Believe in Dog

Episode 20. Shy & Fearful Dogs: Brittany’s Story with Maria Montgomery, Trainer.

Episode 20. Shy & Fearful Dogs: Brittany’s Story with Maria Montgomery, Trainer.
After hearing the Shy & Fearful Dog Roundtable (Episode 17), Brittany Roger reached out to me with her own story. While Brittany was a lifelong animal lover, it wasn’t until she & her husband adopted Sam, an elderly obese chihuahua, that they learned exactly how much they didn’t know about dog behavior . . . after a trip to the emergency room.
A few years later, after starting her new job at the Maryland SPCA as a Digital Specialist, Brittany fell in love with another chihuahua, Carmelo, who she hoped would have all the good traits of her first dog, with none of the more challenging traits. Carmelo, however, had different plans in mind. 
When the COVID-19 quarantine hit last year, Maryland SPCA’s Lead Trainer & Behaviorist, Maria Montgomery, was working to move the shelter’s training classes online and with Brittany’s help, was able to do just that.  Brittany meanwhile was tasked with editing hours of dog training videos and was learning by osmosis exactly what she needed to help Carmelo become comfortable in his new family at his own pace.
 
Brittany, Maria & I discuss:
Brittany’s childhood critters;
How Maria, a reluctant puppy owner, accidentally fell into dog training and how it changed her life;
How Sam & Carmelo joined Brittany’s family and the challenges that each dog brought;
Learning how to “handle” a dog that’s sensitive to being touched;
Dealing with the “fantasy” of what we want our dogs to be versus accepting the reality of who our dogs truly are and what they need from us;
How Brittany started learning how to help Carmelo during COVID-19 through the Maryland SPCA’s online training videos and consultations;
How sometimes our dog’s challenges mirror the same challenges we experience as people – and learning to have compassion for our dogs and ourselves;
Why your dog’s growling is a good thing!;
Knowing when and how to push your dog – the right way to challenge your dog to expand their comfort zone through creating games and finding your dog’s joy;
The importance of training dogs – especially fearful dogs – in short bursts and how to include new skills into your lifestyle;
Why we should spend more time watching our dogs;
How the Maryland SPCA was able to pivot their dog training classes online during COVID-19;
The benefits of online training classes for shy and fearful dogs;
Tips for finding the right dog trainer for you and your dog; and
How you’re training your dog whether you know it or not.
 
Links Discussed:
Maryland SPCA:
https://www.mdspca.org/
Maryland SPCA’s Online Training Classes – For any dog owner:
https://www.mdspca.org/education/training/
Episode 1, Erin’s Story as a Reluctant Dog Owner
https://believeindog.podbean.com/e/erins-story-i-love-lucy/
 
Let's Connect:
Facebook: @believeindogpodcastInstagram: @believe_in_dog_podcastEmail: erin@believeindogpodcast.com
Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.
 

Episode 19. Kaitlyn Thomas of Finding Knox.

Episode 19. Kaitlyn Thomas of Finding Knox.
Coming home from work one day to find that your dog isn’t there is pretty much the worst nightmare of any dog owner. When this happened to Kaitlyn, her plea to get her dog, Knox, back went viral. And Kaitlyn found a way to keep the momentum of her sudden unexpected platform going and turned it into the Finding Knox organization.
Finding Knox’s free microchip program has become a valued partner of the B-More Dog Wellness Clinics – the organization I volunteer with – since 2017. Finding Knox has provided nearly 1,000 free microchips to Baltimore residents and are now expanding their programs to provide even more services to Baltimore’s pet owners in need.
Kaitlyn & I discuss:
Her childhood experience with pets;
How Knox came into Kaitlyn’s life;
The event that led to Knox disappearing;
How Knox was recovered;
How Kaitlyn was inspired to turn a negative event into a positive force for good and created the Finding Knox organization;
About Finding Knox’s work in the community and Kaitlyn’s inspirations for expanding beyond her initial mission;
Supporting Baltimore’s pet owners during COVID-19;
Community fostering and informal rescue in Baltimore’s neighborhoods;
The power of animal welfare conferences and collaborations;
What it’s like to work in an animal shelter; and
Kaitlyn & Knox’s humane education experiences.
Finding Knox online:
Website: https://findingknox.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FindingKnox
 
