Pandemic Puppy Podcast (pandemicpuppy)

Today we’re talking to Ayoka Bubar, who offers training services online and in-person in southwestern Manitoba. She also writes the Rotten Dog Blog, which is full of practical advice and musings. Ayoka and I are talking about nipping and biting. This is SUCH a common problem for many puppy owners, and we’re here to help!

Ayoka is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed and an approved Canadian Association of Rally Obedience Judge for all levels. She has never passed up an opportunity to try a new sport with her Rottweilers, Epic and Saga. Together, they have have trained and/or trialed in Flyball, Agility, Tracking, Trick Titling, Herding, Rally Obedience, Mondioring, and Scentwork. 

This podcast is supported by our members on Patreon. For as little as $3 per month, you can support this podcast and get perks like submitting questions for us to tackle at the end of each episode. Sign up over at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy. 

Today we’re talking to Amber Quann of Summit Dog Training about preparing your puppy for ADVENTURES!

Amber is the owner & head trainer of Summit Dog Training in Fort Collins, Colorado. She focuses on getting her clients out doing awesome outdoor adventures with their dogs! With her own dogs, she enjoys hiking, backpacking, camping, paddleboarding, and brewery visits! Her current adventure buddy is Jameson the Papillon, who is learning how to be a great hiking and camping companion!

This podcast is supported by our members on Patreon. For as little as $3 per month, you can support this podcast and get perks like submitting questions for us to tackle at the end of each episode. Sign up over at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy. 

This episode is a re-post from Canine Conversations. Enjoy and stay tuned for new Pandemic Puppy Episodes soon!

This episode is a re-post from Canine Conversations. Enjoy and stay tuned for new Pandemic Puppy Episodes soon!

In this episode of Pandemic Puppy, Kayla discusses potty training. Potty training is one of the most difficult parts of puppy raising, but it is so important. Whether you’re a dog trainer or new to the dog guardian world, potty training can be difficult! Kayla covers the best way to go about potty training. 

Sparks note on setting your puppy up for success with potty training:

• Young puppies need to go out every 20-30 minutes
• In general, puppies can hold their bladder for as many hours as they are months old
• Take them out when they wake up, after they eat, and after they have a big drink
• Keep them confined in a “puppy palace” or pen, when not 100% supervised
  • This not only prevents accidents, but keeps them safe
• Make sure good reinforcement follows after they go to the bathroom 
  • Play with them and treat them after they go
• Be relaxed about it, don’t follow them around nagging them to go
• If they don’t go when you let them out, there’s likely a good reason
  • Either they don’t have to go, or something in the environment is making them not want to go
• Be patient and do not punish your puppy for accidents
• Don’t be afraid to reach out for help, whether its a trainer or a vet
• It’s okay to go back to the basics
• There are so many ways to do it! Do your research! 

You May Also Want to Read:

• How to Potty Train a Puppy Fast
• Our New Puppy Poops in the House Every Night
• My Dog Won’t Pee When She’s On A Leash – What Gives?
• Help! My Dog Submissively Urinates All Over the House!
• Why Does My Dog Keep Peeing on the Carpet?
• Why Does My Puppy Prefer to Pee in His Crate?!

In this episode of Pandemic Puppy, Kayla discusses introducing your puppy to cats. 

• Everything depends on the personality of your puppy and your cat
• Set up the environment for success: hiding places, elevation for cats; baby gates, leashes
• Ensure puppy is well-exercised but not overtired/cranky
• Younger puppies adapt more quickly/easily: with MOST really young puppies and many cats, you can allow for supervised interaction pretty quickly
• Breed will vary for dogs - if your breed is more likely to be prey driven, earlier introductions are even better and management will increase through teenagerhood
• Reward BOTH animals for calm ignoring/calm interactions
  • Suggested treats for cats: meaty baby food on a popsicle stick, tuna, store-bought treats, bonito flakes
  • Consider long-lasting chews or licki mats for puppy 
• Handicap the puppy as needed, let the cat move freely
• If the puppy is highly aroused or the cat is extra nervous, use towels over baby gates and/or two baby gates for extra distance (especially for older puppies)
• Teach both animals that the presence of the other = tasty treats!

 

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Two-Part Cat Intro Podcast

Cat/Dog Introduction Video

You can support the Pandemic Puppy Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy.

Puppy Raising Blueprint Course | Pandemic Puppy Raising Support Group  

In this episode of Pandemic Puppy, Kayla discusses leash skills for you and your puppy! 

 

• It’s not entirely necessary for your dog to walk perfectly on leash
• Pulling will always be self reinforcing, so it can take a lot of patience and persistence to teach loose leash walking

• Your equipment wont teach your dog what to do, you will teach your dog what to do
• You can teach your dogs to pull on certain equipment and not to pull on other equipment, if it is of benefit to you
• To start, you can reward your dog for position and check ins
• It can get worse before it gets better
• You can start in the house then start building distractions and distance
• Record keeping your sessions will help you!
• If your puppy starts pulling you can stop moving or go in a different direction
• Start slow and take your time, don’t expect too much too soon

Patreon Questions Answered: None

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

• Van Repair Go Fund Me
• Loose Leash Walking Course
• Circle Method

You can support the Pandemic Puppy Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy.

Get extra help with your puppy through Journey Dog Training’s Puppy Raising Blueprint Course.

Join the free Pandemic Puppy Raising Support Group on Facebook. 

In this episode of Pandemic Puppy, Kayla and Dr. Leslie Eide discuss exercise and puppies. They cover everything you need to know about exercising your puppy!  

Why are people so worried about exercise for puppies?

• Too much of the wrong type of exercise could affect development 
• Being proactive is good, but its important not to overdo it. Not everything will hurt your puppy, but at the same time, it’s important to do research on how to observe your puppy’s activity and movement

What activities, if any, are clear no-gos for little puppies?

• It is more important to focus on building your puppies stamina up for activities, such as slowly build them up 
• Let your dog self regulate their exercise and don’t push them too hard

Breed dependent? Individual? Neuter status?

• There’s a general idea with breeds and their growth plates
• However, its more important to look at the dog in front of you
• With larger breed dogs, its super important to work on body awareness
• There is still a lot to be learned when it comes to neutering and how it affects development

How do you know when it’s safe to add in an activity for an aging puppy?

• Observe your puppy. When they are comfortable doing the movement themselves, it is okay to ask them to do it. But be careful not to overdo it
• Trust your gut
• Use “trial and success” 

Links Mentioned in the Episode

Dr. Leslie Eide’s Website Dr. Leslie Eide’s Instagram Dr. Leslie Eide’s Facebook Bad Dog Agility

Patreon Question Answered: My sweet, almost 7 month old border collie can be a bit of a hurricane; most things are done at 100mph (minimum)! He has been checked out by a great vet CCRP and an amazing vet physio who are both really happy with how he is developing physically. He and I have been working on body awareness exercises since I brought him home to try to help him know, understand, and move his body. However, any and all body awareness he has learned flies out the window when he is excited (e.g.  we were joking that he nearly injured himself trying to enthusiastically lift his leg on a stump before a class). After an enthusiastic play session with another dog, he is now sitting with an iliopsoas injury. And I am let wondering how to make sure he stays healthy and still gets to do things and be a puppy! Do you have any tips for how to  build "resilience" (for lack of a better term) and help avoid injury for a young enthusiastic pup? - both mental and physical skills.

 

You can support the Pandemic Puppy Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy.

Get extra help with your puppy through Journey Dog Training’s Puppy Raising Blueprint Course.

Join the free Pandemic Puppy Raising Support Group on Facebook. 

In this episode of Pandemic Puppy, Kayla discusses chewing and everything you need to know about managing it!

• Chewing is essential for behavior wellness, but thankfully the chewing habits will change over time. There are some great ways to manage chewing to make it a little more easier to deal with

How to manage chewing:

• Make sure you are meeting your puppy’s needs!
• Puppy proof! Don’t give your puppy a chance to chew things that would hurt them
• Give LOTS of options: antlers, bully sticks, kongs, pig’s ears, bouillon ice cubes, mimic whatever they keep chewing without permission

• Supervise always. Don’t wind down supervision until the puppy is trustworthy at their current level
• Could the chewing be boredom/attention-seeking? Are you reacting to your puppy chewing on bad things and ignoring them when they’re being good?

What do you do when you catch them chewing?

• Make sure their needs are being met before any intervention 
• Gently interrupt your puppy and redirect them to something else
• Be careful not to create an accidental behavior chain 

What to look out for?

• Ingestion/pica
• Sometimes, excessive chewing is actually a sign of an upset stomach, GI issues, diet imbalance, or serious underlying stress.

You can support the Pandemic Puppy Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy.

Get extra help with your puppy through Journey Dog Training’s Puppy Raising Blueprint Course.Join the free Pandemic Puppy Raising Support Group on Facebook.

Hello and welcome to the Pandemic Puppy podcast, brought to you by Journey Dog Training and the Pandemic Puppy Raising Facebook Group! I’m your host Kayla Fratt, and I’m so excited to be here with you. We are going to cover puppy raising right from the start on this podcast. And although I’m a professional dog trainer, this is actually going to by my first time raising a puppy, too! So I’m right in the trenches with you on the good, the bad, the cute, and the stinky.

 

Make sure you subscribe to the Pandemic Puppy Podcast wherever you’re listening so you can hear episodes on topics like nipping, socialization, crate and alone time training, littermate syndrome, preparing your puppy for outdoor adventures, developmental stages, breed tendencies, and SO much more. 

 

For just $3 per month at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy, you’ll be able to ask questions about YOUR puppy that we’ll tackle each episode. This small fee helps us offset the costs of audio editing, website hosting, and more.

Today we’re talking to Malena DeMartini Price, author of TWO books about separation anxiety, instructor of the Mission Possible separation anxiety course, and the founder of the certification for separation anxiety trainers. Malena has focused exclusively on separation anxiety in dogs for TWENTY years! She lives in northern california with her husband and her two dogs Tini DeMartini and Mabel.

Malena and I are going to talk about - you guessed it! Separation anxiety.

This podcast is supported by our members on Patreon. For as little as $3 per month, you can support this podcast and get perks like submitting questions for us to tackle at the end of each episode. Sign up over at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy. 

This episode is a re-post from the Canine Conversations Podcast. Never fear, the goodbyes to Ursa do not have anything to do with the Pandemic Puppy Podcast!

Hey all, I've got some bad news: I have to pause the Pandemic Puppy Podcast until October. My field season with K9 Conservationists is all-consuming and I simply can't keep up! I plan to be back in your earbuds in the fall, stay tuned. Miss you lots.

