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Episode 210 - Maisie the Double Merle and Cody's Comforts

210_DogCast_Radio.mp3

Released Sat July 27, 2019
Length: 1:04:38
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Maisie the Double Merle

Merle dogs may be very striking, but it's extremely dangerous to mate a merle dog with another merle dog, because if a puppy inherits two merle genes they can have huge sight and hearing problems. Sadly, not everyone is aware of the dangers involved, and in this episode Julie asks Haley Justice about her dog Maisie who is a double Merle.

When two merle dogs are bred together each puppy gets into this lottery basically that they have a one in four chance of becoming a double merle who are really prone to eye abnormalities, deafness and blindness.
 - Haley Justice

In this interview, Hayley Justice gives a thought provoking insight into the training she has done with her deaf blind dog, Maisie. How do you communicate with a deaf blind dog, reward them and motivate them? And how do you develop a bond and trust?

You can keep up to date with Maisie and Hayley at their Instagram account. You can find lots of information about double merle dogs at Keller the Double Merle's page - you can hear an interview with Amanda Fuller, Keller's owner in Episode 162.

Cody's Comforts

Taylor Wilkins is so passionate about using natural products on his beloved dog Cody that he started a company making natural products especially for dogs. In this interesting interview, Taylor talks about what inspired him to start the business - and why it's so important to him to source his products and ingredients responsibly, ethically and naturally.

The first product was a dry shampoo. We groom Cody every six weeks and we had to wash him in between, but the idea of washing him constantly wasn't sitting with me very well because it strips the oil out their hair. We were thinking why can't we have a mid groom product? We can do this without any consequences, almost, so it's nice and easy, it's quick, he can go and run off getting smelly in the nicest way and we can have a nice, lovely dog cuddling up to us in the evening!
 - Taylor Wilkins

It was Taylor's dog, Cody, who inspired Taylor to start Cody's Comforts, couple with a desire to do business in as environmentally friendly a way as possible. You can keep up to date with Taylor and Cody at their Instagram account and their Facebook account.

In this wide-ranging interview, Taylor and Julie explore how and why it makes sense to use natural products with our dogs and why those products have to be ethically sourced. This includes why palm oil is so ubiquitous in cosmetics and food, and the lengths Taylor has gone to to ensure the palm oil in his products is responsibly sourced.

I spoke to our suppliers in depth for hours about our palm oil and we were assured that every tree that gets cut down is replaced in the same plantation with another tree so no more deforestation happens.
 - Taylor Wilkins

DogCast Radio News

In the DogCast Radio News, Julie and Jenny have stories of research which reveals what great stress busters dogs are, the amazing accuracy with which dogs can identify cancer, the study which reveals surprising information about dog bites, investigations of the Kelpie and Dingo genetics, robotic dogs, life saving dogs and why dogs are eyebrow raising!

Plus Julie discusses the story of the Chihuahua who was snatched by a seagull - and how it brought out the bad side of human nature.

Sharing

273 - dog parkour and dog news discussion

Dog trainer Emma Hendy explains how Dog Parkour can help your bond with your dog, and give you both a new mindset. Julie gives her opinion on some dog news stories which caught her attention.

189 - The Dog Healers and War Dogs Remembered

In this episode you can hear Mark Winik talk about his debut novel, The Dog Healers, and listen to Julia Robertson explain why she founded the charity War Dogs remembered. Plus there's the DogCast Radio News, and what Mischief the German Spitz puppy has been up to.

188 - Service Dogs UK and Roxie the Doxie Finds Her Forever Home

In this episode you can hear about Service Dogs UK, a fantastic charity which trains assistance dogs to support veterans of any service - military personnel, police, firefighters, paramedics and the coastguard - who develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder due to their job. Also, listen to Dr Jody A Dean, a clinical psychologist talk about how her book, Roxie the Doxie finds her Forever Home, is helping children understand and talk about adoption and other family issues. Plus the DogCast Radio News and some thoughts on the alpha dog myth.

187 - Muffins Halo and Chorley Fun Dog Show

In this episode you can hear about Muffin's Halo for Blind Dogs, and what motivates people to enter their dog in a fun dog show. In the DogCast Radio News, listen to stories about the latest dog related research. Plus there's a new member of the DogCast Radio team!

186 - Maxwell Muir on wolves

In this episode you can hear trainer, behaviourist, writer, broadcaster and wolf expert Maxwell Muir talk about what wolves mean to him personally, their plight in a modern world, and his hopes for their future. Plus we have the DogCast Radio News.