About this episode

Dr. Rowena Packer discusses how early experiences of puppies can affect their health later in life.

In this episode, interim host Jess Sedivy Gunderson welcomes back Dr. Rowena Packer to discuss new research examining how puppies' earliest experiences—including age at sale, seeing the mother, and sourcing decisions—can impact health outcomes later in life. Together, they explore what the findings mean for breeders, puppy buyers, and the future of canine welfare. If you'd like to support the podcast and the work of the Functional Dog Collaborative, find us on Patreon: Functional Breeding Patreon

People in this episode

Host: Jess Sedivy Gunderson

Guest: Rowena Packer

Topics covered

• puppy purchasing
• canine welfare
• health outcomes
• breeding practices
• puppy experiences

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Functional Dog Collaborative

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