We wanted to close out Season 4 with our second year of reporting our Top 5 most downloaded episodes just in case you wanted to catch-up or re-listen to the episodes that our community loved the most.

Pawsonally, I think that every episode is worth listening to at least once, but not every episode gets to be number 1 … or does it?

In this episode we talk about:

• 02:05 5th most downloaded episode
• 02:55 4th most downloaded episode
• 03:54 3rd most downloaded episode
• 04:50 2nd & 1st most downloaded episodes

WANNA JOIN US FOR YOUR VERY OWN EPISODE? Book your recording session here:

https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/[email protected]/bookings/

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to the PUGCAST so you don’t miss out on the next Episode and leave us a review; it only takes a couple of seconds to give us a 5-star review and it goes a long way to helping other Pug-Pawrents find us.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter at https://bit.ly/thepuglifeshow, so you get advance notice of our next episode and if you've got any questions or want to tell us how much you loved the Episode then let me know over at our Facebook Group - The Pug Life Show PUGCAST (https://bit.ly/PugLifeShowGrumble) where Crazy Pug Pawrents meet to talk all things pug.

In today’s episode were talking with Pet Photographer Tori from TD Pet Studios about the wonderfully wrinkled world of Pet/pug portraits.

From their expressive eyes to their comical charm, pugs are a photographer’s dream — and sometimes, a nightmare.

Whether you're a seasoned pet photographer or just pug-curious, this episode is packed with stories, and surprising insights into what it takes to capture our little cuties on film to be shared with the unsuspecting world of non-pug pawrents whenever we get the chance … or is that just me?

In this episode we talk about:

• 04:25 Tell us a little bit about yourself, your fur-family, and how did you get into Pet Photography
• 11:20 Is photography with children like photography with Pets/Pugs?
• 18:30 What does it take to get a group Pug shot?
• 21:15 Is it easier photographing with or without the pawrent in the room?
• 22:45 What sort of carrot stick do you use to get their attention?
• 24:20 The hand-eye coordination needed to get the right shot
• 26:30 How do you photograph black pugs?
• 28:20 What are the challenges with Pet photography?
• 30:50 Yes, drool shots are great!
• 34:10 How can you find Tori for a photoshoot?

WANT TO LEARN MORE? Reach out to Tori on Instagram @TDPetStudios

WANNA JOIN US FOR YOUR VERY OWN EPISODE? Book your recording session here:

https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/[email protected]/bookings/

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to the PUGCAST so you don’t miss out on the next Episode and leave us a review; it only takes a couple of seconds to give us a 5-star review and it goes a long way to helping other Pug-Pawrents find us.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter at https://bit.ly/thepuglifeshow, so you get advance notice of our next episode and if you've got any questions or want to tell us how much you loved the Episode then let me know over at our Facebook Group - The Pug Life Show PUGCAST (https://bit.ly/PugLifeShowGrumble) where Crazy Pug Pawrents meet to talk all things pug.

Today we’re talking about something every new rescue pug pawrent should be aware of— the Rescue Pug Honeymoon period.

Specifically, what happens when you bring home a rescue pug and they seem unbelievably well behaved or incredibly naughty and you think to yourself, WOW I lucked out or have I made a huge mistake.

Our fur-end Jess from Howling Success Dog Training is back to talk about the emotional rollercoaster of those first few weeks/months, and how to support your new snuggle pug as they settle into their fur-ever home.

In this episode we talk about:

• 03:50 Tell us a little bit about yourself
• 06:25 Let’s talk about the 3:3:3 Rule (guidelines), also known as the Rescue Dog/Pug Honeymoon Period
• 11:20 What’s ‘My Last Dog’ syndrome?
• 12:30 The impawtance of investing time early to help your rescue pug transition
• 15:40 What to do if your honeymoon period is more like a horror story
• 20:10 What is in my ‘New Puggie toolkit’
• 24:00 The impawtance of learning Dog Body Launguage
• 28:30 Creating a safe space for your new Rescue Puggie
• 29:20 Why it’s ok to become upset/overwhelmed in those early days/weeks
• 36:10 Why getting professional behavioural help in the beginning will be your saviour – obedience training isn’t always the answer
• 43:10 The reward of living with a loving rescue pug
• 47:50 How can people find Jess if they need help with their rescue Pug

