The Family Pupz Podcast

Follow The Family Pupz Podcast
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

A dog novice and a licensed dog trainer have conversations about the most commonly requested dog training and behavioral issues.

Tanya & Charles Lim


    • Oct 13, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 1m AVG DURATION
    • 53 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from The Family Pupz Podcast with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from The Family Pupz Podcast

    Dog Grooming

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2024 68:03


    Today's Topic:  Did you know that dog groomers touch and see family pets twenty times more often than a veterinarian does?Knowing this, how can the role of the dog groomer be elevated in the dog ecosystem to further support the health and wellness of our dogs?That's why we invited the the CEO and co-founder of Well Groomed Pets, a premium dog grooming franchise offering the industry's most comprehensive approach to wellness, Michael Hill, to the podcast to discuss his transition from the dentistry industry to the dog grooming industry, why he wants to elevate the dog groomer's role in the dog wellness ecosystem, the types of data points he wants to gather on dog wellness during every grooming interaction, how his groomers balance efficiency with well-being, what he looks for when looking for a local groomer, and so much more!Guest Bio: Michael Hill is the CEO and Co-Founder of Well Groomed Pets, spearheading innovation in pet care. Michael's passion for animal welfare grew after the loss of a beloved family pet that succumbed to cancer—a loss that may have been avoided with early intervention. Combining his desire to provide preventative care for pets with his entrepreneurship and business acumen, he launched Well Groomed Pets, knowing that pet groomers touch and see family pets twenty times more often than a veterinarian does. Under his leadership, Well Groomed Pets has revolutionized pet grooming services, prioritizing quality and convenience while providing a comprehensive nose-to-tail wellness check for every pet seen. Connect With Michael HillWebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramYouTube

    Vet Visits

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024 68:14


    Today's Topic:  When you adequately prepare your dog for a visit to the vet, it can reduce stress for all parties (dog, dog parent(s) & vet staff) and contribute to an overall smoother experience at the vet.But what is the best way to prepare, and how do you know you're doing all that you can to make the vet experience as positive as possible for your dog?That's why we invited the founder of Animal Behavior Training Concepts in Chicago, Illinois, Laura Monaco Torelli, to the podcast to discuss the differences between husbandry training and cooperative care, how dog parents can better advocate for their dogs at the vet clinic, specific proactive training tips to help your dog remain calm during vet visits, her advice on preparing dogs for common procedures like blood draws, vaccines, and nail trims, and so much more!Guest Bio: Laura Monaco Torelli is the founder of Animal Behavior Training Concepts in Chicago, Illinois. Her career began in 1991 with Chicago's Shedd Aquarium, where she was part of the animal care team for beluga whales, dolphins, sea otters, seals, river otters, and penguins. After nearly a decade at the Shedd, she moved on to the San Diego Zoo and then Brookfield Zoo as a lead supervisory trainer. During her time in the zoo community, Laura worked with a wide variety of species, including primates, large cats, birds of prey, horses, parrots, tree kangaroos, giraffes, red pandas, and dogs.Laura is a faculty instructor of Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behavior, and serves as a Teaching Assistant for Dr. Susan G. Friedman's Living & Learning with Animals online course. She has been an invited speaker for numerous conferences that include the American Veterinary Medical Association Convention, Midwest Veterinary Conference, Penn Vet Working Dog Conference, ClickerExpo, and the Aggression in Dogs Conference. Connect With Laura Monaco Torelli:WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeOther Resources Mentioned In The Episode:Julie Benson (Made artwork on behalf of Laura's dog, Santino)Living & Learning with Animals: A Super Short Course in the Science and Practice of Behavior Change by Dr. Susan G. FriedmanLaura's Appearance on The Bitey End Of The Dog PodcastThe Spectrum of Fear, Anxiety and Stress - Fear Free WebsiteLow Stress Handling® University CE Online Courses 

    Dog Treats

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2024 87:45


    Today's Topic:  As positive reinforcement dog training continues to grow in popularity, so has the awareness around the different types of dog treats available to help you train your dog.But what are dog treats, exactly?  What are the regulatory requirements, if any, around dog treats to ensure that you're giving your dog something nutritious, delicious and safe?  And how has the increasingly fickle and discerning demands of today's dog parents affected the types of dog treats available today?That's why we invited the founders of Fig & Tyler, an NYC-based premium treat company that makes treats using 100% meat and fish sourced and processed in the USA, Karen Schwichtenberg and Ilya Seglin, to the podcast, to discuss what their initial vision was when creating their treat company, what they saw and valued in each other as partners, how they executed to take their idea and turn it into a company, what dog treats actually are, and so much more!Guest Bio: Karen Schwichtenberg and Ilya Seglin are co-founders of Fig & Tyler, a premium dog treat company based in New York City. Long-time friends, they often talked about how hard it was to find high-quality, healthy dog treats made from recognizable ingredients. So, five years ago they took the leap and started the brand and named it after their beloved dogs.Connect With Fig & Tyler:WebsiteFacebookInstagramOther Resources Mentioned In The Episode:Canine Nutrigenomics: The New Science of Feeding Your Dog For Optimum HealthOmega Paw Tricky Treat Ball, LargeBlog Post: Dogs Would Rather Work For Food

    Overexcitement

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2024 95:51


    Today's Topic:   Having an overexcited dog can present a variety of challenges for dog parents. The exuberance and high energy levels of such dogs can lead to difficulties in training and managing their behavior, which can make simple daily activities like walks or playtime more demanding as these dogs may require extra effort to channel their excess energy appropriately.So as a new dog parent to an overexcited dog, what options do you have in terms of training, management, and changing how you view your dog?That's why we invited the Director of the Behavior & Training Department At The Marin Humane Society, the founder of Canine Behavior Associates, and the author of the critically-acclaimed book, Parenting Your Dog, Trish King, to the podcast, to discuss how we unknowingly are overstimulating our dogs, how dogs can get addicted to excitement - even those rooted in fear, how leashes can add to overexcitement, what "extinctive drift" means, how oversocialization may be contributing to our dogs' overexcitement, and so much more!Guest Bio: Trish has been a professional in the animal world for over 30 years.   As Director of the Behavior & Training Department at the Marin Humane Society, she built a department known throughout the United States for its quality.  Trish established the Canine Behavior Academy at MHS for new or interested trainers.   She currently teaches the Academy of Dog Behavior, and teaches workshops and seminars on behavior, canine management, temperament assessment, and handling difficult dogs, among other topics. In addition, she and her partner own Canine Behavior Associates, consulting with and helping dogs and their owners.Her extensive knowledge of animal behavior, as well as her sense of humor, have made her a popular speaker at a variety of conferences worldwide.Trish authored a critically acclaimed book for dog owners, Parenting Your Dog (TFH Publications).   She has written numerous articles about dog and cat behavior for local and national newspapers and magazines.  She also developed the “Canine Calming Cap", marketed by the Thundershirt Company, to help dogs that are overly anxious or excitable.Connect With Trish King: WebsiteOther Resources Mentioned In The Episode:Overexcited Dog? How to Calm A Dog DownA Dog's Day With Humans – Time Activity Budget Of Free-Ranging Dogs In India

    The End Of Greyhound Racing

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2023 93:06


    Today's Topic:   In the United States, the country in which modern commercial greyhound racing was invented, the sport is nearing its end.It's been a long slide for greyhound racing, which reached its peak in the 1980s when there were more than 50 tracks across 19 states. There are now only 2 dog tracks remaining in one state (West Virginia).The industry's near-total collapse is the culmination of decades of work to publicize allegations of greyhound mistreatment and to fight for its end in the legislature. And the organization that is widely credited for this change is GREY2K USA Worldwide.That's why we invited the founders of Grey2K USA Worldwide, the largest greyhound protection organization in the world, and the authors of the book, Brooklyn Goes Home: The Rise and Fall of American Greyhound Racing and the Dog that Inspired a Movement, Christine A. Dorchak & Carey M. Theil, to the podcast, to discuss the history of greyhound racing in the United States, how they came to make this cause their life's work, the dynamics of their partnership, their opinion on how change REALLY works in the United States, their advice for young people looking to make a difference in the world, and of course, the dog that inspired the movement, Brooklyn, and so much more!Guest Bio: Christine Dorchak and Carey Theil are the co-founders of GREY2K USA Worldwide.  An attorney, Christine specializes in pari-mutuel law and has drafted laws to successfully prohibit dog racing in several states and countries. She has been featured in national publications including the Huffington Post, Forbes, and American Dog. A long-distance runner, she has competed in seven Boston Marathons. Carey has decades of legislative experience and has been quoted in hundreds of news articles about greyhound racing published across the globe. In his free time, Carey volunteers for various non-profit organizations and is a National Master in chess.Connect With Christine A. Dorchak & Carey M. Theil:WebsiteOther Resources Mentioned In The Podcast:Support The Greyhound Protection Act

    Dog Mobility

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2023 68:09


    Today's Topic: Did you know that 1 in 5 dogs experience joint pain and mobility issues?So what can we do when our dogs start exhibiting mobility issues due to injury, old age, obesity, disease, etc.?  And what are the latest trends, technology and methods that are crucial to get our dogs "back in the game"?That's why we invited triple-board-certified veterinarian, certified canine rehabilitation therapist, and the founder of Canine Sports Medicine & Mobility, a one-of-a-kind mobile specialty clinic, Dr. Patrice (Patsy) Mich, to the podcast, to discuss how veterinarians collaborating with human physical therapists led to a greater understanding of how a dog's muscles, tissues, tendons, and ligaments work together in their body, how she doesn't recommending using an Easy Walk harness for long periods of time due to potential injury, how obesity specifically affects the mobility of a dog, the importance of diet, how to use a prosthetic correctly, and so much more!Guest Bio: Dr. Patrice (Patsy) Mich is a graduate of Colorado State University and has practiced in the Denver metro area since 1991.  She is triple board certified by the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (Diplomate ACVSMR), the American College of Anesthesia and Analgesia (Diplomate ACVAA), and the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Diplomate ABVP canine/feline practice).   Additionally, she is a certified canine rehabilitation therapist (CCRT) and teaches canine rehabilitation at the Canine Rehabilitation Institute. Dr. Mich calls her work “mobility medicine.”  Her job is to get dogs of all ages and abilities “back in the game.”  Patients are referred for lameness, performance issues, limb deformities, chronic pain, and when surgery is not possible or is unsuccessful. She utilizes a thorough diagnostic evaluation to plan comprehensive treatment that may include medications, supplements, nutrition, physical rehabilitation, joint and tendon injections, and orthotic and prosthetic devices. See her services page for more information.Having practiced as a generalist for 14 years prior to specializing, she has an understanding of primary care and brings that to her collaborative relationship with referring veterinarians.Connect With Dr. Patrice Mich:WebsiteOther Resources Mentioned In The Podcast:Dr. Chris Zink: For Active Dogs!

