The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast
Episodes
#132 - Purposeful Chaos in Your Breeding Program
21 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
I recently saw a license plate that read "ShipWrk" next to a sticker saying, "I run a tight shipwreck," and it really hit a nerve about how often we b...
#131 - Why Dog Breeding Feels So Overwhelming - and what to do about it
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you are moving through a season of growth or looking to simplify, it's time to stop treading water and start making decisions based on clarity...
#130 - The Breeder You Need to Stop Being
23 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I'm digging into a pattern I see constantly: breeders who feel stuck in the chaos, they know they're doing too much but they don't kn...
#129 - What Actually Makes a Good Dog Breeder
16 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Why does "doing it right" feel so exhausting? If you've ever felt judged for your feeding choices, overwhelmed by puppy curriculums, or drained by 24/...
#128 - Q&A - All About Puppy Deposits
08 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is all about the "money" side of breeding that many people feel uncomfortable talking about: puppy deposits. From the classic debate over...
#127 - Setting Up Your Year for Success
01 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The New Year often comes with a lot of noise and pressure, but I believe real progress starts with slowing down to see where you actually stand. In th...
#126 - Is Your Breeding Program the Bringing of Good Things?
30 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Christmas is the one time of year I finally slow down enough to reflect on whether my life and my breeding program are actually in alignment with the ...
#125 - The Secret to Higher Priced Puppies
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I'm breaking down why even the best puppies won't sell if your messaging is out of sync, and how a few strategic pivots can help you ...
12 Days of Breeders 2025 - #12 - Dana Filatova of Kismet Labradoodles
12 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In our final episode of the series, we hear from Dana Filatova of Kismet Labradoodles in Ashville, NC, as she recounts the essential, sometimes challe...
12 Days of Breeders 2025 - #11 - Andrea Gardner of Desert Sky Poodles
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we welcome Andrea Gardner of Desert Sky Poodles in Utah, who brings a truly unique perspective to the world of dog breeding, shaped by her backg...
12 Days of Breeders 2025 - #10 - Megan Smith of Acadia Goldendoodles
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We sit down with Megan Smith of Acadia Goldendoodles in Maine, who proves that responsible breeding can—and should—be a joy. After 17 years in the...
12 Days of Breeders 2025 - #9 - Leilani Nichols of Northwest Cairn Terriers
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Leilani Nichols of Northwest Cairn Terriers in Oregon joins us to share her unique approach to breeding and placement. In a world where every puppy lo...
12 Days of Breeders 2025 - #8 - Sarah Whitman of Bonnie Brae Collies
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Meet Sarah Whitman of Bonnie Brae Collies, who just sold her first litter of puppies. Sarah's experience working in accredited zoos with rhinos and ...
12 Days of Breeders 2025 - #7 - Andrea Jones of Maple Hill Doodles
07 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this 12 Days of Breeders interview, we welcome Andrea Jones of Maple Hill Doodles in Ohio. A 25-year veteran breeder of Goldendoodles, Cavapoos, ...
12 Days of Breeders 2025 - #6 - Bill Wyatt of DubDub Danes
06 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this 12 Days of Breeders interview, we welcome Bill Wyatt of DubDub Danes in Bentonville, Arkansas. After a career in high-level sales, Bill applie...
12 Days of Breeders 2025 - #5 - Cynthia Kelly of Regis Regal German Shepherds
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we dive into the highly specialized world of German Shepherd service dogs with Cynthia Kelly of Regis Regal German Shepherds. Cynthia shares th...
12 Days of Breeders 2025 - #4 - Kari Roach of Choice Paws
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For Day 4 of 12 Days of Breeders, we welcome Kari Roach of Choice Paws in Utah. Kari's journey is highly strategic: a former pre-med student, after st...
12 Days of Breeders 2025 - #3 - Natalie Thurman of Apex Anatolians
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For Day 3 of 12 Days of Breeders, we dive into the world of Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs) with Natalie Thurman of Apex Anatolians in Frenchtown, Mont...
12 Days of Breeders 2025 - #2 - McKenze Ocampo of Twilight Doodles
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this 12 Days of Breeders interview, we welcome McKenze Ocampo of Twilight Doodles in Dallas, Texas to share the experience and expertise she's used...
12 Days of Breeders 2025 - #1 - Kim McGuirk of Newbliss Chicago Lagotto
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this first episode in our 2025 12 Day of Breeders, we talk to AKC Breeder of Merit, Kim McGuirk of Newbliss Chicago Lagotto, who built explosive bu...
#124 - Getting Out of Survival and Into a Business Growth Mindset
27 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Breeders are some of the toughest people out there—but grit alone won't move you out of burnout. In this episode, I reveal the small hack that shift...
#123 - Reflecting on the Year of Dog Breeding and What I Plan to Change for Next Year
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I discuss my own personal year of dog breeding, what worked, what didn't go so well, and how I plan to change things going forward, p...
#122 - Which Kind of Dog Breeder Are You?
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling overwhelmed? Can't seem to catch a break? Your program feels more like herding cats rather than breeding dogs? It happens to us all! In this e...
#121 - Does Placing a Dog in the Wrong Home Make You A Bad Breeder?
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever sold a puppy to a buyer and regretted it? Many things can happen when working with the general public and dogs, sometimes we get it wrong. In thi...
#120 - Puppy Buyers Are Changing - How Dog Breeders Can Adapt
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Puppy buyers are changing, they're asking for more from us, and they have new boxes they want us to check before buying. There's also a dark side of t...
#119 - A Better Way to Discounting Puppies
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Discounting older puppies is tempting. Discounting is what stores do as the seasons change. They'll have sales for summer clothes as summer comes to a...
#118 - How to Manage Parvo Once You've Had It
13 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Parvo was one of the most stressful challenges I faced as a breeder—until I found NeoPar. In this episode, I share my journey and how NeoPar has wor...
#117 - Planning For Your Facility Upgrade
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder how to plan and budget for your facility upgrades? In this episode I'll share my best tips and tricks for facility upgrades, whether its t...
#116 - Should You Invest in Your Facilities or Retirement?
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Over the last few episodes we’ve discussed ways to build a financial future, whether or not it includes dogs. In this episode we’ll discuss whethe...
#115 - Invest For the Future
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
She told me, “If I don’t sell 20 puppies this month, I’ll go under.” It was a wake-up call—and not just for her. In this episode, I’m shar...
#114 - Is Your Breeding Program Creating Your Future Or Just Getting You By?
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One of the biggest mistakes I see breeders make is that they finally get some momentum—puppies are selling, income is flowing—and instead of using...
#113 - How Many Litters Should You Have?
12 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I asked myself this question recently when I realized I'd back-to-back (and overlapping) litters starting on January 31st of this year had been a litt...
#112 - Q&A - Puppy Application Questions, Delayed Pick Up, Turning Buyers Down, 2 Breeds Yes or No, When to Collect Deposits
05 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this Q&A we have 5 questions I've been asked recently on the website. I'll go into brief detail on what to consider with each question and what do ...
#111 - Where Breeders Are Bleeding Money Part 3/3 - Marketing Money Leaks
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever feel like you’re pouring money into marketing but not getting results? In this episode, we dig into the top marketing money leaks breeders face...
#110 - Where Breeders Are Bleeding Money Part 2/3 - Hiring People
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is the second part of our three part series about common money leaks that breeders have. This episode covers hiring people. I'll share my own exp...
#109 - Where Breeders Bleed Money, Part 1/3
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is the first in a 3-part series where we discuss the ins and outs of where I see breeders losing money. This episode approaches the pract...
I-11 - Getting Better Puppy Photos - Tips & Tricks from Professional Dog Photographer Kerry Howell
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we are joined by Kerry Howell, a professional dog photographer. She shares some tips and tricks on better dog photography as well as w...
#108 - Secrets to Planning Social Media Content for Dog Breeders
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Want to do more social media, but you're not sure where to start? We've got you covered. In today's episode, Julie & Kate discuss Breeder Copy Hub, wh...
#107 - Do More Puppies Mean More Profit?
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It seems logical: more puppies means more money, right? In working with many breeders, it's clear that there is much more to the story of increasing y...
Time Management Mini Series #3 - NJ Shelsby on Efficiency, Task Management, and AI Tools
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
NJ Shelsby is a business coach and she is a master of efficiency. She loves to strike the balance between enjoying life and having a successful busine...
Time Management Mini Series #2 - Lara Marek - Using Hypnosis to Gain Success Subconsciously
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lara Marek is a coach for life and business, but she noticed something ... when people stopped working with her, they were unable to maintain their mo...
Time Management Mini Series #1 - Danielle McGeough - Identifying Your Priorities & use the RISE Method to Get More Done
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Danielle McGeough is a wealth of knowledge! With her wide array of experience in various industries, she's been helping people get more done for years...
#106 - Dog Breeding is Changing (are you ready?)
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The dog breeding industry did a lot of normalizing in 2023, things are getting back to normal, but there have been changes. In this episode I discuss ...
12 Days of Breeders #12 - Dakotah & Hunter of Bear Paw Ranch (my kids!)
14 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today you get to meet my very own, my kids: Dakotah & Hunter, they're 12 and 10 and they've been a part of dog breeding pretty much their whole lives....
12 Days of Breeders #11 - Courtney Guthrie of Desert Canyon K9
14 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Meet a friend of mine, Courtney Guthrie! She's been a breeder for many years, breeding primarily German Shepherds as working dogs. In this episode Cou...
12 Days of Breeders #10 - Shannon Dooley of Howleluyah Miniature Schnauzers
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Shannon comes to us from Perth, Australia! She shares her journey in breeding over the last few decades, how the passion was brewing, but sometimes ha...
12 Days of Breeders #09 - Lory Mitchell of Star Studded Bulldogs
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Lory shares it all! She tells about her journey into breeding, what it's like raising Bulldogs (it's a lot more work than my GSPs!), and she breaks so...
12 Days of Breeders #08 - Kim Crawmer of Prancing Pony Maremmas
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Breeding Livestock Guardian Dogs is a whole other world of breeding! Kim talks about the dynamics of breeding farm dogs and how people often think tha...
12 Days of Breeders #07 - Jessica Harris of Missouri Dalmatians - From Fired to on Fire!
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jessica went from being fired from the Humane Society to being on Fire with her Dalmatian breeding program. You'll get to hear her incredible stories ...
12 Days of Breeders #06 - Bill Collins of Run'n Bear Mini Aussies
08 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bill and his wife Alice recently built a beautiful facility for their breeding program. Bill is a flooring contractor and he shares what he did with d...
12 Days of Breeders #05 - Elli Farmer of A + E Bernedoodles
07 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Struggling with Instagram? Having a hard time figuring out what to post? You'll love this episode! Elli does a mini training on her best tips and tric...
12 Days of Breeders #04 - Susan Davis of Davis Doodles Australian Labradoodles
06 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Susan started her own bloodlines of Australian Labradoodles nearly two decades ago! She built her program from the bottom up and has amazing dogs toda...
12 Days of Breeders #03 - Cristine Lista of EverSummer Miniature American Shepherds
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Cristine recently fulfilled a dream she's had for over 30 years, breeding her first litter. Learn how she prepared and planned for this or the last fe...
12 Days of Breeders #02 - Meghan Whalen of Roo Roo Rat Terriers
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How would you breed if you're blind? Meghan is an incredible breeder, she has a heart of gold and she shares her story of how she breeds without using...
12 Days of Breeders #01 - Tara Schnetz of Waggin' Tails Ranch Golden Retrievers - New Breeder Success Story
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tara has built her program from the bottom up! She started with livestock showmanship and her love for her dog and decided breeding Goldens was her pa...
12 Days of Breeders 2024 - Intro
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This holiday season, I’m thrilled to bring you something truly special—welcome to the 12 Days of Breeders 2024! Over the next 12 episodes, we’r...
#105 - Where Does a Blog Fit into Your Overall Dog Breeding Marketing Plan?
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone says you need a blog, but how do you incorporate it into your dog breeding business marketing plan? That's exactly what we'll discuss in this...
#104 - 4 Marketing Struggles & What You Can Do About Them
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Recently I posted on my Instagram stories a poll about what was the biggest marketing struggle people were facing with their dog breeding business. Th...
#103 - 5 Things I Wish I Did Sooner in My Dog Breeding Program
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Want to save yourself the pain and heartache? In this episode I discuss five things that, looking back, I wish I had done sooner. Many of them would'v...
