Are you thinking about getting a second dog... or even a third?

Before you bring another dog into your home, there are some critical factors you need to consider.

In this episode of The Dog Owner’s Podcast, Vinnie Somma and Brent LaBrada break down what really matters when adding another dog to your household. From understanding age gaps, littermate syndrome, temperament compatibility, and pack dynamics... this episode covers it all.

If you already have a dog and are wondering:

• Should I get a second dog?

• Is it better to have two male dogs or one male and one female?

• What age difference works best between dogs?

• Is getting littermates a bad idea?

• How do I know if my current dog even wants a companion?

You’ll get clear, experience-based guidance to help you avoid common mistakes and set your dogs up for success.

Adding another dog can be an incredible experience, or a stressful one, depending on how you do it. Brent and Vinnie explain how to evaluate your current dog’s temperament, energy level, and social skills so you can make the best possible decision for your household.

Whether you’re considering a second dog, third dog, or expanding your multi-dog household, this episode will help you make a smart, informed choice.

In this episode of The Dog Owner’s Podcast, Brent and Vinnie break down common dog training advice that sounds right—but often makes behavior worse.

They dig into popular “best practices” many owners swear by and explain why those ideas get misunderstood, misapplied, or flat-out wrong. With real behavioral insight and plenty of honest conversation, the guys challenge conventional dog training wisdom and offer a better way to think about raising your dog.

This episode is fun, in-depth, and packed with perspective every dog owner should hear.

What really happens after a dog enters the shelter or rescue system?

Brent and Vinnie talk with longtime rescuer Angela Adan about the evolution of dog rescue, the truth surrounding shelters and rescues, and why matchmaking dogs to the right homes matters more than ever.

Angela is the founder of Deserving Paws and the creator of Deserving Dogs, a YouTube series focused on pulling dogs from shelters and finding them ideal families.

Topics include:

• The biggest misconceptions about dog rescue

• Why spay/neuter and behavior training save lives

• How education can prevent dogs from dying in shelters

• What dog owners should know before surrendering a dog

If you would like to Support 🐾 Deserving Paws Donate to the foundation!

💚 To donate directly via Zelle: Send to admin@deservingpaws.org

💙 Donate via Venmo:
https://venmo.com/deserving_paws

🐾 Deserving Paws (Nonprofit):
https://www.instagram.com/deserving_paws

📸 Deserving Dogs on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/deservingdogs

In this episode of The Dog Owners Podcast, Brent and Vinny break down how to fix the most common dog behavior problems that happen inside the house.

Teaching a dog how to stop an unwanted behavior when asked can be confusing for many dog owners. Brent and Vinny simplify the process by walking you through the step-by-step strategies, training systems, and mindset needed to build clear boundaries and better behavior at home.

Brent emphasizes the importance of intentional repetition, explaining why effective dog training requires a plan — not guesswork. You’ll learn how to predict your dog’s behavior, rehearse the right responses, and consistently reinforce better decisions.

If you’re struggling with in-home behavior issues and want a clearer, more structured approach to training, this episode will help you create a calmer, more respectful household.

In this heartfelt episode of the Dog Owners Podcast, Brent is joined by Vinnie Somma and his wife Francesca as they open up about the recent loss of their beloved St. Bernard, Xena, who was a cherished part of their family for nine years.

Together, Brent and Vinnie share their personal experiences with grieving a dog, navigating the emotional challenges that come with end-of-life decisions, and coping with the pain of saying goodbye to a lifelong companion. This episode offers honest insight and practical guidance for dog owners facing the difficult reality of losing a dog.

The conversation also explores how the loss of a dog can impact the pack dynamic in multi-dog households, what behaviors to watch for in surviving dogs, and how to support them through the grieving process. Finally, Brent and Vinnie discuss one of the hardest questions many dog owners face: when and if you’re ready to welcome a new dog into your life after loss.

Whether you’re currently caring for a senior dog, grieving a recent loss, or preparing emotionally for the future, this episode provides compassion, clarity, and reassurance that you’re not alone.

Separation anxiety is one of the most common dog behavior problems, and it can be frustrating, confusing, and exhausting for dog owners.

In this episode of the Dog Owners Podcast, Brent and Vinnie break down separation anxiety in dogs, including how to recognize it, why it happens, and the exact training process needed to reduce and eliminate anxiety for good.

You’ll learn:

• What separation anxiety actually looks like in dogs

• The different types of canine anxiety and how to tell them apart

• Why some dogs panic, bark, destroy, or shut down when left alone

• Common mistakes that accidentally reinforce anxiety

• A step-by-step approach to help your dog feel calm, confident, and independent

If your dog struggles when you leave the house, this episode will give you a clear, practical roadmap to help your dog relax, self-soothe, and feel safe — even when you’re gone.

🎙️ Whether you’re dealing with mild anxiety or severe separation issues, this episode will help you take control and start seeing real improvement.

In this episode of The Dog Owners Podcast, co-hosts Brent and Vinny break down everything you must know before socializing your dog. Whether you’re a new dog owner or an experienced handler, this conversation dives deep into the true meaning of dog socialization, the common misconceptions, and the exact prerequisites, procedures, and protocols needed to help your dog develop into a safe, confident, and socially functional companion.

You’ll learn:

• What real dog socialization actually is (and what it’s not)

• The foundational skills your dog needs before meeting new dogs or environments

• Protocols for structured, safe socialization

• How to prevent fear, reactivity, and negative associations

• The step-by-step framework for building a well-balanced, socially fluent dog

If you want to raise a dog that can confidently interact with new dogs, people, and environments, this episode gives you the roadmap. Tune in and discover how to set your dog up for lifelong social success.

Struggling with a reactive dog? In this episode of the Dog Owners Podcast, professional dog trainers Brent LaBrada and Vinnie Somma break down exactly what dog reactivity is, why it happens, and how to finally overcome it. They share their complete, step-by-step system for treating reactivity—covering triggers, genetics, environment, training foundations, and real-world strategies that help dogs build confidence and stay calm under pressure.

Whether your dog reacts to dogs, people, cars, or new environments, this episode gives you the tools to understand the root causes and start making real progress. Perfect for dog owners, dog lovers, and anyone looking to help their dog live a more relaxed, confident life.