Your Family Dog Podcast

YFD 253- Murder, Mystery, and Canine Mayhem

A new year means new opportunities, new challenges, new hopes...and new books! Animal behaviorist-turned-novelist Patricia McConnell joins the show today to discuss her forthcoming book, "Away to Me." A murder mystery set in the world of sheepdog trials, "Away to Me" is part detective novel, part James Herriot essay, full of suspense and canines in equal measure. And the best part? None of the dogs die! Tune in to learn more about what is sure to be one of the best reads of 2026!
 
For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.

YFD 136: Achievable Resolutions for the New Year

Happy Throwback Thursday and Happy 2026! With the New Year comes New Year's resolutions of course, and so today we're revisiting an episode on that very topic- setting resolutions and goals for you and your dog that are realistic and achievable. Start 2026 off right by setting both you and your furry friend up for success!
Tina Spring and Julie Fudge Smith talk about some soft resolutions for the New Year. In other words: those things that one might have a chance of actually achieving! They offer ideas and suggestions for managing your dog a bit better so you can carve out 15 minutes a day to do something decadent like read a book or have a cup of tea!
 
For show notes and other information please go to: Your Family Dog

YFD 252- Workout Woof with Mark Mancuso

Have you ever wanted to run with the wolves? There's an app for that! Well, sort of. Workout Woof is an app designed to connect people who want a furry workout buddy with dogs who need some extra exercise. Developed by dog-and-fitness lover Mark Mancuso, Workout Woof aims to help build community and connections between dog owners who need a little help and dog lovers who can't take on the full responsibility of dog ownership, but still sometimes need a good walk with a canine companion. Tune in for a conversation with Mark about the inspiration for his app, and how he brought it to life.
For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.

The BEST Activities for Kids and Dogs!

Happy Throwback Thursday! Christmas is almost here, family is arriving in town, and the kids will soon be on break. All of this is great, but all of it can also be overwhelming, especially for our furry friends. With kids home from school, cold weather keeping people indoors, and the hustle and bustle of parties and get togethers, how do you keep children and dogs from driving each other- and you- crazy? This week, we're bringing back an episode designed to help you do just that. Tune in for a refresher on keeping the holidays happy and sane for everybody!
 
For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog
  
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The Your Family Dog Podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The content provided on this podcast does not constitute professional veterinary, behavioral, or training advice. Always consult with a licensed veterinarian, a positive reinforcement-based professional dog trainer, or a qualified pet professional before making any decisions regarding your pet’s health, behavior, or training.
While we strive to share accurate and helpful information, every dog is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. The hosts and guests of The Your Family Dog Podcast disclaim all liability for any actions taken based on the content of this podcast.
Listener discretion is advised when implementing any suggestions discussed. This podcast may feature guests with their own views, which do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the podcast hosts.
Mailing Address: Tina M. Spring, 115 Pointers Ridge Drive, Athens, GA 30606-1490
©2016-2025 Your Family Dog Podcast LLC
 
For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog

YFD 251: What Every Family Needs to Know About Dogs!

YFD 251 Kids Around Dogs with Debbie Lucken
Longtime listeners know that the topic of kids and dogs is a perennial one on the show, and with good reason. Kids and dogs may both be part of the family, but trying to balance competing needs and make sure everybody gets along can be stressful, to say the least! Luckily, parents today have more resources than ever to help them, including the one founded by today's guest. 
Debby Lucken (ISCP.Dip.Canine.Prac.), the founder of KAD, has also designed a successful protocol to overcome the fear of dogs in kids and adults, which all KAD Approved Professionals are qualified to use. KAD - Kids Around Dogs® is an award winning association of Dog Professionals and Child Care Professionals who specialize in working with families and schools to help children and dogs to live in harmony together. Kids Around Dogs® is on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok.
KAD-Kids Around Dogs®
ACE Freework
Protocol for Relaxation
WestPaw 
 
For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog Podcast.

YFD 163: Winter Training Tips

Happy Throwback Thursday! With winter in full swing, we thought it would be a good time to revisit this episode on cold weather training tips. Grab a cup of cocoa and tune in for advice on how to keep training going, even on the most blizzard-y of days.
 