#102 - Q&A - Business & Dog Insurance and Discounting Puppies
13 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this Q&A Podcast we discuss some things to consider when thinking about getting business insurance as well as insurance for individual dogs. We'll ...
#101 - Should You Add a Second Breed or Size to Your Dog Breeding Program?
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder if it makes sense to diversify? Many breeders take the opportunity to diversify into a second breed or size. In this episode we'll discuss...
#100 - How Dog Breeding Has Changed Me
24 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder the long-term impact on you from dog breeding? In this episode I dive into how dog breeding has changed me. I talk about the way it showed...
I-10 - Email Marketing for Dog Breeders with Tori Mistik of Wear Wag Repeat
17 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You've heard you need to have an email newsletter to sell puppies, but "ugh" what does that mean! It's sounds like just ANOTHER thing to add to your p...
#99 - Q&A - When to Form an LLC, Starting with Studs, How Many Females, & How to Start a Dog Breeding Business
10 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ask me questions! I love to hear from you! In this episode we discuss four questions from listeners: When you should form an LLC? - From Sean How m...
#98 - The 3 Reasons Breeders Quit Dog Breeding
02 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's nice to know the cause of problems before they become problems. If you know what something will lead to–in this case, quitting dog breeding–t...
#97 - Julie's Secret Formula for How to Write Better Puppy Ads and Website Copy
26 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Want to know my secret formula for writing better puppy ads and website copy? It's probably simpler than you think, but does it ever work!! In this ep...
#96 - Using the Good, Better, Best Model to Improve Your Dog Breeding Program
16 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder where to stop improving one thing in your program and when to start on the next? How much improvement is enough and what can wait? In this...
#95 - How to Deal with Someone Tries to Trash You for Dog Breeding on Social Media
05 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What do you do when someone comes after you publicly on your social media? One of the breeders I work with has built a nice Instagram following. She h...
#I9 - How to Help Buyers with Kids & Puppies, Interview with Michelle Stern of Pooch Parenting
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You guys are in for a treat! A good treat like the soft and chewy ones, not the milk bones that’ll break your teeth. Today you get to hear my interv...
#94 - How to Break the Cycle of Overwhelm with Dog Breeding
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling overwhelmed with all the things you have to do as a dog breeder? You're not alone! This is very common. In this episode we discuss consisten...
#93 - Q&A - Covering the Cost of Dog Food, Breeding on Antibiotics, Dealing with Animal Control, and DNA Diversity in Litters
02 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We're trying something new! A Q&A! I've been collecting questions off the website for months, people write in their questions for me to answer on the ...
#92 - 3 Things Dog Breeders Do Wrong When Talking with Potential Puppy Buyers
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are you guilty of doing one of these? It happens to all of us. In this episode I discuss three common things breeders do when trying to sell puppies t...
#91 - The Alternative to Regulation & Licensing for Dog Breeders - Part 2 of 2
11 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If regulation and licensing doesn't work, then what's the solution? How can we change things for the better? How to we mitigate puppy mills and accide...
#90 - Should Dog Breeders Be Licensed and Regulated? Part 1 of 2
03 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Would regulation and licensing help the dog breeding industry? Would it protect buyers and stop puppy mills? The jury is still out, but I'd like to ch...
#89 - 5 Ways to Prove You're Not a Scam
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Frustrating isn't it? Puppy buyers get scammed and then they question you, worried you're a scam! In today's episode we discuss five ways to prove tha...
#88 - 16 Things You Can Do in Under an Hour for Your Dog Breeding Program
07 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's nice to have a list of quick things you can do to get some benefit in your program. Here are 16 things you can do in under an hour to get some tr...
#87 - Are You Justifying Your Breeding Program?
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Often we feel we need to justify our breeding program, the fact that we are dog breeders, and dog breeding as a whole. This concept often has breeders...
#86 - How to Market Puppies
23 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Marketing puppies in your dog breeding program is something that stumps a lot of breeders. In this episode we discuss the ways you can market puppies....
#85 - What is the Day-to-Day Lifestyle of Being a Dog Breeder?
