Are you a pup-parent who’s dedicated to improving the health and well-being of your best friend so that they can live a long, happy and healthy life? Welcome to the Everything Pup Podcast! Here you’ll find valuable dog-centric tips; interviews with trusted industry experts AND your favourite dog brands; and everything else you need to become an informed advocate for your best friend. Your host, Holly Montgomery, has over 15 years experience in the pet industry as the co-owner of 2 holistic pet food franchises. She’s also an award-winning, certified and accredited dog photographer. She’s dedicated her life and career to helping pet parents understand and care for dogs of all ages and dispositions. In this show, you will find answers to all the most common dog-rearing questions. You’ll get expert opinions on holistic health and nutrition and force-free training methods, AND you’ll discover the hottest new dog products and brands - ALL with a healthy dose humour and a little woo woo thrown in for good measure!
031 - How Yeast Overgrowth Affects Your Pup With Julie Anne Lee DCH RCSHom
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The first time I met a real life Wolfdog it was a magical experience. I started to imagine that one day I might share my home with a Wolfdog. I mean, how cool would it be to have a wild-looking pet that was actually domesticated like a dog??
But the more I learned about the Wolfdog, the more I realized that these animals are not just like dogs. They’re not fully domesticated, and not fully wild and many Wolfdogs that contain high wolf content find themselves displaced and not truly belonging anywhere.
Today’s guest is Georgina De Caigny. Georgina is the founder of Wolfdog Awareness and the Executive Director of Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary near Cochrane, Alberta Canada.
In this episode Georgina will share her personal experience with her pet Wolfdog named Kuna, and how she went on the journey from being a Wolfdog owner, to becoming an advocate for both Wolfdogs and Wolves.
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One of the most common questions we get asked in our pet food stores is, “What do you think about pet insurance?” And, I’ll be honest - I have a lot of feelings about pet insurance!In our household, we pay over $400/month for pet insurance for our three, large breed dogs. AND it’s almost a monthly occurrence that we get an email notifying us that one or more of the dogs’ premiums have gone up.
So, is it worth it? Would we do things differently now if we could start fresh again?
In today’s episode I’ll be exploring the answers to those and many other questions about pet insurance.
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Today’s topic is a little bit controversial. I know that people have very strong opinions about spaying and neutering dogs and some of today’s conversation might not align with the beliefs amongst the general population of dog owners.
No matter your thoughts on the matter, we can all agree that spaying and neutering your pup is the surest way to ensure that no unwanted puppies are born. Nobody wants unwanted puppies. Nobody wants to euthanize dogs. THAT is a no-brainer!
I also know that in the case of rescuing dogs, there might not be the luxury of choice when it comes to spaying and neutering dogs. Nothing I ask, or say, in this episode is disputing that.
That being said, I believe that every person should be armed with the information they need to make the best decisions for THEIR pup. There is no going back from a decision to spay or neuter your dog, and it’s you and your dog that will experience the potential consequences of your decision, so it should be an informed one. It’s my hope that this episode will help you with that decision.
Today’s guest is Dr. Wanda Vockeroth from Healing Traditions Holistic Veterinary Clinic in Calgary, Alberta Canada. She also happens to be my veterinarian! Dr. Vockeroth is certified in veterinary acupuncture and homeopathy, and has training in Chinese herbology, osteopathy and rehab medicine.
In today’s episode we will be discussing all of the available options pup parents have when it comes to spaying and neutering their dogs. This is an extremely informative and eye-opening episode you aren’t going to want to miss!
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Chances are you’ve never really thought about how many choices you make in one day. And, if you’re lucky, you’ve never had to consider what it might be like to start having your choices taken away from you.
What would it be like to live a life where everything you do is determined by someone else?
When you get up, when you go to the bathroom, when and what you eat, when you can go outside or socialize with friends.
Having choices in life is so important because it gives you confidence, autonomy and a sense of control, and we can only assume that the same would be true for our canine companions. When you don’t have control, you feel helpless and don’t handle stressful situations well.
