This week, Jess and Scott discuss a topic that comes up frequently within the industry, which is an owner’s uncertainty if their dog needs training or not. This topic comes up in veterinary offices, in online forums, and quite often in plain sight during day to day life. What does a trained dog look like? Why is it best to begin training as early as possible? How can a dog owner find support that will make the greatest impact? For more information about Scott and Jess and their strategies, pleas...
Apr 26, 2023•31 min•Ep. 184
This week, Jess and Scott are joined by Karoline Edmonds from Dog Mom Mentality. Karoline’s main focus is to foster mental health awareness and support for Dog Moms across the world, and she successfully and consistently does just that through her social media presence as well as her very own podcast “Dog Mom Mentality.” How did helping her dog Layla overcome her reactivity issues in turn help Karoline? Does the Growing and Heeling Journal help dog owners to formulate a plan for their own strugg...
Apr 19, 2023•38 min•Ep. 181
This week, Jess and Scott discuss their top ten list as it relates to dog breeds that do not mesh well with young children. Many families want to bring a dog into the home as their kids grow up, but there are certain breeds that have a higher chance of clashing within the family dynamic. In this episode they lay it all on the line to help educate you and your loved ones as much as possible for everyone’s safety. Why do these specific breeds continuously not mix well in houses with young children...
Apr 12, 2023•46 min•Ep. 182
This week, Jess and Scott discuss the idea of welcoming failure within your dog training sessions. More often than not, owners want to avoid seeing their dog’s fail, but some of your dog’s most productive and long-lasting lessons may come from allowing him or her to fail and teaching him or her how to work through failure. Why does failure seem to be such a buzz word in the dog world? How can welcoming failure expedite and enhance your dog training? What specific behaviors could improve when wel...
Apr 05, 2023•36 min•Ep. 180
This week, Jess and Scott discuss the concept of R & R and why it’s just as important for dogs as it is for humans. Tune in to see how and where Scott and Jess implement these concepts within their own pack of dogs as well as with the client dogs they train. What does R & R mean for dogs? How does your dog’s R & R impact the quality of your life as a dog owner? Why is prioritizing R & R so essential for dogs? For more information about Scott and Jess and their strategies, please ...
Mar 29, 2023•37 min•Ep. 179
This week, Jess and Scott are joined by Chicagoland dog trainer Rachel Sample. Rachel and her pack are some of the best stunt dog performers and competitors in the US, but she also has devoted a significant portion of her career to helping challenging rescue dogs. Trust us, you won’t want to miss this episode! What type of resistance does Rachel sometimes face from rescue and why? How can we best help some of these special cases in rescue and who is actually equipped to own them? Where can you f...
Mar 22, 2023•43 min•Ep. 177
This week, Jess and Scott discuss the reality of what is actually occurring in dogs in present day. While this episode is also a St. Patty’s Day celebration, Scott and Jess take some time aside to discuss the pressing issues they are seeing in modern day dogs and the importance of everyone being aware of the actual facts in our industry. Why is it so easy to have tunnel vision within the dog world? How can an average dog owner help dogs less fortunate in this day and age? What does pulling your ...
Mar 15, 2023•32 min•Ep. 178
This week, Jess and Scott are joined once again by Jeremy Cohen from Boston Dog Lawyers. Jeremy was first a guest on The Quirky Dog in June of 2021. We discuss how his practice has grown since then as well as some interesting new cases of his. Why has there by an uptick of animal cruelty cases? What is Ollie’s Law and how does it affect boarding facilities? Where can I find support for animal legal matters if I live in another state besides Massachusetts? To learn more about Jeremy and his servi...
Mar 08, 2023•32 min•Ep. 175
This week, Scott and Jess discuss various cueing systems in dog training. Different trainers rely on varying levels of verbal, physical, and tactile cueing while working with a dog; however, those different communication styles are rarely broken down. We lay it all on the table with the intention of making learning as clear as possible for your dog moving forward. What is the easiest type of cue for most dogs to learn? Why should you not get frustrated when your dog doesn’t respond to a straight...
Mar 01, 2023•31 min•Ep. 174
This week, Jess and Scott discuss engagement. This is an element often missing in training regardless of if the focus is companion dog training or sport dog training. Scott and Jess take a deep dive into the topic during this episode to help you and your dog become more engaged than ever before. Why is engagement so important? How can one foster engagement? Is engagement possible without the use of food or toys? Have You Heard Of EM Collars For Holistic Tick Prevention? https://www.thequirkydog....