    Golden Retrievers

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2023 89:55


    Today's Topic: Golden Retrievers are incredibly popular as pets, known for their friendly demeanor and versatility. Their gentle nature makes them great family companions, and their intelligence shines in various roles, from therapy dogs to loyal household members.  As such, what can we do, especially early on in their development, to ensure that they live long, happy and productive lives?That's why we invited attorney-turned-educator, the founder of Nicholberry Goldens, and the author of the book, Puppy Brain: How Our Dogs Learn, Think, and Love, Kerry Nichols, to the podcast, to discuss the topic of Goldens and cancer, the prevalence of antibiotics and the effects on a dog's microbiome, the effect she thinks spaying and neutering has on the long-term health of Goldens, whether neutering a Golden will result in a "calmer" Golden, the hallmarks of a "breed standard" Golden, the prevalence of hip dysplasia in Goldens, and so much more! Guest Bio: Kerry Nichols is a retired attorney who began breeding Golden Retrievers nearly fifteen years ago. In the beginning, she envisioned that Nicholberry Goldens would be devoted to developing physically healthy Goldens. But it quickly evolved into something much more important, as she began to see just how critical it was that those puppies possessed resiliency and agency. In sharing the methods she continues to use to develop emotionally healthy puppies—and her particular passion for raising therapy dogs—she has amassed a large social media following and is releasing her first book in May 2024.Connect With Kerry Nichols:WebsiteInstagramYouTubeOther Resources Mentioned In The Podcast:Possible Relationship between Long-Term Adverse Health Effects of Gonad-Removing Surgical Sterilization and Luteinizing Hormone in Dogs by Dr. Michelle A. KutzlerGolden Retriever Study Suggests Neutering Affects Dog HealthPet Partners WebsiteAlliance Of Therapy Dogs WebsiteLove On A Leash Website

    Dog Obesity

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2023 72:46


    Today's Topic:  It's disheartening to note that over 50% of pets in the U.S. are classified as overweight or obese. This excess weight contributes to a myriad of health issues, with obese dogs being predisposed to arthritis, diabetes, and reduced lifespan. The toll on their well-being is a reminder of the urgent need to address pet obesity through responsible feeding, regular exercise and other measures.That's why we invited the founder & past CEO of K9 Fit Club, the founder & host of the Pets Are Family Podcast, and the founder & president of Moose's March, a nonprofit dedicated to the early detection of pet cancer, Tricia Montgomery, to the podcast, to discuss the story around the founding of K9 Fit Club, the connection between the health and wellness of the dog parent and their dog, Tricia's story of her own struggles with being overweight, the scope and scale of the animal obesity epidemic and what she believes are the drivers of this trend, the overall health of the ecosystem of organizations that support the welfare and wellness of dogs, and so much more!Guest Bio: Tricia Montgomery is a Senior Executive leader with 25+ years' experience and proven track record of driving growth and revenue for the Animal Welfare, Veterinary, Health, Wellness, Fitness, Nutrition, and Pet + People industries across major local and national markets. Tricia excels in building relationships, spearheading revenue development and forging the key relationships necessary to build visibility, impact and financial resources to deliver organizational growth. Recognized for excellence in building and mentoring high-performing teams and innate ability to collaborate with stakeholders and staff at all levels of an organization to meet programmatic and philanthropic needs.Tricia is the Founder and past CEO of K9 Fit Club, the first health and wellness gyms for pets and people, and the Director of Public Relations & Marketing at Augie Bones – the first plant-based, sustainable line of dog toys and consults with the City of Neom, building a brighter future and better tomorrow for pets and people.Connect With Tricia Montgomery:Tricia's Book w/Ernie Ward & David Levine: Better You, Better Dog, Better Life: 30 Days to Happiness with Your Best FriendTricia's LinkedIn ProfileInstagramMoose's March WebsiteThe Pets Are Family Podcast WebsiteK9 Fit Club WebsiteAugie Bones WebsiteOther Resources Mentioned In The Podcast:The Forever Dog: Surprising New Science to Help Your Canine Companion Live Younger, Healthier, and Longer

    Dog Rescues: Post Pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2023 81:17


    Today's Topic:  In the pandemic's early days, we've all heard how adoptions soared as people sought companionship during lockdown, famously leaving many dog rescues without any dogs to adopt out.  But what happened after the pandemic?  Did this surge in adoptions lead to a surge in dog surrenders?  If not, what is the current state of dog rescues today?That's why we invited the Director and Marketing Coordinator of Ho-Bo Care Boxer Rescue, Michelle Beston and Jihan Boughman, to the podcast, to discuss what the experience was like on the ground during that initial rush of eager adopters of "Pandemic Dogs/Puppies"; how the lockdown increased behavioral issues for dogs that were adopted during the pandemic; whether the surge in adoptions during the pandemic resulted in a surge of returns post pandemic; how dog rescues are experiencing a new "state of emergency" post pandemic; how compassion fatigue is affecting those working in rescue and those in the dog community; and so much more!Guest Bio: Michelle and Jihan are volunteers with Ho-Bo Care Boxer Rescue, one of Colorado's oldest dog rescues. Started in 1972 with the rescue of one white boxer, Ho-Bo Care has grown into a successful foster based organization, saving the lives of over 300 boxers, boxer mixes, and other breeds annually. Ho-Bo Care is dedicated to force-free, fear-free training practices and with the help of local trainers, guides its fosters and adopters to find effective and science-based ways to communicate with their dogs.Michelle, the director of Ho-Bo Care has been volunteering since 2008. She got her first boxer, Foxy, in 2003 and quickly fell for the breed. Foxy not only started Michelle on her journey to dog rescue, but also inspired her interest in dog training. Foxy struggled with leash reactivity and after months of feeling frustrated as though they were working against each other, Michelle and Foxy started to find their groove. Michelle researched humane and science-based training methods and learned that communication was the key to their success. Michelle has fostered and adopted nearly one hundred boxers and other bully breeds over the years.  Jihan, the marketing coordinator of Ho-Bo Care started volunteering in 2014. She jumped feet first into fostering, being paired with her first foster, Duncan. Duncan, a senior boxer that suffered from degenerative myelopathy, was behaviorally complex and took Jihan on a crash course through the dog training world. Since then, Jihan has become an advocate for adoption and force-free training, often using the rescues social media platforms to spread information about humane training methods. Ho-Bo Care is an all-volunteer rescue and has saved over 6,600 dogs to date! Connect With Ho-Bo Care Boxer Rescue:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterEmailCall/Text

    Potty Training

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2023 30:33


    Today's Topic:  Join us in this episode as we tackle the common struggles of potty training for dog/puppy parents. Tune in for practical insights on how to keep a potty schedule and a step-by-step guide to start the potty training journey confidently. In addition, discover effective mindset changes to help you stay measured during the process, and how to steer clear of unhelpful narratives about your puppy that only makes the process more difficult. Whether you're a new pup parent or seeking to refine your skills, leash up your curiosity and get ready for a paw-sitive transformation with your furry companion!

    Puppy Training Myths, Part I

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2023 78:23


    Today's Topic:   Despite having access to all the information we could ever want on how to train your puppy effectively via the internet, just like anything else these days, there is a lot of outdated, old-fashioned, and just plain wrong information out there on how to train your puppy effectively.  This, of course, doesn't mean that those disseminating this information are doing so deliberatively or maliciously, as we are all products of the environments we grew up in, and if we really thought about it, we might discover that we hold a set of beliefs and facts about a variety of different things that are wildly inaccurate and/or outdated.That's why we invited Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Certified Separation Anxiety Pro Trainer (SAPT), and the founder of Paws For Thought Dog Training, Maddie Messina, to the podcast, to discuss her professional journey, the Instagram Reel on Puppy Training Myths that led to us discovering her, the disconnect between the vet world and the animal behavior world, how both Tanya and Maddie emotionally and functionally handle the deluge of puppy training myths out there, and of course, a few popular puppy training myths, including whether to shove a puppy's snout into their poo or pee to potty train them, whether our pupz pee and poo out of spite, whether early socialization is ok, and whether letting your puppy greet other dogs on leash counts as good socialization, and so much more!Guest Bio: Maddie Messina earned a BS in Animal Behavior from Bucknell University and a Master's in Animal Behavior and Conservation from Hunter College. She is a certified separation anxiety trainer and dog trainer. She credits her animal behavior studies for helping her to broaden her understanding of why our dogs perform behaviors and how to more successfully approach behavior change with that perspective in mind.Maddie is an animal behavior expert with 7+ years of formal training in canine body language and behavior in the private dog training and shelter world. She specializes in difficult-to-resolve behavioral issues for city-dwelling dogs and preventative training for puppies and adolescents. When working with clients, she places a strong priority on building guardian knowledge and grasp of complex training concepts.Connect With Maddie Messina:WebsiteInstagramEmailTextMentioned Links:Potty Training Log (Free Download)Puddle and Pile App (iOS; Android)