In today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the importance of providing choice in your dog’s daily routine, and some ways you can give your dog the opportunity to make some of their own decisions.
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Most pup parents believe that visiting off-leash parks with their canine companion is a right of passage. But, what if I told you that dogs suitable for attending public off-leash parks may actually be the exception, not the rule?
Today’s guest is Natasha Mazac. Natasha is a certified professional dog trainer and head of behaviour at Dogma Training in Calgary, Alberta Canada.
In this episode, we’re going to discuss the many reasons why visiting public off-leash parks may not be a good idea for your pup, and some of the things you can do to better understand how to visit them responsibly, should you decide to take them anyway.
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Did you know that over 80% of dogs over the age of 3 have some form of active dental disease? This staggering number makes dental disease the most prominent of all diseases in dogs.
The saddest part of this statistic is that in most cases, dental disease in dogs can be prevented! Of course, like many diseases, genetics plays a role, but in the majority of cases simple, preventative measures can totally inhibit dental disease progression.
In today’s episode, we’re going to discuss the stages of dog dental disease and what can be done to help prevent and treat it in dogs.
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Did you know that 48% of victims of domestic violence delay leaving their abuser because they aren’t sure where to find safety, with their pet?
In honour of Domestic Violence Awareness month, my guest today is Mandi Pratt from Greyboy Pet Prints. Mandi once had to flee a domestic violence situation with her child and cat and now she’s a domestic violence advocate that speaks and teaches on this topic.
In today’s episode Mandi is going to share some helpful resources about keeping pets and their people TOGETHER during a crisis.
Mandi is also a talented pet photographer and pet artist who uses her Grandmother’s printing press to craft portrait etchings from photos of your pet. She has a special offer for our listeners that we’ll share with you at the end of the show!
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The MudBuster is a game changing paw washing system for home, hiking, the beach, the dog park, or anywhere your pup’s feet get messy.Add a little water to the MudBuster, insert the paw, and twist the MudBuster to remove dirt and debris.
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One of the easiest things a pet parent can do to improve their dog’s health is to add fresh food toppers to their dog’s food.
Although fresh toppers benefit ALL dogs, no matter the diet they’re on, they’re perhaps most important for a dog that’s fed a processed diet, like kibble.
In this episode I'll give you a list of healthy toppers you can easily add to your dog’s food, and teach you how each of them will benefit their health.
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Winter is coming ⚔️ ❄️, so I thought I would review my two favourite winter dog coats - the Pomppa ToppaPomppa and the Hurtta Winter Warmer.This will be the first of many dog product reviews! Please feel free to let me know if you like the format, or if you have any suggestions for the reviews going forward; I'd love to hear them!
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Sometimes it seems like we wake up one day and our dogs are old and grey. Other times, their lives are cut short by accident or illness.
In any case, ensuring we have keepsakes and memorials of our dogs can be what gets us through the tough days that follow their passing.
One way we can memorialize our pets is through professional photography.
Today’s guest is Sarah Ernhart from Sarah Beth Photography and Pet Memorial Photographers.
Sarah specializes in end-of-life pet photography and she’s also certified in Grief Companioning and Pet Loss Grief Counselling. She’s been in business since 2006 and has photographed thousands of pets in and around Minneapolis, Minnesota.
In this episode we’ll be discussing how to find a qualified pet photographer, and what to expect from during end-of-life photography session.
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Losing a beloved pet is never easy! However, my experience with in-home euthanasia definitely made the transition easier for our family when our two dogs Brindel and Porter passed away.
Join me to learn more about our very personal experience with in-home euthanasia and what you can expect from the process.
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Some might say a Sensory Yard is the ultimate form of enrichment for a companion dog, and the good news is you don't need a ton of space, time or money to create one!
In this episode I'm interviewing Taylor McDonald who's the creator of the Bindi’s Bucket List platforms! Located in Ontario Canada, Bindi's Bucket list aims to create and inspire with recipes, enrichment inspiration, and tips and tricks on how to create a happier life for dogs.
Taylor started creating a Sensory Yard for her dogs Bindi and Rosie a few years ago, and I started one for my dogs this year, so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to invite her to the podcast to compare notes with me!