Today we’re talking to Christine Young. Christine is CPDT-KA certified trainer & dog lifestyle expert with over 20 years experience with dogs and horses. 

Christine is here to talk to us about the importance of enrichment for your puppies. Find show notes at JourneyDogTraining.com/pandemic-puppy/

This podcast is supported by our members on Patreon. For as little as $3 per month, you can support this podcast and get perks like submitting questions for us to tackle at the end of each episode. Sign up over at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy. 

This podcast is also supported by the Puppy Raising Blueprint course, which you can find at journeydogtraining.com/blueprint. In this course, I guide you through everything from common problem behaviors like biting and potty training to the humane hierarchy of dog training. It’s always available on a self-study basis at journeydogtraining.com/blueprint.

Kayla speaks to Rebecca Hintz of Wintegrity K9 in Vacaville CA about deciding where to get a puppy. Find full show notes at JourneyDogTraining.com/pandemic-puppy

For the purpose of this episode, we are only comparing getting a dog from a responsible breeder versus a shelter. We are not discussing getting a dog from a pet store, online marketplace, grocery store lot, or backyard breeder because we do not support those venues of puppy acquisition. If you're unsure how to find a responsible breeder, stay tuned for upcoming episodes.

This podcast is supported by Journey Dog Training and our Puppy Raising Blueprint course. The full course covers topics ranging from common problem behaviors and socialization to the humane hierarchy of dog training. It’s all taught by yours truly, Kayla Fratt. If you need more personalized training support, check out journeydogtraining.com – we have a variety of courses, e-books, and remote training services available. Just check out your options in the menu above.

This podcast is also supported by our members on Patreon. For as little as $3 per month, you can support this podcast and get perks like submitting questions for us to tackle at the end of each episode. Sign up over at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy. 

Over the next few episodes, we’ll cover how to decide between a shelter and a breeder, then how to pick a puppy once you’ve decided where to go! Not all puppy sources OR puppies are created equal, so be sure to tune in.

For Further Reading:

• Pet allergy: Are there hypoallergenic dog breeds? from Mayo Clinic
• Pandemic Puppy Raising Support Group on Facebook
• Should I Adopt a Shelter Dog or Buy a Puppy From a Breeder?

 

 

Kayla speaks to Ursa Acree of Canis Major Dog Training in Denver Colorado about preparing to bring your new puppy home. 

This podcast is supported by Journey Dog Training and our Puppy Raising Blueprint course. The full course covers topics ranging from common problem behaviors and socialization to the humane hierarchy of dog training. It’s all taught by yours truly, Kayla Fratt. If you need more personalized training support, check out journeydogtraining.com - we have a variety of courses, e-books, and remote training services available. Just check out your options in the menu above.

This podcast is also supported by our members on Patreon. For as little as $3 per month, you can support this podcast and get perks like submitting questions for us to tackle at the end of each episode. Sign up over at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy. 

For Further Reading:

• Guide to Dog Adoption Part 1: What Are You Looking For In a Dog?
• The "Before You Get Your Puppy" free e-book from Ian Dunbar
• Puppy Proofing YouTube Video
• Pawsitive Futures Puppy Prep Video
• Check the show notes at JourneyDogTraining.com/pandemic-puppy for links to all the products mentioned

 

Kayla speaks to Rebecca Hintz of Wintegrity K9 in Vacaville CA about deciding if you're ready for a puppy. 

This podcast is supported by Journey Dog Training and our Puppy Raising Blueprint course. The full course covers topics ranging from common problem behaviors and socialization to the humane hierarchy of dog training. It’s all taught by yours truly, Kayla Fratt. If you need more personalized training support, check out journeydogtraining.com - we have a variety of courses, e-books, and remote training services available. Just check out your options in the menu above.

This podcast is also supported by our members on Patreon. For as little as $3 per month, you can support this podcast and get perks like submitting questions for us to tackle at the end of each episode. Sign up over at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy. 

For Further Reading:

• Guide to Dog Adoption Part 1: What Are You Looking For In a Dog?
• The "Before You Get Your Puppy" free e-book from Ian Dunbar

In this episode of Pandemic Puppy, Kayla and Matthias Lenz discuss raising Service Dog puppies. They cover the lessons you can learn from how service dog puppy raisers work with their puppies. 

 

What is helpful when raising and training guide dog puppies that other puppies may be missing?

• The typical service dog makes an ideal pet
• Breed is often important; labrador retrievers are used for a reason
• Start early on with impulse control exercises

Turning Distractions into Reward

• Set your dog up for success, make the training easy
• Reward your dog for not responding to distractions
• Turn distractions into an opportunity for reward
• Engage Disengage game
• Creating Desirable Behavior Around Distractions

Settling tips and tricks: 

• Settling is an important skill for a service dog, or a pet dog
• It is important not to be too enthusiastic with your rewards
  • Give a treat slowly, don’t make eye direct contact, be calm
• Reward baby steps to slowly shape it into a full settle
• Sit on the Dog Exercise
• Using a lower value reinforcer is helpful 
• Karen Overall’s Relaxation Protocol 

 

How much sleep do puppies need? What happens if they don’t get enough?:

• If they are biting a lot more than considered normal, it might mean they need more sleep

Leash Frustration:

• Be empathetic to the dog; leashing is so unnatural for them and it’s understandable that they will get frustrated
• Teach your dog about leash pressure and what it means along with rewarding loose leash walking
• Silky Leash 
• Dr. Sophia Lin - Leave it

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

• Engage Disengage game 
• Creating Desirable Behavior Around Distractions
• Sit on the Dog Exercise
• Karen Overall’s Relaxation Protocol
• Silky Leash

 

Where you can find Matthias Lenz:

Lenz Dog Training BC & Alberta Guide Dogs 

IAABC Working Animals Division

You can support the Pandemic Puppy Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy.

