Episode 106. Pet Parenting Basics for Multi-Dog Families with Debby McMullen

Have you ever thought about your pet parenting philosophy? Maybe you have an idea in your head of what you want your relationship with your dog(s) to look like, but how would you describe it?

A few months ago, on an Amazon recommendation & a whim, I bought Debby McMullen’s book How Many Dogs?! Using Positive Reinforcement training to Manage a Multiple Dog Household.  And I loved the book so much, that I had to find Debby and bring her on the podcast.

Debby is known for sharing her life with multiple dogs. Working as a dog trainer since the late 1990s, Debby developed a niche in the dog training world helping families introduce & integrate new dogs into multi-dog households. 

Debby shares – what I will call – her “ pet parenting philosophy” and it’s the closest explanation I’ve seen to how I feel about my relationship with my dogs.  We discuss what this looks like through setting boundaries and the importance of routines & predictability for establishing trust with a new dog in your home.

So are you ready to introduce a new dog to your family?  Whether you are or not, Debby identifies important body language and training cues that are helpful for any & every pet parent.  We also discuss how to teach your dog good behavior without needing a clicker!

Debby & I also dive into the dynamics of multi-dog households – from navigating meal times to giving individual time & attention to refereeing playtime to dealing with any problems that arise.

So how many dogs is too many dogs?  While that answer changes from family to family, Debby reveals factors for you & your family to consider when making this decision.

Debby & I discuss:

  • Her background with pets and when dogs first entered her life;

  • What led to her dog training career;

  • Debby’s “Pet Parenting Philosophy” of safety and boundaries – and what her philosophy is and isn’t;

  • Establishing trust with a new dog through routines and predictability;

  • How much time and attention each dog needs in a multi-dog household;

  • Helpful training cues to teach your dog;

  • What is marking behavior? And how to do it without a clicker;

  • What is shaping behavior?

  • Refereeing wrestlemania in your house;

  • The importance of learning dog body language in a multi-dog home;

  • How to physically introduce a new dog to your home;

  • Common problems that arise in multi-dog homes and when to get help;

  • Foster dog versus new family member dog;

  • How many dogs is too many?

Where to find Debby:

Links Discussed:

 

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