In this installment of the Breeder to Breeder series, Laura, Susan, and Gayle talk about what breeders can do to resuscitate puppies that seem to be fading. The first thing you need to know is how to identify when a recently-born puppy may be in trouble. Healthy, naturally-born puppies should be rigid (not soft), and should weigh more than they look. Puppies that aren’t moving or making any sounds should be concerning - while there are variations between breeds, most newborns will be making nois...
Oct 13, 2021•35 min•Season 1Ep. 69
Laura Reeves, Susan Patterson, and Gayle Watkins begin the Breeder to Breeder series with one of the toughest topics in breeding: stillborn puppies. Gayle begins the discussion by reviewing a study that was published in 2019, analyzing data from 2,500 whelpings. The biggest takeaway from the study is that stillborn puppies are common in dogs, and breeders should be prepared for this. Among the dogs studied (in this case, larger breed dogs), litters with 5-8 puppies had the lowest rate of stillbo...
Oct 06, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 68
Laura is joined by a couple of canine fitness coaches, Kristin Sandstede and Dixie Rae Sick, to discuss some fitness games and exercises that are great to do indoors. Kristin is a professional dog trainer and owns Big Moose Dog Training . When people think of dog exercises, their minds often go to cardio-focused activities such as running, playing fetch, agility, and so on. While high-cardio exercise is important for dogs, it’s important to spend time on mental exercises. Whether it’s obedience ...
Sep 29, 2021•28 min•Season 1Ep. 67
This week, Laura is joined by Dr. Marty Greer, DVM, JD to discuss the prevalence of obesity in dogs. In the US, having overweight dogs has become more and more common, thus shifting the public perception of what a dog should look like. Many owners overfeed their dogs because of their love for them - their dog is hungry, so why not continue to feed them? In reality, over-feeding and under-exercising dogs can lead to many health problems, and a shorter lifespan. Laura and Dr. Greer discuss some wa...
Sep 22, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 66
This episode features two familiar guests: Dr. Gayle Watkins and Susan Patterson! As breeders of Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers respectively, today’s episode is all about retrieving games you can play with your dogs. How do you get a dog started with retrieving? The first step to getting a puppy trained in retrieving is finding something the puppy likes to retrieve and start retrieving in a quiet, confined place. The goal in getting your puppy used to retrieving is to make the process...
Sep 15, 2021•31 min•Season 1Ep. 65
Laura is joined by Kristin Rosenbach, a dog trainer and truffle hunting expert. Kristin has been truffle hunting for 10 years with her own dogs, as well as offering training on how you can teach your dog to hunt for truffles. In the Pacific Northwest, where Kristin is based, truffle hunting season starts in the fall and goes through the spring. Truffles are fruiting bodies of underground fungal networks and are often found near tree roots, but occasionally appear in other places as well. Many br...
Sep 08, 2021•23 min•Season 1Ep. 64
In this episode, Laura Reeves talks about things you can do to keep your dogs active and engaged. She starts off by talking to the founder of the Barn Hunt Association, Robin Nuttall. Barn Hunt is a quickly-growing sport that both AKC and non-AKC dogs can participate in. The sport focuses on testing the working instinct of vermin-hunting dogs, but all dogs are welcome to join in. Robin describes the rules of the game and how it has become a gateway sport for many dog owners - due to this, it's h...
Sep 01, 2021•24 min•Season 1Ep. 63
Susan Patterson joins Laura today to talk about her revamped column on Good Dog, Straight from the Whelping Box! As many of you know, Susan is a renowned Labrador Retriever breeder with years of experience in showing, breeding, and whelping. Susan has spent the past year answering questions on her Good Dog column, Straight from the Whelping Box , sharing her expert advice for Good Dog Breeders. Good Dog Breeders can see all of the past questions that Susan has answered in this new and improved h...
Aug 25, 2021•29 min•Season 1Ep. 62
In this episode of the Good Dog Pod, Good Dog has an exciting announcement! Good Dog Breeders now get free access to Avidog’s “Your Litter A to Z” course. Host Laura Reeves is joined by Good Dog’s Head of Education and Avidog founder Dr. Gayle Watkins to discuss everything this course has to offer, for both new and experienced breeders. What is “Your Litter A to Z”? This is Avidog’s flagship course on dog breeding, developed by Gayle over the last 25 years. With an original value of $497, Good B...
Aug 18, 2021•31 min•Season 1Ep. 61
This episode of the Good Dog Pod explores canine orthopedic disorders. Host Laura Reeves is joined by renowned veterinarian Dr. Marty Greer to discuss some common orthopedic issues, as well as their symptoms, causes, and treatments. What should I do if my puppy is exhibiting orthopedic problems? Immediately contact your veterinarian, as many orthopedic issues are time sensitive and need to be treated as soon as possible. In addition to this, Dr. Greer outlines several questions you can ask yours...
Aug 11, 2021•26 min•Season 1Ep. 60
This week on the Good Dog Pod, host Laura Reeves is joined by Debra Hamilton, Esq. to talk about the power of mediation in resolving issues surrounding dogs. Debra is the owner of Hamilton Law and Mediation and has extensive experience helping breeders, owners, and vets foster peaceful solutions. What are the different ways to approach a legal dispute? There are three main ways to settle a legal issue. One, the two parties can choose to negotiate an agreement outside of court, which is done with...
Aug 04, 2021•29 min•Season 1Ep. 59
This week on the Good Dog Pod, host Laura Reeves is joined by an attorney and a dog trainer to talk about common concerns with contracts between breeders and puppy buyers. Both of our guests are also involved in the dog world as breeders and exhibitors. What is a “dog contract”? Oftentimes, a breeder will require prospective buyers to sign a basic contract before selling a puppy to them. The contract serves as the foundation of the relationship between the two parties; it lays out the details of...
Jul 28, 2021•26 min•Season 1Ep. 58
In this week’s episode of the Good Dog Pod, host Laura Reeves is joined by Jaci Bowman to talk about the Poodle as a hunting dog. Jaci has been an owner, trainer, and handler of hunting Poodles for over two decades. How is the Poodle becoming more widely recognized as a hunting dog? The Poodle is well loved in the show ring, and in recent years, its popularity in the field has grown as well. The breed was originally bred to hunt in marshes for waterfowl, but they are new to field trials and cert...
Jul 21, 2021•16 min•Season 1Ep. 57
This episode of the Good Dog Pod is all about the companionable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel! Host Laura Reeves is joined by two long time breeders, owners, and showers of the breed to discuss breed history, grooming, health, and more. What is it like to live with the Cavalier? The Cavalier is a toy breed with all the athletic ability and drive of a larger spaniel. They are very trainable and not too vocal, making them highly adaptable and fit for apartment dwelling. These dogs form strong, int...
Jul 14, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 56
This week, Good Dog Pod’s host Laura Reeves is joined by three guests to discuss the extraordinary Clumber Spaniel. The guests have decades of Clumber experience between them in breeding, veterinary practice, and judging. What is it like to live with a Clumber Spaniel? The Clumber is a very affectionate, humorous, and loving family dog. They get along with children and other dogs, as well as cats if introduced early. However, any prospective owner should also be comfortable with a lot of sheddin...
Jul 07, 2021•36 min•Season 1Ep. 55
In this episode of the Good Dog Pod, host Laura Reeves is joined by Malena DeMartini to talk about separation anxiety in dogs. Malena is a certified dog trainer and behavior consultant who specializes in this topic, with over two decades of experience. How should I retrain my dog who has had previous experience with being left home alone? If you have had your dog since before the pandemic, it is likely that they know what it is like being left at home. Start by setting up a camera through which ...
Jun 30, 2021•31 min•Season 1Ep. 54
This month the Good Dog Pod will focus on how to prepare our dogs as we transition to post-pandemic life. In this episode, host Laura Reeves and certified professional dog trainer Kristin Sandstede talk about latchkey puppies. Kristin has been teaching dog obedience for over two decades and is the founder of Big Moose Dog Training. What is a latchkey puppy? A ‘latchkey puppy,’ a term derived from the more commonly known ‘latchkey child,’ is a dog who stays home for most of the day while his owne...
Jun 23, 2021•27 min•Season 1Ep. 53
This week on the Good Dog Pod, host Laura Reeves is joined by Dr. Gayle Watkins to discuss how to prepare your dog as our cities reopen, whether you need to retrain your dog or train a new puppy. Gayle is Good Dog’s Head of Education and the founder of Avidog. How should you start getting your dog accustomed to staying at home alone? Start training your dog a few weeks before you intend to leave them at home so you can start with a few minutes and work up to several hours. Every time you go outs...
Jun 16, 2021•24 min•Season 1Ep. 52
The 2021 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is happening this weekend, June 12-13, in Tarrytown, NY! On this week’s episode of the Good Dog Pod, host Laura Reeves is joined by Allison Alexander, who has been an All-Breed Professional Handler for over 30 years. She is also the founder of the Leading Edge Dog Show Academy . What has changed about Westminster this year? Westminster is usually held in February in New York City’s Madison Square Garden. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, it is being held...
Jun 09, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 51
This week on the Good Dog Pod, our very own Susan Patterson joins host Laura Reeves to talk about dog-proofing our homes. Susan is a breeder advisor here at Good Dog and runs the weekly advice column Straight from the Whelping Box . She is also a renowned breeder of Labrador Retrievers and Gordon Setters. As many of us return to the office, questions arise about dog-proofing our homes and addressing safety concerns. This is an especially important topic for owners who acquired new puppies during...
Jun 02, 2021•24 min•Season 1Ep. 50
In this episode of the Good Dog Pod, host Laura Reeves is joined by Sally Hoyle, President of Dog Scouts of America. Hoyle tells us about the amazing ways that Dog Scouts can help you keep your dog happy and healthy. What is Dog Scouts of America? Dog Scouts are just like Boy or Girl Scouts, except your dog is the scout! These four-legged scouts learn anything and everything from swimming, to running agility courses, to painting with their paws. There are over a hundred different skills that dog...
May 26, 2021•24 min•Season 1Ep. 49
This week on the Good Dog Pod, Laura Reeves is accompanied by Dr. Chris Zink, DVM. Dr. Zink is a canine sports medicine and rehabilitation specialist. What is a sports medicine and rehabilitation specialist? A veterinary specialist is someone who has done a three year residency specializing in learning about a very specific field. At the end of that three year period, the specialist has to pass a very complicated examination that requires months of studying. There also are many people who have a...
May 19, 2021•28 min•Season 1Ep. 48
John Honchariw is the founder and CEO of Companion, an automated dog training device. John introduces us to the inception of the product. He began by working on a robotics team at Google, where he had a realization: sensors can greatly help us understand the animals around us. A transition from robotics to animals? Pretty awesome. John saw an opportunity to use his prior experience in robotics to better understand canine movement. The movement and posture of a dog is very important, and can sign...
May 12, 2021•25 min•Season 1Ep. 47
Today on the Good Dog Pod Laura is joined by a very special guest: Dr. Chris Zink, DVM! Dr. Zink is a sports medicine specialist and many times author. Dr. Zink and Laura will talk about how to exercise your young dogs - a relevant topic given that many people have gotten dogs in the past year. Dogs are so incredibly varied in their shapes and sizes: all the way from a 3lb Chihuahua to a 150lb Great Dane. So, as our dogs grow, we have to be cognizant of their growth rate. Ultimately, we need to ...
May 05, 2021•27 min•Season 1Ep. 46
This week, Laura Reeves is at the Shetland Sheepdog Club of America National Specialty, in Albany, Oregon. Laura is joined by a group of Shetland Sheepdog lovers who spend the episode talking about the very fun breed. What makes a Shetland Sheepdog a great pet? Shelties are a beautiful breed, they are smart, intelligent, easy to clean and to train, and always willing to please. They are the perfect sized dog, and are fancy for their size. They are greatly adaptable: they can live in an apartment...
Apr 28, 2021•34 min•Season 1Ep. 45
This week on the Good Dog Pod, Laura is accompanied by a very good friend of hers, Susi Szeremy who is the founder of National Purebred Dog Day. Currently, there are 4 states across the US that have adopted National Purebred Dog Day as May 1st. Sushi Szeremy talks to us about the inception of National Purebred Dog Day: she wanted to create a day that would bring openness to the conversation of responsible dog ownership. Susi created a Facebook page and named it National Purebred Dog Day, but sho...
Apr 21, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 44
On this episode of the Good Dog Pod, our host Laura Reeves is in Boise, Idaho at the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of American National Specialty. The scope of the episode is to talk about the German Shorthaired Pointers as pets, companions, showdogs, hunting dogs and more. Char, Bob, and Dave, our guests, all have immense experience with Shorthairs - over 30 years! What’s it like to live with a shorthair? Shorthairs are described as energetic and athletic, they have high drive and are stubbor...
Apr 14, 2021•29 min•Season 1Ep. 43
This week on The Good Dog Pod, we are joined by our very own Cat Matloub, Esq. who is the Head of Partnerships at Good Dog. Cat is a trained attorney, and works with the rest of the Good Dog Legal Team on educating breeders about canine legislation around the country. Recent government overreach into the breeder’s home is a topic that continues to impact the average dog owner. Cat mentions that the legislation being passed does stem from having good intentions, but the individuals drafting those...
Apr 07, 2021•25 min•Season 1Ep. 42
This week on the Good Dog Pod, Laura announces that April is officially Healthy Puppy Month! Good Dog has partnered with Revival Animal Health to support the Morris Animal Foundation with their Parvovirus Research Efforts. Starting April 1st, 2021 you can visit HealthyPuppyMonth.com to learn more about Parvovirus, hear stories about Parvo survivors and join us in our mission to promote puppy health by signing the Healthy Puppy Pledge. For every signature, Good Dog and Revival will each donate $1...
Mar 31, 2021•22 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Laura Reeves is joined by a very special guest, Zach Silver, who is a doctoral student at Yale University. Zach conducts research on how non-humans learn from and about humans. In this episode, we learn about how dogs learn. Zach introduces us to the different types of cognition that have been identified in dogs. When we think about dogs broadly, they have two types of cognition that can be divided into two important categories: social cognition and physical cognition. Social cognition encompass...
Mar 24, 2021•25 min•Ep. 40
