Madcap Radio – Details, episodes & analysis

This episode’s question comes from the discussion group for my new weaning and early puppy nutrition course, “Weaning For Life: From Gut Biome to Behavior, A Whole Approach to Early Puppy Nourishment”.

“Some of my puppies go home on raw, others to healthy kibble with whole‑food toppers. Historically, I always include at least one kibble meal—often from toys or snuffle mats, sometimes mixed with whole foods. Is there a more refined or appropriate protocol?”

In this episode, we dig into the real‑world question breeders face every day: If, and how, to transition raw‑weaned puppies when their future homes will be feeding mostly kibble.

This podcast covers:

• How I prepare raw‑weaned puppies for life in kibble‑feeding homes
• What other breeders are experiencing when transitioning puppies from raw to kibble
• Practical strategies for helping puppy owners either stay with raw, or significantly upgrade their kibble feeding with whole and fermented foods

Visit our website www.madcapradio.com for further reading.

We got this question about breeders sending their puppies to “camp” before going to their new homes:

“[a friend] has a litter of puppies 8 weeks old and she is placing them out to her friends until they are 10 weeks old. They decided it would be good for socialization and to prevent separation anxiety for the puppies until they go to their permanent homes at 10 weeks. That doesn’t sound like a good idea to me. Anyone have experience with this?”

This episode discusses:

• When and how sending litters to “transitional” homes is beneficial
• “Bite inhibition” and exposure with littermates vs adult dogs
• Breeder experiences and practices

Visit our website www.madcapradio.com for further reading.

This episode's question is about whether and by how much we can modify temperament with protocols: "I was chatting to someone recently about nature versus nurture, and they said, you can get a bitch who has a poor temperament and using Puppy Culture, you can have pups who have great temperaments. My view is it's more complex than that.…Would love people's thoughts.​"

Listen in as I discuss:

• The difference between temperament and behavior
• The ramifications of using behavior modification protocols in a breeding program
• Our ethical obligations as breeders vs as puppy raisers

Visit our website madcapradio.com for further reading.

This episode’s question is about giving puppies double fermented fruit kefir: "Hello, We are curious about the benefits of using Mango kefir for puppies. How does it help their gut flora? What is the purpose of using it. Thanks!"

Listen in as I discuss:

• How a second ferment with fruit transforms the nutritional profile and bioavailability of kefir
• Why kefir in general is such a probiotic powerhouse
• Why double fermented fruit kefir is particularly appropriate for puppies

Visit our website madcapradio.com for further reading.

This episode answers a question about puppies who just can’t settle down in the evening: "What are your best tips for “witching hour”? We have an 11.5 week Spinone Italiano that we brought home just over two weeks ago. He settles down for naps during the day after some play and training, but after his early evening nap, some play, dinner, potty, he gets over aroused and overtired and we cannot for the life of us redirect his mouthing to a toy or chew and he cries in his X-pen and jumps at the sides. We are trying to establish a routine with a licky mat, Kong or other soothing activity to transition him and bring down his arousal. But it is a nightly struggle!"

In this episode I talk about:

• Why it’s natural for puppies to be restless and difficult in the early evening
• Tips for dealing with a puppy who can’t control himself
• Management and bedtime routine suggestions

Visit our website madcapradio.com for further reading.

Today’s question is about resorption of pregnancies and the advisability of using antibiotics to prevent future resorptions: "We had a girl who was pregnant with at least 1 puppy at 28 day ultrasound and 0 puppies on x-ray at 50 days...I'm curious what other people would check with the girl who absorbed before breeding again."

In this episode we discuss:

• Things to check/do when your dam resorbs a pregnancy
• How the vaginal microbiome affects fertility and prevents disease
• The most recent studies on the prophylactic use of antibiotics in breeding bitches

Visit our website madcapradio.com for further reading.

This episode’s question is about fear periods.

“What are the critical fear stages in puppies from 8 weeks on? Is it best to keep up their socialization during these periods or back off for a few days and then resume?”

In this episode I discuss:

• How to recognize fear periods as opposed to general fearfulness.
• The evolutionary reasons that puppies have fear periods
• ​Navigating fear periods in puppies and dogs

Visit our website madcapradio.com for further reading.

This episode’s question is about preventing dog-to-dog resource guarding:

“Can’t seem to find it in the video; what is the protocol to work against food aggression within the litter? We have been doing marrow bones and resource guard training with people, but a few puppies are showing aggression to the other puppies at meal times. Any info appreciated, thanks!”

In this episode I discuss:

• Why protocols for dog-to-dog resource guarding are not as effective as protocols for dog-to-human resource guarding.
• Five golden tips I have found helpful for preventing dog-to-dog resource guarding
• ​Thoughts about dog-to-dog resource guarding and breeding programs

Visit our website madcapradio.com for further reading.

This week’s question is about whether doing Puppy Culture or any other early socialization program can guarantee good outcomes for puppies.

“…I was talking to a breeder about Puppy Culture and I told her that if she would just adopt the program, she would eliminate any temperament issues with her puppies.  Am I right about this?  Isn’t Puppy Culture a guarantee that puppies will have good outcomes?”

In this episode I tackle:

• Re-thinking the line between nature and nurture
• The partnership between breeders and puppy owners for raising a good dog
• The evolutionary reasons why breeding “good” dogs is so difficult

Visit our website madcapradio.com for further reading.

This week’s question is about whether you’re supporting or interfering when you help mom with her neonate puppies:

“…I've noticed that you lay in the box with Velvet and provide significant assistance to her. Among many groups of breeders, there is a faction who strongly advise to essentially let Mom alone in the first days as she has instincts and knows what to do, and that the presence, participation, and assistance of humans may be bothersome to her.

So, I'm wondering if this is breed dependent? Or an individual preference?”

In this episode we talk about:

• The variability of maternal behavior
• How much assistance you should give your dam with caring for her puppies
• Supporting your dam without interfering with her instincts

Visit our website, madcapradio.com for further reading.