Pawdoption Guide Podcast

Following a run-in with an off-leash dog I find myself observing trending behaviours from today’s dog owners and thinking about the ways in which we can do better.

Listen to this episode to hear some of the ways we’re not holding up our end of the bargain in dog ownership and the solutions that could change your bond with your dog, for the better.

Hear me talk about the importance of training fundamentals such as recall, place command and attentive leash walking as well as proper socialization, being a flexible dog owner and using resources at our disposal to find and care for a dog that is well-suited to the individual.

If you’re struggling with what type of dog to adopt, dog walking or even puppy raising, check out this link for some FREE helpful tools! www.pawdoptionguide.com/helpfultools

For this episode, I dip into my blog archives to bring you an integration topic that is applicable to rescue dog owners whether you’ve had your dog for a few days, months or years. 

We’re going to discuss a very common complaint dog owners have and that is EXCESSIVE BARKING. This is not just a rescue dog problem, it is relevant to all dogs and truly the biggest factor in whether the behaviour is exacerbated or addressed is YOU, the dog owner.

Most owners can identify something that triggers their dog to start barking excessively and if you can I don’t want you to be ashamed. Barking has always been one of the hardest behaviours to address in dogs. It takes consistency but you can certainly turn things around if you employ the right tactics.

To figure out the right tactics to use we must first figure out why your dog is barking.

Ask yourself this question while I identify all the reasons why your dog could be barking and what the appropriate responses are in this episode of the Pawdoption Guide Podcast.

If you’re experiencing excessive barking because your dog has separation anxiety read my blog on reducing stress for your pet, find the link in the show notes.

https://www.pawdoptionguide.com/blog1/6stressrelievingtipsforyourdog/howtoavoidseparationanxiety

Now that you’ve addressed your dog’s barking behaviour it might be time to make sure their leash skills are up to snuff with my FREE Mini Course: Tools, Aids & Techniques to Walk Your Dog with Confidence. Grab it today via the link in the show notes or on my website at

https://www.pawdoptionguide.com/walkyourdogwithconfidenceminicourse

I was chatting with one of my best friends the other day and she mentioned that her husband and her had done some dog-sitting recently and that had her partner itching to adopt a dog. I was stoked to hear this and immediately started telling her why it’s a great time to get a rescue dog so I thought I should probably fill the rest of you in on it too!

Now this episode might not age well because we’re talking about the here and now but I don’t want listeners to miss out. Today I’m talking to the listeners who have been contemplating getting a dog, maybe just mulling it over still or those listeners who have tried and not yet succeeded. I’m telling you that now might just be the perfect time for you to get the rescue dog of your dreams!

So, why is it a great time to adopt a dog?

MORE INVENTORY

LESS COMPETITION

IT’S ALMOST SUMMER

Make sure to listen to the entire podcast episode to hear me expand on these reasons.

And don’t forget that, no matter what, your dog adoption application needs to shine!

if you want to hit a home run with dog that has caught your eye, grab my Dog Adoption Application Survival Kit at www.pawdoptionguide.com/applicationsurvivalkit

If you’re listening to today’s episode, you might just be the owner of a reactive dog. Maybe you are way in over your head with your dog, maybe you knew exactly what you were getting into - just like me, or maybe you know a reactive dog and this just piqued your interest.

What does the term “reactive dog” really mean?

Well I polled my Instagram followers to find out what the term “reactive dog” means to them and this is what they had to say:

“Aggressive”

“A dog that reacts (lunges, whines, barks etc.) to certain environmental triggers”

“A dog that is aggressive when certain stimulus is in their environment”

“A dog that reacts to anything more than necessary for any reason”

“Many assume dog reactivity is negative or aggressive but it could just be a new environment, to me it means a dog that reacts more than docility - it doesn’t have to be aggressive”

You guys weren’t way off, aggression and reactivity ARE different things. 

There’s a few factors that can cause your dog to overreact to something in their environment:

FEAR

FRUSTRATION

PAST EXPERIENCE

GENETICS

Be sure to listen to the entirety of the episode to find out what influenced my rescue dog Rory’s reactivity. I’ll share how I went from merely managing my reactive dog to thriving with her using the four approaches below.

Advocating for your reactive dog

Managing your reactive dog’s environment

Counter-conditioning

Consistently pivoting 

If your dog has leash reactivity, find out the exact steps I took to go from embarrassed to confident with my reactive dog via my FREE Tools, Aids & Techniques to Walk Your Dog with Confidence Video Course in the show notes or find it at www.pawdoptionguide.com/walkyourdogwithconfidenceminicourse

Many people are determined to buy purebred dogs or puppies out of fear that they will otherwise take on a dog that has health issues.

