Raising Your Paws- Your resource for dog & cat pet parents

When your dog raises its hackles does it always mean they are angry and upset?  No, it does not.  In this episode, find out what else your dog may be feeling when you see that distinctive sign.

As a pet owner, you know your dog or cat has emotions such as fear, anger and happiness. But what about anxiety, shame, empathy, gratitude? Do dogs and cats feel all these? World renowned primatologist, Frans de Waal, author of, “Mama’s Last Hug: Animal Emotions and What They Tell Us about Ourselves” (https://www.amazon.com/Mamas-Last-Hug-Animal-Emotions/dp/0393635066/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=mama%27s+last+hug&qid=1554754182&s=gateway&sr=8-1) talks about the creatures that experience and act on the same emotions that you and I do.   

Have you ever wondered where certain animal expressions, such as “it’s raining cats and dogs”? come from? In this new feature, you’ll find out - and I’ll start with that one.     

Could your cat’s unusual behavior be due to an emotional problem? Regarding their emotions, cats can be surprisingly anxious.  Here are some of the symptoms and signs to watch for.

Every two weeks, after the podcast is released, make sure to see the blog that often expands on the topics covered in the shows. Here you will also find the full show notes for each episode. www.raisingyourpaws.com (http://www.raisingyourpaws.com/).

Additional Resources for the Episode:

Source for the story about raised hackles:  Why Does My Dog do that? By Sophie Collins. (https://www.amazon.com/Why-Does-Dog-That-Questions/dp/1782401296/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=why+does+my+dog+do+that&qid=155475426)

Amazon link to Fran De Waal’s book, Mama’s Last Hug: Animal Emotions and What They Tell Us about Ourselves”. (https://www.amazon.com/Mamas-Last-Hug-Animal-Emotions/dp/0393635066/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=mama%27s+last+hug&qid=1554754182&s=gateway&sr=8-1)

To see the video of the chimpanzee named Mama, Dr. De Waal spoke about, see the blog for episode 39 at www.raisingyourpaws.com (http://www.raisingyourpaws.com/).

For more information about Frans de Waal: Living Links: Center for the Advanced Study of Ape and Human Evolution. (http://www.emory.edu/LIVING_LINKS/people/dewaal.shtml)

Fran de Waal’s facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/franspublic/)

It’s well known that certain human foods are poisonous for dogs – but what about cats?  Are there human foods that are dangerous for them? Here are the top 4 foods cats should not consume.

Do you have an older dog? Do you know what healthy, normal aging is supposed to look like?  World renowned veterinary behaviorist, Dr. Nicolas Dodman, and editor of Good Old Dog, Expert Advice for Keeping Your Aging Dog Happy, Healthy and Comfortable, talks about what you can expect and what to do to help keep dogs healthy in their old age.  

In a “Why Does My Dog do that” feature, I’ll share a common behavior that lets you know your dog is trying to work off stress.  

Resources for the Episode:

Amazon link to: Good Old Dog: Expert advice for Keeping Your Aging Dog Happy, Healthy and Comfortable, (https://www.amazon.com/Good-Old-Dog-Keeping-Comfortable/dp/0547662416/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3AOBBK79K8WWD&keywords=good+old+dog+by+dodman&qid=1553542015&s=gateway&sprefix=good+old+dog%2Caps%2C145&sr=8-1-spell) Book by the Faculty of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Edited by Dr. Nickolas Dodman with Lawrence Lindner.

The website Dr. Dodman mentioned: Center for Canine Behavior Studies – www.drdodman.org (http://www.drdodman.org/)

Do cats see in color? How does your cat’s eyes show you its mood?  You’d think that cats have really good vision – but the truth may surprise you. I’ll take a closer look at those large, beautiful eyes feline eyes.

 

Then, if your dog picks up garbage to eat when you’re out walking, do you try to take it out of their mouth? To avoid getting bitten in the process, Dog aggression expert, Bryan Bailey, author of the book, “The Hammer: Why Dogs Attack Us and How to Prevent It” (https://www.shoptamingthewild.com/collections/books/products/the-hammer-why-dogs-attack-us-and-how-to-prevent-it) offers this caution. You’ll also hear exactly what to do if you get attacked by an aggressive dog, in order to survive.

Resources for this Episode:

Source for the story about cat’s eyes.  What Your Cat Knows, by Sally Morgan. (https://www.amazon.com/What-Your-Knows-Sally-Morgan/dp/1435165659/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=what+your+cat+knows&qid=1552318808&s=gateway&sr=8-1)

Bryan Bailey’s Website. (https://bryanbailey.net/)

Amazon link to order The Hammer: Why Dogs Attack Us and How to Prevent It. (read:https://www.amazon.com/Hammer-Why-Dogs-Attack-Prevent/dp/1946978388/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=The+Hammer+Why&qid=1551131232&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1)

 

Bryan Bailey’s “Taming the Wild” Training and Boarding Company. (http://www.tamingthewild.com/)

You know your pet loves food but have you ever wondered what they actually can taste compared to you? I’ll explain the similarities and differences between your taste buds and dogs and cats. Did you know that there is a fifth identified taste detector on your tongue that you share with your pets?  Find out what it is here.

Talking about dogs biting people is a disturbing issue.  Contrary to what many people think and you may have experienced, there are very specific reasons that dogs bite and attack people. Dog aggression expert, Bryan Bailey, author of the book, “The Hammer: Why Dogs Attack Us And How to Prevent It” (https://www.shoptamingthewild.com/collections/books/products/the-hammer-why-dogs-attack-us-and-how-to-prevent-it) will explain how dogs have retained the survival strategies of wolves, the subtle signs that dogs give that an attack is coming and how you can prevent dog bites and attacks.

Resources for this Episode:

Source for the story about pet’s taste buds - How Dogs Think by Stanley Coren. (https://www.amazon.com/How-Dogs-Think-World-Looks/dp/0743222334/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=How+Dogs+think&)

First Aid Tip about your dog and anti-freeze.  Blog article for episode 36 – www.raisingyourpaws.com (http://www.raisingyourpaws.com/).

Bryan Bailey’s Website. (https://bryanbailey.net/)

Bryan Bailey’s “Taming the Wild” Training and Boarding Company. (http://www.tamingthewild.com/)

Amazon link to order The Hammer: Why Dogs Attack Us and How to Prevent It. (read:https://www.amazon.com/Hammer-Why-Dogs-Attack-Prevent/dp/1946978388/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=The+Hammer+Why&qid=1551131232&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1)

Have you ever wondered why many dogs are afraid of thunderstorms? I explain what your dog hears compared to you, reveal the most important role you play during storms and then offer a few things you can do to help calm a petrified dog.

Then, we’ll hear more stories from Alan Peters, the executive director of Can-Do-Canines (https://can-do-canines.org/), an organization in Minnesota that trains dogs to perform customized, one-of- a-kind skills that make all the difference in the lives of people with certain disabilities. In part two of our conversation (part one is in episode 34) you’ll hear about the astonishing things dogs do, such as helping a wheel bound boy move his legs, and saving a woman from the constant need to call an ambulance to stay alive.

Did you know that how you play with your cat can have a big influence on its happiness and in preventing or remedying behavior issues? The secret is having a particular type of toy and then knowing the best way to move it so that it engages your cat’s natural hunting skills. I’ll explain how to activate this most important “prey sequence” so that you both reap the benefits

If you enjoy the podcast, please tell your friends about it. They can subscribe for free and the easiest way to do this is to go to the podcast website, raisingyourpaws.com. (http://raisingyourpaws.com/)

Resources for the Episode:

Check out the website for more information on The Tellington TTouch (http://www.ttouch.com/) – a method for calming your pets.

Can do Canines website.

Source for the story on thunderstorms: The Secret Lives of Dogs by Jana Murphy and editors of Pets: Part of the family.

Source for the story on a cat’s prey sequence:  The Cat Whisperer by Mieshelle Nagelschneider.

Is there such a thing as good chemistry with a dog? Science is proving that both you and your dog’s brain chemistry is changed for the better by certain interactions. Find out which chemicals are involved and when this happens.

Does your dog fetch your newspaper for you? Wait until you hear what specially trained dogs can do to help individuals living with challenges, such as hearing loss or childhood autism. Alan Peters, the executive director of Can do Canines, an organization that provides assistance dogs to people with disabilities, tells stories of people’s lives that are transformed by these dogs.

Does some of your cat’s behavior baffle you? In this “Why the cat does that” fun facts feature, you’ll hear the answers to why your cat makes a chattering sound when seeing birds out the window, why your cat gets the zoomies - running around like crazy at times and why your cat sticks his rear end up in the air and raises his tail near you when you pet him.

We’d like your feedback. Please write me at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) to comment on the podcast and if there is anything in particular you’d like to hear in future episodes. Thank you.

Resources for the Episode:

Source for story on chemistry with your dog: How Dogs Think: Inside the Canine Mind. Time Special Edition (https://www.amazon.com/TIME-How-Dogs-Think-Inside/dp/1547844167/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1548432318&sr=8-1&keywords=How+dogs+think)

Can Do Canines

Cats have exceptional noses just like dogs do, and smelling and being smelled is an important part of their social life. They also have a smelling superpower function and I’ll tell you how you’ll know your cat has turned it on.

