We know that people can have different types of intelligence, but what about our dogs?  I think every pet parent I know has been astonished by how smart their dog is – and usually in a good way.

Author Jennifer Holland explores the many different ways that dogs show their intelligence in her new book Dog Smart: Life Changing Lessons in Canine Intelligence.

Jennifer interviewed everyone from scientists to dog trainers to pet parents to learn how dogs demonstrate their smarts.  I was fascinated to learn about all the different types of working dogs – some of which I’d never heard of before!

But what does this mean for pet parents?  Jennifer shares with us what she now does differently with her own dogs after everything she learned while writing Dog Smart. We also discuss the types of intelligence we’ve seen in our own dogs.

Jennifer may also have the most adventurous career I’ve ever heard of. While working on assignment for National Geographic, she did everything from swim with sharks to camp out amongst the Indigenous people of Papau New Guinea (and the mosquitos!).

While writing Dog Smart, Jennifer’s intrepid spirit shows when she dons a “bite suit” to be “attacked” by a law enforcement K-9 and again when led blindfolded through the streets of Manhattan by a guide dog-in-training.

(This was my dog Nessie’s first time being my in-person interview helper, so please excuse her kong-chewing and water bowl slurping in the background.)

Find links & show notes at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode102

Teef: The easiest way to improve your dog’s dental health is with a spoonful of Teef powder in their water.  Save 20% on your Teef orders when you use the code: ADM.

Join my Facebook Group: Believe in Dog Pet Parent Support Group

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2. Screenshot your review.

3. Email the screenshot to me at erin@believeindogpodcast.com and I’ll be sending you a free gift.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work with an animal communicator?  This is Part 2 of our family’s session with animal communicator, Nancy Mello.

In just the past few days, we discovered another one of Nancy’s insights about Neno’s health is correct!

We’re jumping back into our session with Nancy where we connected with Neno, Nessie & Penny.  After each segment from Nancy, Tim & I will share our reflections with you about what points resonated with us – or didn’t.

In Part 2, we’ll learn more about newly adopted Nessie – like her biggest fear and insights into the triggers of her reactivity. And about those chickens! During the session, Nancy recommended checking Nessie’s ears, and 5 days later Nessie was diagnosed with an ear infection.

At the end of the session, we also hear from Penny, our beloved gal who passed suddenly in 2023.  We’ll hear what Penny knew about her health condition, what she thinks about Nessie joining our family and if she’s seen the portrait of her in our home.

Tim also shares his best advice for anyone interested in working with an animal communicator.

See photos of Neno's dental issue & info shared with Nancy at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode101

1. Leave a rating & review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast player.

2. Screenshot your review.

3. Email the screenshot to me at erin@believeindogpodcast.com and I’ll be sending you a free gift.

Get your free checklist: Join Erin the Dog Mom's email list to receive the 12 Changes in Your Dog to Never Ignore checklist.

What do you think are the most common complaints our dogs have about us Pet Parents?  Animal Communicator Nancy Mello shares the two most common grievances she hears – and I definitely needed to hear this!

While some of us might be completely intrigued by the concept of animal communication, for Nancy Mello, her experience hasn’t been all love & light. 

Nancy describes herself as “not at all woo-woo.” She spent the first 30+ years of her life trying to repress her abilities and just live as a “normal” daughter, military spouse and mom. 

It’s only been a few years since Nancy finally made the decision to embrace her abilities.  And she has quickly made a name for herself having helped reunite 120+ lost pets with their families.

Nancy also shares with us what she’s learned from her End of Life sessions before a pet transitions.

You can listen in on Nancy’s animal communication sessions on her Creature Preacher podcast and follow her on Instagram and TikTok.

Find links & show notes at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode92

Get your free checklist: Join Erin the Dog Mom's email list to receive the 12 Changes in Your Dog to Never Ignore checklist.

Teef: The easiest way to improve your dog’s dental health is with a spoonful of Teef powder in their water.  Save 20% on your Teef orders when you use the code: ADM.

Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Mindy’s Story: The Majik Touch 

Mindy FitzGerald was born into an animal-loving family but the first dog that was truly hers, was Majik. Her constant companion during a very transitional time of her life, Mindy is still mourning Majik’s passing. In this episode, Mindy & I discuss:

• The role Mindy’s pets have played in supporting her through a life-altering illness
• How a crime scene led to Mindy’s love of pit bulls
• How a foster cat’s asthma led to the creation of Mindy’s business, Hunter & Harvest Apothecary

My own dogs have supported me through medical issues and research even shows that dogs are good for our mental and physical health.

Find Mindy online: Website: www.hunterandharvest.com Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/hunterandharvest1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hunterandharvestoils/ Email: hunterandharvestapothecary@gmail.com

Mindy’s blog about Majik: https://hunterandharvest.com/blog/2019/10/25/heart-dogs

Find Hunter & Harvest products in stores: Untamed Boutique – Hanover, PA Whiskers Vintage & Vinyl – Shippensburg, PA

The Feline Rescue Association: http://www.baltimorecats.org/

Trap-Neuter-Return in Baltimore’s Park Heights neighborhood: https://www.facebook.com/ParkHeightsAnimals/ 

Have your pets helped you through an illness or injury? 

Let’s connect: Facebook @believeindogpodcast Instagram @believe_in_dog_podcast Email believeindogpodcast@gmail.com

Welcome to the Believe in Dog podcast. My name is Erin Scott and in this first episode I’m sharing with you:

• how I went from reluctant dog owner to Dog Mom AF,
• the difference dogs have made in my life and some of the hard times that my dogs have gotten me through, and
• why I started this podcast

My mission is to connect dog lovers by sharing stories that celebrate how the love of a dog is inspiring people to change their lives, the lives of others and changing our world for the better. This is also a place where you can know you aren’t alone in the difficult times, like dealing with your dog’s illness or when you are facing grief and loss.

Find out more about the organization B-More Dog (www.bmoredog.org) that I volunteer with.  Find out more about Bad Rap, the rock stars of pit bull advocacy and community dog owner support (www.badrap.org).

I am an advocate for pit bulls, shelter dogs, rescue & adoption, humane education in schools and dog owner support programs.

Who’s the dog that changed your life?  Let’s connect:

Facebook @believeindogpodcast Instagram @believe_in_dog_podcast or #believeindogpodcast Email believeindogpodcast@gmail.com

Sending hugs & belly rubs!

Special thanks to:

• My husband, Tim
• Amy Dee and Chuck of Why I'm Single, The Podcast (You can hear me on the episode Tell 'em Steve Tim)
• Kelsey Murphy of the Whiskey & Work podcast and the women of the Podcast with Soul Mastermind

Is your dog always 100% confident? While Kelly Lee of Dogkind Training specializes in working with fearful dogs, her confidence building tips will help you build your dog’s confidence in any situation.

Kelly shares her top Do’s and Don’ts for increasing your dog’s confidence – whether it’s a brand-new situation or an experience you may need to reintroduce to your dog in a different way.  

My biggest takeaway is how to break down these experiences into tiny steps.  Dogkind Training’s website has amazing free resources for learning how to do this in various ways – from stairs to nail clippers.

We also learn the most common mistakes Kelly sees pet parents make when they first adopt a fearful or traumatized dog.  Kelly’s even developed an online training program, the Confidence Builders Club, to provide support for pet parents of fearful dogs.

As much as we all love snuggling our dogs, do we *really* know if our dog wants to be pet right now? What does consent mean as a pet parent?  I first learned of Kelly’s Petting Consent Test video from previous guest Ann King (Episode 87).

Kelly shares her thoughts on what petting consent means and how to tell if our dogs are enjoying our company as much as we think they do.

Find links & show notes at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode91

Get your free checklist: Join Erin the Dog Mom's email list to receive the 12 Changes in Your Dog to Never Ignore checklist.

Teef: The easiest way to improve your dog’s dental health is with a spoonful of Teef powder in their water.  Save 20% on your Teef orders when you use the code: ADM.

Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Have you ever wondered if we’re [accidentally] making our dogs’ anxiety worse? 

Alex Peacock – a dog trainer who specializes in working with anxious dogs – is going help us answer this question and understand why anxious people and anxious dogs seem to attract each other.

Alex works with pet parents of anxious dogs through a comprehensive program he designed.  He’ll share with us the three pillars of his program and give us powerful tips for any pet parent dealing with an anxious dog. 

Alex also advises us on how to choose the best dog trainer to help with your dog’s anxiety.

But what if we could stop dog anxiety before it even starts?  Alex shares the one BIG thing pet parents can do to avoid dog anxiety in the first place.

Alex also reveals that he was inspired to be a dog trainer from a young age after watching THAT celebrity dog training tv show.  (But don’t worry, Alex’s training methods are nothing like that!)

Find links & show notes at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode90

Get your free checklist: Join Erin the Dog Mom's email list to receive the 12 Changes in Your Dog to Never Ignore checklist.

Teef: The easiest way to improve your dog’s dental health is with a spoonful of Teef powder in their water.  Save 20% on your Teef orders when you use the code: ADM.

Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Our dogs are always talking to us … but are we listening?   I believe that learning our dogs’ body language is one of THE most important aspects of being a pet parent.

So thank goodness for Lili Chin’s work translating Doggie Language for us humans. In fact, if you follow anything dog-related on social media, you’re probably familiar with Lili’s illustrations and artwork.

Lili never anticipated that adopting Boogie, the Boston Terrier, would impact her life and career in so many ways.  She also hadn’t anticipated Boogie nearly getting her evicted after biting her apartment building manager!

After a few disappointing experiences with other trainers, Lili was introduced to positive force-free training methods and learned to understand what Boogie was communicating all along.

Dog trainers and other professionals soon began commissioning Lili’s artwork to share important messages for pet parents.  From Dog Body Language to Your Dog’s Emotional Cup, Lili’s work is shared far & wide on social media impacting pet parents daily.

Get the Doggie Language book for your collection HERE. (Aff. link)

Find links and show notes at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode89

Teef: The easiest way to improve your dog’s dental health is with a spoonful of Teef powder in their water.  Save 20% on your Teef orders when you use the code: ADM.

Oncotect: With 1 in 3 dogs being diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, Oncotect is the first at-home screening test that Pet Parents can purchase to get peace of mind.  Get 15% off when you use the code: BELIEVEINDOG

Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Have you – or someone you know – ever struggled with a challenging dog?  Where you’ve tried everything from trainers to vets to behaviorists, but life with the dog is still a daily struggle – whether fear, reactivity or feeling like the dog runs the house instead of the humans.

If any of this sounds familiar, then you won’t want to miss this episode.

After struggling for 5 years with her own dog, Maya, Souha met a series of life-changing teachers and mentors.  These experiences led her to develop a philosophy to heal the relationship and strengthen the bond we have with our troubled dogs.

Souha explains to us her 3-stage method that she calls the Way of Life Method. This system is like hitting the “reset” button on your relationship with your dog – at any age and no matter how long your dog has been part of the family.

Souha’s Way of Life is a methodical approach to adjusting the expectations we have for our dogs and involves re-establishing our life and our home in a structured way that sets our dogs up for success.  This is a completely force-free and non-aversive methodology.

In Souha’s book, The Way of Life Method, she provides daily schedules, exercises and bonding activities intended to create the connection with your dog that you’ve always wanted but didn’t think was possible.

Find links & show notes at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode88

Get your free checklist: Join Erin the Dog Mom's email list to receive the 12 Changes in Your Dog to Never Ignore checklist.

Teef: The easiest way to improve your dog’s dental health is with a spoonful of Teef powder in their water.  Save 20% on your Teef orders when you use the code: ADM.

Oncotect: With 1 in 3 dogs being diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, Oncotect is the first at-home screening test that Pet Parents can purchase to get peace of mind.  Get 15% off when you use the code: BELIEVEINDOG

Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Dog Mom Confession: Sometimes it’s stressful adopting a new dog!    

Have you ever heard of the 3-3-3 Rule?  This advice gives Pet Parents an expectation of what to expect 3 Days, 3 Weeks and 3 Months after bringing a new dog home.

Today’s guest Ann King is the dog trainer who has popularized the 3-3-3 Rule for the shelter & rescue community.

Ann is also the creator of the Rescue SMART framework. SMART is an acronym for Ann’s five steps to successfully introducing and integrating a new dog to your home:

• Structure
• Management
• Activity
• Red Flags
• Training

Ann will share what each of these components means and how to implement the SMART framework in your home. Ann will also tell us how she developed the framework – including all the mistakes she made along the way.  

We’ll also learn the most common mistakes that Pet Parents make when introducing a new dog to their home and the easy ways to fix or prevent these.

Share this episode with your shelter and rescue friends!  Rescue SMART is a totally free resource that includes videos and PDF downloads to help anyone introducing a new dog to their home.

Find links & show notes at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode87

Get your free checklist: Join Erin the Dog Mom's email list to receive the 12 Changes in Your Dog to Never Ignore checklist.

Teef: The easiest way to improve your dog’s dental health is with a spoonful of Teef powder in their water.  Save 20% on your Teef orders when you use the code: ADM.

Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Is your dog as happy as you think? Are there scientifically proven ways to make your dog happy?

Dr. Zazie Todd shines light on these questions in her book Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy.

This is a re-broadcast of Episode 9, which originally aired March 9, 2020.

Zazie Todd did not grow up with pets, while on her way to becoming an accomplished social psychologist. When she & her husband adopted 2 dogs within 6 weeks from their local humane society, Zazie used her psychology and research background to make sure she was doing the “right” things for her dogs.

As she began looking into the burgeoning field of canine science and what we are learning about dogs, Zazie shared her findings by starting her blog, Companion Animal Psychology.

If you’ve ever wondered if your dog is as happy as you hope, or if you are making the right decisions for your dog, Zazie shares all that she’s learned in her book Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy.

Find links & show notes at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode86

Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Did you know that the most common cause of trauma in dogs is at the hands of people – particularly harsh handling by Pet Professionals such as groomers, veterinarians and dog trainers?

Caroline Alupo is a Sweden-based ethologist and dog trainer who literally wrote the guide to diagnosing PTSD in dogs.  This topic is extra-personal for me as I believe my dog, Neno, meets the criteria for Complex PTSD from abuse and neglect he experienced before we adopted him.

Caroline shares the signs to look for in your dog’s behavior AND physical health when determining if PTSD is present. 

We’ll also learn the Do’s and Don’ts to creating a healing environment for dogs that have experienced traumatic events. And we’ll learn tips for protecting our dogs and how to prevent these situations from happening in the first place.

Learn more from Caroline on the Petli app! (Available for Apple and Android.)

Happy Holidays from the Believe in Dog Podcast!  Join Erin the Dog Mom’s email list at: https://www.erinthedogmom.com/

Find links & show notes at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode85

Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

If you’re playing a drinking game along with this episode, “shocked” is the word of the day.  I was utterly shocked learning about the institutionalized lack of accountability in caring for the retired military and contract working dogs that protect the U.S.

Many of us weren’t aware that this was a problem until the outcry of animal advocates after the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 where contract working dogs were left behind.   In fact, it wasn’t until 2016 that a law was passed stating that the U.S. military had to bring their retired dogs stateside – but Bob tells us about the loopholes that muddy the waters on this. (Researching more about this topic led me to the shameful history of the U.S. military’s abandonment of 5,000+ dogs during the Vietnam War.)

Fortunately, there’s people like Bob Bryant and Mission K9 in the world who are doing something about it. From arranging transport from the far corners of the world to rehabbing the dogs’ physical and psychological wounds to finding appropriate adopters, Mission K9 keeps these commitments to each dog they rescue.

Watch this video from the 2017 Petco Helping Heroes Award to learn more about Mission K9.

In this season of giving, I hope you’ll consider supporting organizations like Mission K9 or animal welfare organizations in your community.

Find links, show notes and photos of rescued K9s at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode84

Join Erin the Dog Mom’s email list at: https://www.erinthedogmom.com/

Can dogs see colors?  How does your dog’s breed affect their vision?  What changes in your dog’s behavior could indicate they are losing their vision? Cathy Symons, CVT, CCRP, answers all these questions and more for us.  Cathy’s pug Booda, aka The Emperor, was a bold and adventurous dog who loved his agility class and lived life to the fullest.  Until the day he didn’t, and Cathy realized that Booda had gone blind due to a condition known as SARDS (Sudden Acute Retinal Degeneration Syndrome) that is known to affect small breed dogs. Pulling herself together after this diagnosis, Cathy threw herself into creating a safe environment for Booda as he regained his confidence and learned to thrive in his new world. Cathy wrote the book Blind Devotion to share with Pet Parents dealing with their dog’s vision loss everything that she wishes she had known. Cathy is also the author of the children’s book Watching Out for Digger, named after her second blind pug. In her day job, Cathy works as a Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner, and she shares with us what Pet Parents should know about this field and the most common physical conditions and healing modalities she works with. You can hear Cathy and her Canine Rehab partner Chris on the PetAbility Podcast where they share their decades of knowledge with us so we can keep our pets’ best quality of life for as long as possible.

Don’t miss the fun of Black Furday from November 25 – December 1.  Register here: https://www.blackfurday.info

Find Links & Show Notes at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode83

Teef: The easiest way to improve your dog’s dental health is with a spoonful of Teef powder in their water.  Save 20% on your Teef orders when you use the code: ADM

Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Happy 100th Episode!!

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work with an animal communicator?   After connecting with Nancy Mello earlier this year, Tim & I decided to book a session with her to see if we could gain some insight into the lack of connection between our old man Neno and newly adopted Nessie.  

I was grateful that Nancy allowed us to record the session so we could reference back to it, but it hadn’t been my original plan to share this.

During our session with Nancy, there were several points that didn’t resonate with us at the time. But over the following days and weeks, more of Nancy’s insights started to make sense.  (In fact, Nancy recommended checking Nessie’s ears, and 5 days after our session Nessie was diagnosed with an ear infection!)

Tim & I decided to listen to our recorded session from start to finish and reflect on the statements that didn’t make sense at the time but later became a-ha! moments.  So I thought I’d turn on the microphones and capture this for you as I wanted to do something special for the 100th episode – something that I’d never done before.

In Part 1, you’ll hear Neno and Nessie each share their side of a scuffle that happened in our living room.  Then we check-in with Neno, both physically and emotionally. Tim & I will share our thoughts with you along the way.

Check the show notes for the exact photos and information that Nancy received prior to our session.

Find links & show notes at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode100

1. Leave a rating & review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast player.

2. Screenshot your review.

3. Email the screenshot to me at erin@believeindogpodcast.com and I’ll be sending you a free gift.

Get your free checklist: Join Erin the Dog Mom's email list to receive the 12 Changes in Your Dog to Never Ignore checklist.

Have you ever had one of those experiences that seemed like it was the worst thing that ever happened to you but then it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to you?

Kay Stewart was shocked when her position of 32 years was abruptly eliminated.  But this career loss helped Kay realize how out of alignment she had become with her childhood goal of helping animals.  When she stumbled onto a job listing posted by Ruby, Founder of Real Dog Box, Kay began to find her true passion.

Hired to create a course for the Feed Real Institute, Kay experienced a paradigm shift learning about what a true species-appropriate diet for dogs looked like.  And it wasn’t a bag of Kibble (used here in the generic sense to describe any dry dog food pellets). Kay & I discuss the history of Kibble and why it’s so bad for our dogs . . . even the “Good Kibble.”

We dive into the veterinary profession’s problems with fresh feeding – and why the Feed Real courses put these concerns to rest once and for all.  But what do veterinarians think about that?  Kay shares the reception of Feed Real’s RACE (continuing education)-approved course from both holistic and conventional veterinarians.

So what should our dogs be eating?  Kay shares the Feed Real approach to fresh feeding.  And some curious facts about chickens too.

Find Links & Show Notes at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode82

Dr. Ruth’s Holistic Shop: Save 10% on your orders from Dr. Ruth’s Holistic Shop featuring 400+ high quality supplements - including some of your favorite brands! - curated by Holistic Vet Dr. Ruth Roberts with the code: ERINTHEDOGMOM (aff. link)

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Have you ever wondered if your dog could be a Therapy Dog?  Are you & your dog ready to be a therapy team?  Where do you even start?

After working in tech for many years, Sherrie Rohde decided to make a career change and become a therapist. And when she learned (through Instagram!) about animal-assisted therapy work, Sherrie became excited about the idea of incorporating dogs into her new career.

When Sherrie adopted her dog Sunny, they started training courses right away.  Sherrie became more determined than ever that Sunny would be great therapy dog partner.

But what did Sunny think?  From eating her obedience certificate to needing more practice on her therapy dog skills, Sherrie realizes that Sunny’s imperfect journey has been a great lesson to them both.

Through her Therapy Dog Talk Podcast and online course for therapy dog teams, Sherrie is an incredible resource for anyone interested in learning more about therapy dog work.

Exciting news! The Believe in Dog Podcast is featured in Women Who Podcast Magazine and we’re celebrating the 4th anniversary of Believe in Dog!

Find Links & Show Notes at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode81

Teef: The easiest way to improve your dog’s dental health is with a spoonful of Teef powder in their water.  Save 20% on your Teef orders when you use the code: ADM

Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Have you ever been around a dog who doesn’t “dog” like other dogs?  Maybe you’ve experienced a dog who is reactive or has separation anxiety or a noise-phobia?

Sharon Vincuilla and I explore how dogs (and people!) can experience the world differently and how neurodiversity shows up in a dog’s behavior.  And Sharon has experienced this first-hand with her dog, Muggins!

