In this week's episode, we'll bust some myths surrounding dog medication. So if you've ever had any questions about dog medication and how it works, this episode of The Dogs of Our Lives podcast is for you. I talk with Dr. Stacy Jones, a veterinarian at the Veterinary Behavior Center in Boulder, Colorado. Stacey emphasizes the use of medications as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, dispelling myths about their use and highlighting their role in reducing anxiety and improving quality of life. We also discuss the misconceptions around veterinarians' financial motivations when prescribing medications: spoiler alert, that's another myth! Not only do we dispel some myths around dog medication, but we also talk about the importance of the role of the family when treating dogs and their behavior.The animal guardians need to understand what is going on with their dogs, how to treat them, and how to care for them long-term. It's such an interesting topic of discussion relating to dog behavior, so I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Don't forget, if you leave us a comment and a review, I'll read it out in the next episode! How Well Do You Know Your Dog? Take the quiz to find out, the questions and answers might surprise you!https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/66ec7fcfbc1d7c432638a1a7 Learn more: https://www.theanimalnature.com/https://www.instagram.com/thenatureofanimals/https://www.facebook.com/thenatureofanimals/  

I discuss humane education in this week's Digging Deeper episode of The Dog of Our Lives podcast. I really want to emphasise its role in developing critical thinking, empathy, and ethical decision-making. I believe I developed empathy for animals while growing up on a farm and seeing first-hand the treatment of the animals around me at the time. But what exactly is humane education? I talk about five key points to better understand the idea of humane education, which include daily modeling of respectful animal interactions, addressing biases, experiential learning through farm sanctuaries, thoughtful observation of animals' natural behaviors, and building community support systems. These practices foster a humane approach, reinforcing respect for all living beings and creating a cultural shift towards ethical treatment of animals. If you'd like to learn more, I'd encourage you to listen to my interview with Emily Tronetti: https://www.theanimalnature.com/podcasts/the-dogs-of-our-lives/episodes/2148999390 If you're enjoying The Dogs of Our Lives Podcast, I'd love you to leave us a review, and I'll give you a shout-out in one of our episodes! Don't forget to take the "How Wll Do You Know Your Dog?" quiz, the questions and the results may surprise you! https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/66ec7fcfbc1d7c432638a1a7 Stay up to date with The Nature of Animals via my website:https://www.theanimalnature.com/ Or on our socials:https://www.instagram.com/thenatureofanimals/https://www.facebook.com/thenatureofanimals/  

Emily Tronetti, an educator and consultant specializing in humane education, discusses the vital role of empathy and critical thinking in human-animal relationships. She explains how humane education fosters compassionate coexistence, urging listeners to reflect on their daily interactions with dogs and other animals. Personal anecdotes reveal her journey and enduring friendships formed through animal welfare. Tronetti highlights the societal shifts necessary for promoting empathy and introduces her upcoming book chapter on humane education.

Do you know about the gut-brain axis? In this week's Digging Deeper episode of The Dogs of Our Lives podcast, I explore the gut-brain axis and its impact on dog behavior. This topic is a follow-up to my conversation with canine nutritionist, Dr Alexia Mellor.In that episode (number 20) we discussed so much, but gut health came up a lot which is why I wanted to dig a little deeper into the connection between gut health and behavior. I talk about five factors affecting gut health and behavior: pain, inflammation, malabsorption, microflora imbalance, and metabolic dysfunction. As always, I am an advocate for a holistic approach where we need to consider diet, stress, and environmental factors. Don't forget to leave us a review and comment for a chance to be featured in one of our episodes! You can learn more and stay in touch here: https://www.theanimalnature.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thenatureofanimals/ https://www.facebook.com/thenatureofanimals/  

Could your dog food actually be harming your dog's health and affecting their behavior? In this week's episode of the Dogs of Our Lives podcast, I chat with Dr. Alexia Mellor a canine nutritionist, also known as the Mystic Dog Mama. She emphasizes the importance of fresh food for dogs, noting that processed kibble may lead to gut imbalances and behavioral problems. Alexia discusses the role of energetics in nutrition, the significance of gut health, and the benefits of bone broth. She also highlights the integration of energy work and animal communication in holistic pet care, stressing the importance of trusting one's intuition and inner wisdom. If your dog has been showing signs of challenging behavior, maybe it's time to look at their diet. Find out more at https://mysticdogmama.com/ Don't forget to leave us a review and let us know what you thought of this episode. Take the quiz! "How Well Do You Know Your Dog?"https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/66ec7fcfbc1d7c432638a1a7  

