The Fame Game with Heidi & Spencer

Episode: The Dog Whisperer Next Door: Robert Cabral’s Mission to Train and Save Shelter Dogs
Date: October 30, 2025
Hosts: Spencer Pratt, Heidi Montag
Guest: Robert Cabral (dog trainer, shelter advocate, artist)

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt and informative episode, Spencer and Heidi welcome their former neighbor and renowned dog trainer Robert Cabral. Known for his hands-on shelter advocacy, nuanced views on responsible dog ownership, and deep love of animals, Robert shares his journey from bullied immigrant, to martial artist, to one of the world’s most respected dog trainers. The trio dives into Robert’s personal story, the realities of dog rescue, problems with America’s animal shelter system, misconceptions around dog training (especially “tough” breeds like Malinois), and the vital importance of education, accountability, and compassion for both dogs and people.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Robert’s Origin Story: From Martial Arts to Dog Advocacy

• Immigrant Experience & Bullying
  Robert recounts how being bullied after immigrating to New Jersey from Germany led him to martial arts—setting a foundation for reading body language and timing, skills that would later prove essential for dog training.

  “Every rescue dog I see, I see a piece of me in them, right? ... Either you become a victim or you become dominant in it. And my thing was ... I'm going to make this my strength.” – Robert (07:41)

• Karate School & Love Story
  A charming aside details his initial meeting (as her instructor) and eventual reconnection with his wife Janet, mirroring the themes of resilience and second chances.

2. Falling (Reluctantly) Into Dog Training and Shelter Work

• Robert’s first encounter with shelter cruelty deeply affected him, driving him to use his skills to help. He describes the accidental progression from hobby to vocation, fueled by a sincere desire to make life better for dogs—not profit.

  “It's the one and only business, really, or hobby that turned into business that I didn't resent afterwards because it was never really about the money to me. ... Where could you experience so much love?... I can't think of a better life than to help dogs, which is amazing.” – Robert (11:29)

3. What’s Broken in the Shelter System? Education, Accountability, and Social Media Myths

• Systemic Irresponsibility:
  Major factors filling shelters: irresponsible owners, entitled attitudes blamelessness, and the mismatch between tough breeds and unprepared owners.

  “People are very irresponsible… They want a powerful dog, but nobody wants to do the work to do it, to get it right.” – Robert (15:49)

• Breeding for Money:
  Explains how unmonitored breeding in poor neighborhoods creates a flood of unwanted dogs.
• Shelters as 'Humane Societies' Rather Than 'Animal Control':
  “We’re never enforcing... We’re trying to pull dogs out of the bottom of the funnel. But there’s just so many more going into the top.” (16:48)
• Role of Social Media:
  Spencer and Robert discuss how Instagram and TikTok glamorize certain breeds (Malinois, Cane Corsos) and make dog training look easy, misleading people into bad decisions.

  “Everyone’s an expert and they don’t show any of those hours.... They just make it look like the dog's doing this.” – Spencer (18:25)

4. The Realities of Powerful Breeds

• Malinois & Shepherds:
  The group shares personal stories about the realities of raising working-breed dogs, especially around children.

  “They’re literally like little nuclear weapons, right?... People see. They look like the cutest things you ever seen.” – Spencer (20:51) “A dog like... a Malinois, Dutch shepherd, a working line German shepherd. This dog is genetically bred to work through things, right? ... In training, a bad trainer is going to punish the dog... and now it hurts to do it. Now you have a dog that has conflict. And conflict in training is the death of all relationships.” – Robert (21:28)

• Dog-Human Communication:
  Robert emphasizes understanding a dog’s natural way of communicating (through body movement) instead of misguided “alpha” behavior.

5. Surrender and Responsibility

• Reflecting on Giving Up a Dog:
  Heidi opens up about rehoming a pet in her twenties, expressing appreciation for alternative routes to shelters.

6. The Bad K9 Brand and Philosophy

• “No Bad Dogs”
  The name “Bad K9” and Robert’s license plate originated from his core belief that, “There are no bad dogs. I’m the bad dog.” (27:21)
• Media Experience
  Robert was once approached for a reality show about shelter work but declined, preferring real impact over fame.

