Teaching your dog a new behavior can sometimes seem overwhelming. Sure, it would be great if Fido could go beyond the basics and do things like roll over, shake hands, or play dead, but who has time to teach all that? Well, actually- you do! Training new behaviors and tricks doesn't have to be labor intensive or take hours of your time. In fact, sometimes five minutes is all you need. Today, Julie and Tina present a variety of fun, simple behaviors that you can teach your dog with just a few minutes of practice a day.

For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog

Christmas may have come and gone, but many of us are still on break. In the post-Christmas, pre-New Year's haze, when the weather often keeps us inside, both kids and dogs can start to get antsy- and that can be a recipe for disaster. How do you keep dogs and the grandkids from driving each other- and you- crazy? Today, Julie and Tina provide a range of ideas for fun activities that allow the kids to enjoy doing things with and for their canine friends, while making sure that nobody get overwhelmed.

For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog

Most of us recognize that euthanasia can sometimes be necessary or even kindest course of action when a beloved pet is terminally ill or suffering. The question of putting a dog to sleep because of behavioral concerns, however, is often much trickier. Is euthanasia ever justified in these cases and if so, how do you know when you've reached that point? And are the costs of not euthanizing potentially dangerous dogs worse than letting them live? Dog trainer Trish McMillan came on the show today to talk about this sensitive, but important topic.

For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog

For Show Notes and more: Your Family Dog

One of YFD's favorite guests is back! Dr. Zazie Todd joins the show again to talk about her newest book "Bark!: The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog." Tune in for a conversation about fear versus anxiety, common mistakes owners make with fearful dogs, and how to know when it's time to seek professional help.

For show notes please go to: Your Family Dog

A good guard dog can be a great thing- many of us even get dogs in part because of the feeling of protection they can provide. But when those guarding instincts go astray or get directed towards the wrong thing, the results can be stressful and even dangerous. Fortunately, if caught early and handled appropriately, this kind of misguided guarding can usually be managed successfully. Tune in to today's episode for everything you need to know about resource guarding- what it is, how to identify it, what to do about it, and when to seek professional help.

 In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring take the opportunity to talk about emergency preparedness for your dog. Tune in to this week's episode for advice on packing a go bag for your pets, making sure your dog is properly microchipped, and other steps you can take to make sure that you and your animals are prepared in the event of a disaster.

For show notes and more please go to: Your Family Dog

Wouldn't it be great if dogs automatically knew what we wanted them to do in certain situations? Well, with a little training and a few nibbles of cheese, they can! That's the magic of "default behaviors-" those behaviors dogs learn to offer automatically whenever a signal is given or a particular situation arises. Join Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring to learn what default behaviors are, how to train them in your pup, and how they can help make life easier for both you and your dog.

For Show Notes and more: Your Family Dog

Sometimes, it really is okay to dial it in- at least, it is if you're talking about the Dial Method. What's the Dial Method, you ask? You're about to find out! Today, Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring sit down with Dial Method creator Justine Schuurmans to talk about her new program designed to improve how families relate to, live with, and train their dogs.

For show notes please go to: Your Family Dog