# Michael Shikashio on Professionalism, Polarisation, and the Future of Dog Training [Episode 274]

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/animal-training-academy-642844/michael-shikashio-on-professionalism-polarisation-and-the-future-of-dog-training-episode-274
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/animal-training-academy-642844/michael-shikashio-on-professionalism-polarisation-and-the-future-of-dog-training-episode-274.md
Podcast: [Animal Training Academy](https://stenobird.com/podcast/animal-training-academy-642844)
Published: 2026-02-23T14:30:00+00:00
Episode link: https://animaltrainingacademy.libsyn.com/michael-shikashio-on-professionalism-polarisation-and-the-future-of-dog-training-episode-274
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/animaltrainingacademy/M_Shiakshio_final.mp3?dest-id=981521
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/animal-training-academy-642844/episodes/michael-shikashio-on-professionalism-polarisation-and-the-future-of-dog-training-episode-274
Duration seconds: 4646

## Resource

In this episode of the Animal Training Academy Podcast, host Ryan Cartlidge is joined by returning guest Michael Shikashio for a wide-ranging conversation about professionalism, community, and the future of the dog training industry. Michael Shikashio is the founder of AggressiveDog.com, a leading expert in working with aggression cases, a five-time past President of the IAABC, the 2020 APTT Member of the Year, and host of The Bitey End of the Dog podcast. Drawing on decades of experience supporting trainers across more than 20 countries, Michael brings a global, grounded perspective to the challenges and opportunities facing the profession today. Together, Ryan and Michael explore the vision behind the Canis Conference - a bold new event designed to bring trainers, behavior consultants, veterinarians, shelter professionals, scientists, and dog sports enthusiasts together under one roof. Michael shares how Canis was born from a desire to dismantle silos, reduce divisiveness, and create a space where learning, collaboration, and respectful dialogue can flourish across differing backgrounds and methodologies. The conversation moves well beyond conference planning, diving into the emotional and professional toll of online conflict, social media algorithms, and the rise of polarized "team" identities within the dog training world. Michael speaks candidly about criticism, controversy, and resilience, offering powerful insights for both emerging and established professionals navigating public discourse, online platforms, and ethical responsibility. Throughout the episode, the emphasis remains on compassion, professionalism, and the importance of face-to-face connection in restoring trust - both within the industry and with the public we serve. In this episode, we discuss: Th…

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