Links Discussed:
Maryland SPCA: https://www.mdspca.org/
Charm City Pet Connect: https://www.ccpetconnect.com/
Jasmine’s House: https://jasmineshouse.org/
Project Mickey: http://projectmickey.org/
HSUS Expo: https://humanepro.org/expo
HSUS Pets for Life Program:https://www.humanesociety.org/issues/keeping-pets-life
Annie Pruitt of Charm City Companions featured on Episode 6:https://believeindog.podbean.com/e/episode-6-annies-story-compassion-in-action/
Michelle Serocki of Pit Bull Advocates of America featured on Episode 15:https://believeindog.podbean.com/e/episode-15-michelle-serocki-pit-bull-advocates-of-america/
 
Let's Connect:
Facebook: @believeindogpodcastInstagram: @believe_in_dog_podcastEmail: erin@believeindogpodcast.com
Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Episode 18. Kimberly Gauthier of Keep the Tail Wagging.

Episode 18. Kimberly Gauthier of Keep the Tail Wagging.
Kim is one of my favorite Dog Moms to follow online.  Kim adopted littermates in 2011 and started blogging about her life as a dog mom. When her dog, Rodrigo, started experiencing health issues, Kim discovered the raw feeding model for dogs. When she changed Rodrigo’s diet to raw feeding, all of his health issues cleared up. For years, Kim has been known online for blogging about dog health and nutrition but Kim is expanding her focus to include more dog mom lifestyle topics from trimming your dog’s nails to building the ultimate backyard for your dog.
I’m thrilled to have Kim as a guest and to share her story with you. I first discovered Kim around 2014-2015 when my old gals, Lucy & Kahlua, were going through their health issues.  By 2017, I was an avid fan of Kim, looking forward to her blog posts and videos.
 
Kim & I discuss:
Her childhood experience with dogs, including Jackson Joel Stripe Morris Barnes;
How Kim came to adopt a pair of littermates when she decided to bring dogs into her family as an adult;
How a dare led Kim to start her blog, Keep the Tail Wagging;
How blogging about Rodrigo’s health issues led Kim to discovery raw feeding – even though she didn’t want to blog about his diet at first;
How making healthy choices for her dogs has also led Kim to make healthier choices for herself, as well;
The power of dogs to unite people of differing backgrounds and differing opinions and how Kim ended up climbing under a giant truck to help a stranger find his teacup yorkie;
Having hope when your dog receives a cancer diagnosis and Kim’s journey this year when her dog Sydney was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma; and
Some of the life lessons Kim has learned from her dogs.
 
Find Kim Online:
Website: https://keepthetailwagging.com/welcome/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeepTheTailWagging
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepthetailwagging_kimg/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/gauthierkimberly
 
 
Some of my favorite links from Kim – including learning about raw feeding for dogs:
Podcasts for Crazy Dog Moms
https://keepthetailwagging.com/podcasts-that-are-perfect-for-crazy-dog-moms/
Kim’s Books on Amazon:
https://smile.amazon.com/Kimberly-Gauthier/e/B00CDOJRYQ?
Kim & Dr. Laurie Coger’s video discussing Fears, Myths and Misconceptions Held by Traditional Vets about Raw Feeding
https://www.facebook.com/179269222170227/videos/833165604096137
Kim’s Intro to Raw Feeding
https://keepthetailwagging.com/an-introduction-to-raw-feeding-for-dogs/
Kim’s Raw Feeding Resources:
https://keepthetailwagging.com/my-top-raw-feeding-resources/
 
 
Other Links:
Littermate syndrome: 
https://thebark.com/content/dont-take-two-littermates
That ASPCA commercial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO9d2PpP7tQ
Susan Thixton & The Truth About Pet Food: https://truthaboutpetfood.com/
2007 Pet Food Recall:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_pet_food_recalls
 
Let's Connect:
Facebook: @believeindogpodcastInstagram: @believe_in_dog_podcastEmail: erin@believeindogpodcast.com
Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Episode 17. Dog Mom & Dog Dad Round Table: Shy & Fearful Dogs.