Snow and ice got you housebound? Tina Spring and Julie Fudge Smith can help you beat the winter doldrums with these suggestions for training your dog even when cold weather has you stuck inside.
Snow and ice got you housebound? Tina Spring and Julie Fudge Smith can help you beat the winter doldrums with these suggestions for training your dog even when cold weather has you stuck inside. ‪@YFDPodcast‬ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@YFDPodcast 163: Winter Training Tips Time Stamps
0:00 Introduction
2:00 What were your struggles last year?
5:00 Food sometimes arrive in gifts and can be a real hazard - ask the giver if anything is food
8:20 “Ex” or Exercise Pens can be a huge help in a wide variety of ways
9:40 Sugar Free is dangerous to dogs, be sure to keep them safe
10:10 What went GREAT! So we can incorporate it this year
11:15 Write down what works great that you want to repeat 14:30 Working on relaxing during car rides (short trips)
16:30 Cooperative Care: 7 Steps to Stress Free Husbandry 20:30 Impulse Control (waiting at the door, etc.)
22:30 Invites onto furniture
23:00 Dragon Season!
24:00 The environment changes and impacts behavior
25:00 Stop Leash Pulling!
26:00 Practice indoors (house, garage, basement, Home Depot, other dog friendly environments)
26:20 1,2,3 by Leslie McDevitt from Control Unleashed: Reactive to Relaxed
30:00 More on Leash Pulling
32:30 What if my dog has big feelings about some situations?
34:30 Understanding who your dog is is an important step
35:35 Where does my dog struggle?
36:00 Socialization from the car with fearful dogs, Look At That from Leslie McDevitt from Control Unleashed: Reactive to Relaxed
38:30 Stop on a positive note, don’t keep going. Keep is short and sweet.
39:30 Waiting is an important part of training
40:30 Practice 3-5 min at a time
43:30 Door Dashing
45:00 Enrichment isn’t a competition - your dog needs sleep too!
Stay in the Loop with YFDP: Mailing Address: Tina M. Spring, 115 Pointers Ridge Drive, Athens, GA 30606-1490
YFDPod Merch - TBA The Your Family Dog Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YFDPodcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-family-dog-podcast/id1163178672 Spotify Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/0lgRkY6RO1FGsANPGVzqej Your Family Dog Podcast ON SOCIAL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfamilydogpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YourFamilyDogPodcast/ The Your Family
Dog Podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The content provided on this podcast does not constitute professional veterinary, behavioral, or training advice. Always consult with a licensed veterinarian, a positive reinforcement-based professional dog trainer, or a qualified pet professional before making any decisions regarding your pet’s health, behavior, or training. While we strive to share accurate and helpful information, every dog is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. The hosts and guests of The Your Family Dog Podcast disclaim all liability for any actions taken based on the content of this podcast. Listener discretion is advised when implementing any suggestions discussed. This podcast may feature guests with their own views, which do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the podcast hosts. ©2016-2025 Your Family Dog Podcast LLC For show notes and more information please see: Your Family Dog (https://yourfamilydogpodcast.com/episode163/)
For show notes and more information please see: Your Family Dog

YFD 250: Better Living Through Enrichment

Enrichment is a favorite topic here on Your Family Dog, and with good reason. Providing your dog with enrichment activities keeps them happier, healthier, and better-behaved. And while finding enrichment activities can feel complicated or overwhelming, it really doesn't have to be. Join Tina and fellow dog trainer Emily Breslin for a discussion about the importance of enrichment, and suggestions for fun, easy ways to make it happen.
For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.

YFD 180: Howliday Maddness

Happy Throwback Thursday! With Thanksgiving next week (at least for the American listeners!), and Christmas fast approaching, we're bringing back this episode on navigating the holidays with your dog. Tune in for a refresher on how to make the holidays merry and bright for everybody involved.
 
It's the most wonderful time of the year...but also sometimes the most stressful, both for people and their pets. Parties, visitors, traveling, and of course all the food can throw even the calmest and most well-trained dog for a loop. But chaos doesn't have to be the name of the game! Julie and Tina provide advice and tips on how to manage the hustle and bustle of the holidays so that you and your dogs can both find some comfort and joy.
For more information and show notes: Your Family Dog

249: Everyone Needs a Timeout: Self-Care Strategies for People & Pets

Time out! We're used to time outs being something bad- a punishment given to a misbehaving child. But what if that's the wrong way to look at them? What if time outs can actually be good things? And what if we all need them- not just kids, but adults and dogs, too? Dog trainer Kelsey Weber and psychologist Shaun Davis are big believers in the power of a good time out to help everybody, regardless of age (or species!). The two of them joined the show today to talk about the right way to do a time out, and the importance of self-care and support not just for us, but also for our toddlers, teenagers, and four-legged friends.
Kelsey Weber, ABCDT, CPDT-KA, LFDM-T
Kelsey is a certified professional dog trainer and licensed family dog mediator. She owns Pawsitively Trained in Sherwood, OR where she focuses on supporting pets and their people by building stronger pet-person relationships through better understanding and communication. She and her husband live on their farm in Sherwood with her small horse herd, flock of poultry, goat, pig, and two dogs.
Website: https://pawsitively-trained.com/
Email: kelsey@pawsitively-trained.com 
 
Shaun Davis, PsyD
Shaun Davis is a licensed psychologist working in Newberg, Oregon. She is a graduate of George Fox University. She works with children, families, and couples using Emotionally-Focused Therapy which focuses on the attachment bonds that keep relationships strong. She has been married for 43 years, has 3 adult daughters, 5 grandchildren, and a lovely Bernedoodle who works as a therapy dog in her private practice.
Website: www.shaundavispsyd.com
Email: drshaun@shaundavispsyd.com 
Book Links
Everyone Needs a Timeout: https://a.co/d/bHVF7iL 
Getting Started with Timeouts Planner: https://a.co/d/aEixzyg 
Settling In With Timeouts Planner: https://a.co/d/1fm8DnK 
 
For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog

YFD 191: The Nose Knows! Scent Work with Dianna Santos

Happy Throwback Thursday! Piggybacking on our two part interview with Bob Deeds, we're bringing you this sweet-smelling blast from the past on the wonders of scent work. Tune in for a refresher on the science of smell and how scent-based games can open up a whole new world for you and your dog.
Those of us with less sensitive noses seldom realize just how big of a role odors play in the lives of our dogs. But for dogs, smell is a vital and integral part of how they perceive the world and gather information about it. Playing scent-based games with our dogs can be a great way to bond with them and learn to understand and interact with them better. Dianna Santos, the owner of Scent Work University, came on the show today to talk about scent work and how it can improve your relationship with your dog and their quality of life. 
For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog