Busting Greyhound myths

Susan McKeon is a cat lover whose heart was won by a Greyhound, and she now lives with three of the breed - as well as her cat too. Susan delights in busting some of the myths that surround Greyhounds - so for example her three live in harmony with her cat, and she is doing agility with her first dog Mina. In fact it was Mina who opened the door into a whole new world for Susan, and it was for Mina that Susan set out to learn as much as she could about dogs. As a result, Susan now runs training classes for Gwen Bailey's Puppy Schoo l - Susan runs Puppy School North Lincolnshire - and she is studying a FdSc in Canine Behaviour & Training.

You can find out more about Susan at her blog, Diary of a Canine Convert , and you can contact her on Twitter and Facebook too.

Barb Murfet of the Australian National Kennel Club

While at Crufts we went to the main arena to watch the finals of the Freestyle Heelwork to Music competition. Julie fell into conversation with the lady sitting next to her and it became clear that she knew a lot about the sport. It turned out she was Barb Murfet who is the chair of the Australian National Kennel Club (ANKC) Dances With Dogs committee- how lucky was that?

In this show you can hear Julie and Barb talk about the stunning routines they had been watching, about the ANKC and Barb's own dogs back in Australia.

Jenny Deakin and Michelle Dodson on Heelwork to Music

Jenny Deakin competed in both the Heelwork to Music and the Freestyle Heelwork to Music finals at Crufts, and also lead a display of the sport in the main arena. Jenny and her clever dog Tom were placed 10th in the Freestyle final, and 3rd in the Heelwork to Music, so congratulations to them. You can keep up to date with Jenny and her dogs at her heelwork to music blog .

The team of dogs and handlers helping Jenny demonstrate some heelwork to music moves included Christina Oxtoby with her Great Dane Ruach and Sarah Baker with her Pomeranian Ted. Julie spoke to both Christina and Sarah about the opportunities and challenges of working with such different sized dogs. The main message is that no dog is too small or too large to take part in the sport.

There are many great websites offering information about heelwork to music, including Paws n music and Canine Freestyle G.B . and if you'd like to know more about Ruach, the only Great Dane competing in Heelwork to Music in the UK, visit ICC Dog Training .

Michelle Dodson competes in Heelwork to Music, but she was at Crufts this year judging both that and the Freestyle finals. Julie found out just what a judge is looking for in these disciplines, including the difference between the two closely related sports, and how the choice of music can be so vital. Michelle is an instructor at the Cotswold Dog Training School where Cotswold Heelwork to Music is based.

Blue Cross

Many charities use Crufts as an opportunity to promote their work to the public, and this year The Blue Cross animal charity was excited to reveal its relaunch with a whole new look stand, logo and new uniforms for both human and dog staff and volunteers. DogCast Radio's Julie and Buddy are Educational Visitors for the charity and spent some time on the stand during Crufts, and Julie spoke with Education Development Manager Tracy Genever to find out more about the charity's new look. To find out more visit The Blue Cross website.

Sealyham Terriers

Crufts is a great opportunity to encounter breeds that you don't see much of in everyday life. Harry Parsons was there to promote his Sealyham Terriers - which are classed as vulnerable in the UK with only 63 puppies being registered in 2011. Harry is passionate about the breed he loves and has the only working pack of Sealyhams in the world. Interestingly as a breeder of a numerically struggling breed, Harry has lots of praise for the genetic advice of the Kennel Club. You can learn more about Harry and his beloved dogs at the My Sealyhams website.

Puppy Playtime

A special Crufts edition of Puppy Playtime hosted by Jenny features Laura Leigh who is a staunch supporter of the Nowzad charity which works hard to rescue stray and abandoned animals in Afghanistan. Sisters Emily and Louise Hinks are Young Kennel Club members, you can hear how Emily got on in the handling competition and how Louise coped with the grooming competition. Plus all three girls were performing in the Safe and Sound displays - find out what the scheme's message is.

Medical Detection Dogs
Dr Claire Guest is the founder of and head trainer for the charity Medical Detection Dogs . These dogs do amazing things - they sniff out the fact that diabetes sufferers have low blood sugar and alert their owner to the need to adjust this with insulin, they can scent and alert to the presence of cancer cells, and one of them is the only scientifically proven Addison's detection dog in the world.

These dogs change lives; not only the life of the person they are trained for, but the whole family find a new sense of security and relief. Claire recently had her own cancer diagnosed thanks to one of the dogs she is training, and thanks to clever Daisy Claire's cancer was detected very early.

You can hear Claire talking about her experiences in this show. Lesley Nicol who plays Mrs Patmore in the wonderful television show Downton Abbey has just become an ambassador for Medical Detection Dogs and she was on the stand helping promote the work the charity does, and Julie was delighted to meet her.

Front wheeling dogs
Liz Hennel and Stella Spence recently connected with each other via Faecbook and they have something very important in common - both their dogs use front leg carts.

Liz's dog Hope has been disabled from a very early age, while Stella's Molly had her leg amputated after she was rescued from her life as a stray. The four were meeting up at Crufts for the first time and they talked about the issues they have faced and how the front wheel carts have improved the dogs' quality of life.

YUMPRO BioActiv
Crufts is a great opportunity to launch new doggy products and Lintbells were launching one that may sound humorous, but has been helping dogs - and indirectly their humans.

If your dog has flatulence or loose stools, you'll know how distressing and embarrassing this problem can be. Lintbells new product YUMPRO BioActiv. To find out how this new product has been helping Julie spoke to John Howie, as well as satisfied customer Julie Growcott and her lovely Rough Collie Ted who has a beautiful coat as a result of Yumpro.

You can find out more on the Lintbells website .

Flyball

The Hertfordshire-based High Flyers are one of the top flyball teams in the UK and they are joint hosts and organisers of the European Championships, a three day event which is likely to attract around 150 international teams and up to 2,000 dogs. It takes place in July 2012 at Littleport in Cambridgeshire.

The team competed in the main arena at Crufts, and chatted to Julie about this fast canine sport which you can find out more about at their website .

Crufts Factor
Paul Keevil may have been banned from entering look alike competitions because he looks so like his dog it spoils the fun for everyone else, but he and his Dandie Dinmont Jackson made it the finals of fun competition Crufts Factor.

While Jackson didn't win the Crufts Factor, he and Paul had a marvelous time in the main arena and Jackson was a great ambassador for his breed whose numbers are very low in the UK. There is a lot of information about "vulnerable" British breeds at the British Heritage Dog Breeds site .

The winner of the competition was a talented Shiba Inu called Elee who wowed the crowd with an impressive display of behaviours.

The Puppy Plan.
Carolyn Menteith is an experienced dog trainer who has teamed up with Dogs Trust and The Kennel Club to develop The Puppy Plan. This is a scheme to encourage and enable breeders and owners to make the most of those early weeks of a puppy's life when he is open and unafraid of new experiences.

Carolyn explains why those early weeks are so important and how to ensure your dog encounters lots of different sights and sounds. As Carolyn points out, the majority of dogs are pet dogs and a sound socialisation early on helps them become and remain well balanced and happy.

For more information visit The Puppy Plan website .

Crufts Factor

Nina Ottosson famously designs games that help keep your dog's brain occupied by presenting him with problem solving puzzles. Nina's games make dogs work out how to move puzzle parts with a paw or their teeth to get some tasty treats.

Nina talks about how she originally started designing her canine conundrums and why she finds it so useful to mix with dog owners at Crufts. Nina's games can be bought via her website or from the Company of Animals website .

Company of Animals founder Dr. Roger Mugford talked to Julie about why it's so important to keep our dogs occupied and about his concerns for dogs living in the modern world.

Pet competition

Does your dog damage or destroy toys? Well make the best of things, take a photo of the evidence and enter the competition that Ben & Bruce Fogle are running.

Bruce and Ben Fogle are delighted to announce the launch of a quirky competition for all dog and cat lovers in a bid to gather new friends for two important charities - Dogs Trust and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

Pet people are being asked to send photos of creatively nibbled, torn, shredded, scratched, chewed, deconstructed or simply destuffed dog and cat toys to www.londonvetclinic.co.uk where they will be judged taking into account their originality, humour, intelligence, artistry or just plain ability to make you smile! The winner will have the pet of their choice photographed by eminent photographer Nick Stevens. 

Debbie Connolly discusses Crufts 2012 vet checks
At Crufts 2012 the Best of Breed winner in fifteen high profile breeds had to face a vet check to prove they were in good health. These fifteen breeds are the Basset Hound, Bloodhound,
Bulldog, Chow Chow, Clumber Spaniel, Dogue De Bordeaux, German Shepherd Dog, Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Pekingese, Shar Pei, St Bernard, French Bulldog, Pug and Chinese Crested. Of those fifteen, six dogs failed the vet check, those being the Neapolitan Mastiff, Mastiff, Clumber Spaniel, Bulldog and Pekingese & Basset Hound.

This move has attracted widespread comment both in support of and against the vet checks, and it is a complex issue. To help make sense of it Julie spoke to experienced dog expert and animal behaviourist Debbie Connolly on what's really going on, and what the future might hold for pedigree dogs in the UK.

To find out more about Debbie Connolly visit her SafePets website or find her on Twitter or Facebook .

To find out more about the Kennel Club, visit their website , or find them on Twitter and Facebook too, and below you can read the Kennel Club's press release about the vet checks. If you have a strong opinion about the new vet checks, do get in touch and have your say.

Kennel Club press statement

NO CRUFTS CHAMPIONS IN HIGH PROFILE BREEDS AT CRUFTS 2012 UNLESS
VETS GIVE CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH

All dogs of the fifteen ‘high profile’ breeds which win Best of Breed at Crufts 2012, and all Kennel Club licensed General and Group Championship Shows after that, will need to be given a clean bill of health by the show veterinary surgeon before their awards are confirmed and they are allowed to progress to the next stage of the show. This requirement is designed to improve canine health and protect the sport of dog showing.

This move was taken by the Kennel Club on the advice of its Dog Health Group, in order to ensure that the fifteen high profile breeds, which include the likes of the Pekingese and the Bulldog, do not bring the whole hobby of dog showing into disrepute.

In addition, before a Champion title can be confirmed for any dog or bitch within these breeds, the dog will have to undergo a successful veterinary examination at a Group or General Championship Show.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “There are 195 breeds whose participation in the hobby of dog showing is overshadowed by the small minority of people within some high profile breeds who seem to continue to breed, and the judges who occasionally reward, unhealthy dogs, and who by so doing are bringing down the reputation of the hobby and the rest of the dog showing fraternity.

“The Kennel Club must ensure, for the good of dogs, that only healthy dogs go home from dog shows with prizes. We need to show that the show ring is, as Professor Patrick Bateson said it can be, a ‘positive lever for change’ in the world of dogs.

“This action will not only protect the reputation of the majority of dog showing people who put the health and welfare of their dogs first and foremost, but it will also continue to encourage improvement within the high profile breeds themselves, ensuring that the healthiest are justly held up as an example for others to follow.”

The changes come after measures were put in place in 2009 to try to ensure that only healthy dogs are rewarded in the show ring. Judges now have the power to remove dogs that look unhealthy from competition. Professor Steve Dean, Chairman of the Kennel Club and himself a veterinary surgeon, said of the new requirements: “Show vets will be given clear guidelines
and will be directed to prevent dogs from continuing at the show in question if they are suffering from a clinical problem which adversely affects the dog’s wellbeing.

“This move will enable the Kennel Club to work with vets to assess the real progress that breeds are making at senior award level and to take to task more effectively the minority of judges who pick unsound or unhealthy dogs to the show ring as their winners.”

"For some of the breeds this will still be a huge challenge. but the intent is to improve the overall health and welfare of dogs and if the veterinary checks helps achieve this then it has to be a step in the right direction."

How dogs combat stress

Bonnie Church knows from personal experience how much our dogs enrich our lives - she has two dogs of her own as well as two grand-dogs. Plus Bonnie has seen the contentment a dog has brought to her mother's life.

Being a life and wellness coach she also understands very well how much dogs help us to cope with stress. Bonnie is a motivational speaker who has traveled nationally to speak at seminars related to living a fuller life, as well as being a Certified Nutritional Counselor and the co-author of "Coach Lydia's No-Nonsense Guide to Getting off your Butt and on with Your Life."

In this interview Bonnie explores many aspects of the human dog relationship and how we benefit from our canine companions and tells how the co-author Lydia Martinez found inspiration from her dog at the lowest time in her life.

To find out more about Bonnie visit the A Life Now website , and to find out more about Lydia visit her website .

Nature vs Nurture

DogCast Radio listener Sarah Wilkinson wrote to express her enjoyment of Debbie Connolly and Nick Jones' discussion of dogs on beds and to pose her own question to our experts.

Debbie is a dog and cat behaviourist who also treats goats, pigs, and other pet livestock and has numerous published articles and media appearance including "Dog Borstal" and "Britain's Most Embarrassing Pets." Nick Jones is a Master Trainer with The Guild of Dog Trainers and is a proud full member to the Canine and Feline Behaviour Association. He has also given a number of interviews with the BBC on dog behaviour and dog training related matters as well as writing for Dogs Monthly, Field & Rural Life and Animal Health & Happiness magazines.

Here they discuss the character and temperament of Shiba Inus, as well as many other breeds, and debate whether nurture can overcome nature.

You can find out more about Debbie Connolly at the Safepets website , or on Twitter , and about Nick at the Alpha Dog Behaviour website or also on Twitter . If you have a question you'd like Nick and Debbie to consider do get in touch .

News and other items
In the DogCast Radio News, Kate & Nick bring you information about how you can help support the bid to have stamps celebrating working military dogs by signing the US War Dogs petition .

Also did you know that Kansas is currently in the process of considering adopting the Cairn Terrier as its official state dog. Currently eleven states have an official state dog breed:

Maryland has the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Pennsylvania has the Great Dane, North Carolina the Plott Hound, South Carolina the Boykin Spaniel, Massachusetts the Boston Terrier, Alaska fittingly chose the Alaskan Malamute, New Hampshire the Chinook, Louisiana the Catahoula Leopard dog, texas the Blue Lacy, Virginia the American Foxhound and Wisconsin the American Water Spaniel.

The Russian Dog Wizard
Nowadays it can sometimes seem we are awash with dog whisperers, but there's only one dog wizard! Vladamir Roytapel is the Russian Dog Wizard and has a long history of training dogs, having trained dogs for the Russian government, the Red Army and the KGB.

Vladae also has strong opinions on how dogs should be trained and how they should behave. Here he shares his experiences helping people communicate effectively with their dogs.

If you agree or disagree with what Vladae has to say do get in touch and let us know, and Vladae is also willing to give DogCast Radio listeners advice with their problems. You can get in touch with us in the usual ways, or you can find out more about Vladae at his website, SoCal Dog training , or you can contact him on Facebook .

Dog problems in Australia

Listener Sarah Ginis has lived in Australia for over twenty years. She lives in South Australia, is passionate about dog rescue, and has become aware of a dog related problem in her area that has not been getting any attention.

According to Sarah, dogs in some indigenous communities in Australia are not being neutered so they are producing unwanted pups who grow uncared for and have a generally bad standard of life.

Sarah's own dogs were both rescue dogs, and she tells us about life with them - including what it's like to live 300 miles from the nearest vet. To find out more about rescue in Australia, visit the ARSPCA site , or S A Dog Rescue .

News

In the DogCast Radio News, you can hear about the legal action to look into whether dogs have souls, and how far their sniff can delve into criminal activity, plus an old canine Oscar scandal and what the top doggy name for 2011 was and more.

Joe Inglis's diet advice
In this our December show, we consider how at a time when most of us are thinking about lovely things to eat, how to make sure that our dogs are eating only lovely things too.

Some ingredients of food are not good for our dogs, yet there are many supplements that can be added to ensure our dogs are as healthy and happy as possible. Joe Inglis is a veterinarian as well as a dog owner, and many of the problems he was seeing in his practice were caused - and solved - by diet. Joe has developed his own dog food, and has recipe books too.

To find out more about Joe, visit the Pets' Kitchen site , or you can find him as joethevet on Twitter , and Joe is also on Facebook .

Saving Jack
When Renee Premaza adopted troubled Border Collie Jack, she had no idea how extensive and puzzling his problems were. However, despite the fact that he was biting her on a daily basis, Renee remained committed to him and became determined to help him have the best life he could.

She found a trainer and worked tirelessly with him. Her experiences with Jack lead her to qualify as a trainer and now she helps other dog owners get the most out of life with their dogs.

Sadly Jack died far too young, but Renee's work keeps his memory alive, and their story is truly inspirational.

To find out more about Renee visit her Jersey Dog Trainer website . Renee also has a weekly radio show which you can catch up with online . To read a moving and fascinating article about Renee and Jack's journey together read Saving Jack .

News and Christmas Story
In the DogCast Radio News hear what winter health precautions some veterinarians are recommending for dogs, what the sexiest man alive thinks about dogs, and how our relationships with dogs fall mainly into one of three categories - humanists, protectionists and dominionists. So which one are you?

Plus host Julie reads a festive story, Barnaby's Christmas. What is a dog to make of Christmas, and what does all the coming and going and excitement mean? Barnaby tries to make sense of his family's behaviour.

Sadie and the rattlesnake part 2
In this show you can hear the concluding part of an interview with Lindsay Morris in which she tells the incredible story of her dog Sadie who had a very unfortunate - and unusual - encounter with a rattlesnake.

While on a camping weekend miles from anywhere, Sadie got bitten by two rattlesnakes, and Lindsay and her husband Matt faced a difficult and agonisingly slow hike to get her to help. When they finally got her to a vet her treatment could begin - but there was no guarantee that a dog who had been through what poor Sadie had been through would even survive.

Lindsay and Matt never gave up on the dog they love, and are now keen to raise awareness of the need to take care.

You can find out more about Sadie at her blog and at her Facebook page .

Sealyham Terrier

The Sealyham Terrier was once incredibly popular - Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Margaret and Humphrey Bogart along with anyone who was anyone had a Sealyham in the 1930s and 40s. Sadly today in the UK the breed is on the vulnerable register as numbers have fallen so low that the breed is in serious danger of dying out.

One man who is determined to preserve the breed is Harry Parsons. In this interview he talks about what the breed he loves is like to live with, and gives some fascinating insights into the Sealyham's history.

To find out more about this delightful breed and about Harry visit his My Sealyhams website .

News
In the DogCast Radio News Kate and Nick have stories of a dog owner who was struck by lightning, the latest canine adoption of Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber, and the touching story of two big dogs who were a big challenge to find a new home for.

Cecil Aldin
Cecil Aldin was an artist who became famous in the early 1900s for his charming portrayal of dogs. Pre-World War I most British homes had at least one of his prints hanging on the wall, and the Times said of him, "there never yet has been a painter of dogs fit to hold a candle to him."

In this show host Julie reviews two of his books, The Rascal and Puppy Dogs' Tales.

Sadie and the rattlesnake
In this show you can hear an interview with Lindsay Morris in which she tells the incredible story of her dog Sadie who had a very unfortunate - and unusual - encounter with a rattlesnake.

While on a camping weekend miles from anywhere, Sadie got bitten by a rattlesnake, and Lindsay and her husband Matt faced a difficult and agonisingly slow hike to get her to help. When they finally got her to a vet her treatment could begin - but there was no guarantee that a dog who had been through what poor Sadie had been through would even survive. Lindsay and Matt never gave up on the dog they love, and are now keem to raise awareness of the need to take care.

You can find out more about Sadie at her blog and at her Facebook page .

Dogs on beds
When host Julie got into discussion with Debbie Connolly and Nick Jones about whether dogs should sleep on beds, it developed into a lively and humourous debate.

Debbie is a dog and cat behaviourist who also treats goats, pigs and other pet livestock and has numerous published articles and media appreances including Dog Borstal and Britain's Most Embarrassing Pets.

Nick is a Master Trainer with The Guild of Dog Trainers and a full member of the Canine and Feline Behaviour Association, he has also given a number of interviews with the BBC on dog behaviour and dog training related matters as well as writing for Dogs Monthly, Field & Rural Life and Animal Health & Happiness magazines.

So where should a dog sleep? - on your bed, on his own bed in your bedroom or in a completely different room? Listen and find out!

You can find out more about Debbie at her Safe Pets website and more about Nick at the Alpha Dog Behaviour website. They are both on Twitter, Nick as ukdogtrainer and Debbie as Debbie_Connolly . If you have strong opinions on where dogs should sleep we'd love to hear them.

News
In the DogCast Radio News Nick and Kate bring you the stories of the dog who was in Harry Potter and is looking for a new home, the oddest insurance claims and how dog lovers have been using social media to help dogs.

Gentle Dog Training No Hitting. No Shouting - review
Host Julie reviews Michael Hasbrouck's book Gentle Dog Training No Hitting. No Shouting. It has the intriguing message that, "A sentence aimed at your dog should contain a subject, a verb and a compliment." You can hear some of Michael's other advice and you can read the full review here. You can find out more about Michael at his Dog Masters website.

Chance's Happy Ending
Judy Rentrop is a dog trainer, dog walker, pet sitter and dog rescuer.

In this episode she tells the remarkable story of Chance, a Labrador she rescued from his very bad start in life, and who ended up with a life-saving role.

Judy and her husband open their home and hearts to many dogs and Judy talks with love and humour about their adventures together.

To find out more about Judy visit her Brownsville Dog Trainer website, and you can also contact her on Facebook .

Run a fun dog show
Joe Inglis provides veterinary advice for many television programs in the UK and as well as having developed his own dog food, Joe has now brought out a website designed to help people who want to set up a fun dog show.

In this interview Joe explains what a fun dog show is, how his website can help with the organisation of a show and why it's beneficial for owner and dogs to participate in them.

You can find out more about Joe at the Run a Fun Dog Show website as well as the Vet's Kitchen site , and he is on Facebook and Twitter .

Review of Mad About The Dog by Belinda Harley
Host Julie reviews Mad About The Dog by Belinda Harley.

When Belinda went on holiday to the Greek island of Paxos she encountered and fell in love with stray dog Goofy. Little did she know she would conquer innumerable difficulties to bring him to the UK and share her life and home with him. She tells their story in this lovely moving book.

To find out more about Belinda and her book visit their Facebook page, and you can read the full review here .

Rusty the new DogCast Radio dog
Border Collie Rusty has recently joined the DogCast Radio pack, and host Julie reveals some of the lessons he has already taught her.

How are Border Collies different from other breeds, and how do a relaxed Labrador and a laidback Bichon Frise adapt to a Border Collie newcomer? Plus how have Rusty and the cats taken to each other? All these questions and more will be answered.

Puppy socialisation
Cat Hughes is a dog trainer with an interest in helping owners get their puppy socialised as well as possible.

Cat studied animal behaviour and learning theory at Oxford University as part of her Human Sciences degree and has also undertake the Puppy School tutor training course delivered by Gwen Bailey.

Cat talks about the critical socialisation period and has some excellent practical ideas for making sure the socialisation process is stress-free for your dog.

To find out more about Cat you can visit the Puppy Professionals website , and you can also contact her on Twitter .

Advice to a listener
DogCast Radio listener Kelly got in touch to ask for advice about her rescue dog Charlie who has been chewing books. Charlie has been mistreated in the past and finds even the most gentle of scoldings distressing.

To find advice for Kelly's problem, host Julie turned to experienced trainer and rescuer Judy Rentrop. Judy gives her advice on how Kelly should teach Charlie how to behave and uses her experience of rescuing many dogs to provide insights into a rescue dog's mind.

To find out more about Judy you can visit her Brownsville Dog Trainer website , and you can also contact her on Facebook .

News
In the DogCast Radio News Nick brings you the dog stories you might not have heard, like the Chihuahua who chased off a robber, and how Chihuahuas have fallen foul of becoming a trendy breed, and how a dog with an unusual allergy is being helped.
Reviews
Host Julie reviews Sarah Whitehead's book Good Dog The Easy Way To Train Your Dog, hear the full review in the show and read it here. To find out more about Sarah Whitehead visit the Clever Dog Company website , and you can buy Good Dog from Amazon .

Julie has also been trying out some Addicare products, and she tells how the anti-bacterial bed that resists doggy odours and stays fluffed up has been received by the dogs - and the cats! - as well as how the anti-bacterial and anti-viral grooming wipes came in handy when one of the dogs rolled in something unmentionable. To find out more go to the Addicare website or send a tweet to @Addicare. The full review is here http://www.dogcastradio.com/node/24119

Owner or guardian?
Does it matter whether you are your dog#s owner or his guardian? A new campaign in the UK is trying to get owners to think of themselves as guardians. What do you call yourself?

http://www.guardiancampaign.co.uk/

The Power of Wagging Tails
Dawn Marcus us the author of an inspiring new book called The Power of Wagging Tails, which examines how beneficial dogs are for us.

The book does this largely by focusing on stories from handlers of therapy dogs, and it highlight just how many areas dogs can help humans with - physical, mental, psychiatric, speech therapy. The book is full of examples of the incredibly effect of a dog - the almost magic power of a wagging tail.

Dawn is a doctor and has two therapy dogs of her own, so she offers not only great insight into what therapy dogs do, but also has highly useful practical tips for those wishing to become involved too. In this interview you can hear touching true life stories of how dogs have changed and enhanced lives.

You can find out more about Dawn at her website , as well as on Facebook and Twitter , and The Power of Wagging Tails is available to buy now.

The Great British Greyhound Walk
The Great British Greyhound Walk took place in the UK on June 26th and saw Greyhound and sight hound owners all over the UK meeting up to show the public how beautiful and placid their dogs are, and what great pets they make.

Host Julie spoke to the organiser of the Shrewsbury walk, Bethan Richardson, as well as Greyhound fosterers Sarah Shelley and Josie Beasley. You can hear about how Greyhounds settle into their foster homes, and what they are really like to live with.

You can find out more about the Greyhound walks at the Great British Greyhound Walk website .

Dyson DC25 animal vacuum review
Host Julie presents her reviews of the Dyson DC25 animal vacuum and the groom tool.

With two dogs and three cats in the house, she has put the vacuum through its paces, giving it a thorough testing - and it's passed with flying colours.

The most interesting part of the system for dog owners may well be the groom tool as this enables owners to vacuum loose hair directly from the dog before it is shed to waft around the house. You can hear how Buddy coped with the groom tool and more in this review.