    Pet Parenting Styles, Part II

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2023 78:50


    Today's Topic:   For many of us, we're keenly aware of how the parenting style of our own parents (whether it was an authoritarian, authoritative, permissive or uninvolved style) influenced -- and continues to influence -- how we behave and view the world as an adult. As such, we've ALWAYS wondered how our individual pet parenting style (whether we're aware of it or not) toward our dogs influences their behavior and how they view the world. In Part I of our discussion on pet parenting styles, we dove into this subject headfirst with pediatric psychologist, parent coach, and the owner of A New Day Pediatric Psychology, PLLC., Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, to see if there are any insights we could glean from her understanding of the different types of child parenting styles, and their effects, but also where they came from. What we came away with from that episode was a sense that many of us view our children very similarly to how we view our dogs, and how the modern parenting literature is eerily mirrors that of modern positive dog training literature.In this episode, we got the opportunity to continue this conversation on pet parenting styles with one of the authors of the research paper, Does Pet Parenting Style Predict the Social and Problem-Solving Behavior of Pet Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)?, Dr. Monique Udell, to see what the data says when she investigated the effects of different pet parenting styles on a dog's social and problem-solving behavior using three behavioral tests: The Secure Base Test, a Sociability Test and the Solvable Task.Guest Bio: Dr. Monique Udell is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and an Associate Professor of Animal Sciences at Oregon State University, where she directs the Human-Animal Interaction Lab. Much of her work focuses on the development of human-animal bonds and the impact that these bonds can have on the behavior and success of both species. She also studies the social behavior and cognition of a variety of species including cats, dogs, wolves and sheep, with a special interest in the influence of domestication and lifetime experience on behavioral development, welfare and learning. In addition, Dr. Udell is the Co-director of an animal assisted intervention program dedicated to improving the quality of life of children with and without developmental disabilities and their family dogs and cats. Connect With Dr. Monique Udell: WebsiteEmailDoes Pet Parenting Style predict the social and problem-solving behavior of pet dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)?

    My Training Journey, Part II

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2023 67:56


    Today's Topic:  Ask any positive dog trainer that has any experience working with leash-reactive dogs, and the one thing that many of them will have in common is their LACK of videos of dogs that they've trained exhibiting leash-reactive behaviors.And the reason for this is simple: when a positive trainer sees a dog exhibiting leash-reactive behaviors, they see a dog in distress, and the LAST thing they want to do is pull out a camera to capture video footage of this moment, just like a therapist would never pull out a camera to record their patient who is going through an emotionally difficult, or psychologically stressful, moment.Rather, their instinct is to drop everything, immediately jump into action, and help in whatever way they can.But that poses a problem, of sorts.  While a prospective client of a therapist would never ask for a "Before & After" video of a client that underwent a transformational change in their mental health, as a way to find the best therapist for themselves, prospective clients of dog trainers increasingly demand it.It's not hard to see why.  As a society, we love to see transformation stories, whether it's stories about weight loss, entrepreneurial success, etc., largely because we want to see that transformation is possible.That's why we invited the founder of Dogs Made Simple, a content platform dedicated to sharing creative enrichment recipes and DIY dog stimulation games, and the dog mom of Diesel, a leash-reactive Golden Retriever, Jessica Sims, to the podcast, to discuss the transformation journey she will embark on to train her leash-reactive dog using our, "Help, My Dog Is Reactive On Leash!" course.  In part II of our discussion, we recap who Jessica and Diesel are, what this project is about, and why, what Jessica has learned about Diesel during this process, how much Diesel has improved in his leash reactivity, and what she plans on doing between now and our final episode on their training journey!Guest Bio: About two years ago, Jessica knew she was ready to get a puppy. She didn't have much planned in terms of training besides perhaps a puppy group training class, mostly since every Golden Retriever she had growing up never needed any training.However, from the moment Jessica brought him home, she noticed signs of food aggression and resource guarding.  He was also skittish and very nervous around groups of people. His behavior started to get worse. Jessica paid thousands of dollars in dog training, met with numerous trainers, and nothing seemed to be helping.She felt hopeless - until she decided to take matters into my own hands. Jessica immersed herself into the world of dog training.In May 2021, she decided to start sharing her journey with the public by creating her page: Dogs Made Simple.Jessica's goal with this page was to share relatable content. She wanted to give hope to dog owners like herself who were struggling. She tries to be as transparent as possible by sharing honest content - the good and the bad.As her page grew in popularity very fast, she realized that there was one piece of content specifically that people loved, and that was mental stimulation games for their dogs. Since then, she shares a ton of creative enrichment recipes and DIY dog stimulation games.Stay tuned! By April 2023, Dogs Made Simple is launching its first ever product line with never-seen-before enrichment toys, bound to disrupt the dog industry.

    Doodles

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2023 78:48


    Today's Topic:  There is no breed of dog (or, more precisely, a grouping of mixed-breed dogs) that has captured the hearts and minds of many, more fully, in recent years (for good and for bad), than doodle dogs.  And it's not hard to understand why.  The combination of their (purported) hypoallergenic and shed-free coat, their uber-cuteness, and their sociable and high-energy nature (which can be a plus or a minus, depending on who you ask) make them an attractive option for many.  But what else should you know before you make the (expensive) plunge to get a doodle of your very own, or to help you manage the doodle that you've already brought into your life?That's why we invited the owner and head trainer of The Doodle Pro™, a dog training company dedicated to helping doodles live happier and safer lives, and the host of the top-ranking and award-nominated, The Doodle Pro™ Podcast, Corinne Gearhart, to the podcast, to discuss how she became an owner of a dog walking and a dog training company as someone who's allergic to dogs herself,  whether all doodles are truly hypoallergenic and shed-free, how raising a doodle can be difficult for even the most seasoned and knowledgable of dog parents, how her training approach to doodles differs to that of other trainers, her advise on what to look out for when looking for a reputable breeder, what not to do when trying to deal with a hyperactive doodle, and so much more! Guest Bio: Corinne Gearhart is the host of the highly-rated and popular, The Doodle Pro™ Podcast, that has most recently ranked #1 on Australia and New Zealand's charts and #3 on the genre's US, Canada, and UK's Apple charts. As the owner and head trainer of "The Doodle Pro™", she has more direct professional experience with Doodle mixed dogs and a variety of Doodle mixes than any other trainer. She has grown to be the international expert on Doodles, and uses her expertise to support Doodle Parents via her online training courses and membership. Her Fear-Free and positive-reinforcement education on dog training shines through in her approach to doodle parents as well -- treating all pet parents with the same respect and compassion she shows their dogs. She is driven to "Bridge the Doodle Divide™" that exists in the Pet Care Industry.Connect With Corinne Gearhart:WebsiteTikTokYouTubeInstagramFacebookMiscellaneous Links:Goldendoodle Association Of North AmericaThe Australian Labradoodle Association of America (ALAA)Denver DoodlesThe Genius Dog Challenge

    My Training Journey, Part I

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2023 78:34


    Today's Topic:  Ask any positive dog trainer that has any experience working with leash-reactive dogs, and the one thing that many of them will have in common is their LACK of videos of dogs that they've trained exhibiting leash-reactive behaviors.And the reason for this is simple: when a positive trainer sees a dog exhibiting leash-reactive behaviors, they see a dog in distress, and the LAST thing they want to do is pull out a camera to capture video footage of this moment, just like a therapist would never pull out a camera to record their patient who is going through an emotionally difficult, or psychologically stressful, moment.Rather, their instinct is to drop everything, immediately jump into action, and help in whatever way they can.But that poses a problem, of sorts.  While a prospective client of a therapist would never ask for a "Before & After" video of a client that underwent a transformational change in their mental health, as a way to find the best therapist for themselves, prospective clients of dog trainers increasingly demand it.It's not hard to see why.  As a society, we love to see transformation stories, whether it's stories about weight loss, entrepreneurial success, etc., largely because we want to see that transformation is possible.That's why we invited the founder of Dogs Made Simple, a content platform dedicated to sharing creative enrichment recipes and DIY dog stimulation games, and the dog mom of Diesel, a leash-reactive Golden Retriever, Jessica Sims, to the podcast, to discuss the transformation journey she will embark on to train her leash-reactive dog using our, "Help, My Dog Is Reactive On Leash!" course.  We discuss her history growing up with Goldens, how and when she adopted Diesel, her training journey thus far, and why, despite all of the knowledge she's gained via self study about dog training, leash reactivity is still something she struggles with.Guest Bio: About two years ago, Jessica knew she was ready to get a puppy. She didn't have much planned in terms of training besides perhaps a puppy group training class, mostly since every Golden Retriever she had growing up never needed any training.However, from the moment Jessica brought him home, she noticed signs of food aggression and resource guarding.  He was also skittish and very nervous around groups of people. His behavior started to get worse. Jessica paid thousands of dollars in dog training, met with numerous trainers, and nothing seemed to be helping.She felt hopeless - until she decided to take matters into my own hands. Jessica immersed herself into the world of dog training.In May 2021, she decided to start sharing her journey with the public by creating her page: Dogs Made Simple.Jessica's goal with this page was to share relatable content. She wanted to give hope to dog owners like herself who were struggling. She tries to be as transparent as possible by sharing honest content - the good and the bad.As her page grew in popularity very fast, she realized that there was one piece of content specifically that people loved, and that was mental stimulation games for their dogs. Since then, she shares a ton of creative enrichment recipes and DIY dog stimulation games.Stay tuned! By April 2023, Dogs Made Simple is launching its first ever product line with never-seen-before enrichment toys, bound to disrupt the dog industry.Connect With Jessica Sims:InstagramTikTok