Sharon found that life with Muggins was even triggering her own trauma.  Seemingly ordinary life events like walking the dog or having a friend stop by her house would turn into stressful ordeals with Muggins.

Leaning on her work as both a dog trainer and an Occupational Therapist, Sharon shares with us the strategies she developed that allow both her and Muggins to thrive.  And she teaches us strategies we can incorporate into our lives with our dogs who might “dog” a little differently.

Find Links & Show Notes at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode80

Teef: The easiest way to improve your dog’s dental health is with a spoonful of Teef powder in their water.  Save 20% on your Teef orders when you use the code: ADM

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Panita Senjit grew up in India where she learned to be terrified of dogs.  So you might be wondering how she’s become the award-winning author of a children’s book series based on her therapy dog, Lil’ Leo.  And the answer is: her son really wanted a dog.

When living in Austin, Texas, Panita was introduced to Therapy Dog work and realized their family dog, Leo had the perfect temperament for being a therapy dog.  Panita was quickly drawn to the impact of therapy dog work with children.

After moving back to the UK, Parnita and Leo passed another Therapy Dog assessment – so he’s a therapy dog in two countries!

During COVID-19, Parnita was inspired to write children’s books based on Leo’s adventures.  With 3 books currently published, Parnita shares with us why she’s so focused on having the books translated into many different languages – to spread a message of kindness globally.

Teef: The easiest way to improve your dog’s dental health is with a spoonful of Teef powder in their water.  Save 20% on your Teef orders when you use the code: ADM.

Find Links and Show Notes at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode79

Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Has your life been impacted by the loss of a pet?  Erica Messer and her husband adopted Wolfgang, a sickly kitten found in a barn during the height of COVID quarantine in 2020.  But when a tragic accident ended Wolfie’s life the following year, it completely changed the direction of Erica’s life.

Now the Founder of Wolfie’s Wish, Erica created the product she was looking for on her grief journey but couldn’t find.  Wolfie’s Wish Grieving Cards are affirmation-style cards that help you incorporate healing practices into your day.

I’m so grateful to Erica for sharing her grief journey with us and the coping skills and tools she learned along the way.  Erica also holds space for me as I share about the unexpected loss of Penny in January 2023. We also discuss that the struggle that many of us feel to not show our emotions when we’re not ok. Erica & I believe: It’s ok not be ok.

You can get Erica’s template for writing a love letter to your pet at www.wolfieswish.com. 

Teef: The easiest way to improve your dog’s dental health is with a spoonful of Teef powder in their water.  Save 20% on your Teef orders when you use the code: ADM.

Find Links and Show Notes at:

https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode78

Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

What do burnout, self-care and boundaries have to do with rescue? Everything! We’ll learn the emotional toll that rescue has taken on our Roundtable participants.  This conversation gets incredibly vulnerable and I commend the courage that it took to share this with the world.

Our Rescue Roundtable also explores ideas for creating a more sustainable organization and what they would differently in the future.

We start off picking up where we left off last week and jump right into those Home Visits.  While some people may think these are borderline invasive, our Rescuers spill the tea on the real reasons that they’ve turned down potential adopters after a home visit.  And it’s nothing to do with those dust bunnies behind the tv!

We also discuss how rescues choose the dogs that they take into their organization. I had a lot of questions about this because I’ve seen so much smack talk on social media about this over the years.  I was surprised to learn how much thought goes into creating the right balance of adoptable dogs!

And also, what do rescues do with difficult dogs that they don’t think they can safely place in a home?

I’m so grateful to our Rescue Roundtable: Nichol O'Marr (foster for Pitties & Purrs Rescue), Melissa Trotman (founder of Bella’s Bully Buddies which adopted out 1,000+ dogs from 2012 – 2019) and Jen Carle (currently Director of Operations for Tara’s House Animal Rescue).

If you like this episode, you won’t want to miss Episode 60 and Episode 75!

Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode77

Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Dogs, drama and death threats…oh my!

On this Roundtable, we’ll hear from 3 women in Baltimore’s animal rescue community who have collectively impacted the lives of countless dogs.

I brought these guests together so we could dive into topics such as who determines Adoption Requirements & Procedures and how rescues can set up their Foster Families for success.

But while I’ve been around the animal welfare world since 2008, there was still a lot that I didn’t know – especially about the “dark side” of rescue and even dogs in “witness protection.”  Some of it was quite shocking!

In fact, while we were recording the Roundtable, Nichol was getting text message updates about a dog situation that had been unfolding since 3 AM – and this is emotional to hear.

So we dig into the tough topics as well: guilt, social media drama and why can’t the rescues just all get along?

Special thanks to: Nichol O’Marr (foster for Pitties & Purrs Rescue), Melissa Trotman (founder of Bella’s Bully Buddies which found homes for 1,000+ dogs from 2012 – 2019) and Jen Carle (currently Director of Operations for Tara’s House Animal Rescue).

If you like this episode, you won’t want to miss Episode 60 and Episode 75!

Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode76

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This might be the most important conversation I’ve ever had on the Believe in Dog Podcast.

Have you ever wondered why there’s a seemingly endless stream of homeless pets in need at shelters and rescues across the USA? 

As a writer, Cara Sue Achterberg began documenting her family’s experiences fostering dogs for a local rescue and wrote the book Another Good Dog - One Family and 50 Foster Dogs.

Cara shares with us her dog fostering wisdom learned from now more than 150+ dogs who have spent time in her home.  You may also be surprised to learn that fostering dogs brought Cara’s children and family closer than ever – even through their teen years!

But Cara did wonder – where were all these dogs coming from? The answer was mostly the Southeastern USA.  So when she embarked on a book tour she decided to also make it a shelter tour so she could see firsthand where the dogs were coming from.

And this decision changed her life.

Cara will share with us what she’s learned from visiting 120+ animal shelters in 12 states over the past several years.  We’ll hear the 3 factors that lead to animal shelters successfully saving lives.  And about the unsung heroes who persevere through unimaginable obstacles to give dogs a chance.

Cara created the organization Who Will Let The Dogs Out to support the shelters and rescues lacking budgets, resources and often a staff.  Who Will Let The Dogs Out is bringing awareness and resources to homeless dogs and the heroes who fight for them.

Trigger Warning: The topic of animal euthanization is a theme of this episode. Please take care while listening.

Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode75

The easiest way to improve your dog’s dental health is with a spoonful of Teef powder in their water.  Save 20% on your Teef orders when you use the code: ADM

https://www.teefhealth.com/?aff=58

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What does pioneering integrative veterinarian Dr. Marty Goldstein want you to know about the cause of cancer in dogs?  Today we’ll hear the 3 biggest causes for the exponential increase in cancer rates over the past 50 years.

I was fascinated to learn that it was Dr. Marty’s journey with his own health that led him to questioning the medical establishment for  both people and pets.  And when Dr. Marty witnessed the connection between diet and health, he made his life’s work to spread this truth even in the face of adversity. 

And there was plenty of adversity – from concerns of bankruptcy to having his veterinary license threatened. Of course this was before he started crossing paths with everyone from George Harrison to Oprah and having the documentary, The Dog Doc, filmed about his groundbreaking work.

Dr. Marty also regales us with tales from his upcoming book – like why he still cringes when he thinks about that time he met Ray Charles on an airplane.

