Your Family Dog Podcast

Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith answer three questions from listeners: 1) What to do with a puppy who is showing early signs of resource guarding; 2) What to do about a dog who has developed a noise phobia and a fear of the kitchen; and 3) What do you do about the neighbor's aggressive dogs who threaten your dog and make it hard to use your backyard?

In part 2 of our series on older dogs, Dr. Alicia Karas, of Tufts University, joins Julie Fudge Smith and Colleen Pelar to talk about the most difficult question: How do you know it's time to say goodbye? For more information and show notes: Your Family Dog Two terrific resources are Dr. Karas's Comfort Diary for Dogs and the HHHHHMM scale.

Dr. Alicia Karas DVM of Tufts University joins Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith in a conversation about care for your elderly dog. Included in the discussion are signs and symptoms that indicate your dog needs some special care and Dr. Karas' Comfort Diary. For more information and show notes go to: Your Family Dog

Do you find it hard to build a relationship with your dog? Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith discuss what you can do to strengthen your bond with your dog when your relationship has failed to launch. For more information and show notes: Your Family Dog

Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith discuss dog parks and how best to navigate them safely with your dog. For show notes and more information see: Your Family Dog Podcast

This week Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith discuss 5 essential cues that every dog needs to know to be a well mannered member of your family. For show notes and more information: Your Family Dog Podcast Julie's blogs on Loose Lead Walking

What kind of equipment should you use to train your dog? Does the type of leash you use matter? What’s the difference between the various types of collars? Do you need a harness? If so what kind? Today Julie Fudge Smith and Colleen Pelar help you wade through the products and choose a few really useful items that will help you train your dog. For show notes and more information: Your Family Dog

Growling is your dog warning that something is wrong and he needs some help. Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith discuss what you can do when things are heading in the wrong direction for your dog. For show notes and other information go to: Your Family Dog Whole Dog Journal Article: 5 Steps to Deal with Dog Growling

Julie Fudge Smith and Colleen Pelar talk with Jennifer Shryock, founder of Family Paws Parent Education, about how to successfully integrate and manage kids and dogs in general, but infants and toddlers in particular. Family Paws Parent Support Hotline: 877-247-3407 For additional information and more show notes see: Your Family Dog

Choosing the right dog trainer requires you asking the right questions so you get the trainer which best matches your goals. Julie Fudge Smith and Colleen Pelar talk about what it takes to find the best trainer for you and your best friend. More information and show notes can be found at Your Family Dog Companion Animal Psychology article: How to Choose a Dog Trainer

House training can be the bane of every new dog owner, but it doesn't have to be! Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith discuss simple strategies for making house training easier for everyone. For more information and show notes see: Your Family Dog Podcast

Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith have a guest this week, Mary Graham, who talks about her work with therapy dogs and what it takes for people and dogs to do and enjoy this special work. For more information, check out the show notes at: Your Family Dog

This week Julie Fudge Smith and Colleen Pelar talk about strategies to help your dog cope more effectively, if not happily, during visits to the Vet. For more information go to: Your Family Dog

Are there rules for naming a dog? Are there names you might want to avoid? Whether he's a new puppy or a recently adopted adult dog, Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith discuss how to choose the right name for your canine companion. Top 100 Most Popular Male and Female Dog Names For more show notes please go to Your Family Dog Podcast

Losing a beloved pet can be as devastating as losing a close friend, and to grieve that loss is normal and right. Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith talk about how they have dealt with the loss of their dogs and offer thoughts and suggestions that may be helpful for you and your family when the time comes to say good-bye. Additional materials and show notes may be found at Your Family Dog

Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith talk about simple, fun games for kids to play with their dogs that will build their relationships and provide creative ways for kids and dogs to successfully interact and play together. For additional show notes see our website: Your Family Dog Podcast Resources Puppy Training for Kids Fun & Games for a Smarter Dog, 50 Great Brain Games to Engage your Dog This week's cartoon image of the dog with basket of balls is available on cards and mugs at AnimalCentric Designs.

Do you feel as though your dog is stubborn, manipulative, purposely difficult? You are not alone! Professional dog trainers, Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith take a closer look at whether or not dogs are really obstinate, or whether there might be something else going on. Find out what might be the real cause of your dog's stubbornness. For more information, links, and show notes check out our website: Your Family Dog Podcast

Some dogs love the car, others hate it. Professional dog trainers, Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith discuss ways to help your dog love to ride in the car as well as several other scenarios where these suggestions can be used. For more information and show notes go to: Your Family Dog Adaptil travel spray, dog-appeasing pheromone

Need a way to keep your dog busy and challenge him mentally? Professional dog trainers, Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith discuss various intelligence toys for dogs and how to use them to keep your dog happy in a variety of common situations. For show notes with more information on intelligence toys and where to find them go to: Your Family Dog Kong Squirrel Dude Kibble Nibble Magic Mushroom Twist N Treat Kyjen slow bowls

No problems this week! With Thanksgiving just around the corner, Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith discuss why they are so thankful for dogs and what makes dogs man's best friend. For more thoughts on dogs, check out the show notes on our website: Your Family Dog

Should you get a dog for the kids? Will it really teach them responsibility? Professional dog trainers, Julie Fudge Smith and Colleen Pelar talk about what needs to be considered when adding a dog to the family. Colleen's books Living with Kids and Dogs ... Without Losing Your Mind and Puppy Training for Kids can help set your family up for success with your dog. For show notes and links, visit our website: Your Family Dog.

Most parents encourage a child to ask the owner before they pet a dog, but did you know your child should also ask the dog? Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith teach you how to ask a dog for permission, how to know if the dog is saying yes or no, how to properly pet a pooch, and more. For show notes, links, and other information go to: Your Family Dog Podcast

Someone's at the door and your dog goes crazy! Julie Fudge Smith and Colleen Pelar discuss various solutions that can do to help your dog be calm when someone comes knocking. For additional links and show notes, go to Your Family Dog Podcast

You'll be amazed at how positive reinforcement training improves your relationship with your dog ... and your relationships with other people too. Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith talk about their own experiences with old-school, force-based methods as compared with positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement methods focus on solutions, not problems. These techniques make you and your dog a team, not opponents, and they are family friendly because they don't increase the risk of aggression. Companion Animal Psychology's article: What is Positive Reinforcement in Dog Training? For more information and show notes: Your Family Dog

We think of Halloween as a night of fun, but it might not be so much fun for our dogs. In this episode, Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith discuss How to tell whether your dog is enjoying, tolerating, or trying to end an interaction Common canine stress signals Strategies for making the evening more enjoyable for your dog. For More information see: Your Family Dog

Family meals can be challenging with dogs in the house. Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith offer several suggestions for managing family mealtime. For more information and show notes see: Your Family Dog Podcast