    Home Buying As A Dog Parent

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2023 57:12


    Today's Topic:  Buying a home today, especially if it's your first home, can be a dizzying emotional roller coaster ride characterized by stress, frustration, elation, anxiety, and, let's be real...REJECTION.   And in the midst of this (at times) chaotic experience, you have to make sure to do all the research necessary to ensure that the home and the surrounding neighborhood meet the needs of every member of your family. In prior generations, this research might have been isolated to looking into school districts, the walkability of the neighborhood, the placement of the bedrooms, and an open floor plan, to name a few, but now with more than 7 in 10 millennials now owing a pet (with more than half owning a dog), often at the expense of (or putting off) starting a family, and an increasing number of them regarding their pets as members of the family, is it any surprise that millennials are putting their pets first when buying a home, and looking for advice on what to consider when buying a home as a dog parent?That's why we invited licensed realtor with HomeSmart International, L.L.C., and the founder of "Kelsea With A Frenchie", a content platform designed to help the modern millennial buy their first home, Kelsea Imanuel,  to the pod, to discuss her professional journey thus far, what the "Modern Millennial" is in her opinion, why she thinks she been so successful reaching and speaking to the "Modern Millennial", what the major questions, concerns or non-negotiables dog parents have today during their home search, what the "flat dog test" is, the major regrets dog parents had in regards to their dog after the purchase of their home, her favorite dog amenities she's seen in people's homes, the major laws, regulations and restrictions to look out for that can affect you and your dog's life, and so much more!Guest Bio: Kelsea Imanuel, also known as "Kelsea with a Frenchie", is a Colorado native, born and raised in the small mountain town of Nederland. Staying close to her mountain roots, Kelsea is passionate about helping others enjoy the same lifestyle. She joined the real estate business shortly after getting her Bachelor of Science, Summa Cum Laude, from Johnson & Wales University in Denver. Having worked in numerous real estate brokerages, she obtained her real estate license and is helping others find their perfect place! As part of her commitment to her clients and the real estate business, she stays current in real estate matters through continuing education and career training. In addition, Kelsea wants to share her love for Colorado by helping her clients find their dream properties. In her free time, you can find Kelsea spending time with her family and her French bulldogs, Nellie & Dottie, outside running, hiking, skiing, doing yoga, and adventuring in the mountains she loves so much!”Connect With Kelsea Imanuel:WebsiteInstagram

    Leash Reactivity, Part II

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2023 72:57


    Today's Topic:  In the first part of our 2-part series on Leash Reactivity, we discussed a whole host of topics with certified professional dog trainer, the founder of Perfect Pals Dog Training, and the co-creator of the most comprehensive digital dog training course on the subject, "Help! My Dog Is Reactive On Leash!", Erin Gianella, including how common leash reactivity is, how it's different than general reactivity,  what a dog wants when they are reacting, distance-increasing behaviors vs. distance-decreasing behaviors, being proactive vs. reactive, and perhaps most importantly, some management strategies people can use to prevent their dog's practicing of unwanted reactive behaviors, such as whining, growling, barking, lunging, etc.  In today's episode, we go a bit deeper and discuss alternative behaviors you can teach your dog, how training can differ if you've discovered that your dog is wanting to increase distance from vs. decrease distance to the trigger, what counterconditioning and desensitization are, whether a dog can be "cured" of leash reactivity, and much much more!Guest Bio: Erin Gianella's journey to become a dog trainer began in 2014 when she noticed her own dog, Gus, having separation anxiety issues. She became more and more curious and passionate that she decided to leave the corporate world and learn as much as she could about being a dog trainer. Erin studied at the Karen Pryor Academy and became a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner. Erin started Perfect Pals Dog Training in 2021 based in Denver, CO. She offers private training using positive reinforcement, science based methods. Along with training, Erin also incorporates enrichment and management into the training plan to ensure all needs are being met. She is passionate about helping people build a bond with their dog and having them become a part of the family.Connect With Erin Gianella:WebsiteInstagram"Help! My Dog Is Reactive On Leash!" Course (Use promo code "PODCAST10" for 10% off!

    Car Reactivity

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2023 71:36


    Today's Topic:  Living with and taking care of a reactive dog can be difficult enough when they're inside the home, or out and about in the world, with you, but what if your dog is reactive INSIDE THE CAR?  This type of reactivity can create unique, unpredictable and potentially dangerous situations for even the most empathetic and diligent of dog parents.  That's why we invited certified professional dog trainer, the owner and head trainer at Sit Pretty Behavior & Training, and the creator of Chaos In The Car, a webinar designed for pet parents whose dog is growling, barking, lunging, or otherwise behaving chaotically when in the vehicle, Vanessa Charbonneau, to the pod, to discuss what car reactivity is, and how it is different from generalized fear/anxiety around the car experience, why she thinks "reactivity" is a misnomer, the unique challenges of dealing with car reactivity compared to other forms of reactivity, management strategies to help deal with car reactivity, her typical force-free training plan for car reactivity, and so much more! Guest Bio: Vanessa Charbonneau is a registered veterinary technologist and multi-certified dog trainer, who specializes in working with dogs with fear, reactivity and aggression. She works tirelessly to educate dog owners on the power of positive reinforcement training, while using humane, science-based training methods. She is one of the first trainers in Northern British Columbia to become accredited by the BC SPCA's AnimalKind program with her business Sit Pretty Behavior & Training. Vanessa lives in Prince George, BC, with her husband, two daughters, and cattle dog mix. Connect With Vanessa Charbonneau:WebsiteInstagramChaos In The Car  Webinar

    Demand Barking

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2023 85:11


    Today's Topic: When your dog REALLY wants something from you, whether that thing is your attention, your food, your affection, or an adventure outside, your dog may use the one thing that comes naturally to him/her to get it: BARKING.  But for some dogs, they may learn (over time, and due to some of our inadvertent reinforcing behaviors), that this is a pretty reliable method to get what they want, when they want, resulting in a pathological behavior known as demand barking.  And while some may be able to live with it, others absolutely cannot, especially if their dog has a loud and high-pitched bark that can be SUPER ANNOYING to those in the household, and potentially those that live nearby. So, how do you train your dog to stop (or reduce) this behavior, without resorting to methods used to startle, intimidate, hurt or instill fear in our dogs?  That's why we invited certified professional dog trainer and the founder of Positive Partners Dog Training, LLC, Brianne Harris (CPDT-KA®), to the pod, to discuss how to use positive reinforcement techniques to reduce this behavior, why ignoring the demand barking just doesn't work, why teaching the "quiet" or "speak" cues is not a practical solution for even the most committed of dog parents, what "extinction bursts" are, why we should be slot machines instead of a vending machine to our dogs, and so much more! Guest Bio: Brianne Harris (CPDT-KA®) is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers. She is also an evaluator for the AKC's Canine Good Citizen programs and for the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Brianne specializes in helping busy people fit dog training into their daily lives without it feeling like a burden! Her passion is working with dogs with BIG feelings - her favorites are reactive dogs, fearful dogs, and teenage dogs! Brianne and Positive Partners Dog Training, LLC are based in Banner Elk, NC. Her team serves the High Country of North Carolina with private and group lessons for dogs of all ages and types! Connect With Brianne Harris:WebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitterTik Tok

    Resource Guarding

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2023 62:35


    Today's Topic: When your dog starts to exhibit resource guarding tendencies, it can start to feel like you're dealing with a completely different dog.  And what can make the situation worse, is a lot of the advice out there telling dog parents to exert their dominance over the dog to make them bend to their will, which can often make the situation worse.  That's why we invited certified professional dog trainer and the founder of Big Momma's Dog Training, Nicole Costanza, to the pod, to discuss if a dog is born with resource guarding tendencies compared to a dog developing them due to the environment they found themselves in, why some dogs develop resource guarding tendencies later in life, effective training tips on how to deal with resource guarding, whether that resource is a bone, a food bowl or even a human, the most common and misguided myths on how to deal with resource guarding, and so much more! Guest Bio: Nicole Costanza has been professionally dog training for nearly 9 1/2 years and has multiple certifications, including being an AKC CGC Evaluator and Certified Trick Dog Instructor. She has taught myriads of group classes and private lessons throughout the years. She is one of the few dogs trainers in Monmouth County, New Jersey who assists with dogs and their owners who experience reactivity issues. Nicole also works with service dogs and their handlers to better understand the laws regarding SDs and task training. She is also a therapy dog handler. Nicole and her Bernese Mountain Dog, Baymax, love bringing smiles to everyone's faces. Nicole was born in Tennessee and raised on the Pasta Bar Ranch in Cohutta, Georgia, where her love of dogs began. Her parents volunteered the ranch as a way station for dogs destined for various no-kill shelters in the Tennessee valley when space was in short supply. They housed as many as fourteen dogs at a time. Her best friends had four legs, wagging tails, and tons of love to give. Her business, Big Momma's Dog Training, which was founded in January of 2019, has been featured on the AKC's website (information about resource guarding),  on Chewy.com's blog (Chihuahuas), News 12 New Jersey (Dogs and their anxiety related to fireworks), and in the Monmouth Health and Life Magazine (her dog and business were mentioned). Connect With Nicole Costanza:WebsiteFacebookInstagramEmailText