Episode Sponsored by The Dog Health Journal

Find Links & Show Notes at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode74

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Did you know that hearing dogs are trained to support the deaf and hard-of-hearing community?  I recently learned this when I connected with David Allery, Founder of the nonprofit organization, Your Hearing Dog.

David, who experienced a loss of hearing due to a medical condition, shares his own experiences and the societal isolation experienced by many people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.  

Hearing dogs are not only trained to alert to vital needs such as a smoke detector, but serve an equally important role in connection and companionship.

We’re also joined today by Judith Mueller, a Board Member of Your Hearing Dog, who joined the organization due to her passion for dogs and desire to make a difference.   

David and Judith share with us why Your Hearing Dog is passionate about training shelter and rescue dogs, how the training process works and how dogs and people are matched.

If you or someone you know is deaf or hard-of-hearing, this episode offers valuable insights into the life-changing impact our four-legged companions can have.

A transcript of this episode is available for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community is linked HERE.

Teef: The easiest way to improve your dog’s dental health is with a spoonful of Teef powder in their water.  Save 20% on your Teef orders when you use the code: ADM.

Find Links & Show Notes at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode73

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Did you know there are many reasons why a dog could be wearing a muzzle?  I like to think that the presence of a muzzle isn’t the sign of a bad dog – but of a good pet parent!

While working with some of the UK’s most challenging dogs in rescue at Dogs Trust, Clara Hewson spent years advising pet parents on the benefits of training their dog to wear a muzzle.

But Clara had never experienced one of her own dogs needing to be muzzled in public – until she adopted Tolly.  And Clara became shocked by the stigma she & Tolly began to experience.

So Clara took to social media with the goal to change public perception of dogs wearing a “face fence.” She created The Muzzle Movement, a community where pet parents are supported, encouraged and receive education (from one of the UK’s top dog trainers!).

When Clara found that she couldn’t find the “perfect” muzzle design – one that gave Tolly enough room to pant and receive treats – she decided she would create it herself.  Now you can shop at The Muzzle Movement to find muzzles that are safe, secure and fun to accessorize.

Clara shares with us the exact steps to start muzzle training your dog.  And it starts way before you even think about placing the muzzle on your dog!  We also learn about a recent breed-specific law impacting the UK’s XL Bully dogs (aka pit  bull dogs).

Find links & show notes at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode99

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What is life like with a rescued puppy mill dog?  And is there anything we can do to stop puppy mills? 

These are the questions we explore today with Dog Mom and Advocate Jo Anna Kloster, author of Lily Unleashed.

Jo Anna shares the story of how Cagney, her first rescued puppy mill dog, changed her life and gave her passion and purpose.  Jo Anna shares all that she’s learned about the inner workings of puppy mills, pet stores and the laws that aren’t being enforced.

Jo Anna’s passion and career as a teacher led her to writing Lily Unleashed, a chapter book for all ages that tells the story of how a rescued puppy mill dog inspires an insecure 6th grader to speak up and take a stand for what’s right. We’re also joined today by Megan, a young lady who just completed 6th grade, who gives us her book review of Lily Unleashed and what she thinks about puppy mills.

The good news is that more Congressional leaders than ever are sponsoring new laws – Goldie’s Act and the Puppy Mill Protection Act – which all of us can support with emails and phone calls. 

Check the Show Notes for quick links to take action and support these laws today!

Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at:

https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode72

Teef: The easiest way to improve your dog’s dental health is with a spoonful of Teef powder in their water.  Save 20% on your Teef orders when you use the code: ADM

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Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to make a living being a Dog Mom? Tori Mistick is here to tell us how she turned her blog Wear Wag Repeat from a creative outlet into her full-time job – including all the pivots along the way.

I’ve learned so much from Tori’s online courses for petprenuers (entrepreneurs in the pet industry) and from her monthly membership group, the Wear Wag Repeat Society.  Tori also shares with us why it’s important to her that the Wear Wag Repeat Podcast is a platform for women in the pet industry.

Tori recently completed a course in Canine Enrichment and she gives us some fun & easy tips to create more joy in our dogs’ lives.

I’m also appreciative to Tori for vulnerably sharing some of her hardest moments as a young pet parent with us.

Teef: The easiest way to improve your dog’s dental health is with a spoonful of Teef powder in their water.  Save 20% on your Teef orders when you use the code: ADM.

Find Links & Show Notes at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode71

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Are all of us communicating with our animals and we just don’t realize it?  This is one of the questions we explore today with Animal Communicator Shannon Cutts.

While Shannon grew up loving nature and always wanting a pet bird, it took many years for Shannon to follow her intuitive calling to work as an animal communicator.  Shannon shares her long and winding journey with us, including the many ways animals have been healers in her life.

We also explore how Highly Sensitive Pets experience the world differently and how pet parents can identify and best support their pets who fall into this category.

Shannon is also a Reiki Master and we explore what reiki is and how this is connected to her work as an animal communicator.  I also share my experiences with Reiki.

Does Shannon think we all have the ability to be animal communicators?  We discuss our intuition, how to quiet our minds and demystify the woo-woo.

Learn more about Shannon's work, classes, book and podcast at

https://animallovelanguages.com/.

Teef: The easiest way to improve your dog’s dental health is with a spoonful of Teef powder in their water.  Save 20% on your Teef orders when you use the code: ADM.

Find Links & Show Notes at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode70

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How did Ruby Balaram go from being a reluctant dog mom to pet industry CEO? You don’t want to miss this episode.

Like me, Ruby grew up in a house where she wasn’t allowed to have pets - except that one time she & her mom tried to sneak in a cat! So when Ruby met her partner, Turk, he came with a dog and she wasn’t so sure about jumping into the Dog Mom Life.

But when Turk’s dog got a second cancer diagnosis, Ruby witnesses the power of feeding fresh real food to dogs when the grumpy old Doberman started running around with puppy-like energy. Ruby & Turk were so amazed that they wanted to start a company to make fresh real food accessible to all dog owners.

Ruby shares their early entrepreneurial journey with us and all the pivots they made along the way to form Real Dog Box in 2015.

No matter what diet you feed your dog, Real Dog Box is an easy and affordable way to add fun and healthy variety to your dog’s bowl. And you definitely don’t want to miss out on the fun of the Secret Shop!

Ruby & her team have now launched the Feed Real Institute which was born out of all the questions they’ve received from Pet Parents over the past 8 years.

Creating digital courses for both Pet Parents and Veterinarians, Ruby wants everyone to have access to the scientific-backed information showing the healthiest food choices for our dogs.

Want to try Real Dog Box for your dog? Save $10 off your first order at: https://real.dog/erinthedogmom

Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode69

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By day, Jen Danna is a scientist studying infectious diseases. But at night, Jen has immersed herself in creating the world of FBI K9 Handler Meg Jennings and her dog Hawk. 

From domestic terrorism to human trafficking, the FBI K9 series follows Meg & Hawk as part of the FBI’s Human Scent Detection Team.  From page one, these books had me hooked and it felt like I was along for the ride as Meg & Hawk are tasked with locating the missing, lost, escaped or dead.

Jen shares her writing process with us and how it has changed following the recent loss of her longtime writing partner, Ann Vanderlaan.

We discuss the critical importance of the partnership and bond between law enforcement K9s and their handlers.

At the end of the episode I share what I’ve learned about the history of law enforcement K9s in the US. I was surprised to discover that  my hometown of Baltimore plays a uniquely special role in this history of law enforcement K9s!

Get 20% off your next order of Teef, for your dog's dental health with the code: ADM.

Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at:

https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode68

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We’re diving into an age-old question today: do dog trainers train dogs … or people?  As a dog trainer and pet health coach, Jessica Fisher has a lot to share on this topic.

Despite having some “not so great” experiences with pets when she was growing up, Jessica was on her way to becoming a bit of a crazy cat lady when she met the man who would become her husband … and his chihuahua.

But it took her dog Kimberly, a rescue who came with separation anxiety, for Jessica to find her calling as a dog trainer.

Jessica and I discuss everything from how to work with a dog trainer over Zoom to how vulnerable it is to share your story on a podcast.

Jessica is also a member of the Two Podcasts Club – you can listen to her on The Parenting Reset and Pet Health Junkies.  I highly recommend listening to Jessica share her story on the episode: Why Are Dog Moms Not Having Kids?

Get 20% off your next order of Teef, for your dog's dental health with the code: ADM.

Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at:

https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode67

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We see these memes online everyday joking that all of our dogs are freelance emotional support dogs.  But what if it’s your dog’s behavior that’s causing you anxiety?

I’m grateful to Karoline Edmonds of Dog Mom Mentality for courageously sharing her ups and downs with us today.

Admittedly a bit of a reluctant and naïve dog owner, in early 2020 Karoline agreed that her boyfriend could get a dog – if he was willing to do all the work.  Then COVID happened and Karoline found herself being the one at home all day everyday with Layla the Australian Shepherd mix.

When Layla began showing fear, reactivity and even some fear aggression, Karoline found that her dog’s anxiety was giving her anxiety!  So now what was she going to do?

Over the past 3 years Karoline has embarked on a journey of Growing & Heeling – working on her own mental and emotional health, as well as Layla’s behavioral challenges.

Karoline has now created the Growing & Heeling Journal to help pet parents navigate through both the awesome times and those times when it’s unexpectedly difficult sharing your life with your dog.

Get 10% off Karoline's Growing & Heeling Journal with the code: BID10.

Get 20% off your next order of Teef, for your dog's dental health with the code: ADM.

Find Links and Show Notes at:

https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode66

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Who is caring for your pets when you’re traveling?  That’s the question today’s guest, Isabel Alvarez Arata, is going to help us answer.

Isabel describes herself an advocate for in-home pet sitting and shares with us everything we should know before hiring a pet sitter.

Though she’s a lifelong animal lover, Isabel never intended on a career in the pet industry.  But when she had trouble finding a dog walker for her newly adopted dog Titan, Isabel saw a career changing opportunity and spent the next 15 years running a highly in-demand pet sitting business in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington DC.

A Dog Mom, Cat Mom, Human Mom and military spouse, Isabel is now a writer,  journalist, content creator and creator of the Covered in Pet Hair Podcast.  Isabel describes her podcast as a boozy show for pet lovers and every episode features cocktails and games mixed in with her interviews. (You can catch my episode of Covered in Pet Hair here.)

Spending her early years living in Ecuador before moving to Miami, Isabel shares this experience and reflects on how family pets are viewed in the Latin American culture and how that has evolved in the last 30 years.

This interview was recorded shortly after Isabel and her family said goodbye to their 15 ½ year old dog Titan.  Isabel describes how her family celebrated Titan’s life and how she prepared her children to say goodbye. (Unbeknownst to me at the time, this was the last interview I recorded with Penny by my side.)

Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at:

https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode65

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Today we’re welcoming two guests to the podcast!

First we’ll meet Michelle Dumont who created a series of children’s books based on Phoebe Cakes, the tiny special needs bulldog who spent 4 amazing years with Michelle & her family.

While Michelle always thought of herself as a “cat person,” she quickly fell in love with dogs after her sons' campaign for a canine family member.

When looking to adopt a bulldog from a local rescue, Michelle wasn’t deterred when she learned that her family was 21st on a list of applicants for a bulldog who needed some extra special attention.  And it was meant to be when Phoebe joined their family.

From rides to Starbucks to her Mardi Gras Barkus Parade “float,” Phoebe lived and loved to the fullest.  Michelle’s books continue to spread Phoebe’s zest for life to children with her fun interactive books. 

I even learned some new dog breeds in Phoebe Cake’s Alphabet Tails!  And how to pronounce Xoloitzcuintli.

 Next we’ll meet young entrepreneur Ari Minkus, the founder of Always Happy Pets.

As a middle schooler, Ari created his company to provide high-quality sustainable gift baskets for dogs filled with treats and toys - which ship nationwide!

Ari shares what inspired him to start this venture, how he sources the products and why he stopped using actual baskets and what he uses instead.

We’ll also learn how COVID affected his schooling and his plans for the future.  I think it’s safe to say this young man has a bright future ahead!

Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at:

https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode64

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Thank you for your patience as I took a mini hiatus from the podcast these last couple weeks. When Lisa & I recorded this episode at the end of 2022, I didn’t know it would be hitting so close to home right now.  As many of you know, we recently and very unexpectedly said goodbye to our beloved Penny when she suffered a sudden health crisis.  

It’s very special to me that Penny was so much a part of my conversation with today’s guest, Lisa Rimmert.

Lisa is here to share the story of Dakota who inspired her book: STAY – My Forever Friendship with an Aging Dog. Have you ever felt like maybe you want to punch someone who calls your dog “old” or a “senior”?  Lisa’s been there.  But Lisa was pretty sure that her “elder states-dog” of the dog park was going to live forever.

Lisa graduated college, became a military spouse and adopted Dakota all within a few months in her early 20s. She spent her whole adult life with Dakota by her side –  while crisscrossing the USA with her husband’s military assignments.

Lisa didn’t know how to be an adult without Dakota. And when Dakota begins to show concerning signs of a degenerative spinal disorder, Lisa didn’t want to have to be the grown-up to make difficult decisions on Dakota’s behalf. 

Lisa & I share how much our dogs have taught us about ourselves – from enjoying the caregiver role to work/life balance – from being present to learning how to show up for others during hard times.  I think many of us have felt that our dogs play a huge role in making you … you.

Both Lisa’s book and this conversation are vulnerable but perhaps surprisingly funny reflections of everything from mystery poops to examining our own internal monologue.

Lisa & I cover topics such as assessing your dog’s quality of life, advocating for your dog’s health and a few Public Service Announcements of things we’ve learned the hard way which might come handy for you in the future.

Trigger Warning: General theme of pet loss, but specifically may need tissues in the first 7 minutes.

Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at:

https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode63

If you feel called to, you can make a donation in Penny’s memory to B-More Dog.

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It feels like we’re finally at a time in society when pet loss grief is starting to be acknowledged and resources are becoming more readily available.  But do we really know how to take care of ourselves and others in times of pet loss?  Do you know how to give good grief?

We’re joined by Mindy Meiering, LCSW, a licensed therapist, life coach, and mindfulness teacher who specializes in grief and loss. Even though Mindy has supported thousands of clients and families through major losses and life transitions, she was blindsided by how devastated she felt after losing her first dog, Ellie.

Calling upon all the tools and resources she learned, Mindy created the Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Deck to support pet parents grieving the loss of a beloved companion.

Mindy and I discuss the best self-care practices in times of our own loss as well as the best ways we can show up for our friends & family who are grieving.  We also talk about unconventional types of loss including a lost pet, rehoming a pet and situations of behavioral euthanasia.

While many of us have heard of the Five Stages of Grief, a recent book examines the concept of a 6th stage of grief – finding meaning in your loss.  Mindy and I examine ways we’ve found meaning in our own pet loss grief and how you can do this in your own life and in your own way.

Find links, photos & show notes at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode98

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From running away from home with her dog to bringing her dog to college, Mindy Dutka has been passionate about her love for dogs since childhood.  And Mindy’s other lifelong passion is photography. 

6 years ago Mindy merged her passions to create her pet photography company: Dogs I Meet. From family photo shoots to working with pet brands, Mindy is dedicated to using photography to create connection through visual storytelling.

Mindy generously shares her best tips & tricks with us so we can all take better photos of our dogs with our phones. (I was doing one of these things right!)  Check the show notes for these tips!

We also discuss the value of investing in photography for your family and how that can take on even more meaning after your dog has passed.

From free spay/neuter clinics in Mexico to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, Mindy’s photography has taken her on several adventures to document the amazingly powerful work of rescuers and volunteers working to save dogs’ lives globally.

Did you know a good photo can even save a dog’s life? Mindy also shares with us about her experiences volunteering with animal shelters and rescues to take photos of dogs looking to be adopted.

Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at:

https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode62

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Steph Evans is a Physiotherapist (UK term for Physical Therapist) for both people and animals.  She shares with us everything we should know to not only rehab our dogs after an injury – but also how to prevent injuries in the first place with Prehab.  We’ll also learn signs of pain to look for in our dogs and thoughts about how to choose a harness versus a collar for your dog.

Steph is also the creator of the Ultimutt Bootcamp for Pet Parents and their pups to exercise together.  Not only is this a great way to keep our bodies moving but it’s an amazing way to bond with our dogs! With her background in Physiotherapy, Steph is able to tailor exercises for each Pet Parent and their dog based on their limitations.

There’s so much more to my conversation with Steph though. After wanting a dog her whole life, 3 years ago Steph finally became a Dog Mom to Teddy the Golden Retriever – who has NOT been an easy dog. Steph is incredibly honest about her struggles with Teddy and all that she’s learned along the way. From how to select a dog trainer to motivating a dog who’s not interested in food, Steph shares invaluable insights.

Steph is so much fun to listen to and you can’t help but laugh at her adventures chasing Teddy through a sheep field in Wales, hoping he’s ok when he jumped off that cliff and becoming the Pied Piper of all the dogs in her neighborhood – except Teddy! – as she tried to lure him with a roast chicken.

Thank you for listening to the Believe in Dog Podcast and making 2022 our best year yet!

Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at:

https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode61

Episode Sponsored By:

Hugs & Belly Rubs Dog Health Journal. Use Code: XMAS22 to save $2 before December 22.

https://www.hugsandbellyrubs.com/doghealthjournal

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Susan Shahoda is a lifelong dog lover who has devoted much of the past 15 years to volunteering with Westside German Shepherd Rescue in Los Angeles, CA.  But don’t let the name fool you –  Westside rescues dogs of all shapes & sizes and adopts to families throughout the continental U.S. and Canada. In fact, Westside is celebrating 20 years and 20,000 dogs finding loving homes!

What should potential adopters look for in a rescue organization? Why are those adoption applications so long? How do rescues determine which dogs get chosen?  And what do rescues really think about people who can’t keep their dogs anymore? Susan gives us a true behind-the-scenes view of running a rescue organization. 

Susan also shares her thoughts on the unsung heroes of the animal welfare community, the surprising benefit of the Nextdoor App, the best & the hardest parts of rescue and what keeps her going even in the tough times.

We’ll also learn how Susan’s life has been touched by Laurel, a special needs German Shepherd Dog who suffers from permanent neurological damage after contracting Canine Distemper virus.

In the season of giving, your generosity is appreciated by organizations like Westside German Shepherd Rescue and your local animal shelter and rescue groups.

Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode60

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Andrew Cotter is a lifelong dog lover and sports lover. You may recognize his name or voice from his career as a sports broadcaster where he's announced everything from Wimbledon to the Olympics.  But since COVID-19, Andrew is better known as the Dog Dad to the internet’s most famous Labradors, Olive and Mabel.

You might imagine that when your career is a sports broadcaster and suddenly there’s a global pandemic and all sporting events are cancelled, that life may suddenly look different overnight.  So the first Olive & Mabel video started as a joke for Andrew to poke fun at his situation – a play-by-play video of his dogs eating breakfast.  And the world LOVED it and suddenly Olive & Mabel were going viral with millions of views, likes and re-tweets by celebrities. So Andrew kept making videos and kept going viral.

Andrew shares with us behind-the-scenes of making his favorite videos and the challenges of setting your expectations for non-professionally trained dogs to perform on command. And while Andrew just thought he was making some silly dog videos, the feedback he received from people all over the world who found moments of happiness from Olive & Mabel during COVID times was truly meaningful.

Andrew and I also talk about navigating fame, Hollywood and influencer opportunities as introvert in your 40s.  Spoiler Alert: You won’t be seeing Olive and Mabel in any dog food commercials. 

Andrew is the author of the hilarious and heartfelt books Olive, Mabel & Me and Dog Days: Life in Lockdown with Olive and Mabel.

You’ll also get to hear Andrew’s play-by-play of Olive and Mabel’s antics during our interview.

Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at:

https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode59

I first started following Danny & Ron’s Rescue back in 2018 when I saw the documentary about them called Life in the Doghouse. So it was a complete joy to have the opportunity to speak with them about their new book Forever Home: How We Turned Our House into a Haven for Abandoned, Abused and Misunderstood Dogs - and Each Other.

Forever Home is such an honest and vulnerable share of the ups & downs that Danny and Ron have experienced - in life and in rescue.

I think so many Pet Parents will find a piece of themselves in Danny & Ron’s story as it’s a universal experience for our dogs to help us through everything from illnesses to grief.

Of course it’s not as universal of an experience to have 100+ dogs living in your house at any given time! After rescuing more than 600 dogs from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Danny & Ron formalized their long-standing rescue efforts into an official organization and have now gone on to find loving home for 14,000+ dogs.

But unlike many rescues which rely on foster homes or kennels to house adoptable dogs, Danny & Ron are unique in that all the dogs in their rescue live with them in their home.

From how they gain the trust of the most traumatized dogs to finding the best homes for their dogs, we learn what it means to be a Danny & Ron’s Dog. Danny & Ron share about the hardest part of running a rescue, how their lives changed after the documentary and all about the famous singer who has become a personal friend of theirs after learning about the amazing work of Danny & Ron’s Rescue. From Ukraine to Australia to Aruba, Danny & Ron also tell us about the people, causes and organizations around the world that they help support.

I can’t help but think that the world would be a better place if we had more Dannys and Rons in it.

Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at:

https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode58

You might be surprised to learn that Billy Hoekman grew up without pets while eating take-out and fast food. Because today Billy is known for being THE Dog Nutrition Guru.