Get extra help with your puppy through Journey Dog Training’s Puppy Raising Blueprint Course.

Join the free Pandemic Puppy Raising Support Group on Facebook.

In this episode of Pandemic Puppy, Kayla speaks with Amber Quann about raising toy breed puppies.

What are the differences between raising a toy breed puppy vs a larger size?

• Easier on the wallet
• Need to be creative on training and reinforcement strategies as they can’t eat as much
• Curate safe interactions that prevent potential injuries such as other dogs running them over by accident, getting on and off furniture, etc.
• Ensure you don’t bubble wrap your dog
• Prepare emergency scenarios, such as picking up your puppy when needed to protect them from getting run over
• Put picking up your dog on cue

How do we help little dogs become leash reactive?

• It is easy to manage a small dogs behavior through leash tension because of their size, and its important to work against that 
• Little dogs need to learn how to move out of situations on their own
• Be intentional to treat them like a big dog. “Would I do this with my german shepherd?” 
• Teaching them confidence is key
• As always, set them up for success, don’t push them over their threshold 
• Their needs will change with age

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

None

Where you can find Amber: Website | Facebook | Instagram

You can support the Pandemic Puppy Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy.

Puppy Raising Blueprint Course | Pandemic Puppy Raising Support Group

Kayla speaks to Amber Quann of Summit Dog Training and Megan Wallace of Dogs Deciphered about picking a breeder for your next puppy.

There’s not really a right and wrong way to do this, but we’ll cover our top tips for you.

1. One litter at a time
2. Parents on site and available for meet-and-greets
3. Puppies raised indoors
4. Puppy raising program like Puppy Culture, Avidog, or ENS
5. Working closely with the breeder to select the puppy (not just based on color or “which do you want?")
6. Parents over 2 years old
7. Puppies not available until 8 weeks
8. Health testing
9. Not afraid of lots of questions
10. Waiting lists, pricing, and deposits
11. Only deal in 1 or 2 breeds (or purpose/mixes)
12. Willing to take the puppy back
13. Eager to provide guidance
14. Proven lines for your goals

 

This podcast is supported by Journey Dog Training and our Puppy Raising Blueprint course. The full course covers topics ranging from common problem behaviors and socialization to the humane hierarchy of dog training. It’s all taught by yours truly, Kayla Fratt. If you need more personalized training support, check out journeydogtraining.com - we have a variety of courses, e-books, and remote training services available. Just check out your options in the menu above.

 

This podcast is also supported by our members on Patreon. For as little as $3 per month, you can support this podcast and get perks like submitting questions for us to tackle at the end of each episode. Sign up over at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy. 

 

Over the next few episodes, we’ll cover how to pick a puppy from a breeder, selecting a shelter and shelter puppy, and how to prepare for your new puppy!

 

For Further Reading:

 

• How to Find a Good Dog Breeder (written by Kayla)
• Dog Adoption Guide (written by Kayla)
• Kayla's dog selection spreadsheet (view only)
• Functional Dog Collaborative

 

This episode is a re-post from the Canine Conversations Podcast. Enjoy!

Today we’re talking about Dr. James Ha about puppy temperament and training to mitigate or avoid behavior issues. Mostly, we're talking about the science of how BAD temperament tests are at actually predicting adult behavior. Darn.

 Dr. Ha is a pretty amazing guy. He’s an animal behavior researcher and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist - which is the highest level of certification one can attain in applied behavior . Dr. Ha literally wrote the book on dog behavior - called Dog Behavior: Modern Science and Our Canine Companions. While much of Dr. Ha’s private practice work currently focuses on aggression cases and expert witness work, today we’re talking to him about puppies, their temperament, and how to prevent or mitigate behavior concerns. 

Generally, you found puppy temperament tests at 7 weeks didn’t predict adult behavior. What 8 factors did you look at in the research?

• Used the fairly standard test
  • Roll the ball test
  • Flip them on their back
  • Stranger test
  • etc.
• Physiology tests
  • Heart rate variation tests, respiration rate tests, cortisol tests

Did your results vary by breed?

• Clusters of results very actively predicted what breed group the puppy belonged to
• Breed-specific characteristics more accurately belong to the breed group 

Talk to us a bit about your current work with dogs with serious behavior issues. What have you learned lately about dog behavior?

• A huge percentage of dog behavior regarding aggression have to do with anxiety
• “Dogs want attention and dogs need rules,” Dr. Ha said. “So many humans think they can just forget about them. I don’t care if you do obedience training, or show training, or agility, or flyball. What I really mean is interaction.”
• Get professional help to deal with behavior problems appropriately 

What red flags might you see in a puppy or teenage dog that another owner may miss?

