How to Build a Calm, Balanced Dog | Samantha Johnson (Packlife LA)

How to Build a Calm, Balanced Dog | Samantha Johnson (Packlife LA)

In episode 32 of the Pet To Pal Podcast, Matt Maltese of Pet To Pal Dog Training in Toronto sits down with Samantha Johnson of Packlife LA to talk about what actually creates a calm, balanced dog. We break down real-world dog training, reactivity, pack walks, leash work, and the biggest mistakes dog owners make. Samantha also shares her approach to balanced training, why overcorrecting doesn’t work, and how to build trust with your dog. We also explore the connection between nutrition and behavior, including gut health, diet choices, and how what your dog eats may be influencing anxiety and reactivity. If you’re looking for practical, honest insight into dog training (without the fluff), this episode delivers.

Inside the Mind of Canada's #1 Competitive Dog Groomer | Nadia Bongelli

What does it take to become one of the best dog groomers in the world? Matthew Maltese of Pet To Pal Dog Training & host of the Pet To Pal Podcast sits down with Canada's top-ranked competitive groomer, Nadia Bongelli, for an in-depth conversation about the craft, psychology, and pursuit of excellence behind elite dog grooming. They discuss Nadia's journey into grooming, competitive grooming, corrective grooming, why prep work matters so much, handling difficult dogs, owner responsibility, socialization, sedation versus training, burnout, continuing education, gatekeeping, social media, and what separates good groomers from truly exceptional ones. This episode is packed with valuable insights for groomers, trainers, veterinary professionals, breeders, and anyone passionate about raising and caring for dogs.

4 Dog Trainers Debate What Actually Matters in Training

In this roundtable episode of the Pet To Pal Podcast, Matthew Maltese is joined by fellow dog trainers Lindsay Tupper (Max K9 Training), Carolina Littlefoot (Beauty & Her Beasts K9 Training), and Grace Claremont (Optimal Performance K9) for an in-depth discussion on dog behavior, obedience, reactivity, sport training, and what actually matters when building a well-trained dog. The panel explores the overlap between obedience and dog sports, why reactivity remains one of the most common challenges dog owners face, and the foundations that many owners skip in pursuit of quick results. They also discuss proofing behaviors, routine versus flexibility, crate training, resource guarding, breeding trends, leadership, fulfillment, and the mistakes that often contribute to behavior problems. Whether you’re raising a puppy, dealing with reactivity, or simply looking to better understand your dog, this episode offers practical insights from four professional trainers with different backgrounds and perspectives. Topics Covered: * Obedience vs. sport dog training * The root causes of reactivity * Building reliable behaviors through proofing * Routine, structure, and predictability * Leadership and communication with dogs * Resource guarding and prevention * Crate training and creating safe spaces * Genetics, breeding, and fulfillment * Common mistakes dog owners make * What professional trainers actually agree on Follow the Pet To Pal Podcast for new episodes every Monday featuring trainers, veterinarians, groomers, industry professionals, and dog owners sharing their experiences and expertise. 🐾

Veterinarian Debunks Dog Health Myths (Raw Food, Flea & Tick Meds & More) Dr. Hammond (TheHonestVet)

There’s a lot of conflicting advice in the dog world right now—especially around flea and tick medications, raw diets, and “natural” remedies. In this episode of the Pet To Pal Podcast, I sit down with veterinarian Dr. Hammond (@thehonestvet) to break down what’s actually true, what’s misunderstood, and what dog owners need to know. We talk about: * The real risk of flea & tick preventatives * Why “natural” doesn’t always mean safe * Raw feeding myths vs science * Why vets recommend certain dog foods * The growing distrust in veterinarians If you’ve ever felt confused about your dog’s health, this episode will help you cut through the noise.

The Messy State of Dog Training | Jonas Black (Punk Ass Dog Trainer)

In episode 28 of the Pet To Pal Podcast, Jonas Black (Punk Ass Dog Trainer) joins Matt Maltese of Pet To Pal Dog Training for a wide-ranging conversation about dog training, behavior, neuroscience, mentorship, social media, industry reform, and personal growth. We discuss the challenges facing modern dog training, the dangers of ideological thinking, why experience matters more than dogma, and how trainers can continue evolving throughout their careers. Jonas also shares powerful stories about the dogs that shaped his journey, the lessons he learned from failure, his work in wolf advocacy, and how losing two beloved dogs changed his perspective on life and training forever. A thoughtful and candid conversation for trainers and dog owners alike.