Backyard Pet Talk with Shannon Riley

About Backyard Pet Talk with Shannon Riley

Who is Shannon Riley, BA, RVT, CPDT KA, KPA-CTP? I am an internationally sought after speaker and bestselling author of The Evolution of Dog Training, and have been a pet lover all of my life and a dog trainer for over 30 years. I started teaching puppy classes in 1999 at Frontier Pet Clinic in Napa, CA and was trained by Ian Dunbar though his Sirius Dog Training Course. In 2010, I opened Ventura Pet Wellness & Dog Training Center in Ventura, CA. I have spent my life observing, caring for and training animals of all kinds! I am also a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers , Pet Professional Guild and a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. I am a past President for the Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians, a past Allied Industry Member of Arizona Veterinary Medical Association and sponsor of California Registered Veterinary Technician Association. Why Did I Create Truly Force Free Animal Training? I created Truly Force Free Animal Training in 2015 so that anyone, anywhere could have access to force free, positive reinforcement animal training. Truly Force Free Animal Training mission is to spread knowledge and education for humane, force free treatment of all animals with… EMPATHY & COMPASSION! The Evolution of Dog Training by Shannon Riley In 2018, I published “The Evolution of Dog Training” available in audio, print and eBook. In 2023, “The Evolution of Dog Training” was published in Spanish as an eBook! Education and Experience My education includes a Biology Degree, specializing in Zoology from Sonoma State. I am a Registered Veterinary Technician, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, and have worked in the Bird Department at Marine World Africa USA, and worked as a handler and trainer for an African Serval Cat at Safari West, a private zoo in Santa Rosa, California. I have also participated in behavior studies including observations of bald eagles and addax antelope through the San Francisco Zoo and Safari West. I have spent many years as the head dog trainer for PAWS for Healing, a pet assisted therapy organization and performed temperament testing and assisted in the training of therapy dogs who visited hospitals, veteran groups, special educational facilities and convalescent homes. I believe strongly in the benefits of developing the human animal bond and can assist in coaching for pets and their human companions to develop that connection. In 2014, I completed multiple behavior courses with veterinarians and other animal behavior professionals such as Dr. Susan Friedman and in 2012 was a behavior technician intern for Dr. Rachel Malamed, DVM, Veterinary Behavior Specialist In 2012 and 2016, I completed a 5-day intensive behavior course through North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) taught by Dr. Karen Overall, Dr. Martin Godbout and Dr. Kersti Seksel. I regularly attend Western Vet Conferences and the Clinical Animal Behavior Conference (CABC), The Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians (SVBT), The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) Every year, I take approximately 30 hours of continuing education units International Speaker In 2017, I spoke at Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) 24th Annual Conference on topics such as, “What’s Your Dogs Currency?” and in 2018 at APDT 25th Annual Conference on topics such as, “Do You Have Compassion Fatigue?”. I have spoken at Pet Professional Guilds Geek Week Australia in 2021. In 2023, I spoke at RescueCon at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on “Understanding Canine Body Language” and at the Ventura College Job and Career Fair on “Starting A Career as An Animal Professional” and Children’s Health and Wellness Expo on “Animal Wellness”. I also hosted Truly Force Free Animal Training first conference Breaking the Chain; A Force Free Dog Training Conference at Ventura Pet Wellness & Dog Training Center. Check out my Podcasts and TV Interviews! I created, The Backyard Pet Talk Podcast, for pet lovers! Whether you are a professional in the animal field or a pet parent this podcast is for you! I also created, The Positive Puppy podcast, which is all about setting your puppy up for success using positive reinforcement! In this podcast, host, Shannon Riley and guest discuss common puppy questions from before picking up puppy to the importance of creating a routine and more! Join us each month as Shannon Riley answers puppy questions! Check out my interview with Bloom TV with Gayle Guyardo and Daytime TV with Maggie Rodriguez My Dog Training Philosophy My dog training philosophy revolves around force free, positive reinforcement; however, my ultimate goal is for healthy happy relationships between pets and their people. Diet, exercise, environment and training all play a significant role in achieving this goal.

Publisher

Shannon Riley

Category

education · kids & family · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

30 Sept 2021

Latest episode

23 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

59 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   23 Sept 2026

   Understanding The Space Between Dogs with Judy Moore

   In this episode of Backyard Pet Talk with Shannon Riley, Shannon welcomes longtime colleague, canine behavior consultant, and author Judy Moore to talk about her passion for helping dogs—and the ideas behind her brand-new book, A Space Between Dogs. Shannon and Judy dive into the importance of giving dogs space, moving at their pace, and creating thoughtful, controlled interactions rather than forcing encounters. They discuss neutrality, resilience, triggers, and why distance can be one of the most valuable tools when helping dogs feel safe and successful around other dogs. Whether you're a dog owner, trainer, or simply interested in understanding canine behavior better, this conversation offers practical insights into creating positive experiences and respecting what dogs are communicating. Tune in for an engaging conversation about dogs, behavior, and the importance of giving our canine companions the space they need to thrive. Click here to purchase Judy Moore's book, "The Space Between Dogs": https://a.co/d/09dY9so5 Click here to check out more from Judy Moore: https://caninebehaviorcounseling.com/

2. 

   3 Jun 2026

   A Pioneer of Force Free Training: Meet Terry Ryan

   Join Shannon Riley as she sits down with renowned positive reinforcement trainer Terry Ryan, founder of Legacy Canine Behavior & Training and pioneer of the famous Chicken Camp workshops. Terry shares her journey from training an energetic German Shepherd in the 1960s to becoming a leader in force free dog training, authoring multiple books, and helping trainers around the world sharpen their skills through chicken training. Together, Shannon and Terry discuss the evolution of dog training, the surprising lessons chickens can teach trainers about timing and communication, and why continuing education and open mindedness are essential for anyone working with animals. Terry also reflects on her books, her work with Karen Pryor and other influential trainers, and her passion for helping both dogs and people succeed through positive reinforcement.

3. 

   28 Apr 2026

   A Positive Approach to Aggressive Dogs with Michael Shikashio

   In this episode of Backyard Pet Talk, Shannon Riley interviews Michael Shikashio, an aggressive dog expert and founder of aggressivedog.com. Michael shares his journey from working in other industries to becoming a dog trainer after fostering dogs with behavioral challenges. He highlights how aggression in dogs is often a result of fear or discomfort, and stresses the importance of using positive reinforcement over aversive techniques. Michael discusses the role of culture in dog behavior, the significance of understanding a dog's emotional state, and the importance of empathy and communication in handling aggression. He also touches on the use of technology, such as devices that monitor dogs' health, to better understand underlying issues that might contribute to aggressive behavior. The episode wraps up with advice for trainers and dog owners on managing aggression, stressing the importance of seeking professional help, considering a dog's health, and understanding the context of the aggressive behavior. Check our Michael Shikkashio's website here: https://aggressivedog.com/

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

65,788

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 28 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

26

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

0

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Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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