Madcap Radio

Interview With Jean Donaldson: How To Be a Smart Dog Training Consumer

This week, my guest, Jean Donaldson, chats with us about how to be a smart dog training consumer.
We delve into both practical and ethical questions when it comes to finding a puppy class, and Jean shares the answers to her three questions you should ask any dog trainer:
What exactly will happen if my dog gets it right?​
What exactly will happen if my dog gets it wrong?
Are there less invasive/aversive alternatives to what you propose?
Visit our website, madcapradio.com for further reading.

Puppy Culture Potluck: Ep21 - Puppies Who Don't Bond With Their Owners

This week’s podcast is about puppies and owners who can’t seem to bond with their owners. The original question is long, so here’s the gist of it:‌
“Functionally Mac is excellent. Crate/House training/Obedience excellent…He sleeps through the night. He is great at puppy classes...He is good with other people and dogs…He was good at the vets. No problems so far with loud noises or anything like that…The problem is that we have been unable to build a relationship with him. He doesn’t respond to affection at all. We find it hard to make his tail wag. He will briefly let us stroke him, but this usually ends with a bite. He is unwilling to let us pick him up. He will play enthusiastically with toys, but this will quickly progress to biting and frenzy…We have had rescue dogs before, we have had puppies before, but we have never experienced this lack of relationship…we have tried everything we can think of to improve the relationship... We fear that the situation will become worse”‌
In this episode I explore:‌
The three most common causes of “non-bonding” between puppies and their owners
When to take back a “non-bonding” puppy and when to try to work to keep the puppy in the home
If keeping the puppy in the home is appropriate, strategies to improve relationship and bonding between puppies and their owners.
Visit our website, madcapradio.com for further reading.

Puppy Culture Potluck: Ep20 - Finding the “Best” Trainer for Your Puppy Should Not Be Your First Priority

This week’s topic is the significance of trainer certifications:
“Will knowing a trainer’s certification help you find the “Best” trainer?”
In this episode, I discuss:
The significance of different training certifications
Why finding the “best” trainer should not be your first priority
Why puppy class is fantastic, but not a requirement
Visit our website, madcapradio.com for further reading.

Puppy Culture Potluck: Ep19 - Marrow Bones: Are they Safe to Give to Your Dog?

This week’s question is about marrow bones:
“Looking for advice and information on giving puppies bones.  I've heard so much conflicting information about the benefits and risks, but I'm thoroughly confused. A dog dentist once told me not to give my dog anything to chew on that I couldn't dent with my thumbnail. Yet here I see hooves and raw meaty bones being offered. Thoughts?”
In this episode, I lay out:
The risk and benefits of giving your puppy or dog marrow bones
The relative risk for different dogs and breeds
The factors you should take into account when deciding whether or not to give your dog a marrow bone.
Visit our website, madcapradio.com for further reading.

Puppy Culture Potluck: Ep18 - Getting "Firm" with Teenage Dogs

This week’s question is about your changing relationship with your puppy through his teenage months:
"I was talking with a very respected breeder about my ten-month-old Bull Terrier and she told me that this is the age where I need to start being ‘firm’ with him. What does she mean by ‘firm?’"
In this episode I explain:
What we mean by “firm”
Your process for deciding when and how to be “firm” as your puppy matures.
Why being “firm” is important as puppies mature into teenagers, but inappropriate and harmful for young puppies.
Visit our website, madcapradio.com for further reading.

Puppy Culture Potluck: Ep17 - Puppy Contracts: Are They Worth the Paper They're Written On?

This week’s question is about Breeder-Puppy Buyer contracts:
Our puppies are 7 weeks old now and will be going to their new families in 3 weeks. I have been following along each day and this experience with the puppies has been incredible.
Thank you for "holding my hand" throughout. We are getting to the part that I just feel I am not prepared or knowledgeable enough....THE CONTRACT. I, too, want to keep it simple.....feed healthy, train in a positive way, and bring back the puppy if something changes.
Would you be able to share an example or a template perhaps? I would appreciate any assistance you can provide.
 
Episode highlights:
How to decide what should be in your contract, and what should be in your puppy application
How to screen out some puppy buyers who would not comply with the terms of your contract
Why having a written contract is important
Visit our website, madcapradio.com for further reading.

Puppy Culture Potluck: Ep16 - Puppy Assessment Tests: Can They Help Match Puppies With Owners?

This week’s question is about using temperament testing to help match puppies with owners:‌Temperament Testing: I have someone interested in our litter and training the pup for a potential therapy dog.
They want to train him to do deep pressure therapy for her anxiety.
She grew up helping train hunting dogs and they have trained rescues, so I know she can do this if we get her a good match.
​So how do you find someone to do temperament testing?
In this episode I explore:
The origins, benefits and limits of puppy assessment tests
How to use the information gained through the tests​
How to find a good puppy tester
Visit our website, madcapradio.com for further reading.

Puppy Culture Potluck: Ep15 - Mentors for Puppy Owners: Do We Need a New Kind of Professional?

I feel like there is a general need for a new kind of dog professional.
Don't you feel that many puppy owners could use something like IN PERSON "puppy parenting coach?" So not dog training per se, more like a breeder-mentor for puppy owners.
It just seems like puppy owners throw a lot of effort agains things that are not really problems, but they don't know those things are not problems because they don't have someone with enough wisdom and experience to point that out. Someone who has raised 100 puppies, particularly if they raised puppies of that breed, could really save those owners a lot of trouble.
What do you think? Would any of you be interested in doing this?
Visit our website, madcapradio.com for further reading.