The Good Dog Pod

This episode of the Good Dog Pod explores canine orthopedic disorders. Host Laura Reeves is joined by renowned veterinarian Dr. Marty Greer to discuss some common orthopedic issues, as well as their symptoms, causes, and treatments. What should I do if my puppy is exhibiting orthopedic problems? Immediately contact your veterinarian, as many orthopedic issues are time sensitive and need to be treated as soon as possible. In addition to this, Dr. Greer outlines several questions you can ask yourself to better evaluate what disorder your puppy is experiencing. The breed and age of the dog is very important, as some orthopedic problems are found mostly in large breeds and others are found mostly in small breeds. Then, recall if there is any history of trauma/physical injury in the infected area. Determine if the hurt area is in one limb, multiple limbs, or constantly changing. Finally, take your puppy’s temperature as a fever can be an indication of a certain set of orthopedic conditions.  What are some common orthopedic disorders? First, take note that some orthopedic disorders are genetic, while others are caused by infections. Dr. Greer lays out a list of common issues, as well as a comprehensive description of each. Panosteitis is a bone inflammation commonly found in large, rapidly growing breeds marked by shifting leg lameness. OCD is an abnormal development of bone cartilage seen in shoulders, and is often difficult to pinpoint in x-rays. HOD is a very painful flare at the growth plates. Legg-Calve-Perthes affects hip joints, mainly in small breeds. Hip dysplasia is one of the most commonly known issues, and mainly affects large breeds. Some infections that can cause lameness include lyme disease, cellulitis, and strep canis. Dr. Greer recommends keeping large breed puppies on a diet specifically created for them, which has been proven to reduce such orthopedic problems.

This week on the Good Dog Pod, host Laura Reeves is joined by Debra Hamilton, Esq. to talk about the power of mediation in resolving issues surrounding dogs. Debra is the owner of Hamilton Law and Mediation and has extensive experience helping breeders, owners, and vets foster peaceful solutions.  What are the different ways to approach a legal dispute? There are three main ways to settle a legal issue. One, the two parties can choose to negotiate an agreement outside of court, which is done without a third party. Two, a party can choose to pursue litigation, in which both parties have lawyers representing them in a court trial. Finally, the two parties can choose mediation, in which both parties agree to settle the issue with the help of a neutral third party.  Why is mediation oftentimes the best answer? Mediation allows for both parties to truly listen to each other and understand the other’s intentions. The neutral mediator facilitates the ability to listen, and helps both parties be more open and less defensive. Oftentimes, problems arise because someone was overwhelmed and said something they didn’t really intend to say. Mediation can help in these sorts of situations, including owner-veterinarian disputes, breeder-buyer disputes, owner-handler disputes, and more. If encountering a problem, do not jump to litigation or write a bad review online; that would immediately ruin mendable relationships. Debra has a book on mediation in conflict over animals called Nipped in the Bud, Not in the Butt. Always remember that no matter what the issue is, the most important thing is to keep the animal’s best interest in mind.  If you have any questions for Debra, reach out to her here or send an email to [email protected].

This week on the Good Dog Pod, host Laura Reeves is joined by an attorney and a dog trainer to talk about common concerns with contracts between breeders and puppy buyers. Both of our guests are also involved in the dog world as breeders and exhibitors. What is a “dog contract”? Oftentimes, a breeder will require prospective buyers to sign a basic contract before selling a puppy to them. The contract serves as the foundation of the relationship between the two parties; it lays out the details of the puppy, the price of the puppy, and in most cases, a clause that states the breeder will take back the puppy in the event that the buyer is no longer able to care for it. Good Breeders can access exclusive sample contracts here.  What are some common concerns regarding contracts? One common issue is when the contract contains a clause that is unenforceable. For the breeder, including a clause that is overly specific and unenforceable, even if it is in the puppy’s best interest, can cause the buyer to stop communication with the breeder. In some instances, one unenforceable clause can also invalidate other clauses in the contract. An example of an unenforceable clause is one that states the buyer must feed the puppy a specific brand of food. There is no way for the breeder to monitor whether or not the owner is following this clause. Another common concern is that an owner is hesitant to go to the breeder with their questions in fear that they accidentally violated a part of the contract. The two parties should keep regular communication so that everything they do is in the dog’s best interest.  How can I build a good breeder-owner relationship? There are several things both the breeder and owner can do to build a strong relationship. The contract is only a tool to start a connection; both people should be open and empathetic in their conversations about the puppy. The breeder has years of experience with the breed, so they will be the best judge of whether or not the buyer’s lifestyle is a good fit. If there is anything in the contract that the buyer is uncomfortable with, they should start a conversation with the breeder about it. Because the breeder-buyer relationship is for the dog’s entire life, the breeder should choose the buyer carefully, just like the buyer should choose the breeder carefully. If you are not yet a member of the Good Dog community, you can apply to join at gooddog.com/join.

In this week’s episode of the Good Dog Pod, host Laura Reeves is joined by Jaci Bowman to talk about the Poodle as a hunting dog. Jaci has been an owner, trainer, and handler of hunting Poodles for over two decades. How is the Poodle becoming more widely recognized as a hunting dog? The Poodle is well loved in the show ring, and in recent years, its popularity in the field has grown as well. The breed was originally bred to hunt in marshes for waterfowl, but they are new to field trials and certifications. In the 1990s many Poodle lovers pushed to get the breed involved in retriever and spaniel hunting tests, in which they now excel. The dog is very intelligent and is not hard wired to carry out any one hunting method, so they leverage their variety of skills to become master hunters. Can a dog excel in both the show ring and field trials? Jaci talks about having dogs go from the show ring to the field. The Poodle’s specialized haircuts make it relatively easy to have a dog compete in the field one day, and the show ring the next. Despite the notion that the Poodle’s cut is very ‘showy,’ it is actually very practical for hunting dogs to swim and retrieve waterfowl. There are many dogs that are exceptional at both tasks. Listen to this week’s episode to hear more about the Poodle’s history as a hunting dog, the differences between the Poodle sizes, and how the Poodle Club of America is advocating for the legacy of the breed to better reflect the latter’s origin. 

This episode of the Good Dog Pod is all about the companionable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel! Host Laura Reeves is joined by two long time breeders, owners, and showers of the breed to discuss breed history, grooming, health, and more.What is it like to live with the Cavalier? The Cavalier is a toy breed with all the athletic ability and drive of a larger spaniel. They are very trainable and not too vocal, making them highly adaptable and fit for apartment dwelling. These dogs form strong, intuitive bonds with their owners, and thrive off of human interaction. Because of this, they are not fit owners who work long hours and would leave them alone at home all day. What are some grooming best practices for this breed? The Cavalier should be groomed several times a week and bathed once every two weeks to maintain a healthy, silky coat. Owners should pay extra attention to their ears and paws. Our guests offer other grooming tips, such as what conditioning spray to use for the best results. What are some health related topics all Cavalier owners should be aware of? A healthy Cavalier can expect to live 12+ years. However, there are some health issues that are commonly found in this breed, including those related to the heart, patella, hips, elbows, and eyes. Owners should be aware of the signs of these diseases and bring their dog to the veterinarian for regular check-ups. To keep your Cavalier healthy, practice preventative care such as keeping them at a healthy weight and regularly brushing their teeth. 

