New Rhythm and Habits with Fostering a Puppy - The Dr. Laura Podcast

Summary5 min read

The Dr. Laura Podcast
Episode: New Rhythm and Habits with Fostering a Puppy
Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger | Date: January 22, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dr. Laura shares her personal journey and newfound challenges after introducing a foster puppy into her home. She reflects on forming new rhythms, integrating the puppy with her current dog Lilybug, and the practical realities (and sleep deprivation) of puppy-raising. The episode is filled with insightful observations, practical advice rooted in research, and Dr. Laura's trademark warmth and humor, making it helpful both for new pet owners and anyone facing lifestyle changes that come with caring for others.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Arrival of a New Puppy

Dr. Laura has been fostering a new puppy for four days, noting its resemblance to an Australian Shepherd, but jokes about the trendy mixed breeds:
"Evidently there's a thing which is a German Australian shepherd. It's actually an entity, like poodle poo. Nonsense. Okay, but mostly Australian. This dog is just adorable." [00:43]

2. Potty Training Realities & Immediate Habits

Potty training is the central immediate challenge. She emphasizes vigilance and repetition:
"You have to sacrifice a lot, be on top of it. Take them out all the time....I put him gently on the grass or dirt and I say, go pee pee. And he does. I mean, it's like pee pee on command." [01:18]
She acknowledges the reality of occasional accidents but sees them as part of the process:
"I've only seen two oopsies in the house. I don't know how those got by me because I'm on him all the time. I must have blinked. You know how kids are." [01:37]

3. Integrating the Puppy with Lilybug

The major concern is not only training the puppy but managing the dynamic with her other dog, Lilybug:
"The big problem was, how is he going to relate to Lilybug... She tries to get him to play... all it does is scare him because he's just a baby, doesn't know what any of that means. She sniffs him, but if he comes anywhere near and touches her, she's up and away. She still wants her space." [01:55]
Dr. Laura emphasizes respecting Lilybug's boundaries and following research-based advice: "That's exactly what you're supposed to do. Let him figure it out. Let them have their space. They will work it out. He will get older, he will know what play means, and then things will start changing." [02:24]

4. Ensuring Lilybug Doesn't Feel Replaced

Dr. Laura makes a special effort not to disrupt Lilybug’s comfort or routine: "I have made sure that I don't change anything. Because I don't want her for a moment to feel she has been replaced or displaced." [03:18]
She shares an intimate moment about her dog's favorite resting spot: "Right now I'm sitting here on half a chair because she's behind me between my tush and the back of the chair and that's where she likes to be." [03:10]

5. Sleep Deprivation and New Routines

With humor, Dr. Laura describes the adjustment to interrupted sleep: "If not getting good sleep means your brain is going to crumble. Hopefully, I'm not going to grumble today because I'm not getting sleep. This weekend, I'll try to get a lot. No, it doesn't matter if it's the weekend or not... because I have to wake up a couple hours, take him out.” [05:17]
Adapting to this new rhythm is seen as a temporary but necessary habit for puppy well-being.

6. The Puppy’s Personality and Bonding

The puppy is described as unexpectedly calm and easygoing: "If he's got Australian shepherd in him, chill is not a word you'd use with those dogs. But he's a chill dog. If you stop paying any attention to him, he plops down and goes to sleep. So I like that." [06:06]
Dr. Laura hints at becoming attached: "That’s my update on fostering. Yeah, sure. Fostering a puppy getting very attached." [06:24]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the new puppy’s breed and demeanor:
"It's actually an entity, like poodle poo. Nonsense. Okay, but mostly Australian. This dog is just adorable." — Dr. Laura [00:44]
On training success:
"I put him gently on the grass or dirt and I say, go pee pee. And he does. I mean, it's like pee pee on command." — Dr. Laura [01:25]
On the dogs’ relationship:
"She tries to get him to play...and all it does is scare him because he's just a baby, doesn't know what any of that means." — Dr. Laura [01:58]
On expert-backed approach for integrating pets:
"That's exactly what you're supposed to do. Let him figure it out. Let them have their space." — Dr. Laura [02:24]
On maintaining the older dog's routines:
"I don't want her for a moment to feel she has been replaced or displaced." — Dr. Laura [03:17]
On sleep loss:
"If not getting good sleep means your brain is going to crumble. Hopefully I'm not going to grumble today because I'm not getting sleep this weekend." — Dr. Laura [05:13]

