Ep. 205: Don't Blame The Dog

Who wouldn’t want longevity with their pet?  This week, Tara and Laura welcomed Dr. Kevin Toman to discuss his work on helping pets live longer and healthier lives.  We discussed his research on how to increase a dog’s health longevity and how his approach is different from other veterinarians.  If you would like more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Toman, please check out the links below.www.helpingpetslivelonger.comwww.freevetcall.com Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

What dog sport is best for your dog?  This week, Tara and Laura covered all different types of dog sports that are available.  They explained the differences between the sports, which ones may be best for certain dogs, and which sports we don’t typically recommend.  Dog sports are a great way to enjoy time with your dog and build a wonderful bond and teamwork.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

Who has impacted your communication the most with your dog?  This week, Tara and Laura were honored to have Turid Rugaas speak about her training methods and discuss why she is all able communication and body language.  Turid has been training without force for years and her methods are what impacted Tara the most when working to teach that communication to other dog owners.  Check out her facebook or website (en.turid-rugaas.no) and see all the amazing things she has been doing and the awesome literature she has available as well.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

Did you adopt a dog for protection and now they are too protective?  This week, Tara and Laura tackle a common problem with dogs that are brought into homes to protect, but then behavior problems arise.  They go over why this idea of getting a dog as a deterrent can cause a lot of miscommunication, behavior problems, and potential reactivity or aggression as well.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

What are you training for?  This week, Tara and Laura pose the question of why people chose to train their dogs.  Many individuals are training for a specific goal, but what if you thought of training as a subscription?  What would that mean?  They explain the differences in these two ways of thought when approaching training with your dog and what that looks like when working with them.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

What gear is best for your dog?  This week, Tara and Laura break down all the different types of gear available for dogs and explain when you would use them.  There are so many different options out there that it can be overwhelming, but knowing how to properly communicate your expectations on the leash is extremely important.  Some gear is better for certain dogs over others, some build frustration, and some only suppress behavior instead of teaching your dog alternatives.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

Was that a sign of resource guarding?  This week, Tara and Laura cover some of the signs of general resource guarding that many people will miss.  Resource guarding is natural in all animals, but many times people won’t notice the subtle signs of his behavior.  The more confidence a dog builds with these simple behaviors the more likely it can escalate.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

Is your dog partaking in terrier sparing?  This week, Tara and Laura dive into the known competition of terrier sparing.  They break down what this competition is, why they believe it is inappropriate, and what behaviors it can cause in terriers that can feed the stereotypes about the breed.  Many people have a negative viewpoint on the terrier breeds, and unfortunately, some of those opinions can be caused by what humans have taught these dogs to do.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

Have you heard of The Mutty Professor?  This week, Tara and Laura were honored to welcome The Mutty Professor, Roz, on the podcast all the way from the UK.  They discussed training ideologies, struggles that positive trainers face in the mist of social media, and the importance of having great communication and listening to every dog when working with them.  Roz offered a lot of insight into training in the UK and the different obstacles they can face from dogs in the US.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

What does your dog’s play look like?  This week, Tara and Laura break down what proper forms of play looks like between dogs.  They offer examples of inappropriate play, including excessive jumping, mouthing, and wrestling, and discuss why allowing this type of play can be a recipe for disaster.  They also explain what proper play between dogs should look and sound like and how owners can help teach their dog how to play properly.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman