Welcome to Throwback Thursday! This week, we're going way back in the archives to revisit an episode about our favorite bookish dogs. Tune in and let us know your favorite!   Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith invite writer Ellie Hicks to join them in a discussion of books with or about dogs and their favorite literary pups.    For more information and show notes: Your Family Dog Podcast Ellie's blog on 10 of the Best Literary Dogs

‪@YFDPodcast‬ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@YFDPodcast How To Make Your Herding Dog Feel More Like Family!- Part I Herding dogs- they're gorgeous, energetic, loyal, and scary smart. We all love them, and many of us love the idea of having one of these beautiful, faithful dogs by our side. But are they really the right dog for every family? Emily Priestley is the founder of Wild at Heart Dog Training, where she specializes in helping people successfully manage herding dogs in pet homes. She came on the show today to share her expertise. Join us as we chat about both the very real challenges and the very real joys of sharing a life with herding dogs. Guest Biography In 2021, Emily Priestley left a long shelter career to focus on helping dogs whose guardians are at the end of their rope—especially those facing fear, aggression, reactivity, and herding breed challenges like compulsive disorders. She specializes in working with herding breed dogs struggling in pet homes. If you’re dealing with a reactive border collie, Australian Cattle Dog, Aussie, or another herding dog, she can help. Emily offers virtual group classes for reactivity, fear, aggression, and other issues that interfere with daily life. She also provides webinars designed for both trainers and pet guardians. She holds the following certifications and credentials: CTC from The Academy for Dog Trainers Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant (CDBC) through the IAABC Certified Cat Behaviour Consultant (CCBC) through the IAABC Certified in Shelter Dog Behaviour (CSB-D) through the IAABC Completed Julie Naismith’s Separation Anxiety Pro Trainer Program Certified Death Doula, specializing in pet loss Former member of the BC SPCA’s AnimalKind program (2021–2023) During her career with the BC SPCA, Emily personally handled over 2,000 dogs. With experience across many breeds and behaviour issues, she has worked with dogs needing serious intervention. There’s nothing she hasn’t seen. Emily lives on the west coast of British Columbia with her Australian Cattle Dog, Mozzie, and her three working line border collies—Griff, Mitch, and Stormi. She works with clients across North America, Mexico, the UK, and beyond. She is a regular webinar presenter, hosts the Wild at Heart Podcast, and co-hosts Conversations From Under the Bus with Jean Donaldson, Kristi Benson, and Lisa Skavienski, available on YouTube and through The Academy for Dog Trainers on Facebook.   Resources: Wild at Heart Dog Training Urban Sheepdog by Emily Priestley YFD 171: Breed Matters Time Stamps -  0:00 Welcome to Part 2. If you missed Part 1 Please go back and listen to that episode first 1:07 Can scent work help our herding dogs? 2:04 Tricks & Trials 3:07 Intrinsic Motivation 5:57 Sensitivity 7:09 When does Sensitivity become a problem? 8:30 Problem - First stop is the vet 8:35 Sileo 11:30 Suffering is not okay - Get ye to the Vet! 17:12 Advocacy 19:00 We can’t “fix” normal, healthy dog behaviors 21:00 Enrichment 22:00 Classes for trainers AND FAMILIES 24:25 What is the oddest thing your dog has attempted to eat   Stay in the Loop with the Your Family Dog Podcast Mailing Address: Tina M. Spring, 115 Pointers Ridge Drive, Athens, GA 30606-1490   YFDPod Merch TBA    The Your Family Dog Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YFDPodcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-family-dog-podcast/id1163178672 Spotify Podcasts: On your favorite podcast player Mondays Your Family Dog Podcast ON SOCIAL  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/yourfamilydogpodcast/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/YourFamilyDogPodcast/   The Your Family Dog Podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The content provided on this podcast does not constitute professional veterinary, behavioral, or training advice. Always consult with a licensed veterinarian, a positive reinforcement-based professional dog trainer, or a qualified pet professional before making

Herding dogs- they're gorgeous, energetic, loyal, and scary smart. We all love them, and many of us love the idea of having one of these beautiful, faithful dogs by our side. But are they really the right dog for every family? Emily Priestley is the founder of Wild at Heart Dog Training, where she specializes in helping people successfully manage herding dogs in pet homes. She came on the show today to share her expertise. Join us as we chat about both the very real challenges and the very real joys of sharing a life with herding dogs.   For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog

Introducing "Throwback Thursday!" Starting this week, we'll be filling the gaps between new episodes by re-releasing older episodes you might have forgotten or missed. This week, we're revisiting Tina's first ever appearance on Your Family Dog, where she and Julie discussed how to keep your dog happy and healthy in the summer heat.  Enjoy!In their first podcast together, Tina Spring and Julie Fudge Smith, discuss some of the hazards, as well as joys, that warm weather can bring, including: wildlife, water, insects, and whether or not you should let your pup have the run of the house when you're not home!   For show notes and more information please see: Your Family Dog

Two of YFD's favorite guests are back! Animal behavior experts Zazie Todd and Marc Bekoff join Tina today to discuss all the things we humans misunderstand about our dogs, their behavior, the best way to work with them. Pull up a chair and tune in for a conversation you won't want to miss!  For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog

‪@YFDPodcast‬ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@YFDPodcast Incorporating Toddlers & Dogs - Building the Sweetest Bonds  Guest Biography Aishlyn is a professional dog trainer and a newish mom…. When she is a guest we explore things Aishlyn is incorporating to help Delilah (15 mos) and Noir & Vega be more successful together.  Time Stamps -  0:00 Welcome to Part 2. 4:00 Tolerance vs Active Enjoyment and why it matters 4:30 Guided Touch - teaching our dogs and our kiddos about consent (chin rest in this case) 8:48 Ask your dogs’ permission - giving autonomy and how it help reduce conflicts 9:45 Kiss to Dismiss 10:38 Jumping up can be a functional behavior meaning it is communicating 12:27 Vocalizing signals - humans and dogs 14:25 Is a 15 month old kiddo old enough to signal “no, thank you” and how we can teach that to our dogs 15:00 The benefits of giving all non-verbal family members a voice can be a huge help in learning 18:14 My toddler is fixated on the dog, now what? 20:18 The gift of “easy” for kids & dogs, teaching them separately 23:49 Dogs under the table 26:00 Tugging - Dogs & Toddler style - Keeping fun safe 27:38 Fetch! Dogs & Toddler style - keeping fun safe 29:00 Developmental Stages and helping the family through those changes 31:40 Muffin Tin Game 35:00 Bubbles! 36:58 Going to the restroom with safety in mind   Stay in the Loop with the Your Family Dog Podcast Mailing Address: Tina M. Spring, 115 Pointers Ridge Drive, Athens, GA 30606-1490   YFDPod Merch TBA    The Your Family Dog Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YFDPodcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-family-dog-podcast/id1163178672 Spotify Podcasts:   Your Family Dog Podcast ON SOCIAL  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/yourfamilydogpodcast/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/YourFamilyDogPodcast/   The Your Family Dog Podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The content provided on this podcast does not constitute professional veterinary, behavioral, or training advice. Always consult with a licensed veterinarian, a positive reinforcement-based professional dog trainer, or a qualified pet professional before making any decisions regarding your pet’s health, behavior, or training. While we strive to share accurate and helpful information, every dog is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. The hosts and guests of The Your Family Dog Podcast disclaim all liability for any actions taken based on the content of this podcast. Listener discretion is advised when implementing any suggestions discussed. This podcast may feature guests with their own views, which do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the podcast hosts. ©2016-2025 Your Family Dog Podcast LLC

Back in February, dog trainer and new mom Aishlyn Skocyzlas came on the show to talk about her experience living with babies and dogs. Well, little baby Delilah is over a year old now, bringing a whole new set of challenges and delights. In what will hopefully be a recurring feature, Aishlyn came back on the show to update us on what's changed, what she's learned, and how she's navigating life with a toddler and dogs.   For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.

It's hard to think of a more beloved story than that of a boy and his dog, and that's exactly what we have today. Tina is joined by artist, author, and musician Timothy Renner whose friendship with his childhood dog could have come straight out of a classic Disney film. Tune in as Tim shares memories of his boyhood dog, Barney, reminding us all that sometimes the most important "people" in our lives come with four paws and a wagging tail.   For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.

What's this? Julie's back? Well, not quite. Recorded earlier this year and subsequently lost in the shuffle, this previously overlooked, never-before-heard episode has been rescued from the YFD Vault for your listening pleasure. Tune in for a discussion of how dog training is like novel writing and, whether authors or dog trainers, we all have to stumble our way towards the beginning.  For show notes and more, go to Your Family Dog

It's Julie's final episode! Tina is joined in giving her a sendoff by former YFD host Colleen Pelar and favorite YFD guest Zazie Todd. Tune in for a fond look back at "Your Family Dog," including its origin story, memorable episodes, and opossums behaving badly.   For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.

Humans and dogs are a tale as old as time- literally! From almost the very beginning of human evolution, dogs have been with us as our faithful friends and companions. But where did this first of human-animal friendships begin, and how? Today we're diving into the origins of the dog. Come along as we travel back in time and explore the history of our favorite four-legged friends. For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog. 

We've all been there- we're out and about with our normally well-behaved dog when suddenly we encounter something unfamiliar and Fido promptly loses his marbles. What happened to all that training? You're not alone- it happens to the best of us. Today, Julie and Tina talk about those times when your dog goes a little bit nuts- how to handle it, when to loosen up a little bit, and remembering to trust the process.For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog

The term "pythiosis" probably doesn't mean much to most people. Yet this particular disease- which can affect humans, dogs, and other mammals- while not common, nevertheless seems to be on the rise, with cases being reported in more and more places. So what is this disease? How is it spread, how is it treated, and how can you protect your pet? In the first of multiple episodes examining pythiosis, Tina talks to her friend Katie Gallagher about her experience dealing with the disease in her young puppy.For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog

Living with kids and dogs can be fun, but it can also be incredibly challenging. Balancing different needs and keeping everybody happy is no easy task, but it can be done and the end result can be amazing! Today Julie and Tina are joined by Aishlyn Skoczylas, a dog trainer and new mom, to discuss her experience of bringing home a tiny human to a house full of dogs. Tune in to hear the good, the bad, and what she wished she had known sooner.For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog

Regularly cycling out what your pet eats- otherwise known as "rotational feeding"- at first might seem like just adding an unnecessary complication to your life. After all, if your dog is happy with his food, why rock the boat? But switching up what Fido eats doesn't have to be difficult and can have some surprising benefits. Today, Julie and Tina break down what rotational feeding is, different methods of doing it, and how it can help improve your dog's health and mood.   For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog. 

Bird flu is in the news again. By now, most of us have seen the reports of the H5N1 strain infecting chickens, dairy cows, and even some humans. With the Covid pandemic still fresh in our collective memory, it's reasonable to wonder just how worried we should be about this particular flu strain. What risk does it pose to us? To our pets? What (if anything) can we do to help keep ourselves and our families safe? To answer these and other questions, Julie and Tina are joined today by Brittany Buckley, the manager of the histology lab at the University of Georgia Poultry Research and Diagnostic Center. Tune in to found out everything you need to know about the H5N1 bird flu and what it means for you and your pets.For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog  

Teaching your dog a new behavior can sometimes seem overwhelming. Sure, it would be great if Fido could go beyond the basics and do things like roll over, shake hands, or play dead, but who has time to teach all that? Well, actually- you do! Training new behaviors and tricks doesn't have to be labor intensive or take hours of your time. In fact, sometimes five minutes is all you need. Today, Julie and Tina present a variety of fun, simple behaviors that you can teach your dog with just a few minutes of practice a day.   For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog

Christmas may have come and gone, but many of us are still on break. In the post-Christmas, pre-New Year's haze, when the weather often keeps us inside, both kids and dogs can start to get antsy- and that can be a recipe for disaster. How do you keep dogs and the grandkids from driving each other- and you- crazy? Today, Julie and Tina provide a range of ideas for fun activities that allow the kids to enjoy doing things with and for their canine friends, while making sure that nobody get overwhelmed.   For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog

Most of us recognize that euthanasia can sometimes be necessary or even kindest course of action when a beloved pet is terminally ill or suffering. The question of putting a dog to sleep because of behavioral concerns, however, is often much trickier. Is euthanasia ever justified in these cases and if so, how do you know when you've reached that point? And are the costs of not euthanizing potentially dangerous dogs worse than letting them live? Dog trainer Trish McMillan came on the show today to talk about this sensitive, but important topic.   For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog

Julie is still on hiatus, but Tina is here this week, accompanied by a special guest. Although he's still only in high school, Will Ryan is the founder of Service Dawg Nation, a non-profit dedicated to helping train and match service dogs for veterans. He and his mother came on the show today to talk about his project, what it means to him, and where he plans to take it from here.   For Show Notes and more: Your Family Dog