The Marty & Laura Show

75 — Canine Corneal Health: A Guide to Dog Eye Problems, Ulcers and Care

Join Marty and Laura as they "scratch the surface" of dog eye health, breaking down everything from painful corneal ulcers to the right way to safely wrestle your pup for their eye drops! We might be a little punch-drunk from a busy weekend of seminaring, but we are absolutely thrilled to kick off our new mini-series all about your dog's eyeballs! Today, we are keeping things focused on the cornea—that beautifully clear window at the very front of the eye. In this episode, we dive into: * Eye Anatomy 101:Why the cornea needs to stay perfectly clear and why sudden cloudiness, redness or brown pigment means you need to get to the vet yesterday. * Pigmentary Keratitis (PK):Why flat-faced cuties with protruding eyes (we're looking at you, Pugs and Frenchies!) are so prone to this dark pigmentation and how to manage it. * Corneal Ulcers:The super painful reality of grass seeds, bush scratches and even car airbag injuries (PSA: Please keep your dog out of the front seat!). * The Golden Rule of Eye Meds:Why you mustneveruse a leftover steroid eye drop on your dog without a vet checking for an ulcer first. * Vet Tests Demystified:What to expect at the clinic, including why that agonizingly long 60-second Schirmer tear test always has to be the very first step. * Pro-Tips for Meds:Marty’s expert advice for getting eye drops into a squirmy dog—hint: back them into a corner and straddle them. * Doggy Contact Lenses?Yes, you heard that right! Learn how vets use human soft contact lenses as a "bandage" to save your dog's vision while an ulcer heals. A quick reminder: If your dog's eye is slammed shut, watering or looks "steamy" (like a bathroom mirror after a hot shower), treat it as an emergency and get to a vet or ophthalmologist immediately! Sponsor Shoutouts: Check out Dogg!t to help find responsibly bred, health-verified puppies. Also, don't forget to head over to martyandlaurashow.com/kids-corner for our free weekly downloads and the fun Color Me Pets coloring packs!

74 -- Dog Training Schedules & Tips: Structuring Success for Puppies to Senior Dogs

DOG TRAINING SCHEDULES & TIPS: STRUCTURING SUCCESS FOR PUPPIES TO SENIOR DOGS Join experts Marty and Laura as they share practical scheduling tips, socialization hacks and communication strategies for training dogs of any age, from baby puppies to older rescues. Episode Highlights: * The "3-3-3" Training Method:Discover how practicing three simple things, three times a day, for just three minutes can build a highly effective training routine for young dogs. * 100 Experiences in 100 Days:Learn how to easily socialize your puppy even with a busy schedule, using simple items around the house like different textured bath mats or new safe foods like cantaloupe. * Mastering Emergency Commands:Find out why teaching an "emergency come" is crucial, and why running away from your puppy (or laying on the ground!) is a better strategy to get them to come than chasing them. * Clear Communication:Understand why dogs read your tone and facial expressions more than your actual words. Marty and Laura explain the importance of being firm, fair and consistent, and why your entire family must use the same vocabulary for commands. * Teaching Old Dogs New Tricks:Learn how to use a "long line" for older rescues and why breaking new boundaries and tricks into bite-sized pieces (back-chaining) sets them up for success. * Common Pitfalls:Learn why yelling at a barking dog just makes them think you are joining their "bark-a-thon," and how we accidentally train our dogs to hide their potty accidents.