Feb 22, 2023•31 min•Ep. 176
This week, Jess and Scott discuss the topic of puppies! While in your mind a puppy may simply seem like pure joy and minimal hassle, that isn’t reality for everyone. On this episode, they dive into what to expect if your family is expecting a puppy! What types of factors should you take into consideration when deciding if a puppy is right for you? Where is the best place for an average family to find a puppy in 2023? If a puppy doesn’t seem like the best fit, how else could you bring a dog into ...
Feb 15, 2023•30 min•Ep. 173
This week, Jess and Scott discuss the power of dog training tools. While some dog professionals would never consider even walking a dog from a flat collar, other dog trainers are well versed in their tool usage. When it comes to dog owners, we try to help you streamline the complexity. Who are the people trying to ban tools in North America? Why does it matter that you have a wide knowledge of dog training methodologies as a professional? What should dog owners trust above all else when it comes...
Feb 08, 2023•23 min•Ep. 172
This week, Jess and Scott discuss the law of attraction as it pertains to dog training. There has been a significant amount of conflict in 2023 so far about training methodologies, industry regulation, equipment bans, and verbiage in dog training. This episode is intended to break that cycle and serve as an inspiration. Why is it important to focus on what you WANT from your dog? How can we use tools to get ourselves centered for a dog training session? What is the easiest way to avoid problem b...
Feb 01, 2023•31 min•Ep. 171
This week, Jess and Scott are joined by Penny Scott-Fox who is a talented dog trainer, a fundamental figure in scent work, and an important advocate for the correct placement of shelter dogs. Scott and Penny first met over a decade ago when becoming certified in nose work together, and today we discuss all of the exciting twists and turns that sport has taken over the years. What are the benefits of teaching dogs to use their noses? How have dogs changed over the past couple of decades? Why does...
Jan 25, 2023•40 min•Ep. 170
This week, Jess and Scott discuss extremes as they relate to the viewpoints of what is and what isn't ethical dog training. The world is a hard place, but the dog world certainly doesn’t have to be. We open up about why it is so important more now than ever before to have respectful and productive conversations about dogs and their welfare. Why is it enlightening to ride the middle these days? How did the exeremes in dog training develop? What if someone’s viewpoint changes over time? For more i...
Jan 18, 2023•36 min•Ep. 169
This week, Jess and Scott are joined by Melissa Stagnaro who is Vice President of American Rettungshunde Sport Association. This organization combines aspects of competitive obedience, agility, and search work like air scenting and tracking into a competition that is loads of fun for both dogs and owners. When did the concept of outlining sport search and rescue skills first begin? Who is a typical trial participant in ARSA? How can you find support if you want to train your dog for this excitin...
Jan 11, 2023•28 min•Ep. 168
This week, Scott and Jess discuss the very serious issue of resource guarding. Dogs can guard food, toys, people, yards, crates, furniture, or anything else that a dog decides in his or her own head is a resource worth guarding. Tune in as we give you dozens of suggestions promoting safety as well as success. How can I train this out of my dog? What are some early warning signs of resource guarding? Is resource guarding random? For more information about Scott and Jess and their strategies, plea...
Jan 04, 2023•31 min•Ep. 167
This week, Jess and Scott are joined by Andy Deitz and his Belgian Malinois, Christie. Christie is a very accomplished IGP competitor and is truly Andy’s best friend. She is retiring from competition next year but truly made her mark on protection sports when she took the field. What traits according to Andy make Christie dog of the year? How was traveling to Greece to compete at an international event? Why do Belgian Malinois puppies need specialized homes? To learn more about Andy and his wife...
Dec 28, 2022•57 min•Ep. 165
This week, Scott and Jess discuss how important it is to acknowledge your dog around the holidays! While it may seem obvious to them, it isn’t clear to every family or professional dog facility to prioritize the importance of the holidays in regards to their own dogs and client dogs. How can I recognize my dog around the holidays without breaking the bank? Why is it important as a family to include the dog around the holidays? What can I do with my dog in the upcoming year that might serve both ...
Dec 21, 2022•23 min•Ep. 166
This week, Scott and Jess discuss how grateful they are to be working in the industry of dog training. As they approach their busiest season of the year, which of course falls over Christmas and NYE, they pay tribute to all of their current and past clients and all the lessons they’ve learned. What do we do to help keep our heads clear when we have an extremely challenging case? How do we deal with difficult owners? Why does dog training have such a high burnout rate? For more information about ...
Dec 14, 2022•29 min•Ep. 164
This week, Jess and Scott are joined by John Wade. Ironically, they first met this well known London Ontario dog trainer the same weekend they first met one another! Tune in this week as the three of them discuss dog training in North America as well as how to best help dog owners receive the direction they need to succeed. What is the best way to train a companion dog? Why is it so important that training programs are customized to each individual dog? How can dog owners utilize John and his kn...
Dec 07, 2022•48 min•Ep. 160
This week, Jess and Scott are joined by Mare Potts, a friend of Jess’s from over 25 years ago. Mare is very accomplished in the dog world as well as director of Camp Gone To The Dogs. She is here to share some insider details of what 2023 Camp will look like in Front Royal, Virginia. What does a camp focused solely on dogs have in store? How many dogs can an owner bring if he/she lives with multiple dogs? Why do so many campers return year after year to Camp Gone To The Dogs? To find out more ab...
Nov 30, 2022•39 min•Ep. 163
This week, Scott and Jess discuss one of the most terrifying experiences a dog owner can ever face… a lost dog. They discuss the best practices to prepare for such unimaginable stress. They also relay actions to immediately take if you do ever lose sight of your beloved dog if you're away from the house or when you realize your dog has ran away from home. How can you in fact prepare for your dog potentially being lost? Why is it so important to keep your cell phone on you when you’re away from t...
Nov 23, 2022•33 min•Ep. 162
This week, Scott and Jess discuss the pupperazzi! With the holiday season approaching quickly, The Quirky Dog is here to remind you that dogs looking merry and bright in their photos may have more of an impact on others than you realize. If my dog hates the camera, how can I still get ears up for a photo? How can I get my dog to look where I want? What if I want my dog to wear a prop for photos and my dog hates it? For more information about Scott and Jess and their strategies, please check out:...
Nov 16, 2022•26 min•Ep. 161
This week, Scott and Jess discuss Happy Tail Syndrome in dogs. While this may be a topic that many viewers and listeners are unfamiliar with, Scott and Jess have loads of personal experience with Happy Tail Syndrome thanks to their Malinois, Cousteau. They give an overview of what Happy Tail Syndrome has looked like for them and discuss a plethora of treatment options to explore. What types of tails are more prone to Happy Tail? How can Happy Tail be prevented once treated? Why is amputation oft...
Nov 09, 2022•25 min•Ep. 159
This week, Scott and Jess discuss the integration of a dog and a cat in a household (or multiple dogs and cats). For those who have experience living with both, we invite you to listen for some tips to create even greater harmony. For those who have never lived with both cats and dogs before, we guide you through various steps to promote the safety and comfort of all. How can a dog that chases the cat develop skills to let the cat be? Where do Scott and Jess stand when it comes to declawing cats...
Nov 02, 2022•26 min•Ep. 158
This week, Jess and Scott show up in costume to celebrate Halloween week! They discuss treats, tricks, and any and all topics that fall in between the two for a playful and informative episode. Why does the way you use food in training actually matter? How does Jess help you teach the 5 most famous tricks to your dog(s) more simply? What benefit does trick training have on your relationship with your dog? For more information about Scott and Jess and their strategies, please check out: https://c...
Oct 26, 2022•30 min•Ep. 157
This week, Jess and Scott are joined by Dawn Gagye, owner of Portrait Couture Studio and co-owner of Canines on Duty. Dawn is a well-known New England photographer and has been taking breathtaking pictures of Jess and Scott’s crew for the past decade. Why does Dawn feel like every woman not only deserves but actually needs a Portrait Couture session? How can you incorporate your animals into a studio session with Dawn? What has Dawn’s 20 years of experience photographing pets in addition to huma...
Oct 19, 2022•39 min•Ep. 156
This week, Scott and Jess discuss the benefits of working your dog through something that your dog wouldn’t normally choose to do. Many people tend to shy away from something that their dog(s) find unfamiliar or unpleasant. Throughout this episode, Scott and Jess discuss why that may not be the best approach. How can this mindset actually help my relationship with my dog? Why is it a slippery slope to shelter a dog from all the things that he or she finds fearful? If my dog doesn’t like that car...
Oct 12, 2022•32 min•Ep. 155
This week, Scott and Jess discuss the role of a leash. Most dogs have some sort of reaction to a leash whether it be overexcitement or greater self control or a response that is somewhere in between these two options. We discuss what a leash means to our dogs and the importance of having a routine that works when suiting up your dog to leave the house. How should a dog respond to a leash? Why does it matter how my dog responds to a leash? If I want to change my dog’s response to seeing his/her l...
Oct 05, 2022•30 min•Ep. 154
