Darlene Arden is the Pet Expert. Darlene is an award-winning writer, lecturer, and author and she produces and hosts her own cable television show, "Creatively Speaking". She is passionate about animals and her priority is to enhance the lives of dogs and cats. She is the author of The Irrepressible Toy Dog, and The Angell Memorial Animal Hospital Book of Wellness and Preventive Care for Dogs, and is an internationally recognized authority on toy dogs and their care, and a Certified Animal Behavior Consultant. In this interview she talks about what inspired her to devote her life to animals, and about her experiences working and living with the animals she loves so much.
Stan Rawlinson is the original Doglistener and his common sense methods have evolved over years of experience and knowledge of dogs. In this interview Stan discusses his approach to training, his own invention, the Jingler, and his distrust of residential training methods that don't involve the owner. Stan has strong opinions about what he calls the alpha myth, and maintains that our dogs do not relate to us as they do other dogs. Stan's years of working with owners and dogs have deepened his understanding of dogs and his display work, training dogs from the audience, demonstrate how fast he can convey to a dog what he wants of it.
Host Julie was delighted to meet Otto the world's current oldest dog recently. His owner Lynn Jones told her about Otto and what she attributes his longevity to. Lynn, her husband Peter and Otto were making an appearance at Roden Dogs Trust to raise money for the charity.
It's the 100th DogCast Radio show and it's also the Christmas show so sit back, relax and enjoy!
Sheryl Matthys is the dog expert. She is an author, speaker, media personality, and founder of leashes and lovers. She's a certified dog trainer, a psychology graduate, and has a masters in radio and television so she's very well qualified for what she does! She is interested in the way we interact with our dogs, and the way our four legged best friends impact on our relationships and the choices we make. She also spends some of her time talking to celebrities about their dogs - you can see some of her celebrity interviews at her website, and find out more about her. If you have leashes and love in your life - or if you'd like it! - listen to Sheryl's advice.
Although Labradoodles are a relatively new "breed" some of them are already finding themselves in rescue. When Catherine Mathieson realised that the dogs she loved were in need of new loving homes, she organised a group of fellow Labradoodle fans and founded Labradoodle Trust. The Trust works hard, and with the help of a nationwide network of volunteers they collect, foster and deliver Labradoodles from those who can no longer look after their Labradoodle to their new homes. These can be large, enthusiastic dogs that do shed hair, and these are some of the reasons they find themselves in rescue. In this show we hear from Labradoodle Trust founder Catherine Mathieson and fosterer Catherine Crowther.
There's a special Christmas story - A Tale of Two Christmases - which tells of the consequences of a door being open when it should have been shut. And there's a festive edition of the DogCast Radio News from Kate and Nick - who has been awarded the "Bah Humbug" award? Listen and find out.
We'll be back in 2010 with more news and interviews from around the world, as well as anything and everything dog related. Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year to all our listeners, human and canine.
Have you ever wondered if you're boring your dog? Well Edie Jarolim did, and it's the title of her book, a fascinating collection of canine questions that covers everything from choosing the right puppy for you, right up to how to let that dog go at the other end of his life. Edie came to dog owning later in life, and so had plenty of questions about what she should be doing, and it that experience has lead her to write an informative, funny and very comprehensive book. With issues as varied as, "Should I get a mixed breed or a purebred?" and "Will my dog hate me if I dress him?" and even "Is there such a thing as a dog travel agent?" it's an interesting read. Edie talks about her experiences, and her beloved rescue dog Frankie who has been by her side through the writing of the book.
When Emily Willard contacted DogCast Radio about her dog's diagnosis of Cushing's Disease, she wanted us to find advice for her about Western and alternative treatments on offer. To get that information we talked to Nancy Kay DVM, and animal healer Niki Senior. Nancy is a veterinarian and the author of Speaking For Spot, a book that has all the information and advice you need to become a great advocate for your dog. She talks about what Cushing's Disease actually is, the effect is has on the body, and the treatments your vet might offer you. Niki has worked with animals with Cushing's Disease, and she discusses what treatments she would advise Emily to use on her dog Gracie. To find out more about Nancy, visit the Speaking For Spot website, and to find out more about Niki visit the UK Animal Healer website. We all wish Emily and Gracie many more years of health and happiness.
In the DogCast Radio News, Kate and Nick have stories of dogs helping those in pain, dogs at sea, down mineshafts and more. For those dog stories you might otherwise miss, check out the DogCast Radio News.
Buddy's birthday gave host Julie food for thought. Buddy just turned seven - but he doesn't know how old he is and is still a pup at heart. To Julie he's perfect, but maybe he does have faults. Happy birthday Buddy!
Have you heard of Black Dog Syndrome? Sadly it seems that black dogs are often passed over in rescues, with the result that they are put to sleep at a higher rate than dogs of other colours. In this show you can hear an interview with Heather Rosenwald of Start Seeing Black Dogs. Apparently black dogs in shelters may be overlooked by potential adopters as they don't show up as well as lighter dogs. It is notoriously hard to take a good photo of a black dog, so adopters going online may not find the dark blob in the photo appealing. Heather has lots of suggestions for how you can help improve the lot of black dogs, and many ideas to help shelters promote the black dogs in their care. Heather's own dogs are both black - as is Buddy of DogCast Radio - so she knows that the myths sometimes associated with black dogs are nonsense. Listen to Heather's great advice in this interview.
