Cog-Dog Radio

REPLAY: Managing Reactivity with Dr Amy Cook

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Amy Cook, PhD is a dog behavior consultant extraordinaire and she sat down to chat with Sarah about the importance of planned, trained, and rehearsed ...

Training Blind and Deaf Dogs with Erin Marion CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah welcomes Erin Marion aka Down to Earth Dog Lady to the podcast to talk about working with dogs who are deaf, blind or both. The conversation tak...

Train For Reality, Not Fantasy

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You will do best to train your dog for the real life scenarios they will face, rather than complain about how hard those scenarios are. In the world, ...

Dog Pros: Handling Criticism

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After 20 years in the field of dog training and behavior, Sarah has learned a few things about the inner workings of a dog business. One thing that sh...

Unofficial Trophies

02 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Happy New Year! Let’s talk about all the trophies you won’t receive, but that you do actually deserve. Plus, a special patreon question! Sign up...

Trial-Sustainable Agility Classes with Megan Foster

26 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The way agility classes are run directly affects the success dog and handler teams experience in the trial environment, and the safety of those enviro...

Do Dogs Need Dog Friends?

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Blanket statements like “puppies have to play with other puppies to grow into well rounded adults” or “dogs do not need dog friends, they need t...

Super Seniors! With Heather Misner DVM, CVAT, CCRT and Ann Waterbury CPDT-KA, CNWI, UW-AAB

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What can we do to help our senior dogs thrive? Turns out, a lot of the same stuff we do for our younger dogs, with some adjustments! Join Sarah with e...

Dialing In with Justine Shuurmans CPDT-KA, LFDM-K

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Sarah is joined by Justine Shuurmans to discuss her innovative and family-friendly “Dial Method.” Sarah met Justine in person at t...

Puppy Meltdowns

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What to do when your puppy or adolescent dog has a meltdown about something, in all its nuanced glory. Sign up for courses and join the membership h...

Patreon Questions Megasode!

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Aggression, prey drive, geeky training stuff, it’s all here in this patreon questions episode. Sign up for courses and join the membership here: h...

Language and Connection with Alexis Devine CPDT-KA

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Alexis Devine is best known for her famous dog, Bunny the “talking” sheepadoodle. In her new book, I Am Bunny: How a “Talking” Dog Taught Me E...

REPLAY: Responsibility and Blame

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When things go wrong in your dog’s behavior are you to blame? Can you be responsible and NOT to blame? What is the difference? Sign up for courses...

The Dog Sourcing Crisis with Dr Jessica Hekman

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The overarching question of where dogs come from, and why it matters, is the topic of discussion as Sarah and return guest Dr Jessica Hekman sit down ...

Family Meeting Round Two: Dog Attacks at Agility Trials

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A follow up to the Family Meeting: Dog Attacks at Agility Trials episode. Sarah explores common questions and grievances concerning the first episode,...

Family Meeting: Dog Attacks at Agility Trials

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Gather round, folks. We need to talk about what we, as a community, are going to do about aggression at agility trials. Cog Dog Classroom: https://...

REPLAY: Holding Dogs Accountable

10 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah addresses the viral meme with the quote, “Holding dogs accountable is uncomfortable. But having dogs fail because you won’t teach, confront,...

It's All Shaping

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When you picture “shaping” what do you see? Could you have a narrow view of what this concept entails? Could shaping be in fact everywhere? Engage...

Is It Imposter Syndrome or Something Else?

26 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa Mullinax CDBC joins Sarah to discuss the all-too-common cry of imposter syndrome from dog training and behavior professionals, and what it might ...

Engagement

19 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dog trainers are always talking about “engagement” but what is it? How do we train it? Why is it so important? Can it always be achieved? The Bi...

REPLAY: Multi-Dog Households

12 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How do you control the chaos of a multi-dog household? How do you keep them from killing each other, or from driving you insane? Tips, tricks, and mor...

Predatory Drift Round Two with Lisa Mullinax CDBC

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A topic so big it needed a follow-up! Specific cases we might call drift, some questions that showed up on social media, and more with Sarah’s frien...

Loose Leash Walking: The Holy Grail?

29 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you have ever struggled to teach your dogs to walk nicely on leash, or you teach others to do this, this podcast is for you! Register for I-Don’...

Training and Vet Visits: Bridging the Gap with Monique Feyrecilde BA, LVT, VTS (behavior)

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Repeat guest Monique Feyrecilde is a veterinary technician specialist in behavior and she is Sarah’s go-to for cooperative care troubleshooting and ...

