episode #176

Did you know?

Surprise! From 1/24–1/31, new Treat & Chew Box members get 50% off their next box plus a FREE Forever Dog Life book 🎉 That means if you refer a friend, you earn RDC rewards while they score extra treats, chews, and wellness tips! 🐾

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Box 134 - Available until February 16th ONLY, here’s the current lineup:

🦬 Bison Lung

🐷 Pork Liver

🐟 Salmon

🐔 Chicken Feet

🦆 Duck Wing

🐄 Beef Tendon

🐖 Pig Trotter

🐷 Pork Meatballs

🐮🦬 Beef Liver/Bison Spleen Food Topper

Your Referrals = Real Rewards!

For every friend you refer, they’ll get a free bag of treats with their first box, and you’ll earn 10 RDC—Wellness Members get 20 RDC!

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Every subscriber has a unique referral link, which you can find in your dashboard! Don’t know your link? Text member services at 858-348-5954 or email us at help@real.dog.

Learn more about Real Dog Coin here!

Meet The Robotic Puppy Winning Hearts at CES

Jennie may not be a real dog, but her story made waves in the dog world after she was featured at CES (the Consumer Electronics Show), one of the largest global events where new technology and innovation are introduced each year. Jennie is a lifelike robotic golden retriever puppy created to provide comfort and companionship for seniors and people with dementia —especially those who can’t safely care for a live dog. Designed to respond to touch, voice, and affection, Jennie mirrors many of the calming benefits dogs naturally provide.

Dogs That Learn Just by Listening? Science Says Yes

A small group of dogs dubbed “Gifted Word Learners” is blowing scientists away with their ability to learn new words just by listening in on human conversations. These rare pups can pick up the names of new toys without direct training—similar to how 1.5-year-old toddlers learn language. In one study, most of the dogs learned new object names in just minutes, even when the toy was out of sight. While not all dogs have this superpower, the research highlights just how intelligent and socially tuned-in some dogs truly are.

Drone Rescue Saves Golden Retriever After 25-Mile Escape

Abbie, a 9-year-old golden retriever mix, escaped from a South Carolina shelter van during a bathroom break at a New Jersey Turnpike rest stop and wandered about 25 miles. Using her tracking tag and thermal imaging from the USAR drone team, rescuers located her in a wooded area. Woodbridge Township police safely recovered Abbie around 2 a.m. the next day. She was cold and scared and suffered a hip injury that will require surgery. Abbie will remain in South Carolina and be adopted by her foster family.

Lucky Pup Survives Ejection in High-Speed Crash

During a high-speed chase in Key Peninsula, Washington, a large dog was ejected through a car’s windshield after the vehicle crashed into an embankment. Miraculously, the dog ran off to a nearby property completely unharmed. The dog’s owner, a passenger in the car, was able to safely retrieve both her larger dog and a smaller dog that stayed inside. Authorities arrested the driver on multiple charges, including animal cruelty and DUI. Thanks to quick thinking and sheer luck, the dog survived what could have been a tragic accident.

Former Officer Arrested for Poisoning Dog

A 3-year-old Maltese Poodle was tragically killed after being poisoned by her owner’s boyfriend, a former Bartow, Florida, police officer. Authorities say Edwin Campuzano bought poison and waited until his girlfriend was away to put it in the dog’s food bowl, reportedly because “he did not like the dog.” The dog’s death was discovered months later, and Campuzano was arrested and charged with aggravated animal cruelty.

Guinness Names Minnie Tallest Living Female Dog

Minnie, a black-and-white Great Dane from Ledyard, Connecticut, has officially been crowned the tallest living female dog by Guinness World Records, standing an impressive 3 feet, 2.25 inches tall. Her owners, Ken and Lisa Nogacek, began the measurement process nearly a year ago, and fans around the world have fallen in love with the towering pup. Minnie’s height has been triple-checked, and her family hopes she might soon claim the record for Tallest Female Dog Ever, currently just half a centimeter away.

Flea Meds in Dog Poop Can Poison Wildlife for Months

A new study found that common flea medications like Bravecto, NexGard, Credelio, and Simparica remain active in dog and cat feces for up to seven months after a single dose. This lingering pesticide can kill up to 92% of dung-feeding insects that help recycle nutrients in soil, potentially harming local ecosystems. The study highlights another reason to consider natural flea and tick alternatives when possible. For alternatives, check out this article!

2026 FRI Scholarship Now Open! 📚

Got a knack for dog health? Whether you’re a vet, trainer, groomer, walker, sitter, or aspiring canine nutritionist, here’s your chance to make your mark!

The 2026 FRI Scholarship invites you to take any existing FRI research article and remix it with your own insights — update the data, simplify the science, or bring a fresh perspective. Your work could help the entire canine community learn in smarter, easier ways.

How it works:

📄 Choose an FRI article to revise

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📝 Include a summary of changes + references

Deadline: Rolling submissions, reviewed in 30 days. Apply by June 30, 2026 to be part of Feed Real Summit 2026!