For more details, Click here
Rescue Me – How to successfully rehome a rescue dog
Dogs Trust , the UK dog charity with the famous slogan, "A dog is for life not just for Christmas," has brought out a new book called Rescue Me – How to successfully rehome a rescue dog . It's full of useful, practical advice on settling a rescue dog into your home. There are inspiring case studies and checklists to help you and your rescue dog achieve happiness.
To read a review click here .

News
In the DogCast Radio News hear why Germaine Greer wants to kill British dogs - to save bluebells - plus the dog who needed the fire service to free him from the bath, how co-starring with a dog changed Ewan McGregor's life, and how dogs can sniff the difference between identical twins.

The Power of Wagging Tails
Dawn Marcus us the author of an inspiring new book called The Power of Wagging Tails, which examines how beneficial dogs are for us. The book does this largely by focusing on stories from handlers of therapy dogs, and it highlight just how many areas dogs can help humans with - physical, mental, psychiatric, speech therapy.

The book is full of examples of the incredibly effect of a dog - the almost magic power of a wagging tail. Dawn is a doctor and has two therapy dogs of her own, so she offers not only great insight into what therapy dogs do, but also has highly useful practical tips for those wishing to become involved too.

In this interview you can hear touching true life stories of how dogs have changed and enhanced lives.

You can find out more about Dawn at her website , as well as on Facebook and Twitter , and The Power of Wagging Tails is available to buy now.

Sheepdog Experience
We recently spent a hugely enjoyable day at the Mainline Border Collie Centre taking part in the Sheepdog Experience. The day is an opportunity to learn about Border Collies, shepherding, and much more, and by the end of the day you will be able to take a small group of sheep round a simple course with the aid of one of the clever sheepdogs.

Vikki Sykes is the talented and patient woman who had the task of whipping five would-be shepherds in to shape, and you can hear her talk about what the day entails.

The centre is also home to the Freedom of Spirit Border Collie trust which promotes understanding of the breed as well as rescuing and rehoming dogs in need, which is obviously a passion for Barbara Sykes.

Barbara talks about an exciting event she's organising next year called For the Love of Dogs.

You can find out more about the Sheepdog Experience at the Mainline website , and there's a website for the Trust too.

News and other items

In the DogCast Radio News you can hear how owners in the UK and New Zealand have been falling foul of the law, plus how dogs in China have been saved from ending up on the menu, and how dogs use the same technique as cats to drink.

Host Julie usually avoids housework as much as possible, but she has been given a Dyson vacuum to test out - including the special groom tool. More in the next episode about how the vacuum copes with the shed hair from two dogs and three cats!

Surfing dog Ricochet

A dog called Ricochet is becoming well known around the world as a Surf-ice dog.

In this interview her owner, Judy Fridono talks about how Ricochet was initially intended for a totally different life, but things didn't work out as expected. Happily for both Judy and Ricohcet although it was a surprise, things have actually turned out for the best, and Ricochet is now inspiring people with disabilities to take a positive approach to their life, as well as raising large amount of money for good causes.

Judy makes incredibly moving videos of Ricochet's adventures, and you can see these at her website or on You Tube . Sometimes a dog with an amazing ability find a human who allows and encourages that ability to make a difference in the world, and that is the case with Ricochet and Judy. You can conect with Rocochet on Facebook to share in her magic.

Rescue Greyhounds
There are many myths and misunderstandings about Greyhounds, so to get to the bottom of it all, host Julie interviews Margot Williams who adopted ex-racing Greyhound Queenie.

Margot talks with great humour about why she made the decision to adopt a Greyhound, how she chose Queenie (or rather how Queenie chose her), and how Queenie has settled into life as a pet. Margot believes that a Greyhound would settle into a wide variety of homes and they are often overlooked for the wrong reasons - she is certainly delighted with her canine companion.

If you would like to find out more about adopting a retired recing Greyhound we have a link to organisations in both the UK and the USA. If you share your life with a Greyhound. or you'd like to share your dog's story do get in touch and tell us more.

USA : www.adopt-a-greyhound.org
UK : www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk

news
In the DogCast Radio News, hear from Kate and Nick just how much a part of the family our dogs have become, and why small dogs are on the rise. Plus, hear how medical advances are benefiting both humans and dogs.

Sheepdog Experience
Host Julie, and Jennifer, recently went on the Sheepdog Experience at Barbara Sykes' Mainline Border Collie Centre, and had a wonderful time learning some of the skills involved in shepherding.

You can hear the full details of the day as well as interviews with Barbara and Vikki Sykes on the next show, but for now here are a couple of photos.

You can find out more about the Sheepdog Experience at the Mainline Border Collie Centre website .

Nikki Moustaki
Nikki Moustaki is an award winning freelance writer, TV personality, pet industry expert and animal trainer. She set up an innovative scheme, The Pet Postcard Project, which allows people to get dog food delivered to shelters simply by sending postcards of their dogs.

You can hear from Nikki how you can get involved in this food-raising enterprise, and how you can also nominate shelters to receive food.

Nikki also talks about Nitro's Law, and how she has been raising awareness of the issue, again through dog food- but this time she's the one eating it.

Nikki certainly does things in style and to celebrate having her Schnauzer Pepper, the two of them cruised from America to Europe and Pepper wrote about it in his Pepper in Paris blog .

You can find out more about Nikki, the Pet Postcard Project and Nitro's Law at Nikki's website , and she is also on Twitter and Facebook .

Research into osteoarthritis
Research into osteoarthritis is currently going on at the University of Liverpool's Small Animal Teaching Hospital. We hear from Canine Orthopaedic Clinical Research Assistant Ben Walton about what the study involves and what they are hoping to find out.

Ben is still looking for dogs to join in and you can find out how to on the University of Liverpool's website .

Jean Pearson talks about her dog Oscar who benefited from taking part in the research.

News

In the DogCast Radio News Kate and Nick have stories of the deaf dog who found a happy home with deaf owners, how our dogs empathise with us - and why, the dog who is branching out into traditional cat territory, the dog whose life was saved by a metal detector and the dog who was rescued after three weeks adrift off the coast of Japan.

Host Julie was saddened by the case of Cassie , a Border Collie was allowed to get to three times her ideal weight, after being fed a diet of junk food. She has some thoughts on the best way to treat a dog like a dog.

Plus with Easter coming up do remember that chocolate and other holiday foods can be poisonous for our dogs. Check out our article on Holiday Food that is Dangerous for Dogs .

Debbie Connolly
Debbie Connolly is a dog and cat behaviourist who also treats goats, pigs and other pet livestock. Her television appearances include "Dog Borstal" and "Britain's Most Embarrassing Pets".

She was at Crufts talking about her book Better Dog Behaviour, and she tells host Julie about some of the stories in the book as well as talking about some of her "pet hates"! She also talks about the project she is hoping to move onto next - helping rehabilitate hoodies and their dogs.

You can find out more about Debbie at her Safe Pets website , and she is also on Twitter and Facebook .

Wendy Morrell and her assistance dog Udo
Wendy Morrell was at Crufts with her assistance dog Udo - and amazingly Udo had only officially qualified three days before Crufts. Despite this, and the fact that he is only twenty months old, Udo took all the hustle and bustle of Crufts in his stride and seemed absolutely at home and focused on Wendy.

Wendy talks about both Udo and her previous assistance dog Caesar. This interview also covers the intricacies of flying long haul with your dog- host Julie was intrigued and couldn't resist asking.

You can find out more about the charity who trained and supplied Udo and the Dogs for the disabled website , and Wendy is on Twitter as GoldenCaesar .

Nowzad Dogs

Nowzad Dogs charity is changing lives by rescuing strays in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Pen Farthing talks about how the charity saves animals and sends them safely to their new homes in countries all around the world. Pen has first hand knowledge of the bond that can spring up between serving soldiers and stray and abandoned animals, and has written two books telling of his experiences and the charity's work.

You can find out more at the Nowzad website - and it's well worth reading the various and very moving rescue stories on the site.

Marc Abraham
Marc Abraham was at Crufts in many capacities, including being Independent Veterinary Advisor to the Kennel Club of Great Britain and appearing in the UK Crufts television coverage. He was also signing copies of his new book, Vet on call - My first year as an out of hours vet.

Marc talked to Julie about some of the anecdotes in the book, as well as some of the causes close to his heart. What does he like about his job, and what annoys him? What is it that drives him to work so hard? And just how many pairs of those scrubs does he have? All these issues and more are addressed in this interview.

You can find out more about Marc at his Marc The Vet website as well as on Twitter and Facebook .

Oldies Club
Marc Abraham welcomes various charities to use his stand at Crufts to promote their cause, and one very worthy cause doing just that was the Oldies Club.
To find about more about why older dogs need a charity to help them find new homes, and how the Oldies Club cares for the dogs in their care and matches them to new homes, Julie talked to Ron Wilkinson.

If you feel an older dog would suit you, or to volunteer or donate for the charity visit their website .

Sheila Sadler and Kerly
Sheila Sadler had taught for many years when one day her life changed in a second when a colleague crashed the car they were both traveling in. Sheila talks movingly about her gradual acceptance of the new lifestyle she had to cope with, and how her beloved assistance dogs have helped her adjust.

Sheila was at Crufts promoting the work of Canine Partners who trained her assistance dog Kerly who was right at her side during this interview. Sheila has clearly gained emotional and practical support from her dog and now spends a lot of time raising awareness of as well as money for Canine Partners - she and Kerly raised £2000 in their first year together.

To find out more visit the Canine Partner website , and you can read more about Sheila on the Canine Partner's Somerset page .

Carolyn Menteith
Carolyn Menteith is a trainer who conveys her passion for training through radio and television broadcasts as well as writing articles and books to inspire people to make the most of life with their dog.

In this interview Carolyn talks about her background with animals and the passion that lead her to work with dogs, as well as giving a sneaky peek into the subject of her next book.

You can find out more about Carolyn at her Dog Talk website and you can see forty training videos she has done for Dogs Trust on YouTube .

Safe and Sound
For the third year running Julie and Buddy were privileged to be part of the Safe and Sound Team performing in the main arena to demonstrate safe and unsafe ways of interacting with dogs.
The DogCast Radio team had a wonderful Crufts 2011 and are looking forward to Crufts 2012 already!

Adopting older dogs
Older dogs can get looked over and find themselves stuck in rescue shelters simply because of their age. Karen Litzinger knows the joys of adopting an older dog first hand, and in this interview she draws on her experiences with her dog Tika whom she adopted at the age of eleven, as well as many online resources, to bust some myths that surround older dogs.

So are you taking on someone else's problem dog that will cost you a fortune when you adopt an older dog? - the facts and figures may well surprise you and have you looking at older residents in a different way the next time you visit a shelter.

Karen is the author of the CD Heal Your Heart: Coping with the Loss of a Pet which you can hear her talking about in Episode 110 of DogCast Radio .

You can find out more about Karen and Tika at Karen's site or at her blog , and Tika's pretty face has been used on a sympathy card . If you are interested in finding out more about older dogs you can visit the Oldies Club website , or read the Top 10 Reasons to Adopt an Older Dog on the ASPCA site, or check out The Senior Dogs Project or go to the Grey Muzzle Organisation site .

If you've adopted an older dog do let us know your story.

Corgis
We had a fantastic time at Crufts 2011 where Joanne Lovell educated host Julie about the two Corgis breeds - Pembrokshire and Cardigan.

Jo breeds Cardigan Corgis, and she talks about her concerns that the versatile breed she loves is so numerically few it is considered vulnerable.

You can find out more about the Cardigan Corgi at the Cardigan Corgi Association and more about Jo and her lovely dogs at the Liebehund website .

Addison's Disease detecting dog Karen Ruddlestone's assistance dog Coco is unique in that he is the only scientifically proved Addison's Disease detecting dog. His ability to warn Karen that the cortisone in her body is too low has not only kept her out of hospital, but has improved her health and saved her emotional suffering.

She is full of praise for her amazing canine companion. Coco was trained and supplied by the charity Medical Detection Dogs and Claire Guest explains some of the science behind what these detection dogs do and the incredible way they are giving people their quality of life back in a variety of ways.

You can find out more at the Medical Detection Dogs website .

Westminster Dog Show
Nikki Moustaki is an award winning freelance writer, TV personality, pet industry expert and animal trainer.

She attended the Westminster Dog show both in a professional capacity and also as a dog lover. Nikki and host Julie discuss the similarities and differences between the two most prestigious shows in the dog world, Crufts and Westminster, and what they enjoy most about attending them.

You can find out more about the show at the Westminster Kennel Club website and more about Nikki at her website .

Search and Rescue
Search and Rescue dogs do a marvelous job but have you ever wondered what it takes to co-ordinate a search and rescue team?

We talk to Bob Farnham who is a call out co-ordinator for Search and Rescue Dog Association of South Wales about his role, as well as Liz Beaumont who has two trainee dogs, and Caroline Moreton who is a dog handler. Of course, the team spend a lot of time training, and they need practice "bodies" to search for so we also talk to Kate Gilliver about her very important role within the team.

The team are deployed in a wide variety of situations which they talk about here, and they and their dogs save lives on a regular basis.

To find out more about the team visit the SARDA website .

Pit Bull Nation
Cindy Marabito is the author of Pit Bull Nation which tells of her experiences rescuing Pit Bulls - and many other dogs too. The book is full of anecdotes illustrating some of the injustices going on in shelters as well as some of the wonderful people who fight for the dogs they care for; some of Cindy's stories are uplifting while some of them are downright shocking.

When Cindy started out volunteering in shelters she was by no means a Pit Bull fan, and it's fascinating hearing her talk about how she got to know the breed and to love them - although she pulls no punches about the true nature of the breed, which just might surprise you.

You can find out more about Cindy and her book at the Pit Bull Nation website and she is also on Facebook . Cindy is still fighting for Pit Bulls and other dogs to have the life they deserve.

News and fiction
In the DogCast Radio News Kate and Nick bring you stories of dogs who can predict things, how dogs ability to sniff out waste is being put to good use, plus some surprising revelations about the distant past and the beginnings of the human-dog relationship.

In our fiction feature Place in the Pack, written and read by host Julie, focusses on the changing relationships between the dogs in one family.

New Year's resolutions
Nick Jones is an established dog trainer, a canine behaviour specialist and also provides expert advice in the magazine Dogs Monthly.

At this time of year when we make resolutions to improve our lives in various ways, are there any resolutions we could make to improve life for our dogs? This was the question we put to Nick, and he came up with some thought-provoking answers which are both practical and intruiging.

If you decide to take on one of these resolutions do let us kow how you get on - or if you've decided to make other dog related changes in 2011 tell us about what you're doing.

You can find out more about Nick at his website , and you can contact him via his Twitter feed - ukdogtrainer . Good luck with those resolutions!

Pit Bull Nation
Cindy Marabito is the author of Pit Bull Nation which tells of her experiences rescuing Pit Bulls - and many other dogs too.

The book is full of anecdotes illustrating some of the injustices going on in shelters as well as some of the wonderful people who fight for the dogs they care for; some of Cindy's stories are uplifting while some of them are downright shocking.

When Cindy started out volunteering in shelters she was by no means a Pit Bull fan, and it's fascinating hearing her talk about how she got to know the breed and to love them - although she pulls no punches about the true nature of the breed, which just might surprise you.

You can find out more about Cindy and her book at the Pit Bull Nation website and she is also on Facebook . Cindy is still fighting for Pit Bulls and other dogs to have the life they deserve.

Other items
Host Julie brings you some of the happier recent dog related stories - like the dogs who have saved kittens' lives, and the dog who took a bus ride in Scotland.

And also what's the maximum amount of words you think a dog could learn? - Chaser the Border Collie has learned over one thousand - hear his amazing story.

On a more serious note some dogs in the UK have been affected by the mysterious Canine Seasonal Illness and others have been badly affected by chemicals we've been using to combat the freezing weather - listen and find out more.

What your dog really wants for Christmas
Joyce Geier is a Border Collie expert and has competed in trials with her dogs at the highest levels.

She knows that a Border Collie is happiest with a job to do so at this time of year when we’re thinking about what present to give our dogs for Christmas, maybe we should be thinking about how can we make the time we spend with our dogs really quality time.

Joyce has a number of practical suggestions as to how you can keep them happy and occupied, both physically and mentally. It doesn't matter what breed your dog is, or fit he is or how old he is - Joyce can help you give him a job to do to exercise body and mind.

You can find out more about Joyce at her website and you can hear Joyce talking some more about working sheepdogs and the movie You Lucky Dog in Episode 106 of DogCast Radio .

Why dogs bark
David Ryan is a Clinical Animal Behaviourist and Chair of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors, but you may have seen him on UK television show It’s Only A Theory, where he put forward a theory on why dogs bark. We saw that program and straight away we wanted to interview him on DogCast Radio.

David has pieced together the information and evidence available and has some interesting ideas on why dogs bark. David also has lots of insight into dog behaviour, and if you’d like to learn more about your dog and how to understand him check out David’s Dog Secrets website , and do read his Why do dogs bark article . David has brought to light a fascinating subject here, with authority and humour, so listen and find out why dogs bark.

Buddy's Diary
In Buddy's Diary, Buddy ponders what this holiday season means to dogs. He is aware of Merry Chris and New Ears - but who is Chris, and why is he so merry? Buddy is definitely in favour of New Ears for humans, as he feels they are just not up to the standard of canine ones.

But what Christmas dinner? What of presents? What of all the comings and goings at this time of year? Buddy shares his opinions in his first ever Christmas address.

News
In the DogCast Radio News you can hear about the police dog who's ending his career with a little help, and the new smallest police dog in the world. Plus what happened when a feisty Jack Russell encountered a Mountain Lion, how two German Shepherd saved their diabetic owner, and how Simon Pegg is determined to get his dog into his films.

Merry Christmas
From the whole DogCast Radio team, have a Happy Christmas and a safe and healthy New Year.

Orphans of Katrina

When Karen O'Toole realised how dire the situation was in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, she just had to help.

She spent months living in a car park by night, and rescuing dogs by day.

When she came home, Karen became very frustrated with the way the media coverage of Katrina was being handled and how she was only asked about happy reunion stories. As she puts it, "I realized the true story might never be told - the true story of a human & animal disaster so far-reaching and heartbreaking that the very people who lived it were burying it."

As a result, Karen wrote Orphans of Katrina: What really happened on the Gulf and it's an amazing book. In this interview she talks movingly about her life-changing experiences.

You can find out more about Karen and Orphans of Katrina: What really happened on the Gulf at her website , or at her Facebook page .

Listeners question
DogCast Radio listener Louise Billett contacted us for help with a problem with two dogs she spends a lot of time with. Her rescue German Shepherd Dog Shep mouths her, putting his teeth on her wrist and hand a lot. Although he doesn't hurt Louise, she is interested in why he does this and how she can stop him doing it.

Annie is a rescue Labrador that Louise looks after when her owner is away, and Annie has the same bad habit as Shep, but she also likes to pin other dogs down and mouth them on the neck.

We arranged for zoologist and experienced animal behaviourist Dr Muriel Brasseur for Louise to put her questions to. Muriel has some great advice and recommendations for Louise, and you can find out more about Muriel at her Oxfordshire Animal Behaviour Centre website or via her Twitter page .

To download the leaflet with suggestions on how to play with your dog go to the Blue Cross site .

News
In the DogCast Radio News you can hear how dogs focus on human faces, what frequency they shake at and research into the pessimistic and optimistic nature of some dogs' characters.

Plus hear how the most famous dog owner in the UK - the Queen - has had to take steps to keep dogs safe at her Sandringham estate.

Buddy's Diary
In Buddy's Diary, Buddy - who is now an Olympian - ponders on the nature of things that interest humans and dogs. Seashells, bubbles, laser lights and socks, what do they all have in common? - Buddy has the answers!

Save Lennox
Lennox is an American Bull dog cross, his mum was a Pedigree American Bull dog and his father was a cross between a Pedigree Staffordshire Bull Terrier and a Pedigree Black Labrador.

Until recently Lennox lived very happily with a Yorkshire terrier and a Boxer. On Wednesday the 19th May 2010 he was taken from his family home by Belfast City Council as they believe he falls under the dangerous dogs act for Northern Ireland, and since then he has been locked away from his family under threat of death.

To find out more listen to the show, or visit the Save Lennox website . This dog and his family need you help -please take the time to help get Lennox back home where he belongs.

Pukka: The Pup After Merle
If you are lucky enough to write a book that captures the heart of the dog world in the way Merle’s Door did, how on earth do you follow it? Well author Ted Kerasote has very wisely left the talking up to his current dog, and the result is Pukka: The Pup After Merle.

It's a fantastic book and in this episode you can hear a review , or to find out more visit Ted Kerasote's website .

Recovering from pet loss
Karen Litzinger is a licensed professional counsellor with specialised training in pet bereavement counselling and she had produced a CD titled Heal Your Heart Coping With The Loss of a Pet to help dog owners who are mourning a beloved dog.

In this interview Karen has advice on how to deal with the powerful emotions the loss of a dog can evoke, as well as where to find help - and when to find help. The most important thing to remember if you are grieving for a pet is that there is help out there, and there are many people who empathise with your pain and want to help you through it.

You can find out more about Karen at her Heal From Pet Loss website , where she has resources to help those suffering loss.

Newfoundlands
Newfoundlands are gentle loving giant dogs who can find themselves in rescue simply because of their size. The DogCast Radio team went to spend some time with these gorgeous dogs and their big-hearted owners who were taking part in water tests, and commemorating forty years of Newfoundland Club welfare.

In a heart-warming set of interviews, you can hear owners talking about the dogs they love and how those dogs came into their lives. Owning a Newfie is a life-changing experience, and it seems that one is never enough.

You can find out more about Newfoundland welfare at the Newfoundland Club website.
News
In the DogCast Radio News you can hear about Smithy the Labrador who is one of only two dogs in West Midlands Police Force trained to find blood and human remains who made the headlines with his own Twitter account. Plus listen to stories about the Guide Dog who won an award for going above and beyond the call of duty, how dog poop has been put to good use, how dogs are very good for children, and the woman who rescued her dog from a bear attack with a very odd "weapon".

Listener question
We have lots of comments and questions on the site but can you help advise this dog owner as to the best course of action?

"Hey, one quick question.
I have a beagle (about 10months old). It barks when left alone at home. I have school duties so i am not able to be home most of the time. I was thinking of getting another dog so that they will play by themselves when im not around, thus making less noise. but i am wondering whether 2 beagles = less seperation anxiety barking or 2 beagles = double barkings?

Thank you"

So what are your thoughts? - will a second dog calm down the first, or pick up his bad habits? You can reply on the DogCast Radio site , email or phone us , or get in touch via Twitter or Facebook .

Coprophagia
Coprophagia is a formal term for one of the more disgusting habits a dog can have - that of eating poo. It's an embarrassing problem that many dog owners struggle with and it can be a difficult behaviour to train a dog out of.

DogCast Radio listener Chantal Charbonneau has found that her two Weimaraners Mambo and Roxy have taken to recycling their own droppings to such an extent that she wanted expert help with putting a stop to it. In this interview, veterinarian Nancy Kay, who is the author of Speaking for Spot, has the answers for tackling coprophagic dogs.

If you have found a product or strategy for stopping dogs eating poo we'd love to hear from you - it's a distressing problem. You can hear Nancy talking about her book Speaking for Spot which can help you be the advocate your dog deserves in Episode 90 of DCR. You can also find out more about Nancy at the Speaking for Spot website and at her Twitter or Facebook page. Good luck to Chantal!

Cruciate ligament surgery
Earlier this year Star, our Bichon Frise, ruptured her cruciate ligament just by running energetically through the woods. She ended up having surgery and the whole experience was a shock and a steep learning curve for us.

I was eager to get some information about this condition which afflicts a surprising amount of dogs. In this interview you can hear John Davies, the surgeon who operated on Star talking about what the basic problem with the cruciate ligament is, how the problem occurs and the variety of treatments on offer.

It's reassuring to know that the vast majority of dogs who do rupture a cruciate ligament will recover enough to live a full happy life again. Happily Star is now back to normal.

News and other items
Although Star is back to normal she is no more eager to go on long walks than she was before the injury occurred, and you can hear about some of the strategies she has developed to deal with this problem.

Our dogs are good at finding solutions to problems such as making sure another dog doesn't steal your favourite stick out on a walk, and to avoid being shut out of the dining room at meal times. Host Julie considers this and more.

In the DogCast Radio News Kate and Nick talk about the dog who won the award for the most unusual insurance claim - and it's a story with a sting in the tail!

Also hear about how dogs are so relaxing for us, and have at guess what percentage of us talk to our dogs, and more to the point how many of us consider our dog a better talker than our partner.

Plus what is pop star Mika training his dog to do, and how did Robbie Williams include his eight dogs at his wedding? Listen and find out!

Sue London
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Sue London is a People & Pet Therapist, a radio host, and much more. In 1989 she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s is a chronic intestinal disorder, which causes severe abdominal pain, cramping, fatigue and diarrhoea. Further health complications followed, including being told she would never deliver the baby she was carrying. When Sue’s illness flared up her intestine burst, and she was rushed to the hospital; doctors predicted that she was just 30 minutes from death. Fortunately, a talented surgeon was able to act quickly and save her life.

Following this dramatic event, Sue began to take pro-active steps to health and happiness. Throughout this amazing journey, Sue’s now deceased dog, Rocky (a Shih-Tzu) remained a devoted companion, and Sue tells in this interview how her dog helped her turn her life around.

Having sorted her own life out, Sue now offers help to others, and brings the healing power of dogs to all who will accept it. You'll soon be able to see Sue who'll be on the Canadian channel Petnetwork, and her show will also be available via her website and through Facebook . Sue is also going to be an Internet TV host.

Schutzhund
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Have you heard of Schutzhund? It’s a dog sport that combines three different disciplines, tracking, obedience and protection work. The DogCast Radio team visited the Leicestershire Schutzhund Club to find out more about this challenging, fascinating dog sport. It must be emphasised that sport is the applicable word; although the protection work involved looks spectacular there is no aggression whatsoever involved. Host Julie can attest to this after slipping on the Schutzhund sleeve to get up close and personal
with a gorgeous German Shepherd.