Billy’s life changed forever when an adorable pug named Lua caused Billy to ask the question: What’s the best thing for my dog to eat?  And he’s been obsessed with answering that question for the past 15+ years. 

As the Vice President of Nutrition and Communication for Green Juju, Billy is involved in formulation, product development, working with farmers, sales & marketing – and more.   So you might be surprised to learn that he worked for free for 2 years to get his foot in the door of the pet food industry.

Billy and I also talk about misconceptions about the Amish, the #1 thing he wants Pet Parents to know about feeding their pets, and the special relationship he had with his friend and mentor, Jacqueline Hill (who recently passed away).

We’re also celebrating the 3rd anniversary of the Believe in Dog Podcast!

Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at:

https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode57

Lisa Tully has a passion for healing pets and Pet Parents – physically, mentally and emotionally.

When you hear that Lisa is an Animal Communicator, you might be surprised to learn that she has a degree in Science and used to work for a pharmaceutical company.  But I believe that science and “woo-woo” aren’t mutually exclusive.

From Ireland to a wildlife sanctuary in the Amazon rainforest to living amongst the Tibetan monks in the Dalai Lama’s community, Lisa shares her world travels with us and the incredible experiences she’s had along the way.

We’ll hear how Lisa first learned she could communicate with animals, the most common reasons Pet Parents contact her and what she says when people don’t believe in her work.  

Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at:

https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode56

A lifelong mutts-lover, Olivia uses her talent and passion to highlight the beauty of non-pedigreed dogs with her new book MUTTS: A Celebration of Mystery Mixed Breeds.

MUTTS is a big, beautiful coffee table-style book filled with portraits capturing the heart & soul of more than 100 beloved rescue mutts. Each photograph is accompanied by the dog’s name, best guess of breed mix and a fun or interesting trait about them. (One of my favorites is Elvis the Chihuahua/Basenji mix who passionately dislikes UPS and FedEx trucks.)

Olivia shares with us about the mutts, past and present, who’ve made an impact on her life. She also shares how she was introduced to photography and how passionately she feels about creating a visual legacy for the families she works with.  

We learn how Olivia was inspired to create a book for mutts, the logistics of finding and photographing 100+ dogs in just a few weeks and some of the special mutts and their people from the book.

Proceeds from MUTTS helps Louisiana-based animal shelters and rescue organizations.

Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at:

https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode55

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Elizabeth Menegon is a lifelong dog lover who saw a problem in the world and decided to do something about it.

While Elizabeth spent a lot of time thinking about what dog breed would be a good match for her lifestyle, she would often look around the world and see many families whose dogs didn’t seem to be the best fit for their life.

After the COVID-19 quarantine happened, Elizabeth left her career in the hospitality industry and started Sugar Skinn, a boutique skin care company from her couch in 2 days. 

With the success of Sugar Skinn, Elizabeth decided to create a free app so all families and potential Pet Parents could be guided through questions to help them find the best dog breed to match their family’s lifestyle.

Elizabeth wants the Hands2Paws app to help disrupt puppy mills and backyard dog breeders while preventing dogs from entering the shelters.

You can download the Hands2Paws app for free on Apple and Android.

Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at:

https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode54

Meredith couldn’t wait to add Edie, the Golden Retriever puppy to her family. She knew it would be just like raising her first two dogs. 

She was wrong.

From the first puppy class to trying to take a walk around the block – nothing about Edie was easy.  Edie was anxious and terrified of the world around her. And that was not what Meredith expected.  So now what was she going to do about it?

I can’t wait for you to hear from Meredith May, author of Loving Edie: How a Dog Afraid of Everything Taught Me to Be Brave.

Both the book and my conversation with Meredith are honest admissions about the mistakes made along the way but ultimately about how the love of a dog can change the way we see the world and ourselves.

(And yes, the dog lives and there’s a happy ending!)

Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at:

https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode53

In Part 2 with Chris Hannah (Dog Dad to Cole the Deaf Dog), I share my observation that not only is Cole a special dog, but that Chris is a special human to have the emotional bandwidth to hold space for the many people he encounters during their therapy work.  Chris explains how Cole’s influence has shown him parts of himself that he didn’t know he had.

We discuss the powerful experience of volunteering at a hospice facility supporting patients and their families during the most difficult time.  Chris reflects on some of the more memorable encounters with patients, as well as students that he & Cole have helped through difficult times – including the pandemic.

Chris reveals his hopes and plans for the future and also shares with us the incredible media opportunities and awards of recognition that he & Cole have received.  From Good Morning America, Rachel Ray, Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight and Lester Holt to being the first deaf dog to receive a Hero Dog Award.  Oh Em Gee! (Ahem, *cough* Kelly Clarkson next?!)

But while this attention has been thrilling and surreal for Chris, it’s also come with a dark side – online harassment and bullying due to Cole’s breed. Chris tells the toll this has taken on him and the precautions he now must take.

You can support Chris & Cole’s work, as well as find videos of their media appearances at: http://www.colethedeafdog.com

Find links & show notes at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode97

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Today we’re continuing our discussion from last week so make sure you’ve listened to Episode 51, as we jump right back into the conversation.

In Part 2, we start with a discussion of how to resolve the difficult emotions that can arise when you’ve experienced a dog fight situation in your home.  Everyone vulnerably shares their experiences and how they were able to move forward.

But how do you prevent these situations in the first place?  How should you go about introducing a new dog to your home? Do dogs need to be best friends from day one? 

We answer all these questions and give all the Do’s and Don’ts to help pet parents confidently integrate a new dog into their pack in a slow & steady manner.

What about when you’re outside your home and get approached by a loose dog?  Or at a beach or dog park?  How can you be prepared?

You’ll hear how our Dog Moms prepare themselves for any unexpected loose dog – or other wildlife! – situations that may arise outside the home.  

Trigger Warning: This can be an emotional topic to hear discussed so please take care while listening. Experiences with behavioral euthanasia are discussed. Please note that some of the methods mentioned for stopping a dog fight are only to be used in extreme situations where the life of a dog is in danger.

Find links, Show Notes & Photos of Di's Batman Utility Belt at:

https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode52

I was recently asked for information on how to stop a dog fight in the house when a newly adopted dog isn’t getting along with a resident dog.  And when I couldn’t find the information that I was looking for online, I wanted to create a podcast about this topic to help anyone in this situation.

And I’ll tell you my Dog Mom Confession: I once had a dog fight in my house and I still have a little PTSD about it.

Today I’m bringing together Dianna and Nikki, 2 skilled professional dog trainers, and Nichol, an experienced foster mom who’s had 50+ dogs through her home while raising her [human] child.  These knowledgeable Dog Moms have all experienced dog fight situations in their homes and have developed smart strategies to successfully manage their multi-dog households.

Not only do we discuss how to stop a dog fight safely for everyone involved, but we also want to help you handle your dogs – and your emotions – successfully and confidently afterwards.  Our goals is to arm you with the knowledge to stop this from ever happening again – and help prevent these situations from happening in the first place.

Trigger Warning: This can be an emotional topic to hear discussed so please take care while listening. Please note that some of the methods mentioned for stopping a dog fight in your home are only to be used in extreme situations where the life of a dog is in danger.

Find links & show notes at:

https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode51