Good Dog!

Spending money wisely can lower the cost of pet care. Hear tips on cutting costs.
Our dogs do not need fancy collars or high end treats. The DO need good veterinary care, training, and quality food. On this episode of the "Good Dog" podcast, Dr. Stephen Zawistowski, Executive Vice President of the ASPCA National Program Office, shares a wealth of information on how to reduce what you spend on your dog and, especially, protect yourself against major expenses down the road. We cover necessary medical care and what you can do at home, why investing in professional training makes sense, and how to save on medicines and supplies.

A little preparation goes a long way in setting up baby and dog to be lifelong pals.
Helping a dog acclimate to the new smells, sounds, and demands of a baby takes a bit of time and forethought, according to Trish King, Director of Behavior and Training at the Marin Humane Society. There will be many changes in the dog's life; best to begin instituting those changes before the baby arrives on the scene. Listen to this week's "Good Dog" podcast episode for a wealth of information on how to keep baby safe from your well meaning but, perhaps, excitable pup.

The predatory instinct in dogs and cats is strong, yet with patience and some good instruction, most pet owners can create harmony between their canine and feline family members. On this episode of the "Good Dog" podcast, Trish King, author of "Parenting Your Dog" offers helpful advice to cat owners hoping to add a dog into the mix and dog owners who plan to bring home a cat.

Dogs are naturally aggressive. It's in-bred so that they can survive on their own. But aggressive behavior in domestic dogs - toward people or other dogs - isn't exactly desirable. In this episode of the "Good Dog" podcast, Kate Knight of Clear Signals Dog Training offers insight and advice on helping dogs to overcome aggressive behavior. Step one, she says, is changing the association in the dog's mind. If, for instance, your dog reacts upon seeing a large dog walking on the opposite side of the street, give him or her a treat every time he sees a large dog. Soon enough, he'll see a large dog and think "great, it's time for a treat!"

There's a language barrier that separates us from our dogs. They don't understand our world and feel that we are their responsibility. That's why they run to the door when someone is approaching and bark when they hear a new sound. Penny Locke is a "dog listener" who helps people to train their dogs to be dogs, freeing them from the anxiety of responsibility. Through simple shifts in behavior, you become the leader of your pack and your dog can relax. She uses no force, no gadgets and no confrontation. Her approach is based on the work of Jan Fennell of Great Britain who studied wolves in the wild to learn about canines. This episode of the "Good Dog" podcast will improve your relationship with your dog forever.

The founder of T-Touch explains how the system of gentle movements works.

T-touch is a system of gentle, circular movements which, when practiced on animals including dogs, can release tension, activate cells, promote healing and solve a range of behavior challenges. Linda Tellington-Jones developed these techniques 40 years ago and certified practitioners now teach T-Touch all over the world. Learn some simple movements that you can use on your dog today in this episode of "Good Dog" featuring Linda Tellington-Jones.

There's plenty to know about why and how to keep your dog cool in the heat.

Dr. Eric Barchus who writes the Vet Blog for Dogster.com has been warning dog owners of the importance of keeping dogs cool in the summer heat. We all know that dogs overheat pretty quickly, but how quickly? Is it reasonable to leave your dog in the car for an hour if it's in the shade and the window is open? Do some breeds overheat more easily than others? Would dipping their paws into cold water help to cool them down quickly? These questions and more are addressed in this issue of "Good Dog" podcast.

Massachusetts outlaws businesses that rent pets.

Public complaint about "flexible pet ownership" led to hearings and, now, legislation in Massachusetts banning businesses that rent pets. In this episode of the "Good Dog" podcast, Massachusetts Representative Vincent Pedone discusses the issues behind the ban and why so many animal rights activists and veterinarians cared enough to get involved.

The dog trainer's trainer explains the top 10 tips for ensuring the best possible dog-human bond.

In this episode of the "Good Dog" podcast, Jean Donaldson, director of the Academy of Dog Trainers at the San Francisco SPCA runs through her top ten dog training tips. Expect your dog to act like a dog; make them work for their food; keep the reigns tight, slack off later; preempt bad habits; provide outlets for doggie behavior; avoid guilt trips; play dog sports; offer social interaction; hug your puppy; and enroll in a good training course.

Dog training has evolved considerably and there's a lot to know about selecting a trainer.

Jean Donaldson is the director of the Academy of Dog Trainers at the San Francisco SPCA and she has a lot to say about the field. Learn what to look for in a trainer and what to avoid. As the author of "The Culture Clash" and "Dogs are from Neptune", Jean provides insight into how dogs think and why they behave the way they do. In this episode of "Good Dog" podcast, Jean and Joanne discuss why dogs eat poop and smell each other's behinds.