Your Family Dog Podcast

Grief is, unfortunately, an inevitable part of life. For many of us, our first real experience of grief and loss comes with the passing of a beloved pet. As children, it can be hard to understand exactly what's happened and why our furry friend is never coming back.

Moved by the story of a tragic accident, author and illustrator Warren Hanson set out to try and give comfort to children experiencing grief. His books "The Next Place," and "Paw Prints in the Stars" provide a gentle guide to coping with the sadness of death, and the celebration of the love that remains. Join us today for a discussion of grief and loss, and a special storytime (tissues recommended!).

 

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

There are a lot of resources out there about kids and dogs. But whether it's bringing a puppy home to your kids, or a new baby home to your dog, most of the information available focuses on the early stages of child/puppyhood. What is often overlooked- but can be just as challenging to all involved- is what happens when the kids grow up, move out, and leave their pets behind. Family dog trainer Debra Murray, of Smartypaws LLC, specializes in family-pet dynamics. Join us today to talk about how to handle this overlooked but still pivotal adjustment in your pet's life.

 

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

Getting a new puppy is a little like being invaded by aliens- cute, fluffy, wiggly aliens, but aliens nonetheless. Humans and puppies don't innately understand each other, and this lack of understanding can turn a time that should be fun and exciting into a one full of anger, stress, and doubts. 

Fortunately, there is help! Certified dog trainer Kathy Callahan specializes in families and their new puppies acclimate to one another and achieve a smooth transition into the household. Join us today for a discussion of all the highs and lows, ups and downs, of puppyhood!

 

Certified dog trainer (CPDT-KA) and family dog mediator (LFDM) Kathy Callahan specializes in puppies. The author of Welcoming Your Puppy from Planet Dog and 101 Rescue Puppies, she writes monthly on training and behavior for Whole Dog Journal. Her business, PupStart, focuses on helping clients through puppyhood. Her website is www.puppypicks.com. 

KATHY SOCIAL:

Instagram - instagram.com/puppypicks 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathryn.g.callahan  

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2XrCeyKGTvXvp4l5dSMG1A  

Other links from episode discussion:

Welcoming Your Puppy From Planet Dog

Snuggle Puppy

DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone)

Regular Roller Gate

Reinforced Roller Gate

Outdoor Reinforced Roller Gate (HUGE)

Indoor (open floorplan) Reinforced Roller Gate

Ping Pong By Leslie McDevitt - How to use it with puppies

 

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

A new year means new opportunities, new challenges, new hopes...and new books! Animal behaviorist-turned-novelist Patricia McConnell joins the show today to discuss her forthcoming book, "Away to Me." A murder mystery set in the world of sheepdog trials, "Away to Me" is part detective novel, part James Herriot essay, full of suspense and canines in equal measure. And the best part? None of the dogs die! Tune in to learn more about what is sure to be one of the best reads of 2026!

 

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

Happy Throwback Thursday and Happy 2026! With the New Year comes New Year's resolutions of course, and so today we're revisiting an episode on that very topic- setting resolutions and goals for you and your dog that are realistic and achievable. Start 2026 off right by setting both you and your furry friend up for success!

Tina Spring and Julie Fudge Smith talk about some soft resolutions for the New Year. In other words: those things that one might have a chance of actually achieving! They offer ideas and suggestions for managing your dog a bit better so you can carve out 15 minutes a day to do something decadent like read a book or have a cup of tea!

 

For show notes and other information please go to: Your Family Dog