Pawdcast

Let's put this in the category of I can't tell you how or why it works – only that it works.In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen is joined by her friend, trainer and dog sport devotee, Tricia Lunde and author, journalist and dog enthusiast Roxanne Hawn.  Together they discuss the Relaxation Protocol for dogs that was developed by animal behaviorist, Dr. Karen Overall and why it's a great tool for just about every dog owner.Roxanne utilized the protocol and created a downloadable audio version that is SUPER easy to follow and posted it on her website Champion of My Heart - https://championofmyheart.com/ The dog world LOVED it.  https://championofmyheart.com/relaxation-protocol-mp3-files/Tricia, a trainer at Wholistic Hound Academy, runs a Facebook page on the protocol, offering help for dog owners whose dogs have active minds and bodies. The Canine Relaxation Protocol Support Group can be found here -- https://www.facebook.com/groups/RelaxtionProtocolSupport/ This protocol is really great for any dog, it helps with focus, recall, and confidence.  It's also a great tool to strengthen the bond between human and dog.If you liked this pawdcast, leave us a nice comment and share it with a friend!

Dog parkour is the hottest dog activity because ANY dog can do it ANYWHERE.  And unlike other dog sports or activities, there is no one to compete against.  Dog parkour is a combination of human parkour (google it) and canine agility. In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen and Jean chat with Abigail Curtis, the co-founder of the International Dog Parkour Association -- https://www.dogparkour.org/ Dog parkour combines elements of human parkour and dog agility to create a fun and accessible activity for dogs and humans. For dogs, they get to experience the world through jumping, climbing, balancing on, crawling over and under, and going through things they see every day – like a park bench. That's the fun of dog parkour can be done anywhere and is limited only by the owner's imagination. According to Abigail, the best thing about dog parkour -- it not only exercises a dog's mind and body, it helps build confidence. It can be very a low impact but a challenging activity for any dog. The AKC likes dog parkour so much that it's a category on its FIT DOG Title -- https://www.akc.org/sports/akc-family-dog-program/akc-fit-dog/ If, after listening to the pawdcast you're interested in learning even more about this incredible sport and maybe participating, Abigail recommends joining their Facebook page and training group. Let Abigail know that you heard her on the PawsGo pawdcast! And if you really like this episode, please leave us a nice rating and comment on your platform of choice!

We've all seen the fliers – Lost Dog, Do Not Chase!  As dog owners, it fills us with a sense of personal dread and sadness for those searching for their dog.  So, if your dog is lost, what do you do and more important, what do you NOT do – besides not chasing it.  What's the best tracking collar for your dog? In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen is joined by rescue friends Christine and Elizabeth in a conversation with Jill Barsky, an animal TRAPPER and as far as Karen, Christine and Elizabeth are concerned, a miracle worker. Based in Maryland, Jill is the owner and founder of Tailed Treasures an animal welfare organization AND not for profit animal trapping service.  Karen, Christine and Elizabeth met Jill when one of the foster dogs with their rescue escaped four hours after arriving at her foster home. 23 harrowing hours later, Jill successfully trapped the dog.When not trapping lost animals, Jill is a realtor.  Jill Barsky Real Estate offers services to families with pets and donates to various animal rescue groups in lieu of commissions.https://www.tailedtreasuresofmd.com/If you enjoy the pawdcast, please share with a friend, leave us a nice comment or give us a good review!

This episode of the pawdcast is dedicated to the veterinarians, vet techs and front desk personnel who keep our pets healthy but too often don't get the recognition (or respect) they deserve.Jean and Karen chat with Dr. Doug Mader a triple certified veterinary specialist who has been a veterinarian for over 30 years.  Currently based in the Florida Keys, Dr. Mader is a sought-after speaker and the author of three best selling medical textbooks.  But it's Dr. Mader's new book, The Vet at Noah's Ark, and his desire to share his experience with a mainstream audience that's the subject of this episode.Set in inner city Los Angles, during 1992 riots, The Vet at Noah's Ark explores the strong bond between humans and animals and chronicles one year of Dr Mader's veterinary practice in that city.Dr. Mader shares stories about that practice and how we as clients can better appreciate the work of veterinarians, vet techs and the wonderful front desk personnel who are often the first to comfort us and our pets.You can find The Vet at Noah's Ark online or at your favorite bookstore.  You can learn more about Dr. Mader and his work here -- https://www.dougmader.com/If you like the pawdcast as much as Jean and Karen enjoy doing it please leave a nice comment and a nice rating and share it with a friend

Andrew is a beautiful writer and a GREAT storyteller and his new book is a MUST for any dog lover or dog lover on your holiday gift list.This FUN read is packed with historic photos and historic facts that bring to life different eras of our nation's history through the pets owned by Presidents and their families.  You may be surprised by how many true animal lovers lived in the White House.  You may NOT be surprised at how many dogs played a role in Presidential careers.Regardless of your political affiliation, you'll love this book. Andrew provides an insightful look into how pets have shaped the Presidency and our opinion of the men (and families) who have occupied the White House.Andrew's book can be found on Amazon -  https://www.amazon.com/All-American-Dogs-History-Presidential-Every/dp/0063158272   Karen and Jean gave it an enthusiastic PawsUP!If you enjoy the pawdcast as much as we love doing it, please leave a rating and a comment on your favorite platform and share it with a friend!!In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen and Jean chat with their friend Andrew Hager, author of the book, All American Dogs, a History of Presidential Pets.

If you have a reactive dog, live in an apartment, don't necessarily care for dog parks, or simply want a new place that's safe for your dog to run, sniff and explore – we've got a GREAT episode for you!   Put this in the category of things we wish we had created.  In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen is joined by her friend Karen Krieg for a conversation with the founder of Sniffspot https://www.sniffspot.com/It was actually David Adams' wife that came up with the idea for Sniffspot, an app and website that allows dog owners to rent private property where dogs can play and well, sniff.  Sniffspot also allows property owners to earn some extra cash by renting out their yards.  With sites all over the US and the world, Sniffspot is filling a void and bank accounts of dog lovers.  David and his team focus as much on the experience of the Sniffspot host as they do the Sniffspot guest.Karen Krieg, this episode's co-host, is a Sniffspot Top Host, her Acres of Fun spot in Mount Airy, Maryland, has earned not only top marks from 400 guests, but high praise from David.  With 2 acres of fenced in grassy property, water, toys and agility equipment, Karen's property is great for one dog, or a group of dogs out on a play date - https://www.sniffspot.com/listings/mount-airy-md/acres-of-fun-5113If you're enjoying the pawdcast as much as we are, please leave a comment and review.  If you have an idea for an episode for the pawdcast, send us a DM on Instagram @pawsgo.

