Confused about which crate is right for your dog? With so many sizes, styles, and price points, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and to end up wasting time and money on the wrong crate for your dog. The right crate isn’t just about convenience. It’s about safety, comfort, and setting your dog up for success.

In this episode, I'm chatting with Ruth Hegarty, dog training and dog behavior expert from Creature Good Dog Training. Together, we share real pet parenting advice to help you confidently choose the best crate for your dog’s size, age, and behavior needs, without overspending or second-guessing your choice.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
• The simple sizing rule to make sure your crate actually fits your dog
• The pros and cons of wire, plastic, and furniture-style crates
• Pet cost hacks and budget-friendly tips to find the right crate to achieve your dog training goals without wasting money

Because the right setup doesn’t just make life easier for you, it creates a calmer, safer space for your dog and helps prevent future pet parenting struggles.

If you’re ready for expert pet advice that saves you money, builds your confidence, and keeps your pet happy, this episode is your guide.

CONTACT RUTH: https://www.creaturegooddogtraining.com/

OTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:  Some of the links below may be affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and it helps keep the show AD FREE.

Impact Dog Crates: 25% off when you use this link

Budget friendly and great quality bed/pad options:

Majestic Pet Products

Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here.

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Practical pet advice for busy pet parents.

Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it.

Listen & Follow: 🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify

Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals.

No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets.

Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out.

Contact: [email protected]
©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

Understanding cat litter box issues is one of the top problems cat owners face. 

You think your litter box setup is fine, yet your cat is still peeing on the bath mat or worse, on your bed!  

In this episode, I share expert pet advice and reveal the six “everybody knows” rules cat parents accidentally break and how small, practical changes in cat care can stop cat anxiety and outside-the-box accidents for good.

You’ll learn why health issues always come first, what “clean” really means to a cat, how litter box size and placement impact success, and when the litter itself might be the problem.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:
• The health-first rule  and why medical causes should always be ruled out first
• The cleaning, size, and placement tweaks most cat parents miss
• How to choose litter your cat will actually use, and when it’s time to add another box

These real pet parenting insights will help you manage pet behavior, reduce cat anxiety, minimize your pet parenting struggles, and apply simple hacks that keep your cat happy without breaking your budget.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Get your FREE guide,  25 Litter Box Tips to Keep Your Cat Happily Using Their Litter Box . This tip sheet also includes bonus tips for understanding cat litter box issues and keeping cats going in their litter boxes and not on your bed (or rugs, or laundry...).

Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here.

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Practical pet advice for busy pet parents.

Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it.

Listen & Follow: 🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify

Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals.

No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets.

Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out.

Contact: [email protected]
©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

Thinking about getting a puppy or kitten for your preschooler? It might look adorable on social media, but in real life it’s often a recipe for stress, safety risks, and heartbreak.

Well-meaning parents often believe getting a pet will teach their child responsibility or help them “grow up together and bond better,” but in rescue we’ve seen those myths lead to injured pets, injured kids, heartbreaking surrenders, and even euthanasia. 

The truth is, kids under 5 face the highest dog-bite risk, pets are easily hurt by rough handling, and family pet safety is at stake when the timing isn’t right. That’s why many rescues, including mine, don’t adopt out to families with very young children. Today I’m sharing the five big reasons why waiting is the better choice and why the "best age to get a pet for kids" is a bigger decision than most parents think.

This episode dives into real pet parenting challenges, and gives you expert pet advice you won’t find in social media myths. From managing pet behavior with young kids, to the long-term pet parenting struggles families face when timing is off, I’ll help you see the bigger picture. You’ll also hear pet advice on safer, positive ways to nurture your child’s love of animals until the time is right.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:
• Why kids under 5 simply can’t manage the responsibility of pet care, no matter how “responsible” they seem
• How young children unintentionally put themselves and pets at risk, and what every parent should know about dog bite risk
• The developmental mismatch that makes “growing up together” with a puppy or kitten a dangerous myth
• How one negative early experience can shape a child or pet for life
• Safer, positive ways to nurture your child’s love of animals until the time is right—and how to decide the best age to get a pet for kids

If you’ve ever thought about getting a pet for your young child, or know someone who is, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss. It’s all about real pet parenting solutions—the kind of expert pet advice that keeps families and pets safe.

Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here.

Support the show

Practical pet advice for busy pet parents.

Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it.

Listen & Follow: 🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify

Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals.

No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets.

Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out.

Contact: [email protected]
©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

Is crating your dog cruel, or could it actually be one of the kindest things you do for them? Many pet parents picture their pup feeling trapped or lonely, so they avoid crates altogether. But when used the right way, a crate can become your dog’s safe space — and one of the most useful tools in your pet parenting toolbox.

In this episode, I break down 5 major benefits of crating your dog. You’ll hear why it’s about more than house training, and how the right approach can bring calm, comfort, and safety to both you and your pup.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• Why crates give dogs a sense of safety and calm
• How they make travel and emergencies easier to manage
• The surprising ways crating benefits both you and your dog’s daily life

Crating your dog should never be about punishment. When introduced responsibly, it creates comfort, structure, and peace of mind for your dog — and makes life easier for you.

LOOKING FOR A GREAT CRATE?
I didn’t mention brands in the episode because I wanted to stay focused on the why behind crating, but one of my personal go-to recommendations is  Impact Dog Crates. They’re definitely an investment, but they’re built to last and designed with safety and security in mind. The model I use is the folding/portable version, and I’ve found it works especially well for dogs who are fearful and need a quiet retreat, as well as for dogs that have managed to injure themselves in other types of crates. (And full disclosure, if you decide to purchase through my link, I do receive a small commission.) 

Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here.

Support the show

Practical pet advice for busy pet parents.

Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it.

Listen & Follow: 🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify

Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals.

No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets.

Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out.

Contact: [email protected]
©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

Are you at the end of your rope with your dog’s behavior, but not sure if it’s time to hire a professional dog trainer, or worried about picking the wrong one?

You’re not alone. The dog training world can feel like the Wild West. With no regulations, conflicting advice, and plenty of flashy websites, it’s hard to know who’s truly qualified to help. Choosing the wrong dog trainer can waste your money, make your dog’s behavior worse, escalate dog aggression problems, and damage the trust between you and your pet.

That’s why in this episode, I’m joined by Bradley Phifer, professional dog trainer, behavior consultant, and Executive Director of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. With 17 years of experience, Bradley breaks down what really matters when hiring a dog trainer, how to know when it’s time to get help when you've run out of dog training tips of your own, and red flags that should send you running.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• Why waiting until there’s a “big problem” is the wrong time to call a trainer
• The surprising ways a trainer can help you before you even bring a dog home
• How to tell if a trainer is actually qualified and what credentials mean (and don’t mean)
• How to choose the right trainer for your dogs needs, from basic puppy training to dealing with dog aggression
• The red flags that signal outdated or harmful dog training methods
• How to get the most out of your relationship with a dog trainer for the life of your dog

Know someone who just got a new dog or is even thinking about it? Share this episode with them so they can avoid the stress, frustration, and wasted money that comes from hiring the wrong dog trainer.

CONNECT WITH BRADLEY PHIFER: www.bradleyphifer.com

OTHER RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:

https://www.fetchtheanswer.com 

https://www.ccpdt.org

Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here.

Support the show

Practical pet advice for busy pet parents.

Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it.

Listen & Follow: 🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify

Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals.

No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets.

Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out.

Contact: [email protected]
©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

That friendly, purring shelter cat you fell in love with can sometimes turn into a ghost or even a hissy ball of nerves the moment you get them home. It’s not rejection. It’s survival mode. And how you handle those first few days sets the tone for your entire relationship. Even if you don't have a cat, many aspects of these steps toward acclimating a new pet to your home would apply to dogs, birds, and other species of pets to reduce stress and make their transition easier on them. 

In this episode, I share my CATS Method, a four-step approach for new cat care you can put in place before your new cat ever walks through the door. These steps create safety, reduce stress, and lay the foundation for a bond built on trust. 

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:

•  How to set up a safe zone that makes your cat feel secure
•  Simple adjustments to your cat care routine that help your home feel familiar, not frightening
•  Why trusting your cat’s timeline builds stronger, lasting trust
•  The best way to support your cat without overwhelming them
•  Give your new cat the right start, and you’ll gain not just a pet, but a confident, affectionate companion who feels at home with you for years to come.

GET THE CATS METHOD DOWNLOAD AND HAVE A STRESS-FREE TRANSITION WHEN BRINGING YOUR NEW CAT HOME: petparenthotline.com/bringinghomekitty 

Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here.

Support the show

Practical pet advice for busy pet parents.

Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it.

Listen & Follow: 🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify

Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals.

No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets.

Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out.

Contact: [email protected]
©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

Do you feel like no matter how much you clean, your home still smells like pets and looks like a fur factory? You’re not alone.

In this episode, I’m joined by Tracy Fosterling, pet foster mom and social media favorite, to talk about simple, realistic cleaning habits that actually work when you live with pets. We cover the routines that help with fur, mess, and pet odor, plus why pet odor removal is not just about spraying something and hoping for the best. If you are tired of feeling like your house is always one accident, smell, or tumbleweed of hair away from chaos, this conversation will help.

