The Quirky Dog

This week, Jess and Scott are joined by Adrian and Laura Centeno from Los Angeles, CA. Scott credits much of his dog training knowledge to Adrian, and they worked together for a decade. The Quirky Dog welcomes Adrian and his beautiful wife Laura today to discuss various aspects of dog training.    How did Adrian get started in dog training?   Does owning a dog in Mexico look different today than o...

This week, Jess and Scott are joined by Nancy Dewar of Seacoast Bark. She is in charge of a New England publication that extends from the seacoast of Kittery, ME to Newburyport, MA and formerly ran a similar magazine throughout the entire state of Montana! What is the vision of Seacoast Bark? How does it work when companies that don’t sell pet products themselves advertise with the magazine? Why d...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss the importance of structured feeding. And in addition to adhering to a feeding schedule, exercise, diet, and lifestyle all can play an integral role in the health of of our dogs.  What is a structured feeding schedule and why is it important? If my dog is overweight, what is the most effective method to help him/her lose weight?  How can I personally tell if my do...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss the use of dominance in dog training. Terms like leader, alpha, omega, and submission are often used when referring to this system. Tune in to see how The Quirky Dog views dominance training. Who are some popular “dominant” dog trainers? What are some drawbacks to dominance training?  Are there certain breeds this philosophy works better for than others?   For mor...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss the new position statement for the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) on “humane dog training.” The organization specifically stated that it is taking a stand against aversives used in dog training this past week.   Has your vet tried to preach a certain methodology onto you in the past? How much behavioral training do vets actually receive?  D...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss the reality of owning a dog that is bred for a specific task rather than just a dog that is bred to be a companion animal. Whether its a Malinois, Border Collie, or German Shorthaired Pointer that you’re interested in, we are going to dive deep into what your life with a breed like this may potentially look like.  What are some questions I should ask a breeder if...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss running with dogs. Many of our clients have wanted to go for a run with their dog over the years, and we always give them the same advice that we share in today's podcast. What is the best age to begin running with my dog? How can I get my dog to run next to me rather than pull ahead of me? Should I consider different equipment when running with my dog?   For more...

 This week, Jess and Scott are joined by Melain Rodriguez of ViaGen Pets. We discuss the controversial topic of cloning. ViaGen Pets is the same company that cloned Barbara Streisand’s dog in 2018 and is the leading company in cloning cats, dogs, and horses.  How much does it cost to clone your dog? Will my dog look exactly the same in regards to markings? What is the process if I choose to save m...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss the details of muzzle training. It’s not that every dog in your home requires a muzzle, but why not condition every dog you own to a muzzle? The benefits of having a dog that accepts a muzzle are far reaching.  What are the best muzzles to use? Why is it important to condition my dog to a muzzle? Does a dog wearing a muzzle always indicate that that specific dog i...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss the intricacies of potty training. Whether you own a puppy or a rescue or a small dog, we guarantee we will share new ideas you haven’t tried before. While potty training certainly is tedious at every turn, it is so worth it in the end!  How do Scott and Jess feel about pee pads? What is a reasonable time frame to expect a dog to be fully potty trained? If I have...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss the importance of “sit.” While the sit command is typically something puppies learn early on in their lives, it is a behavior that often deteriorates over the years, especially in an anxious dog. How long can your dog hold a sit next to you on leash? Does your dog sit before mealtime? Why is such a basic behavior so hard to implement out in the real world?   For m...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss the integrity of their podcast and why removing an episode was in The Quirky Dog’s best interest. The race to the 100th episode will never be more important than the message conveyed in each podcast.    What are some warning signs when evaluating a rescue organization? Should I get a purebred puppy or a rescue as my next dog? Are certain trends becoming more commo...

