Doggy Dan Podcast Show

What affects dog behavior can be traced back to multiple factors —  dog personality , dog-owner relationship, their past history, and even the environment where they live! No dog is ever the same as another — and that’s the beauty of raising them. Each dog has a unique quirk that makes them so lovable. However, in my years as a dog trainer, I have also had dog consultations specifically for certai...

Can dogs understand humans even if they can’t speak our language? As a dog trainer, I have met thousands of dog owners whose eyes yearn to be told that yes, dogs can understand humans. Dogs don’t speak English, so it’s always a question of whether dogs can truly understand the hugs, or the “I love you!” expressions. Here’s the good news: YES, they understand us! But dogs understand humans differen...

If you’re looking for ways on how to bond with your dog, I’d recommend focusing on these three pillars: connection, being present, and trust. Dogs have this beautiful reputation of being loyal, loving animals. And they truly are! And creating that  connection with dogs through dog communication  and bonding with your dog allows you to feel and see how dogs relay their love and loyalty to you. I al...

There are hundreds of helpful tips on  how to make progress in dog training . However, there is only one POWERFUL rule on how to make dog training successful: sending a clear message to your dog. In this blog, we’re talking about the dog training benefits of delivering a clear expectation to your dog, and how sticking to it can massively impact dog training! Read on to learn more. Key Takeaways Co...

In the perfect world, the  best dog recall training  concludes with you able to let out a call and a whistle and your dog rushing towards you. But that’s not always the reality. Our dogs love to explore  — sometimes leaving a significant gap between us and them. That kind of independence is good! But it’s anxiety inducing when your dog becomes too far from you and you aren’t sure your call can mak...

A safe space for dogs is synonymous to a human being’s place of refuge — it’s a spot where they retreat from stressors or relax from a long day. As a dog trainer, I know that our dogs are susceptible to  exhaustion, emotional and mental stress, and even anxiety. Stressors all around them can be too much. A dog’s safe space is like our pet’s personal space where they can feel truly safe. Yes, all d...

Timeout for dogs is a powerful dog training tool that enforces correct behavior WITHOUT hurting your relationship with your pets. As a dog trainer, I am a big advocate of timeout for dogs as a way of discipline. In my training, I value  connection before correction . I absolutely know that shouting, scaring, and threatening our puppies and dogs to obedience can only work so much. But I get it — tr...

Potty training puppies is every pet owner’s rite of passage. Along with all the cuddles and playtime comes the inevitable challenge of potty training. It can be a frustrating and messy process, leaving many  dog owners feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. cute jack russel puppy playing with toilet paper. | Photographer: Georgiy Datsenko As someone who has trained dog owners how to sur...

I cannot emphasize enough how the skill of knowing how to calm dogs down can go a long way for dog owners wanting the best for their pets. As a dog trainer, I always emphasize  the calmest dogs are the happiest dogs . When your dog’s body becomes less stiff, they settle peacefully in one corner, and their breathing regulates—there’s just no better sight. But there’s so much advice and tips out the...

Dog communication is one of the impressive skills that seem to come naturally to dog owners. I’m mindblown by the idea that even though our dogs do not talk, they have this amazing capacity to let their needs be known. Through their gestures, and actions, and sounds, our pets help us learn how dogs communicate. Our dogs want us to understand them! As a dog trainer, I always emphasize to dog owners...

Every time your dog runs, leaps, and gets through obstacles, it’s not only their muscles that benefit — the best exercises for dogs help build their brain power, too. Here’s a dog trainer perspective: the best exercises for dogs rank high in the top needs that dog owners should give to their pets. I have witnessed dogs become sharper and quicker in picking up instructions, and more agile in naviga...

If you're anything like me, your furry companion means the world to you—and your dog’s stress relief is a big deal. But have you ever felt helpless and unsure when you see your dog experiencing stress? It can be heartbreaking to watch them struggle with anxiety, just like humans do. There are many factors that can trigger stress in dogs – changes in routine, loud noises, separation anxiety, and ye...

Good dog food and the dog’s name: two of the most important decisions a pet owner needs to make. Their name will last a lifetime and their food will determine how long that is. I trust that naming your dog was a fun, thoughtful exercise, but most dog owners still seem to be in the dark when it comes to confidently knowing what to feed their furbabies. Not only is the choice overwhelming, but now t...

