The Family Dog

08/21/2024

Such a fabulous podcast that really dives into how to TRULY live in harmony with our dogs. Janice Liscinsky did such an incredible job - covering a TON of ground. Thanks so much for The Dial Method shout out!

Pet dogs are one of the best sources of unconditional love. But sometimes we forget that our four-legged friend is still an animal, and we all need to know how

08/19/2024

So proud to be part of a group that truly sees the dogs *and* their people - and is trying to make a better world for them both.

We posed the question, "What is Family Dog Mediation?" to our FDMs a while back. We loved the way everyone took their own approach to what being an FDM means to them, but within all the answers, we saw so many similar themes. Our very first FDM, D Davis put this together so beautifully that we had to share!

06/02/2024

LOVE is love.
And *Everyone* is welcome.
Thefamilydog.com supports and celebrates each and every unique human (and dog) that we get to work with, exactltly as they are.

05/16/2024

I had such a fab conversation with Debbie Cilento on her "Your New Puppy" podcast".

Our discussion spans over 2 episodes.. clearly, there was a LOT to talk about! I love her fun, friendly, and down-to-earth style and advice - be sure to check it out 🌟
Debbie is based in NJ, and is one of our new "Dial Guides" teaching pet parents this new system for living with your dog.. You can find out more about her and The Dial Method in the podcast.

Hear from the expert on kids and dogs. Justine Schuurmans tells us how to know if your kids are ready for a dog and how to prepare them.

05/08/2024

BRILLIANT!!

Do you live with a Shy Pup? Then I think you'll relate to this ⬇️

How often do you hear...
"Oh but dogs love me" or "Oh, he'll grow out of it" or... "just let him smell me and then he'll be fine"...?
Or you ask them not to stare at your dog but they just can't seem to peel their eyes away. Or they're offering them some food without even asking you?

The fact is, there are always going to be people who are well-meaning but not educated on YOUR dog and YOUR dog's needs.

While I could tell you to just advocate for your dog, it's not always that easy. Sometimes advocating feels vulnerable and icky. So, it's easier to avoid. I feel you, I get it. I urge you to keep trying, in whatever way feels safe to you. 💕

Feel free to download, print, and hand out this graphic or share it with whoever you think needs to see it!

👉 And if you live with a shy, sensitive pup, would you do me a quick favor?

I'm going to post a Google form link in the comments - Will you take a few minutes to share your experience with the sensitive soul you live with at home? I'd super appreciate it!

💕 Much love to you and your pup(s)
Laura Gendron, CPDT-KA, LFDM, FFCP

04/02/2024

The BLUE BOOK (and its companion workbook!) has launched.
🥳🤩🥳🤩🥳🤩🥳🤩🥳🤩

***This is NOT your average dog training book.****

I originally created The Dial Method for families with children - but I've now adapted it for EVERYONE to UN-complicate life with your dog.

For many years, dogs and training have gone together like peanut butter and jelly. But what if we've had it all wrong?
What if it's not the DOG that needs the training... but US instead? (Gasp!)
I know. But stay with me for a second.

20 years as a family dog trainer has taught me that success lies in us (the humans) learning and owning our role and responsibility before expecting anything from our dogs! We make the BIGGEST difference in the fastest time when we hone our skills first.

Finally, there's an easy way for pet parents to tap into what they already know, using skills they already have - not just to cope, but LOVE living with their dog.

DIAL up your skills, DIAL in on the issue, and DIAL into your power to fix it.

From picking up a puppy to picking up the pieces - The Dial Method will be your trusty guide for EVERY stage of your dog's life. It's a philosophy, a problem-spotter, and a cheat sheet all-in-one! It's fast and fun to read, clear and simple to follow, and will leave you wondering how the devil NO ONE has EVER told you this game-changing information before!

HUGE love to Trick Woofs for the amazing illustrations.

https://www.amazon.com/shop/thefamilydog/list/C2A8XP6XO5BB?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsflist_aipsfthefamilydog_SM92SH52MSW0NND9AZMF

03/25/2024

The amazing Trick Woofs at it again!
It’s so easy to judge or envy when you in see a snippet of someone’s life. But what if we all created the most generous interpretation of what was happening? Thinking the nicest thoughts about people…
Imagine how different the world could look.
❤️

03/18/2024

Yes, Ricky.
🙌🏼

03/13/2024

Dogs are called 'stubborn' and 'naughty' all the time - but there's more to what's happening if you scratch the surface.
Love this graphic from See Spot Learn.
Makes it all really easy to see.

https://www.facebook.com/seespotlearn/posts/809631541172873

03/06/2024

Wow!!
This is some 5⭐️living.
Have to say I LOVE it.
How would you/your dog feel about having an epic this space like this in your house??

02/29/2024

I *literally* can not tell you just how amazing this book is.
If you're getting a puppy - or know someone who is.
YOU. NEED. THIS. BOOK.
And if you already have my "The Dial Method" book - you'll notice how they slot together like PB+J!
I got to read an advanced copy - because it's on pre-order on Amazon rn, and it's worth EVERY penny!!
Kathy Gord Callahan, you knocked it out of the park ❤️

Welcoming Your Puppy from Planet Dog: How to Go Beyond Training and Raise Your Best Friend

02/26/2024

From the amazing illustrator of our Dial Method book - Georgie from Trick Woofs bustin’ some myths (that are still lurking!!😩)

02/26/2024

More proof that letting you dog sniff can make a HUGE difference to their well-being ❤️

Shake it…shake it off…

A recent study by two researchers in France looked at sniffing, pulse rate, and leash length on walks. Sixty-one dogs were taken on three separate walks, five minutes each walk, once with a 1.5m leash, once with a 5m leash, and once without a leash at all (walk order was randomized for each dog). Off-leash dogs sniffed the most, more than 3x as long as the dogs on short leashes. Dogs on long leashes spent nearly as much time as unleashed dogs sniffing, almost 3x as long as dogs on short leashes.

This study also found that sniffing resulted in lowered pulse rates, and the more intensely they sniffed, the more their pulse rates lowered. Pulse rate was also lowered when dogs “shook off” during walks on all leash lengths. The “shake off” behavior was often seen when the dog’s pulse rate was particularly high.

Read more about it below!

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HX77kp2HBDiTxmq/?mibextid=Le6z7H

https://www.tuftsyourdog.com/everydaydogcare/giving-your-dog-time-to-sniff-on-walks-will-literally-soothe-his-heart/

What else can we learn about dogs from their walking behavior? Take your best friend on a Sniffari and see what you observe!

01/11/2024

So grateful to Victoria Stilwell for inviting me onto her podcast to talk about The Dial Method and... LOTS of other juicy stuff!

We dive deep into WHY people might be attracted to *harsh* dog training methods and what we can learn from how we raise KIDS to help us up our game in raising our dogs.
Brilliant convo.
🌟🌟🌟

12/24/2023

From my dogs to yours...

Thank you so much for being a part of The Family Dog's 2023. Whether you're a parent or a dog pro - I am SO grateful for you.

It's been a BUSY (but epic) year at The Family Dog, and I'm looking forward to some Quality Downtime on the couch!! (with family and dogs, ofc!)

So, eat up and rest up, and we'll catch up with you in 2024.

We wish you a truly fantastic holiday!

Justine, Zig and Juice.
xo

12/22/2023

Dying laughing!!
Genius and accurate.
I have the jumping bean - and the brave warrior who needs to be lifted onto the big dog bed!!!

What about you??

📸 Look at this post on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/6GAugUKEPERnEW7J/?mibextid=WC7FNe

1. Beauceron
2. Berger Picard
3. Border Collie
4. American Cocker Spaniel
5. German Shepherd Dog
6. Husky
7. Doodle
8. German Shorthaired Pointer
9. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever
10. Pit Bull
11. Australian Cattle Dog
12. Rottweiler
13. Kelpie
14. Chinook
15. Shetland Sheepdog
16. Belgian Shepherd
17. Labrador Retriever
18. Collie (Smooth)
19. Collie (Rough)
20. Chihuahua
21. Australian Shepherd
22. English Springer Spaniel
23. Russell-type Terrier
24. Boston Terrier
25. Whippet
26. Poodle
27. Papillon
28. Doberman
29. Chow Chow
30. Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
31. Great Pyrenees
32. Dachshund
33. Weimaraner
34. Golden Retriever
35. Beagle
36. Basset Hound
37. Airedale Terrier
38. Hungarian Mudi
39. Dalmatian
40. Finnish Lapphund
41. Black and Tan Coonhound
42. Shiba Inu
43. Pomeranian
44. Old English Sheepdog
45. Lagotto Romagnolo

12/12/2023

Looking for a FAB holiday gift that will keep on giving LONG after it's unwrapped..?
Look no further! ;)

To your favorite family!

12/12/2023

Dogs are truly amazing.
Their untapped skills are something to behold. What a connection these two have, and how *in tune* this dog is with their person.

It's holiday time and things start to get busy and we get more frazzled. So this is a good reminder to do our piece, too....
and keep a sharp eye out for when our dog's need us to have their back.

12/10/2023

I LOVED Sarah’s presentation at AID and somehow we sat together at dinner on the last night and started chatting. I immediately loved her style.

I started listening to her fabulous COG DOG RADIO podcast and even though her audience isn’t necessarily the same as mine - I wanted to share The Dial Method with her, maybe to add to the toolboxes of the pros she follow her - and she left me the funniest message!

All is revealed at the beginning of the episode!
Thanks for having me on, Sarah - it was great to chat with you.

