Your Family Dog Podcast

At the tender age of 19, Mindi Callison bought a puppy only to later learn that he came from a puppy mill. Determined not to let this happen to another unsuspecting family, Mindi founded the nonprofit Bailing Out Benji in order to provide transparency to people looking to purchase dogs or lawmakers looking to make a difference! Their goal is to make sure that there is as much information as possible available to families about breeders and dogs before they exchange any money, so they can be confident their new pet comes from a reputable, ethical source. Their work has been featured in the documentary Dog by Dog, as well as on Animal Planet, People Magazine, Rolling Stone, and countless news articles. Tune in for a conversation about "adopt vs. shop," the ins and out of choosing a breeder, and what to look for when bringing home a new dog.

For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.

The Masterson Method is a hands-on therapy designed to help release accumulated muscle tension. Originally designed for horses, the method has now been modified for canines as well. Shannon McBride is a certified practitioner of the Masterson Method for both dogs and horses and has seen first hand how it can improve both the life of your animal and your relationship with them. Join us today to learn more about the Masterson Method, how it works, and the ways it can benefit both the pups and ponies in your family.

For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.

New episodes of Your Family Dog will be back next week. In the meantime, with trick-or-treat rapidly approaching, grab a Snickers and enjoy this bit of vintage YFD.

With spooky season officially upon us, now is a great time to start preparing yourself and your dog for Halloween. Tune in for a quick refresher on the challenges Halloween can present for pups, and advice on how to help guide them through it.

TimeStamps:

0:00 Introduction

1:05 Ginger's Story

3:00 Sounds can be scary

3:40 Dogs decide what is "normal" based on early socialization

7:00 Salt Lake City

9:00 Socialization & Habituation

10:24 Additive Philosophy

11:19 Challenges of Halloween

11:30 Tips: A Safe Place to Go

12:00 Tips: Behavior Changes

12:50 Don't force uncomfortable situations (from your dog's perspective)

14:00 Costume Stress - Does your dog enjoy it?

15:00 Dog won't move - Then your dog is not enjoying the costume 19:00 Call In Question: Should I get a Dog for my Dog?

21:00 Alone Training

Halloween can be a scary holiday for dogs. In this episode, Julie Fudge Smith and Colleen Pelar discuss the importance of socialization and why dogs can be a bit unnerved by the sights and sounds of Halloween.

For more information and show notes go to: Your Family Dog Podcast

There was too much good stuff to pack into one episode, so we're picking up where we left off last week with dog trainer extraordinaire Allie Bender. Come along for a conversation about communication, canine enrichment, and how to provide that enrichment without losing your mind!

For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.

Fear, anxiety, aggression, compulsive behaviors...trainer Allie Bender has seen it all. As the owner of Pet Harmony Training, she specializes in serious and complex animal behavior problems, while also running a mentorship program for new trainers. Join us today for a conversation covering everything from DIY enrichment to navigating canines and toddlers, to helping dogs with big feelings.

For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.

Very few people set out to deliberately be a jerk to their dog, but unfortunately, whether we mean to or not, we often end up doing just that. Even when we have the best of intentions, our own misconceptions, misunderstandings, and unrealistic expectations of dogs can end up causing unnecessary and unwanted stress to everybody involved.

That's where dog trainer Annie Grossman comes in. Using the combined powers of love and science, she aims to help people better understand the basic psychology that underlies positive reinforcement training, and let go of expectations that aren't helping either them or their dogs. Join us today for a conversation about science, dogs, and New York City, featuring a surprise guest appearance from Kermit the Frog!

For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.

We often think of simple commands such as "Sit!" and "Come!" as being the most basic thing we can teach our dog, and for many dogs, that's true. But if your dog is struggling to figure out what you're trying to teach them, there may be something even more basic you have to start with- teaching them how to learn in the first place. This seems like something that should come naturally, but for many dogs (and people as well!), it doesn't, leading to anxiety and frustration all around. Today, show favorite Melissa McCue-McGrath joins Tina once again to break down this idea of "learning how to learn," providing tips and advice for how to unlock your dog's full potential.

For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.

Have you ever wished there was some sort of emergency hotline you could call for help with your dog? Well, you're in luck because it turns out there is!

Today we welcome to the show Amy Castro, founder and host of the podcast Pet Parent Hotline. The show grew directly out of Amy’s years in animal rescue, where she founded Starlight Outreach and Rescue and personally fostered more than 4,000 animals. Through that work, Amy saw firsthand how often pet parents are trying to make difficult decisions without enough practical, trustworthy information. Inspired by this, she started the Pet Parent Hotline podcast to answer the questions she received every day from people desperate for help for their pet problems and/or those considering giving up their pets. Through the podcast, she aims to help people and animals by providing honest conversations, real-world advice, and practical solutions that support both pets and the people who love them.

For show notes and more (including our merch!), please go to Your Family Dog.

We all like a good treat now and then and our dogs are no exception. All too often, though, commercially available dog treats are packed full of allergens, sugar, wheat, and other undesirable ingredient that can irritate sensitive stomachs and exacerbate existing health issues. That's where today's guest comes in.

Marcy Pellegrino is the founder and Chief Brand Barketing Officer of Marcy's Pet Kitchen, a small-batch, USA-made, and healthy, dog treat brand built on one belief: that every all-natural ingredient should have a purpose for YOUR dog. Inspired by her two previous Labs who passed from cancer, and today by her silver Lab Barkley and his severe allergies and sensitive stomach, Marcy set out to create clean-label, whole food treats that pet parents can actually trust. Made with simple, recognizable ingredients that you can pronounce, MPK's low-glycemic, superfood treats are a great fit for dogs with allergies, sensitive stomachs, or insulin concerns, as well as any pup whose family wants to feel good about what goes in their bowl. Come join us to learn more about Marcy's journey and what's currently cooking in her pet kitchen.

For show notes and more (including our merch!) please go to Your Family Dog.

A few years ago, writer Bruce Littlefield looked at his pet and dog and realized something- dogs have life figured out. They wake up each day looking to make the best of every moment. They understand what’s important. They know what to shake off. They love a good walk. And they certainly know how to relax! Whether young or old, we can all learn a few tricks from dogs, and Bruce has compiled some of the best ones in his new book. So, sit, put your paws up, and delight in the wisdom of dogs!

For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.

So many of us have been there- our otherwise house trained dog (or cat!) suddenly decides that *this* corner of the house is *theirs* and needs to be claimed as such. Now, we can't get them to leave it alone, no matter how much we scrub and clean and spray the odor still seems to linger, and nothing we do seems to make it stop...until now.

When their beloved elderly dog began to scent mark, Glenn Lattz and his wife were determined to find a solution that would stop the behavior once and for all. The result? Doggie Nopee, an pet-safe, kid-safe solution that puts an end to marking behaviors for good. Tune in to learn more about how it's designed, how it works, and how it can help your family.

For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.

Most of us have probably wondered what it would be like if our dog was a person. Now, a new novel by writer A.J. Symon explores that very idea. Written to honor the unconditional love and joy his golden retriever brought to his life, A.J.’s inspiration came from a game of fetch where he thought, “If that dog were human, he’d be an amazing running back”. That spark became Golden Boy, a funny and heartfelt novel about a teenage girl who turns her family’s beloved golden retriever into a real boy. Naturally, he joins the football team, where his loyalty, heart, and golden retriever instincts teach everyone that life is about more than wins and losses.

For show notes and more (including our new merch!), please go to Your Family Dog.

The topic of "special needs" is one that's come up plenty of times before on Your Family Dog. Whether it's the kid, the dog, or both who function a little differently, navigating and supporting those needs can be draining and time-consuming for families, who often need all the help they can get to make everything work. But what happens when trying to find and coordinate all that help becomes its own seemingly-impossible task?

Enter Lisa Richer. Lisa is the Executive Board Chair for By With & For Autistic Adults, Advisory Chair for The Mandala School, and on the Parents Alliance for Inclusion board. As the mom of two neurodiverse sons, she truly understands the emotional and practical struggles families go through. Her proprietary Clarity Confidence Courage Journey Map is designed to strip away unhelpful pressures and help parents build more resilient, inclusive homes. Lisa also holds an Advanced Advocate Certificate from the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. and wrote "Confident You: The Raw Conversations." Lisa has worked for over twenty years helping parents, educators, and professionals navigate their own high-stakes journeys and find clarity amidst the chaos. Join us for a conversation about the joys and challenges of navigating a "neurosparkly" family, dogs and all.

For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.

