The Honest Dog Breeder Podcast
Episodes
#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...
#63 - Maintaining Boundaries with Buyers
22 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What do you feel when you hear the word boundaries? Love it? Hate it? It haunted me for a while, buyers had me a bit resentful. I knew I needed bounda...
#62 - 4 Techniques to Prevent Feeling Like Dog Breeding is Taking Over Your Life!
06 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dog Breeding can be overwhelming at times, especially when you're a mom and wife and the puppies aren't the only ones relying on you. In this episode ...
#61 - 5 Contract Clauses that Make Me Cringe
28 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Your contract should be an extension of your brand, your service, your relationship with your buyers, it can be so beautiful, but so many breeders put...
#60 - What Makes an Honest Dog Breeder?
20 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder what it actually means to be an honest dog breeder? How do you know if you're making the cut? If you're contributing to the world of dogs ...
#59 - Should You Quit Dog Breeding?
07 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Should you quit dog breeding? It's a question that pops up from time to time when you're in the business, especially when you've had a bad litter or a...
#58 - The Key to Selling Puppies in the Changing Market
23 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As the puppy market is normalizing, you have to ask yourself, how am I going to grow, or at least sustain, in this changing market? The answer is cust...
#57 - Can You Leave in Family Emergency?
16 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Recently I almost lost Bill. I had to take a flight that departed mere hours after finding out. This episode is about setting up your program so that ...
#56 - When Should You Add Guardian Homes to Your Program?
09 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Guardian Homes sound like the magic sauce, yet co-ownerships are often hit or miss. In truth guardian homes are often hit or miss as well. In this epi...
Interview #8 - Matt Beisner, The Zen Dog, Dog: Impossible on Trainers & Breeders and Genetic Coercion
03 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We are so lucky to have Matt Beisner on today, from The Zen Dog & the show Dog: Impossible. We discuss a lot of topics where trainers and breeders col...
Interview #7 - Tori Mistik, Wear Wag Repeat - Where New Petpreneurs Struggle
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Tori Mistik of Wear Wag Repeat is a business coach for Petpreneurs. She works with business owners of all pet industries and even has a community for ...
Interview #6 - Michele Taylor, Taylormade Miniature Golden Retrievers - Guardian Homes & Puppy-Raising Families
04 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hello Honest Dog Breeders! Today we are so lucky to have Michele Taylor of Taylormade Miniature Golden Retrievers. Michele and her husband have 8 beau...
Interview #5 - Kate Hesse - Mental & Emotional Hygiene Coach –on burnout & taking care of yourself as a breeder
15 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Is dog breeding burning you out? The stress of breeding ebbs and flows and we can certainly make it easier on ourselves, but are you just tired or are...
#55 - How to Sell Leftover Puppies
23 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It happens to all of us. The puppies are ready to go...but they don't all have homes. This episode discusses ways to find homes for your prescious pup...
#54 - My Exterior Kennel - What I Love...and What I Hate
18 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I review my current kennel and what I love about it and what I would change about it. I hope it gives you some ideas and saves you som...
#53 - What does it mean to be an Honest Dog Breeder?
09 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How do you become an Honest Dog Breeder? Or you one already? Being an honest breeder is all about building a breeding program that creates and takes c...
#52 - Recession-Proofing Your Dog Breeding Program
25 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It feels foolish to ignore the changing puppy market and the looming recession, but what does it really mean for dog breeding? is it over? will it sur...
Interview #4 - Michelle Klump, Outwest Bassets–Facility Design, Marketing to Your Ideal Puppy Buyer, & Family
18 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hello Honest Dog Breeders! Today we are so lucky to have Michelle Klump of Outwest Bassets, in Arizona. Michelle has a brilliant business mind and a l...
#51 - Getting Started with Temperament & Drive Testing
11 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You ever meet those breeders and they tell you they "just know" which puppy a family should have? Super helpful, right? It's frustrating, I hear you. ...
Interview #3 - Jody Moffett, DVM, new puppy buyers, breeders, and veterinarians
05 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I have Dr. Jody Moffett, my favorite veterinarian of all time, she’s simply the best and has put up with me for over 8 years, helpi...
#50 - 3 Unexpected Life Lessons from Dog Breeding
28 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Everything in life teaches us lessons, but, for our 50th episode (thank you for sticking with me!) I wanted to reflect on three unexpected lessons tha...
#49 - Coat Condition: a simple tactic for keeping tabs on your dogs' health
22 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Checking coat condition is by far my favorite quick way that I assess a dog's health. In today's episode we discuss a few simple things to look out fo...
#48 - Techniques to Improve Your Goals & Efficiency in Your Dog Breeding Program
17 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As the year is half over, it's a great opportunity to check in on your goals. Today's episode we discuss common pitfalls in dog breeding goal setting ...
Interview #2 - Interview with Beth Berkobien - Aggression, Temperament, Drive, and Loving the Growl
02 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we have Beth Berkobien of Rehab Your Rescue in Dallas, Texas, Beth works primarily with anxiety and aggression in dogs. She has been...
#47 - 3 Ways to Use Your Brand to Build Your Breeding Business
24 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Brands, and the trust they can build, are very helpful in building a relationship with your buyers. A good brand is essential in your long-term succes...
Interview #1 - Branding with Drew Dzwonkowski
17 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
My brother is a master with design and in today’s interview we discuss branding. If you aren’t familiar, branding is the feeling customers get w...
#46 - Guardian Homes & Co-Owns –when you should and shouldn't use them
09 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You hear the terms tossed around all the time: Guardian Homes and Co-Owns, but what are they and, more importantly, WHEN should you use them? This ep...
#45 - The 5 Steps to Fixing Your Dog Breeding Program
02 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Want to know the truth? I had no idea where my breeding program was going wrong. I was *lots* of emotions about it, none of them warm and fuzzy. It to...
#44 - The 4 Pillars of Dog Breeding–and where should you put your focus?
26 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You can break dog breeding down into 4 Pillars. Each pillar is a different area of focus. When you get them all in harmony your business will thrive. ...
#43 - What to do about a Defective Puppy
19 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dog breeding deals with live animals, things happen and the pups that are born aren't always perfect. Sometimes they're born with an issue, sometimes ...
#42 - What's Holding You Back in Your Dog Breeding Program?
12 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What's stopping you from really having the breeding program you want? In this episode we discuss how fear is the thing that is between where we are an...
#41 - My 3 Biggest Regrets in Dog Breeding
01 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We all have regrets...moments in our history we wish we could take back. Places where we wish we would've done something different. This episode discu...
#40 - 6 Buyer Red Flags and How to Handle Them
21 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Vetting buyers can be tough...here are 6 red flags to look out for with buyers and how you can handle them. The better we align our buyers with our do...
#39 - Grieving Buyers...do you sell them a dog?
14 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When is it okay to replace a dog that has passed? Is there such a thing as too soon? As a breeder how do you assess your buyers and whether or not the...
#38 - 5 Side Hustles that Complement Dog Breeding
08 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As you move to full-time dog breeding there's a transition time when you have too many dogs to have a full-time job, but your dogs aren't paying your ...
#37 - How to Handle an Oops Litter
02 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You turn your back for two seconds and BAM, the wrong stud tied with your girl...now what? In this episode we discuss oops litters, what they are, whe...
#36 - The Purpose of the Puppy Pack
12 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Puppy Pack is so much more than just a sweet care package to give to your buyers. Each item carries meaning and will help you build rapport, trust...
#35 - The 7 Best People to Marry as a Dog Breeder
03 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You know those people who are just handy to have around? Well, what if you married them? Today, for a little fun, we are discussing marrying people in...
#34 - Diminishing Immunity: Are Your Puppies Susceptible?
24 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If vaccines work, why do puppies get parvo? How are the puppies protected from mom? Can I titer instead? There are lots of questions about vaccines an...
#33 - Losing a Puppy –and what to do about it
18 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Losing a puppy sucks, it's arguably the toughest part of being a dog breeder. In today's episode I share what it's like to lose a puppy, how it affect...
#32 - The Tension Between Breeders & Veterinarians
12 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Can I confess? I used to feel so much tension with veterinarians. I always felt like they were judging me for being a breeder, or making me feel...
#31 - Should You Own Your Own Studs?
04 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Some people never dream of owning their own stud and others think of it as the only way. Let's dive into stud dog ownership and if it's right for you!
#30 - 3 Criteria for Selecting Your Breed
27 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If I had to do it all over, I would change some things, I'm not even sure I would've chose German Shorthairs, but I do love them now. If you are looki...
#29 - What's the Deal with Doodles?
20 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Doodles are all the rage these days, but they also are the outcasts of the breeder world. Today's episode dives in to Doodles, why Poodles may not be ...
#28 - How to Maintain Integrity in Your Breeding Program
13 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How do you maintain integrity in your breeding program? When you work with live animals there can be a lot of variables. They get into stuff, they can...