Episode 17. Dog Mom & Dog Dad Round Table: Shy & Fearful Dogs.
We’re trying something different this week!  On this episode, we’re welcoming back previous guests, Mindy FitzGerald from Episode 2 and Liz Weiner from Episode 7. We’re also welcoming my husband, Tim, to the podcast for the first time.
Today we’re having a round table discussion about pet parents living with shy and fearful dogs.
 
We’re all at different places on our journeys with our pups:
Tim & I adopted our dog, Neno, in 2016 and he is the most fearful dog that we’ve encountered. After our previous pit bull ambassador dogs, we’ve had to adjust our expectations for Neno.
On Episode 7, Liz told us about adopting the fearful Millie and their journey together. Liz has now added more dogs to her household and shares how this has affected Millie. Liz also shares the perspective she’s learned from working at an animal shelter.
2 weeks prior to the recording of this episode, Mindy adopted a 1-year-old working dog from a farm. This pup had never been on a leash, in a car or spent time in a house before coming home with Mindy. Mindy also shares her experience with adopting a dog during COVID-19.
 
 Some of the experiences we discuss:
How difficult it is to see your dog be scared;
Learning our dogs' limits and respecting their boundaries;
Questioning ourselves and our judgment;
The emotional toll having a fearful dog can take on pet parents and being honest about own limitations;
Seeing our dogs for who they are and adjusting our own expectations;
The different ways we’ve bonded with and gained the trust of our shy & fearful dogs;
Celebrating our dogs’ small victories;
Stepping out of our comfort zone as pet parents to advocate for our dogs; and
The rewards of taking on a shy & fearful dog.
At the end of the episode, I’ll give quick updates from Liz and Mindy about their pups.  We also remember 5 years since Tim & I lost our gal, Lucy, who is memorialized in the Believe in Dog Podcast logo.
 
Links Discussed & Favorite Resources:
Facebook Group: Shy & Fearful Dogs – The eXtraordinary Dog Community
Website:  https://shyandfearfuldogs.com/blog/
Links from Dr. Zazie Todd's (Episode 9) Companion Animal Psychology:
8 Tips to Help Fearful Dogs and De-sensitization and Counter Conditioning
 
Find Liz online:
Website: www.pettherapynotes.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/pettherapynotesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/pettherapynotes/
Find Mindy online:
Website: www.hunterandharvest.comEtsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/hunterandharvest1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunterandharvest/
 
Would you like to be part of a Dog Mom & Dog Dad Round Table?
Let's Connect:
Facebook: @believeindogpodcastInstagram: @believe_in_dog_podcastEmail: erin@believeindogpodcast.com
Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Episode 16. Shannon Glenn, Executive Director of My Pit Bull is Family

Episode 16. Shannon Glenn, Executive Director of My Pit Bull is Family
I don’t know about where you live, but I see stickers for My Pit Bull is Family all over Baltimore and throughout Maryland. This organization was so supportive when Maryland’s pit bull advocates were working to get a breed specific law changed from 2012 – 2014 and I still these stickers daily.
My Pit Bull is Family has become a national animal welfare leader on the issues of breed discriminatory housing and insurance practices as well as a leader in programs keeping pets & their families together. Shannon has a unique combination of expertise and experience in these areas from both her professional and volunteer activities.
Based in Minneapolis, My Pit Bull is Family has been affected by the civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd earlier this year.
Shannon & I discuss:
Her childhood pets and how Shannon started volunteering in the animal welfare world;
The “why” behind discrimination against pit bull owners;
How My Pit Bull is Family has been responsive to the needs of their community during the civil unrest in their city of Minneapolis following the murder of George Floyd;
Challenging “old school” animal welfare beliefs that “people shouldn’t have pets unless they can afford them” or “I’d live in my car before giving up my pet”;
The rise of more proactive programs in the animal welfare world that help keep families with their pets;
How My Pit Bull is Family is creating inclusive programs to help people and pets without barriers to access and what that means during COVID;
Breed discrimination and restrictions in housing and insurance;
All dogs are individuals and bringing back the saying: Don’t judge a book by its cover
 
