
A dog training podcast for serious behavior nerds
A behind-the-scenes look into the reality of dog training, behavior, and learning. We love our dogs, we love our jobs, but sometimes it’s not all unicorns and rainbows. Sometimes at the end of the day, you just need a drink and a friend who gets it.
With a heavy dose of humor and a side of empathy, we explore high-level behavior science concepts mixed with real conversations and practical training advice. We keep it nerdy, relatable, and real.
Latest episodes
Podcast #175: Over the Top – High Arousal in Dogs
Drinking from the Toilet: Real Dogs, Real Training · #175: Over the Top – High Arousal in Dogs Guests: Leslie McDevitt & Lindsay Wood Brown Leslie McDevitt, MLA, CDBC, CPDT-KA, is the author of the internationally popular Control Unleashed series of books and DVDs. Her books have been translated into many languages; people all over […]
Podcast #174: Families with Dogs and Kids with Jennifer Shryock
Drinking from the Toilet: Real Dogs, Real Training · #174: Families with Dogs and Kids with Jennifer Shryock Guest: Jennifer Shryock Jennifer Shryock, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), is the owner and founder of Family Paws® LLC. She has a certification from the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and a special education degree with […]
Podcast #173: Dealing with Problem Behaviors – Using Alternate Behaviors
Drinking from the Toilet: Real Dogs, Real Training · #173: Dealing with Problem Behaviors – Using Alternate Behaviors In this episode we discuss: The first step to dealing with a problem behavior is to identify the function. Figure out a plan to control access if possible and practical. If that reinforcer is not practical to […]
Podcast #172: How to Tell That Your Classical Conditioning Plan is Working
Drinking from the Toilet: Real Dogs, Real Training · #172: How to Tell That Your Classical Conditioning Plan is Working When we pair two stimuli together as part of a classical conditioning training plan, it can sometimes be hard to determine when the association has been made between the old stimulus and the new stimulus… […]
Podcast #171: Maintenance Mode
Drinking from the Toilet: Real Dogs, Real Training · #171: Maintenance Mode In this episode we discuss: When you might outsource maintenance to the environment? Functional difference between intrinsic and extrinsic reinforcers in maintaining behaviors. How easy it is for behaviors to start slipping before we notice. One way to avoid or minimize that slippage […]
Podcast #170: How To Avoid Too Much Drilling
Drinking from the Toilet: Real Dogs, Real Training · #170: How To Avoid Too Much Drilling In this episode we discuss: Tradeoffs when using systematic “drills” to isolate specific aspects of an exercise. Drills help us isolate specific aspects of an exercise and give us the advantage of Deliberate Practice for expertise. What is meant […]
Podcast #169: Advocating For Your Dog with Erin Moore
Drinking from the Toilet: Real Dogs, Real Training · #169: Advocating For Your Dog with Erin Moore Guest: Erin Moore Erin is based in Canada and has been in the dog industry for over 15 years in different capacities. From dog walking to running a large, successful training facility and teaching classes 6 days a […]
Podcast #168: Things That Are Saving My Life Right Now
Drinking from the Toilet: Real Dogs, Real Training · #168: Things That Are Saving My Life Right Now In this episode we discuss: Why everything is hard (just kidding, no answers here. Why IS everything so hard?) Behaviors, routines, and material acquisitions that are helping take the edge off Behaviors that reduce my daily annoyance […]
Podcast #167: What is Ethics About and Why Should We Care?
Drinking from the Toilet: Real Dogs, Real Training · #167: What is Ethics About and Why Should We Care? Guests: Dr. Eduardo J. Fernandez & Thomas Harrison, Ph.D. Dr. Eduardo J. Fernandez received his Ph.D. in Psychology and his M.S. in Behavior Analysis from the University of North Texas, where he founded and was President of […]
Podcast #166: Why is Shaping So Hard?, Pt. 2
Drinking from the Toilet: Real Dogs, Real Training · #166: Why is Shaping So Hard?, Pt. 2 In this episode we discuss: Why we often consider shaping to be an advanced technique Why I think it doesn’t have to/shouldn’t be that way Why I think how many of us first learned about shaping is contributing […]
Podcast #165: Why is Shaping So Hard?, Pt. 1
Drinking from the Toilet: Real Dogs, Real Training · #165: Why is Shaping So Hard?, Pt. 1 In this episode we discuss: Why we often consider shaping to be an advanced technique. Why I think it doesn’t have to/shouldn’t be that way. Why I think how many of us first learned about shaping is contributing […]
Podcast #164: Play & Aggression with Karen London
Drinking from the Toilet: Real Dogs, Real Training · #164: Play & Aggression with Karen London Guest: Karen London, PhD Karen B. London, Ph.D., is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and Certified Professional Dog Trainer who specializes in the evaluation and treatment of serious behavior problems in domestic dogs. She began working with dogs in […]
Podcast #163: Is It Really R+ or Could It Actually Be R- (With a Cherry on Top)?
Drinking from the Toilet: Real Dogs, Real Training · #163: Is It Really R+ or Could It Actually Be R- (With a Cherry on Top)? In this episode we discuss: Can we use a tactile cue like leash pressure to train in an R+ framework or is it still just R- that we put a […]
Podcast #162: Working with Compulsive Behaviors Pt 2, with Dr. Michaela Hempen
Drinking from the Toilet: Real Dogs, Real Training · #162: Working with Compulsive Behaviors Pt 2, with Dr. Michaela Hempen Guest: Dr. Michaela Hempen Dr. Michaela Hempen began clicker training her own horses in 2010 following Alexandra Kurland’s The Click That Teaches program. In 2013, she became one of Alexandra’s online coaches; in 2016, she […]
Podcast #161: Working with Compulsive Behaviors Pt 1, with Dr. Michaela Hempen
Drinking from the Toilet: Real Dogs, Real Training · # 161: Working with Compulsive Behaviors Pt 1, with Dr. Michaela Hempen Guest: Dr. Michaela Hempen Dr. Michaela Hempen began clicker training her own horses in 2010 following Alexandra Kurland’s The Click That Teaches program. In 2013, she became one of Alexandra’s online coaches; in 2016, […]
Podcast #160: Spring Clean up for Dog Trainers, Pt 3: The Things We Overlook
Drinking from the Toilet: Real Dogs, Real Training · #160: Spring Clean up for Dog Trainers, Pt 3: Planning and Record Keeping This week we are finishing up our Spring Cleaning series… you’ve already organized all your resources you’ve collected over the weekend, you’ve worked out a new better system for your planning and record […]
Podcast #159: Mentorship with John Anthony Shahor
Drinking from the Toilet: Real Dogs, Real Training · #159: Mentorship with John Anthony Shahor Guest: John Anthony Shahor About John Anthony and Redemption Road K9 Redemption Road K9 (RRK9) is a top-rated working dog company, a working dog co-op retailer, and cynology center focusing on Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) with the goal of creating and […]
Podcast #158: Spring Clean up for Dog Trainers, Pt 2: Planning and Record Keeping
Drinking from the Toilet: Real Dogs, Real Training · #158: Spring Clean up for Dog Trainers, Pt 2: Planning and Record Keeping In this episode we discuss: Getting a fresh start with your planning and record keeping. What gets in the way of being your best self. Where to start when nothing is working for […]