The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast

Breeders are whispering about pausing their programs. Does that make sense? I'll discuss my thoughts on the pausing, if it's right for you, or even the industry. I'll also discuss three elements of the dog breeding market and economics that are playing into the current dog breeding situation.  This is part of a 3-part series which includes the next episode on the difference between ethical and une...

The dog breeding market is still normalizing, supply is greater than demand, and many breeders are contemplating quitting, but I see so many brilliant breeders sabotaging their breeding program because of this one thing they're doing...I'll explain what it is and how you can work with it to stop it from ruining the beautiful program you've built!

It happens to us all, things are going good then this happens, then that happens, and, all of a sudden, we feel like we've lost our traction. Don't worry, it happens to us all. Today's episodes are all about techniques for geting the traction back in your business when you feel like you've lost it.  Interested in the Ideal Puppy Buyer Cohorts? Apply here!

In this episode I discuss how every problems can work to our benefit, especially in this normalizing market. I'll discuss some perspective shifts and how to better write your marketing copy to speak to your buyers.  Interested in the Ideal Puppy Buyer Cohort? Join the Waitlist!

Every breeder I've ever spoken with has some insecurities in their breeding program, it's natural. Yet sometimes breeders take that insecurity and use it to fuel them to forfeit their integrity, giving breeders a bad name and hurting their program and reputation.  This episode discusses a breeder whose insecurity led her to fraudulently place a badge on her website, not understanding how much it s...

What do you feel when you hear the word boundaries? Love it? Hate it? It haunted me for a while, buyers had me a bit resentful. I knew I needed boundaries, but how? This episode we discuss boundaries, what they are, why the concept feels a bit icky, and how to implement some boundaries so you feel better about the time you spend with your buyers and you, in return, give them better service.  Get t...

Dog Breeding can be overwhelming at times, especially when you're a mom and wife and the puppies aren't the only ones relying on you. In this episode I discuss four techniques to help you get a little traction in the process of dog breeding, don't worry they aren't woo woo. They're actionable.  Want to schedule a free 30-min strategy session with Julie Swan? 

Your contract should be an extension of your brand, your service, your relationship with your buyers, it can be so beautiful, but so many breeders put these clauses in their contract and ruin the relationship they've built with their buyers.  This episode I discuss clauses that I recommend you avoid.  Purchase my easy-to-customize contract template here ! Want some help with your breeding business...

Ever wonder what it actually means to be an honest dog breeder? How do you know if you're making the cut? If you're contributing to the world of dogs or if you're taking away from it?  In this episode we discuss what it means to be an honest dog breed and how you can make sure you are one.  Oh–I need your help–this topic is pretty thick, send me an email at julie@honestdogbreeder.com if you'd like...

Should you quit dog breeding? It's a question that pops up from time to time when you're in the business, especially when you've had a bad litter or a dip in sales or revenue...but should  you actually quit? In this episode we discuss if your thoughts on quitting are because you need to pivot and make some changes or if it's actually time to throw in the towel.  Don't forget to get the freebie che...

As the puppy market is normalizing, you have to ask yourself, how am I going to grow, or at least sustain, in this changing market? The answer is customer service. This year customer service is going to be the most important thing you can you can do to keep your breeding program moving along. So what is customer service in relation to dog breeding and how do we implement it? There's a troubleshoot...

Recently I almost lost Bill. I had to take a flight that departed mere hours after finding out. This episode is about setting up your program so that you have the ability to leave in a moment's notice should you need to.  There's a freebie that helps you map out a plan for help, it's in the show notes . 

Guardian Homes sound like the magic sauce, yet co-ownerships are often hit or miss. In truth guardian homes are often hit or miss as well. In this episode we discuss guardian homes and when it's a good idea to add them to your program, so they're a benefit–not a detriment–to your dog breeding business. As a special bonus, I have a link inside the episode where you can get a cheat sheet on where to...

We are so lucky to have Matt Beisner on today, from The Zen Dog & the show Dog: Impossible. We discuss a lot of topics where trainers and breeders collide, discussing the market, what people want and where the dog fits in. We discuss genetic coercion–are we breeding with the right intents? what does it mean for breed standard? I think you'll love this deep dive discussion on topics from an alterna...

Tori Mistik of Wear Wag Repeat is a business coach for Petpreneurs. She works with business owners of all pet industries and even has a community for those wanting to grow their businesses. Tori has seen it all, in today's episode she discusses where lots of new petpreneurs struggle with their business. While the focus was on new businesses, there is a lot that is applicable to seasoned businesses...

Hello Honest Dog Breeders! Today we are so lucky to have Michele Taylor of Taylormade Miniature Golden Retrievers. Michele and her husband have 8 beautiful children and an amazing dog breeding program.  Through a unique housing restriction Michele had to get creative with her program, she has successfully used guardian homes to not only increase the size of her program and maintain the genetic div...

Is dog breeding burning you out? The stress of breeding ebbs and flows and we can certainly make it easier on ourselves, but are you just tired or are you at a point of burn out? In this episode we discuss burnout in dog breeding, how to recognize it, if it's a signal of depression, and some techniques to quelch the psysiological response.

It happens to all of us. The puppies are ready to go...but they don't all have homes. This episode discusses ways to find homes for your prescious pups. 

In this episode I review my current kennel and what I love about it and what I would change about it. I hope it gives you some ideas and saves you some of the mistakes I've made.  

How do you become an Honest Dog Breeder? Or you one already? Being an honest breeder is all about building a breeding program that creates and takes care of wonderful dogs, places them in amazing homes, taking care of those buyers, and then taking care of yourself and your family. This episode discusses the ins and outs of what it really means to be an honest dog breeder.

It feels foolish to ignore the changing puppy market and the looming recession, but what does it really mean for dog breeding? is it over? will it survive? Will your program survive? What changes should we make to ensure the long-term success of our program...and what if we are just starting out (you'll be surprised on this one 😉) Learn more and join the Dog Breeder Society !

Hello Honest Dog Breeders! Today we are so lucky to have Michelle Klump of Outwest Bassets, in Arizona. Michelle has a brilliant business mind and a loving heart. She always wanted a Basset, but found she wasn't able to easily find what she was looking for. It sparked her business brain and she built a beautiful breeding program around her ideal puppy buyer and a lifestyle that worked for her and...

You ever meet those breeders and they tell you they "just know" which puppy a family should have? Super helpful, right? It's frustrating, I hear you. Today's episode discusses some ways to get your brain to start seeing the differences in temperaments and how to use that knowledge to make things better for your buyers. Want to learn about the Dog Breeder Society and our MasterClasses and a wonderf...

In this episode, I have Dr. Jody Moffett, my favorite veterinarian of all time, she's simply the best and has put up with me for over 8 years, helping me solve problems with giardia, being patient with all my questions, and entertaining all my wild breeding musings.  I wish there were more veterinarians like her, the ones who are able to keep their heart in the game as much as their mind. She's a...

Everything in life teaches us lessons, but, for our 50th episode (thank you for sticking with me!) I wanted to reflect on three unexpected lessons that dog breeding has taught me. Thank you for taking me on your journey!! Learn more about the Dog Breeder Society