Leerburg Dog Training Podcast

Today, Ed Frawley sits down and briefly introduces the new owners of Leerburg and introduces Ian O'Connell and David Littlefield. Both are experienced K9 Handlers and long-time friends of Ed Frawley. After 42 years of building and owning Leerburg, Ed has finally retired to take some time with family and to do some fishing. The new owners, Ian and Dave, are excited to take over and commit to the mission of Leerburg, serving people who love to train dogs. This is just the beginning to a new and exciting era of Leerburg where we look to grow and continue to provide the content and equipment you can trust. Stay tuned for fresh and new content!

In 1982, Ed Frawley started Leerburg Enterprises.  At that time he had been filming dog training videos for 4 years. Now 78,  Ed retired from Leerburg at the end of January 2026 with a goal of spending more time with his family and to do a lot of fishing. Ed sold Leerburg to 2  friends who are both retired K9 handlers and instructors - Ian O’Connell and David Littlefield. Ian and Dave have great plans for Leerburg. They are keeping every employee and the business will stay in Menomonie, WI. Leerburg has been your trusted resource since 1982. For over 42 years, this company was built on one thing — a genuine love for dogs and the people who train them. Under new ownership, that doesn't change. Our mission, our products, and our dedication to you remain exactly the same. We're honored to continue serving you.

Unlock the full potential of remote collar training in this comprehensive 10-hour master class, expertly led by renowned dog trainer Michael Ellis. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a dog owner seeking to enhance your training skills, this course offers in-depth knowledge on the effective and ethical use of remote collars. With 173 detailed videos spanning 8 informative modules, you'll gain both theoretical insights and practical demonstrations that you can apply immediately. | Links mentioned: Remote Collar Master Class with Michael Ellis - https://university.leerburg.com/Catalog/viewCourse/cid/238

This course is designed for civilian scent work trainers—both beginners and experienced handlers—as well as law enforcement professionals, including police officers who are starting the detection training process with a new police dog. Kevin Sheldahl's experience and bias come from a practical working dog application, but our attendees and their variety of dogs challenged him to expand his perspective on a variety of scent sports and canine enrichment activities. This makes the Foundations to Detection course good for all dog owners and trainers to learn something useful that they can apply to their own training and relationship with their dog. | Links mentioned: Foundations of Scent Work - https://university.leerburg.com/Catalog/viewCourse/cid/243

In this video, Ed Frawley reads and discusses an Ask Cindy Q and A that addresses a challenging and increasingly common issue in German Shepherd Dogs: obsessive tail chasing that may be developing into a compulsive behavior. The question comes from an owner of a young GSD whose tail chasing has escalated over the last six months to the point where changes in energy or environment trigger frantic spinning, vocalization, and difficulty responding to verbal commands. Despite a veterinary exam showing no physical cause, the behavior continues to worsen, leaving the owner unsure how to proceed.  | Links mentioned: How We Manage Dogs in Our Home: https://leerburg.com/managementdvd.htm | Basic Dog Obedience: https://leerburg.com/302.htm | Remote Collar for the Pet Owner: https://leerburg.com/ecollar-pet-owner.php

In this Ask Cindy Q and A, Ed Frawley reads and discusses a thoughtful question from a new puppy owner preparing to bring home an 8-week-old puppy for the first time. After the recent loss of a beloved 12-year-old Labrador, the viewer wants to make sure they start their new puppy off the right way—from day one. | Links mentioned: Getting Started With Your New Puppy Bundle - https://leerburg.com/puppy-bundle.php

This course was hosted by Leerburg in November 2025 and taught by Kevin Sheldahl. Recognized as one of the world’s leading scent work instructors, Kevin presents a clear, step-by-step approach to building strong detection fundamentals. Led by one of the nation’s most qualified detection dog trainers, this three-day workshop covers core foundations for all levels and detection disciplines, including odor recognition, indication, alert behavior, and search development. | Links mentioned: Foundations of Scent Work Training - 323 Videos: https://university.leerburg.com/Catalog/viewCourse/cid/243

