Your Pet Isn’t the Problem, You Are | 6/8/25

Is your dog acting “psycho”? Your cat meowing like it’s a Broadway audition? Spoiler alert: the problem might not be your pet—it might be you.

In the debut episode of Victoria Knows Pets: Training Your Human, expert pet trainer Victoria Castelhano and her producer-husband Wes dive headfirst into the emotional tug-of-war between pets and their owners. With wit, warmth, and a splash of sass, Victoria explains why your stressed-out vibe could be the real cause behind your animal’s anxiety, and how human behavior shapes pet behavior more than people realize.

This pilot episode covers:

• Emotional mirroring between pets and humans
• Storm and firework anxiety in dogs (and what not to do about it)
• Why treating behavioral issues starts with changing owner habits
• Nonverbal bonding stories from Victoria’s own pet

Listeners will walk away with science-informed advice, relatable stories, and practical tools for improving pet care and behavior—without guilt or gimmicks. Victoria’s background in pet retail and animal psychology shines through in every tip, and her real-world experience bottle-feeding pups and earning the trust of traumatized rescues adds extra heart.

A full transcript is available in the episode notes for those who want to dig deeper or follow along. And if you’ve got a furry problem child at home, submit your pet questions for future episodes.

Follow the show, rate it wherever you listen, and remember:
 It’s not your pet—it’s you.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
01:05 Understanding Pet Behavior
04:23 Victoria's Experience with Pets
09:12 Bonding with Pets
12:42 Common Pet Challenges
18:01 Spoiling Your Pet
21:03 Conclusion and Future Episodes

Creators & Guests

• Wesley Castelhano - Producer
• Victoria Castelhano - Host