WANT TO LEARN MORE? Reach out to Jess here:

• Jess Sandstrom – Howling Success Dog Training
  • Website: www.howlingsuccessdogtraining.com/
  • New Rescue Q&A session: www.howlingsuccessdogtraining.com/new-rescue-dog/
  • Instagram: www.instagram.com/howlingsuccessdogtraining/
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/HowlingSuccessDogTraining

WANNA JOIN US FOR YOUR VERY OWN EPISODE? Book your recording session here:

https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/[email protected]/bookings/

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to the PUGCAST so you don’t miss out on the next Episode and leave us a review; it only takes a couple of seconds to give us a 5-star review and it goes a long way to helping other Pug-Pawrents find us.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter at https://bit.ly/thepuglifeshow, so you get advance notice of our next episode and if you've got any questions or want to tell us how much you loved the Episode then let me know over at our Facebook Group - The Pug Life Show PUGCAST (https://bit.ly/PugLifeShowGrumble) where Crazy Pug Pawrents meet to talk all things pug.

Today, we’re diving nose-first into the world of pug nutrition but on a more pawsonal level.

That’s right, Rosie and Kenji have been working with our fur-end Jackie Gowland from Functional Canine to help with Rosie’s reflux that made mealtimes a bit ruff, and Kenji’s sensitive tummy that made toileting a bit of a challenge for him too.

I promised that I get Jackie back on to follow-up on our first conversation with her about pet nutrition and what better way than to share the results of her work with Rosie and Kenji

We’ll chat about what wasn’t working, what finally clicked, and how even small changes to what’s in their bowls made a huge difference to their health and happiness.

In this episode we talk about:

• 05:02 Tell us about yourself and what you do
• 07:40 The process behind developing a nutrition plan – the questionnaire
• 12:16 The process for developing Rosie’s nutrition plan
• 14:10 SIBO: Small Intestine Microbial Overgrowth
• 17:00 The new meal routine and the transition
• 20:15 Treats that were appropriate for Rosie
• 22:30 The Rosie results
• 25:03 Rosie’s next menu options
• 29:30 Kenji’s love of Gluten-free BBQ Shapes
• 31:50 The process for developing Kenji’s nutrition plan
• 35:00 My muck up with Rosie and Kenji’s Gut powder (P.S. I have ordered the correct one for Kenji)
• 36:20 The new meal routine and the transition - Kenji’s fasting routine
• 38:25 The benefits of bone broth and the recipe
• 41:38 The Kenji results
• 42:25 Why Kenji is on a different BARF mince to Rosie
• 45:00 Kenji’s next menu options

46:50 How can you find Jackie to work with her

WANT TO LEARN MORE about Canine Nutrition? Check out all of Jackie’s guidance here:

• Free handout link: https://www.intuitive-healing-hub.com/nutrition/make-your-dogs-food-better-booklet
• Website: https://www.intuitive-healing-hub.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/functionalcanine/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/functionalcanine
• PODCAST: https://open.spotify.com/show/0pHWoct6FS2dy8j8U5yxBh?si=5FZ8m8qvSiGmwrnFjYRanQ&nd=1&dlsi=fc858be9082f429f

WANNA JOIN US FOR YOUR VERY OWN EPISODE? Book your recording session here:

https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/[email protected]/bookings/

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to the PUGCAST so you don’t miss out on the next Episode and leave us a review; it only takes a couple of seconds to give us a 5-star review and it goes a long way to helping other Pug-Pawrents find us.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter at https://bit.ly/thepuglifeshow, so you get advance notice of our next episode and if you've got any questions or want to tell us how much you loved the Episode then let me know over at our Facebook Group - The Pug Life Show PUGCAST (https://bit.ly/PugLifeShowGrumble) where Crazy Pug Pawrents meet to talk all things pug.

Today on The Pug Life Show PUGCAST we’re diving into one of the most important journeys a pawrent can take — finding their fur-ever pug love through a rescue, shelter, or pound. But how do you know when it’s the right fit?

With the help of force-free trainers Jess and Alex, we’ll be sniffing out the red flags to watch for and the green lights that tell you you’re on the right track. From the legal requirements rescues must comply with, to the health history you should have access to, the environment your pug is being cared for in, and even the adoption process you’ll go through before bringing that bundle of snorts home — we’ve got you covered.

If you’re thinking about adopting, or just want to be better informed, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

In this episode we talk about:

• 02:36 Tell us all about yourself and your qualifications
• 04:10 What is the difference between a rescue, a pound and a shelter
• 05:15 What are Red Flags and Greens Lights
• 08:00 What are the Red Flags and Greens Lights for the legal requirements governing rescue organisations
• 10:20 Where can a pawrent research the legal requirements governing rescues
• 12:30 Where can a pawrent report concerns about a rescue organisation
• 14:14 What are the Red Flags and Greens Lights in regard to financials with rescue organisations
• 16:56 Guidance on adoption fees
• 23:30 What are the Red Flags and Greens Lights in regard to access to health records with rescue organisations
• 28:28 What are the Red Flags and Greens Lights in regard to the environment the pug is being housed in with rescue organisations
• 32:26 DYK: the 3:3:3 Rule for a rescue joining your home
• 44:11 What are the Red Flags and Greens Lights in regard to the ongoing education of staff within rescue organisations
• 49:03 What are the Red Flags and Greens Lights in regard to pug behaviour monitoring and management within rescue organisations
• 55:10 What are the Red Flags and Greens Lights in regard to the ongoing training of pugs within rescue organisations
• 01:07:00 What to ask during the adoption process
• 01:08:10 How can people find you if they need help

WANT TO LEARN MORE? Reach out to Alex or Jess here:

• Alex Matsoukas – Dig Dog Training
  • Website: www.digdogtraining.com/
  • Instagram: www.instagram.com/digdogtraining
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/digdogtraining

• Jess Sandstrom – Howling Success Dog Training
  • Website: www.howlingsuccessdogtraining.com/
  • New Rescue Q&A session: www.howlingsuccessdogtraining.com/new-rescue-dog/
  • Instagram: www.instagram.com/howlingsuccessdogtraining/
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/HowlingSuccessDogTraining

WANNA JOIN US FOR YOUR VERY OWN EPISODE? Book your recording session here:

https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/[email protected]/bookings/

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to the PUGCAST so you don’t miss out on the next Episode and leave us a review; it only takes a couple of seconds to give us a 5-star review and it goes a long way to helping other Pug-Pawrents find us.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter at https://bit.ly/thepuglifeshow, so you get advance notice of our next episode and if you've got any questions or want to tell us how much you loved the Episode then let me know over at our Facebook Group - The Pug Life Show PUGCAST (https://bit.ly/PugLifeShowGrumble) where Crazy Pug Pawrents meet to talk all things pug.

There is nothing we love more than a visit by a Puggie (and their Hooman) to talk about their Pug Life and in today’s episode, we’re joined by dynamic pug duo — Sammy and Sophie!

Sammy’s the musical one, always ready to break into song, while Sophie brings the spice as her Pug-mom Mary says, especially when she’s in the mood to play. She’s been known to grab Sammy by the harness and drag him along for the fun of it — but I’ll let Mary tell you what else she does to encourage Sammy to play!

These two half-siblings are partners in all things snorty, and nothing makes them happier than adventures at the P.A.R.K. or curling up in the crook of mum’s legs for a snooze.

In this episode we talk about:

• 03:05 What inspired you to become a Pug Mum?
• 05:00 How did you meet Sammy and Sophie?
• 07:24 Tell us the story behind Sammy and Sophie’s names
• 11:18 Tell us all about their pawsonalities
• 13:00 Tell us about Sophie’s Spiciness
• 17:20 Sammys WWF dive bombs
• 22:30 Sophie’s “roadkill” squirrel
• 30:40 Sammy and Sophie’s front door welcome routine
• 31:54 Sammy and Sophie’s favourite adventures
• 34:20 Sammy meets Buster
• 40:30 Sammy’s singing
• 42:34 Sammy the door dasher

WANT TO LEARN MORE about Sammy & Sophie? The leave them a message on their PUGCAST post in the Pug Life Show PUGCAST Facebook Group – they’d love to hear from you https://bit.ly/PugLifeShowGrumble

WANNA JOIN US FOR YOUR VERY OWN EPISODE? Book your recording session here:

https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/[email protected]/bookings/

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to the PUGCAST so you don’t miss out on the next Episode and leave us a review; it only takes a couple of seconds to give us a 5-star review and it goes a long way to helping other Pug-Pawrents find us.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter at https://bit.ly/thepuglifeshow, so you get advance notice of our next episode and if you've got any questions or want to tell us how much you loved the Episode then let me know over at our Facebook Group - The Pug Life Show PUGCAST (https://bit.ly/PugLifeShowGrumble) where Crazy Pug Pawrents meet to talk all things pug.

Episode Warning: We do talk about suicide in this episode, which I know can be distressing.

So if you need resources or support go to beyondblue.org or for 24-hour free counselling in Australia, the number for Lifeline is 13 11 14.

Please take care of yourself, and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it

Today we’re diving into a heartfelt conversation about Sophie’s Legacy — an Australian Foundation born from love, loss, and a fierce drive to protect the people who care for our fur-babies.

Sophie Putland was a passionate vet who adored animals, but behind the scenes, she faced pressures no one should face. After her tragic passing in 2021, her family started a movement to “Save the people who save our animals” by improving mental health and work environments within the veterinary profession

If you’ve ever had a vet calm your nerves while caring for your fur baby… If your pug has been comforted, stitched up, or saved by a clinic team who went above and beyond… then this episode is for you.

We’ll talk about what’s really going on in the veterinary world, what Sophie’s Legacy is doing to help, and how small acts of kindness — from pawrents like you — can make a big difference.

In this episode we talk about:

• 03:20 Tell us about yourself and about Sophie’s Legacy
• 12:20 Tell us about the story behind the We are only Human campaign
• 22:10 Let’s talk about Future campaigns and what they aim to achieve – Word’s Matter
• 24:25 Tell us about the Lost campaign and what is has achieved to date
• 34:00 What can Government do to affect change in the vet industry
• 35:40 DYK: one vet dies every 12 weeks
• 38:10 The impact of ‘bill shock’ on people’s behaviour towards Vet Staff
• 44:40 Tell us about your current fundraising events and campaigns and what it will support
• 50:05 The world-wide conversation that the “We are only Human” campaign started
• 51:30 How you can help support the work that Sophie’s Legacy is doing – the Little Things campaign
• 52:30 Where can we learn more about Sophie’s Legacy and the other things they are doing to improve the vet industry

WANT TO LEARN MORE about Sophie’s Legacy? Check it out here:

• Website: https://sophieslegacy.com/
• Donate: https://sophieslegacy.com/campaigns/donate
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophies.legacy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SophiesLegacyAustralia

WANNA JOIN US FOR YOUR VERY OWN EPISODE? Book your recording session here:

https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/[email protected]/bookings/

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to the PUGCAST so you don’t miss out on the next Episode and leave us a review; it only takes a couple of seconds to give us a 5-star review and it goes a long way to helping other Pug-Pawrents find us.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter at https://bit.ly/thepuglifeshow, so you get advance notice of our next episode and if you've got any questions or want to tell us how much you loved the Episode then let me know over at our Facebook Group - The Pug Life Show PUGCAST (https://bit.ly/PugLifeShowGrumble) where Crazy Pug Pawrents meet to talk all things pug.

If you’ve ever yelled at your screen during a failed online shopping spree, wrestled your pugs floof into a too-tight t-shirt or dress, or just wondered why no one makes clothes that actually fit pugs … you’re in the right place.

Today, we’re diving nose-first into the snorty story behind the Pugs n Stripes collection — what pissed me off enough to design my own line of pug-friendly fashion, what we fixed that other brands ignore, and how we turned a whole lotta frustration into one pugtastic solution.

In this episode we talk about:

• 01:35 What inspired the collection i.e. what pissed me off about shopping for my pugs?
• 03:12 How did you figure out what needed to be fixed? i.e. how many Pugs did we measure
• 04:30 How did you design the Pugs n Stripes Collection?
• 09:30 What were the mandatory things to be included in the design?
• 11:50 Why does the Pugs n Stripes outfits cost more than the clothes I can get at other shops, such as Kmart or my pet shop?
• 12:49 What makes you think you’re better than other dog apparel brands?

WANT TO LEARN MORE about the Pugs n Stripes Collection? Check it out here:

• Website: https://pugparties.com/
• Instagram: @pugparties
• Facebook: @pugparties

WANNA JOIN US FOR YOUR VERY OWN EPISODE? Book your recording session here:

https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/[email protected]/bookings/

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to the PUGCAST so you don’t miss out on the next Episode and leave us a review; it only takes a couple of seconds to give us a 5-star review and it goes a long way to helping other Pug-Pawrents find us.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter at https://bit.ly/thepuglifeshow, so you get advance notice of our next episode and if you've got any questions or want to tell us how much you loved the Episode then let me know over at our Facebook Group - The Pug Life Show PUGCAST (https://bit.ly/PugLifeShowGrumble) where Crazy Pug Pawrents meet to talk all things pug.

Today we’re digging into a topic that affects every Puggie, every day: what the floof is in our Puggies food bowl. Because let’s face it — what we feed our pugs has a huge impact on their health, happiness, and those oh-so-charming snorts.

We’re talking about nutrition with a bonafide Animal Nutritionist Jackie Gowland from Functional Canine — not in a preachy or confusing way, but in a real, practical, “what do I actually put in the bowl?” kind of way. Whether you’re serving up kibble, raw, cooked, or somewhere in between, this episode is all about how you can boost the nutritional value of what you’re already using for your Puggie.

We’ll also be sharing real-life examples from two of our resident taste testers: Rosie, who battles reflux, and Kenji, whose tummy can be as sensitive as a Pug caught out in the rain.

You’ll hear how small food tweaks and a better understanding of ingredients can make a big difference for them — and I’m going to try it out and report back to you in a couple months to let you know how they’re going.

So grab a treat (for you or your pug — no judgment here), and let’s dive into how you can feed your pug with a little more understanding, and even more love.

In this episode we talk about:

• 04:05 Tell us a little bit about yourself and your fur-family
• 08:50 DID YOU KNOW: Tennis ball glue corrodes canine teeth
• 11:00 ‘Pet Fooled’ - a movie about kibble and biologically appropriate raw food (BARF)
• 12:30 Run through the different types of food - dry vs wet vs BARF food
• 23:00 How is dry food made and what goes into it to make it ‘shelf-stable’
• 30:50 How to read the nutrition label on canine food – dry, wet or BARF
• 36:30 DID YOU KNOW: Dry food can spoil and should be stored in the fridge
• 40:20 DID YOU KNOW: Did you know plastic can leech out of your plastic container into your dry food
• 42:30 How can you improve the nutritional content of your Pugs bowl when the basis of their meal is kibble
• 44:30: DID YOU KNOW: You should soak your Pugs kibble in water in the fridge overnight to avoid the kibble fermenting
• 46:10 What is your Pug’s body telling you when they’re ‘eating grass like a cow’
• 50:20 DID YOU KNOW: You shouldn’t feed your Pug cooked bones
• 53:30 DID YOU KNOW: High carbohydrate kibble spikes a Pug’s blood sugar
• 58:20 REAL LIFE EXAMPLE: What can we do for a Pug who has a sensitive tummy like Kenji
• 01:05:00 REAL LIFE EXAMPLE: What can we do for a Pug who has reflux like Rosie
• 01:13:00 How can we find you, learn more and engage your services