7. Mechanics & Ethics of Dog Training Tools

• The group discusses controversial training tools: prong collars, E-collars, and “purely positive” vs. balanced methods.
• Misguided Bans:
  Robert warns that making tools illegal drives training underground and may worsen outcomes for dogs.

  “You go to jail and a €5,000 fine for having [an E-collar] on your dog.” – Robert on European laws (37:51) “Neglect is the greatest form of abuse we can give to any living creature.” – Robert (39:17)

8. Observations on LA’s Animal Crisis and Leadership Void

• Homelessness & Dog Welfare:
  Discussion of homeless individuals with dogs and city policies failing both parties.
• Call for Leadership:
  LA Animal Services lacks consistent leadership and is grievously underfunded.
• Shelter Employees & Volunteers:
  Robert powerfully credits front-line staff:

  “The people who work in the shelters and the volunteers are angels on this earth because they go in there and do stuff I could not do.” (51:34)

9. Personal Grief: Surviving the Palisades Fire

• Robert shares his harrowing experience losing his home and irreplaceable family mementos in the 2021 fire.

  “Every bad experience I’ve ever had in my life was culminated through that experience.... I went back there five different days, digging with my hands, trying to find the urn of my mother’s ashes.... Every picture that’s not digitized by Google, gone.” – Robert (43:52)

• The conversation highlights institutional neglect, lack of fire response, and the devastating psychological toll, echoing Spencer and Heidi’s own loss and frustration with local government.

10. Final Thoughts, Resources, and a Plea for Change

• Spencer urges listeners to seek out Robert’s educational content (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram).
• Robert insists on the urgent need for city leaders, especially Karen Bass, to properly fund animal services and appoint competent leadership.
• Education and breed-appropriate choices are essential for the well-being of both people and animals.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Every rescue dog I see, I see a piece of me in them.... I know what it’s like to get beat up.”
  – Robert Cabral (07:41)

• “Just because you see a dog doing funny tricks and being well behaved on social media in a 60 second reel, there is countless hours and takes to get to that part.”
  – Robert Cabral (16:36)

• “Everybody wants a powerful dog, but nobody wants to do the work to do it, to get it right.”
  – Robert Cabral (15:49)

• “A bad trainer is going to punish the dog... Now you have a dog that has conflict. And conflict in training is the death of all relationships.”
  – Robert Cabral (21:28)

• “Neglect is the greatest form of abuse we can give to any living creature.”
  – Robert Cabral (39:17)

• “The people who work in the shelters and the volunteers are angels on this earth.... They come in on Tuesday. What happened to Spot? Oh, he got killed. He’s in the barrel in the back.”
  – Robert Cabral (51:34)

• “Let’s be clear: words on social media and truth—non-hate words!—are how we fight for change.”
  – Spencer Pratt (41:07)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Robert’s introduction and background: 01:28 – 08:38
• Journey into shelter work and dog training: 08:38 – 12:39
• The shelter system’s problems and how to fix them: 15:10 – 18:25
• Truth about “tough” breeds and social media’s illusions: 19:09 – 24:12
• Dog training philosophy, tools, and misconceptions: 29:27 – 39:17
• Homeless dogs and city neglect: 39:44 – 41:32
• Palisades Fire experience and government shortcomings: 41:38 – 50:27
• Call for city leadership and resources for listeners: 50:38 – 53:13

Resources & Where to Find Robert Cabral

• YouTube & Membership:
  Search “Robert Cabral” or “Robert Cabral Dogs”
• Instagram, Facebook:
  @RobertCabral
  Content covers dog training, shelter advocacy, and rescue work

Episode Tone & Takeaway

A mix of Speidi’s trademark banter and real talk with Robert’s deep, sometimes raw sincerity. The episode is at times emotional, reflecting on loss, compassion fatigue, and the power of healing—through both human and canine connection.

Essential Message:
Education, honesty, and accountability can save countless animal (and human) lives. Know your limits, don’t be seduced by social media myths, be compassionate—and fight for better systems, not just for animals, but for communities as a whole.