This week, Good Dog Pod’s host Laura Reeves is joined by three guests to discuss the extraordinary Clumber Spaniel. The guests have decades of Clumber experience between them in breeding, veterinary practice, and judging. What is it like to live with a Clumber Spaniel? The Clumber is a very affectionate, humorous, and loving family dog. They get along with children and other dogs, as well as cats if introduced early. However, any prospective owner should also be comfortable with a lot of shedding, slobbering, and snoring. How is the Clumber Spaniel as a hunting dog? While the Clumber is often misperceived as slow because of its stocky build, this is actually not true. When necessary, the Clumber can be surprisingly fast on the field. They are part of the flushing Spaniels group and are methodical and insistent, making them exceptional bird hunters.What are some health issues every Clumber Spaniel owner should be aware of? Neck and back problems are the most prominent health issues, and there are other common concerns such as hip dysplasia, spleen tumors, entropion, and PDP1. The Clumber can be naughty and rambunctious, so the most common reason that this breed needs veterinary attention is if the dog accidentally ingests something inedible. Clumbers need to be supervised until they can be completely trusted. Pet insurance is highly recommended for this breed. What are some misconceptions about the Clumber Spaniel in the show ring? The Clumber Spaniel is long, low, and substantial. Because there are only 3000 Clumbers in the USA, there are misconceptions among judges around the eye shape, tail, and trot speed. Our guests are advocating for more public knowledge around this wonderful breed!

In this episode of the Good Dog Pod, host Laura Reeves is joined by Malena DeMartini to talk about separation anxiety in dogs. Malena is a certified dog trainer and behavior consultant who specializes in this topic, with over two decades of experience. How should I retrain my dog who has had previous experience with being left home alone? If you have had your dog since before the pandemic, it is likely that they know what it is like being left at home. Start by setting up a camera through which you can watch how your dog reacts to your absence. Give your dog a toy or treat so they associate you leaving with something positive. If your dog settles down after a little while, gradually build up the time you spent away from your dog. Randomize the time you leave your dog at home so they do not start noticing the pattern; leave for a short period of time on some days, and a long period of time on others. How should I train my newly acquired dog? Again, start with observing your dog’s reaction to being home alone through a camera. If you notice your dog becoming increasingly agitated - ie. howling, excessive panting and pacing, non stop pawing at the door or windows - go back inside your house. Next, determine how long the dog can handle being home alone with the help of the camera. With each time that you leave them at home, stay under their panic point; return home before they can become too anxious. If your dog needs to be confined when home alone, perform all training with them in the crate or gated room. How can I tell if my dog is simply upset at being left at home or actually experiencing separation anxiety? It is normal for dogs to be upset at being left at home alone; most dogs will whine or bark for the first few minutes. Separation anxiety is much more extreme, and over time can have psychological and even physiological effects. If you observe your dog through your camera acting extremely differently from how they usually do, to the point of being very destructive, learn how to best cope with separation anxiety and ensure the welfare of your dog. Malena offers a self-paced, online course called “Mission: Possible” on dealing with separation anxiety. She is offering listeners of this podcast a discount on the course using the code GOODDOG. 

This month the Good Dog Pod will focus on how to prepare our dogs as we transition to post-pandemic life. In this episode, host Laura Reeves and certified professional dog trainer Kristin Sandstede talk about latchkey puppies. Kristin has been teaching dog obedience for over two decades and is the founder of Big Moose Dog Training.What is a latchkey puppy? A ‘latchkey puppy,’ a term derived from the more commonly known ‘latchkey child,’ is a dog who stays home for most of the day while his owner is at work. As more and more people return to working in the office, our dogs are being left at home for extended periods of time. It is crucial to train newly acquired puppies as well as existing dogs that have grown accustomed to our continuous presence to stay home comfortably and safely on their own. How should I start training my latchkey puppy? To Kristin, the best method is to utilize crate training and crate games. Measure out your dog’s kibble for a meal and sit down by your dog’s crate, throwing a few kibbles inside at a time. Gradually, your dog will poke his head in, then step his front paws in, and finally step all four paws in the crate. For most dogs, this first step only takes a few minutes! After your dog is comfortable stepping into the crate, practice closing the door, starting with a few seconds and moving up to an hour. The key to successful crate training is patience; don’t try to rush your dog to stay in the crate for an hour the first time. A great guiding principle is the five for five rule, in which if your dog performs perfectly five times in a row, you can raise the bar for training. Kristin has dog training videos on her social media channels, some of which can be found on her website here. How can I provide enrichment for my dog? After your dog is comfortable staying in the crate, provide enrichment to keep him entertained in the form of toys such as Kongs. Kristin emphasizes that mental exercise will keep your dog occupied and tired out for longer than physical exercise. This is also a great time to teach your dog new tricks!By crate training your dog and providing mental stimulation, you can help your dog transition to staying home safely on their own. 

This week on the Good Dog Pod, host Laura Reeves is joined by Dr. Gayle Watkins to discuss how to prepare your dog as our cities reopen, whether you need to retrain your dog or train a new puppy. Gayle is Good Dog’s Head of Education and the founder of Avidog.How should you start getting your dog accustomed to staying at home alone? Start training your dog a few weeks before you intend to leave them at home so you can start with a few minutes and work up to several hours. Every time you go outside, go through the motions of grabbing your keys, putting on your shoes, etc. so your dog understands that they will be home alone. Randomize your schedule as much as you can so your dog doesn’t start predicting the exact time you will be back, which can make them more anxious as they anticipate your return. Refrain from long and emotional goodbyes and hellos, which makes your dog think that it is a big deal every time you leave the house. As always, make sure to leave them with food, water, toys, and background noise. What are some supplies to retrain your dog? Gayle recommends getting lots of toys such as Kongs and marrow bones to keep your dog occupied while you are gone. Dogs feel comforted hearing human voices, so leave the TV or radio on if you can. Another great investment is a play pen if you do not want to give your dog run of the house; these work especially well for puppies or small dogs. Gayle notes the importance of a pet camera, which will allow you to see how your dog acts during the day.Gayle and Laura agree that the key to retraining your dog and minimizing their separation anxiety is to randomize their schedule and randomize the cues you give them. As long as you cue your dog that you’re leaving, don’t let them predict how long you will be gone, and make sure that they feel safe when you’re gone, your dog will be happy and well adjusted at home alone. 