Timestamps for Important Segments

00:43 – Introduction of the new puppy and initial observations
01:18 – Potty training approach and challenges
01:55 – Relationship between the puppy and Lilybug
02:24 – Dr. Laura’s approach to letting dogs work out their relationship
03:10 – Keeping Lilybug’s routine and emotional well-being intact
05:02 – Reflections on reading and learning to foster responsibly
05:17 – The realities of sleep deprivation and adapting routines
06:06 – The surprising personality of the new puppy
06:24 – Emotional attachment in the fostering process

Tone & Language

The episode’s tone is caring, conversational, and gently self-deprecating, with Dr. Laura openly sharing both her successes and imperfect moments. Her advice is practical, research-backed, and empathetic, whether addressing pet care or broader life transitions.

Summary Takeaway

Dr. Laura’s experience fostering a puppy centers around patience, honoring existing bonds (especially with current pets), and establishing new habits—all while staying gentle with oneself through the tough parts (like lost sleep). Her reflections and practical tips make the episode valuable not just for pet lovers, but anyone managing change and maintaining family harmony.

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Transcript12 lines

[00:01]
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Dr. Lora Morning Monologue Host
Thank you for listening to my morning monologue brought to you by Golden Crest Metals, helping everyday investors protect what they've worked so hard to build by adding gold and silver to retirement portfolios. Learn more@goldencrestmetals.com Protect Remember, you can hear my radio program daily on Sirius XM Triumph and connect with me 24 7@drlora.com okay, fourth day having a new puppy. Looks a lot like an Australian shepherd, but evidently there's an thing which is a German Australian shepherd. It's actually an entity like poodle poo. Nonsense. Okay, but mostly Australian. This dog is just adorable. Now the important part that I'm mostly dealing with, I mean the potty training. You know, you just, you have to sacrifice a lot, be on top of it. Take them out all the time. Fortunately, at this point, I've only had him since Monday afternoon. I put him gently on the grass or dirt and I say, go pee pee. And he does. I mean, it's like pee pee on command. And I've only seen two oopsies in the house. I don't know how those got by me because I'm on him all the time. I must have blinked. You know how kids are. But the big problem was, how is he going to relate to Lilybug and back in it. So she tries to get him to play. You know, the jumping and barking, which is the invitation to play. And all it does is scare him because he's just a baby, doesn't know what any of that means. She sniffs him, but if he comes anywhere near and touches her, she's up and away. She still wants her space. And I read up on it. And that's exactly what you're supposed to do. Let him figure it out. Let them have their space. They will work it out. He will get older, he will know what play means, and then things will start changing. But Right now I'm sitting here on half a chair because she's behind me between my tush and the back of the chair and that's where she likes to be. And I have made sure that I don't change anything. Because I don't want her for a moment to feel she has been replaced or displaced.
[03:28]
Starbucks Announcer
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[03:43]
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What does perfectly picked wellness sound like? Like Target's stylish new Joylab activewear and new flavors of Cloud Protein popcorn. It sounds like Wellness Perfectly picked for you is now at Target. So I've read a lot on this and I think I'm doing a relatively good job. Where's the dog? Okay, I'm always trying to be aware of where it is now. If not getting good sleep means your brain is going to crumble. Hopefully I'm not going to grumble today because I'm not getting sleep this weekend. I'll try to get a lot. No, it doesn't matter if it's the weekend or not. I don't know. That's the only part that's a little tough because I have to wake up a couple hours, take him out. So it gets to be rhythm, gets to be a habit till he can hold it. Okay, so that's my update. And he's very adorable and very fuzzy and very chill. If he's got Australian shepherd in him, chill is not a word you'd use with those dogs. But he's a chill dog. If you stop paying any attention to him, he plops down and goes to sleep. So I like that. So that's my update on fostering. Yeah, sure. Fostering a puppy getting very attached. My number 1-800-375-2872. If you like this podcast, be sure to rate it on Apple Podcasts or your favorite place to listen to my podcast. Of course, I'd love if you gave me five stars. And be sure to share this podcast with a friend on Facebook or your preferred social media platform.
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