Podcasts

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. Resources Websites: Pet Harmony Pet Harmony on Instagram Podcasts: Pet Harmony Podcast [...]

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, [...]

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, [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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. [...]