In this week's Digging Deeper Episode of the Dogs of Our Lives podcast, I discuss the importance of recognizing and managing pain in dogs. This episode follows on from my conversation with Dr Robert Falconer Taylor, if you missed that episode I encourage you to give it a listen as he provides some valuable insights into how pain affects dog behavior. https://www.theanimalnature.com/podcasts/the-dogs-of-our-lives/episodes/2148982997 Did you know I have a background in sports medicine?I draw on this experience as a dog trainer and behavior consultant as there are many surprising parallels between human treatment and dog treatment. Listen now to find out how to check for pain in your dog, what you can do to manage their pain and how to be an advocate for your dog. Don't forget to take the "How well do you know your dog?" quiz: https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/66ec7fcfbc1d7c432638a1a7 Remember to leave a review on your favourite podcast streaming service and we'll give you a shout-out in the next episode! Find out more:https://www.theanimalnature.com/ Get social!https://www.instagram.com/thenatureofanimals/https://www.facebook.com/thenatureofanimals/

Have you ever thought this about your dog? I feel like there's something wrong with my dog, but I just can't quite put my finger on it. Believe me, you're not alone because so many dogs have underlying pain or discomfort that goes unnoticed. Dogs are experts in disguising their own pain! In this week's episode, I discuss the connection between pain and behavior in dogs with Dr. Robert Falconer Taylor, a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience. I met Dr Robert via an online community group created by Andrew Hale whom I interviewed last season, you should check out that episode if you haven't already listened to it:https://www.theanimalnature.com/podcasts/the-dogs-of-our-lives/episodes/2148872156 Dr. Robert emphasizes the importance of recognizing subtle changes in a dog's behavior as signs of pain or discomfort, which can affect their mood and overall well-being. He advocates for veterinarians to consider emotional and cognitive factors in diagnosing pain and stresses the role of pet parents in advocating for their dogs. Dr. Taylor also highlights the need for empathic listening and broader communication among veterinarians and pet owners to improve animal welfare. If you'd like to get in touch with Dr Robert or learn more, you can find him via his website, www.petcpd.com Don't forget to leave me your reviews so I can read them out in the next episode! More information: https://www.theanimalnature.com/ Follow over on socials: https://www.instagram.com/thenatureofanimals/https://www.facebook.com/thenatureofanimals/ How well do you know your dog test?https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/66ec7fcfbc1d7c432638a1a7

Are you aware of the four levels of cultural awareness in dog-human relationships? If you've been wondering why you can't seem to communicate with your dog or you're struggling to understand what your dog is trying to tell you, then this is a must-listen-to episode. In last week's episode of the Dogs of Our Lives podcast, Chrissy chatted with Alyssa Ralph, a clinical animal behaviorist and canine nutritionist, discussing a holistic approach to animal care. If you missed that episode, catch up here:https://www.theanimalnature.com/podcasts/the-dogs-of-our-lives/episodes/2148974887 Now Chrissy digs deeper into that conversation to highlight the importance of awareness when interacting with your dog, talking about unconscious incompetence, conscious incompetence, conscious competence, and unconscious competence. Don't forget to take the "How well do you know your dog?" quiz:https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/66ec7fcfbc1d7c432638a1a7 As always, we'd love your feedback and remember, if you leave us a review we'll read it out in the next episode!

Have you ever felt something was wrong with your dog but couldn't figure out what exactly? Believe me when I say, you're not alone. In this week's episode, I chat with Alyssa Ralph a clinical animal behaviorist from the UK. Alyssa shares her journey from working in zoos to specializing in aggressive and reactive dog behavior, emphasizing the importance of considering nutrition, physical health, and the emotional well-being of the dog when assessing each case. Incorporating these three elements will help you develop a more holistic approach to dog training and understanding dog behavior. If you'd like to learn more about Alyssa's approach, join her Barky Dog Squad or even just get in touch you can find her at https://www.holisticpetservices.co.uk/ Don't forget to take the "How well do you know your dog?" quiz, the questions and the answers might surprise you! https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/66ec7fcfbc1d7c432638a1a7  We'd love to know your thoughts on this episode, so please help us develop and grow be leaving a comment and a review, thank you!  

Have you ever wanted to develop a deeper, more spiritual connection between you and your dog? In this week's episode of The Dogs of Our Lives, I'll be digging deeper into this topic following my interview with Dr Chris Pachel in the previous episode. If you'd like to listen to that first you can find it here: https://www.theanimalnature.com/podcasts/the-dogs-of-our-lives/episodes/2148962283 To properly develop a spiritual connection and understanding of our dog, we must first do the work on ourselves. I talk about the different ways we can receive information, how to process that, and then use it to better communicate with our dogs. It's a fascinating subject that not only benefits us as humans but also improves the relationship we have with our animal companions. You can learn more on my website: https://www.theanimalnature.com/animal-communication Now, let me ask you, How well do you know your dog? Take the quiz to learn more, both the questions AND the answers might surprise you. https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/66ec7fcfbc1d7c432638a1a7 As always I'd love to hear from you, whether that's about podcast episodes or any questions you might have, please get in touch via my website or any of my social channels.