Puppies Are Still Hard

15 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah considers some updates to her thoughts about puppy raising from over the years. Join us in the membership to follow baby Carson’s start in lif...

REPLAY: Puppies are Hard

08 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Puppies! They are so cute! They are so fun! They also kind of ruin your life. Here’s what to do about it. Cog Dog Classroom: https://cogdogclassro...

I've Changed My Mind

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cog Dog Radio is seven years old and has 300 episodes! Join Sarah as she goes through a few things she has changed her mind about over the years. List...

Predatory Drift

18 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The concept of “predatory drift” is an old one, but is it a true one? Join Sarah as she deep-dives this concept. Resources: https://blog.compani...

Reinforcement "Value"

11 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When should we use high value reinforcement? When should we use a hierarchy? Why is it ok to use really high stakes reinforcers in some contexts and n...

Chasing Unicorns

04 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do you have a behavior that feels inaccessible to you? Is it loose leash walking, retrieves, or perhaps a suite of behaviors like cooperative care? Wh...

Trainer Showcase: Ashley Johnson KPA-CTP

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join Sarah and her friend and colleague Ashley Johnson KPA-CTP as they dive into one of Ashley’s recent board and train cases, Buck the Boston. Buck...

Barking, Cooperative Care, and More from our Patrons!

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A Patreon Questions episode! Questions include what kind of barking is ok barking, how to get on the same page with your partner regarding puppy raisi...

If Your Dog Was a Horse....

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

…would you get on him in this environment? Would you get on him and ask him to do what you are asking him to do, right now? Explore the topic of pre...

REPLAY: How Do I Know If This Will Work?

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever embarked on a training program and wondered “is this working? How will I know if it will work?” Explore these questions with Sarah t...

REPLAY: Excellence vs Perfection

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Excellence can be your goal while still avoiding perfection paralysis. Let’s talk about it. Sign up for courses and join the membership here: https...

REPLAY: Going Against the Grain

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do you or your dog need a different learning environment than what is generally offered in dog sports? Do you find yourself struggling to say “no”...

Resilience with Bobbie Bhambree CDBC, CPDT-KA

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this discussion all about resilience for our dogs (and their humans) Bobbie and Sarah discuss the Resilience Rainbow framework. This framework was ...

REPLAY: Dog Training "Methods"

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Why do trainers say “no method works for all dogs” if all dogs are governed (like all other organisms) by the laws of learning? Is positive reinfo...

The False Dichotomy with Lisa Mullinax CDBC Part 3

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the final installment of The False Dichotomy Sarah and Lisa wrap up their conversation about the “balanced vs force free” falsehood in dog trai...

The False Dichotomy with Lisa Mullinax CDBC Part 2

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the second (of three!) parts on The False Dichotomy in dog training, Sarah and Lisa get into the weeds regarding what effectiveness looks like, wha...

Science Matters with Dr Lisa Gunter CBCC-KA

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When a research paper regarding dog training is published feelings always abound in the community. Using research to make informed decisions in the fi...

Fear Periods with Dr Jessica Hekman

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this crossover episode with the Functional Breeding podcast, Jessica and Sarah discuss what fear periods in dogs are, and what they aren’t. www...

Loving a New Dog in the Face of Grief with Marissa Martino CDBC

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When we bring a new dog into our lives following the death of a cherished companion the feelings can be all over the board. Guilt, joy, sadness, hope,...

Responsibility and Blame

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When things go wrong in your dog’s behavior are you to blame? Can you be responsible and NOT to blame? What is the difference? Sign up for courses...

REPLAY: Dog Training "Methods"

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Due to technical challenges The False Dichotomy Part 2 is still pending, thank you for your patience and enjoy this relevant replay! Sign up for cou...

The False Dichotomy with Lisa Mullinax CDBC Part 1

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In response to the “trainer wars” between the balanced and force-free communities Sarah and past podcast guest (and friend) Lisa Mullinax sit down...

Trainer Showcase: Taylor Barconey and Jiovany Alcaide

07 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah welcomes Taylor Barconey and Jiovany Alcaide of Smart Bitch Modern Dog Training back to the podcast for a trainer showcase episode! Because Jio ...

“Enriched to Death”?

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You might have seen a post titled “Enriched to Death” being shared around social media in the last week. Of course, this is a misnomer because enr...

Trainer Showcase: Charlotte Hoberg

21 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Charlotte Hoberg CPDT-KA owns and operates Sit ‘n Stay Training in Maryland. She specializes in reactivity and sport foundations and primarily offer...

Blindfolds, Buffets, and Other Mistakes: Success in Pre-Run Routines

14 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join Sarah as she discusses common pitfalls in pre-run rituals for agility (and other sport) dogs. Should you feed a lot of treats before you run? Sho...

