Pick of the Litter Podcast

In this special episode, ethologist Kim Brophey joins us to talk about the science showing just how sadly isolated our pet dogs have become, and — on the upside — the beautiful impact that a small, stable group of canine peers can have on this innately social species. A new scientific paper, "Disconnected Lives: Social Networks and Emotional Regulation in Domestic Dogs," jumpstarted this fantastic conversation that's filled with small, doable ways you can start helping your dog to have some fellow travelers as they navigate life here on Planet Human. (We highly recommend reading the fascinating paper by Agnieszka Grynkiewicz — a fellow Family Dog Mediator! — Anna Reinholz, and Kamil Imber out of the University of Warsaw.)

Is your dog barking and lunging on leash? That "reactivity" can certainly ruin your walks, but even more important, it's a sign that your dog is having a hard time with the wider world. Big feelings are prompting those big behaviors. In this episode, we talk about the fear and frustration that cause reactivity, the common mistakes people make as they try to "fix" it, and the approaches that work together to help your dog feel more comfortable and calm out in the world.

Are those sharp puppy teeth taking a bite out of the joy you feel about puppyhood? Are your kids scared to play with new new puppy because "he's biting me!" Is your mouthy adolescent dog hard to handle sometimes? Mouthiness is more complicated than you may think! (Nope, it's not necessarily "teething.") In this episode we talk about why young dogs tend to be mouthy, and what strategies you can employ to meet their canine needs while teaching our human ways.

Do you dread clipping your dog's nails? How about giving ear medicine, or brushing out a mat? In this episode we talk about an approach called "cooperative care," which reduces stress by giving dogs more agency during each task: They can choose to participate for a reward, and communicate when they need a break. The expert in this subject is Dr. Deborah Jones—a dog trainer with a background as a psychology professor—who has a great little book called "Cooperative Care: Seven Steps to Stressfree Husbandry." It's a terrific way to deepen the trust between you and your dog.

When 2020 ushered in an era of remote work, dogs everywhere rejoiced! Suddenly, all the humans were around a lot, allowing for a daily routine filled with walks, play and simple companionship. Unfortunately for our canine friends, many employers are shutting down the remote option and insisting on a return to the office. That's a big adjustment for a dog who's never spent much time alone! In this episode, we tackle the challenges of helping your dog adjust to a new normsl. We share expert tips on reducing anxiety, building independence, and keeping your dog happy while you're away. Should you hire a dog walker? Try doggy daycare? Arrange something with your neighbors? Tune in for strategies to make the transition smoother for both you and your pup!

We've long been taught that our dogs need "a walk." But the kind of walk we're often giving them — say, 20 minutes around the block at a fast pace — may end up creating more problems than it solves as we forbid meaningful interaction with the environment. (Don't sniff that! Don't eat that! Don't chase that! No, you can't say hi.) It may all end up leaving our dogs with the question: "What the heck is this walk for, anyway? Why are we walking?" In this episode, we discuss how doing things to add a sense of purpose to your dog's walk answers that question for them — resulting in a more confident dog, a more trusting relationship between you, and quite often an end to challenging behaviors like barking, lunging and pulling.

Do you know how to really PLAY with your dog? The answer is more complicated - and important - than it might seem. True social play between you and your dog can be a powerful tool in building connection and trust, and it can be a much-needed reprieve for a dog living here in our human world. Dr. Amy Cook is the expert on human-canine play, and her "Play Way" approach is our topic for this episode. LINKS: Video of Dr. Cook demonstrating some elements of "The Play Way" https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=681929543785963 Graphic illustrating highlighting key Play Way concepts https://blog.doggiedrawings.net/post/614077754120519680 Kathy's article on play in Whole Dog Journal

Does punishment work with dogs? Dr. Ian Dunbar has spent five decades at the forefront of the industry as a vet, researcher and trainer, and he's channeled it all into his new book, "Barking Up The Right Tree." In this episode, we focus on the one chapter that is a master class on punishment. Rather than addressing the morality or ethics involved, Dunbar goes straight to the science: Is it effective? When we yell, jerk on the leash, buzz or shock our dogs, what does it teach them? Listen to find out.

It's great to train with food, but don't forget to harness the powerful "environmental" rewards that are right at your fingertips! These "real life rewards" -- like sniffing something, going through the gate to the walk, hopping up on the couch, or greeting someone -- are powerful reinforcers. Make the most of them by linking them with the behavior you want to see. (And make sure they aren't unintentionally reinforcing behavior you don't want!) Learn how to use these functional rewards and you'll enrich your relationship, creating fantastic daily habits that put you in happy sync with your dog.

'Tis the season . . . for dog bites, dog fights, and trips to the ER after a chocolate feast! In this episode we discuss the ways you can help your canine family members enjoy the holidays as much as the rest of the family, and keep everyone safe while doing so.

When tiny puppies jump up to say hi it can be so cute! Whoops . . . it's not so cute later on when kids are getting knocked over, clothes are getting muddy, and grandma gets hurt. To eliminate that jumping, it's key to teach (and reward) different ways for dogs to greet people, or express their desire to engage. In this episode we'll cover all the things you can do so that your dog learns that keeping four on the floor is the most direct route to the affection, play and up-close smells they're after.

Do you ever think that you and your dog aren't communicating very well? You can get much better at it! Dr. Patricia McConnell's work as a zoologist and an applied animal behaviorist been groundbreaking in helping people to understand canine body language — and how our own primate-style body language confuses our dogs, and weakens our relationship. In this episode, we use McConnell's classic book "The Other End of the Leash" as a jumping off point, discussing all the simple things you can do to improve communication between yourself and your dog. As the episode continues, we delve into McConnell's fascinating research on vocalizations between species — if you want your dog to come quickly, then don't use one long slow note to call! — and then finish with a more abstract conversation on the complex issue of "dominance." NOTES Patricia McConnell is a delightful speaker, and we highly suggest that you search her out on your podcast app! She has been a guest on: Drinking from the Toilet Pod to the Rescue The Bitey End of the Dog

In this episode, we focus on the work of dog trainer and behaviorist Leslie McDevitt. Her deceptively simple pattern games are huge favorites with our clients for good reason: they’re easy to use, and they work. We cover our favorites, explaining how to do them, when to use them, and why we love them: The Up-Down Game, Ping-Pong, 1-2-3, Go & Come Game, Look & Sniff Game, and Look At That