Then, continuing my conversation with dog trainer, Katie-K-9 (http://www.ktk9.com/), you’ll get practical advice about:

* How retractable leashes can cause more problems than the “freedom to roam” benefit.

* A simple and reassuring thing to do with your dog if meeting unfamiliar dogs on walks does not always go so well.

* The best way for you to personally, greet an unfamiliar dog so you don’t get bit.

Plus, did your dog roll in stinky dead remains again? I offer two explanations from the world of animal behavioral science for why dogs delight in doing this.

To support this podcast, please subscribe, rate and review Raising Your Paws on ITunes. Click here. (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-your-paws/id1313060210&ls=1) Thank you.

Resources for the Episode:

Source for story about your cat’s nose. “What Your Cat Knows” by Sally Morgan. (https://amzn.to/2RqM1H3)

Katie K-9 website. Click here. (http://www.ktk9.com/)

Source for story about dogs rolling in smelly things: “The Secret Lives of Dogs,” by Jana Murphy and the Editors of “Pets part of the Family.” (https://amzn.to/2TJyvLs)

Everyone loves cat and dog stories. In this episode you’ll hear three of them. The first two are about the incredible and unlikely things dogs can do.

Then listen to a story about a cat who is anything BUT a picky eater, plus an amusing memory about my cat Willie who wanted BBQ takeout.

Please help to grow our podcast by rating and reviewing it on itunes. Here is the link (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-your-paws/id1313060210&ls=1). Thank you.

RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE:

Story: “Leonidis M.D.” by Charlotte Hopkins. From “Chicken Soup for the Soul - The Dog Did What?“  by Amy Newmark. (https://amzn.to/2SrN3iG)

Story: ”Bamboozled” by Susan Blakeney. From “Chicken Soup for the Soul - The Dog Did What?” by Amy Newmark. (https://amzn.to/2SrN3iG)

Story: “On a Mission” by Lisa Mackinder. From “Chicken Soup for the Soul – The Cat Really Did That?” by Amy Newmark. (https://amzn.to/2QXdzni)

If you are thinking of getting a puppy or kitten to give as a gift to someone during the holidays, you’ll want to know the most important thing to do, before some really cute creature captivates your attention.

Then, how do dogs actually track and locate missing persons, anyway? Search and Rescue K-9 dog handlers, Chief Diane Stefanik and Deputy Chief Ross Butterfield, from North Star Search and Rescue, tell the tricks of the trade and share stories of their missions.

Resources for this Episode:

For more about finding a breed of dog that will match with your family/lifestyle, see the blog for episode 31 at www.raisingyourpaws.com (http://www.raisingyourpaws.com/).

North Star Search and Rescue Website

North Star Search and Rescue on Facebook.

Please support this podcast by subscribing and then rating and reviewing the podcast.  To subscribe on iTunes (so you never miss an episode) here is the link. (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-your-paws/id1313060210&ls=1) For android devices, subscribe on Stitcher. (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/raising-your-paws)

To tell if your dog becomes uncomfortable or frightened when greeting or playing with other dogs, watch for these three body postures – the name of which all begin with the letter “s”.  We begin this episode by introducing you to the 3 S’s.

Then, do you ever wish your dog would hurry up and relieve itself quicker when on walks? Dog trainer, Katie K-9 (http://www.ktk9.com/) joins me to tell you how to teach your dog to eliminate on command and it works for both puppies and adult dog with established habits.  We also talk about what she recommends for dogs that just keep pulling on their leash.

Next, did you know that kittens need to be socialized just like puppies do? If you have or will be getting a kitten between the ages of two to seven weeks old, you’ll want to hear what to do for your feline, that makes all the difference for how she/he will behave and get along with others, for the rest of its life.

Resources for the Episode:

Source for the story about the three S’s.    Dog Smart by Linda P. Case. (https://www.amazon.com/Dog-Smart-Evidence-based-Training-Science/dp/1979380317) (On Amazon)

Dog Trainer, Katie K-9’s website.

Katie K-9 Radio Show. (https://www.mytalk1071.com/shows/katie-k9/)

Katie K-9 on Facebook. (https://www.facebook.com/Katie-K-9-174306395176/?ref=search)

Resources mentioned by Katie-K9

Starmark’s collars.

Herm Sprenger prong collars (https://www.original-herm-sprenger-dog-collars.com/)

Please support this podcast by subscribing and telling your friends.

To subscribe on iTunes (so you never miss an episode) here is the link.