Madcap Radio

This week’s question is about Breeder-Puppy Buyer contracts:

Our puppies are 7 weeks old now and will be going to their new families in 3 weeks. I have been following along each day and this experience with the puppies has been incredible.

Thank you for "holding my hand" throughout. We are getting to the part that I just feel I am not prepared or knowledgeable enough....THE CONTRACT. I, too, want to keep it simple.....feed healthy, train in a positive way, and bring back the puppy if something changes.

Would you be able to share an example or a template perhaps? I would appreciate any assistance you can provide.

Episode highlights:

• How to decide what should be in your contract, and what should be in your puppy application

Visit our website, madcapradio.com for further reading.

This week’s question is about using temperament testing to help match puppies with owners:‌

They want to train him to do deep pressure therapy for her anxiety.

She grew up helping train hunting dogs and they have trained rescues, so I know she can do this if we get her a good match.

​So how do you find someone to do temperament testing?

In this episode I explore:

• The origins, benefits and limits of puppy assessment tests

Visit our website, madcapradio.com for further reading.

I feel like there is a general need for a new kind of dog professional.

Don't you feel that many puppy owners could use something like IN PERSON "puppy parenting coach?" So not dog training per se, more like a breeder-mentor for puppy owners.

It just seems like puppy owners throw a lot of effort agains things that are not really problems, but they don't know those things are not problems because they don't have someone with enough wisdom and experience to point that out. Someone who has raised 100 puppies, particularly if they raised puppies of that breed, could really save those owners a lot of trouble.

What do you think? Would any of you be interested in doing this?

Visit our website, madcapradio.com for further reading.

This week’s question is about puppies who growl when restrained:

"Hey everyone! We're raising our first litter, English Setters, nearly 7 weeks old. All have lovely temperaments and have been going through the PC process like little pro's.

One thing we've noticed over the last week is, if they want to hop down when a puppy family or friend is holding them, they'll do little frustrated growls or barks (I hesitate to say growl, though I'm sure you'll understand – it's just a "let me down!" kinda thing).

We've introduced gentle restraint over the last week and they all get a little annoyed if they want to go play/explore etc but nothing out of the ordinary. I just wanted to check if this is normal - should we be upping gentle restraint, or something we should be concerned about?"

In this episode, I cover:‌

• What you should do about puppies who growl when restrained

Visit our website, madcapradio.com for further reading.

Magda Chiarella joins me for this week’s podcast and, if Magda is here, you know we’ll be talking about canine nutrition!

This week’s question generated a lot of interesting comments that we discuss in the podcast:

In this episode, we discuss:

• Does kale cause kidney and bladder stones in dogs?

Visit our website, madcapradio.com for further reading.

This week’s question is about when puppies should go to their new homes:

“I've known breeders who keep their pups till 8 weeks, and some till 10 weeks. Some even until 12. What are the deciding factors in how long pups stay with the breeder? Does it depend on breed, the specific litter, or does it just come down to breeder preference?”

In this episode, I talk about:

• Optimal age for placing puppies.

Visit our website, madcapradio.com for further reading.

When it rains it pours, and this week it’s pouring puppies who bite fingers when taking treats. We got FOUR posts on this topic this week!

The questions came from both puppy owners and breeders, and in this episode, I give you a fresh perspective on this “problem”:‌

• Why puppies take treats roughly from hand

Visit our website, madcapradio.com for further reading.

Today’s question comes from a breeder, but it’s a topic that is applicable to anyone who owns a puppy or dog:‌

“How much frustration should a puppy have before changing the game a little to make the session successful?‌

Did the barrier challenge for the 1st time today...he was continually going to the wrong side to a closed section...At the 3-minute mark, I pulled the food bowl so a small portion went beyond the barrier, then placed him back at the starting point again. He was able to complete the challenge then.

Should I have waited him out? I am second guessing myself.”

‌

In this episode I cover:

• ‌How do you know how much challenge is enough and not too much in any given training session?

Visit our website, madcapradio.com for further reading.

Today’s question is about puppies who terrorize adult dogs:

In this episode I cover:

• Is this a normal puppy behavior?

Visit our website, madcapradio.com for further reading.

Today’s question is on dams who refuse to eat when pregnant:

‌“Ok friends, I’m having a REALLY difficult time getting my girl to eat…

I have mixing pumpkin purée, we currently have three different dog foods that I have been trying different combinations of. She was eating Badlands Ranch and Orijen really well, before that it was Royal Canin, but all of these she eventually has stopped eating. I have freeze dried medallions I break up and mix in, I have canned (Royal Canin) I try mixing in…anything to get her to eat. What else can I do to get her to eat?”

In this episode, I talk about:

• What is and is not normal as far as loss of appetite and nausea in pregnant dams

Visit our website, madcapradio.com for further reading.