Jean and Karen had the great pleasure of chatting with Dr. Zazie Todd, animal behavior expert and award-winning author of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy, Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy and Bark! The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog.

Zazie is also the host of the second annual Bark! Fest, a virtual book festival for animal lovers. Co-hosted with Kristi Benson, Bark! Fest returns in September 2026 with an extraordinary lineup of authors and conversations.

The program explores animal behavior, veterinary science and history, along with a panel devoted to cats and conversations with romance and mystery authors whose books feature dogs. Whether you enjoy science, practical advice, history or a great story with an animal at its heart, there is something in the lineup for you.

Jean and Karen talk with Zazie about her work, the inspiration behind Bark! Fest, what attendees can expect and why books can help us better understand the animals who share our lives.

The sessions are free and presented live, with opportunities to ask questions, join the conversation and win door prizes. Can’t attend live? You can still register and watch the sessions later. Sign up soon so you don’t miss any of the festival.

Bark! Fest 2026 Lineup

September 14 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET
Rory Cellan-Jones, author of Sophie From Romania, and Simon Wooler, author of More Than Just a Dog

September 15 at 1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ET
Cat Warren, author of What the Dog Knows, and Patricia McConnell, author of Away to Me, in conversation with each other

September 16 at 1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ET
Lili Chin, author of Dogs of the World; Melissa McCue-McGrath, author of Misadventures of the World’s Okayest Dog Trainer; and Kerry Nichols, author of Puppy Brain

September 17 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET
Fiona Kenshole presents How to Find an Agent and Get Published

September 17 at 1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ET
Alexandra Horowitz, author of the second edition of Inside of a Dog

September 18 at 11 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. ET
Meghan Herron and Carlo Siracusa, authors of Decoding Your Cat; Sarah Brown, author of The Hidden Language of Cats; and Caroline Clark, author of A Professional’s Guide to Feline Behaviour

September 21 at 11 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. ET
Jean Donaldson, author of the second edition of Mine!

September 22 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET
Canine Crime and Mystery, featuring Blake Mara, author of Paw and Order; Antony Johnston, author of The Dog Sitter Detective Plays Dead; and Louisa Scarr, author of Broken House

September 23 at 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET
Marc Bekoff, author of Love in Their Hearts, and Alison Pearce Stevens, author of Detective Dogs

September 24 at 11 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. ET
Romance Panel, featuring Julie Haworth, author of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Café; Nicola Knight, author of Washed Up; and Farrah Rochon, author of Pugs and Kisses

September 25 at 1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ET
History Panel, featuring Philipp Schott, author of Heal the Beasts; Stephanie Howard-Smith, author of Yap! A Short History of Small Dogs; and Jerry D. Moore, author of Cat Tales: A History

Learn more and register through the Companion Animal Psychology website:
https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/p/home.html

Follow Companion Animal Psychology on Facebook for Bark! Fest news and updates:
https://www.facebook.com/companionanimalpsychology/

Join us for a fun and thoughtful conversation about animals, books and a virtual festival created especially for people who love them.

And if you enjoy the conversation with Zazie as much as Karen and Jean did, please leave the PawsGo Pawdcast a five-star rating and a nice comment. Both will help more dog lovers discover the Pawdcast!

We’re bringing back the most popular episode of the PawsGo Pawdcast!

In this listener-favorite conversation, we explore Dr. Karen Overall’s Relaxation Protocol—a simple, structured approach designed to help dogs learn how to settle, stay calm, and remain comfortable as the world around them changes.

Whether you are helping an anxious dog, an excitable dog, a newly adopted dog, or simply want to build better focus and calm at home, this episode offers practical guidance you can begin using right away.

The Relaxation Protocol remains widely used by trainers, behavior professionals, foster families, and dog owners—and the guidance shared in this episode is still relevant today.

There must be a reason this became our most-listened-to episode. Give it another listen and discover why so many dog lovers say: It really IS magic.

The PawsGo Pawdcast is always a positive conversation meant to inform and inspire pet owners.  Please download, share, give us a 5 star rating and leave a nice comment - it will help more dog lovers find us!

Karen and Jean are absolutely giddy to welcome Pat Miller to the PawsGo Pawdcast—yes, they are definitely fangirling!

What if understanding how your dog thinks could transform the way you train—and the relationship you share?

Pat Miller, renowned trainer, behavior consultant, author, and founder of Peaceable Paws, joins us for a fascinating conversation about positive, force-free dog training.

Pat shares highlights from the newly revised edition of her bestselling book, The Power of Positive Dog Training, including new information on canine agency and cognition, fresh training tips and games, and updated resources to help dogs and their people succeed.

She also discusses her newest book, Discover the World of Canine Cognition, which explores how dogs think, learn, remember, solve problems, and communicate.

This encouraging and informative conversation is for anyone who wants to better understand their dog and build a relationship rooted in trust, cooperation, and mutual respect.

About Pat Miller

Pat Miller is the founder of Peaceable Paws, an internationally recognized dog and puppy training center in Fairplay, Maryland. A certified professional dog trainer and behavior consultant, she has spent more than four decades advancing humane, science-based, force-free approaches to dog training.

Learn more about Pat, her books, training programs, and Peaceable Paws at Peaceable Paws – Fostering Harmony Between the Human and Non-Human Animals of Our World

Just in time for summer fun, Karen and Jean welcome Ben Jarvis and Nicki Wright of US Bark Rangers to the PawsGo Pawdcast.

Ben created US Bark Rangers, and Nicki helps lead its impressive and growing social media community. Together, they share how you and your dog can become BARK Rangers, explore dog-friendly National and State Parks, and support the public lands we all love.

From understanding where dogs are welcome to finding parks closer to home, this episode is all about getting outside, staying active with your dog, and discovering new adventures together.

Learn more and connect with US Bark Rangers:

US Bark Rangers website (you can find the map here):
https://usbarkrangers.com/

US Bark Rangers Facebook group (you can find a great community here):
https://www.facebook.com/groups/usbarkrangers

BARK Ranger items (lots of great saw for humans and dogs):
https://www.ebay.com/itm/404632413543

It’s a holiday tradition at the PawsGo Pawdcast — Karen and Jean are joined once again by their friend and favorite storyteller, Andrew Hager, author of All American Dogs. This festive episode is packed with quick, fun presidential-pet stories perfect to share at holiday parties, as conversation starters, or to diffuse those inevitable tense dinner moments.

In this episode:

• Why are Scotties basically the official dog of Christmas? A little Fala history explains it all.

• How did pardoning a turkey become a Thanksgiving tradition? The quirky origins may surprise you.

• Rebecca the Raccoon: The Coolidges’ unexpected “Thanksgiving gift” who became a White House celebrity.

• Remember Barney Cam? The Bush family’s iconic holiday videos — imagine if TikTok had existed.

• Plus: Andrew’s book, All American Dogs, is a fun, memorable, gift-worthy read — find it on Amazon.

Warm, lively, and full of dog-loving holiday cheer, this episode is the perfect listen for the season. Help more dog lovers find the Pawdcast — like it, rate it, leave a nice comment, or share it with a friend!

Karen and Jean are joined by their friend and special guest Kathy Callahan, the puppy expert and author of the new book Old Dog, New Dog. Spoiler alert — Jean has a new puppy, the adorable Lenny!

Together, they dive into what it’s really like to bring a puppy into a home with an older dog. Kathy shares wisdom and warmth from her book — co-authored with senior-dog specialist Helen St. Pierre — offering practical tips and heartfelt advice on caring for dogs at both ends of life’s journey. She also introduces one of her favorite training games, “Ping Pong,” a fun and easy way to build focus and connection with your pup.

Learn more about Kathy and Old Dog, New Dog: puppypicks.com
Watch Kathy’s “Ping Pong” demo: YouTube link

If you enjoy the episode, please like, share, and leave a review — it helps more dog lovers find the Pawdcast!

If you’re a PawsGo Pawcast listener, you know that Karen, one of our hosts, is also a founder of Aussie Rescue of the Mid Atlantic — a volunteer-run organization dedicated to helping Australian Shepherds in need find their forever homes throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

You can apply to adopt or volunteer at www.aussierescueofthemidatlantic.org.

Over the summer, PawsGo and Aussie Rescue of the Mid Atlantic participated in the Humane Society of Carroll County’s Woofstock event — a fun-filled community celebration of dogs, rescues, and the people who love them. (hscarroll.org)

It was there that Karen met Donna Jean Shybunko, host of “Simply Paws” on WTTR Radio, a show all about pets, animal welfare, and the people making a difference in their communities.

In this episode, Karen and Donna Jean share stories from Woofstock, talk about the joys and challenges of rescue work, and explore how local media can help raise awareness for animal adoption, volunteering, and responsible pet ownership.

Listen to Donna Jean on WTTR Radio’s “Simply Paws,” and don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share the PawsGo Pawcast to help us reach more pet lovers!

Karen and Jean are back and thrilled to welcome their friend Cara Achterberg, author of Who Will Let the Dogs Out! Cara who shares her urgent call to action for animal shelters, highlighting the range of experiences for dogs—from progressive shelters with strong staff and community support to high-kill and rural pounds where dogs are often overlooked.

Through over 150 visits to shelters and conversations with hundreds of animal professionals, Cara sheds light on these challenges and offers practical solutions. Her book is a primer for newcomers, an inspiration for advocates, and a guide to scaling successful strategies nationwide, emphasizing leadership, veterinary access, and community engagement.

In 2019, Cara and Nancy Slattery co-founded the nonprofit Who Will Let the Dogs Out, which works to raise awareness and resources for shelter dogs and the unsung heroes who fight for them. They continue to travel nationwide, delivering critical supplies and offering support, solutions, and hope to shelters and rescues everywhere.

Topics we discuss:

• The current state of animal shelters in the U.S.
• Stories and insights from shelter visits 
• Real, actionable solutions to help save more dogs’ lives
• Cara’s nonprofit work and dog-friendly vacation properties: Chateau Frankie & Gracie’s Place

Shelter staff can request a copy of Cara’s book by contacting [email protected]. Cara is also seeking shelter partners—reach out to get involved!  You can also follow her Substack here - (3) Cara Writes | Cara Achterberg | Substack

Don’t forget to like and subscribe to the Pawdcast so you never miss an episode  -- and visit our website -  www.PawsGo.com

Let’s put this in the category of I can’t tell you how or why it works – only that it works.

In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen is joined by her friend, trainer and dog sport devotee, Tricia Lunde and author, journalist and dog enthusiast Roxanne Hawn.  Together they discuss the Relaxation Protocol for dogs that was developed by animal behaviorist, Dr. Karen Overall and why it’s a great tool for just about every dog owner.

Roxanne utilized the protocol and created a downloadable audio version that is SUPER easy to follow and posted it on her website Champion of My Heart - https://championofmyheart.com/ The dog world LOVED it.  https://championofmyheart.com/relaxation-protocol-mp3-files/

Tricia, a trainer at Wholistic Hound Academy, runs a Facebook page on the protocol, offering help for dog owners whose dogs have active minds and bodies. The Canine Relaxation Protocol Support Group can be found here -- https://www.facebook.com/groups/RelaxtionProtocolSupport/ 

This protocol is really great for any dog, it helps with focus, recall, and confidence.  It’s also a great tool to strengthen the bond between human and dog.

If you liked this pawdcast, leave us a nice comment and share it with a friend!

Dog parkour is the hottest dog activity because ANY dog can do it ANYWHERE.  And unlike other dog sports or activities, there is no one to compete against.  Dog parkour is a combination of human parkour (google it) and canine agility. In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen and Jean chat with Abigail Curtis, the co-founder of the International Dog Parkour Association -- https://www.dogparkour.org/

 Dog parkour combines elements of human parkour and dog agility to create a fun and accessible activity for dogs and humans. For dogs, they get to experience the world through jumping, climbing, balancing on, crawling over and under, and going through things they see every day – like a park bench. That’s the fun of dog parkour can be done anywhere and is limited only by the owner’s imagination. According to Abigail, the best thing about dog parkour -- it not only exercises a dog’s mind and body, it helps build confidence. It can be very a low impact but a challenging activity for any dog.

 The AKC likes dog parkour so much that it’s a category on its FIT DOG Title -- https://www.akc.org/sports/akc-family-dog-program/akc-fit-dog/

 If, after listening to the pawdcast you’re interested in learning even more about this incredible sport and maybe participating, Abigail recommends joining their Facebook page and training group. Let Abigail know that you heard her on the PawsGo pawdcast!

 And if you really like this episode, please leave us a nice rating and comment on your platform of choice!