Choice vs Structure Continued

07 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As a follow-up to the Choice vs Structure episode that aired in January 2023, Sarah dives deeper into how to avoid producing a dog that requires instr...

Exercise or Relaxation?

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It is a common adage amongst dog trainers: “your dog doesn’t need more exercise, he needs to be trained to relax.” The fear being spread is that...

Reinforcement, Birds, and Screaming Tollers with Liza Rader KPA-CTP

24 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Liza Rader is a KPA-CTP and the owner-operator of Focus Dogs in British Columbia. Their special interest in high-drive hunting dogs is why Sarah sat d...

Choice vs Structure

17 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You’ve heard you should give an anxious or otherwise dysregulated dog structure, but you;ve also heard you should give them choice and control. Aren...

Reinforcement Misunderstandings

10 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A rich understanding of how reinforcement works to strengthen behavior is vital for behavior change, and yet there are so many areas of this concept t...

Goals and Reflections for the New Year

03 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join Sarah in a system of reflection and goal setting for your dogs in the new year. Sign up for courses and join the membership here: https://cogdog...

A Decade of Dogs

13 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the final episode of Cog Dog Radio for the year 2022, Join Sarah in celebrating ten years of The Cognitive Canine and see what’s in store for 202...

SURPRISE!

09 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A surprise podcast to let you know to join me Monday December 12th at noon pacific for some big announcements! IG: @cognitive_canine TT: @ sarahstre...

Trail Etiquette

06 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When we have our dogs in the world it is important that we follow certain “rules” to help them not be a nuisance. Patreon: www.patreon.com/cogdo...

Finding Balance with Shade Whitesel

29 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah sat down with Shade Whitesel to talk about finding the right balance between highly adrenalizing activities and calmer more self-regulated ones ...

Reactivity Setup Considerations with Marissa Martino

22 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this crossover episode with the Paws and Reward podcast Sarah and Marissa sit down to discuss the many nuanced considerations when utilizing therap...

Sport Dogs and Kids with Michelle Stern

15 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dogs and kids; not the fantasy some people imagine. What if you already have kids and you want to upgrade to a sportier dog? What if you have sport do...

"Baby Dog" Problems

08 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Which behavior problems are about training, and which are about lack of maturity? Cog Dog Classroom: https://cog-dog-classroom.teachable.com/ Patr...

REPLAY: Operant vs Classical Conditioning

01 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Is there a time and a place to intentionally utilize one type of learning over another in dog training? Can you ever be operating in only one learning...

Honeybees, Snakes, and Other Fun

25 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week explore the question “where does habituation end and flooding begin?” Cog Dog Classroom: https://cog-dog-classroom.teachable.com/ Pa...

Self Control (For Humans)

18 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We talk a lot about self regulation and impulse control in dogs and it is past time for us to discuss the very necessary self control it takes for spo...

Weird, Difficult, and Extreme: Living with and Loving Tough Dogs with Lisa Mullinax

11 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Repeat guest Lisa Mullinax CDBC and Sarah chat about the special skillset it requires to not only work with but to live with exceptionally challenging...

All Things “Food Drive” with Ash Osborn

04 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ash Osborn CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP is the owner-operator of Pawsitive Pups Academy in Omaha Nebraska. With a decade in the field and a lot of picky eaters-tu...

Patreon Questions Megasode

27 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Hyper social behaviors, food aversion, recall questions, and more! Cog Dog Classroom: https://cog-dog-classroom.teachable.com/ Patreon: www.patre...

Cooperative Care with Monique Feyrecilde LVT, VTS

20 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Sarah and cooperative veterinary care expert Monique Feyrecilde in a dynamic discussion about how we can best support our dogs through their vete...

Defining "Functional" with Dr Jessica Hekman DVM

13 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this crossover episode with the Functional Breeding Podcast, Sarah and Dr Jessica Hekman DVM dive into what the word “functional” actually mean...

Eat, Pray, Dogs with Marissa Martino

06 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this crossover episode with the Paws and Reward podcast join Sarah and Marissa Martino in discussion about Marissa’s recent trip to Peru and the ...

REPLAY: Barking Reprise

30 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s been a minute since we talked about barking, and Sarah has a new breed that’s got a lot more voice than her border collies! Learn about the a...

How Do I Know If This Will Work?

23 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever embarked on a training program and wondered “is this working? How will I know if it will work?” Explore these questions with Sarah t...

REPLAY: Self-Regulation

16 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do dogs have self-control? If they do, can we train it? What's different about self-regulation and "impulse control"? Find out in this episode! FDSA ...

Hidden Potential Dogs

09 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What does it mean for dogs to be “hidden potential”? Are they shut down dogs? Stress down dogs? Sick dogs? Unfit dogs? How can we help them? FDS...

Dog Sports and Values

02 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What are your values when it comes to competing with your dogs? Will you run a dog after an injury? Will you run a dog that is afraid of the judge? If...

REPLAY: Teenage Tyrants

26 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Anyone who has shared their life with an adolescent of any species knows that it’s a tough time for everyone. Learn what you can expect from your yo...

Hierarchical Reinforcement

19 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Differential reinforcement is how we build some behaviors and not others. Utilizing a hierarchy of reinforcers can allow us to create a hierarchy of c...

REPLAY: Reliable Recalls

12 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What makes recalls reliable? What breaks them down? All this and more! Patreon: www.patreon.com/cogdogradio Cog Dog Classroom: cog-dog-classroom.te...

REPLAY: Reliable Recalls

12 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What makes recalls reliable? What breaks them down? All this and more! Patreon: www.patreon.com/cogdogradio Cog Dog Classroom: cog-dog-classroom.te...

Wildlife Chasing and Sighthounds with Alisa Healy KPA CTP, LFDM-T

05 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah often recommends never allowing dogs to chase wildlife so that they don’t build a reinforcement history for this behavior pattern, but what ab...

Coach to Coach: Liz Joyce

28 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Sarah in a dynamic discussion with her strength and fitness coach, Liz Joyce. They talk about splitting, coach and learner responsibility, the po...

Holding Dogs Accountable

21 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah addresses the viral meme with the quote, “Holding dogs accountable is uncomfortable. But having dogs fail because you won’t teach, confront,...

Skills vs Context

14 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When working with any behavior you’re trying to influence, you can either choose to train it in the context you’ll need it, or you can choose to l...

Feral Dog, Puppy Biting, and More: A Patreon Questions Episode

07 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When is it time to give up? What do we do with bred-to-bite puppies that, well, bite? All this and then some this week. Patreon: www.patreon.com/cog...

Case Study: Keen Part Three with Jenna Strayer

31 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the final installment of Keen, Sarah talks about the case with Keen’s owner Jenna. They go over some things Sarah left out of the first two episo...

Case Study: Keen Part Two

24 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is the second part in the series on Keen the border collie. In this episode we get into the nitty-gritty of behavior modification for Keen as wel...

Case Study: Keen Part One

17 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The first episode in a three part series on Keen, the border collie with stranger-directed aggression, dog-directed aggression, and a medical twist th...

Dogs, Water, Courage, and Kindness with Lynne Cox

10 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Open water swimming legend Lynne Cox is best known for breaking world records for such feats as swimming the English Channel and the Bering Strait. Bu...

Dogs, Personality, and Breed with Dr Jessica Hekman

03 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Sarah as she discusses the recent paper “Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes” (Morrill, et al) with one of t...

"Pre-Errors" and Their Role in Errorless Teaching

26 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If we aim to train errorlessly we must focus on the clues the dog provides us that tell us an error is coming. If we don’t accurately predict errors...

News Flash: Puppies are Hard

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Puppies! They are so cute! They are so fun! They also kind of ruin your life. Here’s what to do about it. Cog Dog Classroom: https://cog-dog-classr...

Training = Winning

12 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Face facts: it doesn’t actually matter what sport you’re doing, if you want to win you have to train. Cog Dog Classroom: https://cog-dog-classroo...

Decompression Problems

05 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever heard the advice to give your dog a decompression walk, and wondered how on earth it would be possible? Join Sarah in tackling some comm...

Smart Client Communication with Taylor Barconey and Jiovany Alcaide

29 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

At long last Sarah sat down with the dynamic women of Smart Bitch Modern Dog Training, Taylor Barconey and Jio Alcaide. They jammed about client commu...

The Value of Dog Training with Erin Moore

22 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this candid conversation (with adult language!) Sarah and dog business coach Erin Moore explore why dog training costs what it does, why bargain hu...

REPLAY: Self-Regulation in Dogs

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do dogs have self-control? If they do, can we train it? What's different about self-regulation and "impulse control"? Find out in this episode! FDSA ...

Food Do's and Don'ts

08 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There are a lot of common pitfalls surrounding the use of food in dog training. Sarah shares her dos, don’ts, and how-tos in this episode. FDSA Wor...

Less is More

01 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ever heard your trainer tell you to shorten your sessions? Have you worried if you are training enough? This one is for you. FDSA Worked Up! Understa...