    Play Therapy

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2022 81:43


    Today's Topic: When you're dealing with a fearful or anxious dog, it can sometimes feel like you've hit a wall, and the traditional tools that you're using are only getting you so far, resulting in a relationship with your dog that can feel belabored, frustrating, or just plain, UN-FUN.  That's why we invited the founder and creator of "The Play Way", a new therapeutic approach for resolving behavior issues through social interaction and dog empowerment, Dr. Amy Cook, to the pod, to discuss how playing with your dog can help you better assess whether your dog is at or near their threshold, where she sees the "The Play Way" living among the more traditional tools available to treat fearful and anxious dogs, how to start playing with your dog in an appropriate and safe way, the pitfalls of "monologuing", how this methodology fits into what she calls "positive dog training 2.0", and so much more!Guest Bio: Dr. Amy Cook is an Applied Animal Behaviorist, a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant with the IAABC, a longstanding professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), and was one of the first trainers nationally to become a Certified Professional Dog Trainer through independent evaluation. Dr. Cook received her Ph.D. in Psychology from UC Berkeley, with her research focusing on the dog-human relationship and the impact that social support can have on stress. Dr. Cook is the founder and creator of the Play Way, a therapeutic approach for resolving behavior issues in dogs through social interaction and dog empowerment, and she is a popular instructor for the online school The Fenzi Dog Sports Academy, where she also teaches a course in active management games for dogs, and in a play-based approach to resolving sound sensitivity.  She has been training dogs for over 30 years, and has specialized in the rehabilitation of shy and fearful dogs for over 20 years. Amy has worked for the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society, the San Francisco Animal Care and Control, has provided behavioral evaluations for shelters and rescues throughout the Bay Area of California, and was a member of the anti-cruelty team for the ASPCA, working in triage sheltering and rehabilitation for large rescue cases. Amy gives seminars all over the country and is a frequent conference presenter. She also competes in sports with her dogs, and has titled in Competition Obedience, Rally, Agility, Barn Hunt, and Nosework.Connect With Dr. Amy Cook:WebsiteInstagramOnline Courses w/ Dr. Amy Cook

    Reactivity, Part I

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2022 66:35


    Today's Topic: Leash reactivity, or reactivity in general, is one of the top dog behavioral issues that clients come to us for, and for good reason: here, in Denver, we're (almost) ALWAYS outside...and with our dogs.  So, for anyone who expects their outings with their dog to be fun, pleasant and peaceful experiences, they may quickly find themselves seeking behavioral solutions for their dog's reactive behaviors, as a dog that exhibits reactive behaviors can make those outings a tad less fun, a bit less pleasant, and a lot less peaceful.  That's why we've we've invited our first return guest, certified professional dog trainer, the founder of Perfect Pals Dog Training, and the co-creator of the most comprehensive digital dog training course on the subject, "Help! My Dog Is Reactive On Leash!", Erin Gianella, KPA CTP, to the pod, to discuss what reactivity is, the dangers of labeling your dog as reactive, practical management solutions you can use with your reactive dog today, and much much more!Guest Bio: Erin Gianella's journey to become a dog trainer began in 2014 when she noticed her own dog, Gus, having separation anxiety issues. She became more and more curious and passionate that she decided to leave the corporate world and learn as much as she could about being a dog trainer. Erin studied at the Karen Pryor Academy and became a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner. Erin started Perfect Pals Dog Training in 2021 based in Denver, CO. She offers private training using positive reinforcement, science based methods. Along with training, Erin also incorporates enrichment and management into the training plan to ensure all needs are being met. She is passionate about helping people build a bond with their dog and having them become a part of the family.Connect With Erin Gianella:WebsiteInstagram"Help! My Dog Is Reactive On Leash!" Course

    Dog Parent Guilt

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2022 60:22


    Today's Topic: Do you regularly find yourself feeling guilty about the dog parent that you are, and the care and life you're able to provide your dog?  If so, you're not alone.  Just as many parents feel guilty about the time and care they're able to devote to their human child, many dog parents today feel similar guilt, which is often spurred on, and exasperated by, images on social media of the fabulous lives of dogs that are provided by the "ideal dog parent".  That's why we've invited two of the researchers behind their latest research paper, Disenfranchised Guilt—Pet Owners' Burden, which is the first research paper of its kind that examines dog parent guilt, to the pod, to discuss what dog parent guilt is, what kinds of things most dog parents feel guilty about, whether women feel more guilt than men, what people do to alleviate that guilt, and so much more!Guest Bios: Lori Kogan, Ph.D. is a Professor of Clinical Sciences at Colorado State University. She is the Chair of the Human-Animal Interaction section of the American Psychological Association and Editor of the Human-Animal Interaction Bulletin, an open-access, online publication supported by the American Psychological Association. She has published numerous journal articles and book chapters, and co-edited books including ‘Pet Loss, Grief, and Therapeutic Interventions: Practitioners Navigating the Human-Animal Bond', ‘Clinician's Guide to Treating Companion Animal Issues: Addressing Human-Animal Interaction' and ‘Career Paths in Human-Animal Interaction for Social and Behavioral Scientists' and given presentations on topics related to human animal interactions in both psychology and veterinary medicine venues. She is currently engaged in several research projects pertaining to the intersection of the human animal bond and veterinary medicine.Dr. Jen Currin-McCulloch is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at Colorado State University, and Lab Director of the Serious End-of-Life Narratives Research Lab.  Her practice and research focus on enhancing the psychosocial quality of life among individuals and families facing grief and loss. She worked for two decades as an oncology and palliative care social worker in hospital, hospice, and non-profit healthcare settings. She works with Lori Kogan and a team of human-animal bond researchers to ascertain how the health decline and death of companion and service animals impacts their guardian's psychosocial well-being.Connect With Lori Kogan, Ph.D.:Lori.Kogan@colostate.eduConnect With Dr. Jen Currin-McCulloch:Jen.Currin-McCulloch@colostate.edu

    Blind & Deaf Dogs

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2022 70:03


    Today's Topic: Have you just learned (or are starting to suspect) that your puppy may be going deaf or blind?  Or is your adult dog showing signs that their hearing or sight is becoming more and more impaired?  These are, by nature, difficult waters to navigate, and finding reputable resources to help guide you and your puppy or dog during this time may prove difficult or frustrating, even if you're absolutely dedicated to giving your blind/deaf puppy or dog the best life possible.  That's why we've invited certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA), Karen Pryor clicker training partner, and the founder of Down To Earth Dog Lady, LLC., a dog training company specializing in blind, deaf & disabled dogs, Erin Marion, to the pod, to discuss whether deaf and blind dogs can truly live a "normal" life, her thoughts on vibration collars, whether blind dogs have super hearing (or deaf dogs have super sight), what a "sensory garden" is, and so much more!`Guest Bio: Erin Marion is a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA), a Karen Pryor clicker training partner, a Training Partner for the All4Paws Rescue in Malvern, PA & Speak! Rescue and Sanctuary in St. Louis, MO., and the founder of Down To Earth Dog Lady, LLC in Chester Spring, PA. After fostering multiple foster dogs and adopting her own blind and deaf dogs, she is extremely passionate about helping special needs pets and their guardians connect using force-free training methods.Connect With Erin Marion: WebsiteFacebookInstagramTik Tok

    Predation

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2022 72:15


    Today's Topic: Do you have a dog that just LIVES to hunt?  And do those hunting behaviors, whether it's orienting, stalking, chasing, and even killing and eating, get in the way of how you would like to live your day-to-day life with your dog?  That's why we've invited certified dog trainer, dog behavior consultant, and the author of two books on force-free anti-predation training,  “Hunting Together” and “Rocket Recall”, to the pod, to discuss why it's so hard to get our dog's attention when they're in hunting mode,  why striving to get ride of the predatory instinct can cause more harm than good, how to work with your dog's predatory instincts instead of against it, why showing interest in your dog's hunting behaviors can build your bond, and so much more!Guest Bio: Simone Mueller, MA is a certified dog trainer and dog behavior consultant (ATN) from Germany.  She specializes in force-free anti-predation training and is the author of the two books of the Predation Substitute Training series “Hunting Together” and “Rocket Recall”. Simone is proud to be an Associate Trainer at the Scotland-based Lothlorien Dog Training Club (AT-LDTC) and a member of The Initiative of Force-Free Dog Training, the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) and the Pet Dog Trainers of Europe (PDTE).Connect With Simone Mueller:WebsiteFacebookInstagramUdemyBooks on Amazon

    Anxiety

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2022 75:33


    Today's Topic:  Some might say that anxiety is THE malady of our hyper-connected always-on world.   But what can you do when you find that your dog is suffering from anxiety as well, and more importantly, what can you do about it?  And what can we learn about how anxiety works in the brains of our dogs, and what medical and behavioral professionals do to manage that anxiety in our dogs, to figure out how we can manage the anxiety that many of us suffer from in our own lives?  That's why we've invited board-certified veterinary behaviorist and the owner and lead clinician at the Animal Behavior Clinic, Dr. Chris Pachel, to the pod, to discuss what a veterinary behaviorist is and does, the difference between fear and anxiety, whether anxiety stems from nature vs. nurture, why predictability, consistency and control are so vital when treating anxious dogs, and so much more!Guest Bio: Dr. Chris Pachel is a board-certified veterinary behaviorist and is the owner and lead clinician at the Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Pachel lectures extensively both domestically and internationally, teaches courses at multiple veterinary schools in the United States, and has authored numerous articles and book chapters for veterinarians and pet owners. He is a sought-after expert witness for legal cases and serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for dvm360. He is also a Vice-president of Veterinary Behavior for Instinct Dog Behavior and Training, as well as co-owner of Instinct Portland, which opened in the fall of 2020.Connect With Dr. Chris PachelWebsiteAnimal Behavior Clinic WebsiteEmailLinkedIn

