The Pug Life Show

Today, I’m thrilled to welcome best-selling author and certified force-free trainer Sarah Rutten. If you’ve ever wondered how to deepen that magical bond with your Puggie without ever raising a voice, you’re in the right place. Sarah’s book The Canine Perspective is a treasure trove of compassionate, science-backed techniques—and she’s not just an expert on paper. She’s a bona fide Crazy Pug Lady, too, with over twenty years of hands-on experience wrangling, pampering, and learning from her own lovable “grumble.”

In this episode, we’ll fetch you pugtastic behavior hacks, dig into a bit of fun canine science, and swap heartwarming—and hilarious—Pug tales straight from Sarah’s home.

So, leash up, settle in, and get ready for a paw-sitively delightful chat you won’t want to snooze through!

In this episode I talk about:

• 02:40 Tell us a little bit about yourself, your work and your grumble
• 07:30 A shift in how Dog Guardians train and live with their dogs
• 09:40 What is force-free training?
• 12:15 Developing neural pathways with your Pug
• 13:30 How to achieve optimal learning?
• 16:00 Why do you have Pugs as a trainer?
• 18:30 The difference positive force-free training makes
• 20:00 What is a Pet Guardian?
• 24:25 Why asking a dog permission to engage sets you up for success
• 26:40 The concept of trigger stacking and how to recognise it
• 32:30 Why a growl is a gift
• 36:00 The importance of socialisation and the right kind of socialisation – the socialisation checklist
• 43:20 Is my Pug normal or just plain weird?
• 49:10 When is it ok to say, this is not normal and what to do
• 51:30 Barking is just Pug talking
• 54:30 Being Pug tragic
• 57:45 How do we find you and your book?

WANT TO LEARN MORE about The Canine Perspective or Force-free training Methods? Check out his adoption profile 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.

And speaking of Buster the Blind Rescue Pug… today’s episode is all about our pawsome foster boy and the incredible journey we’ve shared. 🐶💛

Buster is the first blind Pug I’ve ever had the honour of living with, and let me tell you—it’s been eye-opening in all the best ways. From learning how he navigates the world to understanding his needs, it’s been a truly special and educational experience.

In this episode, I’ll share Buster’s story, what it’s really like to live with a blind Pug, and offer some tips for others who might be on a similar path. Because as we all know, every Pug is unique—and the Pug Life is all about living it together, one tail wag at a time. 💖🐾

In this episode I talk about:

• 02:55 Buster’s story – Blind and going deaf
• 06:50 It’s the Hooman’s job to accommodate the Blind Pug’s needs
• 09:00 The impawtance of routine
• 11:30 Mastering/managing the house renovations
• 14:15 Walking Buster’s way
• 17:10 Teaching ‘obedience’ tricks to a Blind/deaf Pug
• 20:50 How to pat a Blind Pug
• 22:18 Buster’s safe space
• 23:55 General Blind Pug/dog advice

WANT TO LEARN MORE about adopting Buster the Blind Rescue Pug? Check out his adoption profile here:

• Website: https://www.pugrescue.org.au/adopt-buster/
• Buster on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/p/DIdEGY3zUfZ/
• Insta: @PugRescueVic
• Facebook: @PugRescueVic

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.

Call me a big kid, but I absolutely love children’s books—especially ones about pugs! There’s something magical about diving into a simpler world, where I can easily imagine my own pug as the star of the story.

PD the Pug (with a little help from his mommy Marilee) has been busy turning beloved fairy tales into pawsome furry-tail adventures. You can just picture PD right in the middle of all the fun and what I love most is that while the stories are playful and full of PD charm, they still hold onto timeless messages that feel just as relevant today.

And is why Furry Fairy Tails; PD The Pug's Bedtime Stories is now my favourite PD book

In this episode we talked about:

• 06:10 My favourite Furry Fairy Tails
• 06:30 Tell us all about yourself, PD the Pug and his first 4 books
• 12:45 How did you come up with the concept for the Furry Fairy Tails
• 14:35 What Fairy Tales didn’t make it?
• 15:50 The appearance of the Secret Fawn Girl Pug
• 18:30 Did PD need to dress up in costume to get in character for the book?
• 21:00 PD modelling his Pug Parties outfits
• 26:50 The appearance of PD’s arch-nemesis Ralph
• 30:10 How do you get a book from idea to selling, including the development of each illustration?
• 39:00 Does PD sign his own books at book signings?
• 40:00 Win a copy of your very own Furry Fairy Tails; PD The Pug's Bedtime Stories
• 43:05 Where can you buy the book and when is the next book signing in the US?

WANT TO LEARN MORE about the PD the Pug? Check out their website and socials here:

• Website: https://www.pdthepugproductions.com/
• Insta: @pd.the.pug
• Facebook: @pdthepug
• Email: [email protected]
• Amazon: https://amzn.asia/d/f7ygCbz

WIN YOUR VERY WON COPY OF FURRY FAIRY TAILS; PD THE PUG’S BEDTIME STORIES

To win a signed copy of PD the Pug’s 5th Book - Furry Fairy Tails; PD The Pug's Bedtime Stories all you need to do is:

1. subscribe to the Pug Life Show in your favourite PODCAST Host and leave a review, or

2. leave a comment over in our Facebook Group, the Pug Life Show PUGCAST.

The giveaway will run until the 20 April 2025 (Australian time) and then we’ll draw a random name out of a hat and PD will send you your pawsonally signed copy of the book!

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 there’s one thing that gets me every time, it’s a heartwarming ‘Puggily Ever-After’—whether it’s a rescue pug finding their forever family or a lost pug making their way back home. Just the thought of that joyful reunion gets me teary-eyed and makes my heart skip a beat! ❤️🐾

So, when I had the chance to chat with Dr. Doug Black about one of Australia’s largest pet registries, I couldn’t say no! In this episode, we’re diving into the world of microchipping and the incredible role it plays in reuniting lost pugs (and other beloved pets) with their humans. 🎙️🐶

In this episode I’ll cover:

• 02:30 Tell us a little bit about yourself and the Central Animal Records (CARs) registry
• 06:50 CAR’s recovery statistics
• 16:20 Legal requirement for your Pet to be microchipped and registered
• 17:07 Reliable methods of ownership proof
• 19:20 What is happening with Homesafe ID registered Pets?
• 21:00 What is Pet Address?
• 24:20 CARs annual reminder service
• 27:30 Homesafe ID database access cut-off details
• 30:45 What Pets can be microchipped?
• 35:30 What are some of the common way’s Pet can get lost?
• 43:30 Pet reunion stories - thanks to their microchip
• 51:30 The CARs APP and what it does for Pawrents
• 57:15 How do we find you?

WANT TO LEARN MORE about the Central Animal Records registry? Check out their website and socials here:

• Website: https://car.com.au/
• Insta: @CentralAnimalRecords
• Facebook: @CentralAnimalRecordsAustralia
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 03 9706 3187

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.

Have you ever considered memorialising your Pug or Puggies by getting a tattoo? I already have one tattoo from my Navy days, and I always thought that I’d get more but life just got in the way and I’m now thinking that it’s time to change that – the big question is, what do I get?

I have been a Pug-mum to five Pugs in the last 20 years, not counting the Rescue Puggies I have been blessed to foster, and I’m wondering if I will have enough “body canvas” to fit them and future Pugs in if I choose a particular type or size of tattoo.

So, to help me with my decision, I invited Tattoo Artist, Sarah Tavilla to come on the Show and talk about her work and what are the most popular tattoo’s for Pawrents.

In this episode I’ll cover:

• 02:15 Tell us about yourself and your fur-family
• 03:15 Tell us about how you came to becoming an animal portrait artist
• 06:40 A happy Pug Pawrent customer story
• 08:30 Reason’s why a Pawrent gets a Pet Pawtrait
• 11:20 What is the favoured tattoo style?
• 14:40 Describe the process from start to final tattoo on your skin
• 19:10 Describe how a Pawrent can take the pawfect photo of their pet for their pawtrait
• 24:30 What is the main reason why people come to you to get a tattoo?
• 27:00 What is the most interesting tattoo request you’ve ever had?
• 28:50 What is the most popular portrait style?
• 32:00 Do you have a favourite tattoo?
• 33:00 How long does the tattoo take?
• 34:15 Where can we find you?

WANT TO LEARN MORE about Sarah Tavilla’s work? Check out their website and socials here:

• Website: https://www.sarahtavilla.com/
• Insta: @sarah_tavilla
• Email: [email protected]

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.

World War and Service Animal Day is a couple of weeks away, on the 24 February to be exact, and ashamedly as a veteran myself I didn’t know about this very impawtant day or what the Purple Poppy was until I meet some of the team at the Dog Lovers Show.

Needless to say, after that enlightening conversation and the purchase of a couple of Purple Poppies for myself and Andrew to wear alongside our Red Poppies I invited the President of the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation, Nigel Allsop, to come onto the show and talk to me about what it is AWAMO does, what does the Purple Poppy represent, as well as tell me about the first recipient of the Australian and New Zealand Distinctive Animal Distinguished Service Medal to be awarded this year on 24 February at the Australian War Memorial.

In this episode I’ll cover:

• 02:30 Tell us about yourself and the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation
• 03:00 What animals are recognised by AWAMO
• 06:30 The impawtance of animal mascots and what they did/do for their Units
• 11:00 The World War and Service Animal Day – 24 Feb
• 12:00 Policy changes on the return of animals from operational zones
• 15:00 The countries who commemorate World War and Service Animal Day
• 16:45 How can you find a local Animal Memorial?
• 18:40 Purple Poppy Garden at the Victorian Shrine of Remembrance
• 20:00 Purple Poppy Appeal and what it pays for – veterinary services for retired animals and care packages
• 25:45 Where can you buy a Purple Poppy?
• 28:30 The Pozieres Memorial and future International Memorials
• 33:40 Awards for War and Service Animals – 2025 recipient and how you could qualify for one of two categories
• 41:00 Blue Cross for Animals Award - The story behind ‘Digger the Bulldog’
• 44:25 How can you help support AWAMO and their work?

WANT TO LEARN MORE about the Purple Poppy Appeal and the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation? Check out their website and socials here:

• Website: https://www.purplepoppies.com.au/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purplepoppies/
• Email: [email protected]

• Website: https://awamo.org.au/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AustralianWarAnimalMemorialOrganisation/
• Email: [email protected]

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.

🎙️🐾 Season 4 of The Pug Life Show is here! 🐾🎙️ We’ve got some tail-waggingly pawsome guests lined up, and we’re sniffing around for more! 🐶✨

Tune in to the first PUGCAST episode of the season to find out how YOUR Pug can shine like the superstar they are by becoming a guest on the Show. 🌟🐾

Because every Puggie has a story worth sharing, and we can’t wait to meet YOU! 🎧💖

In this episode I’ll cover:

• 02:08 Why we started the Pug Life Show PUGCAST in the first place
• 04:15 What does it take to make a PUGCAST Episode from start to finish
• 08:45 Comments from past Guests
• 10:15 Debunking common fears stopping Pawrents from coming on the Show

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.

Dear Santa Paws, all I want for Christmas is endless belly rubs, tasty treats, and a cozy lap to nap on #PugmasWishes

❤️ 🐶 🎄 🐾

In our last PUGCAST for Season 3, we wanted to share with you the Top 5 most downloaded episodes, our plans for 2025, and our personal PUGMAS wish for you this year.

In this episode I’ll cover:

• 03:39 Top 5 Episodes for Season 3
• 10:29 Our 2025 Plans
• 12:54 Our PUGMAS wish for you

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.

AND don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter at https://bit.ly/thepuglifeshow as well, 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.

Last week I spoke to Jo from Pug Rescue and Adoption Victoria about the work they do and the Puggie lives they save … not to mention the puggily ever after stories they get a front row seat too when a resuce puggie gets their wish of being adopted by a loving family.

So this week, Jo kindly agreed to pop back on the PUGCAST and talk about the Christmas wishes three rescue puggies have asked SantaPaws to grant, and how you might be able to help SantaPaws grant those wishes

*Please note that the audio does experience a little bit of feedback during the episode that we couldn’t edit out without affecting the conversation :(

Want to skip ahead, this is where to find the topics we discussed in the PUGCAST:

• 03:10 Cindy’s Christmas wish from SantaPaws
• 09:30 Mercay’s Christmas wish from SantaPaws
• 15:45 Abby’s Christmas wish from SantaPaws
• 19:11 Give a donation as a Christmas Gift on someone’s behalf

Get to know our Rescue Puggies better:

• Cindy - https://www.pugrescue.org.au/adopt-cindy/
• Mercay - https://www.pugrescue.org.au/adopt-mercay/
• Abby - https://www.instagram.com/p/DBQywBlT60R/

Want to learn more about Pug Rescue and Adoption Victori:

• Adoption Process: https://www.pugrescue.org.au/adoption/
• Donation Options: https://www.pugrescue.org.au/donations/
• Website: www.pugrescue.org.au 
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/PugRescueVic
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/pugrescuevic

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.

Many years ago, when I rescued my first pug Winston a.k.a Fatdog through a local Vet who was doing everything they could to save the life of a little black pug whose only crime was that his family no longer wanted him and thought it was better to ‘put him down’ than find a loving home, did I realise just how naive I was about the world of pugs.

Which is why today’s episode is so important to me – today I’m talking to Joanna from Pug Rescue and Adoption Victoria, a volunteer community foster care network that rehabilitates Pugs, and Frenchies when the need arises, so that they find their fur-ever loving family and to never have to face the possibility of being ‘put down’ because their owners don’t want to help them find a loving home.

Want to skip ahead, this is where to find the topics we discussed in the PUGCAST:

• 03:00 Tell us about yourself and your fur-family
• 05:30 When did Pug Rescue and Adoption Victoria start
• 11:05 Pug Rescue and Adoption Victoria’s Philosophy
• 15:45 How do you pay for all of the work you do?
• 20:15 What is the difference between a rescue, a pound and a shelter?
• 22:30 Why is Pug Rescue and Adoption Victoria a community foster care network?
• 27:55 Advice on getting a Pug for Christmas
• 30:45 Why Pug/family matching is so important
• 34:35 Adoption process
• 41:40 How can you help Pug Rescue and Adoption Victoria

Want to learn more or become a member:

• Website: www.pugrescue.org.au 
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/PugRescueVic
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/pugrescuevic

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.