In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen and Jean chat with Stefanie Strackbein who specializes in canine enrichment.  Enrichment isn't formal obedience or even organized sports.   Enrichment refers to an easy  activity or game to help dogs reduce stress, exercise their brains, and have a sense of control over their environment.  Examples of these games include tossing kibble on the lawn and inviting your dog to “find it” or folding up kibble or a high value treat in a towel and letting your dog figure out how to unfold the towel to find the treat – SUPER SIMPLE things, but FUN and enriching for your dog!Stefanie contends that if more dog owners engaged in daily enrichment activities with their dogs, we'd see fewer behavioral issues and fewer dogs in shelters.  Stefanie also believes that simple enrichment exercises that can be done in the home, in the yard or on a walk, will help dogs AND owners be happier!Stefanie is the founder and owner of the What Dogs Want Academy in Phoenix, AZ https://wdwacademy.dog/   You can follow her daily enrichment suggestions on Instagram @whatdogswant.  She also presented a webinar for Your Dog's Friend, a not for profit in Rockville, Maryland that supports positive training and programs for dogs and their owners – it's a tremendous resource https://yourdogsfriend.org/   Stefanie's webinar can be found here --https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWjdCWm8pXkWe hope you like this episode of the pawdcast and if we're right, please leave a nice comment and share it with a friend!

What's better than a vacation?  A vacation with your DOG!  In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen is joined by her friend Christine (a fellow Aussie owner) with a special interest in dog-friendly vacations. According to tripswithpets.com, 78 percent of Americans who have pets, travel with them. Sara Sokol, founder of Dogs Welcome, is working to make it easier for dogs and owners to find welcoming accommodations.Sara, a dog lover from Bath, Maine, created Dogs Welcome as a Facebook Group to connect travelers with owners of pet friendly vacation rentals, small inns and bed and breakfasts.  Within three months, the response was so positive, Sara is now launching the Dogs Welcome website.  Similar to other vacation rental sites, the filters are more dog/pet focused, for instance does the property have a fenced in yard.  The Dogs Welcome website will allow travelers to book directly with the properties – without additional fees for hosts or travelers.  Sara is also developing a Dogs Welcome Certified Property seal of approval, making it even easier to create your perfect dog-friendly vacation.The Dogs Welcome Facebook Group and website currently feature properties in the US and Canada.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1043741576357003/  www.dogs-welcome.netChristine and her husband JUST finished building a vacation rental outside of Luray, Virginia specifically for dogs.  Mountain View Retreat boasts dog friendly furnishings, a dog washing station and soon a fenced in yard.  You can learn more about the property by contacting her at christine@christinesennott.com.And of course, Sara has a great vacation rental https://www.littlewhitedogproperties.com/ that inspired Dogs Welcome.  When Sara isn't revolutionizing travel with dogs, she's a trainer, practicing positive reinforcement techniques.  Mr. Dog Training was recently voted BEST trainer in Maine.  http://mrdogtraining.com/index.html  PawsUP!If you enjoy the PawsGO  pawdcast, please share with friend and leave us a nice comment or review!

Dog Parks.  If you live in an urban area they are often a lifeline for owners eager to let their dogs run, play, and burn off a little steam. But dog parks also spark vitriol from owners, especially those who have had a dog injured (or attacked) while visiting one.Not surprising, a successful dog park experience depends as much on the human as it does the dog.  And keep in mind, dog parks aren't a fit for every dog.In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen's friend Elizabeth joins as a co-host, while Jean is traveling.    Elizabeth is a resident of Washington, DC and has learned to navigate her local dog park with her Aussie mix Roxie.  Together, Karen and Elizabeth chat with Sandy Modell about the dos and don'ts of dog parks.  A favorite guest on the pawdcast, Sandy is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) Board of Directors and founder of Wholistic Hound Academy in Alexandria Virginia.   APDT has great resources for owners, including this one on dog parks https://apdt.com/resource-center/dog-parks-good-bad-ugly/

This episode of the PawsGo pawdcast is dedicated to Karen's sister, Wendy and her newly adopted dog, Dennis.Late last year, Wendy lost her beloved dog Akira after 14 years together.  Wendy originally found Arkia on Craig's List, a family was moving and looking to rehome her.  Wendy had never worked with a rescue before and found the process very frustrating.  Dogs that she saw on Facebook or websites never seemed to be available.  Her application was denied by multiple rescues because she didn't have a fenced in yard.  And Wendy discovered several scams where unscrupulous breeders posed as rescues.Wendy eventually found 4pawz.org, a Virginia-based rescue that worked with her to find the perfect dog – sweet little Dennis (formerly known as Prince).  Wendy, 4Pawz and Dennis were the perfect fit.Wendy's frustrations aren't unique.  So how can an adopter successfully work with a rescue?  Well, setting expectations and finding the right rescue will make things easier.To discuss the HOW and WHY of rescues, Karen and Jean are joined by Lindsey Paisley, Executive Director of Beagles and Bentleys Rescue (www.beaglesandbentleys.org ); Sonja Gladwin, Volunteer and Foster Coordinator for Operation Paws for Homes (www.ophrescue.org); and Paula Biancone, Adoption Coordinator for Speak for the Unspoken (www.speakfortheunspoken.com ).

Dr. Amanda Tinkle, project manager of the Dog Aging Project, is back to share some exciting updates about this massive canine health study design to help unlock the key to increasing the “healthspan” of our dogs.  Based on notes and feedback from “citizen scientists” who have enrolled their dogs in the program, Dr. Tinkle and her colleagues noticed comments and concerns about cognitive canine decline.  She chats with Karen and Jean (both owners of senior dogs) about the project's new area of focus specifically on senior dogs,Ironically, the Dog Aging Project didn't set out to specially focus on senior dogs, rather its goal is to study how dogs age.  To date, thousands of dog-lovers have turned into citizen-scientists to record and share information about their dogs' lifestyle, habits, nutrition, general health and behavior.  As Dr Tinkle and her colleagues continue pouring through information shared by dog owners, other areas of focus will emerge.Dr. Tinkle and her colleagues still are actively enrolling dogs of all ages, from all across the United States, including purebred and mixed breed dogs, to join the Dog Aging Project.  They are especially interested in large breed, active dogs (agility, working dogs, etc.) and dogs from the mid-west and south-east.   Poppy is very proud to be dog number 31, 934 in the program.   Join this important effort and nominate your dog at dogagingproject.org

In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen chats with Kenric Hwang, the founder of Max and Neo (www.maxandneo.com).  Kenric has created a revolutionary way to support rescues and shelters through donations of product, namely collars and leashes.  Based on a buy one, give one model, Max and Neo sells their high-quality products to consumers online.  So, for every product sold, Max and Neo makes a donation of those same products to a shelter or rescue.  Currently Max and Neo sends boxes of their products to 5,000 rescues and shelters three times a year.  Those boxes may contain collars, leashes, supplements, toys and blankets.  Everything in the box is something a shelter or rescue needs for the dogs in their care, allowing hard to raise funds to be used for expenses like food and medical bills.In 2021, with only 4 employees (including Kenric) Max and Neo delivered $6 million in products to shelters and rescues.  That figure speaks not only the quality of product, but the model Kenric has created to make donations easy for consumers and rescues.  Any rescue presenting its 501c3 certification and proof of adoption activity can join Max and Neo's growing list of participating rescues – you can sign up on their website.  For dog lovers, if you want your purchase to really make a difference – check out Max and Neo – you'll even find a very cool dog-friendly paddleboard!During their conversation, Karen and Kenric discuss CBD for dogs.  CBD can interact with some medications and it affects dogs differently, so check with your vet before starting your dog on CBD.

Let's be honest, as much as we love to be outside with our dogs, there are days when walks have to be cut short or you can't swing a multi-mile hike.  In this episode of the pawdcast, Jean and Karen are joined by Dr. Laura Sharkey to discuss getting the most from a short walk and how to create enriching indoor canine activities. Dr. Sharkey is a certified professional dog trainer with a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and the owner of Woofs Dog Training Center in Arlington, Virginia.  The key to success for you and your dog, no matter what the activity, is to let the dog choose and have fun.  Here's another hint, let them sniff!Dr. Sharkey is an early disciple of positive training and opened Woofs Dog Training Center in 2002.  As a result, she has a significant following in the Washington, DC area.  Her expertise and passion for positive training and behavior has made her a popular national speaker and instructor.  Her work with thousands of families has also led her to develop what she believes is the ideal dog breed – and yes, we chat about that as well!To learn more about Dr. Sharkey's work and Woofs Dog Training Center visit www.woofsdogtraining.com  

Seeing possibilities in all animals, Columbus, Ohio based Speak for the Unspoken focuses its rescue efforts on special needs dogs and cats.  The animals that come into their foster-based rescue are visually and/or hearing impaired or have unique medical problems all due to bad breeding practices – think backyard breeders, hoarders and puppy mills.In this episode of the pawdcast, Jean and Karen chat with Andrea Kochensparger, the executive director of Speak about the joys and challenges of rescue work and why the animals Speak brings into its program are truly special in every way!Many of the dogs that Speak works with are double merles – that means both parents have the merle pattern gene mutation.  When two merles are bred, each puppy in the litter has a 25% chance of inheriting the gene from both parents.  As a result, double merle dogs have a very high risk of significant health issues, most common are hearing and vision deficiencies.   In addition to placing dogs and cats in loving homes, a large part of Speak's work is education.  Educating breeders on responsible breeding and educating the public on how resilient and loving dogs and cats with impairments are and they should not be euthanized simply because they are different. You can learn more about Speak for the Unspoken, their work and how to volunteer or adopt one of their amazing animals here – www.speakfortheunspoken.comPart of the PawsGo mission is to support small and independent rescues, shelters and animal welfare organizations.  PawsGo is happy to support Speak's efforts through the sale of our Aussie shirts – Australian Shepherds are just one of many breeds impacted by bad breeders resulting in double merle dogs.  For a limited time, we will donate $10 from each Aussie shirt to Speak.  You can find them at www.PawsGo.comEnjoy the podcast and if you like it, please share it and give us a nice rating!

YUP!  Crickets. They are the primary ingredient in Chippin dog treats.  Crickets are also more kind to the environment.  Consider this, it only takes 1 gallon of water to produce 1 pound of cricket protein.  But it takes 2,000 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of beef protein.  Crickets are also remarkably healthy for dogs (and humans, but we won't push that idea too hard). In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen and Jean chat with Kathleen Wojtowitz, head of marketing for Chippin, a woman-owned small business that's hellbent on providing delicious and nutritious dog treats and food while reducing the pet food industry's carbon pawprint.Headquartered in the Washington, DC area, Chippin products are available in stores nationwide and through its website www.chippinpet.com In addition to crickets, products are made with highly sustainable ingredients like spirulina and the horribly invasive silver carp.  Crafted under the supervision of qualified veterinarians, many of the products provide pre and pro-biotics and antioxidants.Go to https://chippinpet.com/discount/PAWDCAST and use the code PAWDCAST for 10% off your purchase.PawsGo has not been compensated for this episode.  In fact, we purchased the products and had our focus group of dog friends try them.  Eight out of 9 dogs went buggy over the treats.  The outlier is super picky, Kathleen thinks she might have the perfect treat for him, so we will happily try again!

Happy New Year!  January is “National Train Your Dog Month” and in this episode of the pawdcast, Karen and Jean chat with Trevor Smith, of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). APDT was founded in 1993 by renowned veterinarian, animal behaviorist, dog trainer and writer, Dr Ian Dunbar.  With a goal of helping trainers improve their knowledge and skills through education, APDT provides an industry standard of excellence for the dog training profession.With over 5200 members in 48 countries, APDT has grown to be the largest association of dog trainers world-wide.It's important to note that there is no formal training, state licensing or national criteria to become a dog trainer.  Anyone can become a trainer without following an approved, regulated, or standardized training curriculum.  Too often owners are enticed by flashy marketing and the promise of quick results and entrust their dogs to unscrupulous, unqualified or under-qualified trainers.  APDT is working to rectify that. A first step was the creation of the LIMA standard.  LIMA stands for LEAST INTRUSIVE MINIMALLY AVERSIVE.  Members of APDT pledge to learn and then provide training that does not involve dominance tactics or use of aversive tools such as choke collars, prong collars or shock and E collars. Trevor shares questions owners should ask when speaking with potential trainers and why all dogs and owners will benefit from some form of training activity.You can learn more about APDT, their work, their standards and how you can identify a qualified trainer here - https://apdt.com/

Can you think of a better gift?  What could be more cute and cuddly than 101 puppies?In this episode of the pawdcast, Jean and Karen chat with their friend Kathy Callahan, aka the puppy whisperer, about her book 101 Rescue Puppies.Kathy's book is a delightful and heartwarming account of the 101 puppies she, her family and dogs have fostered over the years, through Homeward Trails, an all-breed dog and cat rescue based in Northern Virginia.It was Kathy's exposure to the puppies and their mothers that inspired her become one of the area's foremost puppy authorities.  A Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Kathy shares some of her puppy training tips, as well as insights into puppy behavior – just like human babies, puppies begin to observe and collect knowledge soon after birth. You can find Kathy's book on Amazon.  To learn about her work as a trainer and puppy socializer,  visit  www.puppypicks.com.

In this episode of the pawdcast, Jean and Karen chat with Jennifer Shryock, a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant and founder of Family Paws Parent Education (FPPE) the parent organization of two International licensed programs: Dogs & Storks® and Dogs & Toddlers™. FPPE provides specialized programs for new and expecting families with dogs and offers a wide range of support to families, dog professionals (including veterinarians) and childbirth professionals to support success between babies, toddlers and family dogs.Founded in 2002, FPPE's goal is to increase safety and reduce stress in homes with young children and family dogs.   Jen works with – and is eager to expand an educated network of dog professionals, parents, shelters, rescues, breeders, veterinarians and pediatricians in an effort to decrease the number of dogs surrendered (or euthanized) due to preventable behavioral problems and common conflicts, like bites.Jen is fond of saying that babies grow, but dogs age, which means a dog's tolerance will change as it gets older.  A dog that was “great with kids” at two years old, may be less enthusiastic at six years old.The holidays, also known as “bite season” is a stressful time for dogs.  Jen, Karen and Jean discuss numerous scenarios where humans unknowingly place dogs in dangerous situations and Jen offers guidance on how to keep everyone calm and safe during the holidays.This pawdcast is packed full of resources and advice for all dog owners, but ESPECIALLY PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS.  Visit https://www.familypaws.com/ for a list of certified FPPE trainers and links to resources discussed.

As dog lovers we give thanks for our dogs on a daily basis.  They make us laugh, keep us active, provide companionship and comfort us when we are sad or sick.  In what is becoming a PawsGo holiday tradition, Andrew Hager, author and historian in residence at the Presidential Pet Museum, is back to share stories of dogs who are truly superheroes. Throughout history, dogs are credited with saving and improving the lives of humans.  Andrew joins Karen and Jean to share stories of some of his favorite dogs.  Among them – Sergeant Stubby, a stray bull terrier mix who served in World War I and saw action on the Western Front and Togo, the Siberian Husky that saved the village of Nome, Alaska from diphtheria.  And no, that wasn't Balto.  Balto got the movie, but Togo did the work – Andrew will explain.Listen along with your superhero and remind them how thankful you are for the joy they bring every day!Not only is Andrew a great guy and SO fun to listen to, he  is the author of several books including Old Ike: The Fictionalized Story of Woodrow Wilson's Ram; Pushinka: The Fictionalized Story of John F. Kennedy's Dog and soon to be released All-American Dogs: A History of Presidential Pets from Every Era.  All are available on Amazon and make GREAT gifts!

In this episode of the PawsGo pawdcast, Karen and Jean chat with Cara Sue Achterberg – an author and animal welfare advocate.  This is Cara's second visit with the pawdcast and she's back with some very exciting news.Inspired and supported by her work with Northern Virginia-based rescue Operation Paws for Homes, Cara has launched a new not for profit specifically to bring awareness and change to small municipal shelters and pounds, primarily in the south.  Through Who Will Let the Dogs Out https://whowillletthedogsout.org/  Cara's goal is to connect those small rural shelters and pounds with volunteers, rescues and resources in an effort to change the heartbreaking outcomes for too many homeless dogs and cats.Here's a look at what Cara is working to change –These dogs live in sparse conditions with few resources and no extras. They are held in chain-link kennels behind police stations, at the city dump, or in squat concrete buildings with no heat/AC until their owners come for them or they are destroyed to make room for new dogs that arrive. Their pictures are not on a shelter website or Petfinder. Rarely is there anyone working to address their physical, emotional or behavioral needs, let alone search for an adopter. Their only chance beyond being claimed by their owners is for a rescue worker to visit the pound and ‘pull' them, transporting them to rescues sometimes several states away.To help support Cara's initiative, PawsGo will donate $5 from each Not Alone wine bag sold online or at one of our pop-ups.  All PawsGo items feature original artwork and are produced locally to our home in Alexandria, Virginia.  These bags make great holiday or hostess gifts.  In additional to holding a bottle of wine – a bunch of tennis balls, dog toys or dog treats also fit perfectly in each bag – www.pawsgo.com

In June 2013, MaryBeth Powers noticed a lump the size of a golf ball on her dog Teddy's snout.  Only two days later she heard the words no pet owner wants to hear, it was cancer.​Teddy had a sarcoma (a malignant tumor of connective or other nonepithelial tissue). The vet's orders were to “keep him comfortable, he had only about two, maybe four weeks to live”.   As Marybeth recounts in this episode of the pawdcast, keeping him comfortable, meant giving him five medications that left normally joyful Teddy severely sedated.Marybeth was determined that Teddy would live his best life – no matter how many days, weeks or hopefully months he had. While researching holistic methods to reduce cancer in dogs, MaryBeth developed a “treat” that she began adding to Teddy's food.  MaryBeth believes the anti-inflammatory treat she developed for her beloved Teddy allowed him to remain with her and her family for THREE ADDITIONAL YEARS.MaryBeth shares with Karen and Jean how her singular focus on healing Teddy has become a much broader passion and second career.The treat MaryBeth developed became Teddy's Turmeric Tamer and is now shipped nationwide. It can be found at specialty pet related shops in Northern Virginia.  MaryBeth personally hand fills every order.  For more information visit https://www.teddysturmerictamer.com/ or email MaryBeth at teddystamer@cox.netFrom Teddy's Turmeric Tamer --DISCLAIMER: Product information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The comments and feedback about our product effectiveness are based on customer, staff, and family opinions and should not be substituted for medical care. We are not liable for any individual reaction to any particular ingredient, therefore, please remember to read the label and ingredient lists carefully and follow the appropriate directions for use and consumption at your own risk. Currently, this product is licensed through the State of Virginia as a “feed” license for a pet treat. For Humans, this has not been approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). ​Turmeric can interact with some medications, so check with your vet/doctor before taking this product especially if your pet takes meds for anti-inflammatory or diabetes.