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When I opened my first Tail Blazers - Health Food Store for Pets in 2006, raw food diets for dogs and cats were somewhat controversial. In fact, I remember people peeking their heads into our store, seeing our giant walk in freezers, and being really, truly confused.
“Is this a store for pets, or people”, they’d ask.
Despite the fact that raw diets have been, and continue to be, vilified, and many have attempted to scare pup parents into avoiding the diet, the popularity in raw food has soared in recent years. So much so in fact, that you’d be hard pressed to find a pet food store without at least a few options.
So, why is it that dog owners everywhere are switching to raw diets, despite the fact that most veterinarians are still opposed to the diet?
I believe that it’s the fast, and undeniable benefits that pet parents are experiencing for themselves. And, I’m no exception. At one point the fear tactics worked on me, but now that I’ve been feeding my dogs raw food for around 20 years and seen the advantages for myself, there’s no going back for me!
In this episode I’m going to share the story of my very first dog, Brindel, and how she led my husband Ron and I down the path of ditching our careers in favour of helping dogs around the world get healthier through species-appropriate diets!
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Does your dog start to pant or pace while you’re getting ready for work, or bark and destroy the house once you’ve gone? If so, he may have separation anxiety.
This particular topic hits close to home for me as I have a dog with separation anxiety and to say he’s made our lives “challenging” is an understatement. Grizz has not spent any time alone since we had a major incident involving some extensive damage to our home.
If this all sounds too familiar, you’re going to want to listen to this episode featuring my guest, Drae Baker.
Drae is the owner and trainer at Dogwit Training in Calgary, Alberta. She specializes in separation anxiety and leash reactivity and is a certified SAPro trainer.
Separation anxiety is a complex issue that cannot be tackled in just one episode, but today we’ll touch on what exactly it is, and how to know if your dog might be struggling from it.
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Pup parents everywhere are talking about the latest TikTok craze – Beef Cheek Rolls!
Although they’ve been around for awhile, many people are just discovering these long lasting, affordable and palatable chew treats!
Now, along with the popularity of these treats come the skeptics, which is a GOOD thing! I’m always in favour of pet parents asking questions and fact finding before feeding anything to their beloved cats and dogs.
I always say that as a pet food retailer part of my job is policing the pet industry, so I’m all for a good grilling.
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Do you ever wonder how your favourite brands got started, or are you curious to learn more about them and what they do?
Those of you familiar with my background know that I’ve been involved in the pet industry for over 15 years. In that time, I’ve been introduced to a lot of different people and brands and I realized that that puts me in a unique position to interview some of your favourite companies in an effort to teach you a little more about them.
So, enter the brand new, “Meet the Brand” segment of the podcast!
For this inaugural episode, I’d like to introduce you to Lauren Hoines, the Territory Representative for Champion Petfoods in the Prairies. For those of you non-Canadians, that means she is the brand rep for the Prairie provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Champion Petfoods are the makers of ACANA and ORIJEN Pet Foods. They have been crafting premium food for cats and dogs since 1985. Their foods are made for Pet Lovers, by Pet Lovers, so you know your furry family member is getting the very best.
Champion sources the finest WholePrey ingredients selected from carefully curated suppliers whom they know and trust. Their foods are crafted by passionate nutrition and health experts in world class kitchens, and as Pet Lovers themselves, they strive to provide the highest quality and safety in every product they make.
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Has your dog always been a picky eater, or have they become one recently and you’re left frustrated and scratching your head?
Hardly a day goes by without someone coming into our store looking for help finding food for their picky eater. Most of these dogs are on high quality, highly palatable food, so what is causing this frustrating habit of rejecting food?
In today’s episode I’m going to talk about the many reasons your dog may be turning his nose up at his food, and what you can do about it!
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Do you know the difference between a breeder doing things responsibly for the breed, their breeding dogs, and their puppies and those that are in it strictly for the money?
