Believe in Dog
Are you looking for deep dive conversations into topics like dog training & behavior issues, the best health & nutrition options for your dog or an honest look at rescues, shelters & the animal welfare world? Join Erin for candid discussions sharing wisdom that will help you navigate the challenges of pet parenthood, celebrate the amazing times and discover everything that Dog Moms & Dog Dads should know. Erin believes that dogs can be healers, teachers and inspirations in our lives. Say hi to your dog for me!
Episodes
Monday Dec 06, 2021
Helping Shelter Dogs Through Their Music with Presley & Taylor
Monday Dec 06, 2021
Monday Dec 06, 2021
Presley & Taylor are country music recording artists – and sisters! – known for creating beautiful harmonies. They are also huge animal lovers and have 3 dogs!
Presley & Taylor recently released a heartwarming song called “Choose Me” which tells the story of a shelter dog finding their forever home. The lyrics remind me so much of how my dog Penny joined our family that I was almost in tears the first time I heard it.
Today we hear the story of what “Choose Me” means to Presley & Taylor, the story behind the music video and how proceeds from the streaming & downloads will be donated to the Pedigree Foundation. We’ll also hear more about what being Pedigree Foundation Ambassadors means to them and about their life as Dog Moms.
Find Show Notes, Links and Photos at:
https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode33
WATCH THE VIDEO for “Choose Me”
DOWNLOAD THE SONG “Choose Me”
Monday Nov 22, 2021
Episode 32. Building a Community of Pet Parents with the DogHood
Monday Nov 22, 2021
Monday Nov 22, 2021
Episode 32. Building a Community of Pet Parents with the DogHood.
While Purvi and Ruchi both grew up in India, it was just 2 years ago, while living in the San Francisco area that dogs brought them together.
Purvi shares her story of growing up afraid of dogs and never thinking that she’d one day be a “dog person” after giving in to her husband’s & sons’ desire for a dog. Purvi jumped right into the deep end with Oreo, a sheepadoodle they got as a puppy. Being a first-time dog owner, Purvi had many questions about what was “normal” dog behavior. And this is where Ruchi brought the peace of mind.
Ruchi shares with us her childhood and how her & her husband decided to become pet parents first, before having children. Ruchi’s 20+ years as a pet parent has led her in many directions from photography (after her son wasn’t interested in being her subject) to boarding dogs. Ruchi’s Dog Mom Wisdom has helped many of her friends and neighbors over the years.
Seeing so many first-time Pet Parents struggling during COVID-19, Purvi & Ruchi’s idea for The DogHood was born. The DogHood app connects you with Pet Parents in your neighborhood as well as globally. From questions about your dog’s behavior to planning dog park meet-ups to sharing your adorable pet pics, the DogHood is a one-stop app for dog owners by dog owners.
Find Show Notes, Links and Photos at:
https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode-32
Monday Nov 08, 2021
Episode 31. Erika Kovacs with Pinups for Pit Bulls.
Monday Nov 08, 2021
Monday Nov 08, 2021
Episode 31. Erika Kovacs with Pinups for Pit Bulls.
A lifelong dog-lover, Erika is one firecracker of a Dog Mom. Erika is a vet tech by day and spends her free time advocating for pit bull dogs with the Pinups for Pit Bulls organization. Ericka even modeled in the Pinups for Pit Bulls 2020 calendar…as Miss March 2020 … or Miss COVID! But Erika shares with us how she was able to redeem herself in the 2022 “Greatest Pits” edition of the calendar.
Erika has so much to share about her experiences as a Dog Mom including Hogan’s leash reactivity and everything she’s done to improve this behavior over time.
Plus, we discuss life as pit bull owners & advocates, from the pressure we put on ourselves to have the “perfect” breed ambassador dogs to everything we’ve learned about advocating and breed discrimination to dealing with other people’s reactions to our dogs.
Make sure to follow Erika on her always entertaining Instagram where she shares the adventures of her pit bull dogs, Hollywood Hulk Hogan and Erlenmeyer Flask.
Find Show Notes, Links and Photos at:
https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode-31
Monday Oct 25, 2021
Episode 30. Ekene Okeke of Shuree’s Organics.
Monday Oct 25, 2021
Monday Oct 25, 2021
Episode 30. Ekene Okeke of Shuree’s Organics.
Ekene is a first-time Dog Mom who started her company, Shuree’s Organics to provide safe and healthy treats for dogs. After not growing up with pets, it didn’t take long for Ekene to fall in love with the Dog Mom Life, even if there have been challenges along the way – from behavioral issues to injuries.
Each of the Shuree’s Organics treats contain only one ingredient which Ekene sources herself from local farms and butchers with meats fully traceable from farm-to-dog bowl.
We’re also celebrating 2 years since the start of the Believe in Dog Podcast. We share stories from listeners about the dogs who have impacted their lives.
Find Show Notes, Links and Photos at:
https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode-30
Monday Oct 11, 2021
Monday Oct 11, 2021
Episode 29. How Billie Groom of UPWARD Dogology is Helping Dogs with a "Checkered Past"
While Billie Groom didn’t grow up with pets, the dogs started finding her when she was in her 20s. Billie’s passion was ignited when she stumbled upon a dog hiding under a log on a beach and found her a loving home.
After traveling through the U.S. in a renovated bus and running an informal dog rescue in North Carolina, Billie returned to Canada and fell into starting a dog walking company.
