Dog Talk With Dr. Jen

Join Dr. Jen for the first of a two-part series about excessive barking! Does your dog spend his afternoons looking out the window for things to bark at, or go crazy when he hears a noise outside? Today's episode breaks down the issue of "alert barking" in the house - why dogs do this, and what we can do to calm the chaos when the barking is too much to handle.

Also, a bonus listener question about dogs who hump other dogs during play. Why does this happen, and what should we do about it?

When it comes to keeping our canine pals healthy and happy, we all know that outdoor activities like walks, visits to the park, and games of fetch can be great ways to burn off energy. As the saying goes – a tired dog is a good dog!

But, did you know that physical exercise isn’t the “end all, be all” of keeping your pup entertained and well-behaved? In today’s episode, Dr. Jen takes a look at some easy indoor additions to your dog’s daily routine, to make life better and more fun for both of you.

Are you confused about the best time to spay or neuter your dog, or have questions about whether this procedure is really necessary in the first place? If so, you're not alone!

Spay/neuter recommendations used to be very simple - have it done, as early as possible. But in recent years, new research on how sex hormones influence growth, behavior, and certain types of medical issues have made this a much more complex topic than we previously believed.

Join Dr. Jen for an overview of the factors you should consider when deciding when (or if) to spay or neuter your best friend.

Does your dog come when you call him, every time, no matter where he is or what he's doing? This is one of the most important skills you'll ever teach your dog, so it pays to do it right!

In this episode, learn how to build a reliable recall from the ground up - whether you have a new puppy, or an adult dog with a history of ignoring you. Dr. Jen will also discuss the most common mistakes she sees with recall training, with tips on how to avoid them.

If you ever find yourself feeling frustrated about your dog's behavior, welcome! Never fear - you're in good company.

In this episode, Dr. Jen talks a bit about her background and lays out what to expect from the podcast - practical, science-based advice on everything from puppy problems and common training issues, to more serious behavior problems like aggression and anxiety.

Listener questions, or suggestions for topics you'd like to see addressed on the show, are always welcome! Submit questions or comments to [email protected].