Trust me, I get the fear of having to fork out a lot of money after just investing in getting a new dog. However, I can tell you that with my experience in a vet clinic, it is a lot more common for puppy owners to be requiring extra vet care rather than the newly rescued dogs. We often didn’t see rescue dogs for months or up to a year after they had been adopted because they had been recently and thoroughly vetted.

Nonetheless, I want to help make sure this isn’t a barrier in you getting a rescue dog.

I certainly had a leg up by being an RVT when adopting my dogs, I did a physical exam of both of my dogs during their meet and greet, prior to adopting them. But you don’t need to be an RVT or a vet to assess your dog for some of the most important health concerns and health indicators. You just have to prioritize looking in the right places and asking the right questions before you confirm your dog’s adoption. 

You might be able to start assessing some of these in the dog’s profile photos but the final word will come from the rescue’s medical records and your in-person visit with the dog at your meet and greet.

Listen to the full episode to hear my 4 Top Health Concerns to Assess Before Adopting a Dog.

It’s up to you whether your dog fails or passes your assessment. None of these health concerns need to be a reason to not adopt the dog but, as always, the more informed you are the more likely you will be set up for dog adoption success and be ready to tackle any concerns.

Remember that pet insurance only goes so far. If the dog you are interested in has been assessed by a vet who has noted any concerns, these things will not be covered by pet insurance as they will be considered pre-existing conditions.

If you’d like to be more prepared in your dog adoption journey, check out my Dog Adoption Application Survival Kit at www.pawdoptionguide.com/applicationsurvivalkit

This week’s episode was inspired by the many dog owners in my neighbourhood who have recently gotten small dogs.

While watching them go on walks or hang out in their front yards, I’m reminded of the term “Napoleon Syndrome.” It basically refers to the idea of a small statured guy who overcompensates for his size with an incredible hunger for power, control and conquering everything in sight.

Small Dog Syndrome is based loosely on this premise. Many small dogs can be quite unruly, aggressive, territorial and quickly secure leadership of the household. This is not something your dog is born with, it’s something we as owners or past owners have taught our dogs.

Three of the biggest mistakes I see small dog owners making are:

1. Babying or Humanizing their Dog

A small dog allows you to easily pick the dog up and carry it with you everywhere. This often leads to no clear separation between owner and dog because of this you may see that your dog deals with separation anxiety, territorial behaviour or is often stubborn.

2. Lack of Obedience Training

Many dog owners start out with good intentions for teaching their dog basic obedience but when it comes to being consistent small dog owners are a lot more likely to drop the ball. Why is this? Because teaching your large breed dog to walk well on leash is a necessity or you may be in danger whereas a small dog that is unruly on leash is always physically manageable despite their behaviour. The same goes for a small dog vs. a big dog jumping up on people. It’s unacceptable to be greeted by a large dog jumping on you but a little doing the same is easily shrugged off because it does not have the same impact and social expectation.

3. Not Setting Boundaries

Through babying and humanizing our little dogs we spoil them with all the freedoms of the household. This leads to a lack of leadership and encourages your dog to pick up that role.

Allowing your pet on furniture at all times will likely lead to excessive or nuisance barking if you have a little dog that thinks they rule the roost. Even something as simple as regularly sharing your human snack with your dog on your lap can alter the dynamic between the two of you.

All three of these mistakes feed into one another and help to create a small dog with a big attitude.

So, how can we curb these behaviours?

Treat your dog like a dog, stop carrying them around everywhere and use a leash to guide them to the right behaviour

Go back to the basics and require manners from them; on leash, when they greet people, in the house, in the car - everywhere

Limit their freedoms, regain control by being in control of their toys, food and furniture. Adjust what they can have and when. Try switching their free meals to training sessions so that they can work on important behaviours with great motivation. Remove their ability to be on furniture and eventually work up to allowing it with invite-only.

Grab my FREE Walk Your Dog with Confidence Mini Course if you’ve struggled with walking your dog on leash and you’d like to turn that around today!

www.pawdoptionguide.com/walkyourdogwithconfidenceminicourse

Because of the work I do to help people adopt dogs from dog rescues and shelters across Ontario, I occasionally get feedback from people regarding their personal experiences with dog adoption. In the past year, I have had 6 people share strange and abnormal adoption experiences with me and 5 out of 6 of these experiences have been with the same Toronto-based, GTA dog rescue that I will not name for legal purposes, but think you’ll be able to figure out by the time you’re done this episode or reading the comments on social media.

The term scam is defined as a deceptive act or operation. This term covers more than just the people on Petfinder posing as dog rescues that are taking your money before you even see a dog. It also applies to the RARE dog rescue or shelter that is misleading adopters by failing to provide support, care and information that is necessary for the health and safety of everyone involved in the dog adoption process.

The five experiences that were shared with me fit the description of a deceptive operation. So today I’m going to, anonymously, share some of these experiences as these people have either received threats to not speak about this dog rescue or are fearful because this rescue organization is known for trying to hush whistleblowers. So, listen along as we point out the red flags present in these experiences, as well as some additional red flags I recommend you watch out for in order to avoid disreputable dog rescues while searching for a rescue dog.

Please note that 1 red flag does not a scam make but three or more is a sign that you would be best to look elsewhere!

MORE DOG RESCUE RED FLAGS

Dog not spayed/neutered or up-to-date (UTD) on vaccines

Dog is currently out of country and brought in after adoption is confirmed

Not getting to meet the dog before confirming adoption

Adoption profile is short and doesn’t mention any concerns or negative traits; things you will need to work on

Minimal adoption process

Require full payment or down payment before meeting dog or even requiring an application fee

For a complete list of dog rescue red flags to watch for, get my Is this a Scam? Checklist HERE.

www.pawdoptionguide.com/isthisadogrescuescam

Other than the lack of care for the dogs involved in some of these cases, the absolute worst thing about these scams is that they deceive people who are trying to do good; often FIRST TIME DOG ADOPTERS or volunteers and fosters that are desperately needed.

Please know that there are MANY great rescues out there saving dogs and rehoming them for the right reasons, the least of which is to make a profit or receive notoriety for having massive intakes.

Take note when large groups of people have negative experiences with an organization, especially when those experiences are in each aspect of it; working, volunteering and adopting.

The rescue organization we spoke of today is not calculating the collateral damage that is incurred when you bring 100 dogs from Texas across the border with a lack of volunteers, fosters and finances in which to care for them. This organization is lacking in any REDEEMING qualities.

If you’re interested in learning more about dog rescue scams I recommend you check out the links below.

Affiliated links

Listen to PG Podcast episode #6, How to Use Petfinder and Avoid Petfinder Scams

https://www.pawdoptionguide.com/pawdoptionguidepodcast/how-to-use-petfinder-and-avoid-petfinder-scams

Unaffiliated Links:

Redemption Flaws

https://redemptionflaws.wordpress.com/2022/03/02/toronto-star-publish-two-investigative-pieces-exposing-redemption-paws/

Toronto Star Article About a Rescue Dog Scam by Jennifer Yang https://www.thestar.com/news/investigations/2022/03/02/this-is-not-right-behind-the-bitter-fight-for-one-of-torontos-most-high-profile-rescue-dogs.html

Instagram Account Sharing Dog Rescue Scam Info https://www.instagram.com/redemption_flaws/

In this episode I’m talking to New Zealand-based vet Dr. Alex Avery, host of the Call the Vet video podcast and founder of the popular YouTube channel Our Pet’s Health. Listen as we explore his experience with rescue dogs in the vet clinic as well as his thoughts on: purebred vs. rescue dogs, biggest rescue dog health concerns to watch out for, precautions dog adopters should take when searching for their family dog, what the tell-tale signs are of a puppy mill/puppy mill broker or reputable breeder and the financial plans you should make when adopting a dog.

As mentioned in this episode, all dogs need their owners to advocate for them based on their body language and environment, this especially applies to interactions with children. Learn how to be an advocate and provide a safe, happy household for the whole family here:

https://www.pawdoptionguide.com/petfriendlykidscourse

To find out more about Dr. Alex Avery you can listen to his podcast Call the Vet or check out his website and YouTube channel where he steers pet owners in the right direction with science-based information.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/OurPetsHealth/playlists

Website:

https://ourpetshealth.com/

Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/call-the-vet-with-dr-alex-avery/id1453488017?uo=4

The other day I celebrated 3 years of my dog adoption business, Pawdoption Guide. I’m happy to see how far I’ve come in this business and this very podcast is one of my favourite things I’ve created to date. I really appreciate you being here, week after week!

Over these past 3 years I have talked with and helped a lot of dog adopters and without fail I find that there’s one part of the dog adoption process that always trips people up and that is the dog adoption application.

Why does the dog adoption application do this to people?

One, they don’t expect this to be the very beginning of the process, they expect to get some feedback on the dog or more information before putting in this effort. Many people viewing dog adoption profiles aren’t necessarily sure about the dog at this point so it can be jarring to think of expending much time or effort to just find out a bit more information.

Two, they are overwhelmed by the difficulty of the application itself. Dog adoption application questions can be hard to answer, they can be lengthy and preparation is likely required.

Lastly, most people don’t enjoy interviews and the dog adoption application can sometimes feel like an interview on paper. Most people are shocked at some of the more complex questions on the application and suddenly feel frustrated and offended by the barrier the application can be to dog adoption. It feels a bit like a test and so I do find it brings out a lot of insecurities in adopters and it’s very easy to just give up at this point and say “Hey, I don’t need this, I’ll just go get a dog from that farm, the next town over.”

How you can overcome this hurdle in the dog adoption process:

Use social media to your advantage

Prepare for the applications before you start: get your references and vet info ready, make sure your pets are up to date on vaccines and annuals (this matters!) and use my Are You Ready to Get a Dog Freebie or get my Application Survival Kit to give you the full picture of how to make your application excel.

Try to embrace this part of the process: prepare so you can get good at it, don’t be afraid to apply to more than one dog at a time, save your answers to your application on a Google Doc or even screenshot your answers so that you can reuse responses for future applications with the same questions.

Submit general applications by finding dog rescues within your search radius that take general applications. This process often allows you to apply once and if approved, the dog rescue wwill keep you on file or will take you on as an approved adopter and give you first dibs for compatible dogs.

Lastly, get all the help you could need within the Pawdoption Guide Membership Experience, Not only do you get the Application Survival Kit (for half the price I might add) but you also get my Southern Ontario Dog Rescue Spreadsheet which will help you immensely in finding a compatible rescue dog. On top of this there’s opportunities to ask questions during biweekly Q&A calls and within the private community along with a host of other great dog adoption and integration resources.

LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:

Simple prep for the dog adoption application: Are You Ready to Get a Dog Checklist Freebie

www.pawdoptionguide.com/areyoureadytogetadogchecklist

Your tool to conquer applications and stand out amongst the crowd: Application Survival Kit

www.pawdoptionguide.com/applicationsurvivalkit

Get assistance with all things dog adoption (start to finish - including puppy training and integration training) here: Pawdoption Guide Membership Experience

www.pawdoptionguide.com/pgme

If you have followed me for much time you’ll know that I believe there’s an art to finding the best rescue dog for you. Sure, sometimes things just fall into your lap but otherwise, it takes some straight-up dedication to find your perfect match. 

I’ve found that a lot of people who will say they are looking for a rescue dog are really just searching casually on Facebook and Instagram while occasionally checking Petfinder. 

To me, this is the best way to get frustrated and prolong your search. In this episode I’m going to shine some light on why this approach is not setting you up for success and a few ways I am going to encourage you to search like it’s your job and to me that means frequently, consistently and thoroughly.

FYI: This is not about working harder, it’s about working smarter. Let’s capitalize on the effort you’re putting into finding a compatible rescue dog.

3 reasons why social media could be cramping your rescue dog search:

The Algorithm: Social media has an algorithm that determines what you get to see. If you are seeing a particular post it likely means that this post is quite popular and has a lot of engagement. The likes, share and comments are a good indication of this. So when you see an available rescue dog show up on your feed it’s likely that that dog has received a decent amount of interest and if you choose to apply you will likely be applying for a dog that is going to get A LOT of applications. Now, don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t mean it’s not worth applying it just means you are entering a much bigger pot so there will be a good likelihood that someone else will outshine you in the application process.

The Timing: Often, but not always, available dog profiles are first put up on the dog rescue’s website or their Petfinder profile. Because there have been large numbers of applicants for dogs, many rescues will cut-off applications at some point in order to spare themselves an impossible task. This means it’s helpful to find the profile first on their website or Petfinder because if the profile is there you can almost always apply, whereas by the time you see that profile on social media you are more likely to go to where you need to apply and find that they are no longer taking applications. I’m sure you’ve seen those social media posts from rescues where they post a dog but say they’ve already received sufficient applications or are “no longer accepting applications.” You can avoid this by going right to the source.

The Discouragement: Not unlike a lot of things on social media, if you perform your search and constantly see dogs that are not filtered or are highly sought after you are likely to deal with a lot of mental dialogue. For instance, you may be seeing a lot of dogs that don’t meet your needs or you may get a bit invested from seeing their picture before you really know much about whether this dog is suitable for you, all because there’s no way to filter on social media (unlike Petfinder). On the other hand, if you are seeing popular dog rescue posts and do get excited and are thinking about applying you often see the number of post likes, shares or comments and immediately think “Well, why bother - there’s hundreds of comments and there’s no way I’ll get the dog!” This ability to see others’ interest just allows you to cast doubt on your ability to adopt the dog. It truly NEVER hurts to try if the dog’s profile is compatible with you - no matter how many people have seen the post but many people will be influenced by the overwhelming response these posts get and will discount it altogether. All of this creates a sense of impatience because you are bombarded with pictures of available dogs that don’t suit you or seem unreachable. Impatience is your biggest enemy in your search for a great rescue dog. 

That is why I suggest you keep your social media search casual for adoptable dogs. Put the time and effort in elsewhere while allowing the Facebook and Instagram rescue dogs to slip into your feed. Listen to the full episode to get some tips on bettering your rescue dog search or join the Pawdoption Guide Membership Experience to get assistance during the entire search, application, adoption and integration process - stop struggling and start thriving with your rescue dog.

www. pawdoptionguide.com/pgme