Pandemic Puppy Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of Pandemic Puppy, Kayla speaks with Amber Quann about raising toy breed puppies.

What are the differences between raising a toy breed puppy vs a larger size?

• Easier on the wallet
• Need to be creative on training and reinforcement strategies as they can’t eat as much
• Curate safe interactions that prevent potential injuries such as other dogs running them over by accident, getting on and off furniture, etc.
• Ensure you don’t bubble wrap your dog
• Prepare emergency scenarios, such as picking up your puppy when needed to protect them from getting run over
• Put picking up your dog on cue

How do we help little dogs become leash reactive?

• It is easy to manage a small dogs behavior through leash tension because of their size, and its important to work against that 
• Little dogs need to learn how to move out of situations on their own
• Be intentional to treat them like a big dog. “Would I do this with my german shepherd?” 
• Teaching them confidence is key
• As always, set them up for success, don’t push them over their threshold 
• Their needs will change with age

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

None

Where you can find Amber: Website | Facebook | Instagram

You can support the Pandemic Puppy Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy.

Puppy Raising Blueprint Course | Pandemic Puppy Raising Support Group

In this episode of Pandemic Puppy, Kayla discusses introducing your puppy to cats. 

• Everything depends on the personality of your puppy and your cat
• Set up the environment for success: hiding places, elevation for cats; baby gates, leashes
• Ensure puppy is well-exercised but not overtired/cranky
• Younger puppies adapt more quickly/easily: with MOST really young puppies and many cats, you can allow for supervised interaction pretty quickly
• Breed will vary for dogs - if your breed is more likely to be prey driven, earlier introductions are even better and management will increase through teenagerhood
• Reward BOTH animals for calm ignoring/calm interactions
  • Suggested treats for cats: meaty baby food on a popsicle stick, tuna, store-bought treats, bonito flakes
  • Consider long-lasting chews or licki mats for puppy 
• Handicap the puppy as needed, let the cat move freely
• If the puppy is highly aroused or the cat is extra nervous, use towels over baby gates and/or two baby gates for extra distance (especially for older puppies)
• Teach both animals that the presence of the other = tasty treats!

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Two-Part Cat Intro Podcast

Cat/Dog Introduction Video

You can support the Pandemic Puppy Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy.

Puppy Raising Blueprint Course | Pandemic Puppy Raising Support Group  

Kayla shares a brief update message about upcoming Pandemic Puppy Episodes. If you want to suggest a topic or guest, email kayla@journeydogtraining.com or message @collies.without.borders on Instagram. Cheers!

Hey all, I've got some bad news: I have to pause the Pandemic Puppy Podcast until October. My field season with K9 Conservationists is all-consuming and I simply can't keep up! I plan to be back in your earbuds in the fall, stay tuned. Miss you lots.

In this episode of Pandemic Puppy, Kayla discusses the basics of traveling with a puppy and her timeline for helping Niffler learn to travel.

You can support the Pandemic Puppy Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy.

Get extra help with your puppy through Journey Dog Training’s Puppy Raising Blueprint Course. Join the free Pandemic Puppy Raising Support Group on Facebook.

In this episode of Pandemic Puppy, Kayla discusses what to do if you lose your dog and the best ways to try and prevent it from happening. 

What are the best ways to prevent losing your puppy?

• Have your puppy microchipped
• Have a collar with an ID tag when out or if they are a flight risk
• Ensure your puppy is contained securely 
• Situational awareness is important! 
• Have your puppy on leash when needed
• GPS collars are great!
• Have your dog in high visibility items in the event they get lost

What to do if you lose your puppy?

• Time is of the essence
• In most cases, they will show up in 5-10 minutes
  • In these cases, gently pick up your puppy, bring them inside, and evaluate what went wrong

• Contact shelters/animal control
• Contact veterinarian clinics 
• Post on websites like Craigslist and on social media
• Make sure your posts/information given to shelters/vets includes your puppy’s personality, name, markings, if you should approach or if you should call if seen, etc.
• Try to think of where your puppy might go or what might attract them in order to try and find them
• Get involved with your community 

Links Mentioned in the Episode

None

You can support the Pandemic Puppy Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy.

Get extra help with your puppy through Journey Dog Training’s Puppy Raising Blueprint Course.Join the free Pandemic Puppy Raising Support Group on Facebook.

In this episode of Pandemic Puppy, Kayla discusses leash skills for you and your puppy! 

• It’s not entirely necessary for your dog to walk perfectly on leash
• Pulling will always be self reinforcing, so it can take a lot of patience and persistence to teach loose leash walking

• Your equipment wont teach your dog what to do, you will teach your dog what to do
• You can teach your dogs to pull on certain equipment and not to pull on other equipment, if it is of benefit to you
• To start, you can reward your dog for position and check ins
• It can get worse before it gets better
• You can start in the house then start building distractions and distance
• Record keeping your sessions will help you!
• If your puppy starts pulling you can stop moving or go in a different direction
• Start slow and take your time, don’t expect too much too soon

Patreon Questions Answered: None

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

• Van Repair Go Fund Me
• Loose Leash Walking Course
• Circle Method

You can support the Pandemic Puppy Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy.

