Victoria Stilwell
Victoria Stilwell is a dog trainer, author, and the creator of It’s Me or the Dog, sharing positive reinforcement training through television, the Positively Podcast, and online education.
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Latest
Victoria’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus their backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
Channel 4 / Animal Planet
Ten Speed Press
Ten Speed PressOverview
- From
- Wimbledon, England
- Work
- Dog trainer, author, television presenter, and educator
- Breakout
- It’s Me or the Dog, first filmed in 2005
- Approach
- Positive reinforcement and understanding dogs’ emotional needs
- Training credentials
- Certified Dog Behavior Consultant through the IAABC
Mini bio
How it started.
Victoria grew up in Wimbledon and started a dog-walking company in the early 1990s while pursuing acting work. Seeing clients struggle with their dogs led to training, learning from positive reinforcement trainers and behaviorists in Britain. After moving to the United States, Victoria co-founded dog training businesses on the East Coast.
The television idea.
Victoria pitched a version of Supernanny for households with dogs. That idea became It’s Me or the Dog, which began filming in the UK in 2005 and reached American viewers on Animal Planet in April 2007. The series follows families learning how to understand and change their dogs’ behavior.
Still learning.
In a personal essay, Victoria described moving away from the pack-theory ideas present in some early episodes. Learning from fellow trainers and scientists helped shape the Positively approach, and later online releases offered a chance to comment on earlier work.
Beyond the screen.
Victoria founded the Victoria Stilwell Academy to educate dog trainers and leads the VSPDT trainer network, launched in 2010. Books, online courses, and the Positively Podcast bring that focus on positive training to dog guardians as well as professionals.
Creditschronological, newest first
Books
- 2019The Ultimate Guide to Raising a PuppyAuthor
- 2016The Secret Language of DogsAuthor
Television and video
- 2020Positively TVCreator of the subscription video channel
- 2019Dogs With Extraordinary JobsCreator, producer, and narrator
- 2016Dogs Might FlyJudge and behavior expert
- 2005It’s Me or the DogCreator and host
Awards
Quotes
We have to create animals who not only are safe but feel safe.Victoria Stilwell, HumanePro
In a Humane Voices interview adapted by HumanePro, Victoria explained why confidence and a sense of safety matter for companion animals.
Trivia
- Before becoming known for dog training, Victoria worked as an actor in London’s West End, films, television, commercials, and voiceovers.
- On Dogs Might Fly, Victoria helped assess rescue dogs in a series that trained dogs to fly an airplane.
- Victoria and husband Van Zeiler have fostered dozens of dogs and cats for local shelters.
Find Victoria
Follow Victoria for dog training, podcast conversations, and life with dogs.
Are you Victoria Stilwell?
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