Your Family Dog Podcast
213 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago - ★★★★★ - 31 ratingsHelping families love living with dogs. Simple solutions to common canine problems from professional dog trainers Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring.
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Episodes
YFD 213: The Cicadas Are Coming!
April 16, 2024 11:57 - 52 minutes - 42.4 MBYour Family...Cicada? For the first time since Thomas Jefferson was president, two cycles of cicadas will emerge at the same time this summer. What- if anything- does this mean for you and your dogs? Join Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring on an exploration of cicadas, snakes, dogs, and the nature of consciousness. For show notes please go to: Your Family Dog
YFD 21: The Door Dashing Dilemma
April 04, 2024 01:05 - 37 minutes - 30.1 MBDoor dashing- it's great when it's someone bringing you tacos, not so great when it's your dog making a run for it. Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring address one of the most common, most bothersome- but thankfully very fixable- problems people experience with their dogs. For show notes and more: Your Family Dog
YFD 211: Why We Do What We Do!
March 26, 2024 22:18 - 1 hour - 54.3 MBWe've covered a lot of topics on "Your Family Dog" over the years, but sometimes it's good to get back to basics and remember why we got started in the first place- not just with podcasting, but with dog training itself. Today Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring start at the beginning to discuss their early love affairs with dogs, their philosophy of training, and why they do what they do today. For Show Notes and more: Your Family Dog
YFD 210: Mission K-9
February 27, 2024 09:00 - 50 minutes - 40.6 MBPolice dogs, military dogs, rescue dogs, security dogs...in addition to being man's best friend, dogs are often his best co-workers as well. But all too often, when their days of service are over, these faithful dogs get left behind. That's where Mission K9 Rescue comes in, a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing retired working dogs and finding them loving homes where they can enjoy their retirement in peace. Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring sit down with Bob Bryant, the CTO of Mis...
YFD 209: Families and Pets in Crisis
February 13, 2024 18:11 - 42 minutes - 34.1 MBDiscussions of domestic violence, abuse, homelessness, and other difficult living situations almost always focus on the human victims- as they should. But animals are often involved in these situations, too, which can cause added complications. Victims are sometimes reluctant to leave an abusive or unsafe living situation because they fear leaving their pet behind, while those with limited resources, such as elderly or homeless individuals may struggle to give their pets the care they need. ...
YFD 208:Dogs With Challenging Histories
January 30, 2024 09:00 - 1 hour - 48.5 MBIt's no secret that dogs in shelters often come from bad situations, but some are particularly terrible, such as hoarding situations or puppy mills. It's tempting to think that with enough love and care, we can fix everything these dogs have been through, but unfortunately, that isn't always true. Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring take a look at what's involved when dealing with dogs with especially traumatic pasts. For show notes and more: Your Family Dog
YFD 207: Stem Cell Therapy for Dogs (and Cats and Horses!)
January 16, 2024 16:19 - 54 minutes - 43.4 MBMost of us have at least heard of stem cell therapy and the potential it seems to have for treating any number of illnesses- everything from cancer to diabetes to regular old wrinkles. But what you may not know is that stem cell therapy isn't just for humans. It can be- and is!- used to great effect in veterinary medicine as well. Mark Kyle, of PrepVet, joins Your Family Dog to discuss what stem cell therapy is, and how it can be used to help dogs and other animals lead happier, healthier li...
YFD 206: Dog Trainer Brady Foulk
January 02, 2024 13:18 - 56 minutes - 45.6 MBA new year means new guests! Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring sit down with Austin-based dog trainer Brady Foulk to talk about training service dogs, learning through play, allowing yourself to fail, and the importance of keeping it weird. For show notes please go to: Your Family Dog
YFD 205: A New Canine Respiratory Illness
December 19, 2023 09:00 - 28 minutes - 22.6 MBWinter isn't just cold and flu season for humans- respiratory illnesses increases among dogs this time of year as well. These are normally minor illnesses that respond well to treatment, but this year vets are reporting seeing a new illness among dogs, one that seems to last longer and possibly be more serious than your run-of-the-mill colds. Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring look at what we know about this new illness and talk about what you can do to help protect your dog. For more inform...
YFD 204: Training vs Behavior with Karen Deeds
December 09, 2023 00:57 - 1 hour - 72.5 MBWe talk about "dog behaviorists" and "dog trainers," but really, aren't they pretty much the same thing? What is training, after all, other than getting your dog to behave in a desirable way? But dog *behavior* is different from dog *training* and knowing what makes them different can go a long way to improving your relationship with your dog. Repeat guest Karen Deeds returns today to talk about the differences between behavior and training, and how focusing on one often brings about positiv...
