Good Dog!

Many of us have troubling memories of being called upon in grade school to read aloud. For some kids, it can be torturous to feel that everyone is listening and judging the performance. But dogs don't judge and they're being used, increasingly, in classrooms and libraries to help young readers gain comfort and, ultimately, develop a stronger attachment to reading. Darlene Blackman coordinates the SHARE a book program at the Marin Humane Society in Novato, California. She works closely with local teachers, reading specialists and librarians to create opportunities for volunteers to bring their trained dogs to children who can benefit from reading to supportive, friendly, furry, nonjudgmental listeners. In this episode of the "Good Dog" podcast, brought to you by Eukanuba, learn how this program evolved, how you can volunteer in this way, and how you can bring a similar program to your community. For more information, Darlene can be reached at [email protected].
If you have a question that you'd like answered about your dog, write to us at [email protected]. Today's episode was in response to a listener question.
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Kim Saunders, author of "The Adopted Dog Bible" on choosing, training and caring for your sheltered or rescued dog.Adopted dogs generally arrive with baggage, so one should be prepared and never make an impulsive decision when adopting a rescued or sheltered dog. Of course, it always makes sense to know what you're in for before getting a pup. Kim Saunders, VP of Shelter Outreach and PR for Petfinder.com has written "The Adopted Dog Bible" and on this episode of the Good Dog Podcast, Joanne speaks with her about the kind of up front research that really helps to insure that you make the right decisions. It helps to realistically consider your time and money constraints before you take the leap, as well as the kind of environment and exercise you'll be able to provide for your new family member.

When and how to get a second opinion and medical insurance for dogs. When a vet recommends a serious and costly medical procedure, it often makes sense to seek a second opinion. How to ask and whom to ask are issues worthy of discussion, which is what we do on this episode of "Good Dog" with veterinarian Dr. Nancy Kay. We also explore when it's appropriate to purchase medical insurance for dogs and how to determine which policy is best for your needs.

A little preparation goes a long way in setting up baby and dog to be lifelong pals.
Helping a dog acclimate to the new smells, sounds, and demands of a baby takes a bit of time and forethought, according to Trish King, Director of Behavior and Training at the Marin Humane Society. There will be many changes in the dog's life; best to begin instituting those changes before the baby arrives on the scene. Listen to this week's "Good Dog" podcast episode for a wealth of information on how to keep baby safe from your well meaning but, perhaps, excitable pup.

Pooch Coach Beverly Ulbrich provides the basics on housebreaking dogs. If you do everything by the book, expect that housebreaking your puppy will take at least a few weeks. Generally, according to Pooch Coach Beverly Ulbrich, it can take up to a couple of months to insure that your dog understands where and when to go. On this episode of the "Good Dog" podcast, we learn how to reward appropriate behavior, how to handle mistakes, and how to reinforce what you've taught your puppy or dog.