Find My Pit Bull is Family online:
Website: https://www.mypitbullisfamily.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyPitBullisFamily/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypitbullisfamily/
North Minneapolis Pet Resource Center:
https://www.facebook.com/North-Minneapolis-Pet-Resource-Center-100298391502139/
 
My Recommendations:
Movie: Gridlock’d
https://smile.amazon.com/Gridlockd-Tim-Roth/dp/B00007ELEN/
Podcast: Best Friends Animal Society Podcast – Episode 31
https://network.bestfriends.org/tools-and-information/best-friends-podcast/best-friends-podcast-ep-31
Book: Scarcity by authors Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir
https://smile.amazon.com/Scarcity-Science-Having-Defines-Lives/dp/125005611X/
 
Links Discussed:
My Pit Bull is Family’s national database of pet friendly housing
https://www.mypitbullisfamily.org/housing/
Visual Breed Identification – Literature Review:
https://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/research-library/visual-breed-identification-literature-review
Study: Comparison of Visual and DNA Breed Identification of Dogs and Inter-Observer Reliability
http://article.sapub.org/10.5923.j.sociology.20130302.02.html
Study: “Pit Bulls” misidentified in animal shelters:
https://www.maddiesfund.org/incorrect-breed-identification.htm
Animal Farm Foundation
https://animalfarmfoundation.org/shelter-rescues/removing-breed-labels/
 
Let's Connect:
Facebook: @believeindogpodcastInstagram: @believe_in_dog_podcastEmail: erin@believeindogpodcast.com
Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Episode 15. Michelle Serocki & Pit Bull Advocates of America

We’re back from summer break.
I’m celebrating 5 years with my dog Penny and the good news that most of her hearing has returned.
 
Our first repeat guest.
Michelle Serocki from Episode 3 is back today to tell us about the birth of Pit Bull Advocates of America.
 
Michelle and I discuss:
The origin story of Pit Bull Advocates of America and how Michelle saw a need and changed her mission from a local to national focus;
New national campaigns that the organization is running;
Old school vs. modern pit bull advocacy;
Why messaging matters in pit bull advocacy and how we can have a united message;
What Michelle has learned from the anti-pit bull movement;
Michelle’s #1 tip for talking to someone who’s afraid of pit bulls; and
Michelle’s biggest animal welfare hero.
 
Pit Bull Advocates of America, The Podcast.
Michelle announces the launch of her new podcast and I give a review of the first episode.
 
Find Pit Bull Advocates of America:
The Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pit-bull-advocates-of-america-the-podcast/id1529131313
Website:
https://pitbulladvocates.org/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pbaoa/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/pitbulladvocatesofamerica/
 
Links Discussed:
Pit Bull Advocates of America Podcast Launch Party on Facebook Live, Tuesday September 1
https://www.facebook.com/events/1242893046041946/
Humane Society of the United States – Animal Care Expo
https://www.animalsheltering.org/expo
The Jane Goodall Institute
https://www.janegoodall.org/
 
Let's Connect:
Facebook: @believeindogpodcastInstagram: @believe_in_dog_podcastEmail: erin@believeindogpodcast.com
Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review

Episode 14. Christina Lee of Deaf Dogs Rock

This one is personal.
My own dog Penny has been dealing with a chronic health issue for the past 6 months. In May, she was prescribed a common ear medication by our vet. A few days later I noticed that Penny wasn’t responding to things normally, like not barking at the mailman and not greeting me at the front door.  I realized Penny wasn’t hearing properly. Apparently in a tiny percentage of dogs, this ear medication causes an “ototoxicity” reaction that causes hearing loss that's hopefully only temporary. This was totally unexpected and I’m having a lot of Dog Mom guilt.
This experience has me curious about communicating and living with a deaf dog, so I reached out to Christina Lee of Deaf Dogs Rock.
 
Deaf dogs hear with their hearts.
In 2010, Christina Lee and her husband were contacted by a friend who worked the local animal shelter where Christina volunteered. There was a tiny 8-week-old white boxer puppy who had been found abandoned.  The puppy was deaf. The shelter hoped Christina’s family would adopt the dog because they knew he would have a safe and loving environment. Christina and her husband, Chris, took the leap and Nitro joined their family.
While researching how to best care for a deaf dog, Christina and Chris didn’t find a lot of information. Looking for guidance, they quickly got Nitro into training classes and he excelled. A local news story highlighted Nitro’s training progress and the story went viral.  Suddenly Christina was being contacted by people all over the U.S. who had questions about caring for a deaf dog. And Deaf Dogs Rock was born.
 
Christina & I discuss:
How Nitro became an ambassador for deaf dogs and his exciting life
All the ways Deaf Dogs Rock provides support for deaf dogs and their families
The role of positive reinforcement training for deaf dogs, and how the training methods are very similar for hearing dogs
Christina gives a perfect description of how to crate train any dog
How Christina learned American Sign Language to communicate with deaf people who adopt deaf dogs
The danger of dogs running loose and the measures Christina takes to protect her dogs and herself on walks in her rural mountain area
The safer alternative to giving dogs some room to wander in nature while still keeping everyone safe (Hint: Long line leash)
Some of Christina’s favorite rescue stories
 
Transcript available:
A transcript of this episode is available for download here.
 
Find Deaf Dogs Rock online:
Website: https://deafdogsrock.com/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/deafdogsrock/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deafdogsrock/
 
Links Discussed:
Beginning Sign Training with Alisha McGraw
Deaf Dogs Rock Training Video Library (including Savannah who signs while training)
Deaf Dog Rescue of America
Amanda & Winston of Dog Mom Days
Long line leashes on Amazon. Give your dog room to explore while keeping them (and everyone around you) safe.
 
Let's Connect:
Find photos of Christina, her family, Nitro’s adorable smushy face & more at:
Facebook: @believeindogpodcastInstagram: @believe_in_dog_podcastEmail: erin@believeindogpodcast.com
Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Episode 13. Dianna Matteson & Snorkle's Way

Join:
Join the Pandemic Pets Daily Gratitude Challenge! Share one photo, video or moment each day that you are grateful for with your pets during these challenging times. Special free gift coming soon for group members.
Di's Story:
A brindle pit bull named Snorkle with an underbite and a lust for life changed Di’s world forever. Di & I discuss everything from growing up with “outside dogs” to the life-changing effect your “heart dog” has on your life.  Through Snorkle, Di was introduced to dog training and eventually left her corporate job to run her training business full-time.
Di believes in bonding and connecting with your dog through training and Di’s specialty is as a trick dog trainer. Di’s dogs do everything from wave to nursing home patients to fetching a beer. You can even train with Di in her online trick training classes launched in response to the COVID-19 quarantine.
Di & I also discuss how many pit bull dog owners feel a duty to have well-behaved dogs to avoid judgment and stereotypes.
Di and her dogs participate in many difference activities and Di shares her experiences: volunteering with an humane education program in Baltimore City, having your dog freeze during a rally obedience competition, how Di and her mom make therapy dog visits together, what it’s like to have your dog live on QVC and the challenging distractions she encountered when shooting a top-secret national ad campaign that’s coming soon.
 
Find Di & Snorkle's Way:
Join Di's online trick training classes at https://www.snorkleswayadaptivedogtraining.com/
Snorkle's Way Facebook
Snorkle's Way Instagram
The Scuddle Bunch on Instagram
 
Links Discussed:
Pets Together, virtually bringing together pets and people to reduce social isolation and loneliness
Project Mickey, a program working with children to build positive attitudes towards animals in a safe and empathetic space
Wags for Hope, a therapy pet organization in Frederick, MD
Do More With Your Dog, the world’s leading trick dog program
Find out more about Rally Obedience
 
Let's Connect:
Episode 13 photo gallery and more!
Facebook: @believeindogpodcast
Facebook Group: Pandemic Pets Gratitude Challenge
Instagram: @believe_in_dog_podcast
Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Episode 12. Erin Crowley & Pittie Clothing Co.

I found out about Pittie Clothing Co. as I was researching for Episode 11 with Sarah Lauch & Live Like Roo Foundation. I love their bright, fun patterns. As a pit bull owner, I know how difficult it can be to find cute clothes that properly fit your dog.
Erin Crowley founded Pittie Clothing Co. so she could finally have matching pajamas with her dog. But after having experienced negative public reactions to her own lovable pit bull dog, Erin’s greater mission is to help pit bull dogs look more approachable and defeat stereotypes.
Erin & I discuss:
Her childhood experiences with pets;
How Erin & her boyfriend decided to adopt a pit bull dog and name him Duncan;
Erin’s experiences with Duncan’s crate escapism and separation anxiety;
How Erin & her boyfriend handled Duncan’s unexpected health issue;
Erin’s connection to Sarah Lauch & Live Like Roo Foundation;
Pittie Clothing Co.’s origin story and the struggle of pit bull owners to find cute clothes for their dogs;
Erin’s process for determining the sizing and samples for Pittie Clothing Co.;
The multitude of ways that Erin & Pittie Clothing Co. give back to shelters, rescues and the community;
Erin’s hope that pit bulls in pajamas will have make them look more approachable and non-threatening;
Erin’s own experiences receiving negative reactions to her dogs;
How breed discriminatory housing policies lead to more dogs in animal shelters;
The fun of themed dog walks;
How Dougie joined Erin’s family; and
Pittie Clothing Co.’s products, designs and partnerships.
 
Links discussed:
Live Like Roo Foundation
Chicago SociaBulls
 
Find Pittie Clothing Co. online:
Web: https://pittieclothing.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pittieclothingcompany/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pittieclothing/
 
Let's Connect:
Facebook: @believeindogpodcast Instagram: @believe_in_dog_podcast Email: erin@believeindogpodcast.com
Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Episode 11. Sarah Lauch & Live Like Roo Foundation

Sarah Lauch was already a lifelong animal lover and an active shelter and rescue volunteer when she met the dog that changed her life. Roo (shelter name Cisco) was an owner surrender to Chicago’s open admission animal shelter due to his trouble urinating. Unfortunately, Roo’s health issue was caused by a terminal cancer diagnosis.
Sarah decided to give Roo the best possible life for all his remaining days. Roo’s Bucket List and Sarah’s #LiveLikeRoo went viral and was even featured on Access Hollywood.
After Roo passed away, Sarah started sending out care packages to other families facing a cancer diagnosis in their pet, which featured Roo’s favorite things. These efforts grew into the Live Like Roo Foundation.
Today, the Live Like Roo Foundation provides care packages, financial support and emotional support to families facing a cancer diagnosis in their pet.
Sarah and I discuss:
Her childhood menagerie of animals;
How Sarah started volunteering in Chicago’s animal shelter and rescue community;
The rewards and challenges of being an animal shelter volunteer;
Roo’s story;
The beginnings of the Live Like Roo Foundation;
The most important type of support that Sarah provides to those dealing with a cancer diagnosis in their pet;
How to genuinely connect with your social media audience;
The rewards and challenges of growing and scaling an organization to help more pets and their families; and
The importance of having a supportive partner, family and friends when running an organization in addition to your full-time day job.
 
More about the Live Like Roo Foundation:
Website: https://livelikeroo.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiveLikeRoo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livelikeroofoundation/
Donate: https://livelikeroo.org/donate
 
Let's Connect:
Find photos of Sarah & Roo and more at:
Facebook: @believeindogpodcast Instagram: @believe_in_dog_podcast Email: erin@believeindogpodcast.com
Support this podcast, please subscribe and leave a rating or review.