K9 Search and Rescue legend Bob Deeds is back! There was simply too much for one episode, so we're bringing you two. Join us right where we left off last week to learn more about geosniffing, the science of scent, and how Bob's geocache coin made it all the way to Iraq and back.   For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog

All work and no play makes Fido a dull pup...or something like that. Either way, even the hardest-working dogs need to play sometimes. Enter Bob Deeds, a retired K9 search and rescue specialist who has developed a whole new sport- geo-sniffing- designed to allow dogs to enjoy the challenge of scentwork in the great outdoors without the stress of rescue work. Tune in to learn more about Bob's work, and the art and science of geo-sniffing.   For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.

Happy Throwback Thursday! This week, we're revisiting the perennial issue of loose leash walking. Tune in for a refresher on the best way to make sure you and your dog both enjoy the outdoors this fall.   "Walking the dog" is one of those things that's often a lot harder than it sounds. Julie and Tina break down the art of loose leash walking and offer advice and suggestions to help both you and Fido enjoy your walks. For show notes, please go to: Your Family Dog

‪@YFDPodcast‬ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@YFDPodcast 247: A Second Chance at Love; Senior Dog Adoptions with Peggy Rew Peggy Rew is our guest on this episode. Peggy Rew is a professional pet nanny, published wordsmith, copy editor, and pet care educator. A pet rescuer since the ‘70’s, Rew has touched the lives of more than 4,000 animals: dogs, cats, horses, goats, reptiles, llamas, fish, bunnies, and birds, etc. Her penned creations include poetry, short stories and hundreds of published articles.   You may reach Peggy at: rewcrew5@gmail.com or at 775-830-0982 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/m.peggy.a.rew   Time Stamps -  0:00 Introduction 1:20 Puppies can produce a lot of complication 2:11 The story of a senior dog adoption 4:00 Often seniors are available due to people going into senior living and they can’t keep their beloved pet. 8:00 Young doesn’t always mean healthy and a long life, and a 7 year old dog, in some cases is elderly and in others (say a Jack Russell) are just starting to mature! 10:00 Checklists of expectations and deal breakers 11:10 “Senior” often means 7, but sometimes it means 10 years old or older 12:44 An adult dog knows him or herself. They are just as easy to train. We know whether or not they are comfortable with a quiet or busy life, do they like kids, etc 14:30 What attributes does our family need, what attributes do we need to avoid? 20:50 Older dogs often make puppy raising easier 21:26 Breed specific rescue can be a huge help if you want a specific breed 27:51 If a family member is afraid of dogs, please resolve that before you get a dog! 33:00 If possible adopt dogs from groups that do matching assessments such as Meet Your Match® & Safer® assessments from the ASPCA. We tend to get better matches when such programs are utilized.   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

‪@YFDPodcast‬ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@YFDPodcast 246: Reading Dog Body Language to Reduce Conflict Peggy Rew is our guest on this episode. Peggy Rew is a professional pet nanny, published wordsmith, copy editor, and pet care educator. A pet rescuer since the ‘70’s, Rew has touched the lives of more than 4,000 animals: dogs, cats, horses, goats, reptiles, llamas, fish, bunnies, and birds, etc. Her penned creations include poetry, short stories and hundreds of published articles.   You may reach Peggy at: rewcrew5@gmail.com or at 775-830-0982 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/m.peggy.a.rew   Time Stamps -  0:00 Introduction 1:00 Introducing Peggy 1:40 Dog Safety Activity Books 2:15 Activity Books 3:15 Consent & Agency - Why they matter 4:10 Eating 5:15 Resource Guarding 7:30 Dogs deserve respect too 9:00 The Nose Knows 12:00 Bites are very rare 13:00 Strategies to keep little fingers away from dog mouths 18:30 Dogs are family 20:20 Who is your dog? 22:30 Fireworks 24:00 Preparing our dogs 27:00 Lobby for Silent Fireworks 28:08 Would you miss the “booms”? 32:00 More on Dog Safety Activity Books 40:00 Does “Dog Bite Prevention” turn people off? 42:00 Kiss to Dismiss - The Kindest of Corrections 44:00 A time out can be a real gift! 45:00 Bite Prevention doesn’t really land well   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

Show favorite Jen Shryock is back! A licensed Family Dog Mediator the and found of Family Paws, LLC., Jen has built her career on helping kids and dogs thrive in each other's company. She returned to Your Family Dog today to talk more about child-dog safety, different types of supervision, and all the ways we dumb humans misinterpret what our dogs are telling us. Don't miss it!   For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.

Senior dog specialist Helen St. Pierre returns to YFD, but this time she's joined by trainer Kathy Callahan, who focuses on the other end of life- puppies! The two of them are co-authors of the new book "Old Dog, New Dog" which aims to help families navigate living with both senior dogs and puppies. Pull up a chair and listen in for a conversation about puppies, seniors, death, aging, and everything in between! ‪@YFDPodcast‬ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@YFDPodcast Adding a New Dog to an Old Dog Kathy Callahan and Helen St. Pierre are the authors of Old Dog, New Dog: A Guide to Supporting Your Aging Best Friend and Welcoming a New One. Helen St. Pierre is the founder of the senior animal rescue and sanctuary Old Dogs Go To Helen and the owner of No Monkey Business Dog Training. She is certified as a professional dog trainer (CPDT-KSA), a dog behavior consultant (CDBC), and a family dog mediator (LFDM). Helen’s website is nomonkeybusinessdogtraining.com Certified dog trainer (CPDT-KA) and family dog mediator (LFDM) Kathy Callahan specializes in puppies. The author of Welcoming Your Puppy from Planet Dog and 101 Rescue Puppies, she writes monthly on training and behavior for Whole Dog Journal. Her business, PupStart, focuses on helping clients through puppyhood. Her website is www.puppypicks.com.  KATHY SOCIAL: Instagram - instagram.com/puppypicks  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathryn.g.callahan   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2XrCeyKGTvXvp4l5dSMG1A   HELEN Facebook: Facebook Personal: https://www.facebook.com/lellow.oneplease - Helen Personal    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/olddogsggotohelen - Old Dogs Go to Helen Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/NoMonkeyBusinessDogTraining  - Dog Training Page   Time Stamps -  0:00 Introduction 1:30 Kathy Callahan Introduction - Puppies! 4:45 Helen St. Pierre Introduction - Oldies! 7:15 Old Dog, New Dog 9:00 Learning We Cannot Get From a Book 10:11 Set them up to have their needs met, Young or Old 12:50 Quality of Life Weekly Check List for senior dogs 15:00 Function, Purpose & Joy 17:15 Making the Golden Age Golden 20:32 Things often marketed for puppies are great tools for senior dogs 22:35 Puppies & Senior Dogs 24:15 The Vision (the dream) 25:02 The Challenges (time to step up) 25:46 The Work Arounds 28:00 A Plan with Resources! It can be easier 31:30 “Reels” aren’t Real Life. Great relationships are built in months, not seconds. 31:48 Lots of breaks for the senior dog, they can’t raise the puppy! 32:30 Communication is information, be ready to support the puppy and your senior 35:39 Full Vet Check for our seniors before bringing home that puppy 43:10 We can make most situations work, honoring the oldie and the puppy both! 54:05 What do people miss about changes in their senior dogs? Purpose and joy vs Function 56:23 We sometimes miss that the dog isn’t doing what he has typically done… not coming into the family room (hard floors, more light, etc) cut toenails…. Things that help increase quality of life so our senior dogs can enjoy life with us! 58:50 Preferences shift 1:04:00 Medications aren’t a failure. Ideally, they are preemptive   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 q

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 The Most Interesting Dogs In Literature Ellie Hicks is a writer, and Julie’s daughter and our audio producer! This is her list for AMReading  Time Stamps -  0:00 Welcome and Introduction 1:22 Which dogs are not on the list and why? 4:09 Ribsy 5:12 The Woofie’s Song - YOU NEED TO HEAR THIS! 6:20 Buck from Call of the Wild, Big Red series by Jim Kjelgaard 7:30 Little House on the Prairie - Jack 9:30 Toto from The Wizard of Oz 11:10 James Harriet’s dog tales 14:17 The Game of Thrones/Song of Fire & Ice - The Direwolves 15:10 Fang 16:20 Argos 18:43 Muggs   Cave Canem!   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

‪@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