• The first two years of your dog’s life is the most important
• Any kind of aggression is a red flag
• Ages 7 - 9 months your dogs are the most vulnerable in developing fears

Where can you find Dr. Ha? Website: https://drjimha.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJimHa

New Research on Puppy Temperment:https://jamescraigha.wordpress.com/2016/06/29/our-new-research-on-puppy-temperament/ Dog Behavior: Modern Science and Our Canine Companions: https://www.dogwise.com/dog-behavior-modern-science-and-our-canine-companions/

In this episode of Pandemic Puppy, Kayla discusses what to do if you lose your dog and the best ways to try and prevent it from happening. 

What are the best ways to prevent losing your puppy?

• Have your puppy microchipped
• Have a collar with an ID tag when out or if they are a flight risk
• Ensure your puppy is contained securely 
• Situational awareness is important! 
• Have your puppy on leash when needed
• GPS collars are great!
• Have your dog in high visibility items in the event they get lost

What to do if you lose your puppy?

• Time is of the essence
• In most cases, they will show up in 5-10 minutes
  • In these cases, gently pick up your puppy, bring them inside, and evaluate what went wrong

• Contact shelters/animal control
• Contact veterinarian clinics 
• Post on websites like Craigslist and on social media
• Make sure your posts/information given to shelters/vets includes your puppy’s personality, name, markings, if you should approach or if you should call if seen, etc.
• Try to think of where your puppy might go or what might attract them in order to try and find them
• Get involved with your community 

 

Links Mentioned in the Episode

None

You can support the Pandemic Puppy Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy.

Get extra help with your puppy through Journey Dog Training’s Puppy Raising Blueprint Course.Join the free Pandemic Puppy Raising Support Group on Facebook.

What is Clicker training?

Why use clicker training?

How to use a clicker

Common mistakes in clicker training.

How to start clicker training using a hand target

Introduction to clicker training video by Kikopup

When not to use a clicker.

Other marker training options and marker training systems 

K9 Conservationists: https://k9conservationists.org/

Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/fund-the-k9-conservationists-field-vehicle-repair?utm_source=widget&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

Kayla shares a brief update message about upcoming Pandemic Puppy Episodes. If you want to suggest a topic or guest, email kayla@journeydogtraining.com or message @collies.without.borders on Instagram. Cheers!

This episode is a re-post from the Canine Conversationst Podcast. Enjoy the hot takes!

For episode nine, Kayla Fratt speaks with Sarah Stremming from The Cognitive Canine all about crate training with your puppy. 

Do puppies need to be crate trained?

• Just like everything else we do in training, it depends on what your goals for your puppy are. There is not a universal answer. That said, we both crate train our dogs!

Are there alternatives?

• If you do not wish to use a crate, baby gates or x-pens are a great option to create a room or space for the puppy. If you do want to use crates, it is still recommended to have a separate space using baby gates or xpens along with the crate.

How do you start?

• The pen should be highly enriching for the puppy. It should have a sleeping spot, an enriching area, and a potty area. 
•  It is best to start crating during sleep times only at first.
  • You don’t want to put them in the crate if they aren’t sleepy/going to fall asleep. The puppy should learn that the crate is for sleep time. If you notice your puppy is sleepy, put them in the crate. If you can, put the crate inside the xpen, making that the place for sleeping. 

What problems can you prevent with crating?

• Prevents chewing items you don’t want chewed
• Makes housetraining is much easier
• Prevents conflict between puppy and other animals in the home
• Prevents boredom biting when the puppy is trying to get your attention
• You would have to be constantly micromanaging them if they didn’t have their own space to be in, which could really affect your relationship with your puppy

How do your goals play into crate training plans?

• In order to have success with this, you can’t ask them to do something they can’t do. You don’t teach by letting them get it wrong.
• Work your way up to where you want to be with a plan, you can’t rush your dog if they aren’t ready to give you the goal you desire
• You don’t get it by doing it, you get it by doing other things that approximate it
  • ie. if you want your dog to be good with flying in a crate, they have to be good with driving in a car first
  • Teach the prerequisite skills first
  • If your puppy can’t wait quietly in their pen while you go to the bathroom, then your puppy won’t be able to be quiet in their crate when you run to the store.

How can listeners make their crates ultra-enticing to their puppies?

• Change it up frequently 
• Licky mat, put up obstacles for them to get to it
• Tug toy hanging
• Snuffle matt and snuffle ball
• Numerous toys of different kinds
• Bones and bully sticks
• Boxes and packing paper for them to rip up or shred
• Puppies should be doing “over, under and through”

How can the 4 steps to behavioral wellness help you with crate training?

• The four steps of behavior wellness are exercise, enrichment, nutrition, and communication 
• Exercise and enrichment are the most important to focus on that will help with crate training, as crating isn’t completely natural for them as it is confinement.
• When they tell you they are tired, let them be done.
• They need to have enough enrichment so that they are satisfied.
• Think about it like this: “If you lived in one room and that was your whole world, what would you need to feel satisfied and enriched?”  

How can you help your puppy learn to like going into the crate?

• Only train entering and exiting the crate so they know that the crate is not a working space
• Mark and reinforce when they go in on their own
• Duration can be taught through boredom. Start with crating them while being busy doing something else that they aren’t really interested in. Just as if they were in the crate while you were driving a car. Don’t allow them to panic. 

What are your thoughts on pacifiers like Kongs? How can they be used well for crate training?

• Use them carefully. Pacifiers can backfire if/when overused because they can teach your dog to be fine only if eating

Many people don’t struggle as much with getting their puppy to go into the crate as they do getting their puppy to settle in the crate for longer periods of time. How do you teach puppies to stay in the crate for longer periods of time?

•  Make sure they are not constantly distracted in their crate when you leave the room. They need to learn to be okay with you being gone. Being distracted does not mean they are okay. 
• Don’t let them be completely distressed, if they want out, maybe try putting your fingers through the crate or bring the crate closer to you, but don’t let them out if you are sure all their needs are met.

Are there any advantages or disadvantages to crate training during the pandemic?

• You have an opportunity to have the best chance of avoiding separation anxiety with proper crating and foundations. 

How can people avoid creating a dog who’s trying to earn rewards in the crate (ie offering behaviors)?

• Make sure you put them in the crate when they are tired often

This podcast is supported by Journey Dog Training and our Puppy Raising Blueprint course. If you’re feeling lost with puppy raising, check out this course at journeydogtraining.com/blueprint. The full course covers topics ranging from common problem behaviors and socialization to the humane hierarchy of dog training. It’s all taught by yours truly, Kayla Fratt. If you need more personalized training support, check out journeydogtraining.com - we have a variety of courses, e-books, and remote training services available. This podcast is also supported by our members on Patreon. For as little as $3 per month, you can support this podcast and get perks like submitting questions for us to tackle at the end of each episode. Sign up over at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy. Over the next few episodes, we’ll cover puppy-raising lessons from a service dog trainer, self-regulation skills for puppies, and developmental stages for puppies.

Where you can find Sarah Stremming: 

• Happy Crating Self-Study on FDSA
• Website
• Podcast
• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok

In this episode of Pandemic Puppy, Kayla discusses stranger danger in puppies. She covers what it is, why it happens, and what to do about it. Her puppy Niffler has been barking and even growling at strangers lately, so this is high priority for Kayla!

• Fearful behavior and a fear period are not the same.
• Fear Period: abrupt and transient fear of something your puppy has already been exposed to. These periods can be ignored for the most part. You can comfort your puppy, then move on, and don’t make a big deal about it. 
• Continuous fearful behavior, such as stranger danger, needs to be addressed right away. 
• Stranger danger is a natural behavior for dogs, especially for certain breeds. It is normal, but it needs to be addressed. 
• Don’t correct the puppy or apply any negative reinforcement. It can make the stranger danger worse.  Don’t flood your puppy
• Let the strangers know what's going on, in a happy friendly voice Don’t make a big deal out of people Advocate for your puppy, be a safe place/person for them
• Look at That/Engage Disengage Game
• If your puppy is too far past their threshold, go back a few steps

Links Mentioned in the Episode

• Sarah Stremming's Worked Up course

You can support the Pandemic Puppy Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy.

Get extra help with your puppy through Journey Dog Training’s Puppy Raising Blueprint Course.

Join the free Pandemic Puppy Raising Support Group on Facebook. 

In this episode of Pandemic Puppy, Kayla discusses undersocialized puppies. 

 

How do you know your puppy may be undersocialized?

• This will vary per dog depending on breed and personality, as some breeders are generally more reserved than others
• Puppy history is important to consider. Hoarding or parvo puppies are usually very undersocialized
• It’s normal for your puppy to startle around new things or to be a little shy, but it’s not normal for extreme reactions such as urinating or trembling, or if the startle starts to escalate. If this is the case, you should seek a professional behavior consultant. 

 

What to do if your puppy is showing signs of being undersocialized?

• Go at your puppy’s pace; work harder, not faster
  • If your puppy is under extreme distress, you are going too fast
  • If you can’t find a comfortable threshold for your puppy, speak to a professional

• Learn dog body language

• “We want to find the level in which your puppy notices the thing they are concerned about and we want to be working at that level”
• If they are under threshold, let them observe the things that are concerning them
• Support and cheerlead them in ways that help them
• Adjust your expectations
• Counter-conditioning throughout their lifetime
• Is it a trend or a blip? If your puppy is continually spooking at something over and over, it might mean you need to make a more structured plan.
• Overall, please seek professional help!

 

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Find a Behavior Consultant on IAABC

Find a Certified Dog Training and Behavior Consultant 

Dog Decoder App

Canine Body Language

 

You can support the Pandemic Puppy Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy.

Puppy Raising Blueprint Course | Pandemic Puppy Raising Support Group 

On this episode, Kayla talks with Curtis Kelley about self-regulation skills for puppies! Previous Podcast on Canine Conversations with Kayla and Curtis on Racism: https://canineconvos.com/45/

The most important thing to remember is to adjust your expectations and meet your puppy where they are at. Aim for success, and be forgiving to yourself and your puppy.

In this episode of Pandemic Puppy, Kayla and Jane Lindquist of Puppy Culture discuss developmental stages in puppies! They cover fear periods, teething, increases in confidence, changes in energy level, and more!

Links Mentioned in the Episode

• Puppy Culture
• Sniff Spot
• The Teenage Brain
• When Pigs Fly
• Another Piece of the Puzzle
• Madcap University: Puppy Culture

You can support the Pandemic Puppy Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy.

Get extra help with your puppy through Journey Dog Training’s Puppy Raising Blueprint Course.