Among others, hear an interview with Alison awrence Alison the captain of the British Schutzhund team who will be going to the World Schutzhund Championships in Spain in October. You can find out more about the Leicestershire Schutzhund Club at their website and more about the World Championships .

News

In the DogCast Radio News you can hear stories about the ice cream van serving dogs, the pubs offering dog food, the luxury hotel with a canine menu - and surprise surprise the news that dogs are getting fatter and fatter! Also what happened when a real life hare ran into the middle of a Greyhound race, and the water that dogs should be avoiding right now, and the water where dogs can have fun. All will become clear when Kate and Nick bring you the news.

Next month is National Dog Adoption Month launched by DogsBlog and Butcher’s Pet Care. DogsBlog.com was set up by Ryan O’Meara, a former professional dog trainer and animal welfare campaigner, and is celebrating the successful rehoming of dog number 10,000 - an 11 week old German Shepherd puppy called Axis. To find out more listen to the show or read the DogCast Radio blog for more information, or visit the DogsBlog site . Let's hope even more dogs find their forever homes during National Dog Adoption Month.

Chiengora
Have you come across chiengora? - it's using dog hair to knit or weave with. The chien part of the word comes from French meaning dog, and the gora part refers to the angora style softness of the fur.

Frances Pike knows all about collecting and preparing dog fur for use, and has made several items using chiengora fibre. Having an item made from your dog's fur can be a great fun item, but more than that, for those whose dog has passed on the chiengora item can be a an excellent memorial and sense of comfort.

If you want to use some of your dog's fur, listen to Fran's advice for gathering it. You can find out more about Fran at her blog , which is about many aspects of knitting, not just chiengora.

If you do make something using your dog's fur, we'd love to hear about it.

Karen Wild
Karen Wild is a dog trainer who enjoys working with people just as much as working with dogs, and has been involved in an innovative project at a school for children with special needs.

Coco, the headmaster's Labrador, has been socialised and trained very carefully and is proving a hit with the children - as well as a great source of motivation for them.

Karen talks about how she came to work with dogs, her attitude to her clients - human and canine - and her work with Coco.

You can find out more about Karen at her website , and you can follow her on Twitter, where her name is WildPaw .

News and other items

In the DogCast Radio News you can hear about the dog who blew away - complete with kennel, the dog that was just too big for the house, and the dog who nearly came to a sticky end when he chewed up the mail.

Plus a study claims we have made our dogs less intelligent just by domesticating them - hear the details.
The DogCast Radio family recently lost a member - Luna the cat. She was not quite a year old, and met her end when a car knocked her over. You can read a tribute to her in the DogCast Radio blog - The cat who stole the heart of a dog lover .

Plus host Julie ponders if a thoroughly wet and very friendly dog is what really sorts the dog lovers from the non dog lovers. What situations do you think sort out the dog fan from the rest of the world?

The the working life of a herding dog
Have you ever wondered what the working life of a herding dog consists of? Border Collie expert Joyce Geier talks about just that in this interview.

Joyce has competed with her dogs at the highest levels, and she shares her experiences of working and living with this amazing breed. She knows that a Border Collie is happiest with a job to do, and she reveals the repercussions when her first Collie chose a mission of her own.

Joyce is on the show in connection with the new Hallmark Channel movie, You Lucky Dog, which premieres on 26th June, and features Lucky's story - from rejected rescue dog to success. Lucky has to face plenty of challenges along the way, and so do the family that adopt her - can they all find their happy ending together?

Host Julie has a review of the movie and you can find out more about You Lucky Dog at the Hallmark Channel website . To find out more about Joyce Geier check out her website .

Canix - running with your dog
Many of us are struggling to control our own weight - and sometimes our dog's weight too. If you're looking for a way to get and keep fit, or maybe you're searching for a fun new activity you and your dog can share, Canix could be the answer.

The dog sport of Canix is running with your dog, and as you can hear from Richard Cook, all you really need is a dog, a collar and lead, and you can get started. A wide variety of people participate in Canix - from superfast Team GB runners to those who compete at a slower pace.

Richard talks about how you can best find out if your dog would enjoy Canix, where you can find more information, and how to really motivate your dog to get out there and run with you. And whether you have a Border Collie or a Bichon Frise, Canix could be for you.
To find out more, visit the Canix website .

News
In the DogCast Radio News, we cover the sad consequences dogs can face when they travel on planes. Plus, we bring you the stories of the rescue dog being helped out by a famous little blue pill - find out more about that at the Little Shelter website - the dog who brought a wedding rehearsal to a standstill, and how life can be hard even when your David Beckham's dog.

Joyce Geier
Joyce Geier talks about the strange task that her dog decided to take on - does your dog seem to have written his own job description? Bichon Frise Star seems to think she should destroy anything that smells of ears, and has so far managed to chew up several pairs of ear plugs and ear phones. Buddy sees one of his missions in life to be keeping his arch enemy Vacuum at bay. Tell us about your dog's quirks.

Bel Mooney - Small dogs can save your life
Writer and broadcaster Bel Mooney was happily married to Jonathon Dimbleby, and they lived with his two dogs, whom Bel liked, but hadn't quite learned to love.

Then a tiny rescue Maltese called Bonnie came into Bel's life, and won her heart and her admiration. Despite her small size, Bonnie was to prove an invaluable friend and ally to Bel when her husband left her and her world fell apart.

Bonnie's steadfast devotion helped Bel rebuild her life, and highlighted what a lot we humans could learn from our dogs. Bel has written about six turbulent years of her life in her aptly titled book, Small Dogs Can Save You Life, and in this interview she talks about it with humour and honesty.

Dog lovers will enjoy this book whatever size of dog they prefer, because at its heart is a celebration of the vital role our dogs play in our lives. You can find out more about Bel Mooney and all her books at her website .

Dachshund profile
I always think that Dachshunds look sweet, but I am aware that it can be a huge mistake to judge the nature of the dog by its appearance. To find out about the true nature of the dog beneath that sweet exterior I talked to Molly Morlino from Hill Country Dachshunds.

Molly knows all about Doxies - or Daxies as they are known in the UK - as she has been breeding them since she was fourteen years old. Molly shares her insight into the character of a Dachshund, as well as what motivates them best in training, what health issues are associated with the breed, how much grooming and exercise they require, and other areas of life with this determined little hound.

Molly is making great use of technology by streaming the birth of her dogs' litter live online, and also installing Cubby Cams in her kennels. This means that puppy buyers can witness the birth of their puppy as it happens - amazing!

To find out more about Hill Country Dachshunds and to view some of those gorgeous Doxies visit Molly's website , and you can also friend her on Facebook

News
In the DogCast Radio News, we have storied of drug detecting dogs who are helping parents keep an eye - or rather a nose - on their teenagers, and ensuring the safety of a holiday resort in Cornwall, UK.

There's also the story of the dog who slept through a burglary, and the dog who truly went that extra mile to help his family when fire broke out. Oh, and would you build your dog a $20,000 dream kennel in the garden? - we report on the dog owner who did.

You can find out more about Dargo the dog who is helping parents keep their kids on the right track at the Desert Drug Dog website .

Buddy's Diary
Poor Star has ruptured her cruciate ligament and has had TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy) surgery to rectify the problem. Buddy talks about the effect this has had in the DogCast Radio household in Buddy's Diary. He tells the whole story - how it happened, how Star was bundled off to the vet, what she smelled like when she returned, and the dreadful repercussions of the whole thing.

Star
The DogCast Radio team would like to thank everyone who has sent good wishes to Star, who is now on the slow road to recovery, getting lots of rest in her crate, and gradually building her strength back up.

In due course she should make a full recovery.

Go Daddy

We've created a number of dog related websites over the years and recently we've used GoDaddy the world's largest domain name registrar.

If you're looking to set up your own dog website or blog DogCast Radio can help you save money. You can get 20% off hosting plans with the coupon code Dog20H1 or get 30% off a dot com domain with the code DogCast6.

If you do decide to set up your own site we’d love to hear about it. You can find out more about these and other offers by going to http://www.dogcastradio.com/godaddy

Dog Tricks & Agility For Dummies
Sarah Hodgson is the author of Dog Tricks & Agility For Dummies. As well as being a prolific author, Sarah is a columnist, media personality and inventor. In this informative
and humorous interview she talks about the approach behind the book and how simple, natural canine behaviours can be taught on command and developed.

With Sarah's help you can learn how to teach your dog a variety of tricks, and gain insight into how to give your dog the confidence and focus to carry out these behaviours in unfamiliar locations in front of an audience.

She also has advice on turning a trick into an impressive perrformance. Sarah also has great advice if you are starting agility; did you know that there's something much harder to control than your dog involved in that particular dog sport? Sarah has the answers.

Above all, Sarah Hodgson wants to help you communicate effectively with your dog, and you can find out more about her at her website, When Dogs Talk, or on Facebook or Twitter .

Flyball
Flyball is a fast and furious dog sport, involving teams of four dogs racing over four jumps to collect tennis balls. The DogCast Radio team went along to a training session with the Carry Ons flyball team and found out exactly what flyball entails, what sort of dogs it suits, and how it can give some dogs the outlet they need.

We talk to team captain Katie Burns and various team members, including Kate Nicholas of Kate and Gin fame. Find out why you don't have to have a Border Collie, how slower dogs can compete in flyball too, and all about the health and welfare benefits flyball can offer your dog.

Flyball can also help socialise your dog, and offer you a social life too.

Listen to all this and more in our guide to flyball, which you can find out more about at the Carry Ons website , or the British Flyball Association website .

News
In the DogCast Radio News you can hear how dogs can convey different meanings in their growls, how a lurcher involved in a car accident had her body rebuilt, how Kelly Osbourne sustained an injury breaking up a dog fight, and how one dog became a diamond in the rough.

Search for Toto

Currently in the UK the television show Over the rainbow is searching for a Dorothy to star in Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of the Wizard of Oz, and they are also looking for a dog to play Toto. In the film Toto is a Cairn Terrier, but the auditions were open to any breed of dog as long as they were happy, healthy and had bags of personality. That sounded right up Buddy’s street so we went along. Hear how Buddy coped with the audition process. You can find out more at the BBC's Over The Rainbow website.

Crufts 2010
In this show we bring you our Crufts coverage.

Crufts 2010 had a new sponsor – the sofa company dfs – and in the show ring the emphasis was on health.

Crufts always includes interesting and unusual stories, and one of the most intriguing this year featured a mongrel who had been dead for over four hundred years. In our interview with Rear Admiral John Lippiett CB MBE you can hear more about Hatch who was the mixed breed dog aboard Henry VIII's flagship The Mary Rose . Hatch was the only female aboard, but just what was she doing on the ship?

Buddy and Julie were at Crufts as part of the Safe and Sound scheme which aims to educate children about safety around dogs.

Heidi Lawrence, an Education Manager at the Kennel Club and Safe and Sound team member Emily Hilton talk about the scheme. Emily is the child who worked most closely with Buddy in the Safe and Sound displays.

In other interviews, Samantha from Rudozem Street Dog Rescue talks about the organisations work rescuing dogs who are desperately in need of help, and we hear about the Poopsta , the device that's making poop scooping as easy and pleasant as possible. Lezli Rees from Driving with Dogs reveals how you can find great dog walks anywhere you travel in the UK, and to round it all off Gemma Young tells her personal story which demonstrates how well our dogs integrate into our families.

Dee Green of Balanced Dogs
Dee Green of Balanced Dogs took on rescue dog Miley with the aim of retraining her and rehoming her.

However sometimes life doesn't turn out as you expect, and Miley has fitted in so well with Dee's dog and proved to have unexpected talents, so maybe she has found her forever home with Dee.

Dee has spent her adult life surrounded by between three and nine canine companions including Chows, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and terriers of all kinds. The mission statement of Balanced Dogs is an admirable one, "Our goal is to help you have the relationship of your dreams with your best friend as quickly as possible."

Dee talks with humour and passion about Miley and her work as a trainer. For more information visit the Balanced Dogs website .

News
In the DogCast Radio News, you can find out whether dog or cat owners are more intelligent, how one man fell foul of the law for the way he walked his dog, and how if you are going to break the law you might be better off sticking to cats.

TV opportunities
In the UK Sky One is working on a fantastic new series about pet behaviours and persistent medical conditions. The show features pet owners looking for a solution to awkward animal problems with advice from vets and pet behaviourists. Presented by Joanna Page (of ‘Gavin and Stacey’ fame), the show will feature correct animal care and training techniques. If you’d like to get in touch with the Tiger Aspect team you can do so on telephone number 02075299400 or on email address pets@tigeraspect.co.uk

In the US, Animal Planet is developing a documentary about people who hoard animals. You can get in touch with them toll-free at 1-877-MY8PETS or got to www.petfamily.org

Dog Wrangler
Do you know what a dog wrangler is? Kathryn Segura is a wrangler in Hollywood, and has trained and supplied dogs, as well as other animals, for many films and television shows over her career.

In this interview she talks about her book Hollywood Barks, and working on movies such as Indecent Proposal and Something About Mary. She loves the dogs she works with, and has strong views about how they should be cared for. In turn they return her care, for example two Golden Retrievers saved her life during the filming of a Rescue 911 re-enactment.

It seems Kathryn was destined to work with dogs, being born with a paw print on her thigh.

You can find out more about Hollywood Barks at the Happy Tails website , and more about Kathryn Segura at the Take 1 Products website .

News

In the DogCast Radio News, Kate and Nick have stories of bi-lingual dogs, how the weather has brought good and bad luck for dogs, and which scientists have decided is the "better" pet - a dog or a cat.

Cats v Dogs

Host Julie carries on the consideration of cats and dogs, with some thoughts on what is the real difference between the two species. She has a theory that it can all be boiled down to one word. So what word is it, and how does that impact on a life shared with canines and felines? And how does it all relate to kettles and pianos? All will be revealed in episode 102 of DogCast Radio.

Darlene Arden - The Pet Expert
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.

To find out more about Darlene visit her website , or contact her on Twitter or Facebook .

The original Doglistener
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.

There is further information and numerous articles on Stan's Doglistener website .

The oldest dog in the world
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.

You can be Otto's friend on Facebook .

Episode 100
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.

Am I boring my dog?
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.

You can find out more about Edie at her websites as well as on Twitter and Facebook .

Here's a link to the list of toxic plants she mentions in the interview: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/

We think Edie's far too interesting to bore anyone - canine or human!

Cushing's Disease
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.

News
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 is Seven
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!

Black Dog Syndrome
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, and find out more at the Start Seeing Black Dogs website , or email her to seek further advice or offer your support. She is also on Facebook and Twitter .

Dog friendly Bed and Breakfast
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.

To find out more about Karen and her dogs visit the Hopton House website , and if you fancy running a B&B of your own have a look at her Bed and Breakfast Academy website .

You can also contact Karen on Twitter and Facebook.

News
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.

Buddy's Diary
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.

Other items
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
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.

Chris also has a lot of information at her website , including her latest project, the Rainbow Bridge Forever Bracelet.

Her blog includes many interesting stories of the many animals in her life.

Breed health
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?

For a breed profile of the Australian Terrier listen to Doreen Simpkins in Episode 76 of DogCast Radio .

News
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!

Dogs and kittens
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?

Canine health concern
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.

To find out more about Catherine or Canine Health Concern, visit their website , or read her article The Science of Vaccine Damage on the DogCast Radio site. If you wish to contact her via email the address is catherine@carsegray.co.uk

Rally in the UK
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.

If you visit the Association of Pet Dog Trainers website you can see downloadable files of rally signs, with an explanation of what the signs require you to do.

News
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.

Small Dog, Big Life: Memoirs of a Furry Genius
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.

For more information visit Genevieve's website , and check out the review on the DogCast Radio site .

Basset Hound scent trails
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.

To find out more about the Midland Basset Hound Club , visit their website .

News
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.

Finding Peace After Pet Loss
Sid Korpi wrote Good Grief: Finding Peace After Pet Loss after experiencing her own "tsunami" of grief.

This is an incredibly helpful book both for those who have lost a pet, and for those who haven't yet had that experience to prepare for it. Despite dealing with such a serious problematic subject, the book is uplifting, and points out very early on that grief is a "rich" experience, and not one that you can shy away from.

On a practical level the book has countless suggestions of wonderful ways to memorialise your pet. You may want to mourn alone, or you may want others to participate in some way, both approaches are valid and catered for. It is almost inevitable that while you are grieving some idiot will come out with something along the lines of, "But it was only a dog!" Sid has strategies to help you deal with this moment - and even suggests that such people may sometimes be more in need of sympathy than scorn.

This book engages readers on an emotional level too, and includes many of Sid's own experiences as well as many contributed stories. In this interview you can hear how Sid's animals seem to have some connection as soon as they meet, how sometimes she recognises or knows the name of her next pet, and how two of her dogs who had passed over helped guide her to her next dog.

It's an amazing collection of intriguing experiences, and it offers hope to those missing a beloved companion animal.

You can find out more about Sid at her Pet Loss website - and if you buy the book there the price includes a $2 donation to a no-kill shelter, and you can choose the inscription Sid writes in your book.

This is an interview that deals with death and loss sympathetically, but also has humour and warmth.

News
In the DogCast Radio News, hear about the loss of Gibson, the world's tallest dog, plus the dog who's alive thanks only to the wet British weather, the lucky dog who flew alongside his mistress from Paris to Israel, as well as dog rescuing - and being rescued - at sea.

Competition
We've been running a competition offering you a pawtographed T-shirt and postcards featuring the work of Ziggy the painting Pekingese, and in this show you can hear who the winners are.

The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood

Nadine M. Rosin is the author of The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood.

Her dog Buttons chose her as a tiny puppy, and Nadine was devastated when at the age of eight years old, the vet gave her six weeks to live. Buttons was Nadine's canine child, and Nadine refused to believe that her life was almost at an end. She took a proactive approach to changing her pet's life; improving her diet and removing any possible sources of contamination. The proof of her approach is that Buttons lived to be nineteen years old.

Here Nadine shares with you many of her secrets of helping your dog live a long, healthy, happy life, through her holistic philosophy.

Of course, however long our dogs live, it's never enough, and Nadine also has a lot of advice about coping with the loss of a beloved dog. Some people in life touch your heart with their integrity and Nadine M. Rosin is one of those people. She knows the utter misery of pet loss, and offers counselling - if necessary on a donation basis.

If you would like to find out more about her, or seek her support, visit her website and her blog , or contact her on Twitter .

Nina's Nannies For Pets

It's always an important part of going on holiday to ensure your pets will be happy and well looked after while you are away. One option is hiring a pet sitter.

Listen to this interview with Nina Cole, who owns and runs pet sitting business Nina's Nannies For Pets. Nina talks about what life is really like for a pet sitter, and reveals why a sense of humour is so necessary. For pet owners planning to use a sitter, she has advice on how to get the most from the service - and crucially how to spot a good, reliable sitter.

Nina's business grew from one woman to a thriving business, and she talks about her experiences with great humour. Importantly, Nina herself is a pet owner, so she knows just how precious our companion animals are to us, and what great care they deserve.

For more information visit the Nina's Nannies For Pets website , or contact Nina on Twitter .

News

In the DogCast Radio News you can hear why the British Kennel Club just can't please all the people all the time, an old dog, a young dog and Internet scams that are stinging puppy buyers.

Other items

Host Julie considers that dogs must not know the story of the boy who cried, "Wolf!" and has a reminder of our great Ziggy the painting dog competition. DogCast Radio can offer you the chance to win a pawtographed T-shirt and set of 6 postcards featuring Ziggy's work by entering our Ziggy competition. To be in with a chance of winning answer this question:

In our interview how many paintings does Elizabeth say Ziggy had completed so far?

Email your answer to competition@DogCastRadio.com The winner will be chosen and random and announced in our September show. Good luck!

Cardio Myopathy in dogs

We are bombarded with messages about keeping our own hearts healthy, but did you know that dogs can suffer with heart disease too.

Larger breeds are particularly prone to this, and Melanie Powell who works in the Cardiology Department at the University of Florida Veterinary Medical Centre runs a clinic offering a screening to breeders and owners. The clinic detects dilated cardio myopathy in dogs, and though the condition can be treated it can't be cured.

Dogs affected should not be bred from. Find out what dilated cardio myopathy is, what the symptoms are, and why it's so important to establish if your dog is affected.

To find out more about dilated cardio myopathy and the clinic visit the University's website .

How do you feel about little dogs? Are you a big fan of small breeds, or maybe are you not so keen? Well whichever you are this interview is for you. Michelle organises the toy dog group Ruby Scrumptious, so if you think toy breeds are terrific you’ll love her, and if your favourite breeds are big breeds, Michelle has something to say to you too. If you've ever made fun of someone with a dog in a stroller, listen up and think again! Owning toy breeds brings its own issues and challenges, which those who've only ever had larger dogs might not have thought of. The Ruby Scrumptious group meets in London, and there are many benefits to dog owners from walking in a group. Find out more at the Ruby Scrumptious site and at the Meet Up site.

Toy dog walking group

How do you feel about little dogs? Are you a big fan of small breeds, or maybe are you not so keen? Well whichever you are this interview is for you.

Michelle organises the toy dog group Ruby Scrumptious, so if you think toy breeds are terrific you’ll love her, and if your favourite breeds are big breeds, Michelle has something to say to you too. If you've ever made fun of someone with a dog in a stroller, listen up and think again!

Owning toy breeds brings its own issues and challenges, which those who've only ever had larger dogs might not have thought of.

The Ruby Scrumptious group meets in London, and there are many benefits to dog owners from walking in a group. Find out more at the Ruby Scrumptious site and at the Meet Up site .

News
In the DogCast Radio News you can hear how dog communication hit the headlines recently in contradictory studies.

Plus listen to Kate and Nick with stories about cloned dogs, five legged dogs, why Australian women prefer dogs to men, and how a very special pair of dogs got rehomed in the UK.

Fiction
In our fiction feature The Best Medicine of All, written and read by host Julie, hear how a dog's visit to a care home is the highlight of one man's day.

Training
Host Julie considers what happened when owners try to work each other dogs in training classes - and why was it so humiliating for her?

Ziggy the painting dog
As soon as I read about Ziggy in a newspaper I wanted to interview his owner, Elizabeth Monacelli.

In most respects Ziggy is an "ordinary" Pekingese, except Ziggy has an unusual talent - he's an artist. In this interview Elizabeth explains how it all came about from Ziggy's interest in cardboard tubes. She has evidence that he admires his own work, and she talks about how Ziggy is adamant about which colour to use at times. Ziggy chooses when and for how long he works, and part of the proceeds from the sale of his masterpieces goes to charity.

There's more to Ziggy's story than meets the eye - listen and find out. You can find out more about Ziggy at his website , and you can contact him on Twitter .

Plus DogCast Radio can offer you the chance to win a pawtographed T-shirt and set of 6 postcards featuring Ziggy's work by entering our Ziggy competition. To be in with a chance of winning answer this question:

In our interview how many paintings does Elizabeth say Ziggy had completed so far?

You can email the answer to competition@dogcastradio.com

The winner will be chosen and random and announced in our September show. Good luck!

Wolf Walk

When Jill Moss founder of the Bella Moss Foundation invited us on a wolf walk with the UK Wolf Conservation Trust we jumped at the chance to go.

The trust offers members and their guests the chance to interact with wolves in a wonderful woodland walk, and then return to the centre to learn more about these beautiful creatures. It's amazing to see how affectionate the wolves are with their handlers, and to hear about the wolves appearances on television. One of the wolves, Alba, broke his neck in an accident in his enclosure - hear his amazing story of recovery. You can find out more about the trust at their website .

Jill Moss has been nominated for Woman of the Year, and in this show you can hear her talk about her experiences with the wolves.

She became a member of the trust after interacting with young wolves in their enclosure. One of the wolves a reacted strangely to her - with very lucky consequences for Jill.

Hear Jill tell the story of how she lost her beloved dog Bella to MRSA and how she has since helped countless other sufferers around the world in Episode 58 of DogCast Radio .

You can find out more about Jill and support her fight against MRSA and other serious infections at the Bella Moss Foundation website .

Buddy's Diary

In Buddy's Diary, Buddy has been observing Star and Jenny at their training classes. So how is Star getting on with training her human? What crafty strategies has she been employing and do they work? More to the point how can Buddy make it work in his favour?

News

Host Julie brings you some dog related news stories (because Kate and Nick are away from the News Desk celebrating Kate's birthday). Did you hear about the dog who's been upstaging Richard Gere, and who are the new sponsors for Crufts 2010 - and why will they be so popular among the dogs?

Speaking for Spot: Be the advocate your dog needs to live a happy healthy longer life
Nancy Kay is a veterinarian who can help you truly be your dog's best friend. She is the author of Speaking for Spot: Be the advocate your dog needs to live a happy healthy longer life.

In this interview she gives some great insights into how you can make informed decisions about your dog's health. When it comes to visiting the vet, do you know how to make the consultation as effective as possible? And would you like to know the secrets of being a popular customer? All through our dogs' lives we face difficult choices - when to spay or neuter, which treatment to choose, and that ultimate problem of when to let go?

Nancy shares her Ten Commandments of visiting the vet and explains the procedures that most of us probably didn't even know were available for dogs. All this dished up with a hearty helping of humour - so don't miss out, listen to Nancy's interview.

For more information you can visit Nancy's website and blog .

Swedish Kennel Club

In the UK the Swedish Kennel Club is often held up as a model of perfection, so when I interviewed Jon Buscall who breeds Basset Hounds in Sweden, I took the opportunity to pick his brains on the subject.

While Jon does not represent the Swedish Kennel Club in official capacity, he has plenty of experience of being a member, and of breeding dogs under its guidance. So just what is the SKC doing that's so good, and how are they working to improve and ensure dog health, and of all the things we are told about them what is myth and what is truth? - Jon has the answers, and you can hear them.

You can find information and advice at Jon's blog on his website , and you can contact him on Twitter . To find out more about the Swedish Kennel Club visit their website .

Buddy's Diary
Buddy has been somewhere exciting. He went to a huge dog party, and he tells all about it in Buddy's Diary. Buddy was at Crufts helping to promote the PDSA, and had a fantastic time - but how did he cope with all the attention, and what did he make of the press room?

Listen and find out.

