Breeding is one of the quickest ways to start a fight in the dog world, but we wanted a different angle: what if breeder decisions are one of the biggest upstream drivers of the behavior problems we’re all trying to solve downstream? I’m joined by Kate Dalman, founder of Herzog’s Heroes, to connect the dots between breeding practices, puppy development, and the aggression and reactivity cases that land on a trainer’s schedule years later.

We get specific about what separates a conscientious breeder from someone who just markets well: selecting parent dogs for balanced temperament, pairing complementary traits, reducing prenatal stress, using written early socialization protocols, and doing the hard work of matching the right puppy to the right home. Kate also explains why the simple promise to take a dog back at any point in its life reshapes everything, from buyer screening to long-term owner support, and how that mindset can prevent shelter surrender before it starts.

Then we zoom out to the bigger system. We talk about the cultural divide between breeders, rescues, and trainers, why “adopt don’t shop” can miss key realities, and how transparency and verifiable standards could help the public compare breeders apples to apples. If you care about dog behavior, dog welfare, and reducing shelter intake, this conversation offers a practical roadmap for “breed better, shelter less.”

About Kate:
https://herzogsheroes.org/about-us
Herzog's Heroes:
https://herzogsheroes.org/

Learn more about options for help for dogs with aggression here:
AggressiveDog.com

Learn more about the CANIS Conference here:
CANIS Conference

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The Bitey End of the Dog Bonus Episodes

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Breed Better. Shelter Less. With Kate Dalman.

The Bitey End of the Dog

Breed Better. Shelter Less. With Kate Dalman.