Boomer has been a fan of Lucky Dog Cuisine since he was a puppy 12 years ago.  In this episode of the PawsGo pawdcast, Karen chats with Dr. Janice Elenbaas, the founder of Lucky Dog Cuisine.  Lucky Dog Cuisine is a fresh, subscription-based dog food.  Long before there were countless “fresh” dog food ads filling our Facebook feeds, Lucky Dog was THE pioneer in fresh, healthy dog food.  It's fair to say that Dr. Elenbaas created the path that others would follow.Based on homemade food that her mother intuitively created for her family's dogs and encouraged by her local butcher to share her recipe with the local South Carolina public, Lucky Dog Cuisine was born in 2008, following the 2007 melamine contaminated pet food recall.From increased competition in the fresh dog food space to supply chain and labor challenges caused by the pandemic, Lucky Dog Cuisine remains a hands-on, family run operation – where happy and healthy clients are recognized and celebrated!Learn more about Lucky Dog and why canine nutrition matters here -- https://luckydogcuisine.com/Note:  PawsGo was not compensated for this podcast, the topic was Boomer's idea, he really loves the food!

We've discussed smiling leashes and leashes as equipment.  In this episode Karen and Jean chat with their friend Sandy Modell of Wholistic Hound Academy (https://www.wholistichound.com/ ) about collars.  Collars are more than a stylish accessory.  Unfortunately, some owners and trainers use collars for correction and discipline.  Sandy shares that even the seemingly innocent vibrating e-collars can have an adverse impact on your dog and your relationship.   And don't get her started on prong collars!Sandy also shares questions owners should ask potential trainers and red flags to look for before entrusting your dog and your wallet to a program – here's a hint, if you hear the phrase “balanced training” find another trainer!Never miss an episode of the PawsGo pawdcast and subscribe through your favorite platform!  If you have an idea for a topic or a guest our pawdcast, message us through PawsGo on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!  If we use your idea, we will send you a very cool PawsGo t-shirt.  You can see all of our pawsitively awesome merch at www.pawsgo.com

You can thank Boomer and Poppy for this episode of the PawsGo pawdcast featuring Shameless Pets upcycled dog and cat treats.  Karen purchased the Tooth Berry Dental Treats because she liked that they were healthy and made from surplus, castoff or ugly food.  Boomer and Poppy LOVED them.  A quick google search revealed that the Shameless Pet story was another great example of really smart dogtrepreneurs, a healthy dose of social responsibility and a food obsessed dog.James was a corporate food buyer for Target and Alex a food scientist for humans.  Mina is James's puggle who never met a scrap of food she didn't like.  Together they created (and tested) Shameless Pets treats for dogs and cats.In this delightful conversation with Alex -- Jean and Karen chat with her about her transition from human food scientist to pet food scientist, the challenges of getting a product to market, the importance of healthy treats and why cats love smelly food!Shameless Pets can be found online (www.shamelesspets.com) and at grocery stores and pet food stores around the country.  These treats got an enthusiastic PAWSUP from both canines and felines.Do you know an innovative dogtrepreneur, a rescue hero, or have a great topic for our pawdcast?  Send us a message through Facebook and Instagram @pawsgo   If we use your suggestion, we will send you a cool PawsGo t-shirt!

This is a PawsGo pawdcast international edition featuring a conversation about the Smiling Leash Project-- https://www.smilingleash.com/     Lyubov Elupova of Bulgari, Ena Kobentar of Slovenia and Leticia Sanchez Moral of Spain met at European Dog Training School led by Turid Rugass - http://en.turid-rugaas.no/   Rugass is world renowned trainer and behaviorist – many of her techniques support natural methods for canine/human communication which she calls calming signals.  Loose leash dog walking is part of the Rugass philosophy – Ena, Lyubov and Leticia called it the smiling leash and have created an international movement focused on loose leash walking and behavior.  It’s a fascinating conversation – yes they use a smiling leash in urban areas!    Take a listen and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.  They have a very informative blog on their website.

For baseball fans, it’s the World Series; for football, it’s the Super Bowl; if movies are your passion, it’s the Oscars. For dog lovers the top competition is the Westminster Dog Show. In this episode of the PawsGo pawdcast, Jean and Karen chat with Kristina Shaw Whetzel, a breeder of champion Australian Shepherds and Becky Lueth, a champion handler, who has wrangled and guided more than one prestigious pup through New York City and the rings of Westminster. Karen and Jean chat with Kristina and ask how she knows a dog is “Westminster material” and what it means to a breeder to have a dog compete. Becky shares what makes Westminster so special for handlers and participants and why some dogs just love to compete!PawsUP for the Westminster Dog Show which announced the show will go on in 2021 – but it will be held outside in June – details are here https://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/plan-your-visit/ticketsDo you like our pawdcast as much as we like sharing it? Please subscribe and leave us a rating!

If you talk to your dog and SWEAR they understand what you’re saying – you will love this episode of the pawdcast. Karen and Jean chat with Courtney Sexton, a doctoral research student in the George Washington University Department of Anthropology's Center for Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology and her research focused on canine communication. Courtney recently launched the Dog Face Study (www.howdogstalk.org ). A HUGE animal lover, Courtney designed the study to leverage increased understanding of dog behavior to make us better canine companions and inform what we know about the evolution of language, communication and social relationships. You and your dog can participate in the study – and become a citizen scientist by registering at www.howdogstalk.org By registering and sharing short videos of your dog, you not only help inform Courtney’s research, but you’ll be entered to win a Chewy gift card – share that bit of news with your dog and let us know what she says, it will be written all over her face!You can also follow Courtney’s progress on Instagram and Twitter -- Instagram: @How_Dogs_Talk Twitter: @HowDogsTalkIf you like this episode – and we hope you do, please rate us and leave a comment AND share with a friend! PawsUP to you!!

In this episode of the pawdcast, Jean and Karen chat with Valerie Alfinito, a trainer who shifted her focus to creating handcrafted leather leashes and collars. A true dogtrepreneur – Valerie founded Dog Sports Designs in the 1990s when her clients came to her training classes with bruised, cut and injured hands from their dog’s leashes.To Valerie, leashes aren’t an accessory – they should be considered equipment and her handmade leather leashes will last your dog’s lifetime.As Karen, Jean and Valerie discuss, while Valerie’s leashes can be found at Westminster and the World Agility Championships – they are even more appropriate (and important) for all of us pet parents who really want the best for our dogs – and our hands! If you’ve watched the Westminster Dog Show, you’ve likely seen the “bejeweled” leashes in the ring – Valerie created the first bejeweled leash and with a client created a lasting dog show tradition. PawsUP for Valerie!Karen and Jean’s dogs (and hands) are big fans of Valerie’s leashes. As are America’s Veterinarian, Dr. Marty Becker; the Obama’s – Bo was an early customer; and countless rescues and champions.Valerie’s handcrafted dog leashes can be found at www.dogsportdesigns.com – enter code PawsGo20 for a SPECIAL 20 percent discount on your purchase.