News
In the news you can hear how much X-men actor Liev Schreiber loves his dog, why ex-footballer turned actor Vinnie Jones is so grateful to his dog, and how British politician, former home secretary and guide dog user David Blunkett recently sustained a cow-related injury. Plus ugly dogs, noisy dogs and the aaah! factor -what more could you ask for from Kate and Nick at the DogCast Radio Newsdesk?

Be the ideal puppy purchaser

Jon Buscall breeds Basset Hounds in Sweden. He recently wrote an interesting blogpost titled, "How to be the ideal puppy purchaser ".

When you look for a breeder, you are usually focusing on what you as a buyer want. However, you need to be able to show the breeder you choose that you are worthy of buying one of their puppies. Jon's advice can help you do just that.

He has many things to consider - do you have the time and energy to commit to a puppy? Are you willing to keep in touch with the breeder? Have you really found out all you need to about the breed? And intriguingly, does it matter if you're experienced or an absolute beginner? - the answer to that one just might surprise you.

To benefit from more of Jon's advice visit his website , and you can also contact him on Twitter .

The Dog:5000 years of the dog in art

Tamsin Pickeral has written The Dog:5000 years of the dog in art. Dogs were a natural subject choice for her as she grew up with dogs right from the start.

She has studied the development of the depiction of the dog from its very beginnings. She has an interesting theory on why horses have been included on human art for so much longer than dogs have. It's fascinating how the way we have drawn and painted our dogs reflects the way our attitudes have changed towards them. It’s a beautiful looking book but Tamsin talks about how she has also included lots of information too.

You can find out more at Tamsin's website .

News and other items

In the DogCast Radio News you can hear about how dogs have been mixing with exotic animals, with different results. And did you hear about the dog who made a phone call that ended with the police getting involved? Well you can hear it in the news!

Do you enjoy taking your dog to the beach? Host Julie does, and she talks about some bad beach behaviour she recently observed. To learn about great doggy beach etiquette try these links:
http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/travel/info/tips/beachetiq.shtml
http://www.petfriendlybeachhouse.com/11/pet-safety-and-etiquette-at-the-beach/
http://www.petfriendly.travel/pettraveltips/beachetiquette.php

Kate, Gin and Ice

It's hard to believe that it was only last year that doggy dancing duo Kate and Gin burst onto our television screens in the show Britain's Got Talent. They amazed the judges with their display of heelwork-to-music, with Simon Cowell declaring, "All my life I have searched for the new Lassie and I think I've found him. That dog has got more talent than Rin Tin Tin."

Kate and Gin went on to the finals of the show, delighting viewers at home with their wonderful routines. Since then there have been countless personal appearances for the partnership as well as success in competitions, and of course lots and lots of dancing displays.

So how does a girl of sixteen cope with such incredible success? And what came after that initial blaze of publicity?

The big news is that the duo has become a trio with the arrival of Border Collie Ice, who is now nine months old. According to Kate, Ice seems to know that she has big footsteps to follow, and is proving a very willing pupil. So how has Gin taken to the arrival of the newcomer? And what was it that Gin did in obedience classes that was so embarrassing? To discover all that and more, listen to Kate talking about her beloved - and clever - dogs.

To find out more you can visit Kate's website or tweet her on Twitter .

News
In the DogCast Radio News you can hear about the dog whose digging could have blown up in his face, the dog who was literally blown away, and the dogs who ended up in surgery after developing an appetite for some very unusual items.

What I wish I'd known with my first dog
Host Julie will be talking about the things she wishes she'd known with her first dog, Buddy. What was the problem with toilet training? What was the training issue Buddy took longest to master? And what discovery was the aspect of dog ownership that most surprised her? Listen and find out.

Fiction
In our fiction feature, Starting at the very beginning, we see a dog training class through the eyes of the instructor. Will she ever get this class licked into shape?

Fit as Fido
Dr. Dawn Marcus has spent years telling patients that living healthily was more complicated than just taking a tablet to put everything right. She always knew that lifestyle played a huge part in health, but it was not until the arrival in her life of Wheatie the Wheaten Terrier in her own life, that she realised how much we can learn from our dogs.

Meeting a dog's needs involves having a regular routine, and getting lots of exercise. But it also includes having fun, and in the process our physical and mental wellbeing are improved and enhanced. Did you know that if you eat, sleep and play like a dog, you can seriously improve your health?

Listen to Dr. Dawn Marcus as she talks about her brilliant book Fit as Fido, which explains how you can learn the vital life lessons your dog knows all about.

Find out more at the Fit as Fido website , where in the Celebrity Spotlight section, you can hear how Buddy has improved DogCast Radio host Julie's life.

Visit to Dogs Trust
My local Dogs Trust centre, Roden, does tremendous job of rehoming dogs, so I went to find out what a day is like in the centre.

It starts early, it goes on late, and it involves lots of hard work. It also means lots of fun and attention for the dogs, as well as training and meeting the public. There's cleaning, feeding, grooming and walking to be done, and none of this could happen without the commitment of a very devoted team of staff, and some wonderful volunteers.

Dogs Trust never puts a healthy dog down, and has some ingenious schemes in place to raise awareness of and funds for those dogs in its care.

To find out more visit the Dogs Trust website , where you can also discover more about the Roden centre .

News
In the DogCast Radio News you can hear about dogs in danger, a GPS system for guide dogs, and do you know what a Chorkie is? Well a Chorkie could be the smallest dog in the UK. But where does the smallest dog in the world live? Nick has the answers!

Does your dog love you?
Does your dog love you? Well according to author Jon Katz he doesn't, he merely exhibits behaviour that tricks you into thinking he loves you, because that gets him what he wants. By the way, he doesn't miss you when you're gone and would soon forget you apparently.

Read more on what Jon Katz has to say here . You can leave a comment and vote on the subject, which needless to say has stirred up some strong feeling! Hear Julie's thoughts on the matter in the show.

CAPS - Companion Animal Protection Society
When Deborah Howard was horrified by the appalling condition of a dog in a pet shop, she founded CAPS - Companion Animal Protection Society - of which she is the president.

She and many colleagues now work tirelessly to ensure companion animals receive the treatment they deserve. CAPS gathered evidence for a recent court case, which Deborah talks about in this interview. The abuses that lead to the court case are shocking - and will horrify all dog lovers.

To find out how to support CAPS, visit their website , where you'll find guidance on who to write to and what else to do. If you don't want any dogs raised as livestock, in appalling conditions, you'll have sympathy with CAPS and the war they are continually waging against puppy mills, and all who profit from the mistreatment of dogs.

Mic Martin at Crufts
Mic Martin was at Crufts raising money for the charity Support Dogs. Mic was busy on all four days of the show, giving training advice in return for donations to the charity.

Mic Martin is the familiar disciplinarian trainer on the television program Dog Borstal - but in real life he is far less daunting as you'll hear! Mic talks about why he is so committed to Support Dogs , and the incident that lead him to this attitude. He also talks about the training he offers at his own establishment, what he thinks of Crufts - and he has some excellent advice if you want to find out about particular breeds of dog.

Mic Martin at Crufts
The Native Dog Breeds Trust is striving to highlight to the British public what is great about traditional British breeds that are in danger of dying out.

For example, did you know that while 45,000 Labradors were registered in the UK last year, only 37 Skye Terrier pups were registered? The Skye Terrier is the most vulnerable of all the breeds the Trust is trying to promote, and in this interview, you will hear John Breeze talking about the work of the trust, and he says there's a vulnerable breed that would suit everyone.

To find out more, visit the Native Dog Breeds Trust website .

Jim Hawkins and "Comedy Dog"
Jim Hawkins is the presenter of the morning show on Radio Shropshire. He is also a Twitterer and a dog owner, sharing his life with his beloved "Comedy Dog".

I interviewed Jim as he sat on a park bench in Telford town park - this is a practice he carries out once a week, varying the location of the bench around Shropshire, and recording the conversations he has for broadcast in his show.

In this interview you can hear Jim talk about life with feisty Comedy Dog, and the difficulty of inter-species communications between Comedy Dog and Big Fat Cat- Jim's other pet.

Australian Terrier
You can hear Doreen Simpkins in Episode 75 of DogCast Radio giving an Australian Terrier breed profile. You can also read what she has to say about the breed on the DogCast Radio profile pages.

Now Doreen has been put forward to sit on the breed health working group and she’s interested in collating information/research etc from as many different sources as possible. While there are not numerous health problems in Aussies, there does appear to be anecdotal evidence about a couple of health problems, and anything that can be done to investigate how to minimise these would be welcome.

If you have anything to contribute you can get in touch with us here at DogCast Radio or directly with Doreen at her website www.haveahappyhound.co.uk/

Just This Side of Heaven

Beagles came into Tim Glass's life by accident. Once he had discovered the breed, he loved them.

Beagles brought Tim's wife Cathy into his life. Cathy is another Beagle devotee, and so it was that Tim and Cathy set up home together with their pack of three Beagles.

Penny was a very special Beagle, whose life and death, taught Tim and Cathy so much. The worst aspect of dog ownership is the comparatively short canine lifespan, and many of us are cast adrift in our grief for a devoted companion we have lost, but whom the world see as "just" a dog. Tim's experiences lead him to write the book Just This Side of Heaven, which is affecting those who read it in many ways - and definitely helping people to cope with loss, and move on.

In this interview with both Tim and Cathy, you can hear the amazing story of how they were brought together by their beloved Beagles, how they lived with them, and how they coped with the loss of their very special girl, Penny. The key to it all according to Tim, is the dash - listen and all will be explained!

To find out more about the Glasses, visit the Just This Side of Heaven website .

Crufts 2009

Crufts 2009 was a much anticipated, much talked and written about show, but if you were there you know it was business as usual. We were there, and as usual we sniffed out some interesting stories for you.

Sue Cole and her pupils were there raising awareness of and gather signatures for their petition to make microchipping of dogs a legal requirement. Sue and one of her pupils, Lauren, explain why they feel so strongly about this subject, and the efforts they are making in their campaign. Together they are the SOFA Club - Speaking Out For Animals. They have their own website , an online petition and an excellent patron in Marc Abraham. Dog Theft Action and Vets Get Scanning also support the SOFA Club's campaign.

Marc Abraham was at Crufts as the Kennel Club's Veterinary Adviser, but also as co-founder of ThePet.Net website. You can hear a great interview with him and co-founder Andrew Seel, talking about a range of things, including the awards scheme they have to highlight pet friendly businesses, and how the Internet can unite and empower dog owners.

Jill Moss was at Crufts promoting the good work that the Bella Moss Foundation does supporting pet owners affected by MRSA and other serious infections. She had news of new patrons this year. To find out more you can visit the Bella Moss Foundation website , and the online nurse training website .

Cat the Vet, the resident vet at Pet Street offers advice and information as well as an insight into her work as a vet. It was her first trip to Crufts, and you can hear what she thought of it all.

Rose Bugler and Sue Jones were at Crufts publicising their DVD, The Well Balanced Pup . They were approaching the show from a rather different angle - hear how in this informative interview.

With so many dog lovers gathered together, the magazine Your Dog was selling like hot cakes, until they sold right out of copies. I spoke to Editor Sarah Wright about what readers find inside a copy of the magazine.

Give a Dog a Home
Graeme Sims is the shepherd who works up to nine sheepdogs at a time, each in a different language.

Now retired, Graeme, his wife and their pack of Border Collies have found peace in South Wales. Graeme's latest book is called Give a Dog a Home, and deals with some of the problems rescue dogs can encounter. Graeme talks about his definition of "rescue", and there can be many situations that a dog needs to be "saved" from.

As ever, Graeme talks with honesty, authority and a lot of humour. He has a lot of advice, gained through years of experience, but always has food for thought too.
You can find out more about Graeme at the Graeme Sims website , and the Sims Sheepdogs website .

Raising great puppies (Part two)

Jerrie Wolfe is an amazing breeder who allows her dogs the freedom and space to follow their instincts when it comes to bringing up their puppies.

With over thirty years experience of breeding her own dogs, Jerrie has the experience to back up her approach. The puppies she produces are well-balanced and confident, and most importantly they know how to be a dog.

It may sound strange, but young dogs need to learn how to read other dogs, how to take correction, and how to deal with dominance. Puppies need to play with each other, and to learn from older dogs. Jerrie's Cairn Terriers get the opportunity to do all that. They are successful as family pets, and in the show ring.

To find out more about Jerrie and her beautiful dogs visit her Rose Croft website , which includes her article packed with advice on raising pups with great temperaments.

Fiction
The Journey, our fiction feature that began in the last episode concludes this time. The young Weimaraner was abandoned at the roadside - what will his future hold?

See you in april!
This is the only episode in March - but DogCast Radio returns in April.

Raising great puppies

Jerrie Wolfe is an amazing breeder who allows her dogs the freedom and space to follow their instincts when it comes to bringing up their puppies.

With over thirty years experience of breeding her own dogs, Jerrie has the experience to back up her approach. The puppies she produces are well-balanced and confident, and most importantly they know how to be a dog. They may sound strange, but young dogs need to learn how to read other dogs, how to take correction, and how to deal with dominance.

Puppies need to play with each other, and to learn from older dogs. Jerrie's Cairn Terriers get the opportunity to do all that. They are successful as family pets, and in the show ring.

To find out more about Jerrie and her beautiful dogs visit her Rose Croft website , which includes her article packed with advice on raising pups with great temperaments.

Justice for dogs

The law as it relates to dogs can seem incredibly complicated - even to some lawyers apparently!

In the UK Ann Harpwood is the woman to turn to if you find yourself in dog-related trouble with the law. Ann founded Justice for Dogs, which is a charity which aims to provide support for dog owners with problems, especially of a legal nature.

Although Ann is based in the UK much of the advice she has for dog owners is relevant wherever you live, such as how a DNA profile could be helpful, and what forms of identification are really effective?

Ann also talks about some of the requests for help she has dealt with.

News

In the DogCast Radio News, you can hear about dogs behaving badly, dogs going missing, and why smokers are more likely to quit for their dogs' health than their own.

There's the first part of a two-part fiction feature, The Journey, and did you know that you can now get DogCast Radio updates on Twitter ?

Russian Dog Wizard

If you haven't encountered the Russian Dog Wizard yet you're in for a treat with this show.

Vladislav Roytapel has trained dogs in many countries, in many situations, and now owners often turn to him for help with dogs that are considered untrainable. Valdae can always help though, and with his ability to communicate with dogs in their own language, "doglish", he can get humans and canines on the road to living in harmony.

Vladae has trained dogs for the Russian government, the Red Army and the KGB. The dogs he worked with carried such tasks as sniffing out gas leaks, delivering mail between the military ships, guarding and search and rescue. Now he brings all that knowledge and experience to bear on solving problems for pet owners.

In this interview he reveals some of his secrets, and gives his advice for living in peace with your dog.

To experience more of the magic of the Russian Dog Wizard, you can visit his website , where there is a wealth of information about Vladae, his training methods, and some of his highly entertaining appearances on TV and radio.

Wolf Conservation

Toni Shelbourne is not just one of the UK's foremost authorities on Tellington Touch, she is also an Education Officer & Senior Wolf Handler with the UK Wolf Conservation Trust.

In this interview you can hear her talk with great affection about the wolves she works with. They are so well socialised that they can be taken on walks to meet the public, and definitely enjoy interacting with humans.

Toni talks about how they are cared for, their environment, and the sometimes surprising effect they can have on those who meet them.

To find you how you can join the UK Wolf Conservation Trust and support their work, go to the website UKwolf.org , and for more information on Toni, including an article on applying Tellington Touch to wild animals visit her website, tellingtontouch.co.uk

News

In the DogCast Radio News, Kate and Nick bring you the latest on why Emma Roberts found working on Hotel For Dogs kept her on her toes, how a dog rescued a woman with hypothermia, the Australian dogs who need rescuing from a large reptile, and what never to do when searching for a lost dog.

If you want information about President Obama's dog plans, check out the American Kennel Club site .

Buddy’s Diary book

Don’t forget that the Buddy’s Diary book is still available for $10.95 or £6.35. Or you can download the book for $3.95 which is £2.31. It should be available in most parts of the world, and you can of course use the ISBN number to order it into your nearest book shop.

Dog agility DVD

If you and your dog enjoy agility, do check out Lee Gibson's site, where his DVD is available. Lee has a great approach, advising establishing the basics to enable you to build a rapport and work well together.

Visit the DogCast Radio Blog to find out how Julie and Buddy's training with Lee went, and how Buddy did the funniest thing he's ever done during agility lessons with Lee.

Free Shaping

Hopefully you know by now that clicker training is a highly effective training method. You should also be aware that the clicker is not to get the dog's attention or give an instruction; rather it's a way of pinpointing to the dog the exact behaviour you want.

There are many ways to use a clicker, and in this show we hear about shaping from expert dog trainer, Pam Dennison. Shaping is a way to break a behaviour down into little steps, and tell the dog that he is doing something right, and gradually moving towards the behaviour you want.

According to Pam, you can think of it a little like the hot and cold game. Pam has all the information you need to get you started on shaping with your dog - and she has a DVD The Magic of Shaping: Explore the Possibilities .

It sounds like a great way to get your dog thinking, and you can find out more about Pam at her website .

Tellington Touch

Tellington Touch can be used on dogs with health or behaviour problems, as well as healthy dogs. It's something you can learn to do with your own dog, whatever his breed or age, and it's something that will benefit you both, and help you bond.

In this interview you can listen to Toni Shelbourne talking about Tellington Touch. Toni has studied under Linda Tellington-Jones as well as other top Tellington Touch instructors, and risen to become one of the highest qualified practitioners in the UK. She can work with a variety of animals, appeared alongside Sarah Fisher in the television series "Talking to Animals", and runs one and two day workshops in the UK.

You can find more details at her website . According to Toni, if you're willing to give it a go, you can learn to do Tellington Touch.

News and articles

In the DogCast Radio News, you can hear why Jennifer Anniston thinks a dog is better than a man, how dogs can tell if things are fair, and how actor Kevin McKidd learned the hard way you shouldn't put off having your dog neutered.

This show's article highlights Bichon Frise Star's eccentricities.

You've been feeding back about the new theme music, and the consensus is that you preferred the old one. Keep letting us know what you think. Also, have you checked out the DogCast Radio Blog yet? If not you're missing out on extra information about DogCast Radio, information about Buddy and Star, dog related news, great website links, and occasionally Julie's musings.

Problems in a multi dog house

We were contacted by a listener, Katarina Anthony, with a problem with her three dogs. You can see the text of her email below.

Her German Shepherd, Bismark is constantly trying to be top dog, and Katarina is beginning to despair of her dogs ever living in peace. For help with this difficult problem, I turned to aggression specialist, Susie Aga.

Susie always gives great insights into canine thinking, and this interview is no exception. She has advice for Katarina on establishing which of her dogs is really the alpha dog.

She also has tips on how to handle life - particularly those flashpoints like dinner time - to ensure the dogs avoid situations that set off competition between them.

Susie Aga is a Certified Canine Behavior & Training Specialist who received her certification from Triple Crown Academy, a world leader in pet education. She has 20 years experience with dogs and is recommended by over 45 Veterinarians in the Metro Atlanta area. Susie was chosen by Turner Broadcasting to be their featured "Pet Expert". Susie is also the "Pet Expert" for- Pet Doctor Online. She is interviewed by veterinarians regarding many behavioral issues and their solutions. The discussions are directed towards behavioral problems such as separation anxiety, cage aggression and other hard to define issues facing many owners and their dogs. The shows are also archived for your convenience. She has six rescue dogs of her own and donates much of her time and services to Rescue Organizations. You can truly say her life has gone to the dogs and that is just the way SHE WANTS IT!

You can find out more about her at her website .

swapping bones for broccoli?

Did you know that many owners are swapping bones for broccoli in their dog's diet?

Many of us are trying to improve our own diet at this time of year, so it makes sense to overhaul what our dog is eating too. Do you give your dog vegetables? Or vitamin supplements?

We talk to Emma Holyer from Liverpool Victoria about some research they carried out on canine cuisine. Their results may not be quite what you expected.

News

In the DogCast Radio News, Princess Beatrice's dog Max went missing over Christmas, her uncle Prince Edward has been investigated by the RSPCA after allegations he hit his Labradors, and we hear about puppies who made the journey from Atlanta to Florida to find new homes.

Fiction

Our fiction feature is Be Careful What You Wish For. It's written by Kate Coldham and read by Nick Coldham.

New Music

It's a New Year, and we have new opening music for DogCast Radio. Is it change for the better or the worse? Let us know what you think.

It's still the same great mix of dog related interviews, news and more - so start 2009 as you mean to go on, and listen to DogCast Radio.

Katarina's email
Here is the text of Katarina's email discussed above:

I have been listening to your podcast and have really enjoyed the advice and information that you have been sharing. In particular, I liked your recent show on separation anxiety - a problem we have experienced in the extreme with our German Shepherd, Bismarck. It took about a year for him to get the point where we were able to get out of the house without anything being destroyed - he is significantly better in this respect at least, but we still have problems with him in other areas.

First of all, let me say that our Bismarck is wonderfully behaved when he is by himself. However, we have two other dogs - a Belgian shepherd and a Great Dane/German shepherd cross. He is constantly struggling to gain more power in the pack - but with little success. Hercules, our Great Dane mix, is the primary recipient of a Bismarck's aggression. Every single time we let the dogs into the garden, there is a - sometimes violent - struggle as to who goes first. Usually, Bismarck barks incessantly while I sneak the other two dogs out. This happens five or six times a day, and the neighbors have started to complain about the barking. Unfortunately, Hercules does not challenge Bismarck over who goes out the door - which he doesn't seem to think is very important. However, with food, Hercules is constantly dominating Bismarck - and doing so successfully. Whenever they get into a fight, which sometimes can last up to an hour with bloody injuries to treat afterwards, Hercules comes out the winner. But our German Shepherd continues to believe he has a shot at the number one place.

My question to your team is this: is there a way to deal with dog-dog aggression/fights for dominance that we do not know of? We consistently make sure to reward Hercules first, to let him out first, to give him the extra treat, to take him in the car instead of Bismarck - but message is just not getting through. We are at a loss, and at the moment I am considering taking Bismarck with me to London while I study in order to remove him from the equation. But it really would not be fair to him, as he needs to have a garden.

Rethinking rescue dogs

It's time for a Christmas episode again. In this episode we have an interview with a woman who's doing her best to change the way we talk and think about rescue dogs.

Cynthia Miller shares her life with two beautiful Maltese dogs, Lulu and Lolly, and she and the girls do a lot of work to raise money for dogs who really need help. Cynthia (and husband Dean) wrote Rescue Dog Rock, which you can see at Lulu and Lolly's website . The video that accompanies the song may well make you think again about rescue dogs. Lulu and Lolly have their own calendar which is helping raise money for charity. They also have a blog, and their own unique career ambitions.

To have your preconceptions challenged, listen to Cynthia - her enthusiasm is infectious.

Tailwaggers

It may be Christmas but we can't rustle up a Fairy Godmother. We can do the next best thing though - that's the Furry
Godmother, Dogs Today editor, Beverley Cuddy.

Beverley talks about a charity that's close to her heart - Tailwaggers . The charity was once incredibly popular in the UK, but has declined in recent years. Beverley is helping to ensure the charity's future.

It may not be a household name, and it may not change the world - but Tailwaggers can and does change people's and dogs' lives for the better. Beverley gives some heart-warming examples of people who have turned to Tailwaggers and found solutions to their problems.

As well as publishing and editing the UK magazine Dogs Today , Beverley has two blogs - Cold Wet Nose , and the Dogs Today Think Tank .

Christmas fiction
We have a special two minute fiction feature - Christmas Shopping. Why buy things for a dog you haven't got? And our quotes between items are a dog's rules for Christmas. So listen online, or take us with you on your mp3, but one way or another, enjoy a merry Christmas with DogCast Radio.

Spending less at the veterinarian

If you're looking for ways to save money as we all feel the bite of the credit crunch, veterinarian Paula Terifaj has some great advice on how you can spend less on your dog's medical treatment.

In the second part of her interview, Paula talks about what you should do to prepare for a large vet bill. She also has tips if you are already in debt, and she'll tell you if insurance is financially viable. Paula also reveals the single most significant contribution you can make to keeping your dog healthy - which of course means paying out less at the vet's surgery.

You can find out more about Paula and benefit from her excellent advice at her website and blog , and she even has a newsletter you can subscribe to. So now you can keep your dog in the best of health without breaking the bank.

Choosing a good dog breeder

The documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed has caused turmoil in the dog world in the UK, with the Kennel Club being accused of putting dogs' appearances ahead of their health. What is the truth of the matter? Are Kennel Club approved breeders the best guarantee of a healthy puppy? If a dog isn't Kennel Club registered does that mean it's more likely to live a long happy life? Should you look for a breeder who carries out health tests? What about puppy farms or mills, and are back yard breeders to be avoided? What's the difference between the top kennels and a hobby breeder?

If you're confused, let Kimberley MacDonald make sense of it for you. Kimberley breeds healthy, well-balanced Rottweilers and Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, and has the information you need to know about buying a puppy, how to spot a good breeder and how to recognise a bad one. How should you buy a puppy - and just as importantly, how should you never buy a puppy?

Find out more about Kimberley and her dogs at the Samala Rottweilers website .

News

In the DogCast Radio News, hear about the plight of Hubble, the dog that the media dubbed Britain's ugliest dog.

You can hear about the dog who drove, the rarest litter in England, the dog who stood up to a snake, and the Jack Russell who's looking for love.

Buddy's Diary and our new video section

In Buddy's Diary, Buddy's looking on the bright side of life - and how could you do anything but that, as you listen to your favourite dog podcast?

And to make things even better, there's now a video section on the DogCast Radio website. You'll find the video button at the top of each page, next to the photo button, so go and check out the videos already uploaded. Don't be shy - if you have funny, cute or action packed video of your dog, add it to our new video section.

Spending less at the veterinarian

With the credit crunch making us all look for ways to economise, we have timely money saving advice from Dr. Paula Terrifaj.

Paula talks about how you can spend less at the veterinarian's surgery without compromising your dog's health. Who knows that better than a veterinarian herself? Find out when to go to the veterinarian and when to wait, where to buy medicines from, and how to find a great value veterinarian.

Is it really necessary to have an annual health check? What treatment is essential, for example do our dogs really need all those vaccinations?

So to make sure you keep your dog healthy without wasting money, take Paula's advice.

