The Perfect Pup

Obesity in dogs is one of the most common causes of health problems and earlier deaths in our pups. 

In this episode, we sat down with Dr. Sylvalyn Simpson DVM to discuss the challenges our dogs face when they become overweight.

We also answer questions like... ⤵️

How do I know if my dog is overweight?

How do I help my dog lose weight?

Can obesity hurt my dog?

How many dogs are obese nationwide?

And so many more!

Connect With Dr. Sylvalyn Simpson

Dr. Sylvalyn Simpson is a veterinarian, aka Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, and strives to provide the highest quality of medicine and care to her patients and their humans. She believes in a fear-free approach and in practicing evidence-based medicine.

Dr. Simpson received her undergraduate degree in Veterinary Sciences from the University of Arizona and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

She also puts out daily vet tips on her Instagram @thehonestvet.

Connect with Dr. Simpson on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/thehonestvet/

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Download the free Pupford app here: https://pfrd.site/4app-free

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Check out all podcast episodes here: anchor.fm/perfect-pup

Intro music cred to Kevin May: https://soundcloud.com/kevin_may

BLACK FRIDAY DEALS HERE: https://pfrd.site/best-deals

Here is a very quick overview of Thanksgiving foods your dog can and can't eat.... and remember when in doubt do NOT give it to your dog!

Quick Principles

Thanksgiving Foods Your Dog Can Eat

Thanksgiving Foods Your Dog CANNOT Eat

Also, here is the phone number for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center number: 888-246-4435

And check out this fun recipe made specifically for your pup (from The Bark)

Ingredients:

3lb cooked turkey, skin and bones removed

1 cup cooked oatmeal

1lb cooked sweet potatoes

2tbs cranberry sauce (this is safe for dogs in small amounts, as long as it doesn’t contain any sweeteners. You can opt for chopped apples for a safer choice)

Mix all ingredients together and heat in the oven! 

This recipe is simple and packed with protein, fiber, and nutrients! Your dog will certainly be thankful for that. 

Please review and subscribe!! Thanks for listening 🐾

Download the free Pupford app here: https://pfrd.site/appclass

Subscribe on YouTube here: https://pfrd.site/subscribe-youtube

Check out all podcast episodes here: anchor.fm/perfect-pup

Intro music cred to Kevin May: https://soundcloud.com/kevin_may

A lot of people wonder if positive reinforcement training actually works...

And many of those people also wonder if they can get away with just some punishment-based methods (looking at you e-collars).

In this episode, we sat down with Holly to help clarify just how effective positive reinforcement can be when training your dog.

AND we talk about some of the seriously frightening things that can happen to your dog if you choose to use punishment and fear-based methods...

Tune in!

Connect With Holly Ovington

Holly has been passionate about dogs from the get-go! Holly was part of 4-H dog clubs from a young age, learning to train and show her own dogs.

Holly is certified with the Karen Pryor Academy, a Fear-Free Certified Trainer, an Instructor for Dog Biz Dog Walking Academy, and Walks N' Wags First Aid Certified and runs Positive Paws Training in the Vancouver area.

Holly's next goal is to complete a certification in separation anxiety. 

Connect with Holly via her website here: https://positivepaws.ca/

Connect with Holly on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/positivepawstraining/

Please review and subscribe!! Thanks for listening 🐾

Download the free Pupford app here: https://pfrd.site/appnow-download

Subscribe on YouTube here: https://pfrd.site/subscribe-youtube

Check out all podcast episodes here: anchor.fm/perfect-pup

Intro music cred to Kevin May: https://soundcloud.com/kevin_may

Sometimes we watch our dogs do certain things and are left wondering... why in the world is he doing that?!

The best part is, as we strive to better understand why our dogs do certain things we can better understand how to stop those unwanted behaviors.

Although you don't need a degree in dog psychology, taking steps to think about the why will help you improve your dog's behavior.

In this episode with Nick Franco, we talk about why our dogs act the way that they do. Plus, we discuss some real-life examples of how understanding the 'why' can help us improve that specific behavior!

Connect With Nick Franco

In Nick’s words, he is an animal addict on a journey to learn everything he can about pet behavior, nutrition, and products so that he can spread the word and improve the lives of as many pets as he possibly can.

Connect with Nick via his website here: https://www.hypawthesis.com/

Connect with Nick on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/hypawthesis/

Please review and subscribe!! Thanks for listening 🐾

Download the free Pupford app here: https://pfrd.site/appdownload-now

Subscribe on YouTube here: https://pfrd.site/subscribe-youtube

Check out all podcast episodes here: anchor.fm/perfect-pup

Intro music cred to Kevin May: https://soundcloud.com/kevin_may

When bad weather hits, it can make exercising your dog really challenging!

If your normal exercise routine involves long walks, trips to the park, or fetch, that can all go out the window during bad weather. Some things just aren't really possible during bad weather!

In this episode, we sat down with Trevor Smith, CPDT-KA & Certified Canine Fitness Trainer, to discuss creative and effective ways to exercise your dog during bad weather.

Connect With Trevor Smith

Trevor is a CPDT-KA trainer who continually attends seminars and conferences to improve his knowledge of dog training, and all things dogs.

He is a strong advocate for pain and force-free methods and believes that we should all personally feel good about the methods we use to train our dogs.

When not training dogs, Trevor and his wife (a veterinarian) enjoy fun outdoor activities like scuba diving and zip-lining, taking their dogs on hikes, and playing video games.

Trevor is also a Certified Canine Fitness Trainer from the University of Tennessee.