‎Show Cog-Dog Radio, Ep Dialing In with Justine Shuurmans CPDT-KA, LFDM-K - Dec 5, 2023

12/05/2023

🎁 Yup- parents just like you!
Parents who want specific training for raising kids and a dog together - rather than crossing fingers and hoping it will work out ok.
So unwrap the ultimate dog parenting tool this holiday season. It’s your shortcut to knowing EXACTLY all the gems your pup would love you to know - all wrapped up in a 40-min video and e-workbook that’s fun for the WHOLE FAMILY!! 🌟 https://www.thefamilydog.com/the-dial-method

11/26/2023

What trainers are saying about The Dial Method video program!
It's game-changing. You'll never see your family dog in the same way again - and after just 40mins!
And... it's 30% OFF until tomorrow. Use code: thankful30 and check out the full scoop here: thedialmethod.com

11/25/2023

If you’ve heard about The Dial Method, and wonder why everyone is raving about it, you can see for yourself for 30% off… That’s the silly price of just $35!! Just use code: thankful30
Best Part: You can SKIP the lines and sleep in with this deal!
Get 30% off this program 👇🏼

Yup - you’ll get the 40 minute video AND the e-workbook for your whole family to get all ship-shape with your dog! And as soon as you hit ‘play’, prepare to learn things you’ve never heard before and to change life with your family dog forever!

If you’re wondering, ‘is this right for me?’ Are you…

> PREPPING for a dog?

> STRUGGLING with your family dog?

> Looking for a fab ‘puppy shower’ gift for friends / family members with kids?

If so… YES!

GRAB the discount quick! It’s only good until next MONDAY!

All the info for the program is here 👇https://www.thefamilydog.com/the-dial-method

11/10/2023

Sharing the DIAL with the fab Andy Hale in his wonderful Dog Centred Care : The Emotional Experience of Dogs and their caregivers space.
Andy's work around a 'care-centered' approach with dogs has been so inspirational to me, so diving in deeply on this topic with him was just brilliant.

11/03/2023

Powerful stuff from our friends No Monkey Business Dog Training 💓

This post is fab.
The magic is in how we build a bridge between us so that we can ALL enjoy life. It’s give and take - like every great relationship.

Always good to remember that most of us chose our dogs - they had little say where they landed.
Giving them some choice (when and where it’s safe and makes sense) goes a LONG way.

My dogs disagree with me a lot. I want them to come back to me away from an amazing smell, they’d rather not. I don’t want them to chew on a new pillow, they think it tastes fantastic. They’d like to use the furniture as spring boards at 10pm, I’d really prefer they relax and lay down. I’d love for them to walk politely next to me; they think that’s completely stupid when there’s so much to see and smell.

Disagreeing with each other as species is totally normal and okay. What’s not okay is not accepting or allowing it in any form, and not offering compromises that validate the others ideas just because WE think our version is BETTER. Disagreeing should NOT result in punishment, just because we don’t like that the dog doesn’t agree with what we’re asking. What disagreements should result in, is modification of things so BOTH parties feel heard and their needs met. Any healthy relationship - even human/human - allows and has disagreements.

My dog wants to smell, I want him to walk nicely. We disagree on what a fun walk is. Let’s compromise. You walk nicely with me for lots of rewards for about 50ft, then you can go smell and check your peemail for 5 minutes and then we’ll repeat that again. My needs and your needs are met, everyone feels heard and better.

Not every disagreement can end like this, of course. Sometimes we have to say “i know you’re not happy about this but it has to be this way and I’ll help us get through it together and make it as pleasant as possible for you” BUT if you have compromised in other disagreements, you’ll find your relationship won’t suffer nearly as much as it would have if you hadn’t. Allowing for disagreements does NOT mean you’re being permissive or leanient. It means you’re being compassionate to another individual.

We are in a position of control with our dogs. All the time. What they eat, how they live, how they exercise, all of it. It’s a really important thing to keep in mind because if we aren’t careful we can abuse that power simply by not being willing to disagree and allow for interspecies discussion and understanding of needs. That can create feelings of frustration, anxiety, and at times fear for the animal.

It’s okay to disagree. It’s healthy. You’ll actually grow together much better as a team with your dog if you allow it. AND you might be even more surprised that your dog can be right sometimes!

11/01/2023

This is BIG!
This amazing doggie mama always opens her doors to pregnant foster dogs, lovingly raises their litters, and preps them for their new homes - so she knows a thing or two about dogs. I was blown away when I saw her post after reading my book! She said she couldn’t believe how much NEW info she learned about dogs!!

It’s funny, there’s so much emphasis out there encouraging us to teach dogs stuff - that it feels like we overlook some of the really important stuff that dogs would love US to know!

This little book is packed with essential info that will help EVERY parent to have under their belt if they share (or are planning on sharing!) their life with kids and a dog.

https://www.thefamilydog.com/the-dial-method

10/31/2023

HAPPY HALLOWEEN ... from the DIAL DEVIL! 😈

All Hallow's Eve seemed like the PERFECT time to introduce these cheeky devils! They're the NAUGHTY part of the Dial and they sneak into all 4 zones of the book and the video.

These 'Monsters of Misinformation' are the inner (and sometimes outer) voice that will try to throw you off track.

You might notice their message on social media, popping out of your well-intentioned neighbor's mouth... or just lurking inside of you!

So, if you want to find out the 4 BIG FIBS that these dastardly devils are trying to sell you - AND how to avoid them, grab the book or the video program to fend them off.

Don't be duped by the Devil...
GET THE DIAL METHOD!
https://www.thefamilydog.com/the-dial-method



In just 40mins (and for less than a bag of dog food!) you can change how you live with your dog... forever.

Happy Spookin'!