Podcasts are only getting more popular. In less than ten years, listener numbers have increased nearly four times—and the average devotee spends more than 100 minutes a day with their favorite shows. Why the surge? For one, podcasts are an easily accessible way for both experts and enthusiasts to share their thoughts with the world. They don't involve the same screen-time commitment that movies and TV shows do. And you can listen just about anywhere, at any time!
If you can’t get enough dog training content in person and online—or if you learn better through listening than reading or watching videos—these podcasts could be your new best friend. (After your dog, of course.)
Here are some of Sniffspot's favorite podcasts hosted by professionals in the dog training field.
There’s no reason you have to listen to dog training podcasts to be a good dog parent. What matters most is that you meet your companion's needs and have fun together!
Many pet parents do find value in listening to trainers talk about dogs, though. Here are some perks of familiarizing yourself with dog training podcasts:
Podcasts can provide new ideas on how to fulfill and train your dog. Even if you’re happy with your current routine, it’s never a bad thing to be exposed to more information. There's no such thing as too many helpful training tips!
Dog training content is everywhere these days—especially in the digital space. Terms like "Dogtok" and "Dogstagram" have entered the mainstream. That's a great thing for many pet parents. We can join dedicated communities of people who love their dogs just as much as we do.
But there's a catch: Information overload. It can be hard to find time to sit down and sift through all the reels, Tik Toks, carousel posts, story slides, and more that permeate our online worlds.
Podcasts provide an opportunity to learn more while multitasking. You can even listen while out on a walk with your dog!
If you don’t have access to a supportive in-person dog community—maybe force free dog training classes are hard to come by in your area, or your schedule prevents you from attending public events—listening to podcasts can be a great substitute.
Some of the best dog podcast episodes feel like listening to a conversation between friends who share your passion.
Ultimately: You don’t have to be a canine expert (or interested in becoming a trainer yourself) to still take something productive away from a dog training podcast. Many of the hosts in this article take care to express complex information in easily accessible ways. There are often conversations about—or general points that can be easily applied to—common pet dog goals like potty training.
There are so many podcasts out there. It’s impossible to sort through every last one! We’ve done our best to choose titles that both align with our training values (humane, kind, force free methods) and that we believe Sniffspot users will most benefit from.
While many of these popular podcasts talk about dog training and ownership as a whole, some of our very favorites dive into the specific struggles that come with owning a reactive or otherwise challenging dog. (We built Sniffspot for you.)
In no particular order, we love:
Drinking From The Toilet offers a behind-the-scenes look into the world of dog training and behavior. There are hundreds of episodes ranging from general canine conversations to discussions of specific issues, and the host addresses even difficult topics in a lighthearted, approachable way. Get inside the canine mind, learn about canine behavior, and start to better understand some complex training techniques.
In Brannigan’s own words, “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.”
The Bitey End of the Dog podcast is dedicated to helping dogs with aggression issues via humane, force free (positive reinforcement) methods. Host Michael Shikashio is an aggression expert who shares conversations with world-renowned dog behavior and training experts that offer tons of background context, technical information, and in-the-moment strategies for managing difficult dogs.
The podcast can get complex at times. In some ways the content is directed towards fellow professional dog trainers more than "just" owners. But even “everyday” dog lovers and new pet parents can glean plenty of useful information from the episodes.
Okay, you caught us— his podcast isn’t only about dog training. It’s about humane animal training in general! If you’re interested in branching out beyond dog-related topics to learn about multiple different species, this is the listen for you. Hear from animal trainers and see what parts of learning theory apply across the board in our interactions with other creatures. Your mind will be making connections to everyday life with your dog before you know it.
In the podcast’s own words, they provide “information on techniques that apply to all animals in all situations with positive un-intrusive training techniques only.”
Cog-Dog Radio’s specific niche is dogs who perform in competitive dog sport settings, especially agility, and also struggle with a range of behavioral problems like canine anxiety. Host Sarah Stremming shares a mixture of personal anecdotes and larger-scale conversations with a variety of guests in the dog training space. Hundreds of episodes offer multiple starting points depending on your specific interests and goals with your own dog!