Many of us know firsthand the difference assistance dogs can make in people's lives. However, these furry assistants don't come cheap, and many people who might otherwise benefit from their presence find themselves struggling or unable to afford one. Donny Wilson, our guest today, is out to change that as best he can. Donny is the founder of Pawtism, an organization that provides financial aid to families seeking an autism assistance dog. Join us today to hear the story behind Pawtism, and for a peek behind the scenes at life with an assistance pup.

Donny Wilson is the Co-founder and Chair of Pawtism, an organization whose mission is to provide financial support to those planning to add an autism assistance dog to their family while also raising awareness of the immense potential these animals have to change lives.

For show notes and more (including our new merch!), please go to Your Family Dog.

Chanel knew Maplewood Park held fun surprises.

She just didn't expect one of them to be Milo.

When a curious little terrier named Chanel meets a gentle, thoughtful big dog called Milo, an unexpected friendship begins-one filled with discovery, mischief, and heart.

Chanel and Milo: The Legend Begins is the first story in a growing series about two dogs who see the world differently, yet somehow understand each other perfectly. From butterfly chases to quiet moments beneath the old oak tree, this is the tale of how one small meeting-and a very big friendship-can change everything.

Every great legend has a beginning... and this one starts with a wag, a smile, and a leap of faith.

Join us today as we talk to Paul Davis and Julia Rosengren, the joint authors of "Chanel & Milo: The Legend Begins" about the real life dogs whose special bond inspired their adorable book.

For show notes and more (including our merch!) please go to Your Family Dog.

A mani/pedi may be relaxing for many of us, but not so much for our dogs. Anyone who has ever tried to trim a dog's toenails knows what a pain it can be- sometimes literally, when a stressed paw jerk or a mistimed clip results in a painful nail bleed. Almost as messy as said bleeds are the powders and bandages often used to clean them up, which are prone to spill and leave stains.

Fortunately, there's a new solution! Former dog groomers Michael and Lisa Lisk are the developers of StypStix, the quick, easy, mess-free way to treat nail bleeds. Tune in today to learn more about how it works and why vets are raving about it!

For show notes and more (including our merch!) please go to Your Family Dog.

YFD is on a short hiatus, as Tina gets some well-deserved R&R. We’ll be back with new episodes next week, but in the meantime, we’re re-releasing one of our most popular episodes. Enjoy this quick trip down memory lane, and we’ll see you next week!

Molly Schultz, of Walking Wild Fox Rescue and Wolf Dog Rescue, joins Tina Spring and Julie Fudge Smith to talk about her non-profit safe haven for captive bred foxes and wolf dogs. Find out how she provides the best home possible for these amazing animals.

For more information and show notes please go to: Your Family Dog Podcast

Many of us love the hustle and bustle of city life, but unfortunately, our pets don't always agree. From the endless barrage of sounds and smells to unnerving experiences like riding elevators, urban environments often present unique challenges to dogs and their owners. However, this doesn't mean you and Fido have to ditch the city and head for the hills! With a little patience and some good training, there are all kinds of things you can do to help your pup thrive in an urban setting. Dog trainer Melissa McCue-McGrath returns to the show today to share tips and tricks for city living with dogs.

For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.

When we think of "first responders," our minds naturally go first to firefighters, police officers, and EMTs and the valuable work they do for people in emergencies. What we tend to overlook, however, is that animals are often involved in emergency situations as well- who cares for them?

Enter Dr. Leigh Mack himself a firefighter and EMT as well as the founder of the First Responders' Veterinary Network. FRVN was established to address critical gaps in managing animal-centric emergencies. Drawing from his tenure at the South Carolina State Guard and two fire departments, Dr. Mack developed an scalable operational model for the field. The concept emerged from frontline encounters where animals hindered life-saving care, revealing a vital need for a network of volunteer veterinarians to treat injured animals and to help maintain scene safety. Dr. Mack joined the podcast today to talk about his work, and how you can get involved.

For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.

YFD: 277 Learn how to improve family dog health with veterinary oncologist Dr. Erin Malone. We are joined again by Dr. Erin Malone, a veterinary oncologist, to discuss her updated services and how they can support your pet's wellness journey. If you are looking for practical guidance for a pet with cancer, this conversation provides the veterinary insights you need. Dr. Malone explains the latest approaches in oncology care, helping you understand what options are available when your dog faces serious health challenges. We break down the realities of specialized veterinary care so you can make informed decisions for your household. Improving family dog health starts with knowing what resources are available to you and your pet. Subscribe for weekly family dog health advice and let us know in the comments: what topic should we cover with our next guest?

For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.