Your Family Dog Podcast

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  

Halloween can be a scary holiday for dogs. In this episode, Julie Fudge Smith and Colleen Pelar discuss the importance of socialization and why dogs can be a bit unnerved by the sights and sounds of Halloween. For more information and show notes go to: Your Family Dog Podcast

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