The FDSA podcast interviews Fenzi Dog Sports Academy instructors about dog training, dog sports, and their upcoming classes. Because of the wide range of interviewees, a variety of topics are discussed—if you have a specific training question, chances are you’ll find relevant advice from experts while scrolling through the podcast library. What’s more? You’re able to directly take classes with the instructors interviewed, meaning that if someone’s line of thinking really piques your attention, you can investigate it further in a more interactive format!
One of the coolest things about competitive dog sports is how they can push us as pet owners to see our dogs' "bad behaviors" in a different light. Some traits that cause issues in everyday life, like having a high prey drive or energy level, can be a huge asset in the sport world.
In their own words, “The Fenzi Dog Sports Academy is an online school dedicated to providing high-quality instruction for competitive dog sports using only the most current and progressive training methods.”
Dr. Dunbar is a veterinarian, animal behaviorist, and dog trainer who has researched the development of social hierarchies and aggression in domestic dogs and is well known as a socialization expert. He has authored numerous books and DVDs about puppy and adult dog behavior, training, genetics, and nurture. Dr. Dunbar has also been a guest at various seminars and on fellow professional trainer’s podcasts.
iWoof’s podcast content is especially geared towards puppy parents or pet owners who are new to living with a canine. The information is extremely accessible and laid out in clear terms with minimal jargon. Dunbar has experience with a wide range of dog-related topics from separation anxiety to behavior training to to common training questions and more.
The Ruff Around The Edges podcast is hosted by Kajsa van Overbeek. It’s all about sharing stories of force free dog and positive reinforcement training journeys with challenging dogs—primarily those who struggle with reactivity or aggression, and many who are rescue dogs. Overbeek does an excellent job of practicing kindness to both our pets and ourselves. She highlights the ways our dogs can impact our mental health and provides strategies for pet owners to grow alongside our companions in a sustainable, supportive way.
In the host’s own words, “I hope that hearing these stories can help to make people feel less alone. We love our dogs to pieces but sometimes it’s hard and then it’s simply nice to hear from others going through something similar. This podcast is about us trying to teach our dogs, but more importantly it’s about what our dogs are teaching us.”
Do you have a favorite dog training podcast that we missed here? Tell us all about it in the comments! We’re always looking for more.
You can also take a look at our collection of free dog training articles for a helpful place to start with a range of behavioral challenges and skills. We’ve compiled a list of the best force free dog trainers, too, if you want to get some professional training in person. (You should never substitute podcast listening for personalized advice from a trainer you trust.)
There is so much misinformation out there, we want to make sure we only provide the highest quality information to our community. We have all of our articles reviewed by qualified, positive-only trainers.
This is the trainer that reviewed this article:
Erica Marshall
CPDT-ka, CDBC,
Owner/Trainer of Wicked Good Dog Training in Christiana TN
Author of "New Puppy, Now What?"
www.wickedgooddogtraining.com
Traveling with your dog can be a rewarding experience, but what do you do when adventure calls you to a place that’s a bit too far for a drive? If you're a pet-owner who want to jetset with your pup, then you’ll want to find the best dog-friendly airlines.
Discover the Great Pyrenees, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, loyal, and independent nature. Recognized as a large dog, the Great Pyrenees have their origins in France where they were initially bred as livestock guardians starting in the roots back to 3000 BC century.
Discover the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a breed celebrated for its loyal, playful, and friendly nature. Recognized as a medium-sized dog, Staffordshire Bull Terriers originated in the United Kingdom, where they were initially bred for bull-baiting and later for dog fighting starting in the early 19th century.
Discover the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, a breed celebrated for its friendly and affectionate nature. Recognized as a small dog, Pembroke Welsh Corgis have their origins in Wales, where they were initially bred for herding cattle, sheep, and horses starting in the 10th century.
Discover the Boxer, a breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and alert nature. Recognized as a large dog, Boxers have their origins in Germany, where they were initially bred for hunting large game starting in the late 19th century.
Discover the Great Dane, a breed celebrated for its friendly, affectionate, and curious nature. Recognized as a large dog, Great Danes have their origins in Germany, where they were initially bred for hunting and guarding starting in the 16th century.
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.