Madcap Radio

Puppy Culture Potluck: Ep22 - Where Have All The Good Vets Gone? Helping Puppy Owners Navigate the "Corporate Takeover" of Vet Medicine

This week’s podcast is a fan request about the concerns one breeder has about the “corporate takeover” of veterinary medicine and how that is affecting her puppy owners:
“What information and resources do you use to help your puppy buyers, especially new/first time dog owners, screen and select a veterinarian?
In the past couple of years, and seems like more lately, I get these questions from my puppy buyers that their vet told them something that ranged from harmless but not really accurate to so aggressively incorrect it felt like a scam and even a danger to the puppy. I know stuff can get lost in translation, I know some medical professionals are better than others, and I know vets and their staff are stressed and overworked. But I also fear the rise in this issue is related to venture capital takeovers and it's going to get worse…
Since it feels like a trend, and especially because I have a breed suitable for first-time dog owners, I would like to be more organized and proactive in providing information on how to vet a vet. I appreciate everyone's thoughts and suggestions.
PS - maybe this would be a good podcast episode?”
In this episode I explore:‌
How the corporatization of vet medicine affects puppy owners
Coaching puppy owners to advocate for their puppies at the vet’s office for routine care
Finding a good vet when there’s a major veterinary problem with a puppy or dog.
Visit our website, madcapradio.com for further reading.

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.