16 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Interested in breeding dogs, but aren't sure if you'll like the lifestyle? It's a good question! In this episode I discuss what the day-to-day life of...
#84 - What Skills Do You Need to Be a Dog Breeder?
08 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A lot of people schedule a free strategy call with me and want to know if they are good enough to breed dogs–if they have the right skills to do it,...
#83 - The 3 Things You Absolutely Need to to Start a Dog Breeding Business
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Want to know what you really need to start? Here's my no fluff answer. The three things that are necessary, everything else is negotiable. Get the...
#82 - Is Dog Breeding Profitable?
23 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's the number one question asked when starting dog breeding. "Is it profitable?" is a great question and a very important one. In this episode we di...
#81 - How to Have Confidence in Your Pricing
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever caught yourself thinking about your pricing? If it’s right or not? Maybe you’re driving down the road and are wondering if you lost ...
#80 - 5 Tips to Manage Your Breeding Expenses
09 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Does the idea of bookkeeping and organizing your receipts and expenses make you want to pull your hair out? You're not alone! Sometimes the hardest pa...
#79 - Should You Hire Someone or Do It Yourself?
03 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I've been a DIYer most of my life. It's been great for a lot of things, especially when I was broke. However, there are so many hats in dog breeding, ...
#78 - Are You Getting In Your Own Way?
27 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I made things difficult for myself for over a decade. I was in my own way. In this episode I reflect on how I got in my own way and how it affected my...
#77 - 5 Things To Do on Your Phone to Make Your Business Better
22 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever stuck in line at the post office and think you're wasting time? I do. In this episode I discuss 5 things you can do on your phone that make it ea...
#76 - How to Make Your Website Better
18 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone says you need a website, but very few people actually talk about what they means, what it looks like! In today's episode we'll discuss websit...
#75 - 3 Things to Consider When Planning Your Year of Breeding
05 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast I discuss three things to consider when planning your new year of dog breeding and also I share a personal reflection on my own breedi...
#74 - Are You Making These 4 Mistakes With Your Puppy Advertisements?
14 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Recently I've been talking with a lot of breeders who are struggling to sell puppies, I've seen some constant themes creating difficulties in their ma...
#73 - Up-Level Your Service to Your Puppy buyers Using Customer Relationship Management Software
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Part of selling yourself as a breeder, beyond the quality of your dogs, is selling your knowledge and support. When buyers feel supported, they are be...
#72 - How I Sold Puppies in this Crazy Market –Even the Puppy with One Eye!
29 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
During the normalizing of the market I found myself flush with puppies, Pepper had a giant litter and I had WAY more puppies than usual–with a waitl...
#71 - The Key to Capturing Buyers When They're Ready to Buy
31 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we discuss the dilemma of buyers calling when you don't have puppies, and no buyers calling when you do. I discuss some techniques for...
#70 - Part 3/3 - How to Reduce Your Program Size Without Losing Your Bloodlines
26 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The final installment in this series...let's discuss practical ways to downsize a breeding program that doesn't take you out of the game, doesn't kill...
#69 - Part 2/3 - What is Ethical Dog Breeding & How does it relate to the Economy?
18 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is the second installment to our three-part series on the changing market, whether you should pause your breeding, if you're being ethica...
#68 - Part 1/3 - Pause Your Breeding Program?
10 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Breeders are whispering about pausing their programs. Does that make sense? I'll discuss my thoughts on the pausing, if it's right for you, or even th...
#67 - Are You Accidentally Sabotaging Your Breeding Program?
28 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The dog breeding market is still normalizing, supply is greater than demand, and many breeders are contemplating quitting, but I see so many brilliant...
#66 - How to Gain Traction in Your Breeding Program When You Feel Like You've Lost It
24 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It happens to us all, things are going good then this happens, then that happens, and, all of a sudden, we feel like we've lost our traction. Don't wo...
#65 - Are Your Dog Breeding Problems Actually Perspective Problems?
19 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I discuss how every problems can work to our benefit, especially in this normalizing market. I'll discuss some perspective shifts and ...
#64 - Breeder Insecurities and what to do about it
27 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Every breeder I've ever spoken with has some insecurities in their breeding program, it's natural. Yet sometimes breeders take that insecurity and use...