Connect with Trevor via his website here: https://www.thedoggiedojo.com/

Connect with Trevor on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/doggiedojo/

Connect with Trevor on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/thedoggiedojo/

Connect with Trevor on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/user/thedoggiedojo

Check out Trevor's podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-with-your-dog/id1493425125

Please review and subscribe!! Thanks for listening 🐾

Download the free Pupford app here: https://pfrd.site/dogappfree

Subscribe on YouTube here: https://pfrd.site/subscribe-youtube

Check out all podcast episodes here: anchor.fm/perfect-pup

Intro music cred to Kevin May: https://soundcloud.com/kevin_may

Halloween is right around the corner... is your pup ready? 🎃 

With these 3 tips, you'll be prepped for Halloween! (You already bought your pup a costume, right?)

TIP #1- Prepare your home. If you need to keep your dog behind a baby gate, or in another room... then do it! If your dog can't handle an open door with children asking for treats, then don't give them access!

Additionally, you can use a white noise machine. And remember, close your blinds and windows. It's the little things that can help you set your dog up for success :)

TIP #2- Work on a strong leave it. Hopefully, you've already started this behavior. If so, take it to the next level by ensuring your dog can 'leave' items dropped on the ground. Come Halloween, it may happen that a piece of chocolate falls on the floor... 

If you practice leave it, your dog will be able to leave that treat alone until you pick it up!

TIP #3- Teach the 'place/settle' behavior. First off, this behavior takes LOTS of practice, effort, and time. So, if you are starting from step 1 with this behavior, understand that you may not be where you'd hope for by Halloween (this episode launched 11 days before Halloween 2020). 

BUT, you can still lay a strong foundation!

Check out 21 Impulse Control Games here for a deep explanation of teaching place!

Please leave a review and subscribe!! Thanks for listening 🐾

Download the free Pupford app here: https://pfrd.site/pup-app

Subscribe on YouTube here: https://pfrd.site/subscribe-youtube

Check out all podcast episodes here: anchor.fm/perfect-pup

Intro music cred to Kevin May: https://soundcloud.com/kevin_may

Building trust with your dog takes time, patience, and of course, a level of understanding on your end as the human! 

 If you want the trust between you and your dog to improve, do things that allow them to trust you! 

That includes things like using positive reinforcement methods and not using inhumane methods, spending time with your dog doing things they enjoy, and being consistent with how you treat them and what you expect of them.

Connect With Nicole Ellis

Nicole is a certified professional dog trainer and pet lifestyle expert, seen on Amazon’s The Pack. She focuses on helping you build a lasting relationship with your dog through training.

Her dogs (and horse) join on all her favorite adventures.

Be sure to check out her book, Working Like a Dog here!

Connect with Nicole on Instagram here.

Connect with Nicole on Facebook here.

Connect with Nicole on her website here.

Please leave a review and subscribe!! Thanks for listening 🐾

Download the free Pupford app here: https://pfrd.site/appfree-now

Subscribe on YouTube here: https://pfrd.site/subscribe-youtube

Check out all podcast episodes here: anchor.fm/perfect-pup

Intro music cred to Kevin May: https://soundcloud.com/kevin_may

Have you ever wondered what happens if you DON'T groom your dog? We interviewed Quinci Cole (15+ years of dog grooming experience) to help us all better understand what can happen if you neglect your dog's grooming!

And be aware, some of the potential negative side effects can be very harmful to your dog.

Of course, that isn't to say you need your dog groomed every week, but consistency is key.

Connect With Quinci Cole

Quinci Cole has been grooming dogs since 2007 and has won Groomer of the Year twice in her home state of Utah.

She is also a board member of the Utah Professional Pet Groomers Association which strives to raise the grooming standards in Utah (and other partnering states).

Connect with Quinci on Instagram here.

Connect with Quinci on Facebook here.

Check out the video about dog brush types that Quinci made for our YouTube channel here.

Please leave a review and subscribe!! Thanks for listening 🐾

Download the free Pupford app here: https://pfrd.site/dog-trainapp-free

Subscribe on YouTube here: https://pfrd.site/subscribe-youtube

Check out the audio version of the podcast here: anchor.fm/perfect-pup

Intro music cred to Kevin May: https://soundcloud.com/kevin_may

Getting a 2nd dog is no easy decision... there are pros and cons to adding another pup to your home!

Here are 3 fascinating reasons you should get a 2nd dog.

Here are 3 reasons you should NOT get a 2nd dog.

Overall, adding a 2nd dog to your home should be a decision you make very carefully. It can bring about a lot of fun and joy, but also a lot of stress at the same time!

Please leave a review and subscribe!! Thanks for listening 🐾

Download the free Pupford app here: https://pfrd.site/trainyourdog

Subscribe on YouTube here: https://pfrd.site/subscribe-youtube

Check out the audio version of the podcast here: anchor.fm/perfect-pup

Intro music cred to Kevin May: https://soundcloud.com/kevin_may

SMART x 50 is an extremely simple and powerful dog training technique that will help you improve your dog's behavior! SMART x 50 "forces" you as the pup parent to capture and reward naturally occurring good behaviors.

SMART x 50 stands for See, Mark, And, Reward, Training. SMART.

Again, the SMART x 50 method originated from Kathy Sdao. Learn more about her book "Plenty in Life is Free" https://amzn.to/32PQ8k3

Please leave a review and subscribe!! Thanks for listening 🐾

Download the free Pupford app here: https://pfrd.site/dogfree-app

Subscribe on YouTube here: https://pfrd.site/subscribe-youtube

Check out the audio version of the podcast here: anchor.fm/perfect-pup

Intro music cred to Kevin May: https://soundcloud.com/kevin_may