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Episode 222 - Separation anxiety and Pooch Paper

222_DogCast_Radio.mp3

Released Sat August 22, 2020
Length: 1:19:53
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Happy Birthday to us!!!

DogCast Radio is 15 years old this month! We've been sharing the love of dogs with you for 15 years, and we've loved every minute.

As a birthday treat, tell your family and friends about us, and help us share the joy even further.

Separation Anxiety

We've gone into lockdown, out of lockdown, back into partial lockdown, we've done the okay cokey and turned around, and our dogs are wondering what it's all about. Many dogs have got used to having their people with them all the time, and now they - and owners - are struggling with separation anxiety.

Listener Chloe got in touch with us about her Pug Rodney, who is barking a lot more than usual when they're together. Via a camera, Chloe has seen that after being alone for about an hour, Rodney starts howling.

To get effective advice on the problem, Julie spoke to Fiona Whelan, a behaviourist with The Company of Animals. Fiona gives great insight into the problem, likening separation anxiety in dogs to panic attacks in people. She takes us step by step through the process to help dogs with separation anxiety, offering anecdotes and practical advice with humour and expertise. Fiona talks about her own experiences with her dogs, and how she has helped clients.

You can learn how Fiona is bringing up her own Astralian Cattle Dog in The Twinkle Diaries on Facebook. And you can access her help via the Animal Behaviour Centre.

If your dog is affected by separation anxiety, consult a behaviourist sooner rather than later.

Separation anxiety is really common, and I think the most important thing for people to understand is dogs don't choose to have separation anxiety, they're not being naughty, they're not being difficult.
 - Fiona Whelan

Pooch Paper

One thing's for sure - where there are dogs, there's poop! As responsible owners, we have to scoop that poop - but to be truly responsible, we need to do that in an environmentally friendly way.

Luckily, Tracy Rosensteel has invented Pooch Paper, which is 100% biodegradable, 100% compostable, and is manufactured using renewable energy. In this interview, Tracy talks about how not all poop bags labelled as "green" are in fact good for the environment. She also tells Julie about her delightful French Bulldog, Indiana Jones.

You can find out more about Pooch Paper at their website.

I found a US based paper mill and they have an already recycled, non chlorine bleached, paper fibre that's manufacture at a carbon neutral facility using renewable energy. 100% biodegradable, 100% compostable, and the grease resistant coating on both sides of the paper is naturally made in the tumble drying process of the paper pulp.
 - Tracy Rosensteel

DogCast Radio News

In the DogCast Radio News, in honour of our 15th birthday, we concentrate on happy dog news. We start with the positive news from Germany of legislation to improve and safeguard dogs' welfare and well-being, Kai the Golden Retriever who lost more than half his body weight, and Monty Don's warning never to throw sticks for a dog.

Then, there's Tucson Prime, a stray who now has a name, a home and a job as well as Instagram fame, the dog who survived California wildfire, an animal stampede, and getting lost chasing a coyote and more! Lastly, Neo, the Neopolitan Mastiff who needed a facelift to cope with his excessive facial folds. (How's that last one happy? Listen and find out!)

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