THE LOVE YOUR DOGS PODCAST
This podcast is heart-led, experience-based, real life, and not dry science.
What to expect
The Love Your Dogs Podcast is where we slow down and take a deeper look at dog health, behavior, and the way dogs are meant to live. Through conversations with veterinarians, breeders, trainers, and other experts, we explore a more natural, thoughtful approach to raising dogs — one that prioritizes resilience, biology, and common sense over convenience and industry norms.
EPISODE 14The Big Lie We’re Told About Cancer in Dogs w/Dr. Kendra Pope
In this episode, Bre speaks with integrative veterinary oncologist Dr. Kendra Pope about cancer in dogs, the limitations of conventional thinking around prevention, and the deeper questions more dog parents are beginning to ask about environment, lifestyle, and long-term health.
EPISODE 13What Flea & Tick Preventatives Actually Do Inside Your Dog
A closer look at the drugs behind Bravecto, NexGard, and Simparica—how they work, how they’re tested, and what dog owners should understand before making parasite prevention decisions.
EPISODE 12The Vaccine Conversation No One is Actually Having
Bre speaks with Paula Vandervoort. - 50+ year Boxer breeder, natural rearing advocate, and founder of The Dog Breeder Store. Their conversation explores vaccine history, immune resilience, adverse reactions, and the disconnect between policy and biology. Together they discuss titers, homeopathic nosodes, terrain, and what truly supports a robust canine immune system.
EPISODE 11My Dog Lived to 15 on Kibble… So What’s the Problem?
What if your dog “doing fine” isn’t the full story?
In this episode, Bre addresses the unfortunately all-too-common mindset: "my dog lived to almost 15 on kibble and vaccines… so just do what works.” Longevity feels like proof, but one dog doing okay doesn’t define what’s optimal. It shows what that dog was able to tolerate. She talks about genetic resilience, the difference between surviving and thriving, and why “it worked for my dog” isn’t a complete picture, especially when more and more dogs aren’t doing fine.
EPISODE 10Fleas, Vaccines, Fresh Food & the Cost of Opting Out
In this episode, Bre questions the holistic flea and tick conversation, the pressure around vaccines, and the growing realization that truly holistic care often means stepping outside the modern dog industry. She also share insights from homeopathic veterinarian William Falconer on fresh feeding, veterinary narratives, and the difference between curing, palliating, and suppressing disease. A thoughtful episode about what it really means to care for dogs holistically.
EPISODE 9What Most Vets Won’t Say About Dog Health
Most dog owners believe their veterinarian is responsible for their dog’s health, but the truth is that conventional veterinary medicine was designed to meet a standard of care, not to create optimal health.
In this episode, Bre breaks down the limitations of the current veterinary model and why dogs benefit from a team-based approach to care.
EPISODE 8My “Wolf with a Porch” Philosophy
Bre Drake shares her holistic approach to dog ownership, emphasizing natural rearing, diet, movement, and respecting dogs as descendants of wild animals. She discusses practical tips for raising resilient, healthy dogs aligned with their natural instincts - specifically, advice for dogs who live in cities and spend a lot of time indoors.
EPISODE 7Strong Dogs Are Not Built on Diet Alone
After a weekend at SEWE in Charleston — part birthday celebration, part wildlife expo — Bre returns with a lot to unpack. Surrounded by powerful working dogs and heavy kibble sponsorship, she reflects on the messaging that performance comes from the bag. In this episode, she explores movement, metabolic resilience, ultra-processed diets, and why survival isn’t the same as optimal health.
EPISODE 6Less Testing, More Trust: Rethinking Titer Testing
In this episode of the Love Your Dogs podcast, Bre Drake discusses the complexities of titer testing in dogs, emphasizing the importance of understanding the immune system and the role of vaccines. She explains the difference between core and non-core vaccines, the significance of natural exposure, and the limitations of relying solely on titer tests. Bre advocates for a holistic approach to dog health, encouraging pet owners to trust their dogs' natural immunity and to be informed about the science behind vaccinations and immunity.
EPISODE 5My Honest Flea Prevention Routine (No Monthly Pesticides)
In this episode of the Love Your Dogs podcast, Bre Drake discusses the complexities of flea and tick prevention for dogs, contrasting conventional methods with holistic approaches. She shares her personal experiences with her dog, Pine, and emphasizes the importance of understanding the risks associated with both types of treatments. Bre advocates for a layered management system for fleas, including daily checks and natural remedies, while also acknowledging the effectiveness of conventional medications in certain situations. The conversation highlights the significance of supporting a dog's immune system and focusing on basic care practices to ensure overall health and well-being.
EPISODE 4The Hidden Costs of Routine Spay & Neuter
In this episode of the Love Your Dogs podcast, Bre Drake discusses the complexities surrounding spaying and neutering dogs, emphasizing the importance of understanding the hormonal impacts and potential health risks associated with these procedures. She advocates for responsible pet ownership and explores alternative sterilization options, while also addressing the myths surrounding cancer prevention and behavioral issues in dogs. Bre encourages dog owners to prioritize their pets' well-being and make informed decisions about their health care.
EPISODE 3A Different Approach to Canine Immunity
In this episode of the Love Your Dogs podcast, Bre Drake passionately discusses the alarming rise in canine cancer rates and the importance of holistic health approaches for dogs. She shares her personal experiences with her dogs, emphasizing the need for informed decisions regarding vaccinations and the benefits of natural rearing. Bre introduces the concept of homeopathic nosodes as a safer alternative to traditional vaccines, advocating for a more natural approach to dog health. The episode concludes with a call to action for dog owners and breeders to prioritize the health and well-being of their pets.
EPISODE 2Learning How to Feed Dogs Fresh Food
In this episode of the Love Your Dogs podcast, Bre Drake shares her personal journey from feeding her dogs a kibble diet to transitioning to fresh food. She discusses the challenges and learning curves involved in making this change, emphasizing the importance of understanding ingredients and the benefits of whole foods. Bre also provides recommendations for dog food brands, highlights the significance of education through workshops, and encourages dog owners to build confidence in feeding their pets a raw (or gently cooked) diet. The conversation is filled with practical tips and insights for anyone looking to improve their dog's nutrition.
EPISODE 1How Loss, Curiosity, & Dogs Brought Me Here
In this episode, I share the story behind Love Your Dogs and why I can’t practice dog care the same way anymore. After losing my two golden retrievers, Skip and Ann, to cancer, I began asking harder questions about food, vaccines, preventatives, and how much of what we call “normal care” is actually built for convenience, not long-term health. I’m not a veterinarian, but I am a holistic dog health educator who has spent years learning, questioning, and applying this work with my own dogs. This podcast exists to help dog parents think more critically, trust their observations, and make more informed choices for the dogs they love because loving your dog means being willing to look closer.
EPISODE 15The Hidden Crisis in Purebred dogs and the Breeders Trying to Fix It (w/NR Breeder Nicole Nelson)
Bre Drake welcomes natural rearing breeder Nicole Nelson to the Love Your Dogs podcast for a conversation about epigenetics, genetic diversity, and the future of dog breeding. Together they explore how the health of today’s dogs may be influenced by decisions made generations ago. This episode sheds light on an important conversation happening quietly within the dog world.