In this episode of The Dog Gone Positive Way, with Chrissy from @pittiehoarder, we go deeper into the fascinating world and the skills puppies should and need to learn before they ever meet their human families. We discuss how early, positive exposure to touch prevents future behavioral issues and why reading body language is the foundation of a trust-based relationship. The simple exercises to help prepare your puppy for a lifetime of nail trims, ear cleanings, grooming, veterinary visits, and everyday handling exercises are paramount to having a better-behaved dog. Socialization with all people, in all situations, can save your pets and you a lifetime of stress and anxiety. Crate training is vital, and being around and socializing with other pets is vital, too. This is how a puppy gets FUTURE PROOFED. This is how a puppy stays in their forever home and NOT turned into the shelter or euthanized because of bad behavior.

#Dog #puppy Podcast #PuppyDevelopment #CanineBehavior #DogTrainingTips #LessonsFromMom #DogLovers

Follow Chrissy @pittiehoarder on all social media platforms.

Follow Maria @doggonepositive on social media

What Humans Can’t Teach: Lessons from Mom

We often think of ourselves as the primary teachers for our puppies. We teach them "sit," "stay," and "fetch." But there is a hidden curriculum that only another dog can deliver—lessons in social etiquette, emotional regulation, and the "rules of being a dog" that no human can replicate.

In this episode of The Dog Gone Positive Way, with Chrissy from @pittiehoarder, we’re diving into the fascinating world of maternal canine instinct and the vital skills puppies learn before they ever meet their human families.

The Mom-Only Curriculum:

* The "Bite Inhibition" Masterclass: When a puppy plays too roughly, Mom doesn't give a lecture. She uses a specific correction—a growl or a physical nudge—that teaches the puppy exactly where the line is.

* The Art of "Doggy Zen": Mother dogs are masters of ignoring attention-seeking behavior. By not reacting to every whine, she teaches her pups the vital skill of self-soothing and patience. This is something humans need to do for unwanted behaviors, like demand barking or whining in a crate.

* Body Language Fluency: From the subtle flick of an ear to the tension in a tail, puppies learn the nuances of canine communication by watching and reacting to their mother’s non-verbal cues.

* The Boundaries of Respect: She shows them when it’s time to play and, more importantly, when it’s time to be still and respectful of others' space.

Why This Matters for You

Understanding what your dog learned in those first eight weeks can change how you train and bond with them today. It helps us realize that sometimes, we aren't "fixing" a behavior—we're just trying to translate a lesson they've already started learning.

🎧 Listen now wherever you listen to podcasts.

Let’s Discuss: What’s one "quirk" your dog has that you’re convinced they learned from their mama? Let us know in the comments! 👇

#Dog #puppy Podcast #PuppyDevelopment #CanineBehavior #DogTrainingTips #LessonsFromMom #DogLovers

Follow Chrissy @pittiehoarder on all social media platforms.

Follow Maria @doggonepositive on social media

In this episode of The Dog Gone Positive Way, I have a great discussion with Chrissy from @pittiehoarder for a second time to discuss body language. She talks about how her dog Hunk's behavior started to change slowly, and he wasn't enjoying going for a ride anymore. He also gained weight and had patches of missing hair. After changing veterinarians and getting a tip from one of her followers, she asked about hypothyroidism. After some bloodwork, she found that he indeed had low thyroid production. Follow Chrissy @pittiehoarder on all social media platforms. Here is the link to the video that did not play.

https://www.tiktok.com/@pittiehoarder/video/7579487004493106446?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

#bodylangauge #thyroidtests #veterinarian #dogallergies

Dr. McConnell

Piloerection

https://www.patriciamcconnell.com/theotherendoftheleash/piloerection-in-dogs-scared-or-just-glad-to-see-me/

Follow Maria @doggonepositive on social

In this episode of The Dog Gone Positive Way, I continue my conversation with Adam Spencer, CFRE, founder of Furlanthropy. I shared with Adam my idea to start a 501(c)(3) for dog training. I want dog training to be accessible to everybody. Adam had a wonderful idea and informed me that I could start a fundraiser for dog training on Furlanthropy's site! Listen to his innovative ideas and enjoy, maybe you can start a philanthropy fundraiser for training pets in your city!

