Welcome to Pawtastic Friends – The Paw Talk. In this podcast, host Tom Fox will visit with Michael and Melissa Novelli, co-founders of Pawtastic Friends and those who work with them at Pawtastic Friends. Michael and Melissa are dedicated to helping shelter and rescue dogs in the Las Vegas area become more adaptable through enrichment training, activities such as yoga and aquatics training, obedience, and agility. This podcast is sure to tug on your heartstrings. Just listen to how sweet this one dog is! Tune in to hear more from Michael and Melissa Novelli as they discuss their passion for helping needy pups. Get ready for an exciting episode of Pawtastic Friends – The Paw Talk!
Mike’s perspective on dog training and showing affection in foster care centers on providing older dogs with love, mental stimulation, and socialization opportunities to help them thrive. His experiences with dogs like Hope and Rogan have shaped this perspective, demonstrating his ability to build trust and confidence in dogs and match them with suitable adopters.
On the other hand, Melissa believes in the potential of older dogs for training and showing affection in foster care. Her work with dogs like Rogan and Ryder has shown her the importance of using positive reinforcement to communicate love and build trust. Join Tom Fox, Mike Novelli, and Melissa Novelli on this episode of the Paw Talk podcast as they delve deeper into these perspectives and share their experiences.
Dogs Featured:
- Hope
- Ryder
- Rogan
Quotes:
“Last week, she jumped through the tire, which was a first. She went over the hurdle, and nobody could believe it because she had been so shy and quiet. But when we saw that, Linda’s like, I can’t believe she went through the tire. It was the first time. So it was a big accomplishment for her and one step closer to becoming the confident, beautiful girl ready for her forever home.”
“Sometimes we see when their owners pass away, their spirit is broken, and they’re shut down almost, like giving up sometimes. Dogs have been in kennels for years and have lost their spirit. They have shut down and kind their will to live. But when they come here, you could see this incredible transformation from day one when they have their tail between their leg, and each week the tail comes out, it starts to wag. And you could see small victories that win the war.
“And nose work is almost equivalent to taking a dog for a long walk because it’s mental stimulation and simple.”
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