Your Family Dog Podcast

Many of us love the hustle and bustle of city life, but unfortunately, our pets don't always agree. From the endless barrage of sounds and smells to unnerving experiences like riding elevators, urban environments often present unique challenges to dogs and their owners. However, this doesn't mean you and Fido have to ditch the city and head for the hills! With a little patience and some good training, there are all kinds of things you can do to help your pup thrive in an urban setting. Dog trainer Melissa McCue-McGrath returns to the show today to share tips and tricks for city living with dogs.

 

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

When we think of "first responders," our minds naturally go first to firefighters, police officers, and EMTs and the valuable work they do for people in emergencies. What we tend to overlook, however, is that animals are often involved in emergency situations as well- who cares for them?

Enter Dr. Leigh Mack- himself a firefighter and EMT- and founder of the First Responders' Veterinary Network. FRVN was established to address critical gaps in managing animal-centric emergencies. Drawing from his tenure at the South Carolina State Guard and two fire departments, Dr. Mack developed an scalable operational model for the field. The concept emerged from frontline encounters where animals hindered life-saving care, revealing a vital need for a network of volunteer veterinarians to treat injured animals and to help maintain scene safety. Dr. Mack joined the podcast today to talk about his work, and how you can get involved.

 

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

YFD: 277 Learn how to improve family dog health with veterinary oncologist Dr. Erin Malone. We are joined again by Dr. Erin Malone, a veterinary oncologist, to discuss her updated services and how they can support your pet's wellness journey. If you are looking for practical guidance for a pet with cancer, this conversation provides the veterinary insights you need. Dr. Malone explains the latest approaches in oncology care, helping you understand what options are available when your dog faces serious health challenges. We break down the realities of specialized veterinary care so you can make informed decisions for your household. Improving family dog health starts with knowing what resources are available to you and your pet. Subscribe for weekly family dog health advice and let us know in the comments: what topic should we cover with our next guest?

 

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

ReadyRESCUE™, which is an emergency first-aid solution designed to help manage toxin ingestion in dogs and cats. It uses a high-concentration, veterinary-formulated activated carbon that works quickly to bind toxins and act as a first line of defense before getting to a vet. A word or two from Dr. Glassman, I want to share with people how common these types of emergencies actually are (they happen more than people think)! What pet parents should realistically do in those first few minutes. When it’s appropriate to intervene at home vs. go straight to a vet. And why not all “activated charcoal” products are created equal in terms of effectiveness, safety, and dosing. The goal isn’t to replace veterinary care—it’s to help people feel more prepared, less anxious, and able to act quickly and appropriately when something unexpected happens. Time Stamps - 0:00 Introduction 5:13 Which situations are emergencies - families vs vet staff 10:30 ReadyRESCUE is for pets who are intoxicated or poisoned and should be administered ASAP 13:50 It cannot make it worse - it’s inert 14:43 Why Tina needed ReadyRESCUE last week 16:10 Why ReadyRESCUE is a much better option (and why Tina has it now) 17:30 Why hydrogen peroxide is not a good option 19:30 ReadyRESCUE is safe and effective for toxins in the stomach and the intestine 20:00 Cat dose is half a vial. Has no taste. How to give it 21:45 Human medications are often a big issue for pets if ingested 23:00 Beware imitators 24:30 Please share this episode with your vet, groomer, breeder, shelter, rescue, trainer, friends and family 26:00 Why Techs love it 29:00 PetCo and Chewy currently carry it 31:50 A vet on Raw food 36:15 ReadyRESCUE won’t make anything worse, you are giving them a chance 36:35 Take the packaging with you to the vet 38:20 What’s next for “Dr. Cuddles” 41:00 What to have in your emergency kit 47:00 What ReadyRESCUE cannot absorb Stay in the Loop with the Your Family Dog Podcast Mailing Address: Tina M. Spring, 115 Pointers Ridge Drive, Athens, GA 30606-1490 YFDPod Merchandise: https://yfdpod-2.myshopify.com/ Our Favorite Things: Sidekick Leash - Affiliate Code: YOURFAMILYDOG Affiliate Link: www.heathersheroes.com/YOURFAMILYDOG for 10% off New Plymouth Farm Soap: DOG10 NewPlymouthFarm.com Tristan Publishing (The Next Place, El Proximo Lugar & Pawprints in the Stars use code YFDP15 for 15% off SwiftPaws: YFDP for a discount Pup O’Clock: YOURFAMILYDOGPOD10 for 10% off The Your Family Dog Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YFDPodcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-family-dog-podcast/id1163178672 Spotify Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/0lgRkY6RO1FGsANPGVzqej Your Family Dog Podcast ON SOCIAL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfamilydogpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YourFamilyDogPodcast/ The Your Family Dog Podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The content provided on this podcast does not constitute professional veterinary, behavioral, or training advice. Always consult with a licensed veterinarian, a positive reinforcement-based professional dog trainer, or a qualified pet professional before making any decisions regarding your pet’s health, behavior, or training. While we strive to share accurate and helpful information, every dog is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. The hosts and guests of The Your Family Dog Podcast disclaim all liability for any actions taken based on the content of this podcast. Listener discretion is advised when implementing any suggestions discussed. This podcast may feature guests with their own views, which do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the podcast hosts. ©2016-2026 Your Family Dog Podcast LLC

Welcome back to Your Family...Tarantula? That's right- in today's Very Unusual Episode, we're joined by Shamekia Wray, a former arachnophobe who now shares her home with 50+ pet spiders (and some bearded dragons as well). Most of us feel a definite sense of ick when confronted with an eight-legged creepy crawly, but these low-maintenance (and suprisingly colorful!) animals can actually make ideal pets, particularly for kids who want an animal companion but aren't ready for the intensity of a dog. Tune in to learn about Shamekia's journey from arachnophobe to arachnofiend and find out how much there is to appreciate about these leggy little beasts.

For show notes and more (including our new merch!) please go to Your Family Dog.