The 2021 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is happening this weekend, June 12-13, in Tarrytown, NY! On this week’s episode of the Good Dog Pod, host Laura Reeves is joined by Allison Alexander, who has been an All-Breed Professional Handler for over 30 years. She is also the founder of the Leading Edge Dog Show Academy. What has changed about Westminster this year? Westminster is usually held in February in New York City’s Madison Square Garden. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, it is being held in Tarrytown on the historic Lyndhurst Estate. In addition, the number of dog shows that usually happen across the country were reduced from several thousands to a few hundred. The new show date and scarcity of dog shows means that Westminster this year will be extra exciting because of the potential for surprise contenders! What are some reasons that this year’s show has the opportunity to be one of the best yet? The first reason that comes to mind for Allison and Laura is the Best in Show Judge, the renowned Patricia Craig Trotter. Trotter has been breeding, showing, and judging dogs for seven decades. Her presence in the show ring is highly anticipated, and is a sign that this will be an iconic year for Westminster. Another reason is that four new breeds have been introduced to Westminster - the Barbet, Biewer Terrier, Belgian Laekenois, and Dogo Argentino. Find out more information about them here. What breeds and dogs do Allison and Laura have their eyes on? Both believe that there are some exemplary dogs in the Samoyed, Irish Setter, English Springer Spaniel, and Lagotto Romagnolo breeds. They are also paying close attention to the Toy Group, namely the Pekingese and Havanese breeds. However, with so many changes this year, it’s hard even for the two experts to predict which dogs have the best shot at Best in Show.What is the schedule for this weekend? On Saturday, June 12, we will see the Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding Groups. On Sunday, June 13, we will see the Sporting, Working, Terrier Groups, and finally Best in Show. This weekend will be broadcasted on the FOX network. Check out the Westminster website for more information on the schedule and broadcasting.Despite all the changes to Westminster this year, Allison and Laura believe that the fact that the show is happening in June instead of the typical February poses a unique timeline for the world of dog shows, with Westminster now being an opportunity to say hello to new dogs instead of only bidding goodbye to retiring ones. *Allison mistakenly stated that the Pekingese is of Japanese origin; we recognize that the breed is actually of Chinese origin.Will you be attending Westminster 2021? Join us for a Breeder Appreciation Party on Friday, June 11th. The event will be outdoors, at Hudson Anchor Rooftop in Tarrytown, NY. There will be free food, drinks, live music and giveaways. And better yet: dogs are welcome! Make sure to pre-register at: https://bit.ly/3f9fwGr and follow our Facebook Event for the latest updates!

This week on the Good Dog Pod, our very own Susan Patterson joins host Laura Reeves to talk about dog-proofing our homes. Susan is a breeder advisor here at Good Dog and runs the weekly advice column Straight from the Whelping Box. She is also a renowned breeder of Labrador Retrievers and Gordon Setters. As many of us return to the office, questions arise about dog-proofing our homes and addressing safety concerns. This is an especially important topic for owners who acquired new puppies during the pandemic. Where should I start in puppy-proofing my house? According to Susan, the first and best place to start is with crate training. When properly utilized, a crate can be a safe place for a dog - a warm and welcoming place with a bed, toys, and food. Susan recommends owners to start crate training their puppies at 8 weeks old, being mindful that puppies need to go outside often, and to stop giving water and food a few hours before bedtime.How else should I dog-proof my house, outside of crate training? Start with supervising the puppy in a small, tiled space in the house. Puppies are inclined to chew anything in their reach, so be especially careful about electronics, house plants, clothing, etc. In addition, be mindful about the human foods that are harmful to dogs; the lists here and here are good starting points. What are some additional tips and reasons for crate training? Sometimes owners are more worried about leaving their dogs at home alone than the dogs themselves are worried! Understand that your dog most likely will appreciate a few hours to themselves to nap. Our host has some of her own tips, including covering the crate with a blanket for a sense of security, and serving meals in the crate for positive reinforcement. Remember, puppy-proofing is a form of pet insurance. It can prevent your puppy from needing blockage surgery after eating something indigestible. While thinking about good puppy-owning practices, make sure to get pet insurance at a young age and check out puppy socialization classes, including Good Dog’s Savvy Socialization Course. Will you be attending Westminster 2021? Join us for a Breeder Appreciation Party on Friday, June 11th. The event will be outdoors, at Hudson Anchor Rooftop in Tarrytown, NY. There will be free food, drinks, live music and giveaways. And better yet: dogs are welcome! Make sure to pre-register at: https://bit.ly/3f9fwGr and follow our Facebook Event for the latest updates!

In this episode of the Good Dog Pod, host Laura Reeves is joined by Sally Hoyle, President of Dog Scouts of America. Hoyle tells us about the amazing ways that Dog Scouts can help you keep your dog happy and healthy. What is Dog Scouts of America? Dog Scouts are just like Boy or Girl Scouts, except your dog is the scout! These four-legged scouts learn anything and everything from swimming, to running agility courses, to painting with their paws. There are over a hundred different skills that dogs can be awarded badges for, and the best way for your dog to learn these skills is during Dog Scouts’ summer camps. What happens at Dog Scouts’ summer camps? Dog Scouts has its own campsite in Michigan, which encompasses 80 acres of trails, obstacle courses, lodging, and more. The camp typically lasts for 5 full days of instruction for both dog and owner, with multiple sessions during the season. Dog Scouts welcomes dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds to participate in the camp. This summer, Dog Scouts will run both virtual and in-person camps. More information can be found on their website here: Dog Scouts Camp InformationWhat if I can’t travel to the Dog Scout campsite? Dog Scouts also has several smaller satellite campsites, as well as troops across the country. For more information on how to join a troop in your area, or start a new troop, please visit their website here: Dog Scouts TroopsDog Scouts of America is proud to be celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. Will you be attending Westminster 2021? Join us for a Breeder Appreciation Party on Friday, June 11th. The event will be outdoors, at Hudson Anchor Rooftop in Tarrytown, NY. There will be free food, drinks, live music and giveaways. And better yet: dogs are welcome! Make sure to pre-register at: https://bit.ly/3f9fwGr and follow our Facebook Event for the latest updates!

This week on the Good Dog Pod, Laura Reeves is accompanied by Dr. Chris Zink, DVM. Dr. Zink is a canine sports medicine and rehabilitation specialist. What is a sports medicine and rehabilitation specialist? A veterinary specialist is someone who has done a three year residency specializing in learning about a very specific field. At the end of that three year period, the specialist has to pass a very complicated examination that requires months of studying. There also are many people who have attended rehabilitation training. Rehabilitation training often requires hundreds of hours of classroom and laboratory time, and oftentimes requires an internship. If we are talking about people who have a certification in rehabilitation, there are four main groups that offer these certifications. Four main groups that offer the certification:Canine Rehabilitation InstituteHealing Oasis Integrative Veterinary Medical Institute Northeast SeminarsA person who is certified in rehabilitation therapy might be a veterinarian, or they may be a physical therapist, in which case they aren’t trained to do the veterinary component, but rather the rehabilitation component. They may in fact be a veterinary nurse who isn’t trained to make diagnoses either. If you find yourself with a dog who may have an orthopedic injury, first you want to go to your general practitioner veterinarian. They are familiar with your dog and they know you. Should you need a referral, Dr. Zink recommends not to go to a certified rehabilitation professional but rather to an orthopedic surgeon or a sports medicine specialist. Remember: veterinarian first!How would your dog be treated? Some examples include laser therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, shockwave therapy, massage or other kinds of manipulation. For more information on dog rehabilitation, check out this week’s episode!Will you be attending Westminster 2021? Join us for a Breeder Appreciation Party on Friday, June 11th. The event will be outdoors, at Hudson Anchor Rooftop in Tarrytown, NY. There will be free food, drinks, live music and giveaways. And better yet: dogs are welcome! Make sure to pre-register at: https://bit.ly/3f9fwGr and follow our Facebook Event for the latest updates!

