Positively Podcast - Episode 80 My Big Fat Pet Makeover

Victoria shares details about the 2020 UK Dog Behaviour Conference, including new and returning fascinating speakers and a teaser for a brand new important training protocol she will be revealing at the conference. Also, a discussion about the new research being done to confirm how dogs understand spoken human languages. Victoria shares her thoughts about the public discussion regarding whether shock collars should be used in dog training, including the conversation she had in a radio interview with the Radio Pet Lady recently on the topic. Misconceptions about what positive training is (and isn't) in the great debate about dog training methods. EPISODE NOTES: A Shocking Discussion

Aly and Victoria discuss how you can make your dog feel more comfortable during the holidays. Whether your dog is shy of people or a social butterfly, discover great ways to prevent overwhelm and set your dog up for success. How can you teach visiting children to understand what your dog needs and to respect your dog’s space? Can you feed your dog table scraps? More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Holiday Help with Victoria Stilwell & Holly Firfer

Victoria and Aly share great ideas on how to provide enrichment for your dog when it’s cold outside. Aly shares some great canine fitness ideas, how to play hide and seek with your dog and making meal times more enriching. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Baby It’s Cold Outside with Victoria Stilwell & Holly Firfer

Victoria is joined by Victoria Stilwell Academy's Curriculum Manager, Aly Lecznar, to talk about VSA's newly-launched Online Dog Trainer Course and the introductory Fundamentals of Dog Training & Behavior Course, including what makes VSA such a groundbreaking new learning opportunity both for dog owners and aspiring professional dog trainers. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Online Dog Trainer Course with Victoria Stilwell & Holly Firfer

Victoria and Holly ring in the new year by discussing several of the new projects and developments coming in 2018 in the Positively ecosystem. Also, a rundown of this year’s resolutions… including their pet resolutions (on behalf both of pets and their owners). The ladies are joined by Victoria’s husband, Van, to discuss the behind-the-scenes workings and passion behind the Positively brand and businesses like VSPDT and the Victoria Stilwell Academy. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Happy New Year with Victoria Stilwell & Holly Firfer

A special episode of the Positively Podcast finds Victoria educating Holly about the various possibilities for why December 26th is called Boxing Day in the UK. Plus, pantomimes! Victoria talks about her experience with avalanche dogs on Aspen mountain. Victoria quizzes Holly on dog-related questions in the Animal Academy. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Boxing Day with Victoria Stilwell & Holly Firfer

Victoria talks about the newly-announced Victoria Stilwell Academy course dates for 2018 and walks through how the Academy works. Also, how to find a Victoria Stilwell-licensed VSPDT trainer in your area. Victoria discusses the challenge she set for herself to see if positive training can work when training high-drive working dogs like police dogs. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - The Victoria Stilwell Academy with Victoria Stilwell & Holly Firfer

Victoria and Holly discuss the recent news story about people being sickened with campylobacter infections from puppies sold by Petland pet stores in over ten states throughout the U.S. Most pet store puppies come from puppy mills where the best interest of the animals (not to mention their future owners), creating health hazards in pet store puppies like those in this outbreak as well as behaviorally-compromised dogs. On the Positively Hotline, Finding Shelter Animal Rescue’s Grace Kelly Herbert joins Victoria and Holly to talk about her work combating the puppy mill industry in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Pennsylvania Puppy Mill Problem with Victoria Stilwell & Holly Firfer

It’s Christmastime, and everyone’s busy with the holiday season. Victoria shares things she’s celebrating during the holidays, including the huge response to #LucysLaw – helping to combat the practice of puppy farming and puppy mills, especially in the UK. The ban on third-party sales in the UK is drawing near, which is a great move forward for this issue. Also, California’s recent announcement that the sale of various pets in pet stores, and Victoria becomes the first state in Australia to ban puppy mills. Holly tries to stump Victoria with a holiday-themed edition of the Animal Academy. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Victoria Decks the Halls with Holly with Victoria Stilwell & Holly Firfer

Victoria and Holly talk about overweight pets, including Victoria’s ‘Fat Dogs’ specials on It’s Me or the Dog, as well as the struggle to keep weight off of pets. On the Positively Hotline, Victoria and Holly welcome the star of the recent Animal Planet show, ‘My Big Fat Pet Makeover,’ Travis Brorsen, to discuss Travis’s new show and the issue of obesity in pets. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - My Big Fat Pet Makeover with Victoria Stilwell & Holly Firfer