Paula has a website packed with more vital information to help dog owners make the right decisions for them and their dog.

Walking Ollie author Stephen Foster
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When Stephen Foster and his partner adopted rescue dog Ollie, it was the start of a very difficult relationship for Stephen.

Ollie had been found living wild in Thetford Forest, and was according to Stephen, thin but beautiful. It wasn't the immediate happy ending they had hoped for though, as Ollie became frightened of Stephen, and it was a long struggle to achieve harmony.

The experience inspired Stephen to write Walking Ollie, a book that dog owners will identify with and understand. Told with humour, the story is honest and moving.

Later puppy Saluki Dylan joined the family, and another book was inspired - Along Came Dylan. So did Stephen's persistence pay off? Did Ollie eventually bond with the owner who loved him? Hear Stephen answer these questions.

To keep up to date with Stephen Foster, Ollie and Dylan, visit Stephen's blog .

News and other items

In the DogCast Radio News, Kate and Nick bring you the latest happenings in the dog world.

If you'd like to find out more about the fascinating statistics contained in the American Veterinary Medical Association's U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook mentioned in the news, visit the AVMA website .

Host Julie talks about walking Buddy in the damp chill English autumn weather, and the nature of happiness, in Walk the Walk.

David Frei on the National Dog Show

The National Dog Show sponsored by Purina will be televised on Thanksgiving Afternoon, and is fast becoming a holiday tradition.

Co-host David Frei tells us what viewers can expect to see. He also talks about the behind the scenes work that goes into preparing a show dog, and what the judges are looking for. David knows what he is talking about as he has had great success in the show world with his Afghan Hounds and Brittany Spaniels. He also knows how rewarding having a qualified therapy dog is.

If you don't know what a bench show is, or what stacking is, David explains these terms, plus he tells us what the new breed at this year's show will be.

To find out more about the National Dog Show, visit their website , and for a really useful dog show glossary, visit the Purina site . To discover more about David Frei , visit his website. Tune in to find out who makes it to Best in Show.

Puppy Farming Protests

Dogs don't belong in pet shops, but if a new pet superstore has its way it's something we'll be seeing a lot more of in the UK.

Lady Margaret Flack, together with the Kennel Club and Our Dogs , is mounting a campaign to try to put an end to puppy farming, dog smuggling, dog dealing and dogs being sold in pet shops.

In this interview, Lady Margaret talks about the awful conditions dogs are kept in at puppy farms, and about the pet superstore that is an outlet for many puppy farm dogs. Lady Margaret points out why dogs bred by puppy farms are highly unlikely to be healthy or temperamentally sound, and point out the right and wrong way to buy a puppy.

The campaign includes demonstrations at the superstore selling many breeds of dog, and we'll bring you updates of its progress.

Kate and Gin

Kate and Gin rose to fame in the show Britain's Got Talent, and are one of the most well known doggy dancing duos around.

Now Kate has written a book telling not only her and Gin's story, but also offering advice on how you can train your dog like she trains Gin.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs come to the UK

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is now recognised by the UK Kennel Club.

Host Julie talks to Kimberley MacDonald , the woman who brought the Swissies to Britain, worked to have them recognised by the Kennel Club, and is now setting up a breed club.

If you'd like to find out more or actually meet a Greater Swiss Mountain dog, Kimberley and her dogs will be attending Discover Dogs and Crufts .

The newly formed Great Swiss Mountain Dog Club of Great Britain can be found at www.gsmd.org.uk
News

In a packed show, we also have the DogCast Radio News, in which you can hear about dog guarding monkeys, Pekingese dogs losing popularity, and how dogs have been surfboarding, making use of GPS and eating chocolate muffins.

Australian Terriers

Australian Terriers are cheerful, companionable, lively little dogs, and in this episode breeder Doreen Simpkins gives us an insight into life with this delightful breed.

She talks about their appearance and character, as well as grooming, training and exercise requirements.

Doreen is involved with both Australian terrier Breed Clubs in the UK, and also writes the breed note column for Our Dogs weekly newspaper.

To find out more about this feisty Terrier breed which originally helped control vermin and snakes in the Australian outback, listen to Doreen's interview. To find out more about Doreen and her dogs visit her website, Have a Happy Hound .

More on settling a new puppy

Matthew Culmore's interview about settling a new puppy into the house concludes in this episode.

You can hear the first part in episode 74 of DogCast Radio .

In this interview Bichon Frise breeder Matthew continues with what to do to ease the stress of transferring to his new home for a puppy. How much time do you need to set aside to be with him? How should you feed him? How should you treat him generally? - Matthew answers all this and more.

There is lots of information about Matthew, the wonderful dogs he breeds, and welcoming that new canine addition to the family at the Culmore Canines website .

A Phoenix in Black and White

Winfred Peppinck was the Australian High Commissioner/Ambassador to the Caribbean when he and his wife Wendy took a lucky rescue dog into their home. Diplomatic Dog - DD as he became known - lived happily with them, and his life as a cherished pet was incredibly different from his beginnings as a stray.

Winfred was inspired to write the book The Diplomatic Dog of Barbados telling DD's rags to riches story. Sadly, DD passed away earlier this year, leaving his owners devastated.

In a poignant story, A Phoenix in Black and White, Winfred recalls the bitter-sweet arrival of new puppy Harry Lime. The Diplomatic Dog of Barbados is published by Olympia.

Buddy's Diary the book
Buddy's Diary plus fiction and article from DogCast Radio is now available, so if you are looking for a Christmas present for a dog lover, or you know someone who would enjoy DogCast Radio but doesn't have Internet access, or maybe you just fancy treating yourself, look no further!

Settling a new puppy

Top Bichon Frise breeder Matthew Culmore talks about settling a new puppy in to your home.

Matthew was previously on the show in episode 51 giving advice on how to recognise a good breeder. However, once you've found a breeder you trust, you then need to know how to make the transition from the breeder's house to yours as smooth as possible for the puppy.

Matthew's dogs' litters have been highly rated by the American Kennel Club, and settle into their new homes extremely well, and in this interview you can hear Matthew's advice on how to acheive the same success with your dog.

If you've ever wondered how your puppy should spend his first night in your home, when you should start training and how to treat your puppy generally, this interview has answers for you.

To find out more about Matthew and Culmore Canines, visit his website .

Canine Good Citizen

Many national Kennel Clubs around the world offer dogs and owners the chance to participate in the Canine Good Citizen Scheme. Buddy and host Julie have passed the Bronze and Silver levels, and are currently working on their Gold Award.

Julie talks to trainer Jill Arnold from Paws 4 Thought Dog Training about what the scheme involves. You can also hear from owners working at all levels of the scheme about how the training has benefitted them and their dogs.

The scheme incorporates tasks that owners will find useful in every day life with their dog, such as basic obedience, as well as teaching the dog not to leave or enter a car until he is given permission.

To find out more about Jill visit her website , and we also have links to Good Citizen Schemes around the world.

Good Citizen schemes:
United Kingdom

United States

New Zealand

Australia

Buddy's Diary

Buddy has been watching his people, and frankly they have been up to some strange behaviour recently. What makes birthdays so good? Why do they smear smelly stuff from tins onto the walls? Above all, what on earth is in that big glass box? All will be revealed in Buddy's Diary.

News

In the DogCast Radio News there's an incredible shaggy dog story about the dog who survived a close encounter with a shark.

The Dogcast Radio Book

Host Julie talks about the effect the painting The Old Shepherd's Chief Mourner had on her, and Buddy talks about a new book he really likes - well he would wouldn't he? It's called Buddy's Diary plus fiction and article from DogCast Radio . Yes, you can now enjoy DogCast Radio as a book! So if you're looking for a Christmas present for a dog lover, you know someone who would enjoy DogCast Radio but doesn't have Internet access, or you'd just like to treat yourself, you've heard the show, now buy the book .

Clicker Training

Clicker training - you've probably heard of it, but do you know how to do it?

In this show you can hear Aaron Clayton from Karen Pryor Clicker Training explaining exactly what clicker training is, how you can start using it, and some of the amazing results you can get with it.

We bust some myths about clicking, and talk about how it can be used for both family pets and those competing at the highest level. Clicking is a way to communicate with your dog, and it's also a way to help your dog use his brain and begin to think and problem solve. This will mean a happier life for both of you, and a closer relationship too.

Find out more at the Clicker Training website - happy clicking!

News

In the DogCast Radio News, you can hear about some of the dangers your dog can encounter in your own backyard - from insects to plants to cocoa mulch.

Fiction
Our fiction feature is Spirit, written and read by host Julie.

Rescue Dog Rock

After rescuing her two dogs Lulu and Lolly, Cynthia Miller decided that rescue dogs needed to be talked and thought about in a much happier way. To that end, the trio have launched their own music video - Rescue Dog Rock - which you can see here.

Lulu and Lolly have their own website too, and sales of their calendar and other merchandised have benefitted Animal Rescue New Orleans in the wake of the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. You can read an article about the dogs' charity efforts here .

Calming your dog

Do you ever wish that your dog was calmer? Well wish no more, as trainer Pat Miller talks about the simple steps you can take to allow your dog to become calm.

It's great when our dogs are full of enthusiasm and energy, but we can encourage them to find the right outlet for that energy, and show them how to behave appropriately at other times. Pat has some common sense ideas and she talks about how any owner can put them into effect. Plus she tells Julie how to train Labrador Buddy to greet people in a more calm manner.

Pat Miller was a humane officer at the Marin Humane society in California for over twenty years, before qualifying as a CPDT trainer and opening her own training establishment, Peaceable Paws . She is also the training editor of The Whole Dog Journal . Pat has living proof that her methods work, in the shape of her own serene pack of dogs.

Monty's story

Monty is a dog who has had a lot of luck - some good some bad.

In this interview you can hear how he is certainly lucky with the owner he has now, Joanna Brown, with whom he has found his forever home.

Just as things were looking up for Monty, disaster struck again, and Joanna had to help him get through physical and emotional damage. Just how much can a dog suffer and come back from? What do you do when you love your dog, but you find it hard to like him? Worse still, how do you cope when you don't think he likes you?

When they discovered Tellington Touch, it was a huge breakthrough for the pair, and TTouch practitioner Sarah Fisher was so taken with Monty he features in her latest book.

To find out more about Joanna Brown visit the I want a happy hound site. To access free advice from Joanna and other experts, visit the N4C site, and to discover more about Sarah Fisher visit the Tilley Farm site.

Buddy's Diary

Buddy's Diary is about Buddy's recent vacation in Scotland. What does Scotland smell like? Why does it take so long to get there? And what the heck do they do to those bagpipes to make that sound come out?

All will be revealed!

News and other items

In the news hear how dogs can make you snore, where to find advice on choosing the right dog for you, and a dog who is sniffing out bumblebees.

Julie and Buddy have been practising Heelwork to Music for a few months, and were delighted to be awarded fourth place in a competition by Kate Nicholas. Kate is the human half of the dancing duo Kate & Gin - Gin is the canine half. They were catapulted to fame by the UK show Britain's Got Talent, and have been wowing crowds ever since. Julie interviewed Kate about how life is now for the partnership, and discovered more about Kate's book .

Separation Anxiety

Dogs are very social animals, and bond strongly with their pack whether canine or human. Some dogs can find it difficult to be left alone, and sometimes separation anxiety can develop into a serious problem.

We were contacted by a listener with a dog called Scruffy who hated being left alone so much that she barked. Scruffy's owner found the complaints and unsympathetic attitude of her neighbours difficult to cope with, and it was clear the situation wasn't ideal for anyone involved.

We turned to expert trainer and author Cindy Scott for advice. In this interview Cindy has some great and practical suggestions on how you can cope with separation issues.

Cindy is the author of Zen Chien, and you can find out more about her at her websites, Dogs Etc. , and Enlightened Dog Training .

Happily for Scruffy she now spends time at a friend's house when her owner is at work. Scruffy was a rescue dog and in these photos you can see how far she has travelled in her new home. When she first arrived she was uncertain and worried, but after some time with her new loving owner, you can see she has relaxed and is loving life.

Border Collies

The Border Collie is a very popular, but often misunderstood breed.

Barbara Sykes is a Collie expert who has lived and worked with the breed all her life. She has written several books and publishes a magazine, Freedom of Spirit, on the breed, as well as competing at the highest level, and developing her own training philosophy, T.L.C - Thinking Like Canines.

Barbara knows Border Collies well and in this interview she talks about how to meet the needs of the breed. What is the ideal home for a Collie? How do you motivate a Border Collie, and do you really have to give them to chance to do constant agility or flyball? Barbara has the answers, and to find out more about her and her dogs visit her website, Border Collies.

News

In the DogCast Radio News Kate and Nick bring you some advice for keeping your dog healthy and comfortable in summer.

Fiction

We have a fiction feature called Teamwork, which focuses on a dog and his person's struggle to find an activity that suits them.

Next Episode

It's DogCast Radio's third birthday, and we've had a great time sharing anything and everything dog related with you. We're taking a short break, and we'll be back with the next episode of DogCast Radio on September 13th.

Greyfriars hydro-therapy

Greyfriars in the UK is a rehabilitation and hydro-therapy referral centre. The centre does a much needed job of helping dogs with a variety of problems, and even healthy dogs can benefit from some water treatment.

In this interview Angela Griffiths talks about her work at Greyfriars, the dogs she has helped, and the close bond she forms with them.

In order to enhance dogs' enjoyment of their time in the water, Angela or another member of staff goes into the pool as well, and it's not unknown for owners to accompany their dog too.

Greyfriars have a website with more information.

Cold Wet Nose Show

The Cold Wet Nose Show was billed as the show with a sense of humour and a heart of gold, and also as the most fun a dog and his family cab have all year. It certainly was a terrific day out for humans and dogs, with displays, demonstrations, competitions and awards going on in the main ring, with fun games and training and shopping opportunities to hand as well.

Don't worry if you couldn't attend as we spoke to a variety of people who were there.

Bianca and Noah

One of the amazing dogs with a heart warming story who won an award is Bianca. She is a young Labrador who is being trained to work with a little boy called Noah.

At a very young age, Bianca has learned to alert Noah's parents when his blood sugar levels fall, which can happen frequently and without warning. Bianca is making a huge difference to a family's life, and she was a pleasure to meet. Claire Guest who is training Bianca told us all about this award-winning dog.

The Berkshire Search and Rescue Dogs

The Berkshire Search and Rescue Dogs put on a display in the main ring, and I spoke to Chairman Daryl Toogood about what the team actually does.

He told me how early dogs can start their training, and how long it usually takes to complete. He talked about how the dogs work, and the sort of environment in which they work.

To find out more about the team you can visit their website .

Dolly's Directive

Candy King lost her Jack Russell puppy four years ago, and despite the puppy having a microchip, they have still not been reunited. Candy turned her pain into a positive and launched Dolly's Directive, which seeks to make it a legal requirement that everyone who comes into contact with dogs, whether they are lost or not, scans them.

The effect of losing a dog can be devastating and Candy talks movingly about her missing dog and her mission to change the legal situation in the UK.

You can find out more about Dolly's Directive on the Dog Lost site .

Raised dog beds

How much thought do you give to what your dog sleeps on? Do you know the advantages that a raised bed can offer?

Katherine McKay was at the show offering the chance to try the beds out, and she told us the benefits of letting your dog sleep on one. Star tried them out and certainly looked comfortable enough!

To find out more visit the Original UK website .

Adolescent Dogs

Although Adolescent Dogs trains all ages of dogs from young puppies to older dogs, I talked to Jenny Trigg & Anna Read about a time that can be particularly trying - when your dog hits the teenage years.

What happens when your dog becomes a teenager, and how can you make the time as stress free as possible? You can emerge at the other end with your sanity and your relationship with your dog intact - so listen to some advice on how to manage that!

The relevant websites are Adolescent Dogs, and In the Dog House .

News

In the DogCast Radio News you can hear about the dangers of going out or staying in with your dog, the latest thing dogs are being taught to sniff out, and a dog who got in a flap when he tried to be a copycat.

Fiction

In our fiction feature, The Kitchen Dog, you can hear about a dog who isn't happy with his life.

Socialisation and toilet training

In this show we grapple with some of the really problematic areas of training. Cindy Scott is an experienced trainer who gives her advice on two subjects that she finds most owners need help with.

The first is socialisation. It is vital for your dog's development to give him experience of as many environments as possible as early as possible. This can be difficult, because this is at an age when most puppies haven't completed their vaccinations, but Cindy has some advice on what to do, as well as how to approach things with an older dog.

The second subject she has advice for is toilet training. Surely house breaking a dog is something all dog owners have to try hard with - some of us more than others! Don't despair though, as Cindy can help you get it right. For more of Cindy Scott's excellent advice you can read her book Zen Chien - and in this interview she explains exactly what the term Zen Chien implies.

Cindy has two websites for you to visit, the Dogs etc site , and the Enlightened Dog Training site.

Dog counselling
Imogen Holt is a dog counsellor who works with people as well dogs and specialises in bereavement counselling. She approaches her cases with a different attitude from many trainers, and has a special insight in to the way our behaviour affects our dogs'. In many situations, she ends up working on the human's problems rather than the dog's as the dog is reading his person and adjusting his behaviour accordingly. It can be such a comfort when we are in tune with our dogs, but such a disadvantage for them if our issues spoil their quality of life, and Imogen shares some of the partnerships she has helped steer back to a healthy balance. There is a lot of information as well as a message board on Imogen's Work Wonders website .

News and other items
In the DogCast Radio News you can hear about one woman's amazing efforts to save dogs in China, how weather caused problems for a Rottweiler in America, and life for dogs in Wales won't be so shocking anymore.

Plus, host Julie announces the winners of the A Dog About Town competition, and has news of a great new competition run by Organipets. If your dog has the Woof Factor he could win the two of you some wonderful pampering and prizes - visit the Organipets website to find out how.

Dogs and divorce

Divorce is affecting more and more couples, and consequently it is affecting more and more dogs.

Jennifer Keene is an experienced dog trainer who has been through a divorce involving dogs, and has put what she has learned to great use by writing the book We Can't Stay Together for the Dogs. This book is full of useful advice and practical suggestions to help anyone contemplating or going through divorce.

Splitting up can be an extremely stressful and difficult time, there are many pitfalls to get caught in, and of course it's a time when communication can be fraught. If there are dogs involved they can pick up on the tension surrounding them, they can be affected by the loss of part of their pack (be it human or canine) and they can have difficulty adjusting to new routines. Jennifer has help for anyone coping with any of these problems, and ways to make the process as pain free as possible.

To find out more visit Jennifer's website.

Border Collies

The Border Collie is a well known and loved breed, and Barbara Sykes is a well known and respected Border Collie expert.

Barbara was born surrounded by Border Collies, developed her own training techniques called TLC - Thinking Like Canines, and has competed at international level in the male dominated sheepdog trialling world. She has also trained dogs for television work, and has international clients seeking her behavioural advice.

Barbara has founded the Freedom of Spirit Trust for Border Collies which seeks among other things, to support existing Border Collie owners, educate the public about the breed, and find homes for Collies in need. In this interview Barbara's knowledge of and love for the breed that is her passion shines out.

To find out more about the trust visit their website.

News

In the DogCast Radio News, you can hear about fireworks affecting dogs in Australia, the dog who swallowed a Cane toad, the dangers of dogs and driving, and one family who got more than they bargained for when they took in two strays.

Dogs for hire?

Host Julie talks about how the Kennel Club is leading the way in the UK in reacting to the arrival of the hire a dog company Flexpetz, as well as a European Union ruling about dogs in kitchens. Plus did you hear about he trampolining dog? No - well listen up!

Remembering Ruby
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The death of your dog can be incredibly difficult to deal with.

In this episode we talk to author Melisa Wells about her book Remembering Ruby , which aims to help families cope with the loss of their beloved dog. Remembering Ruby was inspired by Melisa's own experiences with her Beagle Bijoux. Melisa and her family worked through their grief, and her book contains suggestions to help other families do the same.

A lovely aspect of the book is that the illustrations are Melisa's family photographs, telling Bijoux's story.

Melisa now shares her home with another Beagle, and she talks about what it's like to move on, and how different her new companion is from Bijoux.

For those who would like to find out more about Melisa, she has two blogs - Remember Ruby and Suburban Scrawl .

APetCemetery.com

Something that can help ease the pain of losing your dog is creating a memorial to him, and talking about him.

Richard Seale tells us about his website where owners can do just that. The site, A Pet Cemetery , allows members to pay tribute to their passed over pet, and to offer comfort to others in the same position.

Richard talks about the various features of the site, and what inspired it.

Update on the imprisoned poodles

Have you heard the story of the Poodle Martyrs in the UK? Jill's Standard Poodles escaped from her garden during their late night toilet break. On the same night there was an attack on a nearby flock of sheep.

Although the Poodles came home clean, and no evidence was found against them, they were taken into custody. Jill and her family were not allowed to visit, or even to know where the dogs were being kept.

Eventually the dogs were allowed home, but Jill and her partner Peter had the threat of a court case against them, which could have resulted in bankrupcy. We find out from Jill what the latest developments are, and she has a stark warning for British dog owners.

News

In the DogCast Radio News, we hear about rescue dogs with a difference, entertaining dogs, and old dogs. And there's an appeal for help from the dog's old adversary - the mailman!

A Dog About Town

A Dog About Town is written by J. F. Englert is the first novel in the Bull Moose Dog Run Mystery series.

The book's narrator is a charming and highly intelligent Labrador called Randolph. When his owner Harry is faced with various dilemmas and dangers, including murder, it falls to Randolph to help him sort things out. Add to this the fact that Harry girlfriend - Harry's beloved owner - has also mysteriously disappeared, and you'll see Randolph is a dog with a lot to cope with. Randolph carries it all off splendidly, and even offers a glimpse into the world of an urban dog along the way.

In this interview Englert talks about his first novel, and his second, A Dog Among Diplomats, in which Randolph finds himself in even greater danger.

The fact that Englert is a dog lover, with experience of living with dogs shines through in his writing. Hear him talk about the laid back Labrador who shares his life, and how she came into his life.

We have two copies of A Dog About Town, and to win one all you have to do is email us telling us the name of the canine narrator of the books. At the end of June we will select two entries at random and mail the book out to you. Good luck! In the meantime try out the doggy detective's blog .

Fiction: The Ship of The Desert

Our fiction feature this week is a short story entitled The Ship of The Desert.

The story is written and read by The Diplomatic Dog of Barbados author Winfred Peppinck. DD is living in Bahrain as the story takes place, and he has some encounters with strange humped animals; but are they friend or foe?

The book The Diplomatic Dog of Barbados tells DD's rags to riches story. From humble beginnings as a cane dog living wild, he is rescued and spends many months in a shelter until he is adopted by no less than the Australian High Commissioner to the Caribbean and taking up residence in the fabulous Molyneaux House.

DD recently passed away, and both Winfred and his wife Wendy miss their beloved dog dreadfully. They can comfort themselves with the knowledge that they gave DD a happy life with what all dogs need most - owners who love them. They also have the comfort of their other dog Lucy, and we wish them well as they recover from their loss.

More on Breed Specific Legislation

DogCast Radio listener Bob Cardone heard Paula Terrifaj talking about breed specific legislation and contacted us with his experiences.

Bob and Paula agree on some issues and differ on others - listen and see what you think.

If you would like to express your opinion on this complicated subject phone us on our UK or US number or send us an email.

Bob is a dog lover, who volunteers at a no kill shelter and has also adopted a rescue dog.

Canine Good Citizen

Host Julie brings you the latest news of Buddy's bid for Canine Good Citizenship - has he earned his Bronze award?

Happy Hounds

In this episode we focus on rescue dogs.

Susan Daffron has had a wealth of experiences with rescues, and has written the book Happy Hound. This is a guide to helping you develop a good relationship with your rescue dog or puppy.

In this interview Susan talks about many of the issues that accompany giving a dog a much deserved second chance - starting with perhaps the most fundamental question of why it's good to adopt a dog from a shelter. Susan also describes some of the challenges she has risen to when dealing with her own dogs, as well as how to deal with shy dogs, and what preparations you should make before bringing home your newest friend.

Click here to find our more about the Happy Hound book and about author Susan Daffron.

Caring For Your Rescue Dog.

All dog lovers enjoy a rescue dog story with a happy ending, and Louisa Adams book has sixty of them.

The book is published by Angela Patchell, and in this interview Angela tells the story of three of the dogs included in Caring For Your Rescue Dog.

Her own experiences of giving a home to a dog looking for a second chance inspired Angela to publish the book, and she is hoping to hear from any of you with stories of your own to tell. If you would like to share the story of how your rescue dog came into your life, you can contact Angela angie@angelapatchell.com and find out more about her and the book at her website .

Story: The sweet spot

Sometimes of course, taking on a rescue dog isn't a straight forward matter. The Sweet Spot is a beautiful and thought provoking short story from Shawndra Miller .

Shawndra also reads one of her poems inspired by her own rescue dog, Hannah. To read more about Shawndra visit her blog . You can also hear another of her stories in episode 47 of DogCast Radio, and listen to an interview with her in episode 55 .

News

The DogCast Radio News includes some of the latest dog related research.

Larry Kurdek, a Professor Wright State University, has conducted a study looking at how close we are to our dogs, compared with how close we are to other family members.

To take part in this fascinating study email Larry at Larry.Kurdek@wright.edu

Merle's door

If you haven't read "Merle's Door" by Ted Kerasote , you've missed out on a treat. This is an amazing book that tells the story of a man and a dog living in harmony.

Ted met Merle when the dog was around ten months, and living wild in the Utah desert. Ted was on vacation taking a river trip, and Merle ended up travelling down the river with him and his friends. At the end of the trip a bond had been formed, and Merle accompanied Ted back to Wyoming.

Ted's home in Kelly is in the middle of a national park, and the dogs living there are afforded freedom which would be impractical in most areas. Having lived alone, Merle had become independent, and wanted to come and go on his own timetable. To enable this, Ted installed a dog door - Merle's door. Man and dog could then develop their own routine.

This is no ordinary tale of man meets dog. Merle had clear ideas of his own, and he gave Ted an insight into the dog world. He had a way of communicating which Ted had a way of translating.

Reading this will make you smile and make you cry, it will educate you and it will make you examine your attitude towards your own dog. In this interview you can hear Ted talk about his and Merle's journey together - from how they met, to what Merle showed him about the natural world to how Ted coped with the eventual loss of his best friend.