For this episode I’ve enlisted Behaviour Consultant, Professional Dog Trainer and Golden Retriever breeder, Barbara Walmer, from Good As Gold Training in Calgary to help you choose a responsible dog breeder.
It’s our hope that after having listened to this episode, people will have no doubt in their minds whether or not they’re purchasing their puppy from a puppy mill or backyard breeder, or whether their dog has been bred and cared for responsibly.
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Although the focus of the episode is on finding a reputable breeder, our discussion goes off topic a little and we discuss why someone might want a purebred dog. I feel like it's only fair to mention that purebred rescues exist as well, so it is possible to both rescue and have a purebred dog although it's still unlikely you'll know their lineage or medical history.
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Dogs quite often get the runs for various reasons and it totally sucks ducks for everyone concerned!
In this episode I'll discuss some of the most common reasons our store clients come in seeking help for dog diarrhea, and the supplements and foods I recommend to get those poops back to being pick-up-able.
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Various methods of canine conditioning and rehabilitation have been around for years, but do you know what exactly it's used for and when it might be a good option for YOUR pup?
In this episode we’re chatting with BJ Desjardins who's been working in the pet rehab space for nearly 20 years! She's been treating my dog, Grizz, with laser therapy for his osteoarthritis and has also helped hundreds of other dogs with both conditioning and rehabilitation.
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Have you ever gone into a pet food store and been overwhelmed with all of the different categories of dog food? Dry, raw, canned - which options are the best for your pup?
In this episode we'll help you navigate the differences between the many dog food choices you'll be presented with in your favourite local pet food shop.
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Have you every noticed that most of your favourite Instagram accounts follow a theme or have a purpose?
What most successful influencers have in common is that they’ve chosen to focus on a handful of topics, in order to niche down their audience to those that love those very specific subjects.
For instance, they may focus on hiking with dogs, a particular dog breed, dog nutrition or training.
In this episode we’re chatting with Natalia Martinez who’s grown a laser focused and engaged audience for her dog, Willow, using a few key strategies that’s she’s going to share with you today.
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Bone broth is a simple and affordable way to add extra nutrition to your dog's bowl! Catch this episode if you'd like to learn how!
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#005 - What You Need to Know When Choosing a Pet Professional with Megan Stanley
Do you ever find yourself overwhelmed with choice when it comes to choosing a dog trainer or dog daycare? Are you worried about choosing the wrong one? How do you know if a pet professional is going to handle your pup in a caring and ethical manner?
Unfortunately, there really are no official standards of care that pet professionals are expected to follow and therefor, it’s up to industry leaders to create the standards and educate pup parents on what to demand from the people they trust with their dogs.
In this episode we’re going to talk to the founder of Dogma Training, Megan Stanley, who’s been setting the standards of care in the dog training and dog daycare space for over a decade.
With Megan’s help, we’re going to arm you with the knowledge you’ll need to choose your next pet professional.
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Are you a pup parent that loves photographing your dog, but when taking photos indoors they end up looking more like a black blob than their adorable selves? Then this episode is for you!
Holly Montgomery is a Certified Professional Photographer with the Professional Photographers of America and an Accredited Dog Photographer with the Professional Photographers of Canada. She's been professionally photographing dogs exclusively through her business, BrindleBerry Acres, for over 15 years!
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#003 - Nurturing your Pup's Mind with Enrichment with Donia Roorda
My first guest on the Everything Pup Podcast is dog trainer, Donia Roorda! Donia and I have a frank discussion about the importance of enrichment and how we as pup parents can greatly improve the quality of our dog's lives by providing a variety of enrichment activities for them.
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#002 - Increasing the Safety and Shelf Life of your Dog's Dry Food
If you feed your dog any type of shelf stable dog food, you’re going to want to listen to this episode!
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#001 - Welcome to the first episode of the Everything Pup Podcast!
THE place for dedicated pup-parents to find valuable dog-centric tips; interviews with trusted industry experts AND your favourite dog brands; and everything else you need to become an informed advocate for your best friend.
Your host, Holly Montgomery, shares a bit about her background in the pet industry and what you'll learn over the course of this podcast.
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