Your Family Dog Podcast

Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith talk about using the 3 Second Rule to successfully introduce dogs to one another and to people. Learn how you can help your dog to calmly and appropriately greet a new friend. For show notes and links, please see: Your Family Dog

When Laura and Scott Sommers adopted Neo, a Great Dane, they knew he was special, but had no idea of what lay in store for them with this gentle giant. Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith talk with Laura about what it takes to care for a dog with special needs and what he gave to them in return. For show notes, please see: Your Family Dog

Jen Shryock of Family Paws joins Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith to talk about puppies and the challenges that everyone, (trainers and professionals included) face when adding a puppy to the household. Practical tips for a more successful puppyhood included! For more information please see: Your Family Dog

In part 2 of the series with Dr. Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, Julie Fudge Smith and Colleen Pelar discuss the consequences of socialization that is too arousing or exciting for puppies and what can happen if socialization is too much fun.

Dr. Christopher Pachel, veterinary animal behaviorist joins Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith in a two part series about problems with puppy socialization and what can go wrong with even the best of intentions. In part 1, we discuss trauma associated with socialization and what that can mean for you and your puppy.

Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith talk about cost-effective ways to feed (including a very clever way to make dog treats), vaccinate, and spay or neuter your dog, so that pet ownership remains a joy, not a burden. Please see Your Family Dog, for links and show notes about food, vaccination clinic, low-cost spay or neuter programs and more.

Dr. Michael Morales from the Jacobs School of Medicine and BioMedical Sciences at The University of Buffalo joins Julie Fudge Smith and Colleen Pelar to talk about the immune system and the endocrine system of the dog. How do vaccines work? Why do you need booster shots? What is auto-immune disease and how is it related to the endocrine system? These are just a few of the questions we explore as we discuss the inside of your dog. For show notes and more information please go to: Your Family Dog

Dr. Heather Lane, DVM, and retired Staff Sargent Jason Manly join Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith to discuss Veteran Companion Animal Services (VCAS), a charity devoted to enriching the lives of veterans, military families, and dogs through the many benefits of the human-animal bond. "To fulfill this mission, VCAS focuses on placing rescue animals with veterans and/or military families where companion animal ownership will be beneficial. VCAS provides financial support that assists with general care costs, training, and veterinary expenses so that companion animal ownership is an option and not a burden." (VCAS website) For show notes and more please visit: Your Family Dog

Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith welcome Dr. Rise Van Fleet to answer a listener's question about what to do when you see something that makes you uncomfortable. Do you intervene? If so, how? And, if not is there something else you can do?

Dr. Laurie Schultze, DVM, joins Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith to talk about canine behavior and her work as a vet who brings behavior consults to your home. For more information please see: Your Family Dog

Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith discuss what Julie learned about dog behavior at the 2018 Midwestern Veterinary Conference, including such topics as: thunder phobia, house soiling, and canine pharmacology. For show notes and related links: Your Family Dog

Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith talk about toys that just might work for the toughest chewers out there, as well as playing with dogs, cat updates, class foibles, and a whole lot more! For more information and show notes: Your Family Dog

Dr. Patricia McConnell joins Julie Fudge Smith and Colleen Pelar to talk about the "glamorous" side of dog training and why they love what they do. For show notes and more see: Your Family Dog

In this episode Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith discuss the reasons why they object to the methods used by some dog trainers and the problems with TV dog training. For show notes please see: Your Family Dog

Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith talk about the importance of training and what are the different advantages to private and group lessons. Which is right for your dog? That depends on the age of your dog, if there is a particular problem to solve, and your budget, along with other considerations. Colleen and Julie also revisit the Monthly Health Check-up and their resolve to review it regularly. For show notes, please see: Your Family Dog

Dr. Leanne Lilly of The Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital joins Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith in the second part of their puppy series. This week we discuss warning signs in puppies and what you need to know about puppy behavior that indicates your dog may need professional intervention to address serious or long lasting issues. For links and show notes go to: Your Family Dog

Dr. Leanne Lilly of The Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital joins Julie Fudge Smith and Colleen Pelar for a two part series on puppies. In this episode we talk about puppy development and the various stages that pups go through from birth to social maturity. Learn about what to expect from your pup and why it's important for your puppy to go to puppy kindergarten. For more information and resources please go to: Your Family Dog

Julie Fudge Smith and Colleen Pelar talk with Dr. Patricia McConnell about her book, The Education of Will, trauma in dogs, and what you can do to help your dog if it is traumatized. For show notes please go to: Your Family Dog To purchase Dr. McConnell's book: The Education of Will

Julie Fudge Smith and Colleen Pelar tackle the subject of poop in this episode, discussing how to get a dog to stop eating poop, as well as diarrhea, and other scatalogical information. For more information and show notes please see: Your Family Dog

Janice Kolar-Matznick joined Julie Fudge Smith for a lively discussion about the current theories of the origin of the dog, why those theories may not be correct, and how that affects the way in which we view and treat our family dogs. For More information and show notes please go to: Your Family Dog

Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith talk with Theresa McKeon about TAG (Teaching with Acoustical Guidance) and how to simplify the process of teaching a behavior so it is more easily learned, whether you are a person or a dog! For more information and show notes: Your Family Dog

Steve Dale, a certified animal behavior consultant, radio host, author, and all-around nice guy, joined Julie Fudge Smith and Colleen Pelar to talk about helping cats and dogs become great friends. For lots more info see: Your Family Dog

Dr. Leslie Sinn, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, joined Julie Fudge Smith and Colleen Pelar to talk about hidden dangers of invisible fences and shock collars. For more information see: Your Family Dog

How do you know if your dog is in good health? Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith suggest doing a monthly heath check to be certain your dog's health is right on track, as well as discussing some warning signs of cancer. For more information: Your Family Dog Julie's blogs: Warning Signs of Cancer, Is my dog...healthy? A checklist to help you know!

This week Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith answer a listener's question about how to help her brother's young and enthusiastic dog over the holidays, and they talk about why dogs eat grass. They also ask for listeners to send in their stories of holiday canine shenanigans. For more information and links: Your Family Dog

Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith can hardly believe that it has been a full year since Your Family Dog launched. In this episode they reminisce about some of their favorite guests and episodes, talk about what has surprized them, made them grateful, and their plans for season 2. For more information: Your Family Dog

Heidi Meinzer, an attorney who specializes in animal law, is also a dog trainer. This week she joined Julie Fudge Smith and Colleen Pelar to talk about that awful moment when your dog is involved in an aggressive incident. Her practical and reassuring advice is valuable for all dog owners. For show notes and more information: Your Family Dog

Heidi Meinzer, a lawyer who specializes in animal law, is also a dog trainer. She joined Julie Fudge Smith and Colleen Pelar to talk about what you need to know about legal liabilities and being responsible to and for your dog. For show notes: Your Family Dog To contact Heidi Meinzer: https://www.meinzerlaw.com

Last week, Julie Fudge Smith and Colleen Pelar talked about some of the things that were making Julie happy. This week Colleen came up with a list too. Some of the items on Colleen's list may surprise you! For show notes and links to Colleen's favorite things: Your Family Dog

What's making Julie Fudge Smith happy lately? Lamb lung, undercoat rakes, and fancy food bowls. She shares why she's excited about these things (and a few others) in a rambling conversation that includes a discussion of the most unusual gift ever! For show notes and links: Your Family Dog

Tellington Touch (TTouch) is a form of bodywork that helps dogs learn to shift their emotional states. Pam Wanveer, a level 3 TTouch practioner, joins Julie Fudge Smith and Colleen Pelar to talk about how families can use TTouch to help their dogs deal with overexcitement, anxiety, and arousal. For more information and show notes see: Your Family Dog

What's an owner to do when Rover feels uncomfortable or scared in the presence of strangers and starts to act out? Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith discuss why it is that some dogs don't like any new people, or just dislike some people in particular, and what you can do to help your dog overcome his stranger danger. For show notes and more information go to: Your Family Dog

