Podcasts are growing in popularity – and of course the medium is brimming with shows that cover the many aspects of a dog-centric lifestyle. Here are 10 starting points for navigating the dog pod vault when chatting with celebrity dog owners, providing tips on positive reinforcement, and tips for puppies.
Go for a walk
In Walking The Dog, radio host Emily Dean enjoys a walk with her friends and beloved bitches. The guest list includes singer Jamie Cullum, former host of The Great British Bake Off, Mel Giedroyc, and comedian Ricky Gervais, who is accompanied by German Shepherd Dog Anti from his Netflix show After Life.
✧ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/walking-the-dog-with-emily-dean/id1220510307
Your new puppy
When avid podcast listener and trainer Debbie Cilento realized that there wasn’t a single place for someone raising a brand new puppy, she created a podcast based on key questions from her clients. Standout Episode What They Don’t Tell You About Getting a Puppy Also includes “some silly but real things, like how puppies get a lot of hiccups!”
✧ playtimepaws.com/yournewpuppy
The pet show
Actor Dennis Quaid and co-host Jimmy Jellinek run the Pet Show and provide a snappy insight into the current animal culture scene. Celebrity guests and messages focused on dogs are complemented by pet style tips. Dennis’ own English miniature bulldog Peaches offers on-air cameos.
✧ audioup.com/shows/thepetshow
Drink from the toilet
While attending training conferences, Hannah Branigan noted that “so much really good happens in the hotel bar conversations after the program”. Drinking From The Toilet, which aims to share insights into these open chats with dog owners, offers behind-the-scenes advice that “teaches the way science and practicality come together”.
✧ hannahbranigan.dog/dogtraining-podcast/
Dog Edition
The Dog Podcast Network’s signature show will be hosted by the platform’s founder, James Jacobson. Some of the first highlights, introduced early in 2021, include a look at the president’s pups, tips on grooming while in shelter, and a profile of Instagram sensation Loki The Wolfdog. The episodes run intelligently on 20 to 30 minutes to keep track of the average daily walking time.
✧ Shows.dogpodcastnetwork.com/show/dog-edition
We don’t deserve dogs
We don’t deserve dogs starting when stand-up comedian’s friends Richie Redding met his veterinarian friend Dr. Keep calling Lisa Lippman with questions about her dogs. The show combines disrespectful comedic commentary with trustworthy canine advice. Pointing out an episode with social media influencer Katie Sturino, Richie says, “We hear how her dog got married on Bravo and what a great job she does to rescue dogs that have been abused by mills.”
✧ thepodglomerate.com/shows/dogs
The Hound Podcast
Based on 45 years of experience in hunting dogs and over 25 years of experience in assessing hunting tests, host Ron Böhme started his podcast as an “audio hunting journal”. As the show moved on, Ron expanded the scope to have conservation guides, educators, writers and, as he puts it, “just a few tailgate conversations after a day of hunting.”
✧ thehuntingdogpodcast.com
According to Bark
Hosts Lucy Riles, Mitra Yosri and Josh White met as contestants on the reality show The Pack – and now they’ve got their canine chemistry broadcast on the After Bark podcast. Episodes revolve around common dog traits – such as loyalty, intuitiveness, or reliability – and each weekly episode contains a breed-specific segment.
✧ afterbarkpodcast.com
Victoria Stilwell’s positive podcast
Victoria Stilwell is all about promoting the benefits of positive reinforcement training – and her podcast builds on the success of the TV show It’s Me Or The Dog. With over 800 episodes, Victoria covers topics such as fighting dog anxiety, promoting during a pandemic, and misconceptions about the command to “sit”.
✧ positive.com/community/podcasts
Oh behave with Arden Moore
Oh behave! is over 400 episodes deep. Host and journalist Arden Moore strives to bring together “animal-loving celebrities, pet industry leaders, and ordinary people who do extraordinary things to help pets around the world.” There are also pet-based puns and a lot of joking between guests.
✧ petliferadio.com/behave.html
Insider tips for running your own podcast
Read the professional advice from James Jacobson of the Dog Podcast Network …
Stay snappy: “Edit your podcast. It’s a personal choice, but my taste is to keep it shorter. “
Original concepts: “I think there’s a little too much on the training side and there could be an improvement on the storytelling side, things that make people feel closer to their pet.”
Assess success: “The first five to ten episodes will likely have a very small audience – but quantify success by hearing feedback from people who have heard.”
Invite guests you know: “Instead of asking people with big names or celebrities, look at people who have good stories and talk to them.”
Promote subscribing: “It’s what makes podcasts grow – once they subscribe, every episode will be on their feed, and that will increase your numbers.”
