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Confessions of a Dog Trainer: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Bethany Johnson
I'm a balanced dog trainer who loves to keep it real. I want to empower YOU to bring out the best in your dogs through training and support you along the way. I hope these episodes help you feel less alone!
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- 3 weeks ago35 min
E-Collar Levels, Reactive Dogs, and Why One Size Doesn't Fit All
If you've ever found yourself staring at your e-collar remote wondering if you should dial up, this episode is for you.Today I'm walking you through three reactive dogs I've recently worked with—Sevro, Ru, and Shyam—and sharing the different e-collar levels, training decisions, and adjustments I've made along the way.We're talking about why some dogs respond differently to the same levels, what I've learned about correcting intense staring versus barking and lunging, and why I'm always willing to change my approach when something isn't working.I also share why giving your dog guidance after a correction is such an important part of the process, and why I want owners to feel more confident instead of constantly second-guessing themselves.My hope is that hearing about these real training experiences helps you better understand how much nuance there is when working with reactive dogs.Mentioned in this episode:Reactive Dog Bundle: Get 10% off with discount code PODCAST.Shop the Reactive Dog Bundle: WalkingDogTraining.comFollow along on Instagram @walkingdogtraining to see training footage and highlights from the dogs discussed in this episode.
- Sep 17, 202632 min
A New Puppy, a Lot of Grief + What Matters to Me Now
We got a puppy ♥️After unexpectedly losing Theo and then saying goodbye to Charlie just a few days later, life has felt really heavy around here. And somehow, in the middle of all that grief, we found Stanley.In this episode, I’m sharing a little about losing our boys, why getting another dog felt right for us, and what it’s been like bringing a nine-week-old puppy home when I haven’t raised a puppy in years — and now have a lot more experience as a dog trainer.I’m talking about the things I actually care about with Stanley right now, from crate training and potty training to recall, using his kibble throughout the day, exposing him to sounds and new environments, and trying to prevent some of the struggles I’ve seen in dogs over the years.And apparently knowing more about dog behavior has also turned me into a slightly insane, controlling puppy mom who watches to make sure Bobby says “go potty” at exactly the right moment. So there’s that.Mostly, this episode is about puppies, grief, overthinking everything, and how much joy one little dog can bring into a house that really needed some.
- Apr 15, 202648 min
The Truth About E-Collar Training (And Why People Get It So Wrong)
In this episode of Confessions of a Dog Trainer, I’m sharing the real story behind the book I didn’t plan on writing - and why e-collar training became the thing I couldn’t stop thinking about.After posting a few videos on Facebook and getting flooded with negative comments, I almost stopped sharing about e-collars altogether. But instead of getting defensive, something shifted. I got curious.This episode breaks down the biggest misconceptions I see about e-collar training - the ones that keep so many dog owners stuck, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to trust.If you’ve ever felt confused, hesitant, or judged for even considering an e-collar… this is for you.In this episode, I talk about:Why I started writing my next book (working title: The Truth About E-Collar Training)The impact of negative comments on social media - and how it shifted my perspectiveHow curiosity changed the way I respond to criticismThe real goal behind this book: helping owners feel less confused and more confident“It’s a shock collar” Why that label is misleading and doesn’t reflect how modern e-collars are actually used“It electrocutes dogs” What e-collars actually are (muscle stimulation, similar to a TENS unit) and how they work“It’s a shortcut or lazy training” Why e-collar training actually requires more intention, structure, and consistency - not lessWhy saying “the e-collar doesn’t cause discomfort” can actually do more harm than goodThe importance of honesty and nuance when talking about training toolsThe 3 Biggest E-Collar Misconceptions:Bonus Misconception:Show Notes:Resources Mentioned:My book Dear Owner (available on Amazon)E-Collar Starter GuideReactive Dog Handbook (E-Collar Training for Reactive Dogs)Separation Anxiety Guide30-minute coaching / reassurance calls
- Feb 27, 202644 min
Barking, Ball Obsession, Cat Chaos - What I’d Tackle First
In this episode of Confessions of a Dog Trainer, Bethany answers an amazing owner email from Brooke - who did a Board and Train with her two dogs, Maggie and Ivy, back in January 2023 - and has been feeling off track lately. If you’ve ever had a season where walks feel daunting, your confidence dips, and your dog’s behavior starts getting louder (hello, yard barking, ball obsession, and fence drama), this one will feel like a deep exhale.Bethany walks through a practical reset plan that’s realistic for real life: walking dogs separately to rebuild your “mental muscle,” using the e-collar consistently so “no” becomes believable again, dialing up in meaningful jumps (not nagging), and focusing on just one or two priorities instead of trying to fix everything at once. She also covers how to handle prey-drive cat reactions, why heel position matters more than most owners realize, when muzzle training can be a great confidence tool, and how to use management (crate-and-rotate) to reduce chaos while you rebuild structure.This episode is equal parts training strategy and owner reassurance - because getting off track doesn’t mean you failed. It just means today is a good day to reset.Show notes resources:E-Collar Starter GuideReactive Dog HandbookGuide to Separation AnxietyProblem Solver GuideSeven Day ResetVideo Library
- Jan 29, 202644 min
Fearful Dogs + E-Collar Training: What People Get Wrong
In today’s episode of Confessions of a Dog Trainer, I’m bringing you behind the scenes with Hazel - a sweet, houndy little “Bambi body” dog who’s fearful of people and famous for one frustrating walk habit: putting on the brakes and refusing to move.I’m sharing what I expected when she arrived, what I actually saw, and the biggest game-changer in her training so far - including why the dial-up method on the e-collar didn’t work for her the way it usually does, and why a prong collar ended up being the missing piece to help her stop freezing and start moving forward.We’ll also talk about one of my favorite confidence-building frameworks for nervous dogs: job + exposure (and exactly what that looked like for Hazel this week), how my dog Johnny helped her warm up to my husband without anyone forcing an interaction, and what “real progress” looks like when you’re living with a fearful dog (hint: it’s usually subtle - and easy to miss if you don’t know what to watch for).Plus, I answer Hazel’s owner’s questions about measuring progress at home, nervous pooping, and whether running with a dog like Hazel is a good idea - and I touch briefly on Azula’s update, including why tools aren’t about “correcting dogs all over the place,” but about clear communication and safer, calmer outings.If you have a nervous dog and you’ve ever wondered, Am I doing this right? - this one’s for you.Products & ResourcesBook: Dear Owner (Amazon link)Dog Diary Desk Calendar E-Collar Starter Guide E Collar Video Library Brick device - get 10% off codeFind me on Instagram @walkingdogtraining
- Jan 22, 202659 min
Reactive Dogs: The “Little Things” That Change Everything (Azula’s Week 1)
In this episode, I’m walking you through week one with Azula - a 100+ lb Cane Corso in my 2-week board and train in Orlando, Florida - and what’s actually been making the biggest difference in her reactivity so far.A lot of owners focus on the big reactive explosion (barking, lunging, chaos on the walk) - but I’m sharing the other moments that quietly fuel reactivity every day: rushing thresholds, pushy doorway behavior, over-the-top excitement, mouthing, jumping, whining, and all the “little stuff” that adds fuel to the fire.I also share my real-time experience using a bark collar (the Bark Pro) to interrupt nighttime barking and kennel chaos - including the part where I accidentally had it set wrong at first (true confessions) - and how it’s been helping Azula settle and actually rest.Plus, I answer owner questions like:Why is she insanely reactive with me, but an angel without me - is it protection?How do I set boundaries without “shutting my dog down”?How do I know if a correction is too much?How do I avoid my dog associating triggers (like other dogs) with stim?Does breed-specific enrichment help with reactivity and anxiety?What does “bluffing” mean with tone vs stim?If you’re working through reactivity and feel like you’ve tried everything, this episode will help you zoom out and look at what’s happening outside the reactive moment - and how those pieces can change the walk more than you think.Message me on Instagram @walkingdogtraining if you listened - I love hearing what clicked for you.
- Jan 17, 202652 min
One Tool - Three Dogs: How E-Collar Training Changes Case to Case
In this episode, Bethany breaks down how e-collar training can look totally different depending on the dog in front of you - and why it’s not a one-size-fits-all tool. She shares what she’s currently working on with Nola (a pushy 9-month-old Frenchie), what she’s preparing for with her first-ever Cup of Joe Scholarship board + train (a big, powerful, highly reactive dog already e-collar trained), and how her approach shifts for a dog who is extremely fearful of people.Bethany walks you through her real-time thought process: how she handles drop-off day, why she ignores nervy dogs at first, what she’s watching for with kennel behavior, and how she thinks about safety and fit as a trainer. She also explains her framework for using the e-collar as both a boundary setter (stimulation - “red light”) and an encouraging guide (tone - “green light”), especially for fearful dogs where fleeing becomes the default option.To wrap up, she answers three common questions owners ask: pairing “no” with stimulation, heeling vs potty needs, and how to handle judgment when your dog wears a muzzle - with a reminder that most people who get it are quietly rooting for you.Products & ResourcesBook: Dear Owner (Amazon link)Dog Diary Desk Calendar E-Collar Starter Guide E Collar Video Library Brick device - get 10% off codeFind me on Instagram @walkingdogtraining
- Jan 8, 202636 min
Why Multi-Dog Homes Feel So Hard - Resource Guarding, Management, and What to Do Instead
In this episode of Confessions of a Dog Trainer, Bethany dives into one of the most common (and stressful) challenges for dog owners - living in a multi-dog household when one dog is resource guarding.Using a real case study from her current board-and-train dog, Nola (a 9-month-old Frenchie navigating resource guarding with her housemate), Bethany explains what’s actually happening beneath the behavior, how to teach a clear “out” command using the e-collar, and how boundaries and management create safety and clarity for everyone involved.You’ll hear practical tips for:Working with one dog when you don’t have access to the otherTeaching “out” for both safety and emotional regulationWhy management isn’t failure — it’s leadershipHow to use crate-and-rotate, place, and kennel time effectivelyWhy multi-dog training often feels messy before it feels betterBethany also shares updates on her book Dear Owner, the Dog Diary calendar, new social media boundaries she’s setting, and why consistency (not perfection) is what actually creates change with your dog.Whether you’re a trainer or a dog owner, this episode will help you feel less alone, more confident, and more clear on what to do when living with multiple dogs feels overwhelming.Products & ResourcesBook: Dear Owner (Amazon link)Dog Diary Desk Calendar Use code SALE26 for 20% offE-Collar Starter Guide E Collar Video Library 00:00 Welcome back to the pod!02:53 Introducing Nola and Resource Guarding06:11 E-Collar Training Insights09:05 Teaching the 'Out' Command11:58 Multi-Dog Household Management19:45 Training Strategies for Multiple Dogs27:55 Final Thoughts and Reflections
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About Confessions of a Dog Trainer
I'm a balanced dog trainer who loves to keep it real. I want to empower YOU to bring out the best in your dogs through training and support you along the way. I hope these episodes help you feel less alone!
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