Adding another aspect to the book is the research included, which is presented in a very accessible way. Dog lovers will find the wolf research cited particularly interesting and relevant to dog ownership.

You may not be able to give your dog total freedom, but hear how Ted advocates enhancing his life. To find out more about this glorious book visit Ted's website.

UK Ban on hunting with dogs

We were contacted by a listener who was concerned about the impact the ban on hunting with dogs was having on beagles.

At Crufts we found an expert and put the question to her. In this interview you can hear whether Beagles are adapting to the new legal situation, and what Beagles are like to live with.

News

The DogCast Radio News brings you the usual mix of dog related stories, and you can catch up with listener Jim Martin's quest to find the dog he wanted. Jim spotted Scout on our Jack Russell breed pages, and wanted a dog that looked just like her. He found one - but be careful what you wish for as the reality can take an awful lot of energy!

Crufts 2008

Crufts 2008 was a celebration of all things dog, and in this show we bring you interviews with dog owners, organisations and product developers.

Crufts is spread over several halls at the Birmingham NEC, and there's so much more to it than just the show rings - although they are fascinating.

The opportunities to find out about different dog breeds, different tasks dogs can complete and abilities they have, and to see countless dog related products just go on and on.

Grooming

In certain breeds grooming is crucial - a bad fur day is to be avoided at all costs.
We have interviews with a poodle owner busy combing her dog's impressive coat, and with a Yorkshire Terrier owner occupied with putting doggy curlers into her dog's hair. How much help are you allowed to give your dog's natural beauty though? And how do the dogs themselves react to all this preening and primping? Listen and find out. We also talk to a Chihuahua owner about showing procedure and what it's like to live with such a small dog.

Cancer detecting dogs and Organipets

Not all the dogs at Crufts are there to be shown, and we talked to Claire Guest from Cancer Dogs UK . She and two dogs she has been training for only a few months, demonstrated cancer detection.

Claire also told us how dogs are helping predict low blood sugar for diabetes sufferers, and how the dogs' scenting abilities will be used to develop new technology.
Claire also talked to us about one of the breeds that the Kennel Club is concerned is in decline.

Organipets was celebrating the best of British - they are one of the UK's best dog foods. We caught up with Liz to hear how her rescue dog Raffy is getting along on her Organipets diet.

Year of the Assistance Dog

2008 is the Year of the Assistance Dog. Although the right of a disabled person to take their dog with them is protected by law, they still run into prejudice and problems occasionally.

These dogs do a wonderful job, and are kept healthy and clean to ensure they pose no hygiene risks to the general public.

To hear more about the year celebrating the work of these amazing dogs, we spoke to Dogs for the Disabled Chief Executive, Peter Gorbing.

Pets as Therapy - or PAT - dogs - are also allowed into places most pet dogs can't go. These dogs are carefully selected to visit hospitals, old people's homes, schools and so on to spread the joy of interacting with dogs.

In this show you can an interview with two PAT dog owners who talk about the rewards of visiting with their dogs. We also discuss what size of dog makes a good PAT dog, since we were talking to the owner of a Pyrenean Mountain Dog.

Dog Wardens

The National Dog Warden Association was represented at Crufts, and I asked them what a Dog Warden's job really entails. They are often portrayed as a "baddy" in cartoons and films, simply intent on catching dogs - what is their role in real life?

We also have an extract from a Dog Warden's book, as Bernard Cartwright reads from his The Knocknobbler , which tells of his time working in Worcester in the UK.

Alfie's Lost Terriers

Alfie's Lost Terriers has a new name - they're now Alfie's Lost Dogs .

We spoke to Chris from Alfie's about the work the website does. The people involved - often they've had experience of their own dog go missing - are dedicated to reuniting owners with their lost or stolen dogs. The site also supports many other dog welfare issues.

If you are unfortunate enough to have your dog go missing, these are just the compassionate supportive people you need helping you.

The site is lucky enough to have its own vet - Julien Poublon . We talked to him about his role at Alfie's, as well as his own innovative site offering pet owners valuable resources to keep themselves informed and their animals healthy.

Trover Coats on TV and DockDogs

Jane Aireton and Toni Cherrett from Trover Coats were at Crufts with some exciting news.

They have been involved in filming for a new ITV1 show, Dog Rescue. Through the show Jane came to adopt a Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross who has a hair lip, which makes him too "ugly" for most people. Now the little dog has found a great new home with Jane, a new job as he is the company mascot, and of course a new name - Trover.

Trover Coats also launched the 2008 series of events for DockDogs in the UK at Crufts. We have an interview with Grant Reeves, the CEO of DockDogs, about why the sport is so popular with dogs and owners, and what it actually involves.

New dog products at crufts

We bring you the best of the shopping at Crufts, with the world's most advanced dog collar , the device that cleans your dogs muddy paws, and some intriguing puzzles to help occupy your dog .

All this, plus the DogCast Radio News. Many of you tell us you listen while out walking your dogs - so grab that lead and start listening!

How to Train Your Dog Using Its Own Language

Graeme Sims is the amazing dog trainer and shepherd who can work up to nine Border Collies simultaneously. Just to make his achievements even more impressive, each dog responds to commands in a language specific to him.

Graeme and his beautiful, clever dogs featured in episode 29 of DogCast Radio.

Never one to sit around, Graeme has delighted crowds with his dog displays all over the UK, as well as visiting America to lecture about his experience and knowledge. He is also an extremely talented artist, an award winning children's book illustrator, and used to be a Church of England Vicar.

Now you can get the benefit of his training advice in his latest book, "The Dog Whisperer - How to train your dog using its own language".

In this interview Graeme talks to us about what's in the book, about his fourteen beloved Border Collies, and we have a sneak preview into his next book.

To find out more about Graeme, visit his website .

Crufts 2008

Crufts 2008 was held at the Birmingham NEC, in the UK in March. It was the usual spectacular showcase of all things dog.

Crufts is not just about show dogs though. In the first part of our Crufts coverage, you can hear our interview with It's Me or The Dog presenter and trainer Victoria Stilwell about what she thinks of Crufts.

We also speak to actor Neil Morrissey about why he is supporting the Pedigree Adoption Drive , which was part of a strong pro-rescue message at this year's Crufts.

Crufts is a great place to launch new developments, and so Jill Moss speaks to us about the fantastic news that The Bella Moss Foundation now has official charity status.

Celebrity vet Marc Abraham tells us why he is supporting the Bella Moss Foundation, as well as about his own new website, The Pet.net .

Dog magazine Dogs Monthly relaunched at Crufts, and you can hear from editor Caroline Davis about what readers will find in the new look magazine.

Other items

In the DogCast Radio News, you can hear from Kate and Nick about the unusual music that is affecting dogs in New Zealand, catch up with the results and gossip at Crufts 2008, and hear about the Cold Wet Nose Show .

Plus host Julie will be considering why some of us get so attached to one specific dog breed, and in Graeme Sims' honour our quotes between features are all about Border Collies.

Lloyd Aguero
Lloyd Aguero is an inspirational trainer who founded and runs the Great Falls/Reston Companion Dog Training School . Lloyd is a life member of the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors and a member of the Delta Society. He pioneered the coupling of dog socialisation with training to prevent and treat temperamental problems. His training sessions sound not only effective but great fun from the dogs' point of view. One of the most fascinating aspects of Lloyd's work is project heart, which involves him rehabilitating dogs who are damaged in some way. From his own experiences as well as research, Lloyd made the connection between environment and state of mind. Comparing dogs with emotional difficulties to people with emotional difficulties, Lloyd developed his own program to help rescue dogs in dire need of support. Those unable to attend his training school can benefit from his advice via his television show, Your Dogs Best Friend . To find out more about Lloyd, visit his website.

Breed specific legislation

Dr. Paula Terifaj has previously been on DogCast Radio offering excellent advice about how to vaccinate your dog safely, and how to feed your dog as well as possible. In this interview she talks about another cause close to her heart.

Breed specific legislation is something that this veterinarian is staunchly opposed to. She has even set up her own organisation - Roverlution - to protest against unreasonable restriction on dog ownership, to support owners of breeds discriminated against, and to raise public awareness about the issue.

News

In the DogCast Radio News, you can hear about the illegal discrimination that still affects guide dog owners, a dog in a million who followed his soldier rescuer, a dog owner who wants another dog exactly like her old one, and a puppy in a pet shop who had bad luck and good luck.

In The Diplomatic Dog of Barbados

We all love a happy ending; a story of a rescue dog who finally finds a rescuer.

In The Diplomatic Dog of Barbados, by Winfred Peppinck, you can read just such a story. The dog at the heart of the story starts off as Roy, then becomes Sandy, and finally gains the name Diplomatic Dog, when he finds a home with no less than the Australian High Commissioner/Ambassador to the Caribbean.

Although the dog is the star of the story, the book also offers insights into life on Barbados, and the world of a high-flying diplomat.

To find out more, listen to the review in the show and visit the website of Olympia Publishers.

Other items

You can also hear the inspiring story behind Tennessee state bill 2399. Hayley Ham from Tennessee lost her dogs Sam and Jessie when they were poisoned by anti-freeze. A devastated Hayley, researched the subject, and set about protecting others from such a fate. To read more about brave Hayley, visit Melisa Wells' Remembering Ruby blog .

A Staffie cross in rescue has found his forever home with Trover Coats and the touching story of how Jane Aireton came to be his new owner will feature in a new TV show "Dog Rescue" on Sunday afternoons on ITV1 in the UK. The show airs between 9th March and 13th April, and we'll have more on the story when we catch up with Jane at Crufts.

Plus you can hear how the DogCast Radio dogs, Buddy and Star, performed when we tried some intelligence tests on them.If you would like to use Stanley Coren's How Smart is Your Dog? set, then follow this link

There are quite a few dog intelligence tests available, and you can investigate them on this link

Pam Dennison was already an experienced trainer when she met Shadow, a Border Collie in need of a new home. Shadow however, had more problems than even Pam imagined. After a short time with him, she decided to return him - but she changed her mind, and the two of them began a long and difficult journey.

Pam needed all her skills to help Shadow, and their experiences inspired her to write Bringing Light to Shadow - a Dog Trainer's Diary.

Could Shadow overcome his fear and aggression and live a normal life? Could Pam teach him alternative behaviours? To find out more about Pam Dennison and the other books she has written, check out her website .

Improving your dog's diet

Dr. Paula Terifaj is a veterinarian with some great advice for dog owners. In this interview you can hear her top tips for giving your dog the best diet you can, as well as solving a listener's problem.

If you're too nervous to change straight to a natural diet, Paul has some easy steps to improve the food you offer your dog.

Paula is passionate about helping dog owners provide the best standard of health care for their dogs, and you can hear her advice about vaccinating your dog in episode 59 of DogCast Radio.

Paula has written several books to help you make informed decisions concerning your dog, which you can find at her website , where you can also sign up for her newsletter, Dog Breath.

News

In the DogCast Radio News, Kate and Nick tell you about the radical approach one website is taking to persuade people to adopt rescue dogs. Other stories include how pregnant women in Australia are getting help preparing their dogs for the new human arrival, and how a children's hospital is helping veterinarians carry out difficult surgical procedures.

Plus hear how two dogs got into trouble - one out and about and one in his own kitchen!

Reading from The Knocknobbler

Author Bernard Cartwright reads an extract from his book the Knocknobbler which tells of his experiences as a dogcatcher in Worcester, UK. This extract takes us back to the first week of 2000.

Other items

Host Julie has some dog-related items of interest.

Jody Wright's fascinating and beautiful book 50 Secrets Humans Should Know , was inspired by her love of dogs, which grew from an early age, as well as her admiration of their approach to life. To find out more about Jody and to see more of her work check out her website .

In this show you can hear music especially for dog lovers from the album Dog People, by Freebo . On his website , Freebo expresses his love for dogs, as well as dedicating the album to dogs and dog lovers everywhere. You can hear extracts of My Dog Has Fleas and More Like You in the show.

Vaccinating your dog

Paula Terifaj is a holistic veterinarian with lots of sound and relevant advice for dog owners. In this interview you can hear her advice about vaccinating your dog.
Paula talks about what you really need to vaccinate your dog against, and has some surprising news concerning when and how often those shots should occur. If you've been having your dog routinely vaccinated every year, you may well be shocked by what Paula has to say. Paula's advice is based on her own years of experience in practice as well as current guidance from the American Animal Hospital Association .
At her website , Paula has some useful advice booklets available.

Doorbell Manners

Does your dog run to the door every time the doorbell sounds? Does he give your visitors an enthusiastic greeting - whether they want it or not? Do you want to know how to have him behave properly in these situations? Well DogCast Radio listener

Ayeshah has just this problem with her dog, and contacted us for some help.
Dawn Antoniak Mitchell is co owner of the Bonafide Dog Academy LLC , and has offered courses tailored to owners wishing to give their dogs better doorbell manners.
Hear how to go about training your dog to behave when guests call. Dawn has some great advice - not just on how to train, but also on how to make it less stressful. That sounds good to us!

Listener feedback
DogCast Radio listener Chris got in touch to tell us what she thinks about the show, and also to share a tip she has to make walking your dog easier.
She enjoyed our feature on rescue dogs, especially Millie, the rescue St. Bernard, whose owner preferred to think of as a "lucky find".

Buddy's Diary

In Buddy's Diary, Buddy has noticed something about Star. This indefatigable little white fluffball has finally found a dog she is frightened of- in fact a whole breed? Listen to find out more.

News
In the DogCast Radio News, Kate and Nick bring you tales of how dog owner "down under" are having to find greener ways to scoop the poop, how a Norwegian dog fell foul of New Year's celebrations, and how one dog protected his owner, while another owner protected her dog.
Plus we take a look at some new breeds competing for the first time at the Westminster Dog Show in New York, USA.

Other items

Host Julie is intrigued by the methods some dogs use to communicate, and our quotes between features are themed with love in mind. Valentine's Day is just around the corner, so tell your dog you love him.

MRSA - The Bella Moss Foundation

MRSA is a frightening subject - and now even our dogs are at risk from it. In this show you can hear from owners whose dogs have suffered from the infection, and also where to get information and support. We have interviews with Jill Moss, founder of the Bella Moss Foundation, and also from Doctor Harley Farmer who has spent fifteen years researching and developing products which can help keep us and our dogs safe from MRSA.

Jill Moss and her dog Bella met in an unusual way, but formed a close and strong bond. When Bella was struck down by MRSA, and eventually died, Jill was distraught. She has kept her promise to her dying dog to create a lasting tribute to her beautiful Samoyed companion who was so cruelly taken from her.

In this moving interview Jill talks about how Bella came into her life, how she enriched it, and how she died.

Jill Moss is an incredible example of an individual who makes a stand and makes a difference. From the early days of her campaign, Jill has been determined to educate, inform and support others whose animals contract MRSA and other serious infections. This she has certainly done - since Bella's death in 2004 the foundation which carries her name have helped over 700 hundred animals of various species, including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and horses.

To find out more about Jill and Bella visit the Bella Moss Foundation website , and to access information about MRSA visit the Pets and MRSA website .

MRSA - Dr Harley Farmer

Doctor Harley Farmer has spent fifteen years researching and developing products that can get rid of MRSA. He has some simple common sense steps that anyone can take to help keep their dogs - and themselves - safe from MRSA.

He also has products, advice and information available at the Newgenn website . To find out how you can keep your environment, your dog's bed and bowl, and even your dog as clean and germ free as possible listen to this thought provoking interview.

Harley has spent years trying to persuade the authorities to accept his methods - which he has proved work on cruise ships and care homes - and has even written a novel to bring his message to the public in general. The message is that we all - including dog owners - have a part to play in beating MRSA, and we have to work together.

MRSA - Owners stories

We also hear from two dog owners who turned to Jill Moss when their dogs contracted MRSA. Vikkie's dog Xena caught MRSA after a spinal operation. Vikkie has turned her experiences into a positive and now helps fellow dog owners by offering Reiki healing.

Sue's dog Maple was diagnosed with MRSA after a leg operation. Sue tells how she, Maple and the team at their vets battled the infection.

Thank you to Jill, Vikki and Sue for sharing their very difficult experiences with us. Let's hope fewer dogs and people will suffer from MRSA in the future.

Companion Animal Protection Society

In this episode we meet CAPS - that's the Companion Animal Protection Society - founder and President, Deborah Howard. Deborah's love of animals lead her to set up CAPS which has a mission to alleviate the suffering of pet shop and puppy mill dogs.

CAPS is America's only national non-profit organisation dedicated exclusively to protecting companion animals. In this interview you can hear what experiences lead Deborah to found CAPS in 1992.

Although the society has been safeguarding the rights of companion animals for fifteen years, there is still work to be done in this area.If you wouldn't like your dog to live the life of a dog caught in the puppy mill and pet shop nightmare, help Deborah and CAPS improve the situation for those dogs forced to live in unacceptable conditions.

Doctor Rupert Sheldrake on Psychic Dogs

Does your dog have psychic abilities? Well according to innovative biologist Doctor Rupert Sheldrake there is good reason to explain why he might.

In this fascinating interview you can hear Rupert explain his theories of morphic fields and morphic resonance, and how the bonds formed by social animals could be what helps some dogs stay in touch with their owner, no matter where their owner is.

Rupert Sheldrake gained a double first class class honours degree in natural sciences and a Ph.D. in biochemistry, both from Cambridge University. He has written seventy five scientific papers and ten books, including the intriguing Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home.

Rupert has ideas on his website for further exploring your dog's - and your own - psychic capabilities. To discover how you and your dog can become involved in current research into this phenomenon, visit Alex Tsakiris's website .

Reading from The Knocknobbler

You can hear author Bernard Cartwright read an extract of his book The Knocknobbler, which tells of his time working as a dog warden in Worcester, UK. This extract tells the story of Polly Seven legs. The Knocknobbler is available through Parapress .

Reading from The Knocknobbler

Host Julie highlights some recent studies into dogs' abilities to recognise and sort photos, and how "walkies&;quot; can help keep you happy!

Don't forget to listen right to the end to find out from Jenny the difference between dogs and fleas.

Excercise for dogs

Our dogs need exercise to be happy and healthy - but when they're young puppies it can be tricky to ensure they get the right amount of the right sort of exercise. In this episode you can hear dog trainer and exercise specialist Cam Bexten's advice about making sure your dog has the appropriate exercise.

Cam has two Bulldogs - suitably named Rugby and Cricket! - with whom she enjoys many activities. A DogCast Radio listener asked for advice on how much exercise to allow a six month old Golden Retriever, and Cam has the solution to this dilemma.

However, Cam has lots of other suggestions for activities you and your dog can enjoy together. Cam is co-owner of the Bonafide Dog Academy LLC , and as such is involved in many training situations, as well as competing with her own dogs in agility and obedience. If you thought Bulldogs and their owners kept themselves to their couches think again!

To explore further, visit the website of the excellent Bonafide Dog Academy . To find out more about some great dog sports try Dogs Across America, Dog Scooter, SkiDawgSki, Cani Cross, and SkiJor. Listen to Cam's advice for exercising sufficiently and safely.

Rescue dogs

At this time of year we hear a lot about the horrible fates that can befall the dogs bought as Christmas presents. Many dogs who find themselves in rescue do find a happy ending with a loving family - and we hear from two owners who couldn't be happier with their "re-cycled" dog!

Hear from the family of first time dog owners who fell in love with a Neapolitan Mastiff at an RSPCA centre, and from the family who already had two young children and a young dog, but knew their family wasn't quite complete. Joanne and her family desperately wanted to give a rescue dog a home - but their journey wasn't a straight forward one.

News

The DogCast Radio News team bring us a special report on the dangerous, daft and expensive antics some dogs have got up to. It seems whether you stay in or go out there is plenty of scope for a dog to get into trouble.

Fiction

Our Christmas episode wouldn't be complete without a specially written Christmas story - and this year is no different. Listen to The Christmas Dog, written and read by Julie Hill. Liz can't be sure whether she has one dog or two, but either way she knows he - or they - are a Christmas miracle.

Other items

Animals Healing has news of a terrific new book to help you feed your dog as well as possible - Real Food for Dogs and Cats by Dr. Claire Middle.

Dr Middle is a veterinarian with over twenty five years experience, who has combined her experiences with sound science to write this informative book which is easy to read and use.

Did you know the British Kennel Club recently celebrated the registration of its 10,000th online litter? Apparently the breeders of the nine Golden Retrievers in question found the whole process fast and easy. To find out more visit the Kennel Club site.

 

All this plus do you know the answers to our dog-related teasers? If not don't worry we have the answers as well as the questions.

 

The whole DogCast Radio team wishes you and your dogs a happy and safe Christmas and a healthy New Year.

Psychic dogs

Does your dog know when you're coming home? It seems some dogs can sense when their owners are returning, and behavioural changes occur which can be observed and recorded.

Experiments have indicated that the dogs are not reacting to hearing their owners, or detecting familiar engine noise, and even varying the time of returning doesn't stop the dogs predicting it so just what is triggering the behaviour? The really interesting point is that the dogs seem to react at the point that their owner decides to return.

To find out more about this intriguing subject listen to our interview with Alex Tsakiris, the founder of Open Source Science and the Skeptiko podcast .

To find out more about the research and the do-it-yourself home experiment to determine if your dog senses when you are returning go to the Dogs That Know website .

Shawndra Miller

Writer Shawndra Miller's work is not only often inspired by her own beloved Standard Poodle Marley, but her love of dogs in general has lead her to cover other dog related stories.

Her blog Living Mindfully is about living in the moment - which our dogs encourage us to do - and Marley regularly features in it. Shawndra and Marley have together had fun and some great achievements training - and they have plans for their future training too. Having a dog is a responsibility and a blessing, and Shawndra is eager to share the blessing she has found with Marley. They are preparing for Marley to become a therapy dog, and Marley is also a blood donor.

Hear Shawndra talk about her life and work with Marley.

News

DogCast Radio News brings you a star-studded issue. Find out who the latest top five most famous Hollywood dogs are, and about the statue that's a touching tribute to Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin , his family and Sui the dog they all loved.

Buddy's Diary

In Buddy's Diary, for once Buddy has it all figured out.

From the two new tiny dogs in his home, to the latest addition to the lounge - he has a handle on it all. According to Buddy, it's Star who's confused.

Listen and see what you think.

Puppy Playtime

In Puppy Playtime, Jenny has a recipe to try out to give your dog some festive treats.

For more recipes go to www.robinsfyi.com/holidays/christmas/recipes/animals/dogtreat.htm

While your biscuits are baking, you could read a Christmas story about a Beardie ,or send some doggy Christmas cards .

Other items

Host Julie has a problem sent in by a listener whose Labrador Simba gets distracted by anything she can eat out on walks. Do you have some good advice for owner Judith?

Also, the Company of Animals has announced that it is donating the profits from its inaugural Dog Train & Behave Week initiative to its supporting charities, including Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, The Blue Cross, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and Dogs for the Disabled.

The dates for Train and Behave Week 2008 will be announced in the New Year. So check out www.dogtrainandbehaveweek.com and get ready to be involved.

Bodywork for Dogs

How do you feel after a massage? Relaxed and ready to face the world? - well our dogs can benefit from massage too, and in this episode you can hear from Lynn Vaughan who with her colleague Deborah Jones has brought out a DVD called Bodywork for Dogs - Intuitive Touch through Massage, Acupressure and Awareness.

The DVD can be used as a guide for owners to use massage techniques on their dogs, but has also been used to help train pet care professionals.

The techniques have many benefits for both dog and human, and can be used on dogs who are young or old, healthy or not so well. Indeed for some conditions massage can provide great relief from pain, and increase well being. As another incentive, the physical contact involved can improve the bond between you and your dog.

To find out more, massage your keyboard and explore the animals healing website .

The About.com guide to Owning a Dog

Do you long to read a book that paints a realistic picture of life with a dog - warts and all? Then try The About.com guide to Owning a Dog.

This is written by Krista Mifflin who is the Guide to Dogs on the About.com website. Krista has dogs in her life, and has done lots of research which both inform the book.

In this interview, she talks about how she came to write the book, and gives us an insight into some of the advice the book offers. The guide covers many areas - both the pleasant and that which we tend to shy away from, and ranges from how to choose the right dog to how to deal with things if problems arise.

Not only does the book contain lots of relevant information, but a really great feature is the many websites listed where you can continue learning. The first website to check out is of course, About.com .

Reading from The Knocknobbler

Bernard Cartwright is the author of The Knocknobbler , which chronicles his experiences as a dog warden in Worcester, UK. In this show he reads an extract from his book, revealing some of the colourful characters his job brought him into contact with - some older, some younger!

News

In the DogCast Radio News we hear how some dogs are having a hard time finding new homes. Apparently black dogs just get overlooked in shelters - so find out more visit www.blackpearldogs.com

Other dogs are proving a great success as facility dogs working in schools in Florida, USA. To discover more about how these dogs work go to www.caninecompanions.org/

Interesting dog items

Putting DogCast Radio together involves searching the internet for items of interest to dog lovers, and this week we've found a variety.

We have an article that finds the humour in living with dogs .

If you've recently lost a beloved dog, you may find comfort in this article .

Quote from Krista Mifflin: Dogs are gross and we have to be prepared to live with that!

Quote from Lynn Vaughan: We touch our dogs a lot, especially petting and so on, but when you're massaging there's much more of a focus and much more of an awareness of what's underneath your hands.

Dog estate planning advice from Dawn Antoniak Mitchell

It may be a subject that most of us don't want to think about, but what would happen to our dogs if anything happened to us? This show focuses on some excellent advice from Dawn Antoniak Mitchell.

Dawn co-owns and runs the BonaFide Dog Academy LLC in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. Dawn is also a lawyer, and so has an insight into being a dog owner as well as how we can best make provision for our dogs should we be unable to care for them. This is a consideration not only in the event of our death, but also in the case of a short term incapacitation like a broken leg, or even flu.

Having a dog brings responsibilities, and dog owners need to think through the issue of, "What if...?" There are many easy and free steps you can take to help keep you pets cared for, and in this interview you will hear Dawn's practical authoritative advice.

