Your Family Dog Podcast

"Cancer" isn't a word anybody wants to hear, either from their doctor or from their vet. For many of us, that word brings with it a host of worries, fears, and uncertainties. It can be hard to know where to look for answers, especially when it comes to our pets- general veterinarians often lack in depth knowledge of cancer, while veterinary oncologists are few and far between. Dr. Erin Malone, a board certified veterinary oncologis...

ReadyRESCUE™, which is an emergency first-aid solution designed to help manage toxin ingestion in dogs and cats. It uses a high-concentration, veterinary-formulated activated carbon that works quickly to bind toxins and act as a first line of defense before getting to a vet. A word or two from Dr. Glassman, I want to share with people how common these types of emergencies actually are (they happen more than people think)! What pet ...

Welcome back to Your Family...Tarantula? That's right- in today's Very Unusual Episode, we're joined by Shamekia Wray, a former arachnophobe who now shares her home with 50+ pet spiders (and some bearded dragons as well). Most of us feel a definite sense of ick when confronted with an eight-legged creepy crawly, but these low-maintenance (and suprisingly colorful!) animals can actually make ideal pets, particularly for kids who wan...

As much as we might wish differently, we all know that our dogs, no matter how much we love them, can't live forever. But that doesn't mean we can't help them live as long as possible. When it comes to helping your dog live the longest, healthiest life they can, preventative care is a huge part of the equation- but one that's often overlooked in the world of mainstream veterinary medicine. Now, one company is out to change that. Pe...

It may sound like something out of science fiction, but laser therapy is a very real way to ease aches and pains and speed up healing from wounds and surgery. It isn't just for human either- as you've probably guessed by now, cold laser therapy can also work wonders for your dog. Today, registered vet technician and cold laser therapist Nancy Clark joins the show to talk about her work and the benefits of laser therapy for our furr...

We talk a lot about "ethical breeding" on Your Family Dog, but what does that actually mean and what does it look like in practice? Here today to give us a look behind the curtain is mini golden retriever breeder Heather Gibson. Tune in to learn firsthand about ethical breeding practices, choosing a breeder, and the differences between cat and dog breeding (Heather's done both!).

For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Do...

There's been plenty of talk recently about the possible health benefits and therapeutic uses of hemp and mushrooms for people- but did you know that these alternative treatments could also benefit your dog? Holistic wellness advocate Angela Ardonlino's three favorite things are "hemp, mushrooms, and dogs," and she came on the podcast today to talk about all of those. Tune in for a fascinating conversation about the surprising ways ...

There are subscription boxes for kids. There are subscription boxes for dogs. But there isn't a subscription box for kids *and* dogs- or at least, there hasn't been until now! Brian Manni is the founder and CEO of Pup O'Clock, a subscription box aimed at helping kids care for and develop a relationship with their dogs. With trading cards, activities, toys, and recipes, the boxes are designed to bring enrichment to both two- and fou...

It's okay to be okay! In fact, our guest today takes pride in it. Melissa McCue-McGrath is the self-proclaimed "World's Okayest Dog Trainer," who went from alpha-rolling retired sled dogs in her backyard to using positive reinforcement techniques to help improve family-dog dynamics. Join us today for a definitely more-than-okay conversation about kids, dogs, body language, and everything in between!

For show notes and more, please...

Favorite guest of the show Emily Breslin is back, this time to dive deeper into a topic we briefly touched on the last time she was here- your dog's gut microbiome. Though it may not be something we think about a lot, our dog's gut contains its own complex ecosystem that affects almost every aspect of their health. Tune in to find out more about this crucial, if often neglected, aspect of canine health and learn how you can help su...

Goats are stubborn creatures, so when Seth Thompson began running a goat farm, it quickly became apparent that he was going to need some help. Enter Dutch, Seth's goat-herding dog, without whom New Plymouth Farm couldn't operate. As both a working dog and a family dog, Dutch is a vital part of not only the Thompson family's business, but their home life as well. Join us today as Seth shares both the challenges and the unique joys o...

Most of us hate the thought of our precious pooch dismembering a squirrel or eviscerating a rabbit, but the truth is that ultimately, that's what they were designed to do. Dogs are natural predators, and while they may have moved into our living rooms, those hunting instincts haven't gone away.

Enter Meghan Wolfgram and SwiftPaws! SwiftPaws creates enrichment toys designed to help dogs indulge their natural predatory instincts with...

The importance of nutrition is a recurring topic here at Your Family Dog, and with good reason. Quality nutrition can make a huge difference in the life, health, and happiness of your dog, but figuring out what that looks like can be overwhelming. Should my dog's food all be raw? Are grains good or bad? Do I really have to make it all myself?

Dog trainer Emily Breslin is, if possible, even more passionate about nutrition than she i...

Navigating life with kids and dogs can be tricky- something we've talked about many times before on the show. And it can become even more complicated when one of the parties involved has some kind of special need. Neurodivergent kiddos or children with sensory processing disorders can find living with a dog- even a dog they love- to be especially challenging, and parents are often at a loss as to what to do. Enter Debbie Lucken, th...