John Honchariw is the founder and CEO of Companion, an automated dog training device. John introduces us to the inception of the product. He began by working on a robotics team at Google, where he had a realization: sensors can greatly help us understand the animals around us. A transition from robotics to animals? Pretty awesome. John saw an opportunity to use his prior experience in robotics to better understand canine movement. The movement and posture of a dog is very important, and can signal a lot about how dogs are feeling. More importantly, it is essential to see how that movement changes over time, and while it is difficult for us to remember how our dog moved 5 years ago, computers have perfect memories. John’s goal with this venture? To help dog owners maintain the essential human-animal bond throughout the dog’s life. Companion has worked on a limited number of dogs who suffer from separation anxiety, a relevant topic given the amount of pandemic puppies purchased during 2020. Companion steps in and gives dogs some more structure in their life - especially for dogs who now see their owners less because they are returning back to work. This device teaches your companion how to learn and keeps them occupied.What does this device look like and how does it operate? Essentially, it is a device that includes a camera, a computer and a treat launcher. The goal is to train your dog that good things happen around the device through positive reinforcement. Once your dog is comfortable, the device starts looking for types of behaviors: sitting down, lying down or looking at the device. When these behaviors are recognized by the device, they are positively reinforced. When one acquires the device, you also gain access to a Companion coach. The coach is with you very intensively during the first month, to provide a white glove experience and make sure you become accustomed to the device. The app gives you direct access to your coach, where they are available for video chats during the first month. Interested in finding out more about the device? The website joincompanion.com demonstrates exactly how the device works and looks like. Will you be attending Westminster 2021? Join us for a Breeder Appreciation Party on Friday, June 11th. The event will be outdoors, at Hudson Anchor Rooftop in Tarrytown, NY. There will be free food, drinks, live music and giveaways. And better yet: dogs are welcome! Make sure to pre-register at: https://bit.ly/3f9fwGr and follow our Facebook Event for the latest updates!

Today on the Good Dog Pod Laura is joined by a very special guest: Dr. Chris Zink, DVM! Dr. Zink is a sports medicine specialist and many times author. Dr. Zink and Laura will talk about how to exercise your young dogs - a relevant topic given that many people have gotten dogs in the past year. Dogs are so incredibly varied in their shapes and sizes: all the way from a 3lb Chihuahua to a 150lb Great Dane. So, as our dogs grow, we have to be cognizant of their growth rate. Ultimately, we need to find the appropriate balance of exercise for our dogs that suits the dog’s size - which is a little bit different from humans, given that humans end up a lot more similar in size compared to canines. There are various exercises that dogs can engage in. The most common exercise that we think of for dogs are walks, but there are other forms of exercise to consider. These include balancing exercises, flexibility exercises, strength and endurance training. And lastly, there are the good for the soul exercises: getting out in nature, paddling through a creek, going through grass, or stepping through rocks. Let’s look at the appropriate exercise for an 8 week old puppy, as well as a 6 month old dog. 8 week old puppy: Baby puppies are running, tumbling, playing with their owners. They are stretching and flexing their muscles. They are working both on their balance and flexibility. If a baby puppy is going on a walk, that walk should be a saunter. They should be on a long line (20 feet), it should be loose, and you should be following around as they smell their surroundings. The puppy should be walking you. 6 month old: At around 6 months of age is the appropriate time to add any kind of strength training to puppies. Dr. Zink made the comparison that puppies, up until the age of 6 months old, are as similar to children up until the age of 10-12 years old. At 6 months of age, that starts to diverge, and larger dogs tend to mature more slowly than smaller dogs. Something that Dr. Zink noted which is important to consider is the difference in puberty between dogs who are neutered/spayed and those who aren’t. Any heavy exercise can be introduced to a dog who isn’t spayed/neutered after the age of 14 months, once the growth plates have closed. Now if the dog is spayed/neutered, that age is now shifted to 20 months, as growth plates now close at 20 months since puberty is delayed. When, why and how you should exercise your dogs? Listen to this week’s episodes for answers!

This week, Laura Reeves is at the Shetland Sheepdog Club of America National Specialty, in Albany, Oregon. Laura is joined by a group of Shetland Sheepdog lovers who spend the episode talking about the very fun breed. What makes a Shetland Sheepdog a great pet? Shelties are a beautiful breed, they are smart, intelligent, easy to clean and to train, and always willing to please. They are the perfect sized dog, and are fancy for their size. They are greatly adaptable: they can live in an apartment or in a farm - they are completely content with where you choose to put them. Who would not be a really good owner for a Shetland Sheepdog? If someone is interested in an extremely aggressive dog, or a guard dog, Shelties may not be the best fit. Shetland Sheepdogs are a vocal breed. They bark when they have a reason to bark. They aren’t recreational barkers, they bark for what they need to bark over and then they stop. Moving on to the health side of the breed. Shelties, comparatively, are healthy. There are not a ton of health issues, although they do have problems that can arise, just like all dogs. Eyes and heart are the primary health concerns. To find out more about this non-mainstream breed, head over to the episode!

This week on the Good Dog Pod, Laura is accompanied by a very good friend of hers, Susi Szeremy who is the founder of National Purebred Dog Day. Currently, there are 4 states across the US that have adopted National Purebred Dog Day as May 1st. Sushi Szeremy talks to us about the inception of National Purebred Dog Day: she wanted to create a day that would bring openness to the conversation of responsible dog ownership. Susi created a Facebook page and named it National Purebred Dog Day, but shortly forgot about it due to her deadlines in her writing career. When she returned to the page, it had gained traction within the online community, with over 5000 likes. Predictability is extremely important for many families. Whether you are looking to purchase a dog when starting a family and need an appropriate dog to be around young kids, or are looking to buy an older couple a dog who needs to be accommodative as they become more fragile. Purebred dogs offer the predictability that is often needed when purchasing a dog. Every year, Susi hosts a national photo contest, and this year Good Dog is sponsoring a prize for the contest. The theme? Who’s a Good Dog? There is no fee to enter the competition, the only requirements are that you either hand make or print out a sign that says National Purebred Dog Day or I Love My Purebred Dog to make sure that the photo was entered for this contest. Susi mentions how fun it is to see Purebred Dog lovers gather together and brag about their dogs. Owning a Purebred Dog comes with a sense of community. Once you purchase a Purebred dog, especially if you work with a breeder, you are immediately connected to a community of that breed where you can gather, learn from, and gain support from. Laura and Susi are passionate about Purebred dogs, and they dive deep into a conversation about the importance of Purebred dogs, the rarity of some purebred breeds and how purebred dogs have historically helped shape our perception of dogs.We hope you all consider participating in the 2021 Who’s a Good Dog? Photo Challenge! For more information on past photo challenges head over to nationalpurebreddogday.com/photo-contest/.

On this episode of the Good Dog Pod, our host Laura Reeves is in Boise, Idaho at the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of American National Specialty. The scope of the episode is to talk about the German Shorthaired Pointers as pets, companions, showdogs, hunting dogs and more. Char, Bob, and Dave, our guests, all have immense experience with Shorthairs - over 30 years!What’s it like to live with a shorthair? Shorthairs are described as energetic and athletic, they have high drive and are stubborn. They are full muscle, which is a good thing if you have room to burn that energy off. Once that energy is burned off (every day, not just on the weekends), they make as good of a couch potato as any dog. Dock diving, scent work and agility are popular activities to vent off the energy that Shorthairs have. The breed is designed for ultimate versatility - they are not only hunting dogs - you just have to give it a job. Char notes that they are an extremely people-oriented breed - it is the breed’s temperament and personality that hooked our three guests who are sitting in on this podcast. What is it like to go hunting with a Shorthair? It can be exciting and frustrating. They are a people-oriented dog and they want to please you - and as a hunting dog they will work with you. Being out in the field with a Shorthair is a beautiful thing, comments Char. Health Requirements and Issues in the breed? When you are looking for a puppy, the first thing you should do is look at what the AKC has done with the GSPCA and OFA (CHIC Program), which are the minimal health testing requirements recommended by the Breed Club. One problem in the breed is that Shorthairs have a reputation of being relatively clear of serious health issues. However, we have seen epilepsy pop up in the breed as well as cancers, cardiomyopathy and heart murmurs, among others. Laura concludes the episode by asking our guests what the very, very best thing about a German Shorthaired Pointer is. What is it that makes them incredible? Check out the episode to find out what our guests said!