This seminar is a primer on detection training that every dog trainer should see. Taught by Kevin Sheldahl, a practical teacher with decades of experience. This course is jam-packed with little gold nuggets of information and wisdom, you don't even realize how good it is until you've seen it. There is 323 videos with additional text and supplemental content. | Links mentioned: K-9 Detector Dog Training: https://university.leerburg.com/Catalog/viewCourse/cid/186 | Foundations of Detection (Coming Soon): https://university.leerburg.com/Catalog/viewCourse/cid/243

Discover the famous story of Clever Hans, the early-1900s horse who amazed crowds by “answering” math questions—until researchers uncovered the truth: Hans wasn’t doing calculations at all. He was reading subtle, unintentional cues from his handler. In this video, we break down what really happened with Clever Hans and explain why this lesson is crucial in detection dog training today. From cueing risks to handler influence and the importance of blind testing, you’ll learn how trainers ensure dogs are responding to odor—not people. Perfect for anyone interested in scent work, detection sports, and the science behind reliable canine training. | Links mentioned: K-9 Detector Dog Training: https://university.leerburg.com/Catalog/viewCourse/cid/186

In this video, Ed Frawley reads an Ask Cindy Q and A about choosing the right width for an agitation collar. A viewer new to protection sports asks whether collar width is simply personal preference—especially since the 2" collar they bought looks large on their 70-lb dog. Cindy explains why wider collars help distribute pressure during protection work and why 2" is typically appropriate for a dog this size, while also noting options for narrower collars if the handler prefers. Ed shares the full exchange, including the viewer’s follow-up after deciding to keep the collar because of its excellent craftsmanship.| Links mentioned: 2" Agitation Leather Collar: https://leerburg.com/leatheragitcollar-2in.htm | 1 1/4" Agitation Leather Collar: https://leerburg.com/leatheragitcollar.htm

In this video, learn the most critical skill for managing reactive dogs: preemptive redirection. This video teaches you how to intervene before your dog reacts by recognizing early warning signs like stiffening, hard stares, or low growls. Discover why timing matters, how to prevent your dog from rehearsing reactive behavior, and practical techniques to keep your dog under threshold and calm. The key isn't managing the reaction—it's preventing it from happening in the first place.| Links mentioned: Dealing with Reactive, Aggressive, and Dominant Dogs: https://university.leerburg.com/Catalog/viewCourse/cid/137

In this video, we discuss the dangers of using certain toys as rewards in detection dog training. Dog toys like Kongs and Tennis Balls are commonly used but they come with certain dangers and risks. Alternatively, we recommend using rolled up scented cotton towels, tied off with cotton string, as a primary reward. | Links mentioned: K-9 Detector Dog Training- https://university.leerburg.com/Catalog/viewCourse/cid/186

In this video, Ed shares a heartfelt message from a customer who wrote in to express their appreciation for Leerburg Online University. They highlight what they love most—clear instruction, helpful course structure, accessible pricing, and the variety of material available for dog trainers of all levels. Ed responds with a sincere thank-you on behalf of the entire Leerburg team. If you’ve ever wondered what the student experience is like inside Leerburg Online University, this message says it all. | Links mentioned: Leerburg Online University - https://university.leerburg.com

This episode discusses safe methods for separating fighting dogs, emphasizing that you need to be careful and think twice before jumping in. Breaking up a dog fight is extremely dangerous. In fact, 95% of the injury photographs received by Leerburg came from people attempting to break up dog fights, often between their own dogs. It is crucial to remember that intervening when you do not feel safe may result in severe injury; if you are a small person or small woman with two big dogs fighting, it may be too dangerous to intervene. If you must intervene, there is a right and a wrong way to proceed.| Links mentioned: Dog Bite and Dog Attack Photos: https://leerburg.com/dogbites.htm | Dealing with Dominant and Aggressive Dogs: https://university.leerburg.com/Catalog/viewCourse/cid/137

In this practical Ask Cindy Q and A, Ed Frawley tackles a serious safety concern many cyclists face: aggressive dogs chasing them while riding through countryside or residential areas, with some dogs being extremely large and threatening. The cyclist is looking for effective strategies beyond simply stopping, which isn't always safe with aggressive dogs. Cindy shares a creative solution from a long-distance cyclist friend who carries an extra bike helmet on a tether, swinging or throwing it at chasing dogs to create unexpected opposition—most dogs don't expect any resistance and often back down or remember the encounter next time. She explains that sometimes physical contact is necessary to make an impression and deter future chasing behavior. Cindy also recommends Leerburg's telescoping hiking stick with a built-in stun gun feature, noting that it's portable and often just the sound alone is enough to scare dogs away without needing physical contact. | Links mentioned: Hike N Strike - https://leerburg.com/hike-n-strike.php

In this foundational video, Ed Frawley shares his comprehensive dog training philosophy developed over a remarkable journey that began in the 1950s and spans more than 50 years of hands-on experience. Ed explains that effective training is common sense combined with a clear understanding of how dogs think as pack animals who genetically seek ranking order and view their human family as their pack. He emphasizes that establishing sound family pack structure accounts for 75% of solving behavioral problems, while obedience training represents only 25%—dogs must respect their handlers as pack leaders through fair, firm, and consistent control, as love alone cannot earn respect. | Links mentioned: The Power of Training Dogs with Markers: https://leerburg.com/marker-dvd.php | Training Dogs with Food Rewards: https://leerburg.com/food-dvd.php | Basic Dog Obedience: https://leerburg.com/302.htm

In this essential training breakdown, Ed Frawley explains the five progressive Rules of Play that transform tug from chaotic wrestling into a powerful obedience and engagement tool. These rules must be taught in order: first, building genuine desire for the toy by sparking prey and play drive; second, teaching the retrieve so the dog learns that bringing the toy back continues the game rather than ending it; third, adding the "out" command at the right developmental stage to avoid suppressing drive; fourth, introducing impulse control so the dog waits for permission before grabbing; and fifth, finding the perfect balance based on the dog's individual temperament—dominant dogs need stricter structure while sensitive dogs require more freedom to build confidence. Ed emphasizes that intensity of play must be adjusted to each dog's personality: possessive dogs get shorter wins to prevent over-possession, while less intense dogs benefit from longer, more active sessions to build drive. When all five rules work in harmony, tug becomes far more than just play—it creates a dog who is motivated, responsive, and sees the handler as the ultimate source of reward and fun. | Links mentioned: The Power of Playing with Your Dog: https://leerburg.com/221.htm | The Power of Training Dog with Markers: https://leerburg.com/marker-dvd.php

In this important Ask Cindy Q and A, Ed Frawley addresses a concerned owner's question about whether to continue using an e-collar on their 7-year-old dog who recently started having seizures, with the last one occurring two months ago and no current medication. Cindy explains that she cannot provide a definitive answer without understanding the underlying cause of the seizures—whether they're linked to a medical condition, reaction to flea, tick, or heartworm medication, epilepsy, or another outside substance. She offers her perspective that a quality e-collar functions like a TENS unit used by chiropractors, so she doesn't expect it to cause or aggravate seizure conditions, but emphasizes that she is not a healthcare professional or veterinarian. | Links mentioned: Seresto Pet Collar Review - https://www.epa.gov/pets/seresto-pet-collar-review

In this video, we discuss the critical importance of developing a detection dog that works independently without relying on handler cues or direction. A "handler proof" K9 is a dog that commits to searching for and locating target odor based on their own drive and training—not because they're reading their handler's body language, following where the handler looks, or waiting for permission to alert. | Links mentioned: Three Day Foundations of Detection Seminar - Nov 8-10 at Leerburg: https://leerburg.com/kevin-sheldahl-scentwork-seminar.php | K-9 Detector Dog Training: https://university.leerburg.com/Catalog/viewCourse/cid/186

In this video, Ed addresses a critical problem he's seeing in the detection dog training community—trainers are prioritizing passive indications over their dog's ability to commit to searching for target odor. This backwards approach is creating dogs who can perform beautiful alerts but lack the fundamental drive to actively hunt and locate odor independently. | Links mentioned: Three Day Foundations of Detection Seminar - https://leerburg.com/kevin-sheldahl-scentwork-seminar.php | K-9 Detector Dog Training - https://university.leerburg.com/Catalog/viewCourse/cid/186