The Good Dog Pod

Good Dog

Good Dog is on a mission to build a better world for our dogs and the people who love them by educating the public and advocating for dog breeders. The Good Dog Pod will help us achieve our mission by providing dog breeders and the public with the latest updates in canine health and veterinary care, animal legislation and legal advocacy, canine training and behavior science, and dog breeding practices.

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200 episodes
Updated Wednesday

Episodes200

Newest first

Wednesday · 1 hr 3 min
Understanding Tests Used to Assess Stud Dog Fertility
Dr. Peggy Root explains how a breeding soundness examination and semen evaluation are important in determining fertility in male dogs. This webinar also delves into less commonly used tests that aid fertility understanding, such as testicular ultrasound, hypoosmotic swelling testing, and assessment for acrosomal integrity and DNA damage. Watch the video version of the presentation here.
July 15 · 50 min
Rating Neonates with the Puppy APGAR Scoring System
Carla Barstow, DVM, MS, DACT explains how to use puppy APGAR scoring to recognize distress in neonates. Designed to capture puppy vitality, the puppy APGAR scoring system rates neonatal performance in five areas that are key to survival. Watch the video version of the presentation here.
July 1 · 54 min
Understanding the Nutritional Needs of Puppies
Dr. RuthAnn Lobos, DVM, CCRT, CVAT teaches us about important nutrients for puppies, offer practical advice to support their immune system and provide useful guidance to help set them up for lifelong health and success. Watch the video version of the presentation here.
June 3 · 51 min
Genetic Diversity and Population Health
Adam Boyko, PhD continues his conversation on the coefficient of inbreeding (COI). This webinar focuses on genetic diversity, and addresses the balance between breeding healthy, genetically sound dogs while conforming to the breed standard. New genomic methods have advanced the way conservation geneticists think about population genetic health and provide insights into strategies for preserving and improving genetic health in dogs. Watch the video version of this presentation here.
May 20 · 53 min
Coefficient of Inbreeding
Advances in genomics have made accurate COI measurements easier than ever, but understanding how to interpret these values and why they often differ substantially from pedigree-based COI estimates can be tricky. Adam Boyko, PhD does a deep dive into genetics to help you learn all about COI – what it measures, how it’s calculated, and why it’s important. Watch the video version of this presentation here.
May 6 · 1 hr 4 min
Using Screening Health Tests
Fran Smith, DVM, PhD, DACT discusses how to select breeding stock to help you improve your breeding outcomes. Watch the video version of the presentation here.
April 22 · 49 min
The Spin on AI
Julie Cecere, DVM, MS, DACT discusses the current research related to types of artificial insemination and semen processing for better breeding outcomes. Can differences in the route of insemination, types of semen, and owner versus veterinary handling impact pregnancy rates, litter sizes and overall outcomes? Watch the video version of this presentation here.
April 8 · 49 min
The Power of Genotype & Phenotype in Dog Breeding
Discover the limits and benefits of a dog’s genetic evaluation versus its phenotypic diagnostics. Both can be used effectively to have a powerful impact on your bloodline. Watch the video version of this presentation here.
March 25 · 46 min
Tips on Hands-On Whelping & Raising Puppies
Gain practical knowledge about the essentials of safely managing the whelping process and supporting puppies through their earliest, most critical weeks. Learn about preparation, hands-on techniques, early health monitoring and best practices for setting puppies up for a strong, healthy start. Watch the video version of this presentation here.
March 11 · 1 hr 7 min
Breeder Mythbusters: Top 10 Myths in Canine Reproduction
Andrea Hesser, DVM, DACT explore facts and fiction regarding some of the most common myths in canine reproduction. Watch the video version of the presentation here.
February 25 · 49 min
Pro Plan AdvantEDGE: Learn About Life-Changing Nutrition
Capture the science behind the next generation of specialized Pro Plan nutrition. Pro Plan AdvantEDGE Digestive Support Plus Salmon & Oat Meal and Pro Plan Advantage Senior Support Plus Chicken & Rice are powerful, triple-action formulas backed by years of research to deliver life-changing support for digestive health or healthy aging. These breakthrough formulations target the nutritional needs of adult dogs and include formulas for small-breed and large-breed adult dogs. Watch the video version of this presentation here.
