In this behavior-packed episode of the Pets Add Life Podcast, hosts Chris Bonifati and Kristen Levine dig into one big question: why do our pets do what they do? From a shelter dog turned search and rescue hero to the science of reading your pet's body language, this one is all about understanding, training, and bonding with the animals we love.
October is National Adopt a Dog Month, and Kristen kicks off Story Time with a reminder of just how special shelter dogs can be. Canyon, a yellow Labrador retriever found as a stray in Mississippi and picked up by the Hancock County Animal Shelter in 2021, was just named Dog of the Year at the annual ASPCA Humane Awards in New York City. A member of Category 5 K9 spotted his drive and intelligence in the shelter, and Canyon went on to earn FEMA human remains detection and wilderness certifications. He has since deployed with Texas A&M Task Force 1 to the Maui wildfires, Hurricane Helene, and the Texas floods. Proof that the shelter is a great first stop when you're ready to adopt.
Then Chris asks a question every pet parent has an opinion on: would you clone your dog? He shares the story of Tom Brady cloning his late pit bull mix, Lua, through Colossal, and the hosts weigh in on pet cloning, nature versus nurture, and why every pet is a one and only.
In Beyond the Leash, Dr. Susan G. Friedman, professor emeritus of psychology at Utah State University and founder of Behavior Works, explains how to stop asking "what's wrong with this animal?" and start asking "what is this behavior telling us?" She breaks down why behavior never happens in a vacuum, what that "guilty dog" look really means, why giving pets choice and control matters, and what zoo animal training can teach us about our dogs and cats at home.
Next, professional dog trainer Jack McCauley of BFF Pet Services in Maryland shares how training can build a real bond between dogs and their people. He offers practical tips for leash pulling and loose leash walking, explains how he builds confidence in shy and fearful dogs, and introduces Tri-ball, a dog sport invented in Germany that lets herding breeds burn off energy while learning off-leash obedience and impulse control through play. He also covers how to choose the right dog sport for your dog's age, size, and health.
Plus, Chris and Kristen share two product picks for walks and playtime, and our guests return to answer listener questions about reactive dogs and why dogs "forget" their commands once they step outside.
Whether you're working through leash reactivity, training a new rescue, or just want to understand your pet a little better, this episode is packed with expert dog training tips, animal behavior insights, and a few laughs along the way.
Special Guests:
Dr. Susan G. Friedman, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Utah State University & Founder of Behavior Works
Dr. Susan G. Friedman explains that behavior is always about conditions: what an animal does and the circumstances around it. She uses that lens to unpack whether dogs really feel guilt, why control over their own outcomes helps animals thrive, and how zoo training, where no one can force a lion to accept an injection, shows how much further we can go by teaching pets to offer behaviors instead of coercing them. She also points listeners to the free articles and resources available at Behavior Works.
Jack McCauley, Professional Dog Trainer, BFF Pet Services
Jack McCauley shares how fun, consistent training builds a deeper bond between dogs and their families. For leash pulling, he recommends stopping until the leash goes slack and rewarding the dog for checking back in, while building impulse control over time. He explains how he uses balance boards, agility, and small wins to build confidence in fearful dogs, and why he takes a firm line on matching dog sports to a dog’s age, weight, and health. He also previews BFF Pet Services’ online training courses.
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