The Quirky Dog

This week, The Quirky Dog invites Dyane Delemarre on to chat about her incredible Borderwhippet, Mako. Mako was chosen as 2024 Dog of The Year because of his exceptional athleticism and glowing temperament.

Why did Dyane choose Mako as a sports companion?

How does Mako stand out from other competitive dock diving dogs?

What are Dyane’s future goals with Mako?

To donate to Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) for...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss dog friendships. Social dogs that seem to enjoy all dogs equally may have dozens of friends. However, dogs with select taste may only have a handful of friends in a lifetime. Some dogs only have one friend and others may live out their entire lives friendless, especially if the dog isn't social. This episode unpacks all the angles.

How can you help select your dog's friends?

Why does a dog's be...

This week, Jess discusses seven qualities to avoid if you want to be a good dog owner while Scott is at home recovering from the flu. Jess walks you through seven principles you definitely want to avoid living by when owning a dog. 

Why is holding your dog accountable important?

How does teaching your dog to accept confinement help both you and your dog in the long run?

What are some acceptable instances to carry your dog a...

This week, Jess and Scott welcome Haley Mullins who has fostered close to 50 dogs in the northwestern United States. Haley shares the highs and lows of the foster mom life and joins the podcast as one of Jess’s sorority sisters from the University of Michigan.

How can someone become a foster home?

What if you fall in love with your foster dog?

Why does fostering often make a shelter dog more adoptable?

To support Project K-...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss when it may be appropriate to switch dog trainers. Whether it is a personality conflict, poor business practice, or a lack of results, you should always feel comfortable leaving a relationship with your current dog trainer and beginning a new relationship with someone else.

Where is the best place to find a competent dog trainer?

Why is compatibility between owner and trainer so important for dog...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss the relationships they form with their dog training clients. Often times, being a family’s dog trainer means you are welcomed into a client’s home as well as their family dynamic. 

How have the relationships with clients evolved over the years?

Why does your business model matter in regards to client relations? 

What is the significance as your role as a dog trainer?

For more information ab...

This week, Jess and Scott welcome their clients Chad Neidigh and Magaly Sandoval as well as their awesome Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Kenai. After Kenai recently celebrated his first birthday, Chad and Magaly discuss his first trip to Nationals for dock diving. 

What is the main motivator for competing in dog sports with Kenai?

How has the dock diving world differed from other dog sport communities? 

Why is dock divin...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss the volatility that exists in the online dog world today. Dog professionals preying on other dog professionals has become more prominent over this past year, and this episode explains how toxic that approach can be for all parties. 

What is the danger of controlling access to information? 

How is it possible some of the key players involved in this cancel culture are not in fact dog trainers by...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss itching. While a simple scratch here and there may appear normal, excessive itching can stem from some more serious issues as well as create additional problems. This episode focuses on some common causes of itching as well as a myriad of solutions. 

What is the best way to stop itching?

Can itching be behavioral?

Why is controlling the urge to itch so important?

For more information about ...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss longevity in dogs. Longevity is a hot topic these days, and because every dog owner would like their dog to live as long as possible, this episode highlights the best ways to extend dogs’ lives with quality. 

What factors should be considered for optimum canine longevity?

How does stress affect a dog’s lifespan?

Where can dog owners research longevity of breeds prior to getting a dog?

For more ...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss dogs coming up lame. The pit in your stomach that you get when you see your dog on three legs is real for so many of us. This episode unpacks some of the steps owners can take to evaluate the severity of the situation.

Why is conditioning a dog to a crate an important component of healing?

What is the best course of action to take immediately when your dog shows a hitch? 

How can you prevent ...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss hurricane preparation, especially for dog owners. As Hurricane Helene continues to wreak havoc in southeastern US, this episode touches on some of the top tips to help minimize stress for future hurricane seasons. 

How can dog owners prepare for their dogs’ safety and wellness during hurricane season?

Where can dog owners reach out for assistance?

What are the most important items to pack for you...

This week, Jess and Scott welcome former clients Alexandra and Chris from Rochester, NH. Keeva is a mix with lots of drive and character that displayed a great deal of fear. Being new human parents, Keeva’s owners opted to do a board and train program with Scott and Jess to help smooth out some of her rough edges. This episode unpacks that process for them and discusses Keeva’s behavior in present day. 

What was walking Keeva arou...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss wounds. After decades in dogs dealing with hundreds of breeds and dozens of health issues, there are certain tips that owners and trainers learn over time that help lower the hassle of treating wounds. This episode unpacks all the goods for you!

What is the best method to prevent my dog from getting to a wound?

Where can I find over the counter treatments? 

How can you help your dog’s wounds ...

This week, Jess and Scott welcome Bob Solimini from sunny Arizona. Bob is a dog trainer with extensive knowledge pertaining to protection sports. This episode focuses on the necessity of protection dogs as well as the responsibility that goes along with owning one. 

How does a family decide if a protection dog is the right choice for them? 

Why is Bob one of the most accomplished decoys in the US? 

What is lacking most in pet...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss aggression between two or more dogs within your house. While these issues often bubble up over time, they can create a huge amount of stress for the entire household. This episode targets some of our best practices to neutralize the arousal. 

How can life ever look normal with so much discord in the house? 

Is rehoming the most responsible choice? 

What is the most important training focus when y...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss focusing on the good when it comes to dog training and life. It's often easy to fixate on what is lacking or where improvements are needed, but consciously choosing to highlight the positives can benefit both dog and human. 

If my dog has a major health issue, how can I focus on the good?

Why is it important to always see performance dogs as pets first?

When is focusing on the good most impor...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss reintroducing a dog into the household after the first dog has passed. Factors like genetics, training methodologies, family dynamics, and life circumstances all can impact how life with the second dog can unfold differently than life with the first dog.

Why is it not always a smart idea to switch breeds?

What differences have surfaced in rescues in the past decade? 

How can you best set your fam...

This week, Jess and Scott discuss the incredibly difficult topic of behavioral euthanasia. Putting our dogs down at the end of their lives is heartbreaking for everyone, but having to make the choice to euthanize a young dog with behavioral issues can fall into an entirely different category of pain. 

When should you consider euthanizing your dog?

Why is it sometimes difficult to find a vet who will perform a behavioral euthanasi...