DogSpeak: Redefining Dog Training

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Canine Couch Convo with Patricia McConnell, PhD Aug 04, 2026

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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 twenty-five years, and spoke around the world about canine training and behavior. A former adjunct professor in Zoology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, her nationally syndicated radio show, Calling All Pets, played in more than 110 cities for 14 years and her television show, Petline, aired on Animal Planet for two and a half years.

Her debut novel, Away to Me, is her first venture into fiction, and has received rave reviews. She lives with her husband, Jim Billings, her Border Collies Skip and Maggie, and a spoiled flock of sheep on a farm in Southern Wisconsin, and can be found online at PatriciaMcConnell.com.

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The Dog Beneath the Behavior

What if your dog’s behavior isn’t the problem—but communication? In The Dog Beneath the Behavior, I take you beyond what your dog is doing and help you understand what may be happening underneath it. We’ll explore how chronic stress, fear, anxiety, and trauma can shape behavior—and how safety, connection, and compassion can create real change. If you’re ready to stop asking, “How do I fix this behavior?” and start asking, “What does my dog need?” then The Dog Beneath the Behavior is for you. Now on Amazon.

The Dog Beneath the Behavior

How Dogs Make Choices Jul 14, 2026

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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."

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The Dog Beneath the Behavior

Canine Couch Convo with Sandra Larson Jul 07, 2026

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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...

Stress Isn't Just Stress: Understanding the Emotional Brain of the Dog Jun 23, 2026

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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 different ways and how genetics, learning history, environment, and individual perception shape a dog's response to stress.

Nikki also introduces the fascinating field of Affective Neuroscience and the work of Jaak Panksepp, whose research helped identify the primary emotional systems shared by mammals. From SEEKING and PLAY to FEAR, CARE, and PANIC/GRIEF, you'll discover how emotions drive behavior and why understanding what a dog is feeling is often more important than focusing on what a dog is doing.

If you've ever wondered why some dogs struggle with reactivity, frustration, anxiety, or recovery from stressful events, this episode will help you look beyond behavior and into the emotional experiences shaping it.

Because behavior is often the symptom—but emotion is the story underneath.

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The Dog Beneath the Behavior

The Day Chickens Changed My Dog Training, and other Ramblings Jun 16, 2026

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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 introduce my new online course, Understanding Dog Interaction, where we explore how dogs communicate through play, body language, and social interactions. Understanding these signals can help prevent conflicts, improve relationships, and teach us to recognize when a dog is saying "yes," "no," or "not right now."

We also recap our reliable recall episode where we discussed why meeting a dog's genetic and behavioral needs is critical for building responsiveness, and how a simple touch cue can become a powerful, reward-based safety tool while recall skills are still developing.

Whether you're interested in dog communication, recall training, behavior science, or the evolution of modern dog training, this episode offers insight into the lessons that shaped my approach and continue to influence how I help dogs and their humans today.

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The Dog Beneath the Behavior

Building a Dog Who Wants to Return Jun 09, 2026

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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 importance of meeting a dog's biological and emotional needs, fostering check-ins and engagement, and creating an environment where returning to their person becomes a meaningful choice rather than a forced response.

Whether you're working with a puppy, an adolescent, or an adult dog, this conversation offers a different perspective on recall—one that focuses less on control and more on connection.

Because the strongest recalls aren't built on obedience alone. They're built on trust, understanding, and a dog who genuinely wants to return.

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The Dog Beneath the Behavior

Beyond the Six-Month Rule Jun 02, 2026

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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 maturity. We'll discuss the potential benefits of allowing dogs to mature before sterilization, as well as the legitimate concerns associated with waiting, including accidental litters, pyometra, and mammary cancer considerations.

Most importantly, we'll examine why many veterinarians and researchers are moving away from a one-size-fits-all recommendation and toward decisions based on breed, size, sex, lifestyle, and individual health risks.

This is not a pro-spay or anti-spay episode. It's a conversation about understanding the science, weighing the risks and benefits, and making informed decisions that support the long-term welfare of the individual dog.

Whether you're raising a new puppy, competing in dog sports, working your dog, or simply trying to make the best decisions for your companion, this episode will help you better understand why the six-month rule may no longer be the whole story.

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The Dog Beneath the Behavior

Don't Train Me, Raise Me. (Part 2) May 26, 2026

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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, the same expectations, or the same path to success. Real life skills are about emotional balance, communication, adaptability, and helping dogs learn how to make safe choices within their environment — not just perform on cue. This episode challenges the idea of universal standards in dog training and shifts the conversation toward raising dogs as individuals rather than controlling them like robots.

Part one can be found on our Patreon member's page. Get access for $5/month along with FREE registration for Live Q&A's, discounts on webinar and online courses, private community, and more.

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The Dog Beneath the Behavior

Why Running Your Dog Ragged Isn’t the Answer May 19, 2026

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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 exercised, and how enrichment, neutrality, sleep, and emotional safety play a critical role in behavior. If you’ve been stuck in the cycle of trying to “burn energy” without seeing real progress, this episode will help shift the way you view your dog’s needs.

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The Dog Beneath the Behavior

The Hidden Cost of “Including” Your Dog May 05, 2026

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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, and why neutrality—not constant socialization—should be the goal.

This conversation challenges the cultural pressure to include your dog in everything and instead invites you to start observing the dog in front of you. Because confidence doesn’t come from exposure alone—it comes from feeling safe enough to not need a reaction.

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The Dog Beneath the Behavior