Our friend Andrew Hager, the Historian in Residence at the Presidential Pet Museum, returns to the pawdcast for a fun conversation about Presidential pets during the holidays – remember Barney Cam? Dogs AND cats have been featured on White House Christmas cards, videos, and visits from Santa for decades. Andrew shares some of his favorite White House holiday pet stories. Karen, Jean and Andrew also chat about why the country is so captivated by Champ and Major, the Biden’s German Shepherds. The First Dogs-Elect will certainly earn their place in history, with Major becoming the first rescue dog to live in the White House – or is he? Andrew provides accounts of other less fortunate animals that have gone from rags to riches as First Pets -- including an unbelievable story about a basket full of badgers!You can learn more about the Presidential Pet Museum here -- https://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/ And check out their gift shop – there is a Major Biden t-shirt, but sadly, nothing with a badger.Happy Holidays from Karen and Jean!

Kossi, a Greyhound Mix, Says 100 % Yes!In this episode of the Pawdcast, Karen and Jean chat with Teri Schultz, a freelance reporter for National Public Radio and Deutsche Welle.Based in Brussels, Belgium it was a story in Finland caught animal-lover Teri’s attention. A project being overseen by the University of Helsinki using scent detection dogs to sniff out Covid 19 at Helsinki’s airport. At the height of the pandemic, Teri traveled to Helsinki twice – once at her own expense, to cover the story.What Teri shares is nothing short of fascinating. Kossi, a greyhound mix who was adopted off the streets of Spain, has developed into a master sniffer -- with a specialty for identifying diseases. Under the guidance of his owner/trainer, Kossi can detect Covid 19 in minutes with incredible accuracy. Finland is one of several countries, studying (or piloting) the use of dogs to sniff out the virus and help snuff out the pandemic. The United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, the United Arab Emirates and the United State are conducting similar programs. Here in the U.S., work is being done at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine.Teri, Jean and Karen discuss what’s needed to take this program to scale and the unlimited applications for this noninvasive (nonthreatening) type of detection.Learn more about Kossi’s work here -- https://en.wisenose.fi/smell_detection/https://www.dogrisk.com/research-group

In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen and Jean chat with Dr. Amanda Tinkle of the Dog Aging Project -- https://dogagingproject.org/The Dog Aging Project (DAP) isn’t as much about old dogs as it is about how dogs age.This massive project is the first major longitudinal study involving dogs, and it's scheduled to last at least 10 years.DAP includes expert scientists and research veterinarians from over 20 research institutions and veterinary teaching hospitals. The core leadership is based at the University of Washington and Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.The goal of this study is to understand how genes, lifestyle, and environment influence dog aging. As Dr. Tinkle shares, the information will then be used to help pets and people increase dogs’ health span, meaning the dog’s period of life spent free from disease.Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the project is the role ANY dog owner can play. Dr. Tinkle explains how each of us can nominate our dog to be a part of the study, and owners can become citizen scientists.Calling all BIG dogs – the project needs you! While thousands of dogs have registered to be part of the study, Dr. Tinkle says they need more large breed dogs, as well as dogs that are still intact (not spayed or neutered).You can become a citizen scientist, nominate your dog and learn more about the Dog Aging Project at dogagingproject.org

In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen and Jean chat with Chris Gabriel, owner of Nature's Nibbles, about what constitutes healthy dog food and what we as owners should be providing our dogs. When you think about it, as owners, we have to make so many decisions for our dogs and their health. Too often, too little thought goes into what we feed them, unless an issue develops. Chris and his wife Anne started Nature’s Nibbles, a natural pet food store, over a decade ago as a result their dog’s multiple allergies and afflictions. It was through trial, error, and a ton of research that they determined her allergies were a result of highly processed dog food. The knowledge they gained through that experience has led to a successful small business and an impassioned campaign to educate dog owners on heathy food choices -- including kibble!Note: Chris’s comments are his own and reflect his opinion and research. Links to the studies and articles he cites can be found below.https://wjla.com/features/7-on-your-side/prescription-pet-food-ingredients?fbclid=IwAR1XrXpRuvfNT6lbjB0z5Sc6Pwuvtyy4QLNC2MTJTWJLqBIMwAKktc9CYEshttps://www.whole-dog-journal.com/blog/update-on-grain-free-diets-and-dcm-cases-in-dogs/?fbclid=IwAR0512jfl7ZoYM7UgcAPj99NcRZdbohW90LZ5_iZUNCKaX9aWyELYOZekDkhttps://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/full/10.2460/javma.253.11.1390?fbclid=IwAR2iS9MivMOrOEDxTXrGi2bj06kbjX4W4fQLxLxWIhTSSLwTSViWPkIoE9Q&https://www.earthmd.ca/blogs/health-and-nutrition-in-our-pets/dcm-a-response-to-recent-reports?fbclid=IwAR1XrXpRuvfNT6lbjB0z5Sc6Pwuvtyy4QLNC2MTJTWJLqBIMwAKktc9CYEs

Puppies!!! Everyone loves puppies, and during this pandemic, it seems like EVERYONE is getting a puppy. And why not? The majority of us are still working from home or have an adjusted schedule. And let’s be honest, few things in life are more joyful and uplifting than a puppy. But puppies take work. In this episode of the pawdcast, Jean and Karen chat with Kathy Callahan, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, specializing in puppies. Kathy shares her tips to ensure BOTH humans and puppies are successful and well trained. Kathy also discusses why raising a puppy during this pandemic has its challenges and how owners can address those challenges for happier puppies and humans.Karen, Kathy and Jean all share a PawsUp – we’ve placed a moratorium on PawsDown until we are all safely through this pandemic!You can learn more about Kathy and the wonderful work she does here -- https://www.puppypicks.com/

Based in Washington, D.C., People. Animals. Love. (PAL) was founded in 1982 by a local veterinarian. It leverages the human animal bond to meet some of society’s most pressing needs in some very unique ways.PAL’s mission focuses on the benefits of animal companionship with mentally and physically ill patients, children in hospitals, and seniors in nursing homes.In this episode of the Pawdcast, Jean and Karen chat that James Haworth, the organization’s executive director, about PAL’s work and how Zoom has allowed one of its most popular programs to continue during the pandemic – reading to dogs.Through PAL’s literacy program, children gain confidence and skills with the help of some very willing four-legged volunteers. The COVID19 pandemic hasn’t slowed it down at all, in fact the literacy program is thriving!PAL is always looking for volunteers – and donors to keep their programs going. You and your dog can sign up and you donate here https://www.peopleanimalslove.org/