Forget the overwhelming deep-clean weekends and the guilt over what your home “should” look like. This episode is all about practical habits, smarter product choices, and realistic ways to stay ahead of pet odor and mess before they take over your home.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
 • How to stop pet odor before it builds up, instead of just masking it
 • The daily cleaning habits that make pet odor removal and fur control easier
 • Smart product swaps that save time, money, and your sanity

If you have been drowning in pet mess, struggling with pet odor, or feeling like pet odor removal is a never-ending battle, this episode will help you create a cleaner, calmer home you and your pets can actually enjoy.

FOLLOW TRACY OR REACH OUT: 

On Insta: https://www.instagram.com/tfo300/

On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tracyfosterling

Get your two FREE Guides mentioned in the episode: The Pet Parent Cleaning Schedule & 101 Cleaning Hacks: petparenthotline.com/cleanup

Products mentioned in this show: Germ Guardian Air Purifier, KOE- Kennel Odor Eliminator, Black and Decker Dustbuster. 

Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here.

Support the show

Practical pet advice for busy pet parents.

Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it.

Listen & Follow: 🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify

Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals.

No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets.

Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out.

Contact: [email protected]
©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

Are you tired of feeling like you need a second job just to buy pet food? And do the “pet food savings” ideas you’ve tried so far leave you feeling guilty, like you’re short-changing your pet’s nutrition?

You’re not alone. With vet costs rising and everyday expenses adding up, budgeting for pets is getting harder than ever. If you’ve ever stood in the pet food aisle doing mental math and wondering what bill to skip this week, this episode is for you.

In this Pet Cost Hacks episode, I’m sharing six smart, realistic pet savings hacks focused on pet food savings, so you can cut costs without cutting corners on quality. These are the same strategies I’ve used with my own pets, my foster pets, and with adopters who want to feed their pets well without draining their bank account.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
 • How to buy in bulk without wasting money on spoiled food
 • The auto-ship trick that saves money without creating a stockpile disaster
 • What to look for on labels so you stop paying premium prices for cheap fillers
 • How to rotate proteins for savings and better nutrition
 • Simple portion and storage tweaks that stop you from literally throwing money away
 • The safe, healthy human foods that can stretch your pet food budget further than you think

Saving money on pet food doesn’t have to feel like you’re choosing between your budget and your pet’s health. A few pet savings hacks can add up fast, and with the right approach to budgeting for pets, you’ll feel more in control of what you’re spending and what’s going in the bowl.

Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here.

Support the show

Practical pet advice for busy pet parents.

Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it.

Listen & Follow: 🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify

Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals.

No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets.

Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out.

Contact: [email protected]
©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

Does a single vet visit feel like it could wipe out your bank account? You’re not alone, and you’re not doing anything wrong. With vet costs rising, too many pet parents walk in for a quick checkup and walk out with a bill they didn’t expect and don’t know how to prevent.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the real cost of veterinary care and sharing practical pet cost hacks to help with budgeting for pets, preparing for surprise expenses, protecting your budget, and avoiding the financial shock so many pet parents face.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
 • How to budget for unexpected vet bills and avoid the most common budgeting mistakes pet parents make
 • The key questions to ask your vet that can save you real money
 • Smart pet cost hacks that help you stay ahead of rising vet costs without draining your wallet

You shouldn’t have to panic every time your pet needs care. These simple shifts can make budgeting for pets feel more manageable, and help you handle vet visits with less stress and more control.

GET YOUR FREE VET VISIT BUDGETING GUIDE WITH BONUS SAVINGS TIPS! 

Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here.

Support the show

Practical pet advice for busy pet parents.

Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it.

Listen & Follow: 🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify

Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals.

No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets.

Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out.

Contact: [email protected]
©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

Thinking about adding another pet to your family? Before you give in to those puppy-dog eyes or kitten purrs, hit pause. Because while one more pet can be wonderful, it can also turn your home upside down if the timing or reason isn’t right.

In this episode, I’m sharing 4 essential gut checks to help you decide if it’s truly the right time to expand your pack. After adopting out pets to thousands of families and taking in hundreds of owner surrenders, I’ll give you the honest questions no one else asks, but every pet parent needs to answer, before saying yes to another lifelong commitment.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
• Why “what’s one more?” is a dangerous mindset for pet parents
• How to tell if your current home environment is stable enough for another pet
• The real cost, time, money, and energy of adding to your furry family
• The one reason you should never adopt, no matter how cute that face is

If you’ve ever wondered if you’re truly ready for “just one more,” this episode is your gut-check. Listen before you say yes, you and your pets will thank you.

Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here.

Support the show

Practical pet advice for busy pet parents.

Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it.

Listen & Follow: 🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify

Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals.

No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets.

Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out.

Contact: [email protected]
©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro