Pick of the Litter Podcast

Pick of the Litter Podcast

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Dog training advice is everywhere on the internet and social media — but how do you know what to trust? Join trainers Michael Tomai and Kathy Callahan as they discuss the experts, ideas and techniques that really help dogs and their people live more happily together. Each episode will leave listeners with something simple to try, a game-changing idea to ponder, and a big name whose books or videos are gold.

Kathy Callahan & Mike Tomai


    • Dec 18, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 56m AVG DURATION
    • 15 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Pick of the Litter Podcast is a must-listen for dog owners and lovers alike. Hosted by Kathy and Mike, this podcast offers a wealth of information and wisdom on all things related to dogs and their behavior. The hosts bring a unique perspective to the table, combining their own decades of experience working with dogs with insights from leading behaviorists in the field. From training techniques to improving the human-canine relationship, this podcast covers it all.

    One of the best aspects of The Pick of the Litter Podcast is its high-quality content. Kathy and Mike provide well-researched and relevant information that is sourced from experts in the field. This ensures that listeners are getting reliable and up-to-date advice on how to care for their furry friends. Additionally, the hosts' practical tips based on their own experiences as trainers add another layer of value to each episode.

    Another great aspect of this podcast is its accessibility. The hosts have a knack for presenting complex concepts in an easy-to-understand manner, making it suitable for both new dog owners and experienced ones. The episodes are well-structured and include actionable tips that can be easily incorporated into daily routines with dogs.

    While it's challenging to find any major drawbacks in this podcast, one minor criticism could be that some episodes may feel too short. Given the amount of valuable information shared in each episode, listeners may find themselves wanting more. However, this can also be seen as a positive aspect as it leaves room for further exploration or follow-up episodes on specific topics.

    In conclusion, The Pick of the Litter Podcast is an essential resource for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of dogs and improve their relationship with them. Kathy and Mike's expertise combined with their passion for dogs shines through each episode, making it an enjoyable and informative listen. Whether you're a new dog owner or have years of experience, this podcast will undoubtedly provide valuable insights that will benefit both you and your furry friend.



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    Latest episodes from Pick of the Litter Podcast

    Choosing The Right Dog For You

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 62:29


    In this episode, we discuss the different factors that go into choosing the right dog and how it can lead to a happy and successful life for both the human and dog.

    Dr. Amy Cook's "The Play Way"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2024 48:53


    Do you know how to really PLAY with your dog? The answer is more complicated - and important - than it might seem. True social play between you and your dog can be a powerful tool in building connection and trust, and it can be a much-needed reprieve for a dog living here in our human world. Dr. Amy Cook is the expert on human-canine play, and her "Play Way" approach is our topic for this episode.   LINKS: Video of Dr. Cook demonstrating some elements of "The Play Way" https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=681929543785963    Graphic illustrating highlighting key Play Way concepts https://blog.doggiedrawings.net/post/614077754120519680   Kathy's article on play in Whole Dog Journal      

    cook amy cook whole dog journal
    Resource Guarding & Jean Donaldson's "Mine"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024 69:53


    Have you ever been surprised by a growl as you tried to take something from your sweet dog? Taken aback when your usually friendly dog bared her teeth as the neighbor's dog came near her toy? Resource guarding is both completely natural AND can be a big problem! We see folks worrying too much in some cases, and not enough in others. In this episode we use Jean Donaldson's book "Mine" as a jumping off point for a discussion on resource guarding: what to watch for, how to use management to prevent issues, how to handle emergencies, and how to keep your dog from becoming a problematic guarder. 

    Ian Dunbar's "Barking Up The Right Tree" and a Discussion On Punishment

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2024 62:08


    Does punishment work with dogs? Dr. Ian Dunbar has spent five decades at the forefront of the industry as a vet, researcher and trainer, and he's channeled it all into his new book, "Barking Up The Right Tree." In this episode, we focus on the one chapter that is a master class on punishment. Rather than addressing the morality or ethics involved, Dunbar goes straight to the science: Is it effective? When we yell, jerk on the leash, buzz or shock our dogs, what does it teach them? Listen to find out. 

    "Welcoming Your Puppy From Planet Dog" - Kathy's New Book!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2024 71:52


    On this podcast, we often talk about authors — and this time, the author is one of us! "Welcoming Your Puppy from Planet Dog: How to Go Beyond Training and Raise Your Best Friend" is Kathy's new puppy guide.  Take a listen to learn why she says your training success will skyrocket if you make this one key mindset shift: think of your puppy as a baby you kidnapped from another planet. While the book offers many tips and techniques regarding the various challenges of puppyhood, the fundamental key is that starting with empathy just may be the best training tip there is. 

    Environmental Rewards- They're All Around You

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2024 56:20


    This episode focuses on using different types of environmental rewards (also known as functional rewards) to enrich your relationship with your dog and create daily habits that reinforce behaviors that you want to see your dog do more often.

    Kim Brophey ”Meet Your Dog” and the L.E.G.S. model

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 69:53


    In this episode, we discuss Kim Brophey's L.E.G.S. model for approaching dog training.  We conclude the episode with some of our favorite "hacks" that she uses to help satisfy the needs of our canine family members as well accomplish the behaviors we are looking for.

    dogs model kim brophey
    Enjoying The Holidays and Staying Safe With Your Dog

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2023 43:57


    'Tis the season . . .  for dog bites, dog fights, and trips to the ER after a chocolate feast! In this episode we discuss the ways you can help your canine family members enjoy the holidays as much as the rest of the family, and keep everyone safe while doing so. 

    Pulling on Leash: Strategies for a Better Walk

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2023 38:44


    Does your dog pull on leash? Probably! Why? Because walking steadily forward in a straight line is not something a dog does naturally. It's a big ask we humans make of our dogs, which is why this challenge takes some time, and a multi-faceted approach. In this episode we talk about the strategies and equipment we find most successful in getting to a walk that's enjoyable from both ends of the leash. 

    Jumping Up on People: Strategies to Keep 4 on the Floor

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2023 40:20


    When tiny puppies jump up to say hi it can be so cute! Whoops . . . it's not so cute later on when kids are getting knocked over, clothes are getting muddy, and grandma gets hurt. To eliminate that jumping, it's key to teach (and reward) different ways for dogs to greet people, or express their desire to engage. In this episode we'll cover all the things you can do so that your dog learns that keeping four on the floor is the most direct route to the affection, play and up-close smells they're after. 

    Potty Training: The Basics

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2023 46:38


    Teaching your puppy to use the outdoor bathroom is both the simplest and the most challenging part of puppyhood. It's simple because combining the top three strategies absolutely works — but it's miserable because doing it right takes an incredible amount of dedication. This episode is a discussion of how to make this intense phase as short as possible.

    Canine Body Language & Dr. Patricia McConnell

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2023 82:59


    Do you ever think that you and your dog aren't communicating very well? You can get much better at it! Dr. Patricia McConnell's work as a zoologist and an applied animal behaviorist been groundbreaking in helping people to understand canine body language — and how our own primate-style body language confuses our dogs, and weakens our relationship.  In this episode, we use McConnell's classic book "The Other End of the Leash" as a jumping off point, discussing all the simple things you can do to improve communication between yourself and your dog.  As the episode continues, we delve into McConnell's fascinating research on vocalizations between species — if you want your dog to come quickly, then don't use one long slow note to call! —  and then finish with a more abstract conversation on the complex issue of "dominance." NOTES Patricia McConnell is a delightful speaker, and we highly suggest that you search her out on your podcast app! She has been a guest on: Drinking from the Toilet Pod to the Rescue The Bitey End of the Dog  

    Clicker Training & Karen Pryor's ”Don't Shoot the Dog”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2023 62:13


    If you've heard of clicker training but you're not quite sure what it is, this episode is for you. “Clicker training” has become shorthand for positive reinforcement training, and marine mammal behaviorist Karen Pryor is credited with bringing this incredibly effective technique to the dog training world. Here, we talk about Pryor's classic book “Don't Shoot The Dog,” and cover why, how and when to use a clicker.

    Pattern Games from Leslie McDevitt

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2023 54:30


    In this episode, we focus on the work of dog trainer and behaviorist Leslie McDevitt.  Her deceptively simple pattern games are huge favorites with our clients for good reason: they're easy to use, and they work. We cover our favorites, explaining how to do them, when to use them, and why we love them: The Up-Down Game, Ping-Pong, 1-2-3, Go & Come Game, Look & Sniff Game, and Look At That    

    Positive Reinforcement & Kathy Sdao's ”Plenty In Life Is Free”

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2023 40:35


    We're going to kick things off by introducing you to the work and wisdom of Kathy Sdao. Not only does she have an overall philosophy that we'd love to burn into the hearts and brains of our clients, but she also came up with our very favorite training exercise, the one we both use with almost every client, called SMART x 50, which we'll explain in this episode

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