In February, Jean and Karen scored press passes to the Westminster Dog Show and headed to New York City for the Westminster Kennel Club’s 144th event and walked away huge fans. Hugely inspiring and surprisingly accessible, the event is a MUST for any dog lover. It's also the country's second oldest sporting event -- right behind the Kentucky Derby.In this episode of the Pawdcast, Jean and Karen chat with Gail Miller Bisher about all things Westminster – the history, the culture, the fashion – why do judges wear ballgowns and handlers opt for sequences? Gail is the voice of FOX Sports’ coverage of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and serves as the Westminster Kennel Club’s director of communications and an on-air analyst for its iconic dog show.Gail stepped into the dog show ring at ten years old and never looked back. She was the first junior handler with a Bearded Collie to qualify for Westminster Kennel Club’s famed Junior Showmanship competition, where she placed second. As a professional dog handler in college, where she studied broadcast communications, she won many prestigious awards from best of breed to best in show. Gail shares insight into what it means to win Westminster and why the event is as exciting for spectators as it is for owners.Karen, Jean and Gail each share a #pawsup and encourage more dog lovers to check the Westminster Dog Show off their bucket li

You know who loves stay at home orders for humans? DOGS! You know who isn’t going to be thrilled when humans start going back to work? DOGS! Our friend Sandy Modell of Wholistic Hound Academy is back and we discuss ways to address separation anxiety in dogs, now -- before routines change again. She provides simple exercises to get everyone on the right track. The reality is, both humans and dogs like routine, so create one now for an easier transition later. This is also the perfect time to beat the boredom for you and your dog through enrichment exercises that can be done inside and outside. Here’s a hint, you can utilize the cardboard rolls from all the toilet paper you’ve been hoarding! For more ideas and resources, visit https://www.wholistichound.com/ and follow PawsGo on Facebook and Instagram.

IF forced to come up with an unintended positive outcome of the COVID 19 pandemic, it’s probably the number of dogs and cats that are being fostered and adopted by stir crazy sheltering in place humans.In this episode, Karen and Jean chat (virtually) with Cara Sue Achterberg, an author and foster volunteer with Operation Paws for Homes (OPH), who literally wrote the book on fostering. In Another Good Dog, Cara not only chronicles her family’s experiences with over 100 foster dogs, she invites us to join her mission to end the euthanasia of good dogs simply because there is not time, money, or resources to find a home for them.Cara continues to foster for OPH. The recording of this episode was pushed back a week because Cara and her family were receiving a new mother and her puppies, and we learn the very sad reason why Cara and her family have made fostering mothers and puppies their focus. By the way, Mama Mia and the Broadway Babes will be available for adoption through OPH – www.ophrescue.org Cara’s next book, One Hundred Dogs and Counting, will be published by Pegasus Books in the summer of 2020. You can read more about Cara’s work and follow her blog here http://www.carawrites.com/ She writes about more than dogs!Jean, Cara and Kara share lots of PawsUP – deciding it’s too difficult a time for a PawsDOWN! And you’re invite to take the PawsGo Facebook challenge – Please share and post a photo of your dog! Here’s a little twist on the current challenge circulating on Facebook. Join the challenge of posting a picture of some landscape from a place where you've been, where the main requirement is that you NOT appear in it, only your pup(s). Just a picture, no description. The goal is to see beautiful landscape photos and some lovable pups. Let’s do a little virtual traveling with our dog while we are home! Post on your Facebook page tag PawsGo so we can share it and tag others to take the challenge!

In this absolutely DELIGHTFUL episode, Jean and Karen chat with Andrew Hager, the incredibly engaging and informative historian of record for the Presidential Pet Museum. Full disclosure, the Presidential Pet Museum is currently closed for renovations. It was founded in 1999 as a means of preserving information, artifacts, and items related to the presidential pets. You can visit it virtually here at http://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/ But we got all the great stories from Andrew. Like Rebecca the Racoon, who became a presidential family pet through an unsavory set of circumstances. And there’s Pushinka, her name means Fluffy in Russian and her mother was a Cosmonaut (REALLY). Pushinka was a gift to the Kennedys by Nikita Khrushchev. Pushinka loved America and the Kennedys. She really loved their dog Charlie, with whom she had four puppies. The Kennedy family gave two of the puppies to family friends and two went to children in the Midwest. Can you help Andrew solve the mystery of Pushinka Kennedy’s puppies? Tag PawsGo on Instagram or Facebook if you have any knowledge of Pushinka Kennedy's puppies.Andrew is also the author of two children’s books – Old Ike, the story of Woodrow Wilson’s ram and Pushinka! Both are available on Amazon.https://www.amazon.com/Old-Ike-Fictionalized-Woodrow-Wilsons/dp/1545473102https://www.amazon.com/Pushinka-Fictionalized-Story-Kennedys-POTUS/dp/1727348486Karen, Jean and Andrew give their PawsUP and PawsDOWN. Share your suggestions for a PawsUP or a PawsDOWN and you’ll receive an awesome PawsGo t-shirt like Alyson from Orange county. PawsUP for Alyson! See all PawsGo merchandise at www.pawsgo.com

It’s another episode on our favorite topic – Dog Behavior! In this episode, Karen and Jean chat with Gwen Podulka of DogTrained, and learn all about a dog’s body language. Did you know you can tell a lot about how your dog is feeling based on the way he wags his tail? Yup! There is tail wagging! And there is TAIL WAGGING!!!!! They mean different things and not always GOOD things.Learning the nuances of your dog’s body language will make you both happier.We also touch on training and Gwen shares some of her favorite resources – she’s a big fan of Fenzi Dog Sports Academy and their online courses – no matter where you live, if you have a computer, you can access great information and training https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/Gwen, Karen and Jean share their PawsUP and PawsDOWN. Send your PawsUp and PawsDown to us via Instagram @pawsgo and if we use it, we will send you a cool PawsGo t-shirt!For more about Gwen and DogTrained, visit http://www.dogtrained.com/

Who among us hasn’t seen the meme, t-shirt or said it out loud? Who hasn’t had this thought -- If I won the lottery, I’d build a huge sanctuary and save all the dogs!!In this episode of the Pawdcast, Jean and Karen chat with Luisa Paucchi, the founder and president of Lu’s Labs. Lu’s Labs is a five year old foster based Labrador Retriever rescue headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia.Luisa didn’t win the lottery to start this rescue - in fact she still works full-time, but the dogs she rescues sure have. She pulls from high kill shelters and through fosters and volunteers, the dogs are placed in homes within a 5 hour drive of Alexandria. Luisa learned a lot as a volunteer with a couple of other rescues and has incorporated some of their best practices into the work she does. But she also realized that dog rescue could be done better and more efficiently and created new practices for Lu’s Labs. For instance, take a look at the website, www.luslabs.org and you see a list of recommended trainers and behaviorists, dog walkers and list of online resources.Luisa is an unabashed advocate for the dogs she and her volunteers rescue. During the conversation she shares the importance of those volunteers (they are the lifeblood of any rescue) and what makes a good adopter (hint, not everyone is suited for a Lab).PawsGo is proud to support Lu’s Labs through the sale of its Labrador inspired Want a Friend? Get a Dog t-shirts. You can find them at www.pawsgo.com

