Your Family Dog Podcast

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