    Mindset Changes

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2022 72:15


    Today's Topic: Whether we're aware of it or not, the way that we behave is SIGNIFICANTLY determined by the set of beliefs that we hold that help us make sense of the world...and ourselves.  We call this set of beliefs our mindset, and it influences how we think, feel and behave in any given situation.  Our mindset around our dogs works in the same way.  If we believe that our dogs need to be "dominated" before they have the opportunity to "dominate" us, for example, the way we treat our dogs will be significantly influenced by that mindset.  That's why we've invited certified professional dog trainer, behavior consultant, and the founder of From Dusk Till Dog, Erika Gonzalez, to the pod, to discuss the crucial mindset changes that she imparts on her clients to help them re-contextualize how they think, feel and behave towards their dogs.Guest Bio: Erika Gonzalez is the Founder of From Dusk Till Dog and a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant who graduated with distinction from CATCH Canine Trainers Academy. Erika is also a Fear Free Certified Training Professional (FFCP) through the Fear Free organization, which has become one of the single most transformative initiatives in the history of companion animal practice, providing unparalleled education on emotional wellbeing, enrichment, and the reduction of fear, anxiety, and stress in pets. Erika is also a Certified Canine Enrichment Technician (CET) and has also obtained a certificate in pet nutrition from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. She has extensive experience with dogs of all breeds, sizes, temperaments, and ages and has successfully helped many pet parents reach their training goals with their dogs. Although Erika has vast experience in conducting private lessons, she also has experience working with group classes, puppy training programs, board and train programs, training foster dogs, and partnering with rescue organizations to train dogs with behavioral issues to assist in finding them a loving home. Erika believes that continued education is not an option, but a necessity for those in the dog training profession.Connect With Erika Gonzalez:WebsiteInstagramTik TokYouTubeFacebookTwitterPinterestThe Dog Training Audio ExperienceLeash Reactivity Webinar (2/27/22)

    Dog Breeds

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2022 56:43


    Today's Topic: The process of getting and raising a new dog seems pretty straightforward, right?  You look for and choose the dog with that "special something", you take him/her home, and if your dog has any behavioral issues, you'll look for resources to help your dog adjust their behavior to live safely and happily in your world, right?  But what if I told you that too often we're choosing our dogs in a way that's akin to choosing our partners purely based on the fact that they have a nice smile.  The fact is, the type of breed your dog is has a SIGNIFICANT effect not only on his/her innate instincts, behaviors and tendencies, but perhaps more importantly, on whether he/she will be compatible (or incompatible) with your personality and lifestyle. That's why we've invited applied ethologist, dog trainer, the owner of The Dog Door Behavior Center, and the author of the book, Meet Your Dog: The Game-Changing Guide to Understanding Your Dog's Behavior, Kim Brophy, to the pod, to discuss the optimal dog breeds for various different human personalities and lifestyles, why she believes that "dog training" is a misnomer, how her understanding of human-dog compatibility affected how she views human relationships, and much much more.Guest Bio: Kim Brophey, CDBC, CPDT-KA, FDM, is an applied ethologist and owner of The Dog Door Behavior Center in Asheville, NC. Kim's commitment to Family Dog Mediation® has been recognized internationally, awarded the APDT Outstanding Trainer of the Year in 2009 and the Best Dog Trainer of WNC seven years in a row. She is a member of the International Society for Applied Ethology and the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, and a certified member and past board member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. Kim Brophey's Dog L.E.G.S.® model of comprehensive canine science has been endorsed by prominent canine scientists such as Raymond Coppinger and embraced by reputable dog trainers worldwide. From her applied ethology content in Michael Shikashio's Aggression in Dogs Master Course to her highly anticipated, market-disrupting Applied Ethology & Family Dog Mediation® Course, Kim's work is a celebrated contribution to the field. Her groundbreaking book, Meet Your Dog: The Game-Changing Guide to Understanding Your Dog's Behavior, TED talk, and Beyond The Operant (BTO) collaborative have made profound waves and become favorites among both dog professionals and the public. Kim continues to build bridges and invite others to contribute to a new conversation about dogs- one that challenges us to redefine how we perceive, talk about, and treat our canine companions as a society.Connect With Kim Brophy:WebsiteFacebookInstagramMeet Your Dog: The Game-Changing Guide to Understanding Your Dog's Behavior (Audiobook)Family Dog Mediation® Professional Course ($400 off with code: EVOLVE)

    Client Case Study #1: Mandy Kovach & Ted Rosenbaum

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2022 63:48


    Today's Topic: We thought we'd change things up a bit and invite former (and ongoing) Family Pupz clients, Mandy Kovach and Ted Rosenbaum, to the pod, to talk about their Australian Shepherd/Pit mix dog, Myki, and to share their personal experience working with Tanya on Myki's behavioral issues.  You'll get an insider look into how things started, how things changed, what issues they're still working through, and the variety of things they learned about training, and themselves!Guest Bio: Ted and Mandy moved to Denver from Melbourne, Australia in October 2020. Before that, they were in the San Francisco Bay Area for about 10 years. They'd been wanting to rescue a puppy for a while, and finally had the space to bring home Myki (rhymes with “crikey”) in February of 2021. He is an Aussie Shepherd/Pit mix and they got him when he was 9 weeks old. Neither of them had ever trained a puppy before, so they attended the Friends of MAMCO Family Pupz training session. They really liked Tanya's positive approach to training and signed up for a puppy training package to work through specific issues, including nipping, jumping on people, and crate training. Little did they know they would learn just as much as Myki throughout the process!

    Enrichment

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2021 60:04


    Today's Topic: As we all know, dogs are incredibly smart animals, therefore it is crucial that we provide them with plenty of mental stimulation to exercise their brains, which can come in the form of activities designed to meet their physical, behavioral and instinctual needs, or else they can quickly get bored and start to develop a wide range of problem behaviors!  In the dog training world, we call this providing enrichment, and we've invited certified professional dog trainer, and the founder of Perfect Pals Dog Training, Erin Gianella, to the pod, to discuss the wide variety of enrichment activities you can do with your dog, how to fit it into your busy schedule, how to know the type of enrichment your dog might prefer, and much much more!Guest Bio: Erin Gianella's journey to become a dog trainer began in 2014 when she noticed her own dog, Gus, having separation anxiety issues. She became more and more curious and passionate that she decided to leave the corporate world and learn as much as she could about being a dog trainer. Erin studied at the Karen Pryor Academy and became a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner. Erin started Perfect Pals Dog Training in 2021 based in Denver, CO. She offers private training using positive reinforcement, science based methods. Along with training, Erin also incorporates enrichment and management into the training plan to ensure all needs are being met. She is passionate about helping people build a bond with their dog and having them become a part of the family.Connect With Erin Gianella:Website: https://www.perfectpalsdogtraining.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectpals_dogtraining

    Parenting Styles

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2021 54:48


    Today's Topic: We noticed in our work with clients that there is a wide variety of dog parenting styles, whether it's those that are characterized by rules, obedience and punishment, or those that are more neglectful and uninvolved in nature, and everything in between. So it got us wondering where these dog parenting styles came from, whether it was from our parents, our culture, our race, our religion, our background, our life experience, or something else entirely. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of information related to dog parenting styles, but we did notice an eerie similarity to child parenting styles. That's why we invited pediatric psychologist, parent coach, and the owner of A New Day Pediatric Psychology, PLLC., Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, to the pod, to see if there are any insights we could glean from her understanding of the different types of child parenting styles, and their effects, but also where they came from. Guest Bio: Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart is the President and Owner of A New Day Pediatric Psychology, PLLC. She received her doctorate in 2006 from the Arizona School of Professional Psychology. She started her practice in January 2016 after practicing in military clinics and hospitals for 10 years. She is passionate about what she does. She cares about people and wants the best for them in their lives. She has an easy-going, but direct style, and believes people do best when they feel heard and have supportive people in their lives. She really loves helping parents better understand and connect with their children in order to transform the parent-child relationship.  She was born and raised on the island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She loves movies, fashion, and food. She has been married for 23 years and has two kids (ages 9 and 11).Connect With Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart:Website: https://www.anewdaysa.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.annlouise.lockhartOther Links:4 Types of Parenting Styles and Their Effects on Kids: https://www.verywellfamily.com/types-of-parenting-styles-1095045

    The Holidays & Your Dog

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2021 61:05


    Today's Topic: The holidays are coming! And with that, there is a tremendous amount of preparation that families across the globe are making, whether it's the food, the drinks, the travel, or the decorations, to ensure that the time we get to spend with our loved ones, especially after everything we've all collectively gone through in the past two years, is absolutely memorable.  With that said, have you thought about your dog, or the youngest and most vulnerable members of the family (babies and toddlers), and what you'll do to ensure that their time is as special, safe, and merry as it will be for everyone else?  That's why we invited the leading expert on dog and baby/toddler dynamics, and the founder of FamilyPaws.com, Jennifer Shryock, to the pod, to discuss the importance of communication, dog body language, games that children and dogs can play together, and why management in the home plays such a huge role to ensure safety and harmony in the home for ALL family members.  Guest Bio: Jennifer Shryock is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) and the proud owner of Family Paws™ LLC in Cary, North Carolina. In 2000, her family adopted their first German shepherd rescue dog. That inspired her work with the rescue organization as a counselor and trainer for families with babies or young children that found their situation overwhelming and were often on the verge of surrendering their cherished dog.  Once she recognized that new and expecting families needed support and education, she began developing resources for the Family Paws Parent Education, which resulted in the development of two highly-endorsed international programs:Dogs & Storks® for expecting and adopting familiesDogs & Toddlers™ for families with babies three months of age and olderThrough these programs, she's mentored and supported hundreds of dog trainers worldwide, and she continues to support local and distant families.  She's written and spoken extensively about these topics in national media, such as The Wall Street Journal and Martha Stewart Living, as well as on appearances on television and radio shows.  Her mission is to help create a world in which families with children and dogs can live safely and harmoniously as a family unit.  She's served as a board member of the International Childbirth Education Association and is a mother and former special education teacher.Connect With Jennifer Shryock:Website: https://www.familypaws.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FamilyPawsParentEd/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/familypawsofficial/