Join the free Pandemic Puppy Raising Support Group on Facebook.

Kayla speaks to Carrie Brooks at Go Rogue Dog Training Center with her business partner, Kaye Geyler.

 

There’s not really a right and wrong way to do this, but we’ll cover our top tips for you.

 

Selecting a Shelter

 

• Why supporting good shelters matters
  • Good shelters work on both ends of the pet homelessness problem, you want to support that
  • Reputable rescues and shelters will take the dog back and support you with issues, as they can
• Why a shelter might be best for you: nonspecific needs, helping a pet out, supporting the community, lower upfront cost

 

Now remember, everything here is a generality. Some shelters are fabulous but bend these guidelines in places, and that’s ok! We’re just helping you think about what to look for IN GENERAL when vetting a shelter or rescue.

 

Look for a Shelter that Is:

 

1. Compliant with local regulations
2. Honesty about what they know about the dog's health and temperament
3. Personally, I prioritize shelters that offer holistic community support, though this isn’t always an option for rural/municipal shelters
4. Don’t get too stuck on euthanasia rates
5. Beware of rescues that "flip" dogs at high costs or hoard dogs to keep euthanasia rates low

 

Now remember, everything here is a generality. Some breeders are fabulous but bend these guidelines in places, and that’s ok!

 

Selecting a Puppy from a Shelter

 

• Be prepared to wait - you won’t be able to select age, color, breed in most cases unless you’re very patient.
• Check breed rescues if you want a pup of a certain breed
• Pandemic - the process of getting a shelter pup may look different right now
• Don’t pick sight unseen if you can - go meet them!
• Bring the whole family
• Try to meet the mother dog if you can
• Is there any info on pup's history?
  • Were they an owner surrender, found as a stray, have they been in foster care? What have staff, volunteers, foster know/observe from individual puppies?
• Look for a wiggly, comfortable puppy - not too crazy or too shy
• Observe the pups together if possible.  Remember that your views just gives a snap shot of today.  Not likely to tell you what they will be like as an adult.  
• Ask about post-adoption support
• Get to know the puppy and mom as much as you can. If possible, try to meet at two different times because they might be super sleepy one time.  
• Remember, it’s not all in how you raise them.

 

This podcast is supported by Journey Dog Training and our Puppy Raising Blueprint course. The full course covers topics ranging from common problem behaviors and socialization to the humane hierarchy of dog training. It’s all taught by yours truly, Kayla Fratt. If you need more personalized training support, check out journeydogtraining.com - we have a variety of courses, e-books, and remote training services available. Just check out your options in the menu above.

 

This podcast is also supported by our members on Patreon. For as little as $3 per month, you can support this podcast and get perks like submitting questions for us to tackle at the end of each episode. Sign up over at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy. 

 

Over the next few episodes, we’ll cover how to pick a puppy from a breeder, selecting a shelter and shelter puppy, and how to prepare for your new puppy!

 

For Further Reading:

 

• Dog Adoption Guide (written by Kayla)
• Kayla's dog selection spreadsheet (view only)

 

Kayla speaks to Amber Quann of Summit Dog Training and Megan Wallace of Dogs Deciphered about picking a puppy from a breeder.

• Decide what you need, want, can be flexible on, versus don’t care much (Kayla's list is linked at the bottom of the show notes)
• The myth that just being a family dog is an easy job for a puppy
• Different dogs within a litter will differ - not all labs are created equal!
• It’s not all in how you raise em - choose wisely!
• Breeder might pair you with puppy, that’s normal
• Let the breeder weigh in on personalities
• Provide LOTS of info on goals, lifestyle, needs to help breeder along
  • This is why it can be important to find a breeder who understands and is familiar with the job you might be asking your puppy to do! 
• Don’t just go with color, but some amount of color preference is ok IF you’re willing to wait; color can also link to health
• Criteria to consider including your fifestyle factors, job schedules, puppy goals, etc. 
• For MOST people, go with an average-ish puppy within the litter if the parents are what you like
• Temperament tests aren’t THAT predictive. Remember, these are moments in time - the breeder has seen much more of their personalities than you can see in these moments. 
• If you have very specific needs for a puppy, be accepting that the right puppy might not be in this litter. 

 

This podcast is supported by Journey Dog Training and our Puppy Raising Blueprint course. The full course covers topics ranging from common problem behaviors and socialization to the humane hierarchy of dog training. It’s all taught by yours truly, Kayla Fratt. If you need more personalized training support, check out journeydogtraining.com - we have a variety of courses, e-books, and remote training services available. Just check out your options in the menu above.

 

This podcast is also supported by our members on Patreon. For as little as $3 per month, you can support this podcast and get perks like submitting questions for us to tackle at the end of each episode. Sign up over at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy. 

 

Over the next few episodes, we’ll cover how to pick a puppy from a breeder, selecting a shelter and shelter puppy, and how to prepare for your new puppy!

 

For Further Reading:

 

• How to Find a Good Dog Breeder (written by Kayla)
• Dog Adoption Guide (written by Kayla)
• Kayla's dog selection spreadsheet (view only)
• Functional Dog Collaborative

 

In this episode of Pandemic Puppy, Kayla discusses teaching your puppy to relax! 

How can you get your puppy to relax?

