Loading...

PODCAST

DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training

Understand your dog better with DogSpeak"s founder, Nikki Ivey--a professional Canine Behavior Specialist, trainer and Family Dog Mediator. Learn why it"s not about just fixing your dog"s behavior but about understanding why the behavior is occurring. Nikki often shares the mic with wife, Britt, along with other fantastic guests. Whether the discussion is about real-life manners, inappropriate behavior or nutrition, this podcast has it all. We focus on building relationships, not dictatorships

kids & family pets & animals

All Episodes

42:44

Dogs Need Dogs: The Missing Piece in Emotional...

DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training ·

2026/09/29

Dogs are social animals, and healthy relationships with other dogs can play an important role in emotional development and regulation. In this episode, we explore the value of conspecific socialization—what dogs can learn from one another that humans simply cannot teach.We’ll discuss how appropriate dog-to-dog interactions can support communication skills, confidence, resilience, play, and emotional balance, while also looking at the difference between meaningful social experiences and simply

en

48:25

Calm Is Contagious: When Your Presence Becomes Their...

DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training ·

2026/09/22

Our dogs look to us for more than food, shelter, and guidance. They also rely on us for a sense of safety, comfort, and connection. But what happens when our own stress, frustration, or anxiety begins to influence how they experience the world?In this episode, Nikki explores the power of co-regulation and how our emotional state can influence our dogs' ability to navigate life's challenges. We'll discuss why your presence matters, how dogs respond to our emotions, and why creating a sense of safety

en

41:35

Connected, Not Controlled-Canine Couch Convo with Britt

DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training ·

2026/09/09

In this Canine Couch Convo, we’re talking about the dogs we know and love best—our own. We share some of our favorite things about each of our dogs, the traits that make them uniquely who they are, and what those relationships have taught us along the way.We also talk about Britt’s dad’s dog, who has had very little formal training yet is incredibly responsive to him. Why? Because responsiveness isn’t always built through obedience. Sometimes it comes from trust, connection, clear communication, and

en

32:40

Drop It Without the Drama

DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training ·

2026/09/01

Teaching your dog to drop something doesn’t have to turn into a chase or a battle over who gets to keep the item. In this episode, we’re talking about how to teach a reliable “drop it” cue through cooperation, trust, and clear communication.We’ll look at why dogs hold onto objects in the first place, how grabbing things away can create conflict or even contribute to resource guarding, and why trading can be such a powerful teaching tool. You’ll also learn how to practice this skill before you

en

33:58

Your Leash Shouldn’t Do All the Talking

DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training ·

2026/08/25

Too often, we depend on the leash to communicate with our dogs—pulling them closer, steering them away, stopping forward movement, or physically managing every decision they make. But a leash should be a safety tool, not the primary way we communicate.In this episode, we’re talking about what it really means to walk well together in public. That includes teaching clear verbal cues, creating predictable expectations, helping your dog understand how to move through different environments, and building

en

34:02

Dog Sports Without the Pressure

DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training ·

2026/08/18

Dog sports can be an incredible way to provide enrichment, build confidence, strengthen your relationship, and give your dog an outlet for natural behaviors—but they don’t have to be about ribbons, titles, or being the best.In this episode, we explore dog sports from a different perspective: choosing activities based on who your dog is, what they enjoy, and what they were naturally built to do. From scent work and agility to dock diving, herding, and more, we’ll talk about how dog sports can support

en

47:26

The Dog Beneath the Behavior

DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training ·

2026/08/11

What if the behavior you’re struggling with isn’t actually the problem?In this special episode, Nikki introduces her new book, The Dog Beneath the Behavior, and explores the idea at the heart of it: behavior is communication, and lasting change begins when we stop asking only how to change what a dog is doing and start asking why they’re doing it.This episode gives you a glimpse into the science, stories, and practical approach behind The Dog Beneath the Behavior—without giving away everything

en

49:47

Canine Couch Convo with Patricia McConnell, PhD

DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training ·

2026/08/04

Nikki talks with icon, Patricia McConnell about her new novel, Away to Me, her first venture into fiction writing, ADHD in dogs, and the importance of the human part of the human-dog relationship. Patricia McConnell, PhD, CAAB is an internationally renowned animal behaviorist and author whose acclaimed books, including The Other End of the Leash, For the Love of a Dog, and The Education of Will, have sold more than 1.2 million copies. She saw clients whose dogs had serious behavioral problems for

en

36:20

How Dogs Make Choices

DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training ·

2026/07/14

In this episode, Nikki touches on the neuroscience of making choices and how your dog's decision-making process isn't what you think. Genetics, learning history, nervous system, memory and so much more goes into every "decision."DogSpeak WebsiteDogSpeak Online CoursesDogSpeak Video Library

en

01:05:32

Canine Couch Convo with Sandra Larson

DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training ·

2026/07/07

In this episode, Sandra and Nikki talk ghosts. Pet guardians talk often about their dog exhibiting strange behavior; strange behavior that can't be linked to a certain trigger or antecedent. Sometimes, you have to look deeper...WebsiteOnline CoursesVideo LibraryFind Sandra HERE!

en

45:48

Stress Isn't Just Stress: Understanding the Emotional...

DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training ·

2026/06/23

When we hear the word stress, most of us think of fear, anxiety, or overwhelm. But stress isn't always negative. In fact, stress is a normal and necessary part of life—for both humans and dogs.In this episode of DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training, Nikki Ivey explores the many forms of stress, from positive stress that helps dogs learn and grow to chronic and traumatic stress that can impact behavior, health, and overall well-being. You'll learn why two dogs can experience the same event in completely

en

32:20

The Day Chickens Changed My Dog Training, and other...

DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training ·

2026/06/16

What do chickens have to do with dog training? More than you might think.In this episode, I share the story of how a 40-hour week spent training chickens fundamentally changed the way I understood behavior, learning, and my work with dogs. After starting my career in 1996 with traditional obedience methods—including the use of prong collars—I began questioning what I thought I knew about training and discovered a different path rooted in learning theory, communication, and relationship.I also

en

35:37

Building a Dog Who Wants to Return

DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training ·

2026/06/09

What makes a dog choose to come back?Many people think recall starts with teaching the cue "come," but reliable recall is about much more than a single behavior. It begins with understanding the dog in front of us—their genetics, their needs, their motivations, and the relationship we have with them.In this episode, I explore what recall actually looks like beyond the cue itself, the foundational behaviors that support it, and the common mistakes that often get in the way of success. We discuss the

en

47:33

Beyond the Six-Month Rule

DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training ·

2026/06/02

For decades, dog owners were routinely told to spay or neuter their dogs at six months of age. It was a simple recommendation that became the standard of care for generations. But as research into canine growth, development, and long-term health has expanded, the conversation has become far more nuanced.In this episode, Nikki explores the evolving science behind spay and neuter timing, including the role that hormones play in muscle development, bone density, structural balance, and overall physical

en

01:10:51

Don't Train Me, Raise Me. (Part 2)

DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training ·

2026/05/26

Don’t Train Me, Raise Me explores the difference between creating a dog that simply follows commands and raising a dog that understands how to navigate the world with confidence, stability, and trust. In this episode, we dive into why obedience alone doesn’t prepare dogs for real life, how micromanaging every behavior can create dependence instead of understanding, and why truly successful training must account for the individual dog standing in front of us.Not every dog needs the same behaviors,

en

35:24

Why Running Your Dog Ragged Isn’t the Answer

DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training ·

2026/05/19

We’ve all heard the advice: “A tired dog is a good dog.” But physical exhaustion alone does not create emotional stability, confidence, or good decision-making. In this episode, we discuss why constantly trying to wear dogs out can actually overlook what many dogs truly need—guidance, fulfillment, rest, decompression, and the ability to regulate themselves.We’ll talk about the difference between physical fatigue and behavioral wellness, why some dogs become more dysregulated the more they’re

en

53:42

The Hidden Cost of “Including” Your Dog

DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training ·

2026/05/05

Somewhere along the way, we started believing that a “good” dog is one who can go everywhere, meet everyone, and handle anything without hesitation. But what if that’s not actually what your dog needs?In this episode, Nikki breaks down the difference between introverted and extroverted dogs—and why forcing all dogs into stimulating environments can do more harm than good. You’ll learn how to recognize when your dog is coping versus truly comfortable, how overstimulation impacts the nervous system,

en

01:02:33

Teaching Neutrality in a Stimulating World

DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training ·

2026/04/28

Dogs aren’t struggling because they haven’t been exposed to enough—they’re struggling because of how their nervous system is processing what they’ve experienced.In this episode, we break down the role of emotion in exposure work and why neutrality is the true marker of success. You’ll learn how to move beyond “just getting them used to it” and instead begin shaping experiences that help your dog feel safe, regulated, and capable in a stimulating

en

44:58

What You See Isn’t the Whole Story—It’s Just the Surface

DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training ·

2026/04/21

Britteny joins Nikki for an honest conversation about Willow’s early behaviors—what felt concerning at the time, and how those same behaviors now make perfect sense. This episode highlights how our interpretation of behavior can change as understanding deepens, and why what we see in the moment isn’t always the full picture. Britteny also reflects on witnessing Nikki’s relationship with Willow develop in a way that challenges more traditional training dynamics. At the heart of it all is a simple but

en

50:54

It’s Not the Event—It’s the Feeling: Associations Are...

DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training ·

2026/04/14

We tend to look at behavior and point to the obvious—that dog, that noise, that moment—and assume we understand what caused it. But what if the event isn’t actually the thing your dog learned from?In this episode, I’m breaking down how associations are really formed, and why it’s not the event itself that matters most—it’s how your dog felt in that moment.Associations aren’t just “good” or “bad.” They can be neutral, layered, and often far more complex than what we see on the surface. A single

en

96 results

Similar Podcasts

Curious Kids Every Day: A Daily Educational Podcast

Curious Kids Every Day

No Guilt Mom | Overcoming Mom Guilt, Mental Load & Parenting Tips for Moms

JoAnn Crohn | Parenting Coach & Mom...

Greeking Out from National Geographic Kids

National Geographic Kids | Realm

Storytime for Kids

Storytime for Kids

Brains On! Science podcast for kids

Brains On Universe