    Unpredictable Aggression

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2021 60:57


    Today's Topic: Having a dog who displays aggressive behaviors, whether it's directed towards other dogs, people, or things in the environment, can be difficult enough to manage and live with when your dog's triggers are known and reliably trigger your dog.  But it can be made more difficult to deal with when the aggression is significantly more random in nature. It can have profound effects, for example, on where you feel you can go, who you feel you can be with, and who you're comfortable leaving your dog with (if ever), for fear that an incident involving your dog will result in physical and/or financial harm.  That's why we invited the world-renowned expert on aggression in dogs, and the founder of AggressiveDog.com, Michael Shikashio, CDBC, to the pod, to discuss the difference between reactivity and aggression, the common signs we miss, how to turn unpredictability into predictability, and whether he thinks that all aggression in dog cases can be addressed using positive training techniques (HINT: YES, YES, YES!)Guest Bio: Michael Shikashio, CDBC, is the founder of AggressiveDog.com and focuses on teaching other professionals from around the world on how to successfully work aggression cases. He is a five-term president of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and is a full member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). Michael is sought after for his expert opinion by numerous media outlets, including the New York Times, New York Post, Fox News, The List TV, Baltimore Sun, WebMD, Women's Health Magazine, Real Simple Magazine, SiriusXM Radio, The Chronicle of the Dog, and Steve Dale's Pet World. He also hosts the popular podcast show “The Bitey End of the Dog” where he chats with the foremost experts on dog aggression. He is a featured keynote speaker at conferences, universities, and seminars around the world, and offers a variety of educational opportunities on the topic of canine aggression, including the Aggression in Dogs Master Course and the annual Aggression in Dogs Conference. Relevant Links:Website: https://aggressivedog.com/Aggression in Dogs Master Course: https://aggressivedog.thinkific.com/courses/aggression-in-dogsThe Aggression in Dogs  Conference (10.24.21-10.26.21): https://thelooseleashacademy.com/conferenceThe Great Big Dog Aggression Workshop Ii: Meds, Moods, And Modification (11.6.21-11.7.21): https://aggressivedog.com/event/gbdawii/

    Do Training Methods Matter?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2021 73:41


    Today's Topic:  Ask any dog trainer about which type of dog training methods they believe works best, whether it's predominantly rewards-based (treats),  aversive-based (punishment), or balanced (treats and punishment), you'll discover an abundance of differing, and incredibly passionate, opinions.  For some, they believe that the use of any punishment on dogs is akin to dog abuse, while others believe that punishment is absolutely necessary to train dogs "right".  But has anyone ever asked dogs what type of training they themselves prefer?  To help us answer this question, we invited Catarina Vieira de Castro, a postdoctoral researcher on canine welfare and behavior, and the author of the recent research paper, Does training method matter? Evidence for the negative impact of aversive-based methods on companion dog welfare, to the pod, to tell us what the science says, particularly, what the short- and long-term effects of  aversive- and reward-based methods are on our pet dogs.Guest Bio: Catarina Vieira de Castro has a BSc degree in Biology and a PhD in Experimental Psychology and is currently a researcher at i3S – Institute for Innovation and Research in Health, University of Porto, Portugal. She has been carrying out scientific research on animal learning and behavior since 2008 and, more recently, has focused her work on canine welfare and behavior. Her recently completed post-doctoral project, where she investigated the effects of training methods on the welfare of companion dogs and their bond with the owner, aroused great interest in the scientific community as well as prominent media coverage at an international level. Catarina has also worked as a dog trainer and is passionate about dog sports.Relevant Links:Email: ana.castro@ibmc.up.ptFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/catarina.v.decastroTwitter: https://twitter.com/catarinavcastro

    Do Dogs Understand Us?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2021 57:01


    Today's Topic: Do dogs understand us?  For many, this may seem like a dumb question, as some dog parents believe that their dogs can literally read their minds.  But if they can understand us, how do they do it, exactly?  For example, can they understand the literal words coming out of our mouths, or are they using other cues from us and the environment to predict and/or understand what we are trying to tell them or want from them? To help us answer this question, we invited Shany Dror, a Ph.D. candidate at the Ethology Department at the Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) in Budapest, Hungary, and the project manager of the Genius Dog Challenge, to the pod, not only to tell us what the research says about the comprehension capabilities of average dogs, but also that of some of the smartest dogs in the world!Guest Bio:Shany Dror is a Ph.D. candidate at the Ethology Department at the Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) in Budapest, Hungary. The Genius Dog Challenge is part of her research that focuses on understanding basic language-related concepts in family dogs and minotaur pigs. She completed her Masters at the University of Hohenheim (Germany), where she examined the use of honeybees as a means for deterring Asian elephants from crop fields.  Her earliest childhood memories are of observing animals in admiration.  She grew up in a kibbutz in Israel, spending most of her time in the stables.  For her, this research is a personal passion, fulfilling her childhood dream of trying to understand dogs. Relevant Links:Website: http://geniusdogchallenge.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/geniusdogchallengeInstagram: http://instagram.com/geniusdogchallengeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeniusDogChallengeAnd if you think your dog is a genius, reach out to Shany directly at shanydror@geniusdogchallenge.com!

    Your Child's First Dog

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2021 43:07


    Today's Topic: Your child starts BEGGING you to get her a dog of her very own.  What do you do?  For example, how do you prepare your child to take on the huge responsibility of taking care of a dog's everyday needs, like walking, feeding, training, playing, cleaning, and going to the vet, for the duration of the dog's life?  And how do you know that your child is even intellectually capable of making such a long-term commitment, knowing full well that you will most likely take on those responsibilities on the off chance that your child's commitment to the dog fades over time. That's why we invited the author of the recent children's book, What to Know Before You Get Your Dog, Margrit Strohmaier, to the podcast to discuss how she navigated this very journey when her child, Keira, wanted a dog of her very own. Guest Bio: Margrit Strohmaier is an animal lover who grew up in Austria. She was inspired to write her first picture book, What To Know Before You Get Your Dog, from her daughter's relentless campaign to have her own dog. Margrit's passion for creativity and art, along with her desire to raise her daughter's awareness about the responsibility of dog ownership, resulted in the creation of this book. She has a degree in Fine Arts and is the recipient of the Ana Blanc Verna Award for Creative Thinking. Currently Margrit lives in Connecticut with her family and their fluffy dog, Scruffy.

    Fearful Dogs

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2021 65:15


    Today's Topic: Dogs can be afraid of just about anything.  For example, a dog may exhibit a fear response around a certain person, object, noise, or in a specific situation or environment that presents an external threat—whether it's real or perceived. While fear is considered a normal behavior that is essential for adaptation and survival, sometimes a dog's fear response can reach more extreme levels that is stressful for those at both ends of the leash and, at times, requires intervention by a professional.  So what can you do as the parent of a fearful dog?  To help us answer that question,  we invited Debbie Jacobs, the author of the book, A Guide To Living With And Training A Fearful Dog, on the pod to discuss whether fear is due to traumatic past experiences, lack of socialization, or genetics, and whether knowing the cause matters; why changing our own views, beliefs and expectations is so important as parents of fearful dogs; why the idea "facing our fears" is so prevalent in our society; and practical solutions to commons situations parents of fearful dogs find themselves everyday, and much much more.Guest Bio: Debbie is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and a Registered Behavior Technician. She is the author of three books, A Guide To Living With And Training A Fearful Dog,  Does My Dog Need Prozac?: Musings And Sound Advice On Living With A Shy, Anxious, Fearful Or Reactive Dog, and a children's book, Find Finn!. She is the owner and creator of the Fearfuldogs.com website, a respected resource for information about working with dogs struggling with fear based behavior challenges. She also hosts the Walking in the Woods with Dogs podcast that can be found on most podcast platforms. Debbie also runs webinars and seminars about behavior and training, She offers consultations to owners, rescue groups, shelters and foster caregivers. She lives in Vermont with her husband and her dog, Nibbles. 

    dogs walking vermont anxious nibbles certified professional dog trainer fearful dogs debbie jacobs registered behavior technician
    Pediatric Dog Bites

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2021 51:35


    Today's Topic: Did you know that the likelihood of a child sustaining a dog bite in their lifetime in the U.S. is 50%? You read that right: 50%!  That said, many parents are woefully unaware that dog bites of babies and children are something to be concerned about at all due to the preponderance of "cute" videos featuring dogs and babies or children interacting on social media, the widespread cultural belief that dogs are naturally protective, careful and loving, and the shame and guilt felt by parents whose child has been bitten, and their corresponding reluctance to share their experience with anyone, lest they be judged as an "irresponsible parent." That's why we invited Sara Owczarczak-Garstecka, the author of a recent research paper entitled, Pet Dog Bites In Children: Management And Prevention on the pod to discuss the overall scope and scale of the problem, why she believes dogs bite people, why so many parents are unaware of this issue, the physical and psychological impact of these injuries for both the child and the parent(s), strategies on how to prepare yourselves and your home for life with your child and your dog, and how policy, in addition to training and education, can help reduce this problem.  Guest Bio: Sara Owczarczak-Garstecka has a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology from the University College London and a Master's Degree in Clinical Animal Behaviour from the University of Lincoln. She has also worked and volunteered in dog shelters for over 10 years. Through these experiences, she developed a passion for learning about dog behaviour and striving to improve their welfare. As there is no way dog welfare can be improved without enhancing the quality of a human-dog bond and dog owners' wellbeing, the way people interact with dogs soon became her focus. She has completed a PhD entitled Dog Bites: Perception and Prevention at the University of Liverpool. She currently works as a research officer at Dogs Trust, the UK's largest dog welfare charity.

    Puppy Socialization: What It Is and How to Do It

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2021 50:01


    Today's Topic: As dogs have become more prominent members of the family in recent years, we've seen an incredible increase in the desire to learn how to raise a dog "right", often starting when a puppy is brought home for the first time.  And there's no dog training subject that has gained more awareness and prominence in recent years than puppy socialization. But what exactly is puppy socialization, and more importantly, how do you do it "right"?  This is why we invited certified professional dog trainer, canine behavior consultant and author, Marge Rogers, CPDT-KA, as well as her longtime collaborator, award-winning author and dog trainer, Eileen Anderson, to the podcast, to discuss their latest book, Puppy Socialization: What It Is and How to Do It, which defines and demystifies what puppy socialization is, and shows you real-life examples of how to do socialization right via photographs and exclusive linked videos.  Guests Bio: Eileen Anderson is an award-winning author and dog trainer. She writes about behavior science, her life with dogs, and training with positive reinforcement on her award-winning blog, Eileenanddogs.com, and has published books on canine cognitive dysfunction and puppy socialization. She holds bachelor's and a master's degrees in music performance and a master's degree in engineering science.  Marge Rogers is a certified behavior consultant, dog trainer, and author. She specializes in fearful dogs, dogs with fear-based aggression, and the prevention of aggressive behavior through puppy socialization. Marge works closely with the veterinary professionals in her area and has conducted continuing education workshops for local animal hospitals, along with helping clients close to her and across the country.

    Dog Behavior: How a Dog Trainer's World View Can Improve Your Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2021 54:32


    Today's topic: How similar is the behavior of dogs to the behavior of humans?  This is a question we've always wondered about, so we invited Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Applied Animal Behaviorist, Dr. Karen B. London, PhD, on the pod to help us answer that very question!  Not only that, but we talk to her about her latest book, Treat Everyone Like a Dog: How a Dog Trainer's World View Can Improve Your Life, where she applies many of the principles from dog training to the rest of her life, and we discuss how you can apply those very principles to improve the most important human relationships in your life!  Guest Bio: Karen B. London, PhD, is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist.  She received her BS in Biology from UCLA and her PhD in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she studied the defensive behavior of neotropical social wasps, and a nesting association between two species of wasps.  She began working professionally with dogs in 1997, and has spent years working with clients in one-on-one consultations, teaching group classes, and giving seminars about dog training and canine ethology for trainers, veterinary and shelter staff, and the public.  She writes for the TheBark.com, writes the animal column for the Arizona Daily Sun, and is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Northern Arizona University, where she has enjoyed teaching tropical ecology and conservation field courses in Nicaragua and in Costa Rica.  She also teaches a class for freshmen about the importance of insects to society called "Sex, Bugs, and Rock 'n' Roll."  She is the author of a number of books, which you can find here.

    Getting And Keeping Your Dog's Focus in Public

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2021 46:18


    Today's topic: One of the most common complaints we hear from dog parents is some version of this statement: "My dog listens to me at home, but once we're outside, it's a TOTALLY different story!"  To delve into why this happens, and to confirm or deny whether your dog is being stubborn, dominant, a jerk, disrespectful, spiteful and/or has the mindset of "I know what you want me to do, I just don't want to do it!", when you just can't get his/her attention in public, as well as provide some tips on how to get and keep your dog's focus on you in public, we invited Steffi Trott, the founder of SpiritDog Training (spiritdogtraining.com), on the pod!  Guest Bio: Steffi Trott is the owner and founder of SpiritDog Training.  She started out doing in-person dog training in 2013, and has since expanded her program to thousands of online students around the world. She specializes in game-based training that builds the bond between owner and dog. Steffi has done a lot of work with reactive dogs and strives to develop approaches that not only teach behaviors, but also incorporate enrichment and developing the right mindsets in the dogs. Steffi has four dogs of her own that she trains in various disciplines, such as competitive agility, tricks and frisbee. When she is not training dogs, she enjoys rock climbing and hiking. 

    Separation Anxiety: Our Conversation with Malena DeMartini-Price

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2021 53:07


    Today's topic: One of the biggest impending issues for a lot of dog parents is the prospect of their dog developing separation anxiety issues once they return back to the office.  That's why we invited esteemed dog trainer, author and foremost expert on separation anxiety, Malena DeMartini-Price, on the Family Pupz podcast to discuss some of the nuances of the most common strategies out there to prepare your dog for the post-COVID world.  Guest Bio: Malena DeMartini-Price, CTC, CDBC, is renowned in the dog training world for her work on canine separation anxiety (SA) disorder. Her two influential books on the topic, Treating Separation Anxiety in Dogs and Separation Anxiety in Dogs: Next Generation Treatment Protocols and Practices has helped countless numbers of dogs, and her recent online course for guardians called Mission: POSSIBLE is now out. In addition to writing and lecturing worldwide, Malena oversees a team of top SA trainers and runs an internationally-accessible certification program for accomplished dog professionals looking to hone their skills. Malena is passionate about furthering education in this field through science-based methods and is in the process of collaborating on an intensive study with a leading University to help further advance the knowledge in the field.

    How To Train People: Our Chat With A Ballroom Dance Teacher

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2021 43:00


    Today's topic: While on the surface, being a dog trainer and a ballroom dance teacher couldn't be more different, upon further examination, the similarities are quite striking. They both teach people how to move their bodies in ways they've never done before, as well as teach people how to lead and guide their partners, whether that partner is a dance partner or man's best friend.  That's why we invited Diana (Deannah) Strashnikova, the owner of DS Dancesport Ballroom Studio in Denver, CO, on the pod to discuss tricks of her trade that can be applied to dog training, and vice versa. Guest Bio: Diana (Deannah) Strashnikova started dancing when she was 6 years old in Bulgaria, and is a professional competitive ballroom dancer in the United States of America. She graduated from Bulgaria's premiere higher education institution specializing in teaching physical education, the National Sports Academy, in Sofia, Bulgaria, where she learned how to prepare children to compete in World Championships and the Olympic Games. She's studied and utilized a diverse set of disciplines in her teachings, such as pedagogy, physiology, methodology and biomechanics. Deannah owned and taught in 2 dance studios in Bulgaria. She moved to the United States in 2008 and started working for the biggest dance studio in Denver as a ballroom teacher/instructor, and a couple of years later she was promoted to be their Dance Director. Today she is the owner of DS Dancesport Ballroom Studio and continues teaching students from 7 years to 87 years of age for social and competitive dancing.

    Frequently Asked Dog & Puppy Health Questions

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2021 46:24


    Today's topic: We discuss "Frequently Asked Dog & Puppy Health Questions" with our very special guest, Dr. Beth Spencer, the Medical Director for the Goodheart Animal Health Center in Denver. On the pod, we discuss puppy socialization, Parvo, separation anxiety and fear, poisonous foods and items in the home, and dog/puppy nutrition!Guest Bio: Dr Spencer completed her undergraduate studies at Yale University and received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine. She also coaches the next generation of vets at the CSU Communications labs every year. As a Fear Free certified veterinarian, she brings patience, perseverance, and compassion to her practice by taking the time to work with pets so that they are comfortable during their visit. She emphasizes wellness and preventive care so her patients can stay happy and healthy. As a parent, Dr Spencer strives to create a kid-friendly environment with snacks, books, and coloring. She always enjoys answering kids’ questions, knowing she might be inspiring a child to become a veterinarian! Dr Spencer is dedicated to clear communication, helping her clients understand their pets’ health care options. On weekends, Dr Spencer enjoys hiking, camping, skiing, reading, movies and spending time with her husband Eric, her kids Phoebe and Shane, and her crazy rescue mutt named Mobi.

    Common Dog Training Misconceptions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2021 29:41


    On today's episode, we discuss common dog training misconceptions that even the smartest, most educated and well-intentioned dog parents make, that are based on misguided, outdated and, at times, dangerous information. This includes common "oh, you should do this for that" tips and tricks for potty training, basic obedience, resource guarding, jumping, and biting, that usually causes more damage than fixes.

    How To Crate Train Your Puppy

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2020 31:18


    Today's topic: The basics and importance of crate training, and how to do it properly for the sake of your puppy, and for you!Heartbeat behavioral aid toy mentioned in the pod: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=heartbeat+toy&ref=nb_sb_noss

    Loose Leash Walking (REPOST)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2020 39:04


    A dog novice and a licensed dog trainer have conversations about the most commonly requested dog training and behavioral issues that everyday people encounter in their lives.In this episode, we discuss the #1 issue that people come to Tanya about: Loose Leash Walking.We chat about why it's such a struggle for many, how dogs think, how long walks should ideally be, practical exercises to implement in the first few days, dog walking equipment recommendations, and much much more.

    How To Train Your Dog Effectively

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2020 41:42


    Today's topic: We discuss some of the basics of dog training, from common terms, reinforcing vs. bribing, dog training vs. dog tricks, incorporating training in our everyday lives, the science of behavior, and much much more.

    How to Teach Your Dog To Stop Jumping

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2020 34:44


    Today's topic: Tips, tricks and strategies on how to teach your dog to stop jumping up on people, whether that's your dog jumping up on you in your home, other people when out on walks, or on house guests in your home.

    Our Values & Principles: What "Because Training Your Dog is Loving Your Dog" Means To Us

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2020 39:47


    Today's topic: Our values and our principles, as we discuss our most recent blog post that dissects how our company tagline, "Because Training Your Dog Is Loving Your Dog" perfectly embodies how we view the world and what's important to us as a company.Links to things we talked about on the pod:Our blog post: "Our Values & Principles: What 'Because Training Your Dog Is Loving Your Dog' Means To Us" (https://www.familypupz.com/blog-2/what-because-training-your-dog-is-loving-your-dog-means-to-us)

    Training Your New Puppy

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2020 38:16


    Today's topic: How to train your brand spanking new puppy, with information about crate training, potty training, enrichment, positive reinforcement dog training, and much much more.Links to things we talked about on the pod:Puppy Socialization & Training Class at Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse on 9/28 (https://www.familypupz.com/events/puppy-socialization-training-class-ironton-distillery-9/28);Virtual Puppy Training Overview and Q&A Session for Friends of Mamco Rescue on 9/30 (https://www.familypupz.com/events/virtual-puppy-training-session-mamco-9/30);Puppy Socialization & Training Class at the Watering Bowl 10/1 (https://www.familypupz.com/events/puppy-socialization-training-class-watering-bowl-9/27-d5w23);SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy Behavioral Aid Toy (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000S753WK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

    Claim The Family Pupz Podcast

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel