Explore every episode of the podcast The Keep it Simple Stupid DOG Training Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Better Dog Walks Start Before the Walk | 22 sept. 2026 | 00:26:07 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast, you can support it for as little as $3 a month. Dog training is my full-time job, and making podcasts, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me keep sharing practical, science-based, positive-reinforcement training. Does your dog start pulling the moment you clip on the leash? Better walks begin with practice before you head down the sidewalk. In this episode, I start with attention and automatic sits inside the house. From there, we take those skills to the backyard on a 15-foot long line, then to the driveway and front yard. Once the dog can check in with you in those places, we start walking one driveway at a time. I also talk about teaching “Leave It” as a rewarded return to you, stopping pulling before it gets the dog where they want to go, and letting dogs enjoy time to sniff once the walking foundation is in place. For dogs that react to other dogs, distance gives you room to work; if reactivity is a problem, get help from a positive-reinforcement trainer. Practice when it’s easy so you stand a chance when it’s hard. Related reading and videos
K.I.S.S. Dog Training offers private, in-home training in the Kansas City area: kissdogtraining.com. If this episode helps, please leave a review. Follow the podcast for future episodes, and share this one with someone whose dog could use a better walk. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Mike Talks About His Book: Forever Home — Dog Training 101 and How to Be a Better Shelter Volunteer | 14 sept. 2026 | 00:24:44 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: In this episode, I talk about another one of my books: Forever Home: Dog Training 101 & How to Be a Better Shelter Volunteer. I wrote this book after spending a lot of time volunteering in shelters and seeing people with really good intentions sometimes accidentally make things harder for the dogs they were trying to help. The goal was to take basic dog-training principles and apply them in a simple, practical way that could help shelter volunteers, fosters, and ultimately the dogs themselves. We talk about rewarding the behaviors we want, redirecting the ones we do not, helping dogs decompress instead of overwhelming them, and why taking every shelter dog straight out for a walk may not always be the best first step. A few of the biggest takeaways:
If you want to take a deeper look at the ideas in the episode, Forever Home: Dog Training 101 & How to Be a Better Shelter Volunteer is available here: Amazon: K.I.S.S. Dog Training: K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this episode with someone involved in shelter work, rescue, fostering, or dog training. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog Training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| How the Right Dog Trainer Makes Everyday Life Easier | 28 août 2026 | 00:23:18 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: Dog training should make everyday life easier—not more complicated. In this episode of the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast, I talk about what dog owners should really expect from a good trainer. It is not always the trainer who can get a dog to do the coolest things who is going to help you the most. The real goal is to create a simple, realistic routine that fits the dog, the owner, the household, and the problem you are trying to solve. A good trainer should be able to break training into manageable steps, help you practice when things are easy before making them harder, and adjust the plan when something is not working. A few of the biggest takeaways:
The goal is not to dump more exercises on the owner. It is to help the owner understand what to do, why they are doing it, and how to adjust when things do not go as planned. K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this episode with someone who could use the information. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Mike Talks About His Book: The Dog Owner’s Book of Poop and Pee | 14 août 2026 | 00:32:41 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: Potty training is one of those things that sounds simple until you are the one cleaning up the mess. In this episode, I talk about potty training and the book I wrote specifically to help dog owners with it: The Dog Owner’s Book of Poop and Pee. The whole point of the book was to give owners a simple routine they could actually follow without turning potty training into some giant complicated project. We talk about crates, schedules, choosing one consistent potty spot, preventing accidents, gradually increasing freedom, using bells, tracking poop and pee patterns, and what to do when the dog goes outside and decides sightseeing is more important than actually going to the bathroom. A few of the biggest takeaways:
The goal is not perfection overnight. It is creating a routine the dog can understand and repeating it consistently enough that the correct choice becomes the normal choice. If you want the full routine in a simple format you can keep and review, The Dog Owner’s Book of Poop and Pee is available in paperback, e-book, and audiobook formats. K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this episode with someone who is currently dealing with potty-training problems. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| How to Choose the Right Dog Trainer: What to Look For Before You Hire | 03 juil. 2026 | 00:26:37 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: This is Part 2 of a two-part series about what good dog training should actually look like. In Part 1, I focused more on the training itself: what a productive dog training session should include, how training should progress, and what owners should expect from the actual training process. In Part 2, I turn the focus to the client side of the equation—what you should research and understand before you hire a dog trainer and hand them your money. Experience matters. Communication matters. Transparency matters. Training philosophy matters. And just because someone has an opening this week does not necessarily mean they are the right trainer for you and your dog. We talk about researching trainers, reading reviews for patterns instead of just looking at star ratings, checking whether prices and expectations are clearly explained, understanding private training, group classes, and board-and-train programs, and making sure the trainer’s philosophy and equipment choices match what you actually want. A few of the biggest takeaways:
Dog training is people training. The trainer has to be able to explain what they are doing, teach you how to reproduce it, and help you adjust when things do not go according to plan. K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this episode with someone who is currently looking for a dog trainer. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| What Should a Good Dog Training Session Look Like? | 31 mai 2026 | 00:24:53 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: This is the first episode in a two-part discussion about what good dog training should actually look like. In What Should a Good Dog Training Session Look Like?, I focus on the training itself: where training should happen, how a trainer should prepare before the session, how skills should be introduced, and why training needs to progress from simple environments to more distracting ones. The second episode, How to Choose the Right Dog Trainer: What to Look For Before You Hire, shifts to the client side of the equation—how to research trainers, what questions to ask, what to look for in communication and transparency, and how to decide whether someone is actually the right fit for you and your dog. A few of the biggest takeaways from this episode:
The trainer’s job is to teach, coach, explain, and help you build a process you can repeat after the session is over. The real training happens when the trainer leaves and you start practicing. K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss the companion episode, How to Choose the Right Dog Trainer: What to Look For Before You Hire, and share this episode with someone who is trying to figure out what good dog training should actually look like. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Why Your Dog Pulls on the Leash (And How to Actually Fix It). | 02 mai 2026 | 00:19:11 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: If your dog pulls on the leash, the problem may not be control. It may be engagement. In this episode, I break down why so many dogs learn that pulling works and why constantly correcting the dog after the leash gets tight usually starts at the wrong end of the problem. The goal is to make paying attention to you valuable enough that the dog can enjoy the walk without dragging you through it. We start with attention and hand feeding inside the house, then build toward the Turnaround Game, short-leash work, stopping at every driveway, a 15-foot long line, gradual increases in distance, and eventually Leave It around distractions. The biggest idea is simple: you do not just go for a walk—you build a walk. A few of the key points:
Related K.I.S.S. Dog Training Resources Turnaround Game Turnaround Game on Leash Watch Me — Teaching Attention Leave It — Teaching the Foundation Leave It on Leash Leave It on the Leash — Written Guide My Dog Pulls on the Leash… So What Do I Do Now? Whoa Dog, Whoa! The Leash Can Be Your Friend K.I.S.S. Dog Training If this episode helped you, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this episode with somebody who is tired of being dragged down the street. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Leave It vs Drop It: The Most Misunderstood Commands in Dog Training. | 16 mars 2026 | 00:22:05 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: Most dog owners use Leave It and Drop It—but a lot of people use them as though they mean the same thing. They don’t. Leave It is pre-mouth. Drop It is post-mouth. Leave It means: ignore that, disengage, and come back to me. In this episode, I break down how to teach both skills without turning either one into a wrestling match. You’ll hear how I build Leave It from a treat in a closed fist, to the floor, to working on leash around distractions. Then we move into Drop It and why trading is so important—especially when dogs start guarding things they value. A few of the biggest takeaways:
And yes, we also get into the story of Jake the Rottweiler, a dead squirrel, and why a piece of kibble was never going to win that negotiation. Related K.I.S.S. Dog Training Resources Leave It vs. Drop It: The Most Misunderstood Commands in Dog Training Teaching Leave-It: How Dogs Learn to Disengage and Choose You Instead Drop It & Trade Up Leave It at the Park K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with somebody who is still yelling “Leave It!” after the dog already has the thing in its mouth. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Why is my dog stubborn? Time for a Dog Training Reset... | 13 févr. 2026 | 00:25:18 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: Have you ever looked at your dog and thought, “I know you know this. You’re just choosing not to do it”? Maybe. But there is a pretty good chance your dog is not being stubborn at all. They may simply be overwhelmed—and if the dog is overwhelmed, there is a good chance the humans in the house are overwhelmed too. In this episode, I talk about why dogs often perform beautifully in the living room and then seem to forget everything when you move to the backyard, front yard, sidewalk, or a more distracting environment. Familiar does not automatically mean trained, and every new environment adds another layer of difficulty. Sometimes the answer is not to push harder. Sometimes you need a training reset. A few of the biggest takeaways:
One of the simplest ways to restart the process is hand feeding. It gives you structured practice time, helps build attention, and lets you work on Sit, Down, Watch Me, Leave It, recall, crate work, and the early pieces of loose-leash walking. Related K.I.S.S. Dog Training Resources Why Your Dog Isn’t Stubborn — They’re Overwhelmed This article expands on the main point of the episode: “stubborn” is often really overwhelm, unclear expectations, inconsistent practice, or too much difficulty too soon. Hand Feeding / Getting Started Playlist This is the hand-feeding playlist discussed in the episode and includes the foundational games and skills used to rebuild attention and routine. Adding a Leash Playlist The Next Level Playlist These continue the progression from foundational work inside the house toward leash work and more difficult real-world situations. K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with somebody who keeps wondering why their “stubborn” dog suddenly forgets everything outside the living room. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Hand feeding, redirection, and rewards! | 12 janv. 2026 | 00:17:26 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: Before you can teach your dog Sit, Down, Stay, Leave It, or anything else, you need something much more basic: You need their attention. In this episode, I explain why hand feeding is one of my favorite ways to build that foundation. Hand feeding is not really about feeding your dog out of your hand. It is about making yourself valuable, creating engagement, and giving you structured opportunities every day to practice the skills your dog is going to need later. I also walk through several of the games I use during hand feeding, including:
We also break down the beginning stages of Leave It using a simple progression: hand, foot, leash. Start inside the house where distractions are low, teach the dog to disengage and come back to you, and only then begin taking the skill into harder environments. One other important point: you can fade the lure, but you should not eliminate the reward. Good behavior stays strong because something reinforces it. Food may eventually become praise, affection, play, access to something the dog wants, or another reward—but good behavior still needs to pay. Related K.I.S.S. Dog Training Resources Hand Feeding / Getting Started Playlist This is the hand-feeding playlist discussed in the episode and includes the foundational games used to build attention and basic skills. Watch Me Command This video focuses specifically on teaching attention and eye contact during hand feeding. Watch Me — Written Guide Leave It on the Leash These continue the same progression discussed in the episode: first build attention and disengagement, then begin applying those skills around greater distractions. K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with somebody who keeps trying to teach commands before they have their dog’s attention. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| How to Help Your Dog Stay Calm During the Holidays | 11 déc. 2025 | 00:17:44 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: The holidays can be a lot of fun for people. For dogs, they can be a whole lot of chaos. Guests coming through the door, kids running around, food everywhere, extra noise, changed routines, and people wanting to interact with the dog can turn a normally manageable situation into a mess pretty quickly. In this episode, I walk through practical ways to make the holidays easier on both you and your dog. A few of the biggest takeaways:
The goal is not to force the dog to participate in every minute of the holiday. The goal is to advocate for your dog, manage the environment, and create situations where the dog actually has a chance to succeed. Related K.I.S.S. Dog Training Resources 7 Proven Ways to Prep Your Dog for Visitors and Holidays Without Stress How to Crate Train Your Dog Without Anxiety In & Out of Crate — Training Video K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with somebody who is getting ready to fill their house with guests, food, noise, kids, dogs, and holiday chaos. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Why In-Home training might be better than Group classes | 04 déc. 2025 | 00:16:34 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: Is private in-home dog training better than a group class? Sometimes. But the bigger question is whether you are doing them in the right order. In this episode, I break down what private in-home training does well, where group classes can become difficult for dogs that do not yet have a solid foundation, and why I think group classes can be incredibly valuable later in the training process. A few of the biggest takeaways:
The point is not that one type of training is always better than the other. The point is order of operations. Build the foundation first. Then add the distractions. K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with someone trying to decide whether private training or a group class makes the most sense for their dog. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Stop the Jump! Why Dogs Jump Up and How to Fix It | 20 oct. 2025 | 00:30:26 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: Why does your dog keep jumping up on people? Because it works. Jumping gets attention, and from the dog’s point of view, yelling, pushing, talking, and reacting can all still count as attention. In this episode, I break down why jumping becomes such a strong habit and how to start teaching your dog something better to do instead. A few of the biggest takeaways:
The biggest mistake is waiting until guests are standing at the front door and then trying to fix everything in the moment. This takes consistency, frequency, and a routine the dog understands. Videos Demonstrated in This Episode Turn Around Game Turn Around Game on Leash Proper Greet The episode specifically walks through these exercises so you can see how the front-facing Sit progresses from basic attention work to leash work and finally to greeting another person. More Help With Jumping Downward, Dog! — How to Deal With a Dog That Jumps Up This is my book specifically about jumping-up behavior and building the behavior you actually want instead. K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with somebody whose dog turns every greeting into a full-contact sport. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Why Dogs Are Relinquished — and What We Can Do | 18 sept. 2025 | 00:21:07 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: Rescues are full. Shelters are packed. Dogs are being adopted and then returned only weeks later. Why? There is no single answer, but a lot of the problems start before the dog ever comes home. In this episode, I talk about some of the most common reasons dogs are relinquished and what owners, trainers, veterinarians, rescues, and shelters can do differently to help keep more dogs in their homes. A few of the biggest issues:
Dog ownership is not just about wanting a dog. It is about being prepared for the dog you actually bring home. That means looking honestly at your schedule, finances, family, lifestyle, expectations, and the amount of work you are willing and able to do. One of the best things you can do is talk to a qualified trainer before getting the dog. Sometimes that conversation confirms you are ready. Sometimes it helps you choose a dog that actually fits your lifestyle. And sometimes the smartest answer is to wait. Recommended Reading So, You Want a Dog, WTF Now? I wrote this book because it is the information I wish people had before bringing a dog home: what ownership really costs, how much time it takes, what to expect, and what questions you should be asking before making the commitment. K.I.S.S. Dog Training eBooks and audiobooks: The animal-welfare community, veterinarians, trainers, rescues, fosters, and dog owners are all dealing with the same problem from different directions. We are not going to eliminate every relinquishment. But better preparation, communication, realistic expectations, patience, and consistent routines can keep more dogs in the homes they were meant to stay in. K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with somebody who is thinking about getting a dog before they make that decision. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Answering Your Dog Training Questions | 18 août 2025 | 00:16:06 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: This episode is all about answering real dog training questions from clients. Why does K.I.S.S. Dog Training only do in-home training? Why do I usually put two weeks between training sessions? And how do I decide whether a dog needs puppy training, standard dog training, or a more complex behavior program? Why In-Home Training? Most of the problems people call me about happen in the dog’s actual world: inside the house, at the front door, in the backyard, or out on a neighborhood walk. That is where I want to see the dog. Private in-home training also gives us a chance to build a foundation before asking a dog to work around the distraction of several other dogs and people in a group setting. I am not against group classes. I just think they often make more sense as a finishing step after the basic skills are already in place. Why Two Weeks Between Sessions? Because the real training happens after I leave. You need time to practice, make mistakes, ask questions, build routines, and figure out what is and is not working. In a typical progression, we may start with management, crate work, hand feeding, and attention. Then we add leash skills, Stay, Leave It, and recall. Later we move into neighborhood walks, controlled dog distractions, and eventually busier public environments. Trying to cram all of that into a few days does not give the dog—or the owner—enough time to actually learn it. What Kind of Training Do I Offer? K.I.S.S. Dog Training generally works in three areas:
Complex cases usually begin with a phone evaluation and a detailed behavior history before we ever start in-home work. Those cases also usually need more time between sessions because we are dealing with a marathon, not a sprint. The common thread through all three is simple: Training takes time, practice, consistency, and realistic expectations. K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with somebody who has a dog training question of their own. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Top 10 Reasons Dog Owners Fail! | 24 juil. 2025 | 00:26:10 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: Why do dog owners fail at training? Sometimes owners are not putting in the work. Sometimes their expectations are unrealistic. Sometimes they picked the wrong dog for their lifestyle. And sometimes the dog-training industry has done a lousy job of explaining how much time this process actually takes. In this episode, I break down 10 of the most common reasons dog training falls apart. A few of the biggest ones:
One of my biggest recommendations is simple: talk to a good trainer before you get the dog. Figure out what kind of dog actually fits your life instead of trying to force your life to fit the dog afterward. I also recommend Meet Your Dog by Kim Brophey for people trying to better understand how genetics, breed tendencies, and individual needs affect the dog standing in front of them. Free Book Offer Mentioned in This Episode I also talk about my book: So You Want a Dog, WTF Now? It was written around many of these same issues: what you should think about before getting a dog and what you need to understand if you already have one and things are starting to fall apart. As mentioned in the episode, email: Tell me you listened to this podcast, and I’ll send you a coupon code to download the K.I.S.S. Dog Training eBook or audiobook version for free. K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with somebody who is thinking about getting a dog—or wondering why training has not gone the way they expected. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| What Are The Trainer's Dog Like??? | 24 juin 2025 | 00:19:44 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: What are dog trainers’ own dogs actually like? Perfect? Not even close. In this episode, I talk about my own dogs and why I think the idea of a “perfect trainer’s dog” gives people the wrong picture of what good dog training is supposed to look like. My dogs are good at the things that matter in my life and in my business. They can redirect away from distractions. They can work around other dogs. They can settle in public. They can interact appropriately with people. They can come with me to client sessions, shows, patios, and other places where I need a dog that can handle the environment. But they also have personalities, quirks, bad days, and behaviors that still need routines and management. The Goal Is Not Perfection I would much rather have a dog that can calmly lie on a mat while I talk to someone than one that can perform flashy tricks but cannot relax. Good dog training is not about creating a robot. It is about building a dog that can live successfully in your world. That means working on things like:
My dogs are also different from one another. Little Bit, Liberty, and Loki each have different strengths, personalities, energy levels, and roles in my family and business. Some are better working around reactive dogs. Some are better out in public. Some are simply really good at being spoiled family dogs. And that is okay. Manage, Modify, and Improve One of the things I say throughout this episode is that we do not “fix” dogs. We manage behavior. We modify behavior. We improve behavior. There will always be distractions that are harder than others. There will always be good days and bad days. If you can consistently take three steps forward and only two steps back, you are still moving in the right direction. The real magic word in dog training is routine. Practice first where things are easy, then gradually take those skills into the backyard, front yard, neighborhood, and eventually more distracting public environments. If you can make crazy normal, you can build a pretty reliable dog. K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with someone who thinks their dog—or their dog trainer’s dog—is supposed to be perfect. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Dog Math...The #s Don't Always Add UP! | 20 mai 2025 | 00:16:58 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: Dog math is simple: When dogs are involved, the numbers do not always add up the way people think they will. One dog is a lot of work. Two dogs are not just twice the work. And adding another dog does not automatically make life easier for the dog you already have. In this episode, I break down some of the most common ways dog owners get the math wrong. More Dogs = More Work Adding another dog means more:
More dogs can absolutely work, but you need to be realistic about the amount of time, money, and mental bandwidth you are adding to the household. A Second Dog Will Not Fix the First Dog If your current dog is out of control, under-exercised, poorly trained, or struggling with problem behaviors, bringing home another dog usually does not solve the problem. It can multiply it. A much better approach is to get the first dog stable, trained, and working within good routines before bringing another dog into the family. Two Puppies Are Not Easier Than One Taking home two puppies at the same time can create another set of challenges. They can become more focused on each other than on you, which can make training, socialization, and independence much harder. If somebody chooses to raise two puppies together, they need separate training time, separate socialization, separate crate work, and plenty of opportunities to learn how to function independently. The Financial Math Matters Too Two dogs mean twice the veterinary visits, twice the preventatives, twice the food, and potentially twice the daycare, grooming, boarding, and training expenses. The same goes for time. You still have to teach each dog how to potty outside, walk on leash, respond to cues, socialize appropriately, and function in the real world. Before adding another dog, I strongly recommend talking to a trainer first. Look at your schedule, lifestyle, finances, current dog, the breed or genetics of the dog you are considering, and what that dog is actually going to need from you. The best version of dog math is not “more dogs must be better.” It is making sure the numbers actually work before you bring another dog home. And there is one last piece of dog math that does work: If you can keep taking three steps forward and only two steps back, you are still moving in the right direction. K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with somebody who is thinking about adding another dog to the family. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Leash Work: Training Your Dog for Success | 14 avr. 2025 | 00:27:20 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: If your dog pulls on leash, the solution usually is not to grab the leash and immediately start walking farther. The real answer is to teach the skills first. In this episode, I walk through the order of operations I use for leash training—from attention work inside the house all the way to handling distractions on a real neighborhood walk. The progression is simple: build attention first, add the leash inside, move to the backyard and driveway, and only then start building an actual walk. Start Before the Walk Hand feeding gives us a chance to teach Sit, Down, Watch Me, the Turnaround Game, release work, and Leave It before we start competing with everything outside. Hand Feeding Playlist: Add the Leash Inside Once those skills are working, add the leash while you are still inside the house. Practice Sit-Stay, Down-Stay, automatic front-facing sits, Leave It, and following without pulling. Adding the Leash Playlist: Stay Playlist: Teach Leave It Before You Need It Leave It is one of the most useful commands you can teach because it gives you a way to redirect your dog away from distractions before things fall apart. Leave It Part 1: Leave It Part 2: Then Build the Walk Move from the house to the backyard, then the front yard and driveway. Once the dog can work there, start with just a few driveways at a time and slowly expand the walk. You are not trying to create a competition heel. The goal is a loose-leash dog that can sniff and enjoy the walk but will still redirect back to you when needed. Books Mentioned in This Episode The Five Steps to the Perfect Pet Paperback books: eBooks: Audiobooks: The biggest factor in all of this is consistency and frequency. Two short training walks every day will accomplish far more than occasionally trying to fix everything during one long, frustrating walk. K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with somebody whose daily walk currently feels more like a tug-of-war. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| The State of Animal Welfare in 2025 | 19 mars 2025 | 00:25:56 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: Animal welfare is under enormous pressure. Shelters are full. Rescues are full. Veterinarians are overwhelmed. Trainers are busy. And families continue bringing dogs home without always understanding how much time, money, training, socialization, and management may be required. In this episode, I look at the state of animal welfare in 2025 from several different directions—not to point fingers, but to ask a more useful question: How can we do better? People usually get dogs with good intentions. But emotional decisions can quickly collide with reality. Puppies need potty training, crate training, socialization, structure, and enormous consistency. Adolescent dogs come with their own challenges. Rescue dogs may arrive with behavioral histories nobody fully understands. At the same time, shelters and foster-based rescues are trying to create space for the next dog coming through the door. Veterinarians are handling both medical and behavioral concerns. Trainers are often brought in only after the situation has already started falling apart. The common thread is that we tend to be reactive instead of proactive. Maybe more people should talk with a trainer before getting a dog. Maybe shelters, trainers, and veterinarians need to work together more closely on education. And maybe some people need to hear that waiting—or fostering instead of adopting—is actually the responsible choice. There are no perfect dogs, perfect owners, perfect shelters, perfect veterinarians, or perfect trainers. We cannot guarantee outcomes. What we can do is manage, modify, improve, educate, and prepare. Resources Mentioned in This Episode So You Want a Dog, WTF? This book is designed to help people understand the real responsibilities, routines, costs, time commitments, and lifestyle changes involved in bringing home a dog. Meet Your Dog — Kim Brophey A deeper look at how learning, environment, genetics, and the individual dog all contribute to behavior. K.I.S.S. Dog Training Puppy Socialization Checklist The checklist contains more than 150 experiences designed to help owners positively expose puppies to people, places, sounds, surfaces, objects, and other parts of the world during the critical socialization period. If you can help your local rescue by fostering, volunteering, donating, or simply helping educate somebody before they bring home a dog, please do it. Reducing relinquishment starts long before a dog is returned to a shelter. K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with a trainer, veterinarian, rescue volunteer, foster, or somebody thinking about bringing home a dog. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Gentle Leaders, Easy Walk Harnesses & Training Tools | 11 févr. 2025 | 00:13:27 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: When your dog pulls on leash, it is easy to start looking for a tool that will make the problem disappear. Gentle Leaders, Easy Walk harnesses, prong collars, choke chains, shock collars—there are plenty of choices. But before picking a tool, I think there is a more important question: Are you being proactive and teaching the dog what you want, or are you waiting for the dog to make a mistake and reacting to it? That distinction matters. I would much rather teach a dog how to pay attention, follow, redirect, and walk with me in an easy environment than wait until the dog is dragging me down the street and then try to correct the behavior. Where the Training Starts My leash-training progression starts with hand feeding and attention work inside the house. Hand Feeding Playlist: From there, I begin adding the leash inside, then move into the backyard, front yard, driveway, neighborhood, and eventually real distractions. The goal is to teach the dog what walking with you is supposed to look like before expecting them to perform around everything happening outside. What About a Gentle Leader? A Gentle Leader fits around the dog’s nose and works somewhat like a horse halter. When the dog pulls, the head turns rather than allowing the dog to drive straight forward. It can be useful when a dog is physically stronger than the owner or when safety is a concern. But you cannot simply put one on a dog and expect the dog to accept it. The dog needs time to become comfortable wearing it before you attach the leash and expect it to work. What About an Easy Walk or Front-Clip Harness? A front-clip harness works on a similar principle. When the dog pulls, the attachment point turns the body instead of allowing the dog to continue driving straight ahead. These can be useful tools, especially for dogs that cannot comfortably wear a head halter. But the goal should still be training—not permanent dependence on equipment. The Better Question Instead of asking: “What tool will stop my dog from pulling?” Ask: “Have I actually taught my dog what I want them to do?” If the answer is no, that is where I would start. Time, consistency, frequency, reinforcement, and good routines are still going to matter more than any piece of equipment you buy. Resources Mentioned in This Episode Whoa Dog, Whoa! The Leash Can Be Your Friend Additional leash-training information: K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with somebody trying to decide whether a training tool is actually helping teach their dog—or simply managing the problem. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Lets Talk Doggy Daycare! | 08 janv. 2025 | 00:16:42 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: Doggy daycare comes up constantly in my training sessions, especially with adolescent dogs. But I do not look at daycare as some magical fix for every dog. I look at it as one possible ingredient in the recipe. For the right dog, a well-run daycare can provide exercise, social interaction, environmental exposure, and an outlet for energy that can make the rest of the week easier. For the wrong dog—or at the wrong daycare—it can create an entirely different set of problems. How Do You Choose a Doggy Daycare? Do not just pick the closest place. Call several facilities and ask questions. One of the first things I want to know is whether they separate dogs by:
A 100-pound adolescent dog should not necessarily be playing with a tiny Chihuahua. An older dog with sore hips probably should not spend the day getting body-slammed by a teenage pit bull. Ask how many dogs are in each playgroup, how often they get breaks, how the staff is trained, how long employees typically stay, and how closely the dogs are actually supervised. I generally prefer a daycare with more of a training vibe than a warehouse full of dogs thrown together and expected to figure it out. Be Honest About Your Dog If your dog is reactive, fearful, socially awkward, or has struggled around other dogs, tell the daycare. Some dogs may need to start with very short visits and slowly build up. A good facility may be willing to help with that process. And some dogs simply are not daycare dogs. That is okay. What If Doggy Daycare Is Not a Good Fit? One alternative mentioned in this episode is Sniffspot, which allows you to rent private spaces where your dog can exercise without being surrounded by unfamiliar dogs. That can be extremely useful for reactive dogs or dogs that simply prefer having space. The episode also discusses helping dogs learn—or relearn—appropriate canine body language and social skills, including play bows, look-aways, lip licking, and other signals dogs use to communicate. Daycare Is Part of the Recipe For some families, even one consistent day per week can help. For others, Monday-Wednesday-Friday daycare can create a rhythm where the dog gets an outlet every other day and the family gets a more manageable dog in between. It can also be useful when bringing a puppy into a household with an older dog, giving the older dog regular breaks from the youngster. But daycare is not going to fix every training issue. It may be one ingredient along with training, veterinary care, exercise, enrichment, management, and good daily routines. Consistency and frequency still matter more than looking for one quick fix. K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with somebody trying to decide whether doggy daycare is actually a good fit for their dog. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Should I Get Another Dog? | 10 déc. 2024 | 00:17:12 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: Should you get another dog? What breed should you choose? Male or female? Puppy or adult? Does your current dog even need a canine companion? The frustrating answer is that there really is not one hard-and-fast rule. In this episode, I tackle a question from a former client who was trying to plan ahead as an older dog in the household was reaching the end of life. What started as “What kind of dog should I get?” quickly became a much bigger conversation. Stop Looking for Simple Rules Instead of assuming certain breeds automatically work together, look at what those dogs were genetically bred to do and, more importantly, look at the individual dogs standing in front of you. The same goes for sex and age. You will hear that males and females get along better, that two females can be difficult, or that dogs should be a certain number of years apart. Those may be useful generalizations, but they are not guarantees. Look at the Dog You Already Have Ask yourself:
Sometimes the best answer is that your current dog is perfectly happy without another dog. More Dogs Mean More Work I always joke that one dog is a lot of work, two dogs are three times the work, three are nine times the work, and four are eighty-one times the work. Dogs are not potato chips. You do not have to keep adding another one. Think about training, daycare, veterinary expenses, exercise, management, and the amount of time you realistically have available. A Resource Worth Reading Meet Your Dog — Kim Brophey The book does a great job of looking beyond simple breed labels and helping owners understand genetics, breed groups, natural behavior, and what different dogs were originally bred to do. Before bringing home another dog, talk with a trainer, your veterinarian, and the rescue or breeder. Then take some time to digest what everybody tells you. The goal is not to follow somebody else’s canned rule. The goal is to make the best decision for the dogs and humans who actually live in your house. K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with somebody who is thinking about adding another dog to the family. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Let’s Talk Crates | 09 nov. 2024 | 00:21:24 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: Let’s talk crates. A crate should not be the place your dog goes only when you leave the house, go to bed, or get frustrated with them. Used correctly, a crate is simply a management tool that helps prevent bad behavior while your dog is learning the rules and routines of the household. And like most things in dog training, how you use the tool matters more than the tool itself. Put the Crate Where Life Happens I generally do not want the crate hidden in the basement, laundry room, or back bedroom. I want it where the family spends time. That allows the dog to be separated from a trigger without being completely isolated from what is happening. If guests come over, for example, the dog can safely watch everyone come in, settle down, and then greet later once the excitement has dropped. Make the Crate Part of Normal Life Use the crate during everyday routines:
Feed meals in the crate. Use Kongs or other safe long-lasting rewards. Build short periods of confinement gradually instead of suddenly expecting the dog to tolerate hours at a time. The goal is for the dog to learn: “This is just one of my normal places in the house.” Crate First, Place Command Later I am not against the Place command. I just think people sometimes try to teach an advanced behavior before the foundation is there. Normalize the crate first. Build calmness, impulse control, and good routines. Later, when the dog has earned more freedom, remove the crate, put a bed in the same location, and transition that routine into a Place behavior. Freedom Is Earned A new dog does not automatically know the rules of your house. The crate protects the dog, your belongings, your guests, your other animals, and sometimes your sanity while those routines are being built. That does not mean leaving a dog crated all day. If your schedule requires extremely long confinement, look at daycare, dog walkers, sitters, family help, or other ways to break up the day. Crate training is not about punishment. It is about management, consistency, frequency, and teaching your dog how to successfully live in your home. K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with somebody who still thinks a crate has to be a bad thing. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Big Dog Breeds & Adolescence | 10 oct. 2024 | 00:23:33 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: Big dogs grow up fast physically. Mentally? Not always. In this episode, I answer a listener question about Rupert, an Irish Wolfhound mix who had a rough start, missed a lot of early life experience, and is now struggling with distraction and leash work. The first thing I want owners of giant breeds to understand is that size can fool us. A 70-, 80-, or 100-pound adolescent may look like an adult dog while still behaving very much like a goofy teenager. With large and giant breeds, maturity can take much longer than people expect. Start With Attention Before worrying about a perfect walk, build the dog’s ability to pay attention to you. I am a huge believer in hand feeding because it allows you to work on:
Hand Feeding Playlist: Dogs Do Not Generalize Well A dog can perform beautifully in the living room and look like they forgot everything the second you step outside. That does not necessarily mean the dog is stubborn or that the training failed. It means the environment changed. When you move to a new environment, back the difficulty down and teach the same skills again. The progression I use is: House → Backyard → Front Yard/Driveway → Neighborhood → Dog Distractions → Public Environments Every level adds sights, smells, sounds, and distractions. Redirection Is the Apex Skill One of the most important things I want from a dog is the ability to disengage from a distraction and come back to me. For me, that is the Leave It command. Leave It does not mean “No, bad dog.” It means: Stop paying attention to that and come pay attention to me instead. Once you have a redirectable dog, you can start creating all kinds of better behaviors. Build the Walk Instead of Taking the Walk Start small. Walk from your driveway to the neighbor’s driveway and back. Stop and get a sit. Add another driveway later. The walk itself becomes training. You are teaching the dog that a walk is not simply charging forward and reacting to everything in the environment. It is a series of small opportunities to think, pay attention, and succeed. Books Mentioned in This Episode The Five Steps to the Perfect Pet How to Make Your Dog COME Without Being a BUTT-HEAD Whoa Dog Whoa Downward, Dog! — How to Deal With a Dog That Jumps Up Paperback books: eBooks: Audiobooks: The biggest thing Rupert—and most adolescent dogs—need is time. You are going to see flashes where everything suddenly looks perfect, followed by days where it seems like the dog forgot everything. That is adolescence. Keep practicing. Three steps forward and two steps back is still progress. K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with somebody currently living with a 90-pound dog that still thinks like a teenager. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| How to Tell When Your Dog Needs a Break | 07 sept. 2024 | 00:21:07 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: Sometimes the best thing you can do during dog training is stop. Not quit. Just recognize that your dog has had enough for the moment. Dogs can get mentally overloaded just like people do, and when that happens, continuing to push usually makes training worse instead of better. Signs Your Dog May Need a Break Watch for things like:
That does not automatically mean your dog is stubborn, dominant, or refusing to listen. It may simply mean you pushed past their threshold. Add some distance. Make the exercise easier. Improve the reward. Or call it a day. Dog training is usually a marathon, not a sprint. Three steps forward and two steps back is still progress. Counterconditioning vs. Flooding If your dog is scared or reactive, the answer is not to overwhelm them until they “get over it.” That is flooding. Instead, work at a distance where the dog can still think, respond, and take rewards. Gradually move closer as the dog becomes comfortable, and back up when things become too difficult. Your job is to find the level where the dog can succeed. What Is Your Dog Learning When You Aren’t Thinking About It? Dogs are incredibly good at building associations and routines. Sometimes they build exactly the routine we want. Sometimes they build one we never intended. The doorbell rings, the dog races to the door and barks. The mail carrier arrives, the dog barks, and the mail carrier leaves. From the dog’s perspective: “I barked and made that person go away.” Repeat that every day for several years and you have built a very powerful behavior without intentionally training anything. Dogs can even associate phone notification sounds, cars arriving, people walking past windows, and delivery trucks with specific routines. That is why management matters. Sometimes changing access to a window, using baby gates, changing the doorbell routine, or creating a new behavior like “doorbell means go to your crate” can prevent the dog from rehearsing a behavior hundreds of times. Related Resources What Is Your Dog Practicing When You’re Not Home? Can You Calm Your Dog When You’re Not Home? — Furbo Dog Camera The goal is not to force your dog through every problem. It is to recognize what your dog can handle, understand what they are practicing every day, and create routines that make the behavior you want easier to repeat. K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with somebody who keeps wondering why their dog suddenly “forgets” everything when life gets harder. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Dog Training Rewards & Dog Fights: When to Worry | 05 août 2024 | 00:21:06 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: This episode tackles two very different questions that both come up all the time in dog training: Why do I have to keep using treats? And: When my dogs fight, how do I know if it is serious? Why Use Treats? You do not have to use food forever. But you do need a reward your dog actually values. Food is one of the fastest ways to teach new skills because it gives the dog a clear paycheck for making the right choice. I start with a lot of reinforcement, then gradually fade it: Continuous rewards → Random rewards → Differential rewards At first, reward almost every correct response. Later, reward some of them. Eventually, save the best rewards for the moments when your dog really impresses you—like ignoring a squirrel, redirecting away from another dog, or giving you a great response in a difficult environment. The harder the job, the better the paycheck may need to be. And food is not the only reward. Praise, affection, toys, access to something the dog wants, and other life rewards all count. Dog Fights: When Should You Worry? Not every loud dog argument means two dogs are trying to seriously hurt each other. Dogs can have ritualized conflicts that sound absolutely terrible but end with little more than slobber and hurt feelings. The things that worry me more are:
If you are unsure, get experienced eyes involved. A professional trainer, veterinarian, daycare professional, or other qualified dog professional may be able to help determine what you are actually seeing. Management matters too. Teach a strong redirection cue. Use crates, gates, separation, and crate-and-rotate strategies when appropriate. Look at pain, age, energy level, and the personalities of the dogs involved. An older dog with sore hips may have a very different tolerance for an adolescent puppy than they did several years earlier. Resource Mentioned in This Episode The Language of Dogs — Sarah Kalnajs A useful resource for learning canine body language and understanding the difference between play, stress, warnings, conflict, and more serious behavior. Streaming version: Dogwise information: Whether we are talking about rewards or dog fights, the same lesson applies: Pay attention to what the dog is actually telling you instead of relying on assumptions. K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with somebody who either thinks treats are “bribery” or is trying to decide whether their dogs are arguing or truly fighting. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| The Curse of the Living Room Dog & How Routines Make Training Easier | 18 juil. 2024 | 00:25:15 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information. Support the podcast here: Does your dog look brilliant in the living room and then act like they have never heard a word you said the minute you walk outside? Welcome to the curse of the living room dog. Dogs do not generalize information nearly as well as people do. A skill learned inside the house does not automatically transfer to the backyard, driveway, neighborhood, park, or pet-friendly store. That means training has to travel. Build Skills One Environment at a Time My normal progression looks something like this: House → Backyard → Driveway → Neighborhood → Dog Distractions → Parks/Trails → Retail Environments Every new environment adds distraction. So when the dog struggles, do not automatically assume they are stubborn or refusing to listen. Back up. Make the exercise easier. Help the dog find traction again. If your dog only practices in the living room, then you should expect a really good living room dog. Make Training Part of Your Routine The second half of this episode is about making dog training feel easier by building it into things you already do every day. Instead of carving out a special hour for “dog training,” create routines around normal life. A few examples:
These routines turn ordinary moments into training opportunities. Hand Feeding For the first 30 days of training, I often recommend putting the food bowl away and using meals to teach attention and basic skills. The Hand Feeding playlist includes games for Sit, Down, Watch Me, Turnaround, Leave It, crate work, waiting at doors, and more. Hand Feeding Playlist: The Goal Is a Redirectable Dog One of the most important routines you can build is teaching the dog that Leave It means stop focusing on that and come back to me. It might be another dog, a squirrel, goose poop, a person, or anything else that grabs their attention. If your dog can disengage and come back to you, you have a dog you can work with. The big takeaway from both topics is simple: Do not expect behavior you have never practiced in that environment. And do not make training harder than it needs to be. Build small routines into your normal day, practice them in increasingly difficult environments, and let repetition do the heavy lifting. K.I.S.S. Dog Training If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with somebody whose dog turns into a completely different animal the minute they walk out the front door. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Thinking Outside the Box With Reactivity + Hand Signals vs. Verbal Cues | 05 juin 2024 | 00:15:53 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... Support The Keep It Simple Stupid DOG Training Podcast for as little as $3 a month through Buzzsprout and help us continue producing practical, positive, science-based dog training information for owners. Sometimes dog training means following a proven progression. Other times, it means realizing that the usual approach isn't getting traction and being willing to think outside the box. In the first half of this episode, Mike discusses leash reactivity and the two very different types of dogs that can appear reactive: dogs trying to create distance because they are fearful or uncomfortable, and dogs becoming frustrated because they desperately want to reach another dog, person, or distraction. Mike walks through the normal K.I.S.S. progression—starting inside, moving to the backyard, then the front yard, and eventually the real world—and explains why distance, redirection, reinforcement, and patience matter. He also shares a real client case where food wasn't producing enough progress around moving vehicles. An unexpected change—calling the dog in and rewarding with affection—finally created the breakthrough they needed. Then Mike tackles a common client question: Should you teach the word or the hand signal first? Dogs communicate heavily through visual information, so Mike prefers beginning with hand signals. Once the dog reliably understands the visual cue, the verbal cue can be added and paired with it. You'll also hear about:
Learn more about Mike Deathe and K.I.S.S. Dog Training at: Follow • Review • Share If this episode helped you, follow the podcast so you don't miss future episodes. Please take a moment to leave a review. Reviews help other dog owners find the show and are one of the easiest ways to support the podcast. And if you know someone struggling with leash reactivity or wondering how to teach cues more effectively, share this episode with them. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| How to Master the Recall Command & a Cool Trick for Come When Called | 01 mai 2024 | 00:19:50 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you find the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast helpful, you can support the show directly for as little as $3 per month. Dog training is my full-time business, and creating podcasts, videos, and blogs takes time away from that work. Listener support helps me continue sharing practical, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog-training information designed to make life easier for dogs and their humans. Support the podcast here: How do you teach a dog to reliably come when called—even when something more interesting is happening? In this episode, Mike Deathe of K.I.S.S. Dog Training breaks recall down into two parts. First, we cover the fundamentals of Come When Called. Recall is ultimately about safety, but reliable recall does not begin at a busy park or around major distractions. It starts in an easy environment and gradually progresses from the house to the backyard, front yard, walks, parks, and eventually more challenging situations. Mike also explains why recall should always lead to something rewarding. If coming back to you repeatedly means the fun ends—or worse, results in punishment—you may accidentally teach your dog that coming when called is something to avoid. Then comes the interesting part. Stay and release, Come When Called, Leave It, and redirecting a dog that begins pulling on leash may sound like four completely different skills. But from the dog’s perspective, they can share the same basic pattern: disengage from what you are doing, notice the hand dropping to the owner’s side, return, and reconnect. That common hand signal can become the foundation for building a dog that is increasingly redirectable around distractions. Key takeaways include: • Start recall training where distractions are low Mike also discusses his book, How to Get Your Dog to Come Without Being a Butthead, and references the earlier podcast episode on the Rules of Recall. Learn more about K.I.S.S. Dog Training: If the podcast has helped you, the best thing you can do is leave a review. You can also follow the show and share this episode with another dog owner who could use it. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Are Your Dog Training Expectations Realistic? | 01 avr. 2024 | 00:20:34 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you find the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast helpful, you can support the show directly for as little as $3 per month. Dog training is my full-time business, and creating podcasts, videos, and blogs takes time away from that work. Listener support helps me continue sharing practical, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog-training information designed to make life easier for dogs and their humans. Support the podcast here: Are your expectations for your dog realistic? In this episode, Mike Deathe of K.I.S.S. Dog Training looks at one of the biggest causes of frustration in dog training: expecting too much, too quickly. If a dog has practiced an unwanted behavior for months or years, it is unrealistic to expect that behavior to disappear after a couple of weeks of training. Mike explains why he does not like talking about “fixing” dogs. A more realistic goal is to manage, modify, and improve behavior over time. Topics include: • Setting realistic dog-training expectations The second half looks at expectations when bringing a new dog or puppy into the family. Mike discusses the commonly used 3-3-3 guideline—three days, three weeks, and three months—and why a newly adopted dog may not show its full personality immediately. He also explains why owners should think about breed tendencies, work schedules, potty training, crate training, veterinary care, grooming, exercise, daycare, dog walkers, and training before bringing a dog home. Unrealistic expectations can create frustration for both the owner and the dog—and in some cases can contribute to dogs being relinquished to shelters or rescues. The goal is to go into dog ownership with your eyes open, understand the dog in front of you, and focus on steady improvement rather than instant results. K.I.S.S. Dog Training provides private, positive-reinforcement, in-home dog training throughout the Kansas City metro. Learn more: If the podcast has helped you, the best thing you can do is leave a review. You can also follow the show and share an episode with another dog owner who might benefit from it. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Predictive Cues & Generalization in Dog Training | 01 mars 2024 | 00:19:34 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you find the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast helpful, you can support the show directly for as little as $3 per month. Dog training is my full-time business, and creating podcasts, videos, and blogs takes time away from that work. Listener support helps me continue sharing practical, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog-training information designed to make life easier for dogs and their humans. Support the podcast here: What if your dog knew what was about to happen before it happened? In this episode, Mike Deathe of K.I.S.S. Dog Training explains two important training concepts: predictive cues and generalization. A predictive cue is a word or signal that tells your dog what is coming next. Words like Paw, Touch, Brush, Nails, Tail, Table, or Say Hello can help prepare a dog for veterinary care, grooming, handling, or social interaction. When those cues are consistently paired with positive experiences and rewards, the dog has more information and fewer surprises. Predictability can help dogs feel safer and more confident. The second half focuses on generalization. Dogs do not always understand that a behavior learned in one environment applies everywhere else. A dog may perform beautifully inside the house but struggle with the same skill in the backyard, driveway, neighborhood, or park. That does not necessarily mean the dog is stubborn or refusing to listen. The environment changed. Topics include: • What predictive cues are If you want your dog to perform reliably in different situations, you have to practice in different situations. Teach the behavior where it is easy, then gradually add distance, duration, distraction, and new environments. K.I.S.S. Dog Training provides private, positive-reinforcement, in-home dog training throughout the Kansas City metro. Learn more: If the podcast has helped you, the best thing you can do is leave a review. You can also follow the show and share an episode with another dog owner who might benefit from it. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Are All Dogs Social? And What Is SniffSpot? | 01 févr. 2024 | 00:20:29 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you find the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast helpful, you can support the show directly for as little as $3 per month. Dog training is my full-time business, and creating podcasts, videos, and blogs takes time away from that work. Listener support helps me continue sharing practical, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog-training information designed to make life easier for dogs and their humans. Support the podcast here: Are all dogs supposed to love other dogs, strangers, dog parks, and doggy daycare? No. In this episode, Mike Deathe of K.I.S.S. Dog Training challenges the common belief that every dog should be a social butterfly. Some dogs genuinely love everybody and everything. But those dogs are the exception, not the rule. A dog's genetics, early socialization, past experiences, breed tendencies, personality, and history all influence how comfortable they are around other dogs and people. If you adopted a dog with an unknown background or missed social-development experiences, forcing that dog into busy social environments can make problems worse. Mike discusses why owners need to work at the dog's pace rather than forcing the dog to match their expectations. Topics include: • Why not every dog is naturally social The second half introduces SniffSpot. SniffSpot allows dog owners to rent private yards and fenced spaces where their dogs can safely exercise without encountering unfamiliar dogs. For dogs that cannot handle dog parks or daycare, that can provide a valuable alternative. It can also create a controlled environment for practicing recall, redirection, play, and eventually introducing one compatible dog at a time. The goal is not to force every dog to become social. The goal is to understand the dog you actually have and build a lifestyle and training plan that works for that dog. K.I.S.S. Dog Training provides private, positive-reinforcement, in-home dog training throughout the Kansas City metro. Learn more: If the podcast has helped you, the best thing you can do is leave a review. You can also follow the show and share an episode with another dog owner who might benefit from it. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Happy Visits & Owner-Absent Behaviors | 01 janv. 2024 | 00:15:48 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you find the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast helpful, you can support the show directly for as little as $3 per month. Dog training is my full-time business, and creating podcasts, videos, and blogs takes time away from that work. Listener support helps me continue sharing practical, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog-training information designed to make life easier for dogs and their humans. Support the podcast here: What is your dog learning when you are not actively training them? In this episode, Mike Deathe of K.I.S.S. Dog Training covers two important concepts: Happy Visits and owner-absent behaviors. Happy Visits are short, positive trips to places your dog may eventually find stressful, such as the veterinarian or groomer. Instead of every visit involving an exam, vaccination, nail trim, or grooming procedure, sometimes the dog simply walks in, gets some treats, experiences the environment, and leaves. For puppies, Happy Visits can help build positive associations from the beginning. For older dogs that already have fear or anxiety, the same idea can be used more gradually to help change how the dog feels about the experience. The second half looks at something Mike calls owner-absent behaviors. Imagine a dog spending eight to ten hours a day sitting at a window and barking at people, dogs, delivery drivers, and the mail carrier. From the dog's perspective, the barking works—because eventually everyone goes away. That means the behavior is being practiced and reinforced for hours while the owner is gone. Topics include: • Happy Visits to veterinarians and groomers Successful dog training is not only about what happens during a training session. It also means looking at what your dog practices throughout the rest of the day. Reward the behaviors you want, manage opportunities to practice the behaviors you don't want, and set your dog up to make better choices. K.I.S.S. Dog Training provides private, positive-reinforcement, in-home dog training throughout the Kansas City metro. Learn more: If the podcast has helped you, the best thing you can do is leave a review. You can also follow the show and share an episode with another dog owner who might benefit from it. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Getting Kids Involved in Dog Training & What Should We Think About Muzzles? | 03 déc. 2023 | 00:19:49 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you find the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast helpful, you can support the show directly for as little as $3 per month. Dog training is my full-time business, and creating podcasts, videos, and blogs takes time away from that work. Listener support helps me continue sharing practical, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog-training information designed to make life easier for dogs and their humans. Support the podcast here: This episode covers two important topics: getting children involved in training the family dog and understanding the responsible use of muzzles. First, Mike Deathe of K.I.S.S. Dog Training shares a real puppy-training example involving a young child and an energetic English Bulldog puppy. Running, yelling, and excited movement can easily trigger chasing, mouthing, and overexcitement in a puppy. Instead of simply keeping the child away from the dog, Mike explains how the family created a structured training routine. Dad controlled the leash as an anchor while the child carried treats and practiced simple skills like Sit, Down, Watch Me, Stay, and calm movement around the house. The result was not just better puppy behavior—it gave the child a safe way to participate in training and helped the whole family work together. The second half focuses on muzzles. Mike explains why a muzzle should not automatically be viewed as a sign of a “bad dog.” When properly introduced and conditioned, a muzzle can be a responsible safety tool for dogs dealing with reactivity, aggression, fear, injury, pain, or stressful handling situations. Topics include: • Safely involving children in dog training The goal is to teach dogs and people what to do—not wait for mistakes and punish them afterward. K.I.S.S. Dog Training provides private, positive-reinforcement, in-home dog training throughout the Kansas City metro. Learn more: If the podcast has helped you, the best thing you can do is leave a review. You can also follow the show and share an episode with another dog owner who might benefit from it. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| A Different Way to Look at Walking Dogs & Are Laser Pointers Good Dog Toys? | 25 oct. 2023 | 00:14:07 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you find the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast helpful, you can support the show directly for as little as $3 per month. Dog training is my full-time business, and creating podcasts, videos, and blogs takes time away from that work. Listener support helps me continue sharing practical, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog-training information designed to make life easier for dogs and their humans. Support the podcast here: This episode looks at two very different dog-training topics: how we can make walks easier for other dog owners and whether laser pointers are a good toy for dogs. First, Mike Deathe of K.I.S.S. Dog Training looks at walking from the other side of the leash. Once your own dog is under control and redirectable, what can you do when you see another owner struggling with a reactive dog? Often, the best answer is simple: give them space. Cross the street. Step into a driveway. Turn around. Use a parked car as a visual barrier. Stay aware of your surroundings so you can make those decisions before the dogs get too close. Mike calls this giving the other dog the “gift of space.” The second half focuses on laser pointers. Although they may seem like an easy way to exercise a dog, some dogs can become intensely fixated on the moving light. Even after the laser is turned off, they may continue searching for it or begin chasing reflections, shadows, and light patterns around the house. Topics include: • Helping owners with reactive dogs The goal is to keep dogs calm enough to think, make good choices, and stay under threshold. K.I.S.S. Dog Training provides private, positive-reinforcement, in-home dog training throughout the Kansas City metro. Learn more: If the podcast has helped you, the best thing you can do is leave a review. You can also follow the show and share an episode with another dog owner who might benefit from it. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Is Asking to Pet a Dog Enough? | 02 août 2023 | 00:12:20 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you find the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast helpful, you can support the show directly for as little as $3 per month. Dog training is my full-time business, and creating podcasts, videos, and blogs takes time away from that work. Listener support helps me continue sharing practical, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog-training information designed to make life easier for dogs and their humans. Support the podcast here: Is asking, “May I pet your dog?” really enough? In this episode, Mike Deathe of K.I.S.S. Dog Training argues that there should be one more step: the dog should get a choice too. Many children are taught to ask the owner for permission and then immediately walk up and pet the dog. That works fine with some dogs, but not every dog wants to be touched, hugged, or approached by strangers. Mike explains a different approach. Ask the owner first—but then allow the dog to decide whether they want to approach. For nervous, fearful, or reactive dogs, Mike discusses using distance and simple counterconditioning exercises instead of forcing interaction. One example is the “name game,” where a person says the dog’s name, tosses a treat, and walks away without attempting to pet. Topics include: • Why owner permission may not be enough The goal is not to make every dog love every person. The goal is to understand the dog you actually have, respect their comfort level, and create safer interactions for both dogs and people. K.I.S.S. Dog Training provides private, positive-reinforcement, in-home dog training throughout the Kansas City metro. Learn more: If the podcast has helped you, the best thing you can do is leave a review. You can also follow the show and share an episode with another dog owner who might benefit from it. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Thinking Outside the Box Without Abandoning Your Principles | 28 juin 2023 | 00:15:23 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you find the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast helpful, you can support the show directly for as little as $3 per month. Dog training is my full-time business, and creating podcasts, videos, and blogs takes time away from that work. Listener support helps me continue sharing practical, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog-training information designed to make life easier for dogs and their humans. Support the podcast here: Dog training does not always fit neatly into a standard formula. In this episode, Mike Deathe of K.I.S.S. Dog Training looks at two real client situations that required thinking outside the box while still staying true to a positive-reinforcement training philosophy. The first involved a high-drive working-line Lab and an owner with limited mobility who used a wheelchair. Traditional training alone was not going to solve the problem because the dog first needed appropriate ways to burn energy, build impulse control, and learn to pay attention. Mike explains how tools like a tether tug, an automatic fetch machine, structured fetch games, and carefully selected doggy daycare helped create a training plan that actually worked for both the dog and the owner. The second example involves a client who had become dependent on a prong collar from previous training. Rather than turning the collar into a confrontation, Mike focused on teaching loose-leash walking and keeping the leash slack. Over time, the client realized the prong collar was no longer doing anything useful and chose to switch to a regular flat collar. Topics include: • Adapting training to the individual owner The goal is not to force every dog and owner into the same training system. The goal is to understand what they actually need, find a workable path forward, and continue rewarding the behaviors you want. K.I.S.S. Dog Training provides private, positive-reinforcement, in-home dog training throughout the Kansas City metro. Learn more: If the podcast has helped you, the best thing you can do is leave a review. You can also follow the show and share an episode with another dog owner who might benefit from it. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Skills, Routines & Management: How They Work Together | 07 avr. 2023 | 00:16:03 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you find the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast helpful, you can support the show directly for as little as $3 per month. Dog training is my full-time business, and creating podcasts, videos, and blogs takes time away from that work. Listener support helps me continue sharing practical, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog-training information designed to make life easier for dogs and their humans. Support the podcast here: Dog training is about more than teaching Sit, Down, Stay, and Come. In this episode, Mike Deathe of K.I.S.S. Dog Training explains how three different parts of dog training work together: skills, routines, and management. Training skills are the behaviors we actively teach, such as Sit, Down, Watch Me, Stay, and Recall. Routines are the repeated patterns that make those skills useful in everyday life. Feeding schedules, crate routines, potty breaks, hand feeding, and short daily practice sessions all create opportunities for the dog to learn what works. Management is how we prevent unwanted behavior from being practiced in the first place. Crates, baby gates, leashes, long lines, Gentle Leaders, and front-clip harnesses can all help owners control the environment while better habits are being built. Topics include: • Training skills versus everyday routines The goal is to use all three together. Teach the behavior you want, build routines that reinforce it, and manage the environment so your dog has fewer opportunities to practice the behavior you do not want. K.I.S.S. Dog Training provides private, positive-reinforcement, in-home dog training throughout the Kansas City metro. Learn more: If the podcast has helped you, the best thing you can do is leave a review. You can also follow the show and share an episode with another dog owner who might benefit from it. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Dog Parks, Daycare & All That Jazz | 20 févr. 2023 | 00:14:44 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you find the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast helpful, you can support the show directly for as little as $3 per month. Dog training is my full-time business, and creating podcasts, videos, and blogs takes time away from that work. Listener support helps me continue sharing practical, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog-training information designed to make life easier for dogs and their humans. Support the podcast here: Does every dog need doggy daycare or regular trips to the dog park? No. In this episode, Mike Deathe of K.I.S.S. Dog Training takes a practical look at dog parks and doggy daycare and explains why the right answer depends entirely on the individual dog. Some dogs thrive in large social environments. Others become fearful, overstimulated, frustrated, reactive, or simply do not enjoy being around large groups of dogs. Mike discusses why owners should avoid the “throw them in and hope it works” approach and instead evaluate their dog’s personality, play style, impulse control, and comfort level. Topics include: • Why not every dog enjoys dog parks or daycare Doggy daycare and dog parks can be excellent outlets for the right dog—but they should never be automatic decisions just because other dogs seem to enjoy them. The goal is to understand the dog you actually have and choose environments where that dog can succeed. K.I.S.S. Dog Training provides private, positive-reinforcement, in-home dog training throughout the Kansas City metro. Learn more: If the podcast has helped you, the best thing you can do is leave a review. You can also follow the show and share an episode with another dog owner who might benefit from it. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Why Won’t My Dog Fetch? & Do All Dogs Like Belly Rubs? | 05 janv. 2023 | 00:11:54 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you find the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast helpful, you can support the show directly for as little as $3 per month. Dog training is my full-time business, and creating podcasts, videos, and blogs takes time away from that work. Listener support helps me continue sharing practical, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog-training information designed to make life easier for dogs and their humans. Support the podcast here: Why won’t some dogs play fetch? And does rolling onto the back always mean a dog wants a belly rub? In this episode, Mike Deathe of K.I.S.S. Dog Training tackles two common dog-owner questions. First, Mike talks about fetch. Some dogs naturally love the game, while others need to learn how it works. If your dog grabs the ball but refuses to bring it back, they may actually be trying to turn fetch into a game of chase. Mike explains how using two identical toys can help teach the dog to return and drop one item in exchange for the next. He also explains why you should end the game while your dog still wants to keep playing instead of waiting until the dog gets bored. The second half focuses on canine body language. A dog rolling onto its back does not always mean “please rub my belly.” For some dogs, especially fearful, anxious, or reactive dogs, rolling over may be an appeasement or “tap out” behavior. If the dog is stiff, avoiding eye contact, keeping its mouth closed, growling, or otherwise looking uncomfortable, reaching in to pet the belly may make the dog feel trapped. Understanding the difference requires looking at the whole dog—not just one body position. Topics include: • Teaching fetch with two toys K.I.S.S. Dog Training provides private, positive-reinforcement, in-home dog training throughout the Kansas City metro. Learn more: If the podcast has helped you, the best thing you can do is leave a review. You can also follow the show and share an episode with another dog owner who might benefit from it. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Resource Guarding & Introducing a New Dog to the Pack | 06 déc. 2022 | 00:16:31 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you find the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast helpful, you can support the show directly for as little as $3 per month. Dog training is my full-time business, and creating podcasts, videos, and blogs takes time away from that work. Listener support helps me continue sharing practical, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog-training information designed to make life easier for dogs and their humans. Support the podcast here: Bringing a new dog into a household can go smoothly—but only if you resist the temptation to simply put the dogs together and hope for the best. In this episode, Mike Deathe of K.I.S.S. Dog Training discusses two closely related topics: resource guarding and introducing a new dog to an existing pack. Mike explains that resource guarding is a normal canine behavior. Dogs may guard food, toys, people, resting areas, or other valuable resources. The goal is not necessarily to eliminate every hint of guarding, but to manage the environment so dogs are not repeatedly put into situations where conflict is likely. Topics include: • Feeding dogs separately The second half focuses on introducing a new dog. Mike recommends beginning with a parallel walk at a comfortable distance, then moving to a monitored backyard introduction before bringing the dogs inside. Once indoors, gates and zone training can allow the dogs to experience one another gradually without being forced into constant interaction. Introductions should be short, controlled, and repeated frequently rather than allowing dogs to become overstimulated. Mike also discusses the commonly used 3-day, 3-week, 3-month adjustment guideline and why a newly adopted dog may not show its full personality immediately. The goal is simple: go slowly, stay under threshold, manage the environment, and create successful experiences instead of waiting for problems to happen. K.I.S.S. Dog Training provides private, positive-reinforcement, in-home dog training throughout the Kansas City metro. Learn more: If the podcast has helped you, the best thing you can do is leave a review. You can also follow the show and share an episode with another dog owner who might benefit from it. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Off-Leash Dogs and Wireless Fences | 01 juil. 2022 | 00:13:42 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you find the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast helpful, you can support the show directly for as little as $3 per month. Dog training is my full-time business, and creating podcasts, videos, and blogs takes time away from that work. Listener support helps me continue sharing practical, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog-training information designed to make life easier for dogs and their humans. Support the podcast here: This episode tackles two topics that can create serious problems when convenience gets put ahead of safety: off-leash dogs and wireless fences. Mike Deathe of K.I.S.S. Dog Training starts with one of his biggest pet peeves—dogs being allowed off leash in areas where leash laws apply. Your dog may be friendly, but that does not mean the dog coming around the corner is. Some dogs are fearful, leash reactive, dog selective, or simply uncomfortable being approached. When an off-leash dog rushes a dog that is properly restrained, the situation can escalate quickly. Mike also discusses wireless fences and the questions owners should consider before using one. Topics include: • Why leash laws protect more than just your own dog Mike explains that he prefers physical fencing and positive-reinforcement training whenever possible, while recognizing that some homeowners may face restrictions that make other options necessary. The goal is not to judge owners. It is to understand the risks, think through the environment, and make decisions that protect both dogs and people. K.I.S.S. Dog Training provides private, positive-reinforcement, in-home dog training throughout the Kansas City metro. Learn more: If the podcast has helped you, the best thing you can do is leave a review. You can also follow the show and share an episode with another dog owner who might benefit from it. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Frequency & Consistency in Dog Training + Leash Pulling | 01 juin 2022 | 00:10:41 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you find the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast helpful, you can support the show directly for as little as $3 per month. Dog training is my full-time business, and creating podcasts, videos, and blogs takes time away from that work. Listener support helps me continue sharing practical, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog-training information designed to make life easier for dogs and their humans. Support the podcast here: Good dog training is not about one brilliant session. It is about what happens between sessions. In this episode, Mike Deathe of K.I.S.S. Dog Training looks at two closely related topics: the importance of frequency and consistency in training, and a different way to approach leash pulling. Mike explains why short, frequent practice sessions are often more productive than trying to push through a difficult hour. When a dog is struggling around another dog, distraction, or new environment, the answer may be to slow down, increase distance, stay under threshold, and give the dog more opportunities to practice successfully. The second half focuses on leash skills. Instead of starting with a short four- or six-foot leash and constantly correcting pulling, Mike recommends beginning with more freedom on a 15-foot long line. The dog learns an out-and-in game: move away, come back, Sit, get rewarded, and then go explore again. As the dog becomes successful, the working distance gradually decreases from 15 feet to 10 feet and eventually to 5 feet. Training also progresses through increasingly difficult environments: • Inside the house The goal is to teach the dog how to walk with you rather than constantly fighting against leash pressure. Related K.I.S.S. Dog Training books mentioned in the episode include How to Make Your Dog Come Without Being a Butthead and Woe Dog Woe. Learn more: If the podcast has helped you, the best thing you can do is leave a review. You can also follow the show and share an episode with another dog owner who might benefit from it. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Are all dogs Social? | 12 mai 2022 | 00:08:12 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you find the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast helpful, you can support the show directly for as little as $3 per month. Dog training is my full-time business, and creating podcasts, videos, and blogs takes time away from that work. Listener support helps me continue sharing practical, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog-training information designed to make life easier for dogs and their humans. Support the podcast here: Does every dog need to love every person, every dog, and every situation? No. In this episode, Mike Deathe of K.I.S.S. Dog Training discusses one of the biggest misconceptions dog owners face: the idea that every dog should be highly social and comfortable everywhere. The dogs we notice in parks, neighborhoods, patios, and public places are often the dogs that are naturally comfortable being there. What we do not see are the many dogs that are fearful, leash reactive, dog selective, people selective, or simply happier in quieter environments. Mike explains why comparing your dog to the neighbor’s “perfect” dog can create unrealistic expectations and unnecessary frustration. Topics include: • Why many dogs are socially selective A dog does not need to enjoy dog parks, crowded sidewalks, strangers, or every dog it meets to be a good dog. The goal is to understand the dog you actually have, help that dog improve where possible, and avoid forcing it into situations it is not ready to handle. K.I.S.S. Dog Training provides private, positive-reinforcement, in-home dog training throughout the Kansas City metro. Learn more: If the podcast has helped you, the best thing you can do is leave a review. You can also follow the show and share an episode with another dog owner who might benefit from it. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Toys, Treats and Interactive Playthings | 02 févr. 2022 | 00:23:16 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you find the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast helpful, you can support the show directly for as little as $3 per month. Dog training is my full-time business, and creating podcasts, videos, and blogs takes time away from that work. Listener support helps me continue sharing practical, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog-training information designed to make life easier for dogs and their humans. Support the podcast here: Toys are not just something to throw on the floor and hope your dog entertains himself. In this episode, Mike Deathe of K.I.S.S. Dog Training and Emery Kittle discuss how toys, treats, and interactive feeding products can become useful parts of a positive-reinforcement training program. Mike explains how Kongs, treat-dispensing toys, food puzzles, and even homemade enrichment can help reduce boredom, create positive crate associations, and give dogs appropriate ways to use natural behaviors such as chewing, digging, and problem-solving. The discussion also covers using play itself as a training reward. Topics include: • Using frozen Kongs and interactive feeding toys The trainer’s tip looks at separation anxiety and how food-based activities can help change the emotional meaning of departure routines. Instead of every pair of shoes, set of keys, or purse signaling something negative, those cues can gradually become associated with something the dog enjoys. Emery also discusses picky eaters, overfeeding, treats, table scraps, food freshness, and when a sudden change in appetite may warrant a veterinary visit. K.I.S.S. Dog Training provides private, positive-reinforcement, in-home dog training throughout the Kansas City metro. Learn more: If the podcast has helped you, the best thing you can do is leave a review. You can also follow the show and share an episode with another dog owner who might benefit from it. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| January 2022 Train Your Dog Month and More | 18 janv. 2022 | 00:27:59 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you find the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast helpful, you can support the show directly for as little as $3 per month. Dog training is my full-time business, and creating podcasts, videos, and blogs takes time away from that work. Listener support helps me continue sharing practical, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog-training information designed to make life easier for dogs and their humans. Support the podcast here: January is National Train Your Dog Month, which makes it a perfect time to get back to some of the basics. In this episode, Mike Deathe of K.I.S.S. Dog Training focuses on three foundational areas that can make a huge difference with a new puppy or dog: hand feeding, crate training, and socialization. Mike explains how hand feeding can be used for much more than simply delivering food. It can help build attention, engagement, recall, Sit, Down, Stay, Leave It, crate skills, and the early foundations of loose-leash walking. He also discusses why crate training should be part of normal everyday life. If the crate is only used when the family leaves or goes to bed, the dog can begin associating it with losing access to the people they love. Instead, Mike recommends building positive crate routines during ordinary activities such as watching TV, preparing meals, and answering the door. The episode also looks at socialization and the difference between working with a young puppy and an adult dog who may already be fearful or reactive. The goal with adult dogs is often management, modification, and improvement rather than promising a complete fix. The trainer’s tip shows how to make hand feeding even more useful by moving around the house and practicing attention and basic skills in different locations. Emery Kittle also contributes discussions about raw feeding, pet nutrition, and supplements. K.I.S.S. Dog Training provides private, positive-reinforcement, in-home dog training throughout the Kansas City metro. Learn more: If the podcast has helped you, the best thing you can do is leave a review. You can also follow the show and share an episode with another dog owner who might benefit from it. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Getting a Puppy as a Holiday Gift | 14 déc. 2021 | 00:24:13 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you find the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast helpful, you can support the show directly for as little as $3 per month. Dog training is my full-time business, and creating podcasts, videos, and blogs takes time away from that work. Listener support helps me continue sharing practical, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog-training information designed to make life easier for dogs and their humans. Support the podcast here: A puppy under the Christmas tree sounds perfect—until the wrapping paper is gone and the real work begins. In this holiday episode, Mike Deathe of K.I.S.S. Dog Training and Emery Kittle discuss why giving a puppy or dog as a surprise gift is usually a bad idea unless everyone involved has already planned for the responsibility. A dog is not a short-term present. It is a long-term commitment involving training, veterinary care, grooming, feeding, exercise, scheduling, and daily responsibility. Topics include: • Why surprise puppies often create problems Mike also offers a better holiday-gift idea: wrap the crate, bed, bowls, and puppy supplies, announce that the family is going to get a dog, and then spend the next several weeks preparing properly. Another option is fostering. Fostering gives the family a chance to experience dog ownership while also helping a rescue dog—and sometimes the foster turns into the perfect permanent match. The trainer’s tip covers the beginning of leash training and why the best place to start is often inside your own home, where distractions are low and the dog can learn to move with you before tackling the outside world. K.I.S.S. Dog Training provides private, positive-reinforcement, in-home dog training throughout the Kansas City metro. Learn more: If the podcast has helped you, the best thing you can do is leave a review. You can also follow the show and share an episode with another dog owner who might benefit from it. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Thanksgivng, Training and the Word Frustration! | 23 nov. 2021 | 00:18:21 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you find the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast helpful, you can support the show directly for as little as $3 per month. Dog training is my full-time business, and creating podcasts, videos, and blogs takes time away from that work. Listener support helps me continue sharing practical, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog-training information designed to make life easier for dogs and their humans. Support the podcast here: Thanksgiving may be the theme, but this episode is really about one of the biggest problems in dog training: frustration. Mike Deathe of K.I.S.S. Dog Training explains why waiting until you are frustrated to work with your dog often leads to poor training decisions. When frustration takes over, owners tend to focus more on mistakes, punishment, and what they want the dog to stop doing instead of clearly teaching what they want the dog to do. Topics include: • Why simply saying “No” gives a dog very little useful information Mike also discusses how something learned perfectly in the living room may fall apart in the backyard, driveway, park, or around distractions. Reliable behavior has to be practiced in the environments where you expect to use it. The trainer’s tip continues the theme by looking at stress, counterconditioning, and threshold. A little stress is not automatically harmful, but pushing a fearful or reactive dog past threshold can turn training into flooding and give the dog more opportunities to practice the behavior you are trying to change. The better approach is short sessions, frequent practice, gradual progress, and keeping the dog successful. K.I.S.S. Dog Training provides private, positive-reinforcement, in-home dog training throughout the Kansas City metro. Learn more: If the podcast has helped you, the best thing you can do is leave a review. You can also follow the show and share an episode with another dog owner who might benefit from it. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||
| Q&A With Mike and Emery | 30 sept. 2021 | 00:21:04 | |
SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW... If you find the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast helpful, you can support the show directly for as little as $3 per month. Dog training is my full-time business, and creating podcasts, videos, and blogs takes time away from that work. Listener support helps me continue sharing practical, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog-training information designed to make life easier for dogs and their humans. Support the podcast here: This episode is all about questions from listeners. Mike Deathe of K.I.S.S. Dog Training and Emery Kittle answer a mix of dog-training and pet-nutrition questions covering everything from food and sensitive stomachs to reinforcement, trainer credentials, and treats. Nutrition topics include: • Are dogs carnivores? The training side covers the difference between positive reinforcement and positive punishment. Mike explains why he prefers teaching and rewarding the behavior he wants rather than waiting for a dog to make a mistake and then correcting it. The episode also looks at the dog-training industry itself. Because dog training is largely unregulated, Mike explains why owners should ask about education, certification, continuing education, experience, and training philosophy before choosing a trainer. Another common question is whether owners will always need treats. Mike explains how rewards can progress from a continual schedule, where the dog is rewarded frequently while learning, to more selective and intermittent reinforcement as the behavior becomes reliable. The trainer’s tip also compares private in-home training with group classes and explains why learning skills at home first can make a distracting group environment much more productive later. K.I.S.S. Dog Training provides private, positive-reinforcement, in-home dog training throughout the Kansas City metro. Learn more: If the podcast has helped you, the best thing you can do is leave a review. You can also follow the show and share an episode with another dog owner who might benefit from it. Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/. And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ | |||