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.

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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!

We’ve all seen the fliers – Lost Dog, Do Not Chase!  As dog owners, it fills us with a sense of personal dread and sadness for those searching for their dog.  So, if your dog is lost, what do you do and more important, what do you NOT do – besides not chasing it.  What’s the best tracking collar for your dog? 

In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen is joined by rescue friends Christine and Elizabeth in a conversation with Jill Barsky, an animal TRAPPER and as far as Karen, Christine and Elizabeth are concerned, a miracle worker. 

Based in Maryland, Jill is the owner and founder of Tailed Treasures an animal welfare organization AND not for profit animal trapping service.  Karen, Christine and Elizabeth met Jill when one of the foster dogs with their rescue escaped four hours after arriving at her foster home. 23 harrowing hours later, Jill successfully trapped the dog.

When not trapping lost animals, Jill is a realtor.  Jill Barsky Real Estate offers services to families with pets and donates to various animal rescue groups in lieu of commissions.

https://www.tailedtreasuresofmd.com/

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This episode of the pawdcast is dedicated to the veterinarians, vet techs and front desk personnel who keep our pets healthy but too often don’t get the recognition (or respect) they deserve.

Jean and Karen chat with Dr. Doug Mader a triple certified veterinary specialist who has been a veterinarian for over 30 years.  Currently based in the Florida Keys, Dr. Mader is a sought-after speaker and the author of three best selling medical textbooks.  But it’s Dr. Mader’s new book, The Vet at Noah’s Ark, and his desire to share his experience with a mainstream audience that’s the subject of this episode.

Set in inner city Los Angles, during 1992 riots, The Vet at Noah’s Ark explores the strong bond between humans and animals and chronicles one year of Dr Mader’s veterinary practice in that city.

Dr. Mader shares stories about that practice and how we as clients can better appreciate the work of veterinarians, vet techs and the wonderful front desk personnel who are often the first to comfort us and our pets.

You can find The Vet at Noah’s Ark online or at your favorite bookstore.  You can learn more about Dr. Mader and his work here -- https://www.dougmader.com/

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Andrew is a beautiful writer and a GREAT storyteller and his new book is a MUST for any dog lover or dog lover on your holiday gift list.

This FUN read is packed with historic photos and historic facts that bring to life different eras of our nation’s history through the pets owned by Presidents and their families.  You may be surprised by how many true animal lovers lived in the White House.  You may NOT be surprised at how many dogs played a role in Presidential careers.

Regardless of your political affiliation, you’ll love this book. Andrew provides an insightful look into how pets have shaped the Presidency and our opinion of the men (and families) who have occupied the White House.

Andrew’s book can be found on Amazon -  https://www.amazon.com/All-American-Dogs-History-Presidential-Every/dp/0063158272   Karen and Jean gave it an enthusiastic PawsUP!

If you enjoy the pawdcast as much as we love doing it, please leave a rating and a comment on your favorite platform and share it with a friend!!In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen and Jean chat with their friend Andrew Hager, author of the book, All American Dogs, a History of Presidential Pets.

If you have a reactive dog, live in an apartment, don’t necessarily care for dog parks, or simply want a new place that’s safe for your dog to run, sniff and explore – we’ve got a GREAT episode for you!   Put this in the category of things we wish we had created.  In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen is joined by her friend Karen Krieg for a conversation with the founder of Sniffspot https://www.sniffspot.com/

It was actually David Adams’ wife that came up with the idea for Sniffspot, an app and website that allows dog owners to rent private property where dogs can play and well, sniff.  Sniffspot also allows property owners to earn some extra cash by renting out their yards.  With sites all over the US and the world, Sniffspot is filling a void and bank accounts of dog lovers.  David and his team focus as much on the experience of the Sniffspot host as they do the Sniffspot guest.

Karen Krieg, this episode’s co-host, is a Sniffspot Top Host, her Acres of Fun spot in Mount Airy, Maryland, has earned not only top marks from 400 guests, but high praise from David.  With 2 acres of fenced in grassy property, water, toys and agility equipment, Karen’s property is great for one dog, or a group of dogs out on a play date - https://www.sniffspot.com/listings/mount-airy-md/acres-of-fun-5113

If you’re enjoying the pawdcast as much as we are, please leave a comment and review.  If you have an idea for an episode for the pawdcast, send us a DM on Instagram @pawsgo.

In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen and Jean chat with Stefanie Strackbein who specializes in canine enrichment.  Enrichment isn’t formal obedience or even organized sports.   Enrichment refers to an easy  activity or game to help dogs reduce stress, exercise their brains, and have a sense of control over their environment.  Examples of these games include tossing kibble on the lawn and inviting your dog to “find it” or folding up kibble or a high value treat in a towel and letting your dog figure out how to unfold the towel to find the treat – SUPER SIMPLE things, but FUN and enriching for your dog!

Stefanie contends that if more dog owners engaged in daily enrichment activities with their dogs, we’d see fewer behavioral issues and fewer dogs in shelters.  Stefanie also believes that simple enrichment exercises that can be done in the home, in the yard or on a walk, will help dogs AND owners be happier!

Stefanie is the founder and owner of the What Dogs Want Academy in Phoenix, AZ https://wdwacademy.dog/   You can follow her daily enrichment suggestions on Instagram @whatdogswant.  She also presented a webinar for Your Dog’s Friend, a not for profit in Rockville, Maryland that supports positive training and programs for dogs and their owners – it’s a tremendous resource https://yourdogsfriend.org/   Stefanie’s webinar can be found here --https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWjdCWm8pXk

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What’s better than a vacation?  A vacation with your DOG!  In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen is joined by her friend Christine (a fellow Aussie owner) with a special interest in dog-friendly vacations. 

According to tripswithpets.com, 78 percent of Americans who have pets, travel with them. Sara Sokol, founder of Dogs Welcome, is working to make it easier for dogs and owners to find welcoming accommodations.

Sara, a dog lover from Bath, Maine, created Dogs Welcome as a Facebook Group to connect travelers with owners of pet friendly vacation rentals, small inns and bed and breakfasts.  Within three months, the response was so positive, Sara is now launching the Dogs Welcome website.  Similar to other vacation rental sites, the filters are more dog/pet focused, for instance does the property have a fenced in yard.  The Dogs Welcome website will allow travelers to book directly with the properties – without additional fees for hosts or travelers.  Sara is also developing a Dogs Welcome Certified Property seal of approval, making it even easier to create your perfect dog-friendly vacation.

The Dogs Welcome Facebook Group and website currently feature properties in the US and Canada.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1043741576357003/  www.dogs-welcome.net

Christine and her husband JUST finished building a vacation rental outside of Luray, Virginia specifically for dogs.  Mountain View Retreat boasts dog friendly furnishings, a dog washing station and soon a fenced in yard.  You can learn more about the property by contacting her at [email protected].

And of course, Sara has a great vacation rental https://www.littlewhitedogproperties.com/ that inspired Dogs Welcome.  When Sara isn’t revolutionizing travel with dogs, she’s a trainer, practicing positive reinforcement techniques.  Mr. Dog Training was recently voted BEST trainer in Maine.  http://mrdogtraining.com/index.html  PawsUP!

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Dog Parks.  If you live in an urban area they are often a lifeline for owners eager to let their dogs run, play, and burn off a little steam. But dog parks also spark vitriol from owners, especially those who have had a dog injured (or attacked) while visiting one.

Not surprising, a successful dog park experience depends as much on the human as it does the dog.  And keep in mind, dog parks aren’t a fit for every dog.

In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen’s friend Elizabeth joins as a co-host, while Jean is traveling.    Elizabeth is a resident of Washington, DC and has learned to navigate her local dog park with her Aussie mix Roxie.  Together, Karen and Elizabeth chat with Sandy Modell about the dos and don’ts of dog parks.  A favorite guest on the pawdcast, Sandy is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) Board of Directors and founder of Wholistic Hound Academy in Alexandria Virginia.   APDT has great resources for owners, including this one on dog parks https://apdt.com/resource-center/dog-parks-good-bad-ugly/

This episode of the PawsGo pawdcast is dedicated to Karen’s sister, Wendy and her newly adopted dog, Dennis.

Late last year, Wendy lost her beloved dog Akira after 14 years together.  Wendy originally found Arkia on Craig’s List, a family was moving and looking to rehome her.  Wendy had never worked with a rescue before and found the process very frustrating.  Dogs that she saw on Facebook or websites never seemed to be available.  Her application was denied by multiple rescues because she didn’t have a fenced in yard.  And Wendy discovered several scams where unscrupulous breeders posed as rescues.

Wendy eventually found 4pawz.org, a Virginia-based rescue that worked with her to find the perfect dog – sweet little Dennis (formerly known as Prince).  Wendy, 4Pawz and Dennis were the perfect fit.

Wendy’s frustrations aren’t unique.  So how can an adopter successfully work with a rescue?  Well, setting expectations and finding the right rescue will make things easier.

To discuss the HOW and WHY of rescues, Karen and Jean are joined by Lindsey Paisley, Executive Director of Beagles and Bentleys Rescue (www.beaglesandbentleys.org ); Sonja Gladwin, Volunteer and Foster Coordinator for Operation Paws for Homes (www.ophrescue.org); and Paula Biancone, Adoption Coordinator for Speak for the Unspoken (www.speakfortheunspoken.com ).