Madcap Radio

By Madcap RadioEducation Kids & Family How To Courses Pets & Animals

Madcap Radio episodes

December 09, 2025Puppy Culture Potluck: #36 - Is the Fear Genetic? Tough Decisions about Keeper Puppies
This episode's question is about what to do when your “keeper” puppy starts showing significant fear issues:

"…I’m really sad about my situation. I don’t want this to reflect poorly on my small breeding program that I’ve poured so much time, thought, stress, money, and emotional energy into.… my keeper puppy is now showing pretty significant fear issues…I was hoping to keep this puppy and eventually use her in my program. My biggest concern is that this is genetic fear and she will not outgrow/overcome it. This is depressing me quite honestly, and I’m feeling very deer-in-the-headlights about how to move forward…"
In this podcast I address:
How to tell if a fear issue is a developmental or genetic issue and what the line is between normal and pathological fear
My personal experiences and outcomes in this area
Words of encouragement for small program breeders, with thoughts for surviving emotional setbacks and staying in the breeding game
Visit our website www.madcapradio.com for further reading.
21 min
November 25, 2025Puppy Culture Potluck: #35 - Puppy Meltdowns: "Bringing Back" a Puppy That's Had a Bad Experience
The question is about what to do with puppies that have meltdowns at shows or trials or any socialization situation:

"My 7 month old puppy just had a meltdown. At our National this past weekend he showed OK on Thursday and Friday. A little unsure. But showed. On Saturday he was amazing and took Winners Dog. Sunday, he had a complete melt down. He has shows again in 5 days my inclination is to pull him. Work with him at home. Thoughts?"
In this episode I discuss:
When to hold back, and when to continue exposing puppies after meltdowns
Rating experiences for success
Thoughts about avoiding future problems
Visit our website madcapradio.com for further reading.
21 min
November 24, 2025Puppy Culture Potluck: #34 - Bad Genes and Good Puppies: Genetics, Behavior and Puppy Culture
This episode's question is about whether and by how much we can modify temperament with protocols:

"I was chatting to someone recently about nature versus nurture, and they said, you can get a bitch who has a poor temperament and using Puppy Culture, you can have pups who have great temperaments. My view is it's more complex than that.…Would love people's thoughts."
Listen in as I discuss:
The difference between temperament and behavior
The ramifications of using behavior modification protocols in a breeding program
Our ethical obligations as breeders vs as puppy raisers
Visit our website madcapradio.com for further reading.
14 min
October 28, 2025Puppy Culture Potluck: #33 - Fruit Kefir for Puppies: Double the Ferment, Many Times the Benefits
This episode’s question is about giving puppies double fermented fruit kefir:

"Hello, We are curious about the benefits of using Mango kefir for puppies. How does it help their gut flora? What is the purpose of using it. Thanks!"
Listen in as I discuss:
How a second ferment with fruit transforms the nutritional profile and bioavailability of kefir
Why kefir in general is such a probiotic powerhouse
Why double fermented fruit kefir is particularly appropriate for puppies
Visit our website madcapradio.com for further reading.
10 min
October 14, 2025Puppy Culture Potluck: #32 - Puppies Who Can't Settle Down in the Evening: The Arsenic Hour
This episode answers a question about puppies who just can’t settle down in the evening:

"What are your best tips for “witching hour”? We have an 11.5 week Spinone Italiano that we brought home just over two weeks ago. He settles down for naps during the day after some play and training, but after his early evening nap, some play, dinner, potty, he gets over aroused and overtired and we cannot for the life of us redirect his mouthing to a toy or chew and he cries in his X-pen and jumps at the sides. We are trying to establish a routine with a licky mat, Kong or other soothing activity to transition him and bring down his arousal. But it is a nightly struggle!"
In this episode I talk about:
Why it’s natural for puppies to be restless and difficult in the early evening
Tips for dealing with a puppy who can’t control himself
Management and bedtime routine suggestions
Visit our website madcapradio.com for further reading.
15 min
October 01, 2025Puppy Culture Potluck: #31 - Resorbed Pregnancies, Small Litters and Antibiotics: The Latest Research
Today’s question is about resorption of pregnancies and the advisability of using antibiotics to prevent future resorptions:

"We had a girl who was pregnant with at least 1 puppy at 28 day ultrasound and 0 puppies on x-ray at 50 days...I'm curious what other people would check with the girl who absorbed before breeding again."
In this episode we discuss:
Things to check/do when your dam resorbs a pregnancy
How the vaginal microbiome affects fertility and prevents disease
The most recent studies on the prophylactic use of antibiotics in breeding bitches
Visit our website madcapradio.com for further reading.
18 min
March 18, 2025Puppy Culture Potluck: #30 - Is It A Fear Period? Recognizing and Navigating Fear Periods in Puppies
This episode’s question is about fear periods.
“What are the critical fear stages in puppies from 8 weeks on? Is it best to keep up their socialization during these periods or back off for a few days and then resume?”
In this episode I discuss:
How to recognize fear periods as opposed to general fearfulness.
The evolutionary reasons that puppies have fear periods
Navigating fear periods in puppies and dogs
Visit our website madcapradio.com for further reading.
21 min
February 26, 2025Puppy Culture Potluck: #29 - Teaching Puppies to Share: Dog-Dog Resource Guarding Prevention.
This episode’s question is about preventing dog-to-dog resource guarding:
“Can’t seem to find it in the video; what is the protocol to work against food aggression within the litter? We have been doing marrow bones and resource guard training with people, but a few puppies are showing aggression to the other puppies at meal times. Any info appreciated, thanks!”
In this episode I discuss:
Why protocols for dog-to-dog resource guarding are not as effective as protocols for dog-to-human resource guarding.
Five golden tips I have found helpful for preventing dog-to-dog resource guarding
Thoughts about dog-to-dog resource guarding and breeding programs
Visit our website madcapradio.com for further reading.
22 min
December 10, 2024Puppy Culture Potluck: #28 - Is It All In How We Raise Them? Re-thinking the Nature vs Nurture Debate.
This week’s question is about whether doing Puppy Culture or any other early socialization program can guarantee good outcomes for puppies.
“…I was talking to a breeder about Puppy Culture and I told her that if she would just adopt the program, she would eliminate any temperament issues with her puppies. Am I right about this? Isn’t Puppy Culture a guarantee that puppies will have good outcomes?”
In this episode I tackle:
Re-thinking the line between nature and nurture
The partnership between breeders and puppy owners for raising a good dog
The evolutionary reasons why breeding “good” dogs is so difficult
Visit our website madcapradio.com for further reading.
27 min
November 12, 2024Puppy Culture Potluck: #27 - How “Hands On” Should You Be With Neonate Puppies? Finding the Line Between Supporting and Interfering.
This week’s question is about whether you’re supporting or interfering when you help mom with her neonate puppies:
“…I've noticed that you lay in the box with Velvet and provide significant assistance to her. Among many groups of breeders, there is a faction who strongly advise to essentially let Mom alone in the first days as she has instincts and knows what to do, and that the presence, participation, and assistance of humans may be bothersome to her.
So, I'm wondering if this is breed dependent? Or an individual preference?”
In this episode we talk about:
The variability of maternal behavior
How much assistance you should give your dam with caring for her puppies
Supporting your dam without interfering with her instincts
Visit our website, madcapradio.com for further reading.
14 min