• First things first, you need to meet your puppy’s needs!
• Make sure they are getting enough rest
• Pay for what you like! If they lay down at your feet, reward them for it with a chew, which will help build duration.
• Be cautious of rewarding too heavily because they may start offering other behavior for rewards
• Set up the environment for success. 
• Utilize the puppy pen when you can!
• Don’t have too high of expectations at the start. They are still puppies!
• Layer in distractions and take your time
  • Take your skills on the road!
• Adjust your expectations as they age and expect the unexpected
• Again, meet your puppy’s needs! These needs will change as they age
• Utilize Karen Overall’s Relaxation Protocol

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

• Karen Overall's Relaxation Protocol

You can support the Pandemic Puppy Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy.Puppy Raising Blueprint Course | Pandemic Puppy Raising Support Group  

In this episode of Pandemic Puppy, Kayla and Marissa Martino discuss puppy blues. They cover what it is, why it happens, and what you can do about it! 

What is puppy blues?

• Negative feels about having your puppy
  • Sadness, regret, guilt, etc. 

Why does this happen?

• Lack of sleep/interrupted sleep
• Lack of schedule 
• If you have too high expectations
• Comparing a puppy to a previous dog or a different dog

How can we give ourselves grace?

1. Having the right mindset.

• You will do the best that you can. 
• You will not get everything done that you want. 
• You will make mistakes. 
• This process is not linear. 

2. Building in breaks to the schedule.

• When do you have time for yourself?
• How do you know you're reaching threshold? 
• How can you ask for help? In the moment? Ongoing? 

3. Notice the projections.

• Everyone has an opinion. 
• Come up with a short reply like I'll look into that.....and then continue on the path that feels right to you.  

4. Prioritize.

• Focus on socialization, handling, bonding activities, house training, enrichment, puppy mouthing prevention, and don't worry about skills just yet (work on SMARTx50 instead) 
• Prioritize YOURSELF

5. Choose enrichment that you both love.

How can you ask for help?

• Expand your network with those with similar situations
• It is okay to ask for help 

 

Links Mentioned in the Episode

Pandemic Puppy: Bringing Home Your Puppy with Sarah Dixon

Paws and Reward

Human-Canine Behavior Connection: A Better Self Through Dog Training

 

You can support the Pandemic Puppy Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy.

Get extra help with your puppy through Journey Dog Training’s Puppy Raising Blueprint Course.Join the free Pandemic Puppy Raising Support Group on Facebook.

In this episode of Pandemic Puppy, Kayla discusses the basics of traveling with a puppy and her timeline for helping Niffler learn to travel.

You can support the Pandemic Puppy Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy.

Get extra help with your puppy through Journey Dog Training’s Puppy Raising Blueprint Course. Join the free Pandemic Puppy Raising Support Group on Facebook.

For episode eight, Kayla speaks to Bryony Aviles of Sandy Paws Dog Training about socializing your puppy during a pandemic.

We Cover Questions Including:

• What is socialization? 
• Why does it matter?
• What’s the socialization period? What if you miss it?
• What sort of things should you expose your puppy to?
• Are all puppies the same? Can you use a one-size-fits-all approach?
• Behaviorally, what should you keep an eye on?
• What do you do if your puppy is nervous or overly excited about something?
• What checklists/resources do you like?
• What if you can’t hit everything on the checklist?
• How to do safely with pandemic AND unvaccinated puppies?

 

We also cover the Patreon question, "My new rescue amstaff mix puppy (40 lbs) is generally so rough & mouthy that he often hurts my little 9yr old morky (12lbs).  He bites at his legs and sometimes stands over/on top of my morkie when trying to play. It doesn't seem to be intentionally aggressive."

 

This podcast is supported by Journey Dog Training and our Puppy Raising Blueprint course. The full course covers topics ranging from common problem behaviors and socialization to the humane hierarchy of dog training. It’s all taught by yours truly, Kayla Fratt. If you need more personalized training support, check out journeydogtraining.com – we have a variety of courses, e-books, and remote training services available. Just check out your options in the menu above.

 

This podcast is also supported by our members on Patreon. For as little as $3 per month, you can support this podcast and get perks like submitting questions for us to tackle at the end of each episode. Sign up over at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy. 

 

Over the next few episodes, we’ll cover how to pick a puppy from a breeder, selecting a shelter and shelter puppy, and how to prepare for your new puppy!

 

For Further Reading:

 

• AVSAB Statement on socialization
• Sophia Yin Checklist
• Puppy Passport

 

This episode is a re-post from Canine Conversations. Enjoy and stay tuned for new Pandemic Puppy Episodes soon!

Today we’re talking to Dr. Jennifer Summerfield of Brown Veterinary Services in Wayne, West Virginia. Dr. Jen is a veterinarian and certified professional dog trainer - knowledge assessed and is a member of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). 

Dr. Jen is here today to help guide us through the tangle of information out there surrounding vaccinations and socialization, as well as some other common puppy problems that are best directed towards a veterinarian!

This podcast is supported by our members on Patreon. For as little as $3 per month, you can support this podcast and get perks like submitting questions for us to tackle at the end of each episode. Sign up over at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy. 

For episode 7, Kayla speaks to Sarah Dixon about bringing your puppy home and getting off on the right paw. From the moment you leave the breeder or shelter, you’re starting to teach your puppy about how to live and grow with you. We’ll also cover setting your puppy up for success with a schedule of rest and play that helps everyone out.