PODCAST · kids
DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training
by Nikki Ivey
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. Learn more about DogSpeak and Nikki Ivey by checking out www.dogspeak101.com. Become a Patreon member by visiting https://www.patreon.com/c/dogspeak
Episodes
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The Missing Piece of Public Manners: Meeting Your Dog's Needs
We often expect our dogs to remain calm, ignore distractions, and behave appropriately in public. But are we setting them up to succeed, or are we asking them to meet expectations without first meeting their needs? In this episode, Nikki explores why public manners go far beyond obedience and how...
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Your Dog Knows Sit. But Can He Do Life?
In this episode, Nikki and Britteny talk about a recent trip to a brewery with Willow. Britt rates Willow's behavior very low. What does Nikki have to say about her amazing dog Willow and her behavior? Plus, understanding what makes a good dog worthy of this world? You may be surprised to hear…
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Canine Couch Convo with Sandra Larson
In this episode, Sandra interviews Nikki about her new book, The Dog Beneath the Behavior. In this episode, Sandra interviews Nikki about her new book, The Dog Beneath the Behavior: Healing Chronic Stress and Creating Lasting Change. Nikki shares what inspired her to write the book, why...
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Dogs Need Dogs: The Missing Piece in Emotional Regulation
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...
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Calm Is Contagious: When Your Presence Becomes Their Peace
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...
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Connected, Not Controlled-Canine Couch Convo with Britt
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…
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Drop It Without the Drama
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...
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Your Leash Shouldn’t Do All the Talking
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...
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Dog Sports Without the Pressure
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:...
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The Dog Beneath the Behavior
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…
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Canine Couch Convo with Patricia McConnell, PhD
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...
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How Dogs Make Choices
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 Website DogSpeak Online Courses DogSpeak Video Library...
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Canine Couch Convo with Sandra Larson
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... Website Online Courses Video Library Find Sandra HERE!
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Stress Isn't Just Stress: Understanding the Emotional Brain of the Dog
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…
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The Day Chickens Changed My Dog Training, and other Ramblings
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...
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Building a Dog Who Wants to Return
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...
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Beyond the Six-Month Rule
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...
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Don't Train Me, Raise Me. (Part 2)
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...
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Why Running Your Dog Ragged Isn’t the Answer
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…
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The Hidden Cost of “Including” Your Dog
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...
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Teaching Neutrality in a Stimulating World
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…
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What You See Isn’t the Whole Story—It’s Just the Surface
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...
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It’s Not the Event—It’s the Feeling: Associations Are Built on Emotion
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...
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Learning Starts in the Nervous System—Not the Quadrants
We’ve been taught that dog training comes down to four quadrants—reinforce what you like, punish what you don’t. Clean. Simple. Effective… right? Not quite. In this episode, we’re taking a step back and looking at what actually drives behavior: the nervous system. Because before a dog can learn...
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The Five Domains of Animal Welfare, Part 2
In this part 2, we dive into the Five Domains of animal welfare, exploring how environment, behavior, and mental state shape your dog’s well-being. Learn practical ways to support your dog’s overall welfare and enhance their quality of life every day. dogspeak101.com dogspeakgeek.thinkific.com...
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The Five Domains of Animal Welfare, Part 1
In this episode of DogSpeak, we explore two essential components of the Five Domains Model of Animal Welfare: Nutrition and Physical Health. While training and behavior often get most of the attention in the dog world, a dog’s well-being begins with the foundations of proper nourishment and a...
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Messages from Our Dogs: An Interview with Animal Communicator Sandra Larson
In this episode, Animal Communicator, Sandra Larson joins Nikki in a deep dive of speaking with dogs, living or transitioned. Sandra's ability to communicate with animals is extraordinary to say the least. She has honed her gift over the years through study and practice. Most people experience…
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Say What You Mean: Helping Your Dog Understand Expectations
Episode Description: The words we choose matter more than we think. In this episode, we explore how unclear, emotional, or inconsistent language can create confusion for dogs—and how simple shifts in the way we communicate can transform behavior. Instead of focusing on what we don’t want, we’ll...
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The Healing Highway: Understanding Your Dog’s Vagus Nerve
In this episode, Nikki explores the vital role of the vagus nerve in your dog’s nervous system and how it directly influences behavior, stress, and emotional regulation. Often called the “nerve of safety,” the vagus nerve helps shift dogs out of survival mode and into connection, rest, and…
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How Focused Touch Can Help Regulate Your Dog's Nervous System
In this episode, I’m exploring the power of focused, intentional touch as a tool for nervous system regulation in dogs. We’ll break down three supportive modalities—massage, TTouch, and acupressure—and how each one influences the autonomic nervous system in different ways. You’ll learn how these...
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What Predatory Motor Action Patterns Reveal About Canine Behavior
Imagine a wolf on the tundra. Every muscle, every nerve is geared toward capturing food. Today’s pet dogs still carry that legacy. But in our world of leashes, lawn chairs, and bicycles, those ancient patterns show up in unexpected ways — including behaviors that confound and worry caregivers....
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Dog Food Decoded: Part 2 — From Bowl to Body
In this episode, we go beyond dog food labels to explore what happens after your dog eats. We break down how nutrients are digested, absorbed, and used by the body, and why nutrition is about more than what’s in the bowl—it’s about what the body can actually access. We discuss the role of the…
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Dog Food Decoded, Part 1
Dog food is one of the most overwhelming topics for dog owners—and it’s not because you’re doing something wrong. Labels are confusing, marketing is loud, and advice often feels contradictory and fear-based. In this episode, we decode dog food without the guilt or pressure. You’ll learn how to…
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Decreasing Behavior Concerns through Enrichment
In this episode, Nikki explores how many common behavior concerns are actually natural canine behaviors—not signs that a dog is being “bad.” By understanding your dog’s genetics, instincts, desires, and unmet needs, you can build a more appropriate and trusting relationship. This knowledge helps...
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Stuck on High Alert: Stress in the Dog Brain and the Human Brain
When stress becomes chronic, both dogs and humans can get stuck in a constant state of vigilance. In this episode, we explore how stress impacts the brain across species—changing behavior, learning, emotional regulation, and our ability to feel safe. By understanding the shared neurobiology of...
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When Good Dogs Go Rogue: Navigating Canine Adolescence
Britteny joins the episode to share what it’s really like living with a large Rottweiler puppy deep in the throes of adolescence. From big emotions in an even bigger body to impulse control struggles and testing boundaries, we talk honestly about the challenges that can make this stage feel...
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Meeting Your Dog Where They Are: The Path of Least Resistance
This is a REPLAY of Nikki's interview for the KIENO Conference. Training doesn’t have to feel like a constant battle. When we stop pushing against our dog’s nervous system and start listening to what their behavior is communicating, everything changes In this episode, we explore what it truly…
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Cosmic Companions: Discovering My Dog Through Astrology
What if the stars could tell you more about your dog—who they are, what they need, and why you click (or clash) in certain moments? In this playful yet surprisingly insightful episode, we explore the world of canine astrology and how your dog’s zodiac sign can illuminate their personality,...
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Pawsport to Chaos
Traveling with my teen dog taught me more than I expected—not just about logistics and snacks, but about patience, communication, and being a better partner on the road. In this episode, I share the lessons I learned, the mistakes I made, and how I’m becoming a more mindful tour guide for my…
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Nature & Nurture: The Two Sides of Your Dog’s Story
This episode explores how a dog’s genetics (“nature”) and environment (“nurture”) work together to shape personality, behavior, and emotional health. Understanding both sides helps us meet our dogs where they are—without frustration or unrealistic expectations. dogspeak101.com...
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Longevity for Dogs: Building Strength, Mobility, and Confidence
In this episode, Nikki sits down with Canine Physical Therapist Amanda Stephens of 615 Canine PT. Amanda shares how preventative care and targeted strengthening can help prepare dogs for potential future injuries, and she explains why physical therapy plays a critical role in supporting behavior...
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Why Obedience Training Isn’t the Key to Your Dog’s Well-Being
This episode challenges the traditional focus on obedience training as the cornerstone of good dog ownership. Instead, it explores the deeper elements of canine well-being—trust, communication, emotional safety, and enrichment—and how these form the true foundation for a balanced, happy, and...
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Stop Believing These Dog Training Myths Today
In this episode, Nikki tackles the Top 5 Dog Training Myths that continue to circulate in today’s world. After more than three decades of working with dogs, she’s heard them all—and it’s time to set the record straight. From the idea that you need to be “alpha” to earn respect, to the belief that...
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Why Modern Life Is So Stressful for Our Canine Companions
In today’s world, our dogs live surrounded by constant stimulation—noisy neighborhoods, busy households, unpredictable schedules, and limited opportunities to simply be dogs. In this episode, we explore why modern life can be so stressful for our canine companions and how this environment impacts...
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Paws and Paranormal: Spooky Tails
Where fur meets fear! Listeners share true stories of their pets’ mysterious encounters—ghostly growls, invisible playmates, and unexplained midnight stares. Because when your dog barks at the wall… maybe it’s not just the wall. dogspeak101.com dogspeakgeek.thinkific.com [email protected]...
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Your Most Asked Dog Questions: From Behavior to Bonding
Ever wonder why your dog does the things they do? In this episode, we’re answering the most common questions dog owners ask — from training and behavior to communication, health, and everyday life. We’ll explore how to better understand your dog’s unique personality, what their body language is...
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Listen with Your Eyes: Understanding Your Dog’s Body Language
Dogs are always communicating — we just need to learn how to listen. In this episode, we explore how dogs' express emotions through body language, with a focus on tail wags. You’ll learn to recognize stress signals, prevent conflicts, and build stronger, safer, and more trusting relationships…
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Proactive vs. Reactive: Setting Your Dog Up for Success
Are you always correcting your dog after things go wrong? In this episode, we’ll explore the difference between being proactive and reactive in dog training, and how shifting your approach can prevent problems, build confidence, and create a calmer, happier dog. dogspeak101.com...
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No More Door Dashes or Counter Crimes!
Is your pup the master of the great escape or a sneaky snack thief? You’re not alone! In this episode, we tackle two of the biggest house-manner headaches—door dashing and counter-surfing. Tune in for fun, practical tips to keep paws on the floor, food on the counter, and your dog’s manners on...
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The Power of Play – Why Socializing with Other Dogs Matters
Play with other dogs isn’t just fun—it’s vital. Dog-to-dog play builds communication skills, relieves stress, prevents behavior problems, and supports emotional health. Learn why social play is essential for your dog’s well-being. dogspeak101.com dogspeakgeek.thinkific.com patreon.com/dogspeak...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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. Learn more about DogSpeak and Nikki Ivey by checking out www.dogspeak101.com. Become a Patreon member by visiting https://www.patreon.com/c/dogspeak
HOSTED BY
Nikki Ivey
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training have?
DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training currently has 292 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training about?
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,...
How often does DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training release new episodes?
DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training publishes regularly with 292 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training?
You can listen to DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training?
DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training is created and hosted by Nikki Ivey.
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