Pet To Pal Podcast · September 7, 2026 · 1 hr 2 min

4 Dog Trainers Get Honest About Dog Training

What does it actually take to train a dog? Matthew sits down with Eric Straetman of Beyond the Leash, Mazen Khan of Apex K9 Canada, and Nathan Aller of Dankroft K9 for an open discussion about modern dog training and behaviour modification. They discuss puppy socialization, reactivity, genetics, littermate syndrome, dog parks and daycare, puppy blues, e-collars, prong collars, corrections, board and trains, and the difference between a trained dog and a well-behaved dog. The trainers also share how their philosophies have changed throughout their careers, what separates an average trainer from a great one, why coaching the human is often the hardest part of the job, and their thoughts on the growing influence of social media and online dog trainers. A candid conversation between four trainers about what actually works, where trainers disagree, and what they believe dog owners need to understand. Guests: Eric Straetman | Beyond the Leash Mazen Khan | Apex K9 Canada Nathan Aller | Dankroft K9 Host: Matthew Maltese | Pet To Pal Dog Training