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Do big dogs need a strong hand?

Dog ways

Release Date: 12/10/2025

Separation Anxiety — Why dogs struggle when we leave? show art Separation Anxiety — Why dogs struggle when we leave?

Dog ways

Separation anxiety is far more common than many dog owners realize — and it’s often misunderstood. In this episode of Dog ways, we discuss what separation anxiety is and why it makes sense from an evolutionary perspective.  We talk about the signs people often misunderstand and share how to help dogs with separation anxiety. Finally, we discuss prevention and the bigger picture: why modern dogs spend so much time alone, and why that matters. — The information in this episode is purely educational and it is not a replacement for veterinary or behaviour advice. If you are looking for...

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Environment — Where dogs are supposed to live? show art Environment — Where dogs are supposed to live?

Dog ways

A big dog in a small flat — is this okay? Is it true that all dogs need to live in a big house with a garden? Or what are more important details that create approriate conditions for a dog? In this episode we discuss what kind of living environment creates the best life for a dog. — The information in this episode is purely educational and it is not a replacement for veterinary or behaviour advice. If you are looking for an ethical dog professional to help you with any issues you may be facing with your own dog, or if you are a dog professional looking to learn more, visit 

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Small Dogs — What do we misunderstand about them? show art Small Dogs — What do we misunderstand about them?

Dog ways

More and more people are choosing to share their lives with small dogs. As our routines become busier and urban living more common, this shift makes perfect sense. In this episode of Dog Ways, we explore the myths and misunderstandings surrounding small dogs. Are they really more aggressive than large dogs? Do they truly need less care and are they actually more “convenient”? We also take a closer look at mobility health in small dogs — an area that is often overlooked — and discuss how to support it properly throughout their lives. — The information in this episode is purely...

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Do big dogs need a strong hand? show art Do big dogs need a strong hand?

Dog ways

When we talk about training big dogs, there’s this stubborn idea that they need “a stronger hand” to behave. “Otherwise,” people say, “they’ll get dangerous.” In this episode, we unpack where that belief comes from and talk about what life with large dogs is actually like: how to create safety without force, how big dogs are different from small dogs, what to expect day to day, and how to set up our homes so everyone — humans and dogs — feels comfortable. — The information in this episode is purely educational and it is not a replacement for veterinary or behaviour...

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How dogs talk with us and with each other? show art How dogs talk with us and with each other?

Dog ways

We often talk about understanding dogs better — but what does that actually mean in practice?Dogs communicate through their body language A LOT, and we can learn to read it to make our life together more enjoyable. How? We explore in this episode. — The information in this episode is purely educational and it is not a replacement for veterinary or behaviour advice. If you are looking for an ethical dog professional to help you with any issues you may be facing with your own dog, or if you are a dog professional looking to learn more, visit  Do you have any questions or topics you...

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Do We Really Understand Our Dogs? show art Do We Really Understand Our Dogs?

Dog ways

In this episode of Dog Ways, we explore one of the most fundamental aspects of life with dogs — communication. Dogs have spent thousands of years learning to read us — our gestures, tone of voice, expressions, even words. But how well do we understand them in return? We talk about what it really means to “speak dog,” why mutual understanding is the foundation of good training, and how better communication leads to a calmer, more trusting relationship with our dogs. — The information in this episode is purely educational and it is not a replacement for veterinary or behaviour advice....

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Choices, choices, choices show art Choices, choices, choices

Dog ways

In this episode, we’re talking about … choices! Giving our dogs choices is extremely important for their wellbeing. Our beloved dogs rely on us for food, shelter and comfort. And many of them even for such basic needs as going to the toilet! In this episode we discuss how this affects their wellbeing and behaviour, and what you can do to give your dog a more fulfilling life filled with more choices and agency. — The information in this episode is purely educational and it is not a replacement for veterinary or behaviour advice. If you are looking for an ethical dog professional to help...

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Physical and emotional welfare in dog training show art Physical and emotional welfare in dog training

Dog ways

In this episode, we continue talking about wellbeing in dog training - both emotional and physical. When training and living with dogs, we often focus on what we need to teach them. We discuss training methods, argue whether we should be using this or that equipment… all while focusing on the “what”. But we often forget to ask ourselves the very important question of WHY - why do we want to teach dogs what we teach them? Are they comfortable with training? Are the exercises we expect them to do physically and mentally safe, healthy and comfortable for them? We try to answer some of these...

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What do dogs need? show art What do dogs need?

Dog ways

Behaviour issues very often arise as a consequence of the dog’s needs not being met appropriately. But what does that mean exactly? What needs to dogs have that we may inadvertently not be meeting? In this episode, we discuss dogs’ needs - as a species, as a breed and as an individual. — The information in this episode is purely educational and it is not a replacement for veterinary or behaviour advice. If you are looking for an ethical dog professional to help you with any issues you may be facing with your own dog, or if you are a dog professional looking to learn more, visit Do you...

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Never stop learning show art Never stop learning

Dog ways

We all make mistakes when it comes to training and living with our dogs. In this episode, we talk about mistakes we’ve made in dog training and what we learned from them. We discuss ethics in dog training and how different training approaches may affect the dogs we work and live with. — The information in this episode is purely educational and it is not a replacement for veterinary or behaviour advice. If you are looking for an ethical dog professional to help you with any issues you may be facing with your own dog, or if you are a dog professional looking to learn more, visit Do you...

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More Episodes

When we talk about training big dogs, there’s this stubborn idea that they need “a stronger hand” to behave. “Otherwise,” people say, “they’ll get dangerous.”


In this episode, we unpack where that belief comes from and talk about what life with large dogs is actually like: how to create safety without force, how big dogs are different from small dogs, what to expect day to day, and how to set up our homes so everyone — humans and dogs — feels comfortable.

The information in this episode is purely educational and it is not a replacement for veterinary or behaviour advice.

If you are looking for an ethical dog professional to help you with any issues you may be facing with your own dog, or if you are a dog professional looking to learn more, visit pdte.eu


Do you have any questions or topics you would like to hear about? Leave a comment or e-mail us at podcast@pdte.eu