This week on The Good Dog Pod, we are joined by our very own Cat Matloub, Esq. who is the Head of Partnerships at Good Dog. Cat is a trained attorney, and works with the rest of the Good Dog Legal Team on educating breeders about canine legislation around the country. Recent government overreach into the breeder’s home is a topic that continues to impact the average dog owner. Cat mentions that the legislation being passed does stem from having good intentions, but the individuals drafting those legislations are not informed on responsible breeding practices. The results are ultimately harmful to breeders who are engaging in responsible breeding practices, to the extent that many good breeders are pushed out of the system. When good breeders are exiting the system, and the bad actors become more prominent, we have less healthy dogs being bred. Laura emphasizes that there are indeed good breeders out there. Laura mentions her powerful conversation with Patti Strand, who is the President of the National Animal Interest Alliance. A specific piece of legislation is taking form in California. In California, if you are selling more than 20 dogs a year, or having more than 3 litters, you are already regulated to a certain degree. Much of what this new bill does is duplicative, but extends it to people who might have only one dog or cat, and choose to breed that dog or cat. The bill is called the Pet Breeder Humane Care Act, but Patti dubbed it as the Humane Breeder Elimination Act or the Breed Extinction Act of 2021. There is already a shortage of dogs, so the need for this bill is non-existent. California receives most of the dogs from out of state or out of country, so the argument that the bill is making is extremely weak. We now shift gears back to Cat, who talks about Good Dog’s position with regards to the animal legislation taking place in California. Good Dog’s position is grounded on our mission to unite dog breeders around the country, and to educate the public about the importance of dog breeders. Good Dog does not support the California Assembly Bill 702 nor any of the other overreaching and anti-breeding legislation. We encourage anyone who is a dog lover, dog owner, dog breeder, past dog owner to reach out to your state representative if you are in California, or Georgia, and talk to them or send them a letter. In our Legal Resource Center, www.gooddog.com/good-breeder-legal-resource-center, we have sample talking points and letters that you can use, as well as other useful documents. We encourage you to spread the word, and speak up!

This week on the Good Dog Pod, Laura announces that April is officially Healthy Puppy Month! Good Dog has partnered with Revival Animal Health to support the Morris Animal Foundation with their Parvovirus Research Efforts.Starting April 1st, 2021 you can visit HealthyPuppyMonth.com to learn more about Parvovirus, hear stories about Parvo survivors and join us in our mission to promote puppy health by signing the Healthy Puppy Pledge. For every signature, Good Dog and Revival will each donate $1 to the Morris Animal Foundation. Laura introduces us to our two guests, Dr. Kelly Diehl, the Senior Director of Science and Communications at the Morris Animal Foundation and Dr. Judi Stella, the Head of Health, Standards and Research at Good Dog.The Morris Animal Foundation has been around since 1948 when it was founded by Dr. Morris. Kelly introduces us to some of the unique research the Foundation is currently pursuing, including a project on horse behavior as well as donkey pain. Additionally, Kelly discusses the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, which was conceived of as a cancer risk study. 3,044 Golden Retrievers were enrolled between the age of 2-6 years old. Every year, the veterinarian and owner of the enrolled dog’s fill out a questionnaire (which is over 100 pages!), as well as creating a hair, blood, feces, nails and urine bank every year. The cost of the study, you may ask? $32 million.Shifting gears to Parvovirus. Parvovirus is a horrible disease, which grows in rapidly dividing cells. The disease affects the GI tract, as well as bone marrow. Common symptoms include smelly, bloody diarrhea (Laura emphasized just how smelly it is) and a low white cell count, which is usually used as a diagnosis. Additional tests are then used to confirm. Luckily, vaccines were developed to tackle Parvo, but it has not been entirely eliminated. This virus has mutated over time, which led to further research on Parvo. The Baker Institute at Cornell is looking deeper into the Parvo mutation, and whether the current vaccines can protect dogs against these new variants. At a higher level, this research will also help us understand more about canine immunity. And lastly, they are looking at what configuration of antibodies is the best to ultimately be a treatment, and whether these antibodies could be made in the lab.We encourage you to join our efforts to tackle the Parvovirus by signing our Healthy Puppy Pledge at www.healthypuppymonth.com !

Laura Reeves is joined by a very special guest, Zach Silver, who is a doctoral student at Yale University. Zach conducts research on how non-humans learn from and about humans. In this episode, we learn about how dogs learn. Zach introduces us to the different types of cognition that have been identified in dogs. When we think about dogs broadly, they have two types of cognition that can be divided into two important categories: social cognition and physical cognition. Social cognition encompasses any time a dog is making inferences about the social world, such as a judgement about a person. Physical cognition is when dogs are operating on their own, without their human. Laura poses the question of the episode: which breed is the smartest dog? For Zach, that is a very complex question and comes down to the fact that all breeds have these differently adapted intelligences. Herding dogs are excellent problem solvers, while retrievers have this cooperative relationship which makes them awesome at following services cues. Zach uses this episode to explain a little bit about dog domestication, how they evolved from wolves and started interacting with humans more and more. Additionally, Zach discusses the impact that early-life socialization has on the agility of dogs in the long term. Head over to the episode to learn more about canine cognition!

In this week’s episode, our host Laura Reeves is joined by two very special guests: Brian and Jenna O'Connor, who talk about one of the least common breeds in the US, the Drent. The Drent is a hunting dog, that has been around for the past 350 years or so, and were brought up through the Spanish occupation. Something that makes the history of the Drent very unique is the fact they come from the Dutch province of Drenthe which is how the name Drent originated. Within Drenthe, the everyday man had the right to hunt and had the ability to afford only one hunting dog that could do everything. Their solution? The Drent.Drents can do anything and everything; there is very little that a Drent can’t do. They are great as an emotional support dog, or as a medical response dog because of the bond they form with their owners. They are smart, they are funny, they are naughty, and they are the kind of dog that would not thrive in a kennel environment: they need their people. To Laura, purebred dogs tell a story. They are living through history and they tell the story of that place and time. To her, it is the poetry of purebred dogs. Give this episode a listen to find out more about one of the rare breeds that Good Dog supports!

This week on the Good Dog Pod, our host Laura Reeves is joined by Erin Runcan, an Associate Professor of Clinical Theriogenology and Reproductive Medicine at The Ohio State University as well as our very own Judi Stella, Head of Standards and Research at Good Dog.Other than a really long word, what exactly is a Theriogenologist you may ask? The simple translation: a Veterinary Reproductive Specialist. In this episode, Erin touches on high risk pregnancies among dogs. A high risk pregnancy, by definition, is any condition that jeopardizes the health of either the mother or the offspring during a pregnancy - it is a very broad term. Conditions include: a very large littler, a very small litter, the breed of the dog, as well as more serious conditions such as pregnancy toxemia, fungal diseases or bitches with trauma. For the duration of the episode, Erin dives deep into certain High Risk Pregnancy conditions, giving her insights on how breeders can deal with these conditions, and how to make the right breeding decisions to minimize risky pregnancy scenarios. Give the episode a listen to hear Erin’s expert advice!

This week’s episode of the Good Dog Pod features Meredith Mapes, a successful musher. Judi Stella, Head of Standards and Research at Good Dog, joins Laura in interviewing Meredith. Meredith lives in Alaska, breeds sled dogs and has competed in the Iditarod! How cool is that?Meredith’s journey with sled dogs began at the age of six, during a girl scout meeting. She trained, and won the first race she ever ran - at six years old.In Alaska sledding isn’t majorly common, let alone in the rest of the US. Meredith shares her background in breeding sled dogs, how she keeps them active, and how she keeps all of her dogs mentally stimulated. Here is a brief insight to what is covered in the episode:How many dogs do you run on a team? You can run any number of dogs. You can start recreationally with your poodle or lab! Meredith runs 12-16 dogs in a race. What goes into breeding sled dogs? They are bred for what they do, not for what they look like. Dog mushers have the same general goals when breeding: they are trying to breed smart, fast dogs with tough feet. For distance mushing your dogs need to have a good coat to remain warm. Sprint mushing dogs are bred to have a shorter coat, so they don’t overheat when running fast. And finally: dog’s need to have a strong head and drive. They need to withstand days of racing, so dogs need to be mentally tough. Interested in knowing how much food sled dogs must consume to maintain their high energy? Give the episode a listen to find out!

This week on the Good Dog Pod, Laura Reeves is accompanied by Dr. Stephen Jones, the Assistant Professor of Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery at The Ohio State University, our very own Dr. Judi Stella as well as Good Dog Advisor Susan Patterson.The episode is specifically focused on ACL tears, which is something a lot of dog owners encounter with their dogs. Dr. Jones gives listeners the run-down of what exactly the ACL is, as well as common ACL-related dog injuries. The catch-all phrase for these injuries is an ACL tear, but there are different presentations of that: it can be partial in nature, complete and functional or it can be complete and non-functional. Complete tears lead to a dog limping and being unbalanced. Unlike in humans, where ACL injuries are due to a hyperextension of the knee, the majority of dog-related ACL injuries are a degenerative process. Over time, the ligament begins to break down. You may wonder how prevalent ACL tears are in dogs. Certain breeds are more prone to ACL injuries, and within those breeds it is seen is around 5-10% of those breeds. Dr. Jones dives deep into the two main categories of treatment: conservative therapy and surgery. Dr. Jones’ top tip to prevent ACL injuries? Keep your dog thin and fit. Head over to the episode to hear why!

This week on the Good Dog Pod, our host Laura Reeves is joined by Dr. Leanne Lilly, an Assistant Professor of Behavioral Medicine at the Ohio State University, as well as Susan Patterson and our very own Dr. Judi Stella.Veterinary visits are not always a walk in the park (no pun intended). They can be anxiety-inducing and create fear for our dogs. The idea of Fear Free veterinary visits was introduced to explore what data and tools can be used to decrease or even eliminate the stress our dogs experience during veterinary visits. Doing so can result in more accurate test results, faster wound healing and other medical benefits. Unsure how to tell if your dog is anxious? Body language is the best indicator to gage where we are on the pet's scale of fear and anxiety. Here are some body features to look out for:Eye-Contact. Where is your puppy looking at? Averting gaze can imply fear, while intently staring into your own eyes can also convey worry. Tail. Where is the tail? How is it moving? A stress-free tail is moving in a slow flowing motion.Facial Expression. We are looking for the area around your dog’s face and eyes to be soft. If facial tension is present, we have an uncomfortable dog.Fidget Behaviors. Lip-licking or licking their owner can be a fidget behavior which is used to get rid of nervous energy. For more tips on creating smoother veterinary visits, give this week’s episode a listen!

This week on the Good Dog Pod, Allison Alexander joins Laura Reeves to talk all-things grooming. Allison is an esteemed groomer in the dog community ready to provide the audience with her top tips on how to keep your dog healthy, clean and matte-free at home.The three key skills covered in this episode are how to bathe, brush and trim your dog's toenails correctly. Even though these may seem basic, there is no shame in being new to the grooming world and learning how to do it. Everybody learns.Allison shares her Secret Hacks to grooming:Vinegar Rinse. Having trouble removing the shampoo from your dog? You can put a 10% vinegar rinse, leave it for a minute and it will help rinse out shampoo out of there.Listerine in water (10% dilution): wipes stink off. Gets shiny and removes dandruff.Scratch test - before you use any brush on your dog, brush it against your arm. If it scratches you, you should not be using it on your dog.

About Dr. Rustin Moore: Dr. Moore is the Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University. Laura has a discussion with Susan Patterson, Dr. Judi Stella, and Dr. Rustin Moore about Dr. Moore about his experience as the Dean in helping guide students to veterinarian careers. They discuss the importance of the relationship between a vet and their (human) clients and what makes a successful vet.The conversation moves to the topic of specialists and vet techs, and the relationships they have with each other (and with breeders).

About Kristin Sandstede: Kristin is the founder of Big Moose Dog Training and has been teaching obedience since 1998. She has spent many years working in the pet care industry, including 2 years as a Veterinary Assistant. She has a very good understanding of not only dog handling, body language, & behavior but she also has a medical background as well. Since 2002 Kristin has designed and taught such classes as: Puppy Kindergarten, Basic Obedience, JV Puppy, Intermediate Obedience, Rally 4 Fun, Advanced Games, as well as developing and customizing behavior modification protocols for individual trainers ranging in topics from new puppy manners to dog-dog aggression.Tune in to this episode to learn about what reactivity is, how to understand canine body language, where reactivity comes from, and how to train your dog!This episode originally aired on Pure Dog Talk.

About Dr. Casey Carl DVM: Dr. Carl is the Associate Medical Director at Paw Print Genetics. He is a veterinarian and is a strong proponent of using preventative medicine to limit animal suffering. He has experience working with the AVMA in addition to his 4 years in clinical practice.Dr. Carl joins Good Dog in a live Q&A to talk genetics of coat color and traits. In part 1 about the primary colors in dogs, and what the different loci mean. Dr. Carl gives an overview of how genetics works in influencing what colors dogs are.Become a member of our community to stay tuned for future Q&A sessions! Please visit https://www.gooddog.com/join-as-breeder to learn more, and also check out some of our other articles an webinars at www.gooddog.com/good-breeder-center!

About Dr. Trisha Rettig: Dr. Rettig’s research focuses on the immune response to vaccination in space (in fact, she’s sent mice to space to study this!). Dr. Rettig is an expert on immunology, which is the study of the immune system.Dr. Rettig gives an overview of what an immune response is, how it relates to vaccinations, and the difference between innate and acquired immunity. Laura and Dr. Rettig also discuss the specifics of titers and what breeders should consider when vaccinating their dogs.

This week on The Good Dog Pod, Laura covers the importance of bathing and drying to the success of grooming any dog. A half clean, half dry dog is going to get sent back to the tub every time. While your Italian Greyhound isn’t going to take as long as your Newfoundland, they all need the same level of care. Listen today to get tips on everything from nail trimming and bathing to shampoos and conditioners!This episode originally aired on Pure Dog Talk.To learn more about about Good Dog, head to gooddog.com/join.

About Dr. Casey Carl DVM: Dr. Carl is the Associate Medical Director at Paw Print Genetics. He is a veterinarian and is a strong proponent of using preventative medicine to limit animal suffering. He has experience working with the AVMA in addition to his 4 years in clinical practice.Dr. Carl joins Good Dog in a live Q&A to talk genetics of coat color and traits. In part 1 about the primary colors in dogs, and what the different loci mean. Dr. Carl gives an overview of how genetics works in influencing what colors dogs are.Become a member of our community to stay tuned for future Q&A sessions! Please visit https://www.gooddog.com/join-as-breeder to learn more, and also check out some of our other articles an webinars at www.gooddog.com/good-breeder-center!

About Dr. Hutchison: Dr. Hutchison, DVM is a Reproduction and Genetics consultant for the Veterinary Information Network (VIN), and is co-director of the Animal Clinic Northview in North Ridgeville, Ohio. He is also the president of the International Canine Semen Bank of Ohio, and advisor for College of Veterinary Medicine students interested in small animal theriogenology from OSU, Virginia Tech, Purdue, Tufts, and Michigan State. Dr. Hutchison is the author of many articles on canine reproduction in leading breed journals and magazines.

About Dr. Hutchison: Dr. Hutchison, DVM is a Reproduction and Genetics consultant for the Veterinary Information Network (VIN), and is co-director of the Animal Clinic Northview in North Ridgeville, Ohio. He is also the president of the International Canine Semen Bank of Ohio, and advisor for College of Veterinary Medicine students interested in small animal theriogenology from OSU, Virginia Tech, Purdue, Tufts, and Michigan State. Dr. Hutchison is the author of many articles on canine reproduction in leading breed journals and magazines.We’re so excited to share the recording of the second part of the webinar series with everyone! If you aren't yet a Good Breeder, we encourage you to complete our short 30-second registration form to view part three. If you have signed up already, you can check out the remaining part here!

About Denise Fenzi: Denise is the founder of the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy (FDSA), which is an online school dedicated to providing high-quality instruction for competitive dog sports using current and progressive training methods. Denise has titled dogs in obedience (AKC and UKC), tracking (AKC and schutzhund), schutzhund (USA), mondioring (MRSA), herding (AKC), conformation (AKC), and agility (AKC). She has two AKC obedience champions, perfect scores in both schutzhund and Mondio ringsport obedience, and is well known for her flashy and precise obedience work.Denise talks about the most important thing when it comes to responsible dog ownership: recognizing canine behavior. This includes not only recognizing your own dog’s behavior, but being conscious of other dogs’ behaviors as well. Check out the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy to learn more about recognizing canine behavior, in addition to tons and tons of more information on the cutting-edge training methods.Listen to this episode to learn about the top 5 most important aspects of responsible dog ownership!

Listen to the first part of a live, interactive Q&A session hosted by Good Dog Advisors, Dr. Gayle Watkins, Laura Reeves, and Susan Patterson! This week's topic was the first week of neonatal care.Become a member of our community to stay tuned for future "Ask our Advisors" Q&A sessions! Please visit https://www.gooddog.com/join-as-breeder to learn more, and also check out some of our other articles an webinars at www.gooddog.com/good-breeder-center!

Episode originally aired on Pure Dog Talk. Show link can be found below.About Lara Joseph: Lara Joseph is the owner of The Animal Behavior Center, an international, educational center focusing on teaching people how to work with animals using positive reinforcement and approaches in Applied Behavior Analysis. She is a professional animal behavior consultant and trainer.Lara explains how positive reinforcement training works – and why it’s so effective! She uses it extensively with zoo animals and exotics, as well as with companion dogs.She also explains how to shape behaviors, such as crate training, digging, and jumping up. Redirecting the dog’s behavior requires correctly identifying the “reinforcer” – in other words what the dog wants – and then providing that reinforcer for an acceptable behavior.Laura and Lara discuss how to listen to your dog, and how to approach the topic of aggression in canines.Check out Pure Dog Talk!

Episode originally aired on Pure Dog Talk. Show link can be found below.Grooming is just as important at a conformation show as handling is (and often takes just as much work!). In this episode, Laura discusses what routines you can implement at home to keep your dog both healthy and beautiful.No matter what coat type you’re dealing with, grooming takes a lot of time and care. Laure describes how you should pick a day (or time of day) for grooming and maintenance - from cleaning teeth to brushing to trimming their nails. Laura gives some great tips and tricks you need to be aware of when grooming your dog at home - lots of practical advice for real breeders!Check out Pure Dog Talk!

About Dr. Hutchison: Dr. Hutchison, DVM is a Reproduction and Genetics consultant for the Veterinary Information Network (VIN), and is co-director of the Animal Clinic Northview in North Ridgeville, Ohio. He is also the president of the International Canine Semen Bank of Ohio, and advisor for College of Veterinary Medicine students interested in small animal theriogenology from OSU, Virginia Tech, Purdue, Tufts, and Michigan State. Dr. Hutchison is the author of many articles on canine reproduction in leading breed journals and magazines.We’re so excited to share the recording of the first part of the webinar series with everyone! If you aren't yet a Good Breeder, we encourage you to complete our short 30-second registration form to view parts two and three. If you have signed up already, you can check out the remaining parts here!

About Terry Miller: Terry is a renowned breeder of Briards, under the name Deja Vu Briards. She has owned and produced more than 275 Deja Vu Briards champions since 1982!The Briard is a complex working dog that is known for its coat and deep history in herding. Terry gives a rundown of the history of the breed and how the breed standard was developed from its original purpose as a herding dog.Laura and Terry then discuss where the breed is now, and what it represents as the national dog of France. The Briard has transitioned away from being primarily a herding dog - Terry discusses the implications of that when thinking of the Briard as a family dog, and how to set yourself up for success if you’re thinking about getting a Briard.To learn more about about Good Dog, head to gooddog.com/join.

In this episode, Laura Reeves chats with Good Dog's leadership team (Lauren McDevitt, Chief Experience Officer, Cat Matloub, Head of Partnerships, Community & Legal Affairs, and Monica DeBosscher, Head of Partner Strategy) about Good Dog’s 2020 Campaign to End Online Puppy Scams.Cat gives some examples of the types of scams she has seen in the dog world. With COVID-19, the number of pet-related scams has increased significantly.And in a world full of scammers, Good Dog is on a mission to protect our breeders and puppy buyers, which means using tech expertise to eliminate these scams.The Good Dog team speaks about the challenges when it comes to holding both buyers and breeders responsible for their actions. This frequently happens in the payment stage of the transaction - where one party will back out of an agreed payment, leaving the other party helpless. This is heartbreaking - for the victim and for the puppy.Part of Good Dog’s goal is to bring world-class technology and security to the dog world in the form a breeder-focused payment system. A system that won’t punish breeders when they get scammed, but rather that will completely support the transaction. Good Dog wants to take away having to think about payment when dealing with something as precious as a dog. The more a breeder can focus on making a good match for their puppy, and less time worrying about money, the better the experience will be for everyone.Monica discusses why dealing with scams as a breeder can be so difficult (and sometimes impossible to challenge). That’s why Good Dog stands behind every transaction. She gives a couple examples of how using payments through Good Dog has saved breeders thousands of dollars.Lauren talks about how payments through Good Dog is different from something like PayPal, and how it technically works to protect both breeders and buyers.Learn more about Good Dog's 2020 Campaign to End Online Puppy Scams in the link below!https://www.gooddog.com/good-breeder-center/2020-campaign-to-end-online-puppy-scams

Be sure to check out the resources below for more information and context for this episode!About Dr. Casey Carl DVM: Dr. Carl is the Associate Medical Director at Paw Print Genetics. He is a veterinarian and is a strong proponent of using preventative medicine to limit animal suffering. He has experience working with the AVMA in addition to his 4 years in clinical practice.Laura and Dr. Carl talk about the primary colors in dogs, and what the different loci mean (you may have heard of things like e-locus or k-locus). Dr. Carl gives an overview of how genetics works in influencing what colors dogs are.They then discuss what affects nose color and foot pad color (it isn’t always the same as what affects coat color!).Get a brief overview of how genetics works, what genetic mutations entail, what loci are, and what we’ve learned from the dog genome over the past decade.Dr. Carl explains what merle is from a genetic standpoint, as well as what harlequin and merlequin are in Great Danes. He also describes the health challenges associated with breeding merle dogs.Resources:Canine Base Coat Color Genetic FlowchartYour Guide to Canine Color and Trait Genetic Testing

This week Laura speaks about Good Dog’s Club Partnership Program with special guests Wendy Ball of the Bichon Frise Club of America (BFCA) and D'Arcy Downs-Vollbracht and Sandra Hickson of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club of America (DDTCA).Good Dog has long been in awe of all the work that the Parent, Speciality, Regional, Local, All-Breed, Performance and other clubs do and their commitment to the preservation and protection of dogs, breeds, education, and canine health. Through the Club Partnership Program, Good Dog provides clubs with financial support (including an annual grant of up to $2,000 and contributions to breed-specific research), recognition, policing, education and free legal and tech support, among other things.  Wendy describes how the BFCA will be using their grant from Good Dog to rebuild their club’s website. Bichons are a very popular breed and as people are looking to acquire healthy, well-bred Bichons having a good club website that is easy to navigate, accessible, and can provide vital education to the public is absolutely critical.D’Arcy, who is the Health & Genetics Chair of the DDTCA, describes how the DDTCA will be using the grant from Good Dog to provide vouchers to breeders and owners to get eye exams. She speaks to how making such exams more accessible not only provides significant benefits on the data collection side of things, but also helps leave a legacy of health for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier breed. Our guests also talk about their individual experiences as early members of Good Dog’s Good Breeder community and how they believe the organization is helping educate the public and build a better world for our dogs!Learn more about Good Dog’s Club Partnerships Program at https://www.gooddog.com/good-breeder-center/breed-club-partnership-program

About Sue Willumsen: Sue works in veterinary medicine and got her first Labrador in 1980. She has been very involved in the dog world ever since, showing and competing with her dogs. She is an AKC-licensed judge in several breeds.About Barbara Gilchrist: Barbara got her first Labrador in 1964. As the dog was rather difficult, Barbara focused on getting involved in obedience with her. She was then the first woman to be hired at a local field trial kennel, for which she dropped out of college to work for. She’s been very involved ever since, breeding many champions along the way.About Susan Patterson: Susan is a renowned Labrador Retriever breeder and breeds under the Fenwyck Labrador Retriever name. She has been breeding since the 80's when she first got involved with various Labrador Retriever clubs.Our guests discuss the history of the Labrador Retriever breed standard (and why we shouldn’t be asking about American versus English Labs). The breed standard was written by the parent club which was very field-oriented at the time, which has misrepresented the current state of the breed to a certain extent.They also talk about the temperament spectrum, and what to think about and what questions to ask before getting a Lab (or a dog in general).Sue talks about the health testing typically done on Labs (and what advances have been made in testing).They finish by discussing the ‘24/7 tech support’ that breeders provide their puppy buyers - how important it is, and how fun it is for them to keep up with the growth of their dogs!

Learn all about America’s favorite breed, the Labrador Retriever!About Sue Willumsen: Sue works in veterinary medicine and got her first Labrador in 1980. She has been very involved in the dog world ever since, showing and competing with her dogs. She is an AKC-licensed judge in several breeds.About Barbara Gilchrist: Barbara got her first Labrador in 1964. As the dog was rather difficult, Barbara focused on getting involved in obedience with her. She was then the first woman to be hired at a local field trial kennel, for which she dropped out of college to work for. She’s been very involved ever since, breeding many champions along the way.About Susan Patterson: Susan is a renowned Labrador Retriever breeder and breeds under the Fenwyck Labrador Retriever name. She has been breeding since the 80's when she first got involved with various Labrador Retriever clubs.The experts discuss how the Labrador hunts in the field, and why its structure as defined by the breed standard is so important.They talk about the differences between specialty dogs and show dogs. The type of hunting that takes place now is very different from the hunting that took place 50 years ago, which results in different types of Labs built for different purposes.

In this rebroadcast of a Pure Dog Talk episode, Laura discusses the disbanding of her local kennel club and the general state of clubs across the country.Today our club membership is dwindling and the members there are aging. They get together to put their shows together and that’s about it. And yet today with the continuing threat of the animal rights making owning a purebred “unethical”…we need our clubs more than ever! Let’s get back to being kennel clubs for the public!Laura put together 5 tips for joining and succeeding in an all-breed club, plus 5 more tips for club leadership. Tune in to learn more!

About Dr. Jessica Hekman: Dr. Hekman is a veterinarian who studies the genetics of dog behavior. She founded the Functional Dog Collaborative to give support to those who are responsibly breeding dogs.The Functional Dog Collaborative defines what they mean by responsible breeding (which is informed mostly by what sort of dogs you’re trying to produce). Dr. Hekman describes why they decided to include behavioral health as part of that definition, and why it’s so important to responsible breeding.For her day job, Dr. Hekman looks at canine genetics and how it relates to behavioral health. She wants the Functional Dog Collaborative to be able to support that research, to help both breeders and puppy buyers.

About Susan Patterson: Susan is a renowned Labrador Retriever breeder and breeds under the Fenwyck Labrador Retriever name. She has been breeding since the 80's when she first got involved with various Labrador Retriever clubs.Susan talks about what to look for in a Lab in order to know what type of dog they will be. While all Labs share the same looks, not all Labs are the same - and that’s important to keep in mind if you’re someone looking for a companion dog versus someone looking for a hunting dog.Susan matches puppies in her litters with their humans to best match up certain characteristics, the most notable one being drive. Some dogs are couch potatoes, and some need to have a job. Regardless of drive, however, every Lab needs to have proper structure and health to ensure longevity and quality of life.It’s important to understand that you don’t have to have a Best in Show dog to have a dog with proper structure - making sure your Lab has good hip and elbow placement is as important for a hunting dog as it is for a performance dog or even a couch potato!Judi speaks about the Dilute Retriever Policy and why it was created. She describes why Good Dog stands with the Labrador Retriever Club in only recognizing Yellow, Black, and Chocolate Labrador Retrievers.Cat then talks about the process of how Good Dog goes about making these decisions, and the importance of these decisions to Good Dog. In short, Good Dog relies on the experts (such as Judi and Susan) to inform and develop these policies.

About Bret Cody: Bret owns That’ll Do Photography and specializes in getting action shots of dogs. He got his start photographing Border Collies and Kelpies at herding dog events and continues attending events where he photographs all the action.Laura and Bret discuss how Bret got his start in the action dog photography world, and how breeders can apply his techniques to produce high quality photos.Some of Bret’s tips include:Get at eye levelPay attention to the backgroundUtilize interesting noises to grab the dog’s attentionUse support to steady the cameraBe aware of your light sourceTry to get the dog when they’re ‘in stress’Make sure the eyes are in frameLearn the tool you haveTake lots of pictures!