February 11 · 59 min
Best Practices for the Welfare of Breeding Animals
What is the earliest age at which you should breed a female? How should you house brood females and stud dogs? What routine testing or veterinary care should be provided over a female or stud dog’s breeding life? Peggy Root Kustritz, DVM, PhD, DACT reviews common practices and recommendations from reproduction veterinarians to help you make informed decisions in your breeding program. Watch the video version of the presentation here.
January 28 · 46 min
TCI Retrospective Study Reveals Breeding Insights
Transcervical insemination has evolved to become an efficient breeding tool since its beginning in the 1970s. Joshua Trumble, DVM discusses a study conducted by theriogenologists at Ohio State University which looked at using semen and sedation types to predict pregnancy rate and litter size. Watch the video version of this presentation here.
Dec 31, 2025 · 1 hr 7 min
CHIC and the Ins & Outs of the OFA
Learn from the president of the OFA, Fran Smith, DVM PhD DACT, about the history of the Canine Health Information Center and how breed health tests can be used in your breeding program to produce healthy dogs. Find out who the specialty groups are who validate the tests and how they can help you learn to use these tests to benefit your dogs. Watch the video version of this presentation here.
Dec 10, 2025 · 1 hr 19 min
A Backstage Pass to Freezing Semen + Postmortem Sperm Rescue
Andrea Hesser, DVM DACT gives a step-by-step walkthrough of a frozen semen appointment to help you understand what to expect. In addition, learn what can be done to save sperm postmortem or in crisis situations. Watch the video version of this presentation here.
Nov 26, 2025 · 55 min
Breeders' Roundtable Q&A
Dr. Smith, Dr. Barstow, and Dr. Cecere joined us for a Roundtable Q&A where they answered your questions about breeding. Learn about everything from progesterone to artificial insemination in this session. Watch the video version of this presentation here.
Nov 12, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
Newborns: When Puppies Crash and Burn!
Discover the differences between neonates and adult dogs and why the first few weeks of life are critical. Learn about optimal husbandry, emergent conditions, support of the neonate and when to involve your veterinarian. Watch the video version of this presentation here.
Oct 29, 2025 · 32 min
Pre-Breeding Genetic Counseling
Assessing a dog’s health and genetic background prior to breeding are key to minimizing the risk of passing on inherited diseases to offspring. Dr. Carla Barstow explains what’s involved in making informed breeding decisions. Watch the video version of this presentation here.
Oct 15, 2025 · 51 min
The Most Common Breeding Problems
Fran Smith, DVM PhD DACT discusses how to avoid common problems with breeding. The number one cause of reproductive failure is improper timing. Learn about normal cycling behavior, cycle intervals and progesterone testing to help you determine the ideal time to breed your female. Learn about breeding options from natural service to side-by-side AI to chilled and frozen semen. Watch the video version of the presentation here.
Oct 1, 2025 · 51 min
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements: Achieving Optimal Health
RuthAnn Lobos DVM, CCRT, CVAT addresses the common claims made around supplements, explaining the quality, safety, and efficacy of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements. Watch the video version of this presentation here.

The Good Dog Pod

Understanding Tests Used to Assess Stud Dog Fertility

Rating Neonates with the Puppy APGAR Scoring System

Understanding the Nutritional Needs of Puppies

Genetic Diversity and Population Health

Coefficient of Inbreeding

Using Screening Health Tests

The Spin on AI

The Power of Genotype & Phenotype in Dog Breeding

Tips on Hands-On Whelping & Raising Puppies

Breeder Mythbusters: Top 10 Myths in Canine Reproduction

Pro Plan AdvantEDGE: Learn About Life-Changing Nutrition

Best Practices for the Welfare of Breeding Animals

TCI Retrospective Study Reveals Breeding Insights

CHIC and the Ins & Outs of the OFA

A Backstage Pass to Freezing Semen + Postmortem Sperm Rescue

Breeders' Roundtable Q&A

Newborns: When Puppies Crash and Burn!

Pre-Breeding Genetic Counseling

The Most Common Breeding Problems

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements: Achieving Optimal Health