What would you do if buying your dream home meant giving up your dog?

In 2018, Cait Conroy and her husband were forced to confront Prince George’s County, Maryland’s decades-old “pit bull” breed ban when it threatened their beloved Poptart. That experience sparked Cait’s ongoing advocacy — not just for her own dog, but for all dogs and pet parents impacted by this harmful law.

In this episode, Cait and Ilona from the PG Pet Unity Project share the shocking history of why “pit bull” dogs were banned in PG County in the 1990s — and the deeper consequences this law has had on families, the animal welfare system and the dogs. From wasted taxpayer dollars to ineffective public safety outcomes, we dig into why breed-specific legislation fails families, communities and dogs.

But there’s hope: we’ll talk about recently proposed Pit Bull Pilot Program, why momentum is growing to finally overturn the BSL now, and what it would mean for Maryland to leave this discriminatory policy behind.

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Has your dog played the sniffy game yet today?

Today we’re joined by Dianna Santos, founder of Scent Work University, to explore one of the most powerful — and fun — activities you can do with your dog: scent work. Whether you’ve heard it called nose work or scent work, this enriching game taps into your dog’s natural superpower — their incredible sense of smell.

We’ll dive into why scent work is especially beneficial for reactive and fearful dogs, including how it has helped my own nervous senior guy. Dianna explains how scent work provides the kind of mental stimulation that can actually tire dogs out faster than physical exercise, making it a great option for any lifestyle.

You’ll also learn simple ways to get started at home with easy games, plus tips for introducing scent work to puppies, seniors, and even dogs with special needs.

Whether you’re curious about enriching your dog’s daily life, looking for ways to support a reactive pup, or simply want a fun new activity to strengthen your bond, this episode will show you how scent work can transform your relationship with your dog — and why it’s the most important game you’re not playing yet.

Find links, show notes & your FREE PDF Scent Work Game at:

Did you get the Pet Parent "Gut Check" yet? Get your Free Checklist: 12 Changes in Your Dog to Never Ignore (even if they seem small)

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Did you set goals for you & your dog this year?

Back in February, I shared the goals I set for myself & my dogs in 2025 — and now that we’re a little more than halfway through the year, it’s time for a check-in!

I’m sharing our progress (and setbacks!) not just to update you, but for my own accountability.

In this solo episode, you’ll hear:

·       Where we’re at with each of the goals I set at the start of the year;

·       The big thing we accomplished that wasn’t on the list;

·       What I’ve taken off our 2025 Goals list — and why; and

·       The updated plan for the rest of the year.

Whether your dog goals involve training, sports, adventures, or simply enjoying more time together, I hope this inspires you to pause, reflect, and celebrate your progress — even if your year looks different than you planned.

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Did you get the Pet Parent "Gut Check" yet? Get your Free Checklist: 12 Changes in Your Dog to Never Ignore (even if they seem small)

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If you have a senior dog in your home, when’s the right time to bring a new dog into the mix? For longtime dog trainers Kathy Callahan and Helen St. Pierre, the answer isn’t simple – it depends – on your dog, your household and your bandwidth.

Kathy & Helen share with us what inspired their collaboration on their new book Old Dog, New Dog: Supporting Your Aging Best Friend and Welcoming a New One and open up about the deep emotions that come with caring for senior dogs – including that fear of finding yourself in a “zero dog house.”

We’ll speak candidly about how to be honest with ourselves about the emotional toll of aging pets, and how to prepare realistically if you're considering adding a puppy (or another adult dog) to your home.

Kathy & Helen weigh in on setting appropriate expectations, building a support system, and what to watch for when it comes to changes in your senior dog’s health and behavior. We’ll also learn the best practices for introductions that will give both your old and new dog the best chance at a harmonious relationship.

Whether you're currently living with a beloved old dog, recently said goodbye, or are contemplating what comes next, Kathy & Helen offer guidance, perspective and compassion for wherever you are on the journey.

Find links and show notes at:

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REPLAY:

If you can name a Dog Sport, Melissa Stagnaro has most likely tried it at some point over the past 20 years.  And today we’re so fortunate to have Melissa sharing tips and insight from her years of experience.  I loved her canine enrichment idea for dogs recovering from an injury!

But did you know that you can learn the sport of Search & Rescue?  If you’ve ever wanted your dog to learn how to find someone in the woods or track a scent trail, there’s a sport for that! 

Commonly referred to as “RH,” the dog sport of Search & Rescue is open to dogs of all ages, breeds and backgrounds.

Melissa shares with us all about RH and how to get your dog started.  I’m always curious about how to start teaching your dog the more advanced skills and Melissa gives us a great breakdown of how to approach training sessions.

Plus, I got to meet Melissa and many other Search & Rescue competitors at a recent Mock Trial and I’m sharing everything I learned at the event.

Find Links & Show Notes at:

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REPLAY:

Have you ever been around a dog who doesn’t “dog” like other dogs?  Maybe you’ve experienced a dog who is reactive or has separation anxiety or a noise-phobia?

Sharon Vincuilla and I explore how dogs (and people!) can experience the world differently and how neurodiversity shows up in a dog’s behavior.  And Sharon has experienced this first-hand with her dog, Muggins!

Sharon found that life with Muggins was even triggering her own trauma.  Seemingly ordinary life events like walking the dog or having a friend stop by her house would turn into stressful ordeals with Muggins.

Leaning on her work as both a dog trainer and an Occupational Therapist, Sharon shares with us the strategies she developed that allow both her and Muggins to thrive.  And she teaches us strategies we can incorporate into our lives with our dogs who might “dog” a little differently.

Find Links & Show Notes at:

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Have you ever thought about your time with your dog as a chapter of your life?

For teacher, speaker, and lifelong journaler Patricia Eagle, her story is told in ten chapters – with each devoted to a dog who changed her life.

In her new book, Dog Love Stories: The Canines Who Changed Me, Patricia reflects on the love, lessons, and legacies each dog left behind. While some chapters are long and others short, all are deeply meaningful.

In this episode, Patricia & I explore the many ways our dogs support us – especially through life’s hardest times. She shares how creating rituals around loss has helped her honor and heal from the passing of her dogs, and how these moments can also become celebrations of joy and connection.

We also talk about the silly songs we make up for our dogs (yes, Patricia sings one!) and what it means to be a respectful Pet Parent – especially around those in our lives who may not be dog lovers.

Trigger Warning: This episode includes themes of pet loss and grief, as well as mentions of the deaths of a spouse and child, and childhood sexual abuse.

Find links and show notes at:

Get your free checklist: Join Erin the Dog Mom's email list to receive the 12 Changes in Your Dog to Never Ignore checklist.

Teef: The easiest way to improve your dog’s dental health is with a spoonful of Teef powder in their water.  Save 20% on your Teef orders when you use the code: ADM.

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What does leadership in animal welfare really look like when the going gets tough?

Like losing most of your staff in a single day—or raising twins, running a shelter, and opening a spay/neuter clinic all at once?

We’re back with author, advocate, and nonprofit founder Cara Achterberg (Episode 75, Who Will Let the Dogs Out), along with shelter directors Courtney Cross (Huntington Cabell Wayne Animal Shelter) and Ruby Fooks (Butler County Animal Shelter), for Part 2 of our Shelter Roundtable discussion.

In this episode, you'll hear more about Ruby’s and Courtney’s personal journeys into animal sheltering—and how their unique skill sets have helped them face the challenges of the job.

Courtney opens up about navigating the sudden loss of 12 staff members, while Ruby shares honestly about work/life balance, imposter syndrome, and even has to step away briefly during the recording to handle an urgent situation at her shelter—giving us all a real-time glimpse into the realities of this work.

Have you ever imagined what a dream animal shelter would look like for your community? Courtney and Ruby are already bringing their visions to life—and they share what they hope to do next.

Find links and show notes at:

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What does it really take to save lives in a shelter where the need never stops?

For leaders like Courtney Cross (Huntington Cabell Wayne Animal Shelter) and Ruby Fooks (Butler County Animal Shelter), it means getting scrappy — not just in strategy, but in spirit. Across the country, life-saving work is happening in shelters not powered by excess resources, but by relentless grit, creativity, and the strength of community.

In this episode, we’re joined by Cara Achterberg — author, advocate, and founder of the nonprofit Who Will Let the Dogs Out (Episode 75) — along with two remarkable shelter directors who are redefining what animal sheltering can look like when it’s rooted in community and driven by purpose.

Cara’s newest book, Who Will Let the Dogs Out, shines a light on shelters making extraordinary impact, often with limited means. She shares three core pillars of life-saving work: strong leadership, community engagement, and spay/neuter programs — all of which Ruby and Courtney embody.

You’ll hear how Ruby scrapped plans for a new shelter building to open a spay/neuter clinic instead — because that’s what her community truly needed. And how Courtney created space for community at a new shelter property while reducing a 50% euthanasia rate to just 3%.

Leaders like Courtney and Ruby aren’t just running shelters — they’re building trust, rewriting systems, and saving lives.

Find links and show notes at:

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Whether you’re looking for something fun to do with your dog or if you need help with a behavior issue, Control Unleashed might be exactly the training class you’re looking for.

Today, I’m joined by Angie Haines Madden of DogSpeak Training — the trainer my dogs & I have been working with through online Control Unleashed classes over the past several months.

A former zookeeper, Angie shares what drew her to the Control Unleashed methodology (developed by Leslie McDevitt) and how it shapes her approach to dog training.

I'll be honest — I was skeptical about taking an online training class at first. But it didn’t take long to see why Angie’s style of teaching works so well. Together, we talk about the power of learning from others, why recording your training sessions is so important (hint: it’s all about body language!), and how transformative these skills can be.

While my original goal was simply to find something fun to do with Nessie, I quickly discovered that Control Unleashed offers so much more than just games. Angie and I discuss how adaptable the Pattern Games are for a variety of real-world situations, and I share some of the ways we’ve incorporated them into our daily lives.

You'll also get to hear an impromptu coaching session, as Angie helps me work through a challenge Nessie and I are still facing — and why teaching your dog to relax is more important than you may realize.

Find Links & Show Notes at:

Get your free checklist: Join Erin the Dog Mom's email list to receive the 12 Changes in Your Dog to Never Ignore checklist.

Teef: The easiest way to improve your dog’s dental health is with a spoonful of Teef powder in their water.  Save 20% on your Teef orders when you use the code: ADM.

Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.