Adopting litter mates or any two dogs at the same time may seem like a great idea, but there are unique challenges for both the dogs and their owners. Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith talk about some of the things you need to consider before you plunge immediately into multi dog ownership. For more information, links, and show notes: Your Family Dog

Dog trainers are often asked, "What's the best family dog?" Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith talk about what families need to think about when choosing a dog and how the right temperament is far more important than any other consideration. For more information and additional resources: Your Family Dog

Alternative or integrative medicine offers different ways of approaching the health and well being of your dog. Julie Fudge Smith talks with Dr. Jim Carlson of the Lifetime Pet Wellness Center about Chiropractic care, acupuncture, cold laser therapy, ozone treatments and much more. Learn what integrative medicine has to offer your family dog. For more information and helpful links go to: Your Family Dog

Is your dog filled with energy? Would you like to know how to transition your dog from crazy to calm? The funnel of activity provides a great framework that anyone can use to give their dog a great physical and emotional outlet and then help the dog move toward a state of blissful relaxation. For more information, handouts, etc., see: Your Family Dog, The "Fun"nel of Activity

How common are dog bites, and how severe are they? Are bedroom slippers and balloons more likely to send you to the ER than a dog? These are some of the questions that Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith discuss in this episode on dog bites. For more information and show notes: Your Family Dog Click here for the book: Dogs Bite: But Balloons and Slippers are More Dangerous

Visiting new people and places can be fun for everyone, your dog included. Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith have tips that will help your dog enjoy this new adventure and make the most of your time away from home. For more tips and information: Your Family Dog

Headed on a road trip with your favorite canine? Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith give tips that will help to make this adventure fun and safe for you and your dog. For more information: Your Family Dog

Picnics and fireworks are great fun for people, but are they really fun for our dogs? This week, Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith talk about keeping your dog happy, cool, and safe in the sun and water for your dog. For show notes and links: Your Family Dog

Julie Fudge Smith and Colleen Pelar talk about reasons why you might choose to NOT walk your dog. Weather, health, and behavior issues can all play a role in determining the best course of action for you and your dog. For Show Notes and more information: Your Family Dog

Is your dog one of the 45% of dogs who are overweight or obese? Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith discuss some of the problems associated with obesity in dogs, some easy things you can do to improve your dog's health, as well as a quick and easy way to determine if your dog is too fat, too thin, or just right. Julie's Blog on food: Food, glorious food! Other show notes: Your Family Dog

Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith talk about arousal versus friendliness. Are they the same? How do you tell the difference, and can your dog be hyper aroused and friendly at the same time? For links and show notes: Your Family Dog

Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith discuss the heart wrenching decision to rehome your dog and how this very difficult and emotional choice might be the best gift you could give to your dog. For addtional show notes: Your Family Dog

In 15 seconds of controlled chaos, two teams of four dogs each compete in a relay race. Each dog leaps over four hurdles, hits a pressure-controlled box that releases a tennis ball, catches the ball in mid-air, and then brings the ball back over the four hurdles so that the next dog in line can start. It's crazy, loud fun for dogs who love flyball. All About Dogs trainer, Amy Tram, joins Julie Fudge Smith and Colleen Pelar to talk about her experiences in the sport of flyball. For show notes and more information, please go to: Your Family Dog

Dr. Zazie Todd joins Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith in a discussion of how to make happy dogs even happier with simple and easy enrichment games. Addtional information and show notes can be found at: Your Family Dog

Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith talk about dogs and furniture. When is it okay and when isn't it appropriate to share your couch or bed with your dog. For show notes: Your Family Dog

Dr. Suzanne Terrant joins Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith in a discussion about the rather speedy dog sports of agility and lure coursing. Zoom on! For additional information and show notes go to: Your Family Dog

Oh, those sharp puppy teeth! Julie Fudge Smith and Colleen Pelar discuss how to handle puppy nipping and how to teach your pup appropriate use of his mouth. For show notes and links: Your Family Dog

This week Dr. Wendy McIlroy joins Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith to discuss scent games and how to get started on Search and Rescue with your dog. For more information, including videos of Search work and Julie's blog on the canine sense of smell, go to: Your Family Dog