While running her business, Billie found she had a knack for working with dogs with behavioral issues and found herself helping pet parents improve their dog’s problematic adolescent behavior and assisting dogs with a “checkered past.”
Billie’s UPWARD Dogology has helped hundreds of families who are often in a crisis due to their dog’s behavior. Billie’s methodology differs from traditional training methods and is based on the principles of cognitive behavior therapy.
Find Show Notes, Links and Photos at:
https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode29
Monday Sep 27, 2021
Episode 28. Katy McQuaid, Author of Everybody Loves Grace.
Monday Sep 27, 2021
Monday Sep 27, 2021
Episode 28. Katy McQuaid, Author of Everybody Loves Grace.
Katy McQuaid spent 32 years working for the CIA – Yes, that CIA! – and is now an award-winning children’s book author of the Everybody Loves Grace series. Grace is Katy’s Finnish Lapphund dog. (These dogs were actually bred to herd reindeer in Scandinavia!)
Katy’s book series shares Grace’s dog’s-eye-view perspective of their road trips throughout the U.S., the people she meets and the world around her. Grace has a special talent for finding those who seem to need her the most and looking into their eyes and straight into their hearts.
We’ll also hear from a special 5th grade guest who gives us her review of the Everybody Loves Grace books.
Find Show Notes, Links and Photos at:
https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode-28
Monday Sep 13, 2021
Monday Sep 13, 2021
In Part 2 with Jennifer Ganz, we’ll hear more about her work with students, the 20+ dogs she’s fostered for animal rescue organizations and the social club she started for sighthound dogs in the Baltimore area.
I give some background on the Project Mickey Humane Education Program. (Trigger warning for mentioning animal abuse.) And also discuss the connection between Adverse Childhood Experiences and how more animal-assisted programs could help.
While Jen has been kind enough to share her individual experiences with us, please note that she is not representing any specific school, district or institution.
Find Show Notes, Links and Photos at:
https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode27part2
Monday Sep 06, 2021
Monday Sep 06, 2021
Episode 27, Part 1. Creating a Humane Education Career with Jennifer Ganz, School Psychologist.
I feel so fortunate to have met Jennifer Ganz through Baltimore’s animal welfare community. We had so much to talk about that it turned into 2 episodes!
A lifelong animal lover, Jen started her career as a teacher and then pursued further education to become a school psychologist. I found Jen’s dedication to continuing her own education as well as her dog’s ongoing training inspiring.
While Jen’s first rescued greyhound could be somewhat unpredictable at times, when Jen adopted her dog Charm, he turned out to be perfect canine companion for humane education with Jen’s students.
Find Show Notes, Links and Photos at:
https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode27part1
Monday Aug 23, 2021
Episode 26. Krista Karpowich of Wag Out Loud.
Monday Aug 23, 2021
Monday Aug 23, 2021
Episode 26. Krista Karpowich of Wag Out Loud
Krista’s passion for our dogs’ health and wellness is unmatched. As the creator and host of the Wag Out Loud Pawdcast, Krista is one of the most knowledgeable pet parents I’ve ever met! Krista’s love of dogs inspired her to obtain a certificate in Canine Nutrition and create Wag Out Loud to share everything she’s learned along the way.
Find the Show Notes, Links and Resources at:
https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode-26
Monday Aug 09, 2021
Monday Aug 09, 2021
Episode 25. Margrit Strohmaier, Author of What to Know Before You Get Your Dog
Inspired by her daughter’s “relentless campaign” for a dog of her own, Margrit is the author of What to Know Before You Get Your Dog. When she couldn’t find a children’s book that described the responsibilities of dog ownership in a way that kids could understand, Margrit decided to write it herself. Then with the boom of dog ownership during COVID-19, Margrit was further motivated to get the book published to help all the families now considering dog ownership.
Margrit & I discuss:
Margrit’s childhood experiences with pets;
Pet ownership in the country of Austria, where Margrit grew up;
Her daughter’s “relentless campaign” for a dog of her own;
The unexpected challenges her family faced when they tried to get her daughter the dog she wanted;
All of the research and preparations Margrit and her family did to prepare for owning a toy breed dog;
The potential danger of eating 1 chocolate chip for a toy breed dog;
All of the challenges and rewards of owning a toy breed dog;
How COVID-19 motivated Margrit to finish her book; and
Preparing your dog for traveling overseas.
Links Discussed:
Download your free Dog Care Contract and Dog Chore Chart:
https://www.margritstrohmaier.com/
Buy your copy of Margrit’s book, What to Know Before You Get Your Dog:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/1736999524
Pets and International Travel:
https://www.state.gov/pets-and-international-travel/
5 Surprising Ways Pets are Good for Kids & Families:
https://www.parents.com/parenting/pets/kids/the-benefits-of-pets/
Erin’s Interview with the Dog Podcast Network:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7iRIfvSslA
Facebook: https://fb.watch/7gPgs7jmoC/
Let's Connect – I’ll be sharing photos of Margrit & Scruffy at:
Facebook: @believeindogpodcastInstagram: @believe_in_dog_podcastEmail: erin@believeindogpodcast.com
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Not Your Average Dog Mom Friend
I believe a dog can be a healer, a teacher and an inspiration. Topics can range from cutting edge veterinary research, to the grief of missing a dog that was an important part of our lives to the impact of poverty on pet ownership.
Join us as we explore all the ways that the love of our dogs can touch our lives.