Follow Furlanthropy on Social Media: @furlanthropy

https://furlanthropy.org/

#Furlanthropy #charity #501c3 #PetFundraising #fundraising #dogtraining #PetParents #dog #cat #Podcast

Have more questions for Maria? You can reach her on socials @doggonepositive or you can email her at maria@doggonepositivetraining.com

Compassion Care for Those Who Care for Our Pets

In this emotional episode of The Dog Gone Positive Way, I continue my conversation with Adam Spencer, CFRE, founder of Furlanthropy, to confront one of the most common crises in veterinary medicine today: Compassion Fatigue. The life-saving care and the emotional support veterinarians, veterinarian technicians, assistants, and front desk staff give their clients takes a toll. Veterinarians are 2-3 times more likely to die by suicide as compared to other professionals.

We go to a veterinary office with a healthy pet for a routine checkup, or our pet in crisis who needs immediate care. In those moments, we expect compassion, understanding, and expertise—for our pets and for ourselves. But how often do we stop to think about what the people on the other side of the exam table are carrying? Veterinarians, technicians, assistants, front desk, and other staff work in a profession rooted in love and empathy. Yet it comes with an emotional cost few of us fully see. Compassion fatigue, burnout, moral distress, long hours, and repeated exposure to grief take a profound toll.

When we are in crisis with our pets, it can be nearly impossible to hold space for anything else. But consider this: the veterinarian standing in front of you may have just walked out of the exam room next door after euthanizing another family’s pet—perhaps one they’ve known since puppyhood or kittenhood. And now, they must take a breath, steady themselves, and walk into your room offering calm, care, and compassion all over again.

That emotional whiplash happens multiple times a day.

What Is Compassion Fatigue?

Compassion fatigue is the emotional and physical exhaustion that comes from prolonged caregiving and repeated exposure to trauma and grief. It doesn’t mean a lack of caring—it means too much caring for too long without enough support.

How Can We Help Our Veterinarians and Their Staff?

Small acts matter more than we realize:

• Practice patience. Delays, tough news, or difficult conversations aren’t personal—they’re often the result of someone else’s emergency or loss.

• Use kind language. Stressful moments can escalate quickly. A calm tone and respectful words can make a world of difference.

• Say thank you—and mean it. A genuine “I appreciate what you do” carries weight.

• Leave positive reviews. These help morale more than you might imagine, especially after difficult days.

• Support fair care. Veterinary teams want to help every animal, but they face financial, ethical, and emotional limits.

• Acknowledge their humanity. They are professionals—but they are also people who grieve, love, and hurt.

If you’ve ever felt supported, comforted, or guided through one of the hardest moments of pet ownership, that care came at a cost to someone who chose this profession out of love.

Mental Health Resources for Veterinarians & Veterinary Staff

If you are a veterinarian, technician, or staff member—or you love someone who is—support is available:

• Not One More Vet (NOMV)

NOMV Created by Dr. Nicole MacArthur October 1, 2014, following the suicide of world-renowned veterinary behaviorist Dr. Sophia Yin.

• AVMA Wellbeing & Peer Support Resources

The American Veterinary Medical Association provides mental health tools, wellness education, & confidential peer assistance.

https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/wellbeing

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.)

Call or text 988 for immediate, confidential support—24/7.

International:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines

• Local Veterinary Peer Support Groups

Many state and regional veterinary associations offer confidential peer-to-peer programs.

Asking for help is not a weakness. It is a sign of strength—and survival.

Follow Furlanthropy on Social Media: @furlanthropy

https://furlanthropy.org/

#Caregivers #MentalHealth #CompassionFatigue #NotOneMoreVet #drsophiayin #sucideprevention #veterinarians

Have A Dog Gone Positive Day!

What happens when saving a beloved pet’s life comes down to money?

In this bold episode of The Dog Gone Positive Way, I sit down with Adam Spencer, CFRE, founder of Furlanthropy, to confront one of the most uncomfortable conversations in veterinary medicine today: the rising cost of life-saving care and the emotional toll it takes on pet parents and veterinarians. We pull back the curtain on what veterinary teams face when clients can’t afford treatment—and why this reality is breaking hearts on both sides of the exam room.

Adam also challenges the way we think about giving. What if helping animals didn’t have to look like writing a check? From donating stock to using cryptocurrency, Furlanthropy is redefining how generosity works in a modern world—and making critical care possible for families who would otherwise have no options.

This episode is a must-listen for pet lovers, animal advocates, and anyone willing to question the system—and believe compassion can still win.

Follow Furlanthropy on Social Media: @furlanthropy

https://furlanthropy.org/

#Furlanthropy #crypto #pets #charity #501c3 #fundraising #AnimalWelfare #Podcast #PetParents #veterinarian #dog #cat #Podcast #compassionfatigue

Have more questions for Maria? You can reach her on socials @doggonepositive or you can email her at maria@doggonepositivetraining.com

Don't forget to have a Dog Gone Positive Day!

In this powerful episode of The Dog Gone Positive Way, my interview with Adam Spencer CFRE, the founder of Furlanthropy, shines a light on the impact high cost of life-saving treatments for pet parents and veterinarians. We dive into the inspiration behind his mission to change the way pets receive lifesaving medical care. Adam shares how adopting his dog, who had been surrendered because her original family couldn’t afford treatment, opened his eyes to a heartbreaking reality faced by thousands of pet parents.

That moment sparked the idea for Furlanthropy, a 501 (c) (3) charity that brings communities together to fund crucial medical needs for pets in crisis. Adam discusses openly about the moment everything shifted, the emotional journey that followed, and why he believes no animal should lose their home—or their life—because of financial hardship.

This episode is a must-listen for pet lovers, animal advocates, and anyone who loves a story born from compassion and purpose.

Follow Furlanthropy on Social Media: @furlanthropy

https://furlanthropy.org/

#Furlanthropy #PetPodcast #AnimalRescue #PetMedicalCare #DogRescue #charity #501c3 #PetFundraising #AnimalAdvocacy #PetsInNeed #fundraising #PetHealth #AnimalWelfare #Podcast #PetParents #veterinarian #dog #cat #Podcast

Have more questions for Maria? You can reach her on socials @doggonepositive or you can email her at maria@doggonepositivetraining.com

Don't forget to have a Dog Gone Positive Day!

In this powerful episode of The Dog Gone Positive Way, my interview with Adam Spencer CFRE, the founder of Furlanthropy, shines a light on the impact high cost of life-saving treatments for pet parents and veterinarians. We dive into the inspiration behind his mission to change the way pets receive lifesaving medical care. Adam shares how adopting his dog, who had been surrendered because her original family couldn’t afford treatment, opened his eyes to a heartbreaking reality faced by thousands of pet parents.

That moment sparked the idea for Furlanthropy, a 501 (c) (3) charity that brings communities together to fund crucial medical needs for pets in crisis. In Part One, Adam discusses openly about the moment everything shifted, the emotional journey that followed, and why he believes no animal should lose their home—or their life—because of financial hardship.

This episode is a must-listen for pet lovers, animal advocates, and anyone who loves a story born from compassion and purpose.

Follow Furlanthropy on Social Media: @furlanthropy

https://furlanthropy.org/

#Furlanthropy #PetPodcast #AnimalRescue #PetMedicalCare #DogRescue #charity #501c3 #PetFundraising #AnimalAdvocacy #PetsInNeed #fundraising #PetHealth #AnimalWelfare #Podcast #PetParents #veterinarian #dog #cat #Podcast

Have more questions for Maria? You can reach her on socials @doggonepositive or you can email her at maria@doggonepositivetraining.com

Don't forget to have a Dog Gone Positive Day!