This week, Jess and Scott are joined by Sarah Morse who is a nationally recognized groomer based on her merit. Sarah was even a finalist on Animal Planet’s “Groomer Has It,” and is grooming director and manager of WAG Grooming Salon and Spa right her in Salem, NH.  What is the toughest part of the job for a groomer? How often should most dogs get groomed? Why are certain things considered red flag...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss the importance of identifying a safe place to house your dogs while you are away. Whether you are considering a boarding and training program or a simple boarding facility, this episode is a must listen. Why are some red flags that can alert you to potential problems? What is your gut feeling about the facility with which you are inquiring? Is there a systemic pro...

This week, Jess and Scott are joined by Jeremy Cohen from Boston Dog Lawyers. Jeremy is an attorney who specializes in representing animal cases all across the state of Massachusetts. He has helped bring justice to many desperate dog owners over the years. When a couple separates and they share a dog, what are the options of ownership after the split? What constitutes a veterinarian having partial...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss the importance of self-awareness as it relates to working with your dog. Over the past decade, this has become a more glaring topic, especially as it relates to an owner’s success with his or her dog.  Why is self-awareness so important? How does your emotional self-awareness affect your dog while training? What role does self-awareness play in your dog’s progress...

This week, Jess and Scott are joined by Kristen Ingersoll who is an avid dock diver with her older dog Patches as well as her up and coming Borderwhippet star, Venom. They detail out how best to introduce a dog to the dock as well as some top-secret competitive advice.    What are the main dock diving organizations in the US? How many times a week should you practice to be competitive in dock divi...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss various ways in which you should consider preparing for emergencies as a dog owner. They lay out some of the most effective safety practices they have learned over the years to hopefully help facilitate best case scenarios in stressful situations.  What are some considerations when it comes to car safety? If there was a fire in your living space, what is your esca...

This week, Jess and Scott are joined by Frankie Joiris from New Jersey who is a dog trainer, theatrical animal trainer, nationally acclaimed seminar presenter, and dog sport coach.  What is some of the foundational training that goes into raising a service dog? How do you overcome resistance to legitimately trained service dogs? Can a dog be a service dog as well as a competitive athlete?    To le...

This week, Jess and Scott are joined by Katie Kozikowski who is an animal control officer in Massachusetts and [perhaps more importantly], Jess and Scott’s former dog sitter.  What are some crazy situations that an animal control officer faces? How should patrons handle seeing a dog locked in a warm car? When should people be concerned about nuisance barking?    For more information about Scott an...

This week, Jess and Scott are joined by Dr. Heidi Mier, D.V.M. from Dixboro, Michigan. Dr. Mier was a former eastern veterinarian for Jess’s dogs while she attended the University of Michigan and is one of the select few veterinarians who works on the Iditarod dogs during competition. What is it like to be an eastern veterinarian? How did COVID affect the race this past March? What types of issues...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss various methods they have used over the years to curb barking with dogs of all breeds and sizes and share their expertise on which products work best.   What are the best methods to addressing barking issues?  Why is it important to work a dog through barking in a crate?  Which product comes most highly recommended by Scott and Jess for barking issues?   For more...

This week, Jess and Scott are joined by Rafael Quiñones who is a dog lover, USDAA agility judge, and founder of the Puerto Rico Agility Team (PRAT). What do agility trials look like during COVID? What’s agility like in Puerto Rico? How did Jess and Rafo meet and what the heck is the DOGS show? To find out more about PRAT, find them on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/indybobb For more infor...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss how dog behavior has seemed to deteriorate greatly over the last decade and some of the reasons that they feel this to be the case. What are some reasonable expectations of a dog under a year old? How can you help your rescue overcome his/her past baggage in your care? Why do we feel that the owner is such an integral part of this picture?   For more information a...

This week, Jess and Scott are joined by their friend and colleague Noelle Nasca. Noelle is an avid Pitbull lover, an excellent dog trainer, and the owner of The Barking Lot in Hamburg, NY, which offers both daycare and dog training.   When looking for a daycare, what are the most important aspects to consider? What are some unexpected lessons Noelle has learned as a daycare owner? How can daycare...