Get extra help with your puppy through Journey Dog Training’s Puppy Raising Blueprint Course.

Join the free Pandemic Puppy Raising Support Group on Facebook. 

In this episode of Pandemic Puppy, Kayla discusses chewing and everything you need to know about managing it!

• Chewing is essential for behavior wellness, but thankfully the chewing habits will change over time. There are some great ways to manage chewing to make it a little more easier to deal with

How to manage chewing:

• Make sure you are meeting your puppy’s needs!
• Puppy proof! Don’t give your puppy a chance to chew things that would hurt them
• Give LOTS of options: antlers, bully sticks, kongs, pig’s ears, bouillon ice cubes, mimic whatever they keep chewing without permission

• Supervise always. Don’t wind down supervision until the puppy is trustworthy at their current level
• Could the chewing be boredom/attention-seeking? Are you reacting to your puppy chewing on bad things and ignoring them when they’re being good?

What do you do when you catch them chewing?

• Make sure their needs are being met before any intervention 
• Gently interrupt your puppy and redirect them to something else
• Be careful not to create an accidental behavior chain 

What to look out for?

• Ingestion/pica
• Sometimes, excessive chewing is actually a sign of an upset stomach, GI issues, diet imbalance, or serious underlying stress.

You can support the Pandemic Puppy Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy.

Get extra help with your puppy through Journey Dog Training’s Puppy Raising Blueprint Course.Join the free Pandemic Puppy Raising Support Group on Facebook.

In this episode of Pandemic Puppy, Kayla and Dr. Leslie Eide discuss exercise and puppies. They cover everything you need to know about exercising your puppy!  

Why are people so worried about exercise for puppies?

• Too much of the wrong type of exercise could affect development 
• Being proactive is good, but its important not to overdo it. Not everything will hurt your puppy, but at the same time, it’s important to do research on how to observe your puppy’s activity and movement

What activities, if any, are clear no-gos for little puppies?

• It is more important to focus on building your puppies stamina up for activities, such as slowly build them up 
• Let your dog self regulate their exercise and don’t push them too hard

Breed dependent? Individual? Neuter status?

• There’s a general idea with breeds and their growth plates
• However, its more important to look at the dog in front of you
• With larger breed dogs, its super important to work on body awareness
• There is still a lot to be learned when it comes to neutering and how it affects development

How do you know when it’s safe to add in an activity for an aging puppy?

• Observe your puppy. When they are comfortable doing the movement themselves, it is okay to ask them to do it. But be careful not to overdo it
• Trust your gut
• Use “trial and success” 

Links Mentioned in the Episode

Dr. Leslie Eide’s Website Dr. Leslie Eide’s Instagram Dr. Leslie Eide’s Facebook Bad Dog Agility

Patreon Question Answered: My sweet, almost 7 month old border collie can be a bit of a hurricane; most things are done at 100mph (minimum)! He has been checked out by a great vet CCRP and an amazing vet physio who are both really happy with how he is developing physically. He and I have been working on body awareness exercises since I brought him home to try to help him know, understand, and move his body. However, any and all body awareness he has learned flies out the window when he is excited (e.g.  we were joking that he nearly injured himself trying to enthusiastically lift his leg on a stump before a class). After an enthusiastic play session with another dog, he is now sitting with an iliopsoas injury. And I am let wondering how to make sure he stays healthy and still gets to do things and be a puppy! Do you have any tips for how to  build "resilience" (for lack of a better term) and help avoid injury for a young enthusiastic pup? - both mental and physical skills.

You can support the Pandemic Puppy Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy.

Get extra help with your puppy through Journey Dog Training’s Puppy Raising Blueprint Course.

Join the free Pandemic Puppy Raising Support Group on Facebook. 

In this episode of Pandemic Puppy, Kayla discusses potty training. Potty training is one of the most difficult parts of puppy raising, but it is so important. Whether you’re a dog trainer or new to the dog guardian world, potty training can be difficult! Kayla covers the best way to go about potty training. 

Sparks note on setting your puppy up for success with potty training:

• Young puppies need to go out every 20-30 minutes
• In general, puppies can hold their bladder for as many hours as they are months old
• Take them out when they wake up, after they eat, and after they have a big drink
• Keep them confined in a “puppy palace” or pen, when not 100% supervised
  • This not only prevents accidents, but keeps them safe
• Make sure good reinforcement follows after they go to the bathroom 
  • Play with them and treat them after they go
• Be relaxed about it, don’t follow them around nagging them to go
• If they don’t go when you let them out, there’s likely a good reason
  • Either they don’t have to go, or something in the environment is making them not want to go
• Be patient and do not punish your puppy for accidents
• Don’t be afraid to reach out for help, whether its a trainer or a vet
• It’s okay to go back to the basics
• There are so many ways to do it! Do your research! 

You May Also Want to Read:

• How to Potty Train a Puppy Fast
• Our New Puppy Poops in the House Every Night
• My Dog Won’t Pee When She’s On A Leash – What Gives?
• Help! My Dog Submissively Urinates All Over the House!
• Why Does My Dog Keep Peeing on the Carpet?
• Why Does My Puppy Prefer to Pee in His Crate?!