Is pet insurance worth it? Hey fellow dog owner, I understand it’s easy to be at a crossroads regarding pet insurance. Thousands of caring and protective pet owners have asked me that very question. I’m finally sharing what I tell dog owners who ask for pet insurance advice in this blog. With pet insurance marketed as a need and a must, should every pet owner get it? Read on for the answer.   Key...

The best flea treatment for dogs is something every dog owner needs to discover and master. Because fleas are sneaky — what could start as a small flea problem can quickly become an infestation. Now, I have a couple of dogs at home, and there was a time when we found ourselves dealing with a HUGE flea problem that did not seem to go away. During this time, I tried and tested several dog flea treat...

Finding the best vet for your pet is saying yes to a partnership that will make a significant impact on your dog’s health. Making this choice matters! When my pets show signs of health issues, I race straight to a vet. I have complete trust and respect for these professionals. However, after my fair share of vet trips, I can say from experience that not all vets are the same! Not all vets in your...

Healing Dogs with Cannabis, Mushrooms, and the Endocannabinoid System – with Angela Ardolino Today’s Guest Angela Ardolino: I’m so excited to introduce to you today’s guest, Angela Ardolino, who is a holistic pet expert that focuses on supporting the endocannabinoid system – our built-in healer of the body – with natural medicines, including cannabis and mushrooms.   A holistic pet expert and educ...

Beautiful End-of-Life Pet Hospice Care and Peaceful Passing with Dr. Dani McVety Today’s Guest Dr. Dani McVety: I’m so excited to introduce to you today’s guest, Dr. Dani McVety, who has dedicated her career to helping families provide end-of-life care and euthenasia for their furbabies. Dr. McVety founded the Lap of Love Veterinary Hospital just three months after graduating from the University o...

Dr. Rob and the Magnificent Properties of Medicinal Mushrooms for Dogs Today’s Guest Dr. Rob: I’m so excited to introduce to you today’s guest, Dr. Rob, who has 40 years of clinical experience treating small and large animals with diet, acupuncture, and medicinal mushrooms. Dr. Rob graduated in 1982 from Colorado State’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He established one of the first integrative v...

Animal Communication Expert Annie Bourke Shares Fascinating Stories From Animal Perspectives Today’s Guest Annie Bourke I’m so excited to introduce to you today’s guest, Annie Bourke, who has spent the last 10 years as an animal communication expert and medium. Annie discovered her ability to talk to animals as a little girl, having conversations with her little ginger cat as if it was no big deal...

What Our Pets Experience After Their Time On Earth With Us — with Karen Anderson, Pet Loss Specialist Today’s Guest Karen Anderson: I’m so excited to introduce to you today’s guest, Karen Anderson, an award-winning animal communication expert and Pet Loss Specialist. Karen’s incredible journey began when she was working as a deputy sheriff and was helped by various animal companions to find wanted...

Judy Morgan – The Truth About Spaying and Neutering Today’s Guest Judy Morgan: I’m so excited to introduce to you today’s guest, Dr. Judy Jasek, an incredibly seasoned integrative pet care provider who focuses her work on natural and safe approaches to animal care. Dr. Judy has had an incredible career and was voted 2018 Woman of the Year in the Pet Industry, 2019 Pet Age Woman of Influence, 2019...

Dr. Judy Jasek: Integrative Dog Medicine Providing Natural And Safe Vet Care Dr. Judy Jasek is a veterinarian with 35 years of practice experience who specializes in integrative medicine. She believes in a whole-body approach to healing, focusing on species-appropriate nutrition, whole-food supplementation, detoxification, and addressing the underlying causes of disease. Dr. Judy's areas of expert...

Amanda Matoske: Building True Rapport With Natural Dog Training Today’s Guest Amanda Matoske: I’m so excited to introduce to you today’s guest, Amanda Matoske, a kind, gentle dog trainer that has based her training career on the incredible teachings of dog training legend, Kevin Behan. In 2014, Amanda read Kevin’s book, Your Dog Is Your Mirror, and her life was changed forever. Since that time, sh...

Susan Thixon: The Scary Truth Behind Dog Food Labels Today’s Guest Susan Thixton: I’m so excited to introduce to you today’s guest, Susan Thixon, an incredible pet food advocate who’s working hard to help keep animals safe at meal time. Unfortunately, Susan’s work started due to the loss of her beloved pup who developed cancer after eating food that was designed to be able to stay on shelves for 3...