73 — Managing Pet Allergies: Flea Control, Hair vs. Fur & Safe Preventatives

MANAGING PET ALLERGIES: FLEA CONTROL, HAIR VS. FUR & SAFE PREVENTATIVES Discover the surprising hidden causes of pet allergies, the critical difference between hair and fur and why modern flea and tick preventatives are safer and more essential than ever for your pet's health. In this episode of The Marty and Laura Show, the hosts tackle a listener request to explore the root causes of pet allergies. Marty and Laura reveal that humans are frequently allergic to what their pets carry—such as cat litter, wool blankets, carpet powder or flea bites—rather than the animals themselves. To help manage allergies, they discuss Purina's allergy-reducing cat food and the importance of having a non-allergic family member or professional groomer handle pet bathing. The hosts dive into the fascinating biological distinctions between dogs with hair (like Poodles) and dogs with fur (like Labrador Retrievers), noting that hair-coated dogs are generally more allergy-friendly and uniquely lose their coats during chemotherapy. They also discuss ancient hairless breeds, such as the Xoloitzcuintli and Sphinx cats, which are highly sought after by allergy sufferers, and explain the unique genetic link between their hairlessness and dentition. Additionally, Marty addresses the "anti-chemical" approach to pest control, explaining that natural does not always mean safe. She emphasizes that modern flea and tick preventatives—including the new one-year Bravecto Quantum injectable—are highly targeted, much safer than older products, and absolutely critical for preventing dangerous diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Finally, the hosts urge pet owners to stay updated on modern veterinary protocols, pointing out that the Leptospirosis vaccine is now considered a core vaccine for most dogs due to improved safety and prevalent environmental risks.

72 — Why Is My Dog Vomiting? Complete Guide to Causes, Red Flags and Home Remedies

WHY IS MY DOG VOMITING? COMPLETE GUIDE TO CAUSES, RED FLAGS AND HOME REMEDIES Dr. Marty and Laura tackle one of the most common (and alarming) pet owner concerns: why is my dog throwing up? Topics covered include: * Foreign bodies— what dogs swallow, why it's dangerous and how to respond. Plus: the Outfoxed hood as a prevention tool * Clevor— a prescription eye-drop that safely induces vomiting (and why to avoid hydrogen peroxide) * Canned spinach— a surprisingly effective home remedy for dogs that swallow small sharp objects * Cerenia (maropitant)— the go-to anti-nausea drug, including its use for surgical recovery and car sickness * Ginger snaps— a drug-free option for car sickness and reflux gastritis * Serious causesto watch for: pancreatitis, parvovirus, kidney disease, and intestinal obstruction * When to go to the vetvs. when you can wait it out * Pet insurance— why it's especially smart for Labradors, Goldens, and known "sock eaters"

71 — Tummy Trouble: Pet Owner’s Guide to GI Upset and Diarrhea

TUMMY TROUBLE: PET OWNER'S GUIDE TO GI UPSET AND DIARRHEA TOP CAUSES, HOME REMEDIES AND WHEN TO CALL THE VET In this episode of the Marty and Laura Show, we dive into one of the messiest and most urgent reasons pet owners rush to the clinic: doggie diarrhea. Veterinarian Dr. Marty Greer and host Laura Reeves explore the top triggers of GI upset, from the dreaded "dietary indiscretion" (eating garbage, scraps or wildlife droppings) to internal parasites and sudden food changes. We discuss the realities of managing "bad potty" and when it's safe to treat it at home versus when it's time to seek professional medical intervention. Episode Highlights: * The Top Culprits:Why eating out of the garbage, sudden changes to a puppy's water or food, and scavenging for "tasty nuggets" in the snow lead to disaster. * Home Remedies that Work:How to use bland diets like boiled chicken, hamburger and rice, and the proper way to use plain yogurt and veterinary kaopectate. * Dangerous Mistakes to Avoid:Why giving your dog "sugar-free" yogurt can cause xylitol poisoning, and why a whole Pepto-Bismol tablet will look exactly like a swallowed coin on an X-ray. * When to Rush to the Vet:Learn to identify red flags like vomiting paired with diarrhea, large amounts of blood, or extreme lethargy, which could indicate life-threatening conditions like hemorrhagic gastroenteritis or parvovirus. * The Poop-Eating Problem:The frustrating truth about coprophagia and why most deterrents (even hot sauce!) rarely stop dogs from snacking in the yard. Pro Tip: If your dog gets sick, try to bring a stool sample to the vet using a plastic spoon. If you can't scoop it, take a clear photo of the mess with a size reference next to it, like a ruler or a quarter, to act as "evidence" for your vet!