Pick of the Litter Podcast

"Ditch the Bowl" to Build Great Behavior

Does your dog snarf up a bowl of kibble in 20 seconds and then look up at you asking what's next? If "what's next" includes things like barking, pulling, lunging, jumping up or being anxious, we always suggest saving at least some of the "gold" in that nutritious bowl to use creatively to encourage the behavior you'd like to see.  That can mean turning those meals into natural "foraging" activity (scatter feeding, stuffed toys, puzzle toys) or using it as you actively engage with your dog in training and play that builds your connection. The trainers from Absolute Dogs in the U.K. coined the term "Ditch the Bowl" as shorthand to refer to this approach of using a dog's regular food to teach, enrich, and build the bond with your dog. (For some extra fun, check out their "Sexier Than A Squirrel" challenge — a series of games that build upon each other.)

The Power of Purposeful Walks

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. 
 

Choosing the Right Dog for You

 In this episode, we discuss the different factors that go into choosing the right dog. What breed might be the best match for your lifestyle and setup? Should you dive in and get a puppy or would an adult be the smartest choice? If you hope to adopt a great rescue dog, where do you start? If you're choosing a purebred, how can you be sure (and why SHOULD you be sure) you've got a responsible breeder? And finally . . . should you ever just go with your heart and take that dog who, on paper, seems like a terrible idea but you simply cannot stop thinking about? We hope you enjoy this conversation, and it helps give you a bit more fodder to ponder the next time you approach one of the most exciting decisions we have in life: adding a new dog to the family.  

Dog - Human Play & Dr. Amy Cook

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
 
 
 

Resource Guarding & Jean Donaldson's "Mine"

Have you ever been surprised by a growl as you tried to take something from your sweet dog? Taken aback when your usually friendly dog bared her teeth as the neighbor's dog came near her toy? Resource guarding is both completely natural AND can be a big problem! We see folks worrying too much in some cases, and not enough in others. In this episode we use Jean Donaldson's book "Mine" as a jumping off point for a discussion on resource guarding: what to watch for, how to use management to prevent issues, how to handle emergencies, and how to keep your dog from becoming a problematic guarder. 

Does Punishment Work? Ian Dunbar's "Barking Up The Right Tree"

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. 

"Welcoming Your Puppy From Planet Dog" - Kathy's New Book!

On this podcast, we often talk about authors — and this time, the author is one of us! "Welcoming Your Puppy from Planet Dog: How to Go Beyond Training and Raise Your Best Friend" is Kathy's new puppy guide.  Take a listen to learn why she says your training success will skyrocket if you make this one key mindset shift: think of your puppy as a baby you kidnapped from another planet. While the book offers many tips and techniques regarding the various challenges of puppyhood, the fundamental key is that starting with empathy just may be the best training tip there is. 

Environmental Rewards: They're All Around You

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.

Your Dog’s 4 L.E.G.S. Offer Answers from Kim Brophey

Kim Brophey's paradigm-shifting system of understanding our dogs is disrupting the dog training industry in the very best way: by finally making the dog's needs part of the equation. Her ethology-based L.E.G.S. model teaches us that before we think about "how" we're going to modify a dog's behavior, we need to ask "why" it's occurring by looking at a dog's four legs: Learning, Environment, Genetics & Self. Once you do that, some remarkably simple solutions emerge. Result: happier dogs, happier people. 
For more . . .
Check out Kim Brophey's website:  familydogmediation.com
Get Kim's book: Meet Your Dog
 

Enjoying The Holidays and Staying Safe 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.