#27 - Planning Your Year of Dog Breeding
08 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How are dog breeding businesses like Rome? They aren't built in a day. While they aren't quick to establish, they can be built more efficiently by bui...
#26 - A Letter to Buyers Who Buy from Us Honest Breeders
05 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
#25 - Are Your Puppy Applications Working Against You?
17 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Are your puppy applications working against you? So many breeders try and vet their buyers with the puppy application alone, but it's just not a great...
#24 - The 3 Reasons Dog Breeders Breed
10 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What do you say when you're asked why you breed? Can we summarize it in a sentence? Do we need a few hours? People always want to know why you breed. ...
#23 - Aggressive or Sustainment Breeding Program?
26 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Are your dogs purple, or do you only have blue and red dogs? In the latest podcast we discuss the ins and outs of aggressive and sustainment breeding ...
#22 - Why You Need to Build Your Bloodline
09 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Want to know a secret? I'm a total bloodline weirdo. I'll be sitting there watching a movie, completely distracted because I recognize the bone struct...
#21 - What Does Breed to Improve the Breed Really Mean? --And Where Do Doodles Fit in?
03 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I got off the phone with the breed club and was frustrated, I was no further in my understanding than before I called. She told me to "breed to improv...
#20 - My Origins Story - How I Became a Dog Breeder
23 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Two days changed my life forever...the day my co-worker pulled me aside in the parking lot before work and the day my bathroom flooded. In today's pod...
#19 - What You Need to Start Dog Breeding
17 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dear Haven't-Had-Your-First-Litter Julie, It's me, Crusty-Breeder Julie-of-the-Future, writing to tell you some things I want you to know. You'll le...
#18 - The 6 Criteria for Selecting Breeding Dogs
10 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It's time to crack the code. Have you ever wondered how to choose breeding stock? Well, wonder no more! In this latest podcast episode I'm breaking do...
#17 - What Getting a Returned Dog Says About Your Dog Breeding Program
02 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I have to admit: I felt like a total failure. They were standing in front of me with this perfectly healthy dog and didn't want to keep him after he'd...
#16 - Is Your Price Point Attracting the Wrong Buyers?
26 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Is the price of your puppies setting you up for failure? As you start lower in your price and work up to a higher price over the years, you will find ...
#15 - Is Your Breeding Program a Burden to Your Loved Ones?
20 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What if our breeding program is more of a burden to our loved ones than it is a positive? So much of what we do is for our loved ones. In fact, I wage...
#14 - 5 Reasons Your Dog Breeding Program Isn't Making Money
12 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you aren't getting enough healthy puppies into the hands of the right buyers, you'll feel that financially. Here are 5 reasons your breeding progra...
#13 - Should You Breed Back-to-Back?
06 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Let's discuss the science of breeding back-to-back, how it impacts your program, and the quality of life for your mama dogs.
#12 - Dog Breeding Full-Time v. Part-Time, What's Best for You?
30 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
#11 - Are Titles Neccessary for a Successful Breeding Program?
22 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Are titles that necessary for success? You hear it over and over again, title your dogs before breeding, but is it important? Does it help you to be m...
#10 - How to Define Your Success as a Dog Breeder
15 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What is your dog breeding definition of success? It isn't simply making money, it's not simply selling out of puppies, there's more to it. It's hard t...
#9 - The Secrets to Successful Puppy Deposits
09 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
#8 - Should Dog Breeders Make Money?
01 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Should dog breeders make money? There is an idea in the dog industry that in order to raise dogs honestly, then you will not be able to make money. In...
#7 - Should You Let Your Buyers Pick a Pup Based on Color?
24 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
#6 - Why You Need to Build Quality Relationships with Your Puppy Buyers
24 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
#5 - Why You Need a Website for Your Kennel
24 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
#4 - Where the Adopt-Don't-Shop Movement Has it Wrong
13 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I'm sure you've heard of #adoptdontshop, but while they mean well, they have some things really wrong.
#3 - The Single Biggest Mistake Most Breeders Make --and how to avoid it!
13 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
#2 - The Difference Between Honest Dog Breeders, Backyard Breeders, & Puppy Mills
13 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Knowing what makes you an honest breeder is so helpful when explaining your breeding program to potential buyers. Let's dive into the differences, so ...
#1 - Why The World Needs More Honest Dog Breeders
13 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The world has never needed Honest Dog Breeders in quite the way it does today.