Dawn's dog training achievements are phenomenal. With over twenty years experience in dog training, Dawn has provided training opportunities for owners and their dogs, as well as working in shelters. She is an American Kennel Club rally and obedience judge, and she and her Delta Society certified therapy dog Lizzie B regularly visit hospitals, as well as being involved in a reading therapy program. She trained the first AKC rally titled Jack Russell Terrier America, as well as the first Curly-Coated Retriever rally titled dog at all three levels of AKC rally obedience competition in the US.

The list of achievements and accolades go on, to see the full list check out the BonaFide Dog Academy website . There you will see that the academy always values the bond between owner and dog, as well as offering classes and lectures that really meet the needs of those who share their life with a dog.

Buddy's Diary

In Buddy's Diary, Buddy is confused. Are his people building him the biggest kennel he has ever seen, or have they gone completely mad? Human behaviour seen from a dog's perspective can be incredibly puzzling!

News

In the DogCast Radio News hear about dog shows in England and America . Also, discover a website which offers advice on many training issues .

Puppy Playtime

In Puppy Playtime, Jenny has two great websites for you to explore. To try some jigsaws featuring beautiful photos of dogs check out www.adog.co.uk . To go to a website with lots of fun stuff such as games, jokes, downloads, competitions and more try www.giveusahome.com .

A happy ending...

Beverley Cuddy's blog has helped dog owner Caroline keep her beloved Tibetan Terrier Harry. Hear how Beverley teamed up with Organipets , and what dog lovers can achieve when we work together.

A new website.

We have brought out a new website, www.Alldogvideos.com . If you would like to see videos that really feature dogs and are family friendly, check out this site. If you search on YouTube on "dog" the results may be irrelevant and unsuitable. We have selected dog videos that vary from informative, to funny to downright cute. You can register on the site and leave comments - which are also approved before being put on the site to continue the family friendly environment.

Dog Aggression

Aggression is probably one of the dog behaviours we fear most. In this episode you can hear expert advice on dealing with aggression from Susie Aga.

Susie tells us the different types of aggression that can occur, how they can be managed, and how to bring up a puppy to minimise the possibility of aggression. Listen to fascinating and authoritative advice from an aggression specialist.

You can find out more about Susie at her website , and listen to her radio show. For more detail, read her biog below.

Susie Aga is a Certified Canine Behavior & Training Specialist who received her certification from Triple Crown Academy, a world leader in pet education. She has 20 years experience with dogs and is recommended by over 45 Veterinarians in the Metro Atlanta area.

Susie was chosen by Turner Broadcasting to be their featured "Pet Expert". You can find her on their web site: Pet Expert Story. From there, follow Susie Aga' Pet Expert link and it will take you to puppy/doggie helpful hints page.

Susie Aga is also the host of a talk show called "The Animal Hour". It is on every Tuesday at 2pm on AM 1620. You can listen to the show on-line at www.radiosandysprings.com or tune in here for a live broadcast via Media Player: The Animal Hour .

You can also call in for our sessions on Q & A or just to add your thoughts on the topics at hand. The number is 404 -943-1620. Feel free to email her at atlantadogtrainer@yahoo.com. Susie is also the "Pet Expert" for- Pet Doctor Online.

She is interviewed by veterinarians regarding many behavioral issues and there solutions. The discussions are directed towards behavioral problems such as separation anxiety, cage aggression and other hard to define issues facing many owners and their dogs. The shows are also archived for your convenience.

Being a Behavioral Specialist Susie was chosen on several occasions to be a guest speaker at Georgia State University. Susie is a reoccurring guest lecturer for the psychology department of the university. Her lectures on canine behavior and the similarities of conditioning behaviors in humans and animals are often included in the professors testing at the end their semesters.

Susie has also been asked by several other schools such as The Howard School in Decatur to be the pet expert. She has been chosen to teach the professors, at the school, behavior modification techniques she developed as well as train them in her obedience courses with their personal dogs.

Susie was a columnist for Petlanta, Dog's Life and Dog World magazines and wrote monthly article on training, pet tips and other helpful hints for you and your pet. Her Articles on training and behavioral issue and there solutions are published on various web sites.

Susie is a member in good standing with the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.
Her training includes, but is not limited to Basic through Advanced Obedience, Off Leash, Agility, Aggression Management and Behavior Modification. Susie's specialized training includes Special Odor Detection, Search & Rescue, and Tracking Work.

Watch the web site for information on the doggie fashion show, where Susie will be the featured "Animal Wrangler" airing on the Turner Broadcasting Network [TBS] shown nationwide this summer.

She has six rescue dogs of her own and donates much of her time and services to Rescue Organizations. You can truly say her life has gone to the dogs and that is just the way SHE WANTS IT!

Freestyle

The expert advice on another area of dog training comes from Hannah Crook. Hannah competes and judges in canine freestyle. She talks about how freestyle is divided, and how you can start from scratch in the sport.

If you've ever watched human and canine moving to music beautifully synchronised, and wondered if you could have a go - listen up and find out how.

Hannah was recently involved in the UK television program Richard and Judy, helping to show an absolute beginner how to devise a freestyle program to a short piece of music.

Hannah's training advice can be found on the website Chilled Dogs . For more information about freestyle check out Musical Dog Sport and Canine Freestyle GB .

Reading from The Knocknobbler

Bernard Cartwright talked about his book, The Knocknobbler in episode 46. His work as a dog catcher in Worcester brought him into contact with many dogs - and people. DogCast Radio listeners can now hear extracts of his entertaining book.

In today's selection, find out how Bernard helped sort out a noisy dog. The Knocknobbler is available through Parapress .

News and other items

In the DogCast Radio News, hear how you can take part in an auction to help support The Companion Animal Protection Society . The Society - or CAPS - for short works to bring an end to the suffering inflicted on dogs through pet shops and puppy mills.

Halloween is nearly here, so we've brought you some top tips to make sure your pet enjoys the celebrations as much as you do. For more advice check out Dog Gone Safe and Dog Geek .

Listeners James and Emma lost their beloved GSD Joe recently, and are interested in finding a breeder who produces similar looking dogs. Have you posted photos of Ozzy, Bigley Bambino, Grace or Herbie on our GSD breed profile page? If so get in touch and help James and Emma get over their loss.

Tamara Lloyd from The Alternative Animal Sanctuary in the UK is appealing to the general public on behalf of the many dog breeds that find themselves in rescue most often - Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Border Collies, Lurchers and so on. Tamara has recently taken in 6 Staffies and is eager to find loving long term homes for them. Contact her on 07818406619.

Ron Hevener

How good a dog is is often determined by how good his breeder is, and in this show we have two of the best breeders around.

Ron Hevener owns one of the oldest dog show kennels in the U.S. - Lochranza. The kennel specialises in Collies, and the story of how Ron met Jacqueline M. Kauffman, the original owner of Lochranza, learned from her, worked alongside her, and eventually continued working towards her dream is a fascinating one.

It hasn't been an easy path to walk, but Ron has walked it with love, commitment and determination. The final realisation of Jackie's dream came with the arrival of a litter that was over ten years in the planning.

As well as breeding his beloved Collies, Ron Hevener owns a Greyhound racing kennel, Arabian race horses, and finds time to write novels, paint and sculpt. Listen to this fascinating interview with a fascinating man.

For more information on Ron check out his website .

Matthew Culmore

Matthew and Patricia Culmore breed Bichon Frise dogs, and their highly acclaimed kennel is in California. Some of their recent litter have been ranked top in their State, and in the top three for the whole of America.

Producing high quality dogs with excellent temperaments is a priority at Culmore Canines, and health tests are done as well as well as making sure the puppies get the best start in life they possibly can.

In this interview, Matthew tells us how to recognise a good breeder, and passes on some of the measures he takes to make sure his pups end up in loving homes. We all want a breeder who has put the same effort into breeding a pup that we will put into raising it, and you can hear some wonderful advice about good breeding practices.

To see some of the beautiful Culmore dogs, and to read about Matthew go to the Culmore Canines website .

News and other items

In the DogCast Radio News, hear how dogs are now being used to help predict diabetic blood sugar lows , and about a great Pet Expo coming soon in Las Vegas.

If you have the time to help on the Bella Moss Foundation stand at Discover Dogs in the UK on the 10th and 11th of November please contact the Foundation. In return for a few hours help you will receive a free pass to the show - as well as the satisfaction of helping a great cause. The Bella Moss Foundation is committed to helping dogs and other pets with MRSA and other serious infections.

If you're the owner of Scout who appears on our Jack Russell breed profile page, please get in touch, as we have a listener who would love to know which breeder supplied Scout, as he wants a similar dog.

Congratulations to the team from The Company of Animals , who raised over 10,000 running in the Great North Run. This is enough money to sponsor a puppy through its full training with Dogs for the Disabled. Well done to those who ran or contributed sponsorship money.

All this plus dog quotes from Mark Twain - and do listen to the end for Jenny's joke.

Uncle Matty

"Get rid of the problem, not the dog!" is Matthew Margolis or Uncle Matty's catchphrase and philosophy.

Matthew has educated countless dog owners about training and understanding their dog better, and satisfied clients include Renee Russo, Merv Griffin, Goldie Hawn, Drew Carey, Madonna, Elizabeth Taylor and Shannon Doherty. He has his own television show, "Woof it's a dog's life", as well as videos, cds, books and training kits.

Now he has launched The Business of Training , a scheme whereby you can learn to be a dog trainer at home via the internet. You can learn to train dogs the Uncle Matty way in your own home, as well as how to market your new training business and attract clients.

What led Matthew Margolis to develop his compassionate philosophy, and what does he think about how we treat dogs? Hear all this and more in this fascinating interview.

Your First Great Dane

Great Danes are a very popular breed, but what is the reality of sharing your life with one of these gentle giants?

Angela Mitchell read around before she brought her Great Dane, Hovis, into her life, but none of the books on offer answered all her burning questions, so she decided to write her own book - Your First Great Dane.

One Great Dane is apparently never enough, and Hovis was soon joined by Bob - and another book is now on the way about life with two Great Danes.

Angela tells us how her dogs enhanced her life, and about the comments you hear over and over when you're out and about with a Great Dane.

Your First Great is available through Parapress .

News and other items

In the DogCast Radio News we have two great ideas for your next year's calendar. In the UK, the PDSA has brought out their Pet Pawtraits calendar . The full celebrity line-up for the 2008 PDSA Pet Pawtraits calendar includes:

Adele Silva with Shar Pei, Misty and Yorkshire Terrier, Buster
Anthea Turner with Golden Retrievers, Buddy and Digger
Craig Philips with Bull Mastiff, Raffiki
Jean Christophe Novelli with Dobermans, Missy, Obie and Snoopy
Jessie Wallace with Basset Hound, Daisy and Alsatian, George
John Barrowman with Cocker Spaniel, Tiger
Kate Garraway with cat, Scamp
Lisa l'Anson with cats, Blue and Marlowe
Paul McKenna with Great Dane, Mr Big
Sarah Jayne Dunn with Shitsu, Leo
Sean Astin with chinchilla, Luigi
Sean Hughes with crossbreed dogs Sweep and Betty

In the USA, take the opportunity to support dogs who really need it with the For The Love of Rescue calendar. This features themed photos of rescue dogs as well as training tips. Rescue organisations can sign up to raise money for their cause.
To read a list of the strange items dogs have swallowed, check out the PDSA website .

We are celebrating our 50th episode, and Ingrid E. Newkirk, founder and president of PETA, has written a book with some terrific ideas to help incorporate dogs into your celebrations. Let's Have a Dog Party has celebrity endorsements from Pamela Anderson, Simon Cowell, Martina Navratilova, Tamara Beckwith, Tommy Lee, Ali MacGraw and others.

If you listened to our interview with Mary Buddemeyer-Porter, you are already aware of her fantastic and very comforting book, Will I see Fido in Heaven? If you haven't already bought the book, now's your chance because by purchasing Will I See Fido In Heaven? from Amazon.com on September 27, 2007, not only will you find biblical truths and inspirational true-life animal stories within the book, you will also receive wonderful bonus gifts valued at over $250, most instantly downloadable. So check out Animals Live Forever .

Host Julie has a health warning from a concerned listener, and gives you her take on the funny side of life with three dogs.

Enjoy our 50th episode!

If you've been following the story of Jill's imprisoned Standard Poodles, we have great news - the girls are home! Jill and Peter still can't believe they finally have their dogs back, and the reunion was emotional as you can imagine. Peter still faces charges, but the dogs are back where they belong. It is frightening that this has happened at all - and this should alarm every dog owner in the UK.

Dalmatians

The Dalmatian must be the most recognisable dog breed - and we have a profile of the breed. Deborah from Krystaway Damatians, which is in New South Wales, Australia, tells us about this beautiful, clever, energetic breed.

You may know how to "spot" a Dalmatian but do you know anything about their history? The purpose this breed was developed for still affects how they behave today, and the more you know about a breed gives you a better idea of whether they would be a good companion for you. How do Dalmatians fit into family life? Are they couch potatoes or jogging companions? Are they free thinkers or do they train well?

Find out more in this great breed profile - and to find out more about Deb and her dogs check out the Krystaway Dalmatians site .

Reiki for dogs

Do you know what Reiki is? Do you know that it can be used to great effect with dogs?

Penny Leisch is a Usui Reiki Master Teacher, a Karuna Ki Reiki Master Teacher, a Sacred Flames Reiki Master Teacher, as well as an empath and animal communicator.

In this interview she explains what Reiki is, and gives examples of the amazing results it can give when used with dogs. Penny is assisted in her work by her instinctive understanding of animals, and she also shares that experience with us.

Penny has two websites - www.petsbypenny.com and www.reiki4paws.com as well as a blog - petsbypenny.blogspot.com . For further information about Reiki try Marta Williams' site , and also the International Association of Reiki Professionals .

Buddy's Diary

Buddy has been enjoying the summer - and in his diary he tells us what he likes about the season. He also tells us what he dislikes about the summer, and if he thought "Vacuum" was bad he has met another evil creature out in the garden!

News

In the DogCast Radio News, hear how dogs are giving and getting vital help in the water, as well as how sniffer dogs sometimes sniff out danger, and how actress Anne Hathaway's Labrador helped her win a part in a film. For more information about dog swimming lessons, go to The Dog Run's site .

Other items

If you fancy reading a book that will help you come to a better understanding of your dog and improve your relationship with him, then pick up The Loved Dog by Tamar Geller. Tamar's philosophy is based on love and gentleness - and satisfied clients include Oprah Winfrey, Ben Affleck and Goldie Hawn. To get some tips from the founder of Southern California's first cage-free day care and overnight boarding facility, read The Loved Dog. To find out more about Tamar Geller, visit her website .

Dogs for the Disabled provides life-changing assistance dogs for disabled people - and you can help support their work by sponsoring a six strong team from The Company of Animals which is entering Great Northern Run in the UK at the end of September. Sponsoring the team couldn't be easier follow the link to justgiving.com/coa and help make people and dogs lives happier.

If you'd like to see what some of the DogCast Radio team look like do check out the latest episode of Hound TV where Buddy, Tom and Star are the current Hounds of the Week.

Jill's poor Poodles Jenni and Minki are still languishing as "evidence" in police custody, and her partner Peter has now been charged, with a court hearing scheduled in mid September. The "girls" have now been in custody for three months, with nothing proved against them. Let's hope they're home soon.

Roger Mugford

In this our second anniversary show you can hear from well known animal psychologist Dr. Roger Mugford.

Roger heads up a dedicated team at The Company of Animals , and is committed to and passionate about dog welfare. In his long career, Roger has encountered many "problem" dogs - several of which have been lucky enough to end up living with Roger, as part of his beloved pack.

We took the DogCast Radio dogs to meet Roger's dogs - and they all had a wonderful time, and Roger's canine family is a testament to his loving rehabilitation methods.

Roger is the originator of Train & Behave week , and we found out what inspired the idea, as well as discovering the history of some of the dog related products Roger has developed. Buddy adores his Kong Wubba - one of the latest toys on offer from The Company of Animals.

It is clear in this interview that not only is Dr. Mugford an expert in his field, but lots of fun too.

Pampering Your Pooch

For some great ideas on how to pamper your dog, listen to our interview with Jason Rich about his book Pampering Your Pooch: Discover What Your Dog Wants, Needs and Loves .

Don't be misled by the word pamper though, this is pampering with the dog's health and well-being as the priority. Jason has everything you can think of covered and there is something here for every dog lover.

Jason shares his life with his best pal Rusty , a Yorkshire Terrier, so this book has real-life experience behind it, as well as a wealth of research. To make sure you're meeting your dog's needs and giving him the best life possible, listen to Jason's advice.

JettyDogs

JettyDogs is the latest dog sport to come to the UK - and boy does it look fun!

Penny Draper and her dog Jumping Jack Splash were at Train & Behave with a pool to let handlers and dogs have a go, or even enter a competition. This is like dog long-jump, but since the landing is into water, it is safe for older and younger dogs to participate. This is also great fun to watch, so if there's a JettyDogs event near you go and have a look, although do watch out as you can get splashed as the dogs jump in, and then sprayed as they shake when they get out.

For more information go to www.eastmidlandsjettydogs.co.uk and www.dockdogs.com

Cancer detecting dogs

There is a new UK charity aiming to use the dog's incredible sense of smell to detect cancer. We talk to Claire Guest about Cancer Dogs UK. To find out more go to www.amerdermtrust.co.uk

News review

Steven Pam travelled all the way from Australia to attend Train & Behave. You can hear Steven and host Julie discussing some dog-related stories that have made the news recently. To hear and see more of Steven check out HoundTV .

Dog Each Day

For some great artwork, do visit dogeachday.com On this site you can see a new dog drawing and story each day. This was Larry Merrill's celebration of the Year of the Dog, and is now in "rewind" mode, giving you another chance to appreciate the beautiful pictures on offer.

Feeding your dog naturally

What do you feed your dog? Are you worried about food recalls? Do you know what the ingredients in your dog's food are?

Kim Bloomer is currently studying for a Bachelor of Science in Holistic Nutrition/Doctor of Naturopathy. She worked in the veterinary field for many years, and continues to do extensive research into natural health care for dogs. Kim is also a member of the American Veterinary Naturopathic Association.

On her radio show Animal Talk Naturally Kim discusses all aspects of natural pet care and health, and in this interview you can hear her advice on feeding your dog naturally. You will be amazed at the advantages to giving your dog a natural diet, and you may never look at your average bag or tin of dog food the same again.

To hear more of Kim's great advice check out Animal Talk Naturally .

OrganiPets

Although it's only the problems that hit the headlines, there are some excellent dog foods available.

OrganiPets is a new company whose dog food is not only organic, but whose packaging is environmentally friendly too!

We met Liz Nuttall and she told us the amazing results she is getting with the company's dog food. The company's story is one of success, but the story behind that success is a very moving one - and it all started with a rescue dog named Raffy.

Listen to the OrganiPets story, and get new faith in the dog food industry.

Fiction

Our fiction feature this time is written and read by Shawndra Miller.

Shawndra is a writer with a blog called Living Mindfully , which regularly features her beautiful Standard Poodle Marley.

Shawndra's story is Leaving Ginger - a moving story that just might have you reaching for a Kleenex!

To find out more about Shawndra check out her blog and other projects.

Puppy Playtime

In Puppy Playtime, Jenny talks about her favourite dog stories. One of her favourite authors is Dick King-Smith, and if you'd like to read about him start out with www.randomhouse.com/kids/dickkingsmith and www.penguin.co.uk/nf/Author/AuthorPage/0,,1000009153,00.html

Puppy Playtime listener Ella also reviews her favourite animal stories.

Pet Nutrition

Now we've whetted your appetite you may want to explore the area of your dog's nutrition more, so we have some suggestions to start you off. To understand per food labels more check out www.petfoodreport.com/

From the Burns food site you can get advice about feeding plus a simple recipe.

To discover the different nutritional needs of each breed try home.att.net/~wdcusick/free.html

Look at www.nature-nosh.com if you'd like to give your dog some organic treats.

The Dog Communicator

Do you ever wish you could communicate better with your dog? Well Joy Turner could help you do just that.

Joy is a renowned communicator and energetic healer for both animals and humans. She hosts the radio show Talk With Your Animals , and offers private communication sessions to her international clients. Joy can communicate with living dogs as well as those who have passed over.

In this interview, Joy speaks about how she communicates with dogs, how she believes we all have the ability to do so, and recounts some of her experiences. If you want to find out how you could develop the ability to communicate with your dog, listen closely to Joy's advice.

Joy also communicates with host Julie's dog Buddy - so what's his take on things?

The Knockknobbler

Do you know what a Knockknobbler is? Well listen to our interview with author Bernard Cartwright and find out.

Bernard took on the role of Dog Warden for the City of Worcester, and his experiences in the job inspired him to write his book, The Knockknobbler.

Just what is life like as a dog warden? Well, it has its highs and lows, and Bernard's book gives a great insight into the demanding but rewarding job. Some days Bernard was confronted with sweet lost puppies, other days it was more demanding beasts, but he faced it all with compassion and humour. His own dog Schtroumpf helped support him through it all too.

Bernard's book is available from Parapress .

News

To celebrate the fact that there is a new Jettydogs World Champion, Trover Coats has brought out a single called Walkies. DogCast Radio listeners can hear a preview of the single in this episode, and to download the catchy single go to the Trover website .

The new champion is a Greyhound who was rejected because he couldn't run fast enough - but he obviously can jump!

We also bring you the latest news on Jill's poor imprisoned Poodles, and for more information on the girls read Beverley Cuddy's Cold Wet Nose Blog .

Beverley is the publisher and editor of Dogs Today and is passionate about dog welfare. Her blog covers a variety of subjects, and dog lovers will find it well worth checking out.

Host Julie brings you her thoughts on small dogs. Do the best things come in small packages or is big always best? Listen and find out.

Trover Coats

Trover Coats , based on the English Channel island of Alderney, is a small company that's making a big difference to many dogs' lives.

First, the quality of the products that Trover make is excellent. Whether you choose to spoil your dog with a Trover coat or a Trover bed, he'll be happy with your choice. Jane Aireton and Toni Cherrett ensure that their products are of the highest quality, with the best design and as a result they really work.

Beyond that, Jane and Toni are very quick to respond to a need in the dog community. Having shared their lives with rescue dogs, they run a competition which honours "Ladies That Rescue". When Hurricane Katrina left hundreds of dogs having to live outside, Toni rose to the occasion and designed a coat to keep them warm and dry.

If you love dogs, this interview will warm your heart, and inspire you that you too can make a difference.

Dog Etiquette

Charlotte Reed is an international pet expert who aims to provide pet owners with insights on how to best care for their pets. To this end, Charlotte has a new book out on pet etiquette - The Miss Fido Manners Complete Book of Dog Etiquette: The Definitive Guide to Manners for Pets and Their People.

If you want to keep your dog happy, while still getting along well with family friends and neighbours, this book is for you. In the modern world there are many dilemmas for dog owners - from how to dine out with your pet, to how to ensure visitors are comfortable around your animals, to what happens to your dog if your relationship splits up. In this interview Charlotte has advice on all this plus more.

News

In the DogCast Radio News, we have safety tips from the California Veterinary Medical Association .

We all like to keep cool when the weather heats up, and dogs are no exception - but they have to be kept safe around water. So listen up for some great advice.

If you do have a pool and are concerned for your dog's safety, check out the Skamper-Ramp , a product that will help get your dog back on dry land.

Natural Animal World Convention

Host Julie has news from our friends over at Animal Talk Naturally .

Animal Talk Naturally in conjunction with the American Veterinary Naturopathic Association presents the first annual Natural Animal World Convention: Inspiring Minds. Empowering Choices. Integrating Ideas which takes place online on September 7 - 9, 2007. You can attend without leaving the comfort of your own home, and the convention has opportunities to hear some authoritative speakers, mix with other animal lovers, and much more.

To find out more about the convention go to www.naturalanimalworldconvention.org

Buddy's Diary

Buddy has gone from being an only dog, to a middle dog. How has he adapted and which does he prefer? Is his little "sister" really a pain, and what's it like to have an instant older "brother"? Listen in and find out straight from the Labrador's mouth!

Lithium Springs

If you like family friendly dog movies, then Lithium Springs might well be the film for you.

It stars Fred the Dachshund alongside Carter Lord who also directed the film. This independent movie is getting rave reviews for its wholesome enthusiasm, and the performance of its canine star. The story centres on Evinrude Jones who discovers Juan Ponce de Leon's treasure map. Together with his faithful hound Fred, he sets out to find the gold.

Hear Carter tell us about his attitude to working with dogs, and how Fred came to be in the movie in the first place. More information, including a trailer, and the chance to buy the film can be found at the Lithium Springs website .

Detained dogs

How would you react if your dog was seized by the police, held in an unknown location, and was under a possible death threat? Jill and her family find themselves in this situation.

Jill has four poodles, but currently only two live at home with her. The other two have been taken by the police as "evidence", and Jill hasn't seen her beloved dogs for almost three weeks. Given the extra grooming that Poodles need, and the fact that one of the dogs has special dietary needs, Jill is beside herself with worry.

No one seems to be able to help, and the family are becoming increasingly desperate. We can only guess how desperate the dogs are. If any DogCast listeners have an idea of how to help, or would like to pass on their good wishes to Jill as she endures this enforced separation, contact us at the usual address and we will pass your messages on.

Since we recorded this interview, Jill has been contacted by the police, thanks to the intervention of her Member of Parliament. That's as far as the good news goes though. The dogs are classed as evidence and no visits are possible. Jill's partner pointed out that poodles need special care to keep their noses, eyes, toes and so on healthy, as well as regular grooming and clipping so that they don't develop any other problems, plus obviously, these dogs need affection and company. The family still have no information about how the dogs are coping with this enforced separation, and everything seems very bleak.

We will of course update you with any news we get; lets hope it's better news.

Puppy Playtime

In Puppy Playtime, Jenny has a great game and quiz for our younger listeners to try out. If you'd like to discover the origins of some famous dog breeds, play this game www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/dogs/world.html

If you'd like to take the quiz that will tell you which dog breed your attitude to work most resembles, go to uk.tickle.com/test/dogatwork.html

News

In this show's DogCast Radio News, you can hear about Ozzie Osbourne and his dogs, how Vanessa Williams' dog went missing, and the new challenger for the title of World's smallest dog.