If anyone needs the comfort of a dog, it’s those of us that work full time! Dogs are great stress relievers and enable us to get the exercise we need. But no dog should be alone 8 hours (or more) a day while we are hard at work. One could argue that the emergence of the dog walker as a business and profession has enabled more hard-working Americans to experience the joys of dog ownership, by providing dogs with much needed mid-day breaks.Like most things pet related, dog walking and pet sitting are rapidly growing businesses with codes of conduct, certification programs, insurance and local and international associations.In this episode, we chat with Lauren Heath, a social worker turned pet sitter/dog walker and the owner of Presidential Pet Care, located in Northern Virginia just outside of Washington, DC. Karen, Jean and Lauren discuss what owners should look for in a dog walker and pet sitter. Hint, there are lots questions we all should ask.In a very short time, Lauren has grown Presidential Pet Care into one of the area’s top professional pet care businesses, with incredibly high standards for employees and clients. They are bonded and insured in addition to being a member of Pet Sitters International and the National Capital Area of Professional Pet Sitters. https://presidentialpetcare.com/Lauren, Jean and Karen share their PawsUP and PawsDOWN If you have an idea for a podcast, ping us on Instagram @PawsGo – and share your PawsUPs and PawsDOWN with us – if we use any of your ideas, you’ll get a cool PawsGo t-shirt. Find them all at www.pawsgo.comLauren is passionate about the human-animal bond and seeks to make a positive impact in her community through her business, Presidential Pet Care®, and personal endeavors as “the Dog Boss Lady.” She is working toward becoming a CPDT (Certified Professional Dog Trainer) to follow her dream of training assistance dogs for victims of violence.Lauren is an graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses scholarship program. She is a Certified Professional Pet Sitter® (CPPS®) and a member of Pet Sitters International. Lauren is also a member of the National Capital Area of Professional Pet Sitters and is a member of their 2018 Executive Committee.Talking the Talk and Walking the Walk – the professional dog walk tells all

A food truck for dogs? Yup, and not a truck that rolls up and hands out kibble. Woofbowl serves up treats like burgers, fries and pho! In this episode, Jean and Karen chat with the incredibly cool and extremely focused Ron and Solo. Ron, a Navy veteran, suffers from PTSD. He also has an MBA and is an author. Solo’s family escaped Cambodia’s killing fields. She fulfilled her parent’s wishes and became a biochemical engineer. It was Ron’s PTSD that lead them to becoming “dog parents”. Their two French Bulldogs proved to be exactly what he needed. Solo soon began creating healthy meals for the dogs and developed a real interest in canine nutrition.Love of their dogs, a passion for nutrition and a true entrepreneurial spirit led them to creating Woofbowl.Woofbowl is the first food truck for dogs operating in the Washington, DC area. Boomer and Poppy met them at an event and gave Woofbowl 4 PawsUP! More about Ron, Solo and Woofbowl here -- https://www.mywoofbowl.com/Do you know cool "dogtrepreneurs" like Ron and Solo? Send us a DM or tag us on Instagram @pawsgo and if we use your suggestion, you'll get a PawsGo t-shirt. See them all at www.pawsgo.com

We love smart women with big ideas that do good! In this episode, Karen and Jean chat with Anne Tuccillo, founder of Pawfectly Delicious dog treats. A federal employee ready for retirement, Anne was also growing concerned about limited employment opportunities for her adult son Bryan. Bryan was aging out of special education services within his school district. SURPRISE – their dog Friday led them to the pawfect solution. Together Bryan and Anne (with help of Friday) founded Pawfectly Delicious dog treats. Not only are their treats tasty – Savannah and Daisy gave them an enthusiastic PawsUP – Pawfectly Delicious is a not for profit that provides employment opportunities to young adults with disabilities while allowing them to give back to the community! Anne and Bryan’s awesome treats are available nationwide through their website -- https://www.pawfectlydelicious.org/Do you know a trio like Anne, Bryan and Friday that deserves a PawsGo shout out? If so, send us a DM or tag us through Instagram @pawsgo. If we feature your idea – YOU get a cool PawsGo t-shirt – see them all at www.pawsgo.com

From Naval officer to Reiki Master to Animal Communicator, Maribeth Decker has had a very interesting career. And as if taking care of her own dog and cats isn’t enough, Maribeth helps countless other humans communicate with their animals. Jean and Karen chat with Maribeth about her gift as a communicator. Maribeth helps adopted animals settle in their new home, humans understand their pet’s behaviors, and ease the passing of a best friend. That’s how Karen met Maribeth and shares her heartfelt experience of loosing her sweet dog Kacey – and yes, there are tears.https://sacredgrove.com/https://www.pawsgo.com/2018/05/13/the-long-good-bye/Jean’s PawsDownJean’s PawsUpKaren’s PawsDown -- https://www.wpxi.com/news/top-stories/117-dogs-removed-from-home-in-largest-rescue-on-record-for-animal-friends/985352045 Karen’s PawsUP – https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/10/04/ross-township-dogs-ready-for-adoption/ Including CJ, she’s now in ARPH’s (www.Aussierescue.org) Foster program in MD

Did you know that the federal government spending $15 billion annually on antiquated animal experimentation? White Coat Waste, a not for profit with a mission to end taxpayer-funded animal testing, is determined to expose this practice and end it. Board member Julie Germany and Vice President of Public Affairs, Justin Goodman stop by to share their victories, challenges, and expose some shocking government practices. The story Julie’s laboratory recue dog, Violet, opens the conversation. You can see photos of Violet here. You can read more about their work here www.whitecoatwaste.org. Jean, Karen, Justin and Julie all share their PawsUp and PawsDown.

Sandy Modell, the founder of Wholistic Hound Academy, stops by to chat about training – it’s not just for problem dogs - it’s the foundation of dog ownership. Sandy’s training is based on positive reinforcement. She, Jean and Karen discuss the evolution of training and how research is driving changes in training techniques – here’s a hint, yelling at your dog won’t work! Jean, Karen and Sandy all share their PawsUPs and a few PawsDOWNS. Learn more about the Wholistic Hound approach here – www.wholistichound.com