It's wonderful when you find a vacation venue that is genuinely dog friendly. Karen Thorne runs the truly dog friendly award winning Hopton House Bed and Breakfast, and host Julie visited to find out exactly how she makes canines so comfortable at her beautiful establishment. Karen's own dogs, Murphy and Mitsi, gave Julie an enthusiastic welcome, and Karen talks about how her guests appreciate her dogs' presence.
In the DogCast Radio News Kate and Nick bring you dog related stories that you might otherwise miss, including a worrying story of a teenager mugged for his pet dog. What is the answer to this kind of crime? If you have suggestions or opinions, get in touch with us.
In Buddy's Diary Buddy reveals what he really thinks about Luna and Leo, the kittens who have recently come to live in his house. And what is the real difference between dogs and cats? - Buddy has the answer.
Plus how do you make Christmas special for your dog? And what safety advice do you have? And what funny things has your dog done during the holidays? Host Julie shares her thoughts on all this.
Chris Davis didn't anticipate writing a book, let alone four, complete with beautiful illustrations. She feels an emotional attachment to each of her books - For Every Dog an Angel, The Shelter Dog, Old Dog and the Christmas Wish, and For Every Cat an Angel. Chris was inspired to write the books by her own dogs, and in this interview she reveals the experiences that helped develop the ideas in her mind. You can hear how her animals enriched her life in so many ways, and how they interacted with each other in surprising ways.
In the wake of the documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed the UK Kennel Club has asked breed clubs to take stock of the health of their breed. The Australian Terrier Club of Great Britain has set up a Breed Health Committee to investigate the health of their dogs affectionately known as "Ozzies". Host Julie interviewed Doreen Simpkins, an established and respected breeder of Australian Terriers at the Australian Terrier Club of Great Britain's Championship show. At the time of the interview Doreen was also Chairperson of The Southern Counties Australian Terrier Club, a committee member of The Australian Terrier Club of Great Britain and the Vice Chairperson of Joint Breed Health Committee of the Australian Terrier Club of Great Britain.
At the show, Julie also chatted to Sue Thompson who was very new to showing, and Susan McCourt who has a long and successful showing career. What is it that keeps exhibitors coming back for more? What's it like to walk into the ring for the first time, and can you really be friends with competitors?
In the DogCast Radio News Kate and Nick talk about the dog that unexpectedly got stuck to his crate, and how dogs are apparently bad for the environment, but we love 'em anyway!
Host Julie ponders on between Buddy and Star and their latest co-habitants, kittens Leo and Luna. What are the consequences when your dogs and cats make friends and start working as a team?
Do you worry about your dog's health? Whether to vaccinate, what to feed and so on? If so Catherine O'Driscoll of Canine Health Concern has the information you need. She issued a press release concerning thirty-three vets and doctors from around the world, who had signed a letter stating their concerns about vaccination. They quoted world veterinary bodies that have announced publicly that annual vaccination is not necessary, and that it can be harmful. As far as we are aware we were and are the only media organisation which published this release. In this in depth interview Catherine examines the evidence about vaccination, linking it to her own experiences with her dogs, and outlines how Canine Health Concern came into existence. She is on a mission to inform dog owners so they can make better decisions.
Rally has been established in America for a while, but it's very new to the UK. Julie and Buddy were among the first to try it out. Hear about their experiences at a level one course run by Carole Thornley of Aricia Dog Training. Find out how they got on and what their biggest problem on the day was.
In the DogCast Radio News hear about dogs behaving badly with a variety of consequences - some of the disastrous. Plus there's a huge dog, and a Dachshund who's making medical history.
Dr Denny Fried has a very talented dog, who has "barktated" her own book, called Small Dog, Big Life: Memoirs of a Furry Genius. The dog in question, Genevieve, may have a big intellect and a mighty funny take on life, but she's actually a tiny Papillon. As you read her book you realise that although she is small in stature, she makes up for it with a big attitude. As Denny points out in the foreword of the book, this is a dog book unlike any other, as Genevieve reveals inside information on what dogs really think of us. Canines are perplexed by some of our behaviour, and often ponder whether we humans think. It's a funny story how Genevieve even ended up living with Denny, and you can hear him tell the story in this interview. With excerpts from the bog and a lot of humour, Denny gives you a flavour of Genevieve's book, and lots of background on what she's like to live with.
Did you know that Basset Hounds were originally a working breed? They're a scent hound and their sensitive nose was put to use to track animals for hunting. In response to criticisms of modern breeding practices the Midland Basset Hound Club was eager to get their dogs back to work and prove that they can do what they were intended for, so they set up a trial. Bassets have such a sad looking face, which belies their clownish nature, but are they couch potatoes or do they thrive on exercise? Are their instincts still strong enough to guide them on the trail of a scent? We attended the trial and have interviews with club members including the judge for the day.
In the DogCast Radio News we have an expensive dog, two very lucky dogs and a confused dog who thinks he's a cat. Plus we bring you news of a New York scheme exploring the possibilities of composting dog waste.
Plus do you know who Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole trusts more - and less - than her dogs? Host Julie reveals the surprising truth.