Also we've found an upper class Labrador who's rolling in money - and looking to make more. To find out more about possibly the wealthiest dog in Britain check out www.maunselhouse.co.uk/jasper.html

Train and Behave Week (UK)

Host Julie talks about the great new British initiative, Train and Behave Week . This great event will be starting at the end of July, with a grande finale on 4th August.

Many high profile dog trainers are supporting the competition, such as Dr Roger Mugford, Victoria Stilwell, Colin Tennant, Gwen Bailey, Fiona Whelan, Charlie Clarricoates and Carolyn Menteith. No matter how old or young you or your dog are, or how much - or how little! - training you've done previously, this is your chance to have fun with your dog while you both learn.

The event is launched by The Company of Animals .

Jazmyn, junior dog handler

Jazmyn Wray went to her first dog show as a tiny baby, and dogs have featured in her life ever since then. She adores the Flat Coated Retrievers that she has grown up with, but has experience of many other breeds. Flatcoats remain her favourite, and she is now the third generation to enjoy promoting the Bushman name.

At the age of 7 years old, Jazmyn became a Junior Handler, and since then has had great success. She has qualified for the Pal Junior Handler final every year since, and won the State Final in 2005.

In this interview, Jazmyn tells us what Junior Handling involves, and why she enjoys it so much. Hearing such an enthusiastic and knowledgeable youngster makes great listening. To find out more about Jazmyn's progress check out Jazmyn's page on the Bushman site .

Alfie's Lost Terriers

If your dog went missing how long would you keep looking for him? Justine Marlowe's beloved Yorkshire Terrier, Alfie, was stolen over three years ago, and she is still determined to find him.

Her other dogs have given her the will to carry on, but Justine has found it very difficult coping with the loss of Alfie. Helping others in the same position has also helped Justine, and Alfie's Lost Terriers was created.

In their first year the website has helped reunited many owners with their lost or stolen dogs, and Justine and her team are devoted to their chosen task. Justine and Alfie's story is a moving one, but Justine continues to search and hope.

Two Minute Fiction

In our Two Minute Fiction feature, we have a story about an owner who needs to learn more about her breed. The owner has formed an opinion about her dog, but is it accurate? Why does a dog behave the way he does, and how should a responsible owner respond?

Strategy is written by Julie Hill and read by Kate Coldham.

News

In the DogCast Radio News, hear how you can tell your dog's story if he is always waiting for you to be ready to spend time with him. Check out www.waitingdog.org

You can also hear some wild dog news, and about some dogs with unusual jobs involving insects and birds.

Dogs as parasites?

How do you regard your dog? Whatever you think of him or her, you almost certainly don't consider him a parasite. Yet this is Stephen Budiansly's opinion.

You can read an extract from his book The Truth About Dogs but beware this is strong stuff. Hear host Julie ruminate on Budiansly's assertions, and defend the dog from his accusations.

Flat Coated Retrievers

In this episode we bring you a breed profile of the Flat Coated Retriever.

This is an elegant looking dog, with a lot of enthusiasm for life. Like many gun dogs the Flatcoat can make an excellent family dog - find out how his qualities suit for that role.

If you're looking for an affectionate companion could a Flatcoat be right for you. How much exercise do they need, and just how much grooming does that beautiful coat need? To find out all this and more we talked to Judy Kennon Wray from Bushman Flat Coated Retrievers.

The Bushman kennel has been established in Victoria, Australia for over four decades, specialising in Flatcoats since 1988. To find out more about this lovely breed visit the Bushman website .

Grooming

How often do you groom your dog? We all know how important it is to train, exercise and feed our four legged friend properly, but did you realise just how beneficial grooming can be for your dog?

It's not all about looking good, their health and behavioural advantages. To get the most from grooming you need to establish a good routine right from the start, and that's not just with long coated dogs, or those who need stripping - all breeds can benefit.

Sue Davidson is an Advanced Master Groomer, shes been Groomer of the Year twice, as well as an International Gold Medallist and Inter Grooming Judge. We first met her at Crufts with one of her immaculately turned out Bichon Frises.

As well as telling you why to groom, Sue has some excellent advice on how to make it as easy and effective as possible. Go on - dig out that brush and have a go.

Buddy's Diary

In Buddy's Diary Buddy has two newcomers to put up with. And one has been brought in by magic - according to Buddy anyway. He sees one dog go up onto a table, and another dog get down. What is a Labrador to make of it all?

News

A touching story recently in the news is that of Richard Reister, a disabled army vet who desperately tried to raise money for his beloved dog's essential operation by offering to mow lawns at $10 a time. The story hit the headline around the world, and anyone wishing to donate may make a check out to Richard Reister and send it to his home at
1726 W. Brady,
Chesaning,
MI 48616.

Naming your dogs

What's your dog called? Why is he called that, and how long did it take you to choose? Host Julie takes a look at the pros and cons of naming your dog, and in the process reveals a few embarrassing secrets.

Onion the movie star dog

Have you ever dreamed of your dog becoming a famous movie star? In this episode you can hear what it's like when your dog moves in celebrity circles.

Onion is a miniature Bull Terrier who has appeared in a Ewan McGregor film, a pop video, and has been painted, sculpted and illustrated! All this and her career started unintentionally!

Onion is no prima donna though, and enjoys her walks in the park as much as her strolls down the red carpet. A look at her website will quickly tell you that this is a dog with a sense of humour too.

Hear what it's like to be on a film-set with your dog, the training methods Sarah finds work best, and whether Onion enjoys her work. Plus what does a dog do with her fee? - Well this canine puts it to a very good use, find out how by listening to the interview.

Camp Gone to the Dogs

Are you looking for a really enjoyable vacation experience with your dog? Well look no further than Camp Gone to the Dogs.

This is a holiday where you genuinely get to share life with your dog. It doesn't matter whether your dog is already well trained, or if you haven't quite achieved such a high level of obedience, and all breeds are welcome to try out the huge variety of activities.

The best thing about Camp Gone to the Dogs is their attitude - this is no canine boot camp, this is fun, fun, fun! Their aim is that you and your dog enjoy the vacation, they want to see happy smiles and wagging tails. Apparently once you've tried it, you'll keep going back for more, hear why from owner and organiser Jeanne, as she tells us why dogs and their owners think Camp Gone to the Dogs is so fantastic.

Famous Dogs

After our interview with Onion, Jenny has been inspired to find out about famous dogs. Discover how Lassie, Rin Tin Tin and Strongheart got their start in show business.

News

In the DogCast Radio news, there's outrage all over the place in the dog world. What will you make of it all?

Two Minute Fiction

The fiction feature for this episode is inspired by the newest member of the DogCast team, Tom, our retired guide dog. How does a dog who's enjoyed working all his life adapt to retirement? Just how easy is it to twiddle your thumbs when you've only got paws?

Stevie the blind agility dog

Training your dog can be difficult can't it? Taking on a disabled dog also has its own challenges. So we were amazed when we discovered Stevie, a Bernese Mountain dog who has been blind since birth.

Owner Jill took Stevie on as a rescue dog when he was a small puppy, and she tells us of her experiences with him. What does training a blind dog involve? What is every day life like with a blind dog?

Surely a dog who can't see can't do agility? - Well yes he can actually, and if you have to see it top believe it check out this great video of Stevie .

Jill tells us what Stevie has achieved, his attitude to life, and how he interacts with other dogs. She also tells us what she has learned from living with such an incredible dog.

Pet Street

Do you fall into conversation with other dog owners easily? Do you have a lot in common with other dog lovers?

Well now you can talk to them online all over the world with Pet Street. Maurice Melzak is the man behind Pet Street and he tells us about this online community for pet lovers.

Not only can you create your own page, but your pet can have one too. You can upload photos of you and your pets, and you can even put videos on. In the blog feature you can tell everyone about life with your pets.

To explore Pet Street go to www.petstreet.co.uk and don't forget to get in touch with Julie, Jenny, Buddy, Star and Tom - we're all on Pet Street already.

Buddy's Diary

Buddy's Diary is back, and in this entry, Buddy muses on how well - or otherwise - he understands not only his people, but also his fellow dogs. Why do humans waste so much time on silly activities? Why is Star so naughty? And why won't people put socks to their best use?

Puppy Playtime

In Puppy Playtime, Jenny tells you how you can have fun with your dog and a hoop. Also, do you know why dogs sniff bottoms? Jenny thinks she has the answer!

News

In the DogCast Radio News, hear how some dogs enjoy travelling, and how some have had problems. Talking of problems, Victoria Stillwell is great at solving dog related ones - so listen up to find out where you can catch her program It's Me or the Dog.

New arrival

Buddy and Star have a new member in their pack. Tom the Labrador has joined the DogCast team, but how has he fitted in, and what changes has he caused?

Introducing a second dog to the house

The only thing better than sharing your life with a dog is sharing your life with two dogs! Having two dogs can mean double the love, fun and general all-round good time that having one dog is - but it means at least double the work, and the initial stages take a lot of thought and vigilance.

How you introduce two dogs can have an influence on their relationship, so we talked to trainer Lyn Richards to find out the right way of going about things.

Get it right and you'll help your dogs hit it off from the start - Lyn tells us just how and where to bring a new puppy into an older dog's life with the minimum of upset to both. Check out Lyn's site, Dog Logic .

Crufts 2007 part 2

We continue our coverage of Crufts.

We talk to the tallest and smallest of the hounds, some striking utility and toy dogs, plus we find out some tricks of the trade! What treats help show dogs perform at their best, and how do you keep a white show dog white?

Crufts - the opposing view

Not everyone was full of praise for Crufts. UK magazine Dogs Today hit the headlines for daring to criticise the most well established dog show in the world.

To get the truth behind the headlines we talk to Dogs Today editor and publisher, Beverley Cuddy. When you hear the arguments Beverley puts forward you may just be surprised, listen and make up your own mind.

To get in touch with Dogs Today check out their website .

Puppy Playtime

In Puppy Playtime we have a great Nintendo DS game that budding vets will love to try their hand at.

You can also find out about the Young Kennel Club scheme. To discover more about opportunities for eager junior handlers explore the UK Kennel Club's Junior section
and the American Kennel Club's kids' section .

Other items

All this plus the usual quirky DogCast Radio News, and some interesting dog proverbs.

You can also find out about a dog who's star is on the rise - Onion the Miniature Bull Terrier (http://www.oniondog.com/) - and a well known one off dog who recently passed over to rainbow bridge, Skidboot.

Earthquake detecting dogs

The book Dr Coren was researching is available at Amazon.com .

Psychologist and dog expert Doctor Stanley Coren was researching into whether seasonal affective disorder could influence dogs, when he came across an unexpected finding.

Could it be that the dogs in his survey had actually been displaying unusual behaviour because they could sense an imminent earthquake? On further examination, this seemed an inescapable conclusion. Many factors involved point top that fact that dogs may well be able to "hear" earthquakes.

In this fascinating interview you can hear Doctor Coren explain his findings and the conclusions he has come to. Is it possible that we are only aware of a small fraction of what our dogs can actually know and sense. Almost certainly - listen and find out more.

Crufts 2007

Crufts 2007 was bigger than ever. We visited and fought our way through the crowds to bring you our reports.

Listener Peter has a problem with his other wise perfect Pug - he likes to bite toes! For help with this puppy problem we turned to Puppy School founder, Gwen Bailey .

Another DogCast Radio listener, Sarah, has asked for advice on how to help an anxious dog. To solve this we consulted Hilary Self from Hilton Herbs .

Crufts is an international event - so we couldn't resist visiting the American Kennel Club stand to see what they were doing at Crufts.

Dog Theft Action were also promoting their fight against dog theft at Crufts, and we interviewed founder Margaret who has herself suffered the heartbreak of having a beloved dog stolen.

To raise money for their cause, Dog Theft have organised a raffle with a fantastic prize - a portrait of your pet by Paul Doyle. Tickets can be bought online from the Dog Theft Action site, and wherever you live this prize could be yours. To check out some of Paul's art go to www.dogart.com .

Also on the Dog Theft site, you can support the Jester's Law campaign. Jester was a Rottweiler who was stolen, and his story ends very sadly. We interviewed his owner, Nikki, about her determination to stop other owners and dogs enduring what she had to.

His Master's Smile

You can hear an article by author and artist Ron Hevener. His Master's Smile fits with our Crufts theme, and is read by host Julie. To find more about Ron's work, visit his website .

News

In the DogCast Radio News discover the prize winning past of Crufts Champion Araki Fabulous Willy.

Planet Dog: A Doglopedia .

Kate and Nick also have news of a great dog travel website (www.bringfido.com ) and a new book Planet Dog: A Doglopedia that's a must for all dog lovers.

Wolf encounter

Would you like to meet a wolf? Well it's something Julie Rodaway has always wanted to do. We first met Julie back in episode 26 .

Julie told us about life with her guide dog Wallace, and the strong and loving bond that has developed between them. Julie loves dogs, and has also always been fascinated by wolves. Julie mentioned to us that she would love to meet a wolf, so she could touch it and find out for herself what a wolf is like.

When we discovered Wolf Watch UK offers wolf encounters we thought it was the ideal opportunity for Julie to realise her ambition.

Julie's husband Pat is also blind, and has a guide dog called Tom. The DogCast Radio team, Julie and Pat visited Wolf Watch UK, and director Tony Haighway shared with us his knowledge of and experiences with wolves.

The wolves who live at Wolf Watch UK have been rescued by the organisation for a variety of reasons, and now have a safe and loving home for the rest of their life. Two of the wolves were hand reared by Tony, and so are well socialised to humans. It was one of these wolves, Maddy, who met Julie and Pat.

The insight Tony gives into his life helping protect these stunning animals, is in turn touching, informative and amusing. Hear his experiences, the wolf encounter Julie and Pat enjoyed, and their reflections on the meeting.

Dog Theft

Dog theft is a growing crime, and every dog owner's nightmare. Debbie Matthews lived through this nightmare when her beloved Yorkshire Terriers, Gizmo and Widget were stolen.

Debbie was fortunate however, in that her father is legendary entertainer, Bruce Forsyth, and so the theft attracted considerable media attention.

Eventually, Debbie and her dogs were reunited, but the experience was an eye-opener for the family.

Is your dog micro-chipped? If so do you expect that your dog will be routinely scanned by authorities and vets? Well this is not the case in the UK and Debbie and her father have set up an appeal to help fight for justice for dog owners. Wherever you live you can help support their appeal, listen to the interview, visit the website and help lost and stolen dogs get back to their families.

Other websites helping to get lost or stolen dogs back home are www.doglost.co.uk and www.alfieslostterriers.com .

Two Minute Fiction

In two minute fiction, hear Joyce's Story. Joyce has spent her life accompanied by a series of well-loved dogs - but old age has deprived her of this joy.

Other items

An update on Star's clicker training, the first diet drug for dogs is made available in the UK, and Crufts is just around the corner!

RSPCA Shelter

It's a sad but true fact that many of the dogs bought as ill thought through Christmas presents find themselves homeless before spring. We know they end up in shelters, but once there, what is the process that helps put them on the road to a new home?

Host Julie visited the Gonsal Farm RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruely to Animals) shelter to find out more. Did you know that it's much better for a dog to be taken to a home by his owner than to be taken in as a stray, as staff can find out lots of relevant information from the owner. The more the shelter knows about a dog, the more likely it is that they can find a suitable home for the dog. For example if a dog has lived happily with children, this is a good piece of news to have.

After arriving at a shelter, a dog goes through a range of health checks and temperament assessments. For those that pass the assessments and make it to the adoption kennels, so far so good, but what lies in store for those who have problems? Usually a lot of training and patience from staff and volunteers. Most problems can be solved with time.

Once in the adoption kennel is life plain sailing? Which breeds cope well with kennel life? Which breeds don't adapt well? How much enrichment can be provided through food? How do dogs tolerate that worst of problems - noisy neighbours? Find out all this and more as we trace a dog's journey through a rescue shelter.

One dog at Gonsal Farm has been waiting for a home for quite a while, but no one has been taken with her yet. Could you give China a home? For more information about China - and her kennel mates at Gonsal Farm check out the website .

Thief of Hearts - listener contribution

Michelle Muto enjoys listening to DogCast Radio, spending time with her dogs and writing.

Michelle sent us her story about rescuing one of the dogs she shares her life with. Thief of Hearts tells Tasha's story.

Can Tasha overcome her bad start in life and find her forever home?

To find out more about Akita rescue, go to the website of Heart of Dixie Akita Rescue.

Puppy Playtime

In Puppy Playtime, hosted by Jenny we find out about the Westminster dog show top dogs, and how water - in winter or summer - doesn't always mix well with dogs.

Toilet Training

Could you help listener Mark with his problems toilet training his dog?

If you sailed through toilet training with no problems tell us what you did that conveyed the message to your dog so well? If you struggled with toilet training what did you find that worked well finally?

Help us get Mark through this sometimes fraught stage of a dog's life.

For Shirlee Kalstone's advice on house breaking your dog check out episode six of DogCast Radio.

Dog behaviour specialist

Nick Jones, behaviour specialist

How many of us made New Years resolutions? How many of them have already been broken and forgotten this early in the year? Well one resolution we can all make is to do more training with our dogs.

Nick Jones is a dog behaviour specialist and trainer who can help us do just that. Nick works alongside owners and dogs, helping with problem behaviour and making sure puppies get a good start.

You can hear how Nick is flexible in his apporach to training, and is happy for owners to have an input too. His goal is to spread understanding and happiness between canines and humans. Nick tells us about his work, his methods, and some of his more memorable experiences.

To find out more about Nick got to his website www.alphadogbehaviour.co.uk .

When listener Emily contacted DogCast Radio with some training problems she had encountered with her dog Jasmine, I asked Nick Jones for his advice.

Jasmine is a nine month old Shih Tzu. As you can see from her photo, she is a sweet little dog - but her behaviour doesn't alway match her appearance. So how do you cure a young dog of chasing the two cats she shares a house with, of eating their food, and of being afraid of children? Hear Nick's training tips.

Once you've brought up one puppy and managed to produce a reasonably well behaved and trained individual, you must know exactly what to do with he next dog, right?

That's what I hoped would be the case, but all dogs are different, and we have reached a hiccup in Star's training. It's not a big one, but we just can't manage to get her to do a "down". Julie took advantage of having access to a trainer and asked Nick for some help.

News

In the DogCast Radio News, Kate and Nick bring us a special report on the latest from the American Kennel Club on the most popular dog breeds in the USA.

Puppy Playtime

In Puppy Playtime Jenny has some great ideas on how you can show your dog you love him this Valentine's Day.

If you think the way to your dog's heart may be through his stomach, then check out the recipes on Gourmet Sleuth .

For more ideas about how to show you love not only for your own dog, but all dogs, go to the kids section of the American Humane Society . Amongst other things there is some advice about what to do if you notice a stray dog. Jenny recounts some of her experiences of helping to reunite lost dogs with their owners.

Your dog training

If you have any training problems, or indeed training successes, let us know - send us an audio file, photos or videos of you and your dog. What methods have you found work brilliantly? What was the hardest thing to teach your dog? What trick are you proudest of?

Dogs and cars

Advice on car safety from Mim Edwards

Does your dog travel in the car with you? How does he get into the car? How safe is he once he is in the car and travelling? Does he know not to leave the vehicle until you give him permission to do so?

It's something many of us do every day - pop the dog in the car - and yet if it isn't done safely then we can be putting our dogs, and ourselves, in danger.

The good news is that it is something we can easily put right with a little thought and training. Julie asked advice from the always excellent Mim Edwards , based in Adelaide Australia. Mim's advice is always clear, relevant - and it works! You can hear Mim tell Julie how we can get our dogs into the car safely, make sure they are safe during the journey, and that they exit the car in a safe controlled manner.

Puppy walking for assistance dogs

The process of having the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog recognised in the UK continues, and we went along to the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Fun Day recently. It was great fun, and of course there were many Swissies there. There were also other dogs, and we couldn't help noticing a very nice black Labrador.

This young dog is not destined to be a pet dog though, he is being socialised as he prepares for his training as an assistance dog for the disabled.

Beryl who is the puppy socialiser for this particular dog talked to us about what her role is, and how she came to be a socialiser. Perhaps the biggest question that springs to mind is, "How do you cope when it's time for the dog to leave you?" How does Beryl cope? Listen and you'll find out.

For more information go to Dogs For the Disabled

Dog News

In the DogCast Radio News, we hear about a dog who is losing pounds, as well as a dog who has lost a lot of dollars, and a dog with a gas problem - in a good way! We also feature a new initiative by authorities in Australia to help educate children about dogs.

Puppy Playtime

We have an arty theme in Puppy Playtime, and here are the links to various activities:

For younger listeners who want to make a paper plate puppy puppet.

A variety of colouring pictures

Information about some of the most popular breeds, as well as labelled illustrations to colour

If you prefer looking at art rather than producing it, try some beautifule-cards

Other items

IS your dog good for you? Well here's an article that backs up the fact that not only does your dog make you feel good, he actually improves your health

Should dogs and children really mix? According to this research yes they should. Pets help make our children healthier.

When an owner is in hospital, should their dog have visiting rights? Obviously DogCast would support this, and this article puts forward the idea that it would be good for humans and animals alike.

Eva Dutton is a fantastic artist who has produced some beautiful wolf paintings. To view more of her work try:

www.victoriastillwell.com
www.equestrianartists.co.uk
www.wwuk.org

Read more here.

Assistance dogs

Karen Shirk was struck down with bad health, and then received the further blow of being told she was "too ill" to benefit from an assistance dog. Karen refused to accept that an assistance dog would not improve her quality of life and set about finding and training herself a dog.

The result was a partnership between Karen and her German Shepherd Dog, Ben. Ben turned into an amazing dog, and who was honoured for his work at Karen's side. On at least one occasion he saved Karen's life.

Although she herself had found an answer, Karen couldn't stop thinking about others who were being denied the happiness she had found, and so 4 Paws For Ability was born.

In this interview, Karen talks about the work of 4 Paws, her wonderful dog Ben, and the organisation's positive policies which are helping people and dogs.

Karen has been nominated for an award, which should she win will bring $25,000 to 4 Paws For Ability which will boost the great work already going on. To help Karen win the award, go to www.volvoforlifeawards.org and vote for Karen Shirk.

German Shepherd Dogs

The German Shepherd Dog is an extremely popular breed. They have a terrific reputation as a working dog or pet, and are versatile enough to excel in many kinds of training and activity.

Could a German Shepherd be your perfect dog? If you do choose to share your life with a shepherd just what can you expect? Robin Winter from Narnia Kennels tells us all about German Shepherds, including how they fit into family life, interacting differently with different people, and what to bear in mind when looking for a German Shepherd puppy.

For more information about these marvellous dogs check out Narnia Kennels .

New and other items

In the DogCast Radio News, we have questions with unexpected answers, a town which limits its dogs, and dog with no limits.

If you would like to hear a preview of Jude Stringfellow's book about her family's experiences while caring for two-legged dog Faith, then listen in to Puppy Playtime.

All this plus a question from a listener, and what would you enable your dog to understand if you could?

The Alternative Animal Sanctuary

How far would you go to rescue animals without any other hope? Would you give over your house to them? Would you go into debt for them? Would you survive at times on four hours sleep a night to ensure they were comfortable? How much difficulty would you endure to ensure the animals that found a home with you had an easy life?

In today's episode you can hear an interview with the amazing Tamara Lloyd. Tamara is an inspiring woman who has taken in a great variety of animals to live at her Alternative Sanctuary.

Many of the dogs and horses who live here were condemned as being too aggressive. However Tamara's simple approach of allowing the animals the time and space they need to heal has had astounding results. When the DogCast team visited the sanctuary, we met gentle, affectionate, happy dogs, who would have been put down for behavioural or health reasons if Tamara had not stepped in.

This is a touching story of a woman who is driven to help animals, whatever the cost to herself. Tamara has received a variety of awards for her rescue work, including one at the Wag and Bone Show (see episode 22 ), and you will be inspired as she talks of her experiences.

For more information or to make a donation go to Tamara's website .

News

In the DogCast Radio news, we hear how you can "buy" a dog for Christmas in the right way, for example sponsoring an assistance dog.

You can also hear how dog owners indulge their pets at Christmas, and one unusual dog who gave a Christmas present - not to his humans, to a species of bird!

All this and more from Kate and Nick at the Newsdesk.

Two Minute Fiction

In our two minute fiction feature host Julie has written, and reads, her festive story. What makes a good present? As one pet shop owner observes his customers, what conclusions does he reach? Listen and find out!

Dog Intelligence

Is your dog of a supposedly intelligent breed, but you'd never know from his behaviour? Or is he a breed not traditionally considered so clever who can do amazing things?

We have a link to an article about intelligence ranking, with discussion of the article, and we consider how we interpret our dogs.

Faith the two legged dog

What would you do if your son brought home a severely disabled puppy? Would you give her the chance to a happy life? Would you spend time and energy helping her face life and cope with her problems? Well Jude Stringfellow and her family rose to the challenge magnificently when they were confronted with a two legged puppy.

They called the dog Faith, and Faith and her loving family have achieved great things, and in this episode you can hear Jude talk about their journey together.

Faith has learned to walk upright, and has a great quality of life, including interacting with other dogs. Jude is now very busy, not only looking after her family and her dog, but since the rest of the world now wants to hear about Faith's story, she also makes public appearances with Faith and has written two books.

Faiths website is at www.faiththedog.net

Jack Russell Terrier

The Jack Russell Terrier is a very popular dog for many reasons. You've probably met at least one, but do you really know what the breed is like? How affectionate are they? Do they need a lot of exercise? Could they be the ideal dog for your family?

Gaye Redpath from Conquest Terriers talks about the breed she loves so much, and discusses the vital information you need to know about these attractive, versatile dogs.

Gaye and host Julie also discuss other issues - such as what childhood experiences lead adults to allow or deny their children the company of a dog, and as a dog lover, is it really possible to get along with those odd people who don't like dogs? This and much more in an entertaining, informative interview.

Buddy's Diary

In Buddy's Diary, Buddy tells us about his latest experiences, which have been very perplexing to him, as his family have moved to a new den. Worryingly for Buddy, he can smell other people and dogs in his new home - what will happen should they return?Also, there are some strange new neighbors to adjust to. However, his new house does have one big advantage over his old one, but does it make up for all the upheaval?

Other items

Julie considers the pros and cons of a dog's life, and Jenny has the latest DogCast Radio joke, so take a listen.