The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast

Think rock is just rock? Think again! In this episode of our Facility Factor series, Julie sits down with rock and gravel extraordinaire Laurie Fenly, who spent 17 years managing a massive commercial rock yard. Laurie shares the hilarious (and costly) mistakes she's seen people make—including a customer who dumped a quarter-ton of gravel into a Mercedes convertible, and another who ignored expert...

Did you know that 90% of the smell from a kennel is the flooring? When you get the right flooring, not only does it not harbor smells, but it's easier to clean, saving you precious time and labor. It's also much safer and more sanitary for your puppies and breeding dogs, making dog health even easier to maintain. Learn about the different flooring, what to do for temporary flooring, as well as mor...

If you are tired of having dogs take over your living room or puppies whelping in your bathtub, this episode is a mandatory listen! Julie sits down with her husband Bill—a veteran general contractor—to break down the raw truth about working with builders and planning your breeding facility. Bill holds nothing back as he shares how to spot red flags in a contractor's bid, why that "unbelievably che...

If managing your dogs feels exhausting, the problem isn't your dogs—it's your facilities. A great setup should make your daily life easy , saving you from the exhausting "management cycles" of juggling dog rotations and endless cleaning. Whether you raise one litter a year in your home or manage a standalone kennel, there is always a way to optimize your space and buy back your time. In this quick...

One of the most heartbreaking scenarios in breeding: the dog who is "taken care of, but not loved." Tucker, a returned dog, had perfect vet records and auto-shipped food, but lived a life of isolation because he didn't fit his owners' expectations. We dive deep into why these "mismatches" happen and why they are almost always an Ideal Puppy Buyer problem rather than just a "bad home." If you've ev...

I recently saw a license plate that read "ShipWrk" next to a sticker saying, "I run a tight shipwreck," and it really hit a nerve about how often we breeders wear our chaos as a badge of honor. In this episode, I'm diving into why chaos should be a temporary season for growth, not a permanent identity that keeps you stuck. I share my own recent "chaotic" month of travel and litters, and explain wh...

Whether you are moving through a season of growth or looking to simplify, it's time to stop treading water and start making decisions based on clarity instead of pressure. If you're ready to trade the overwhelm in your life and breeding program for a sustainable framework, this is a can't miss episode of the Honest Dog Breeder Podcast. You can learn more about the Honest Dog Breeder Society and jo...

In this episode, I'm digging into a pattern I see constantly: breeders who feel stuck in the chaos, they know they're doing too much but they don't know how to stop. We're exploring how your identity—the version of yourself you think you have to be—might be the very thing keeping you trapped in unsustainable habits, like 24/7 buyer messaging and elaborate processes that no longer serve you. I'm sh...

Why does "doing it right" feel so exhausting? If you've ever felt judged for your feeding choices, overwhelmed by puppy curriculums, or drained by 24/7 buyer messages, this episode is for you. I'm breaking down the "Proxy Problem"—the trap of using checklists and health-testing markers as an ethical standard instead of a pathway—and why being a truly good dog breeder is about intentional decision-...

This episode is all about the "money" side of breeding that many people feel uncomfortable talking about: puppy deposits. From the classic debate over non-refundable fees to the massive legal shifts happening in California, I'm breaking down how to structure your deposits to protect your business and your reputation. We'll look at the specific math of cash flow, how to handle contracts without mak...

The New Year often comes with a lot of noise and pressure, but I believe real progress starts with slowing down to see where you actually stand. In this episode, I'm walking you through a simple reflection process to help you identify what worked last year, what was "clunky," and where you should focus your energy next. I share my own recent wins and "hair-pulling" moments—like realizing my brandi...

Christmas is the one time of year I finally slow down enough to reflect on whether my life and my breeding program are actually in alignment with the dreams I have for my family. In this episode, I'm digging into the idea that breeding should be a "bringer of good things"—whether that's financial freedom, family vacations, or simply the ability to be a more present parent. I truly believe that str...

In this episode, I'm breaking down why even the best puppies won't sell if your messaging is out of sync, and how a few strategic pivots can help you finally reach your ideal buyer. By getting into alignment, you can stop chasing leads and start naming your price for the dogs you love to raise. Join me to learn how to make your breeding program more profitable and a whole lot easier to manage.

In our final episode of the series, we hear from Dana Filatova of Kismet Labradoodles in Ashville, NC, as she recounts the essential, sometimes challenging, lessons learned from her very first litter. Dana's debut litter was unexpectedly large—a "bonus-sized" group of eleven puppies! She takes us behind the scenes, sharing the unexpected obstacles and triumphs that came with managing such a big gr...

Today we welcome Andrea Gardner of Desert Sky Poodles in Utah, who brings a truly unique perspective to the world of dog breeding, shaped by her background in agricultural education. Andrea explains how the principles of genetic selection and program management she learned in Ag Ed apply directly to her Poodle program, leading to a thoughtful, data-driven approach. She views her role as not just a...

We sit down with Megan Smith of Acadia Goldendoodles in Maine, who proves that responsible breeding can—and should—be a joy. After 17 years in the game, Megan has cracked the code on sustainability and enjoyment. She takes us on a tour of her spectacular facility, which we've affectionately dubbed a "summer camp for dogs," designed for maximum enrichment, wellbeing, and ease in managing around 20...

Leilani Nichols of Northwest Cairn Terriers in Oregon joins us to share her unique approach to breeding and placement. In a world where every puppy looks cute, Leilani uses her marketing to target buyers who are truly ready for the specific challenges of a clever, feisty Cairn Terrier, ensuring a perfect long-term match.  She also offers fascinating, hard-won insights into the difference between d...

Meet Sarah Whitman of Bonnie Brae Collies, who just sold her first litter of puppies.  Sarah's experience working in accredited zoos with rhinos and elephants fundamentally shaped her approach to breeding. She shares how her deep dive into population genetics led her to Collies and a registry with an open book that allows for intentional diversity planning, moving beyond closed gene pools. This ep...

In this 12 Days of Breeders interview, we welcome Andrea Jones of Maple Hill Doodles in Ohio.  A 25-year veteran breeder of Goldendoodles, Cavapoos, and Cavadoodles, Andrea has built her program on advanced, and sometimes unconventional, health protocols. Andrea shares her techniques for holistic management, detailing the logistics of maintaining a non-vaccination protocol for her entire program,...

In this 12 Days of Breeders interview, we welcome Bill Wyatt of DubDub Danes in Bentonville, Arkansas. After a career in high-level sales, Bill applies his deep customer service acumen to breeding, expertly guiding buyers so they feel supported, not sold to. Bill shares his lifelong love for Great Danes and gives an honest look at the immense logistics of managing a breeding business for giant dog...

Today, we dive into the highly specialized world of German Shepherd service dogs with Cynthia Kelly of Regis Regal German Shepherds. Cynthia shares the unique, rigorous process she has developed for raising, training, and placing her dogs, many of whom work with children with autism. She takes intentional breeding and socialization to the next level, enabling her to provide service dogs who have a...

For Day 4 of 12 Days of Breeders, we welcome Kari Roach of Choice Paws in Utah. Kari's journey is highly strategic: a former pre-med student, after starting out as a guardian home, she ended up buying an established breeding business program . This rare and successful move allowed her to immediately apply her health science discipline, bringing a rigorous, systems-based approach to her Cavapoo pro...

For Day 3 of 12 Days of Breeders, we dive into the world of Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs) with Natalie Thurman of Apex Anatolians in Frenchtown, Montana. Natalie's dogs aren't just pets—they are 24/7 protectors tasked with guarding livestock from predators like bears and mountain lions. She is also currently the President of the Anatolian Shepherd Dog Club of America (ASDCA). In this powerful epi...

In this 12 Days of Breeders interview, we welcome McKenze Ocampo of Twilight Doodles in Dallas, Texas to share the experience and expertise she's used to build a thriving breeding business. McKenze discusses the daily discipline, continuous education, and fierce personal drive that has helped her build Twilight Doodles. You'll learn how she created a unique and authentic brand identity that sets h...

In this first episode in our 2025 12 Day of Breeders, we talk to AKC Breeder of Merit, Kim McGuirk of Newbliss Chicago Lagotto, who built explosive business success by focusing on radical customer service and smart delegation. Kim shares the secret to her longevity: building an incredible community of owners through fun bi-annual social events, and the brilliant management strategy she uses to pre...