YFD 203: Enrichment For Your Blind or Deaf Dog with Deb Bauer
November 21, 2023 16:23 - 56 minutes - 45.4 MBThe topic of enrichment for your dog is a frequent one on the podcast. We all know the importance of providing your canine friend with a variety of games and activities to keep their days interesting and their minds engaged. But what about dogs who have suffered the loss of one of their senses? Providing enrichment activities for dogs who can't see or hear (or possibly both) presents unique challenges for their owners. Holistic dog behaviorist Deb Bowers specializes in the care of blind and/...
YFD 202: Caroline Alepo on PTSD in Dogs
November 08, 2023 00:50 - 49 minutes - 39.7 MBJust like other mental and emotional conditions, such as depression and anxiety, PTSD is not limited to humans- our dogs can suffer from it as well. As with humans, PTSD can make it difficult, if not impossible, for a dog to enjoy a normal life. But just as humans can find healing with time and therapy, dogs too can overcome traumatic experiences and go on to thrive. Phoning in all the way from Sweden today is canine PTSD expert Caroline Alupo, to discuss what kind of trauma dogs can experie...
YFD 201: Cooperative Care With Deborah Jones: Part 2
October 24, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 52.5 MBThere was just too much good stuff for one episode, and so Dr. Deborah Jones is back to continue the conversation about cooperative care. Tune in for more advice from the woman who literally wrote the book designed to help you and your pet work together to stay happy and healthy. For more information please go to: Your Family Dog
YFD 200: Cooperative Care with Dr. Deborah Jones
October 10, 2023 15:08 - 52 minutes - 41.9 MB"Cooperative care" is a subject that has come up frequently over the years on "Your Family Dog." now, for the 200th (yes, 200th!) episode, Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring sit down with Dr. Deborah Jones, the woman who literally wrote the book on cooperative care, to talk about how to make caring for your dog a partnership, rather than a battle of wills. For more information and show notes: Your Family Dog
YFD 199: Dogs and Senior Citizens
September 26, 2023 10:48 - 52 minutes - 42.4 MBIs a golden retriever the right companion for your golden years? For many people, the thought of not having a dog is almost incomprehensible. But as individuals get older, they aren't always up to the task of caring for a dog, at least in the way they're used to. Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring talk about the issues that can arise for elderly individuals and their dogs, as well as ways to overcome them and make sure that both Grandma and Fido are happy and healthy. For show notes and more...
YFD 198: The Premack Principle
September 12, 2023 18:10 - 49 minutes - 40 MBDo you ever feel like you and your dog are constantly butting heads? That you're both vying to be the one in control? Or like you're spending more time trying to get Fido to do what you want than actually enjoying his canine company? In this episode, Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring talk about "premacking," a strange name for a relatively simple concept that will introduce more cooperation into your relationship with your dog and help both of you to feel like you're on the same team. For S...
YFD 197: Old Dogs Go To Helen
August 29, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 52.2 MBOld age, death, and loss are topics most of us prefer to avoid. They’re uncomfortable, sometimes even painful to discuss, and most people don’t like to think about their own mortality- or that of their pets. Death, however, is an inevitable part of life, and avoiding conversations about it can make it even harder for us to become comfortable with it. Helen St. Pierre, founder of the non-profit Old Dogs Go To Helen, has spent the past several years helping senior and hospice dogs to live the...
YFD 196: Teach Your Dog Not To Beg
August 16, 2023 10:56 - 43 minutes - 35.2 MBAs much as we love our dogs, they do have some annoying habits- and begging at the table is definitely one of them. It's nearly impossible to sit down and enjoy your dinner when Fido is constantly pawing at you for his share. But what's the best way to put a stop to this? Or, better yet, is there a way to prevent it from happening in the first place? Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring talk about how to stop- or even prevent- begging at the table and keep everybody happy at dinner. For show n...
YFD 195: Are ”Unprovoked Attacks” Really Unprovoked?
