Your Family Dog Podcast

YFD 058: The Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare (part 1 of 2)

Happy Throwback Thursday! Today, we're revisiting one of the key underpinnings of positive reinforcement training- the "Five Freedoms." Tune in for a quick refresher on the first three of these vital components of animal welfare.  
 
Julie Fudge Smith and Colleen Pelar discuss the first three of the Five Freedoms that the ASPCA lists as "internationally accepted standards of care that assert a living being’s right to humane treatment." They are standards which apply not only to dogs, but to every animal in our care, whether they are pets, farm animals, or working animals.
 
For more information, show notes and links: Your Family Dog

244: Adding a New Dog to an Old Dog

Senior dog specialist Helen St. Pierre returns to YFD, but this time she's joined by trainer Kathy Callahan, who focuses on the other end of life- puppies! The two of them are co-authors of the new book "Old Dog, New Dog" which aims to help families navigate living with both senior dogs and puppies. Pull up a chair and listen in for a conversation about puppies, seniors, death, aging, and everything in between!
‪@YFDPodcast‬ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@YFDPodcast
Adding a New Dog to an Old Dog
Kathy Callahan and Helen St. Pierre are the authors of Old Dog, New Dog: A Guide to Supporting Your Aging Best Friend and Welcoming a New One.
Helen St. Pierre is the founder of the senior animal rescue and sanctuary Old Dogs Go To Helen and the owner of No Monkey Business Dog Training. She is certified as a professional dog trainer (CPDT-KSA), a dog behavior consultant (CDBC), and a family dog mediator (LFDM). Helen’s website is nomonkeybusinessdogtraining.com
Certified dog trainer (CPDT-KA) and family dog mediator (LFDM) Kathy Callahan specializes in puppies. The author of Welcoming Your Puppy from Planet Dog and 101 Rescue Puppies, she writes monthly on training and behavior for Whole Dog Journal. Her business, PupStart, focuses on helping clients through puppyhood. Her website is www.puppypicks.com. 
KATHY SOCIAL:
Instagram - instagram.com/puppypicks 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathryn.g.callahan  
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2XrCeyKGTvXvp4l5dSMG1A  
HELEN Facebook:
Facebook Personal: https://www.facebook.com/lellow.oneplease - Helen Personal   
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/olddogsggotohelen - Old Dogs Go to Helen
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/NoMonkeyBusinessDogTraining  - Dog Training Page 
 Time Stamps - 
0:00 Introduction
1:30 Kathy Callahan Introduction - Puppies!
4:45 Helen St. Pierre Introduction - Oldies!
7:15 Old Dog, New Dog
9:00 Learning We Cannot Get From a Book
10:11 Set them up to have their needs met, Young or Old
12:50 Quality of Life Weekly Check List for senior dogs
15:00 Function, Purpose & Joy
17:15 Making the Golden Age Golden
20:32 Things often marketed for puppies are great tools for senior dogs
22:35 Puppies & Senior Dogs
24:15 The Vision (the dream)
25:02 The Challenges (time to step up)
25:46 The Work Arounds
28:00 A Plan with Resources! It can be easier
31:30 “Reels” aren’t Real Life. Great relationships are built in months, not seconds.
31:48 Lots of breaks for the senior dog, they can’t raise the puppy!
32:30 Communication is information, be ready to support the puppy and your senior
35:39 Full Vet Check for our seniors before bringing home that puppy
43:10 We can make most situations work, honoring the oldie and the puppy both!
54:05 What do people miss about changes in their senior dogs? Purpose and joy vs Function
56:23 We sometimes miss that the dog isn’t doing what he has typically done… not coming into the family room (hard floors, more light, etc) cut toenails…. Things that help increase quality of life so our senior dogs can enjoy life with us!
58:50 Preferences shift
1:04:00 Medications aren’t a failure. Ideally, they are preemptive
 
Stay in the Loop with the Your Family Dog Podcast
Mailing Address: Tina M. Spring, 115 Pointers Ridge Drive, Athens, GA 30606-1490
 
YFDPod Merch
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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:
 
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, please go to Your Family Dog.

The Most Interesting Dogs in Literature

Welcome to Throwback Thursday! This week, we're going way back in the archives to revisit an episode about our favorite bookish dogs. Tune in and let us know your favorite!
Colleen Pelar and Julie Fudge Smith invite writer Ellie Hicks to join them in a discussion of books with or about dogs and their favorite literary pups. 
For more information and show notes: Your Family Dog Podcast
Ellie's blog on 10 of the Best Literary Dogs
‪@YFDPodcast‬ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@YFDPodcast
The Most Interesting Dogs In Literature
Ellie Hicks is a writer, and Julie’s daughter and our audio producer! This is her list for AMReading
 Time Stamps - 
0:00 Welcome and Introduction
1:22 Which dogs are not on the list and why?
4:09 Ribsy
5:12 The Woofie’s Song - YOU NEED TO HEAR THIS!
6:20 Buck from Call of the Wild, Big Red series by Jim Kjelgaard
7:30 Little House on the Prairie - Jack
9:30 Toto from The Wizard of Oz
11:10 James Harriet’s dog tales
14:17 The Game of Thrones/Song of Fire & Ice - The Direwolves
15:10 Fang
16:20 Argos
18:43 Muggs
 
Cave Canem!
 
Stay in the Loop with the Your Family Dog Podcast
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:
 
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

241 Part 2 How To Make Your Herding Dog Feel More Like Family!

‪@YFDPodcast‬ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@YFDPodcast
How To Make Your Herding Dog Feel More Like Family!- Part I
Herding dogs- they're gorgeous, energetic, loyal, and scary smart. We all love them, and many of us love the idea of having one of these beautiful, faithful dogs by our side. But are they really the right dog for every family?
Emily Priestley is the founder of Wild at Heart Dog Training, where she specializes in helping people successfully manage herding dogs in pet homes. She came on the show today to share her expertise. Join us as we chat about both the very real challenges and the very real joys of sharing a life with herding dogs.
Guest Biography
In 2021, Emily Priestley left a long shelter career to focus on helping dogs whose guardians are at the end of their rope—especially those facing fear, aggression, reactivity, and herding breed challenges like compulsive disorders. She specializes in working with herding breed dogs struggling in pet homes. If you’re dealing with a reactive border collie, Australian Cattle Dog, Aussie, or another herding dog, she can help.
Emily offers virtual group classes for reactivity, fear, aggression, and other issues that interfere with daily life. She also provides webinars designed for both trainers and pet guardians.
She holds the following certifications and credentials:
CTC from The Academy for Dog Trainers
Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant (CDBC) through the IAABC
Certified Cat Behaviour Consultant (CCBC) through the IAABC
Certified in Shelter Dog Behaviour (CSB-D) through the IAABC
Completed Julie Naismith’s Separation Anxiety Pro Trainer Program
Certified Death Doula, specializing in pet loss
Former member of the BC SPCA’s AnimalKind program (2021–2023)
During her career with the BC SPCA, Emily personally handled over 2,000 dogs. With experience across many breeds and behaviour issues, she has worked with dogs needing serious intervention. There’s nothing she hasn’t seen.
Emily lives on the west coast of British Columbia with her Australian Cattle Dog, Mozzie, and her three working line border collies—Griff, Mitch, and Stormi. She works with clients across North America, Mexico, the UK, and beyond. She is a regular webinar presenter, hosts the Wild at Heart Podcast, and co-hosts Conversations From Under the Bus with Jean Donaldson, Kristi Benson, and Lisa Skavienski, available on YouTube and through The Academy for Dog Trainers on Facebook.
 
Resources:
Wild at Heart Dog Training
Urban Sheepdog by Emily Priestley
YFD 171: Breed Matters
Time Stamps - 
0:00 Welcome to Part 2. If you missed Part 1 Please go back and listen to that episode first
1:07 Can scent work help our herding dogs?
2:04 Tricks & Trials
3:07 Intrinsic Motivation
5:57 Sensitivity
7:09 When does Sensitivity become a problem?
8:30 Problem - First stop is the vet
8:35 Sileo
11:30 Suffering is not okay - Get ye to the Vet!
17:12 Advocacy
19:00 We can’t “fix” normal, healthy dog behaviors
21:00 Enrichment
22:00 Classes for trainers AND FAMILIES
24:25 What is the oddest thing your dog has attempted to eat
 
Stay in the Loop with the Your Family Dog Podcast
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:
On your favorite podcast player Mondays
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

241 Part 1: How To Make Your Herding Dog Feel More Like Family!

‪@YFDPodcast‬ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@YFDPodcast
How To Make Your Herding Dog Feel More Like Family!- Part I
Herding dogs- they're gorgeous, energetic, loyal, and scary smart. We all love them, and many of us love the idea of having one of these beautiful, faithful dogs by our side. But are they really the right dog for every family?
Emily Priestley is the founder of Wild at Heart Dog Training, where she specializes in helping people successfully manage herding dogs in pet homes. She came on the show today to share her expertise. Join us as we chat about both the very real challenges and the very real joys of sharing a life with herding dogs.
Guest Biography
In 2021, Emily Priestley left a long shelter career to focus on helping dogs whose guardians are at the end of their rope—especially those facing fear, aggression, reactivity, and herding breed challenges like compulsive disorders. She specializes in working with herding breed dogs struggling in pet homes. If you’re dealing with a reactive border collie, Australian Cattle Dog, Aussie, or another herding dog, she can help.
Emily offers virtual group classes for reactivity, fear, aggression, and other issues that interfere with daily life. She also provides webinars designed for both trainers and pet guardians.
She holds the following certifications and credentials:
CTC from The Academy for Dog Trainers
Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant (CDBC) through the IAABC
Certified Cat Behaviour Consultant (CCBC) through the IAABC
Certified in Shelter Dog Behaviour (CSB-D) through the IAABC
Completed Julie Naismith’s Separation Anxiety Pro Trainer Program
Certified Death Doula, specializing in pet loss
Former member of the BC SPCA’s AnimalKind program (2021–2023)
During her career with the BC SPCA, Emily personally handled over 2,000 dogs. With experience across many breeds and behaviour issues, she has worked with dogs needing serious intervention. There’s nothing she hasn’t seen.
Emily lives on the west coast of British Columbia with her Australian Cattle Dog, Mozzie, and her three working line border collies—Griff, Mitch, and Stormi. She works with clients across North America, Mexico, the UK, and beyond. She is a regular webinar presenter, hosts the Wild at Heart Podcast, and co-hosts Conversations From Under the Bus with Jean Donaldson, Kristi Benson, and Lisa Skavienski, available on YouTube and through The Academy for Dog Trainers on Facebook.
 
Resources:
Wild at Heart Dog Training
Urban Sheepdog by Emily Priestley
YFD 171: Breed Matters
Time Stamps - 
0:00 Introduction
1:00 Introducing Emily
2:00 Emily's History
5:19 How these dogs often struggle
7:19 All roads lead to mouthing
11:48 Adolescence
17:48 Before you bring a herding breed into your family
30:39 Not all herding dogs should or can be on sheep
32:00 Dry herding for herding dogs - what it is and how to help
34:00 Treadmills - Do they really help?
35:30 Overwhelmed? Do this!
36:43 Is Fetch bad?
42:28 Fetch by another name
57:00 Sheep & Herding Instinct
1:00:30 How herding works
1:04:22 Sheep dog trials on YouTube™
 
Join us next time for Part 2
Stay in the Loop with the Your Family Dog Podcast
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:
On your favorite podcast player Mondays
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

YFD 101: Summer Hazards

Introducing "Throwback Thursday!" Starting this week, we'll be filling the gaps between new episodes by re-releasing older episodes you might have forgotten or missed.
This week, we're revisiting Tina's first ever appearance on Your Family Dog, where she and Julie discussed how to keep your dog happy and healthy in the summer heat.  Enjoy!In their first podcast together, Tina Spring and Julie Fudge Smith, discuss some of the hazards, as well as joys, that warm weather can bring, including: wildlife, water, insects, and whether or not you should let your pup have the run of the house when you're not home!
 
For show notes and more information please see: Your Family Dog

240: The Surprising Emotional Intelligence of Dogs

Two of YFD's favorite guests are back! Animal behavior experts Zazie Todd and Marc Bekoff join Tina today to discuss all the things we humans misunderstand about our dogs, their behavior, the best way to work with them. Pull up a chair and tune in for a conversation you won't want to miss!
 For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog

240: Helping Toddlers & Dogs Be Successful Together Part 2

‪@YFDPodcast‬ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@YFDPodcast
Incorporating Toddlers & Dogs - Building the Sweetest Bonds 
Guest Biography
Aishlyn is a professional dog trainer and a newish mom…. When she is a guest we explore things Aishlyn is incorporating to help Delilah (15 mos) and Noir & Vega be more successful together.
 Time Stamps - 
0:00 Welcome to Part 2.
4:00 Tolerance vs Active Enjoyment and why it matters
4:30 Guided Touch - teaching our dogs and our kiddos about consent (chin rest in this case)
8:48 Ask your dogs’ permission - giving autonomy and how it help reduce conflicts
9:45 Kiss to Dismiss
10:38 Jumping up can be a functional behavior meaning it is communicating
12:27 Vocalizing signals - humans and dogs
14:25 Is a 15 month old kiddo old enough to signal “no, thank you” and how we can teach that to our dogs
15:00 The benefits of giving all non-verbal family members a voice can be a huge help in learning
18:14 My toddler is fixated on the dog, now what?
20:18 The gift of “easy” for kids & dogs, teaching them separately
23:49 Dogs under the table
26:00 Tugging - Dogs & Toddler style - Keeping fun safe
27:38 Fetch! Dogs & Toddler style - keeping fun safe
29:00 Developmental Stages and helping the family through those changes
31:40 Muffin Tin Game
35:00 Bubbles!
36:58 Going to the restroom with safety in mind
 
Stay in the Loop with the Your Family Dog Podcast
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:
 
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

239: Helping Toddlers & Dogs be Successful Together Part 2

Back in February, dog trainer and new mom Aishlyn Skocyzlas came on the show to talk about her experience living with babies and dogs. Well, little baby Delilah is over a year old now, bringing a whole new set of challenges and delights. In what will hopefully be a recurring feature, Aishlyn came back on the show to update us on what's changed, what she's learned, and how she's navigating life with a toddler and dogs.
 
For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.

238: A Boy and His Dog, With Timothy Renner

It's hard to think of a more beloved story than that of a boy and his dog, and that's exactly what we have today. Tina is joined by artist, author, and musician Timothy Renner whose friendship with his childhood dog could have come straight out of a classic Disney film. Tune in as Tim shares memories of his boyhood dog, Barney, reminding us all that sometimes the most important "people" in our lives come with four paws and a wagging tail.
 
For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.