforcement and daily routines can encourage the behavior, and why breed tendencies, boredom, insecurity, and attachment can all play a role. We also discuss the difference between a dog that simply enjoys being near...
The Bulldog | The Daily Dog
Join host Michele Forto as she profiles the Bulldog on this episode of The Daily Dog on Dog Works Radio
Other Episodes You Will Love
· How to Get the Best Results out of Dog Training
Support the Show
This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II
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Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review.
FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Training Plan
Military Family Dog Training
Join Michele Forto as she presents a case study: Military Family Dog Training on Dog Works Radio
Other Episodes You Will Love
· How to Get the Best Results out of Dog Training
Support the Show
This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II
Like this episode? Share it with your dog training friends!
Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review.
FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Training Plan
Take our Un...
How Dog Trainers Can Effectively Use AI
Other Episodes You Will Love
· How to Get the Best Results out of Dog Training
Support the Show
This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II
Like this episode? Share it with your dog training friends!
Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review.
FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Training Plan
Take our Understanding Drive Behaviors quiz to see exactly what drive your dog is in and how to begin to train...
The Superpowers Your Dog Already Has (And How Understanding Them Makes You a Better Trainer)
Have you ever wondered if your dog has superpowers? In this episode of Dog Works Radio, Michele Forto explores the incredible natural abilities that make dogs one of the most remarkable animals on the planet. From their extraordinary sense of smell and incredible hearing to their ability to read human emotions and even detect changes in our health, dogs experience the world in ways we can barely imagine.
You'll also discover how understanding these instincts can make you a better dog owner and trainer. Learn why scent work is one of the best forms of mental exercise...
Wirehaired Vizsla | The Daily Dog
Join host Michele Forto as she profiles the Wirehaired Vizsla on this episode of The Daily Dog on Dog Works Radio
Other Episodes You Will Love
· How to Get the Best Results out of Dog Training
Support the Show
This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II
Like this episode? Share it with your dog training friends!
Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review.
FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Training Plan<...
Why Herding Training is Tough in Alaska: And What You Can Do Instead
Join host Michele Forto as she presents a case study: Why Herding Training Is Tough in Alaska: And What You Can Do Instead
Other Episodes You Will Love
· Zombie Dogs
Support the Show
This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II
Like this episode? Share it with your dog training friends!
Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review.
FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Training Plan
Take our Understanding Drive...
Dogs Who Change Our Lives: Lara McGallon on Animal Rescue, Faith, and the Stories That Inspire Hope
Dogs have always had an incredible ability to change our lives, often in ways we never expect. In this episode of Dog Works Radio, Dr. Robert Forto sits down with author, speaker, and animal advocate Lara McGallon to discuss her lifelong passion for helping dogs and the people who love them.
Lara shares the inspiration behind her bestselling books, including Dogs Who Change Our Life and The Heavenly Dog Father Prayer Book, while explaining how her writing combines real-life stories, faith, and the remarkable bond between humans and dogs. She also discusses her extensive work supporting rescue...
Argus, the First Great Dog Story
Discover the timeless story of Argus, the faithful hunting dog from Homer's The Odyssey whose brief appearance has become one of the most unforgettable moments in literary history. In this episode, host Michele Forto explores the legend behind Argus, why a rare Portuguese Podengo was chosen to portray him in Christopher Nolan's film adaptation, and what modern dog owners can learn about loyalty, trust, and the lasting bond between people and their dogs.
Whether you're a fan of classic literature, ancient dog breeds, or simply love great stories about dogs, this episode offers a fascinating look at...