August 01, 2023 08:00 - 45 minutes - 36.6 MBIt's a phrase we hear over and over again whenever we read about dog bites or other human-animal scuffles- "unprovoked attack." But is that really true? Is there really such a thing as an animal attack that is truly completely unprovoked? Or is there perhaps more going on that we're simply not aware of? Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring dig into this phrase and discuss whether or not animal attacks are really "unprovoked. For show notes and more: Your Family Dog
YFD 194: Summertime Stressors: Noise, Heat, and Water
July 11, 2023 19:15 - 40 minutes - 32.2 MBSummer vacation can be a great time for both people and their pets. But the summer months also come with their own stresses and challenges that can range from the merely annoying to the seriously life-threatening. From the anxiety of Fourth of July fireworks to the dangers of heat stroke, Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring go through some of the common summer concerns to help you and your pooch stay happy and safe. For show notes and more: Your Family Dog
YFD 193: 3 Days, 3 Weeks, 3 Months
May 16, 2023 13:51 - 43 minutes - 34.7 MBWhen a new dog comes to live with us, an adjustment period is only to be expected- both for us and our new pet. But how long does this adjustment period take? At what point can we expect Fido to settle into a comfortable rhythm in his new home? Conventional wisdom often cites a timeline of "three days, three weeks, three months," but is this really the case? Today, Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring look at what constitutes a realistic time period for a new dog to settle in, and offer advice ...
YFD 192: Helping Your Dog Through Stressful Times
May 02, 2023 12:55 - 37 minutes - 29.7 MBMajor life changes- a move, a death in the family, an illness- obviously cause us a lot of stress. But big disruptions like this are also stressful for our animal friends. In addition to managing our own stress, it's important to remember to take care of our dogs as well. Today, Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring talk about how to reassure your dog and help them cope through times of extreme stress. For more information: Your Family Dog
YFD 191: The Nose Knows! Scent Work with Dianna Santos
April 18, 2023 13:29 - 59 minutes - 108 MBThose of us with less sensitive noses seldom realize just how big of a role odors play in the lives of our dogs. But for dogs, smell is a vital and integral part of how they perceive the world and gather information about it. Playing scent-based games with our dogs can be a great way to bond with them and learn to understand and interact with them better. Dianna Santos, the owner of Scent Work University, came on the show today to talk about scent work and how it can improve your relationshi...
YFD 190: “BARK BARK BARK!” What’s An Owner To Do?
March 28, 2023 16:21 - 42 minutes - 33.9 MBFew things are more annoying or stressful for owners than dogs who won't stop barking. All of us know the anxiety caused by a barking dog and the helpless feeling of being unable to stop or distract them. Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring tackle the topic of barking dogs and look at simple solutions to help both you and Fido feel calmer and more in control. For show notes and more: Your Family Dog
YFD 189: Animal Ethologist Marc Bekoff
March 14, 2023 10:16 - 1 hour - 49.9 MBIf you've ever wondered why your dog does what he does, animal ethologist Marc Bekoff can tell you- he literally wrote the book on it! Today he joins Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring to discuss his upcoming book, becoming a "citizen scientist," and emotions in dogs (and octopuses!). For show notes, please go to: Your Family Dog
YFD 188: Recalls and Fair Weather Training
February 28, 2023 13:11 - 46 minutes - 37.4 MBSpring is here...maybe? The weather going haywire this time of year- snowshoes in the morning and sandals in the afternoon- can be just as confusing to your dog as it is to you. How do you keep training when the weather is great for outside work one minute and awful for it the next? Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring talk about how to adapt your training for unpredictable weather, especially when you're working on getting Fido to ignore the craziness outside and come to you. For show notes a...
YFD 187: What Is A Threshold, And Why Does It Matter?
February 14, 2023 09:00 - 53 minutes - 43.2 MBIt's one thing to teach your dog a new behavior in a setting free from distractions or interruptions. It's another thing entirely to try that behavior in the "real" world, with all its noise and color and annoying squirrels. So how do you move a behavior from one situation to another without it all falling apart? That's where the idea of working below the threshold comes in. Join Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring as they discuss training in lower-stress environments and how to work up to the...
YFD 186: The Problem With Force Free Training
January 31, 2023 10:20 - 43 minutes - 34.8 MBA criticism often leveled at force free training is that it doesn't work or isn't as effective as more traditional punishment-based methods. Your Family Dog has tackled this topic before, but today Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring use an internet video making the rounds to once again address some of the more common criticisms about positive reinforcement training. For show notes please see: Your Family Dog
YFD 185: Why Does My Dog Do That?
January 17, 2023 14:05 - 46 minutes - 37.5 MBWe all have our own little quirks, and so do our dogs. In fact, a lot of the things our canine friends do cross the line from quirky into downright weird. Whether it's fake-peeing, favoring one leg over the other when going to the bathroom, or rolling in dead animals, there are all kinds of things that make us scratch our heads and say "Why does my dog DO that?" Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring discuss the weird things our dogs do and what may (or may not) be going through their furry littl...
YFD 184: Goal Setting That Really Works!
January 03, 2023 09:00 - 55 minutes - 44.7 MBThe new year is upon us! For many of us, this means setting goals and making resolutions. For almost as many of us, this also means having them blown to smithereens before January even hits its halfway point. So what can we do about it? Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring offer advice not only on how to set goals for yourself and your dog, but also on how to achieve those goals and give yourself and Fido grace if you fall short. For shows please go to: Your Family Dog
YFD 183: Odds and Ends
December 20, 2022 20:59 - 44 minutes - 35.9 MBThe holidays are here and what better way to celebrate than with a buffet? Join Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring as they serve up a smorgasbord of tips and tricks on everything from traveling with your pups to getting uncooperative pets to take their pills. For more info and show notes please go to: Your Family Dog
YFD 182: Positive Reinforcement Training With Susan Riley-Coyner
December 06, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 48.3 MBIt's time for trainer talk! Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring are joined by fellow positive reinforcement trainer Susan Riley-Coyner BA, RVT, CPDT-KA, KPA CTP, to talk about the benefits of positive training, their experience as crossover trainers, and where dog training might be headed next. For show notes, please go to: Your Family Dog
YFD 181: Canine Nutrition with Dr. Laura Gaylord, Veterinary Clinical Nutritionist
November 24, 2022 14:28 - 41 minutes - 33.6 MBWe've all heard the phrase "you are what you eat," and we all know about the importance of eating a healthy, balanced diet (even if we don't always do a good job with it). But what about our pets? Good nutrition is just as important for our animals as it is for us, but the information out there is often just as confusing as well. Today Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring are joined by veterinary nutritionist Dr. Laura Gaylord to discuss the importance of good nutrition and how to begin putting...
YFD 180: Howliday Maddness
November 08, 2022 20:00 - 53 minutes - 42.7 MBIt's the most wonderful time of the year...but also sometimes the most stressful, both for people and their pets. Parties, visitors, traveling, and of course all the food can throw even the calmest and most well-trained dog for a loop. But chaos doesn't have to be the name of the game! Julie and Tina provide advice and tips on how to manage the hustle and bustle of the holidays so that you and your dogs can both find some comfort and joy. For more information and show notes: Your Family Dog
YFD 179: Behavior Modification: Where Do I Begin?
October 25, 2022 21:32 - 1 hour - 48.5 MBSo you've got a new dog- now what? You love Fido, but he's got some behaviors you could live without- things like jumping, chewing the furniture, and tugging at the leash. Where do you start with all this? What do you tackle first and how? Join Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring as they discuss the best way to start when it comes to training and behavior modification so you can get started on the road to success. For show notes please go to: Your Family Dog
YFD 178: Physiotherapy with Steph Evans
October 11, 2022 12:28 - 44 minutes - 35.8 MBPhysical therapy is one of those things nobody thinks about until they need it. And if we don't think about it for us, even less do we think about it for our dog. But dogs, like humans, can benefit from physical therapy, even without it being necessitated by injury or surgery. Join Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring as they chat with Steph Evans, a physiotherapist for both humans and their pets, about the benefits of physical therapy and the best way to keep you and your dog in tiptop conditi...
YFD 177: The Five Domains
September 27, 2022 10:30 - 41 minutes - 33.5 MBLong time listeners of Your Family Dog will be familiar with the Five Freedoms and how they can help your dog have a happier, healthier life. Similar to this is the idea of the Five Domains- the five areas of life where you can not just remove negative experience from your dog's life but actively add in positive ones as well. Julie and Tina talk about the Five Domains and how simple additions to your routine can make a big difference in the life of your canine friend. For show notes and mor...
YFD 176: Dog Parks and Shy Dogs
September 13, 2022 10:31 - 48 minutes - 38.9 MBDog parks- big open spaces for your favorite canine to run, play, and make new friends! What's not to love? Well, quite a bit actually, especially if you have a dog who is shy. Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring discuss the pros and cons of dog parks, as well as the best way to navigate them, particularly if you have an overly sensitive pooch. For more information and show notes: Your Family Dog
YFD 175:Behavior vs Training
June 21, 2022 06:01 - 40 minutes - 32.2 MBBehavior vs. training- what's the difference? Is training simply what you do to get the behavior you want? Or is there a little more to it than that? In this episode, Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring break down the differences between behavior and training, look at how and where they intersect, and examine ways to modify your training when you hit a behavioral roadblock. For more information and show notes please go to: Your Family Dog
YFD 174: Asking For Consent Will Deepen Your Bond With Your Dog.
June 07, 2022 06:02 - 43 minutes - 35 MBConsent- it's not just for humans. Our animal companions can also give or withhold consent, and they appreciate being asked for it as much as we do. Asking for your dog's consent and respecting when they say no not only deepens your relationship with your canine companion, but also ultimately leads to a more cheerfully compliant pup. Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring discuss the importance of asking your dog for consent, and learning how to recognize when they say yes or no. For more inform...
YFD 173: Dr. Zazie Todd Shares Her Newest Book: Purr
May 24, 2022 08:00 - 48 minutes - 38.5 MBWelcome back to Your Family...Cat? Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring switch focus slightly this week as they welcome back one of their favorite guests, Dr. Zazie Todd, to discuss her new book "Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy." Tune in for tips on training your cat, lessons on kitten socialization, and even a brief interlude of "My Strange Addiction: Animal Edition." For show notes and links please go to: Your Family Dog
YFD 172: What’s most important to you? Obedience or a Relationship With Your Dog?
May 11, 2022 14:05 - 43 minutes - 34.5 MBDoes having an obedient dog make for a good owner-pet relationship? Or is a good relationship instead the prerequisite for an obedient dog? Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring discuss the importance of an owner-dog relationship rooted in trust and understanding and how that ultimately leads to a more positive training experience, and a happier, better-behaved pup. For show notes please go to: Your Family Dog
YFD 171: Breed Matters
April 26, 2022 18:50 - 45 minutes - 36.1 MBHow much does breed really matter when choosing a dog? Does it ever make sense for someone who doesn't actually have a sheep farm to own a herding dog? What do you do if your "dream breed" doesn't fit with your lifestyle? Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring discuss the importance of breed and how to choose one that fits best with your family. For show notes please go to: Your Family Dog
YFD 170: Keep Emergencies More Manageable By Keeping Good Records
April 12, 2022 12:19 - 41 minutes - 33 MBEmergencies are scary and not knowing what to do in one can make it even scarier. Drawing on personal experience, Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring help you prepare for emergency situations by discussing the importance of trusting your gut, keeping good records, and looking out for your vet staff. For show notes and more information go to: Your Family Dog
YFD 169: Set You, Your Family, and Your Dog Up for Success!
March 29, 2022 08:55 - 50 minutes - 40.4 MBSupport- your kids need it, your dogs need it, and you need it as well. Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring talk about the best way to support every member of your family- yourself included- so that you can prevent problems before they arise, deal with them effectively when they do, and set everybody up for success. For notes and more please go to: Your Family Dog
YFD 169: Fido, Come!
March 15, 2022 08:02 - 52 minutes - 42.1 MBIt's the most basic of commands, but can be one of the hardest to master- the deceptively simple "Come!" (or, in trainer parlance, the "recall.") Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring discuss the different types of recall and offer advice on how to help your dog learn to come no matter what. For more information and show notes please go to: Your Family Dog
YFD 168: Fido, Come!
March 15, 2022 08:02 - 52 minutes - 42.1 MBIt's the most basic of commands, but can be one of the hardest to master- the deceptively simple "Come!" (or, in trainer parlance, the "recall.") Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring discuss the different types of recall and offer advice on how to help your dog learn to come no matter what. For more information and show notes please go to: Your Family Dog
YFD 167: Help Your Child Build a Great Relationship with Your Dog
March 01, 2022 11:45 - 34 minutes - 28 MBKids and dogs are a great combination in theory, but the reality can be a lot messier, especially when little brains- whether human or canine- are still growing. Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring are joined once again by Julie's sister, Dr. Sara Wyckoff, to talk about the best way to help kids build a relationship with their dog at every stage of development. For more information and show notes please see: Your Family Dog
YFD 166: Learn About Fostering Dogs with Shelter Owner Melissa Bacelar
February 15, 2022 07:00 - 39 minutes - 31.7 MBThinking of getting a dog, but not totally sure yet if it's the right move? Want a dog, but only temporarily? Fostering may be the answer you're looking for! Julie and Tina are joined by Melissa Bacelar of Wagmor Pets Dog Rescue and Adoption Center in Los Angeles to talk about fostering pets- how it works, what you should be prepared for, and whether it's right for you.s right for you. For more information please go to: Your Family Dog
YFD 165: Trigger Stacking and What It Means For Your Dog.
February 01, 2022 07:00 - 53 minutes - 98.2 MBTriggers- you have them, I have them, and our dogs have them, too! Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring help you learn to recognize your dog's stress triggers and effectively manage them before they build up and boil over. For show notes and more please go to: Your Family Dog