WANT TO LEARN MORE about Canine Nutrition? Check out all of Jackie’s guidance here:

• Free handout link: https://www.intuitive-healing-hub.com/nutrition/make-your-dogs-food-better-booklet
• Website: https://www.intuitive-healing-hub.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/functionalcanine/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/functionalcanine
• PODCAST: https://open.spotify.com/show/0pHWoct6FS2dy8j8U5yxBh?si=5FZ8m8qvSiGmwrnFjYRanQ&nd=1&dlsi=fc858be9082f429f

WANNA JOIN US FOR YOUR VERY OWN EPISODE? Book your recording session here:

https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/[email protected]/bookings/

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to the PUGCAST so you don’t miss out on the next Episode and leave us a review; it only takes a couple of seconds to give us a 5-star review and it goes a long way to helping other Pug-Pawrents find us.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter at https://bit.ly/thepuglifeshow, so you get advance notice of our next episode and if you've got any questions or want to tell us how much you loved the Episode then let me know over at our Facebook Group - The Pug Life Show PUGCAST (https://bit.ly/PugLifeShowGrumble) where Crazy Pug Pawrents meet to talk all things pug.

In this episode, we’re unpacking something that affects more Pugs than we often realise—canine anxiety and reactivity. From sudden reactivity on a walk to the silent worry that plays out behind big, brown eyes, anxiety in our Pugs isn’t always loud — but it is always worth understanding.

We’re so lucky to have our fur-end Sarah Rutten, canine behaviourist and author of the bestselling book The Canine Perspective, coming back on the show to help us break down exactly what anxiety and reactivity mean, how they show up in our Pugs, and most impawtantly, how to spot the early signs — like what’s behind that sudden freeze, or why your Pug growls at a stranger they’ve seen a dozen times before.

As always, Sarah brings both science and compassion to the conversation, helping us understand what’s really going on in our Pugs’ brains and bodies — and what we can do to help them feel safe again. Plus, there might be a Floyd the 5-month-old Pug bark or two in the mix as well!

If you’ve ever worried that your Pug is not coping or behaving strangely then this episode is for you.

In this episode we talk about:

• 03:15 Tell us about yourself and your fur-family
• 07:00 Fear imprint periods
• 08:22 What causes anxiety and are there different types of anxiety?
• 17:00 Confusing signs of anxiety – how easy it is to mistake your Pugs messages for something else
• 21:00 The difference between separation anxiety and anxiety
• 25:20 COVID Dogs – triggered by the hooman world and their Pawrent going back to work
• 27:00 The impawtance of being sub-threshold and how medication can help achieve that to then enable your Pug to then undertake de-sensitisation work
• 33:25 What is primary and secondary needs and why it’s impawtant to meet them to reduce the likelihood of anxiety development
• 38:15 How does reactivity and anxiety interact?
• 42:00 What should a Pug Pawrent do to help their Pug reduce their anxiety
• 50:35 How to recognise behaviour escalation
• 56:00 Where can you find Sarah to learn more or ask for help?

WANT TO LEARN MORE about The Canine Perspective or Force-free training Methods? Check out all of Sarah’s guidance here:

• Website: https://www.thecanineperspective.com.au/
• Book: https://www.thecanineperspective.com.au/the-canine-perspective-dog-training-book/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecanineperspective/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecanineperspective/

WANNA JOIN US FOR YOUR VERY OWN EPISODE? Book your recording session here:

https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/[email protected]/bookings/

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to the PUGCAST so you don’t miss out on the next Episode and leave us a review; it only takes a couple of seconds to give us a 5-star review and it goes a long way to helping other Pug-Pawrents find us.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter at https://bit.ly/thepuglifeshow, so you get advance notice of our next episode and if you've got any questions or want to tell us how much you loved the Episode then let me know over at our Facebook Group - The Pug Life Show PUGCAST (https://bit.ly/PugLifeShowGrumble) where Crazy Pug Pawrents meet to talk all things pug.