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Episode 131 - The Gift of Growl and Difficult Dog Training

131_DogCast_Radio.mp3

Released Sat April 21, 2012
Length: 0:54:18
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The Gift of Growl

A dog when he growls is saying something along the lines of, "Please go away, I really don't want to hurt you".
 - Pat Miller

Most of us have heard our dogs growl - but do you realise how precious a gift your dog's growl can be? A growl is a warning that a dog is unhappy, and should alert the owner that action is necessary. However, the form that action takes is crucial to your dog's happiness - the important thing is never to scold a growl; so just how should we respond to a growl? Pat Miller has the answers. She explains why dogs growl and how we should react.

Pat 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. In this interview, host Julie shares how she found Rusty's growl to be a very useful warning, and how she found and greatly appreciated Pat's article, The Gift of Growl. You can hear Pat giving some great advice on how to have a calm dog in DogCast Radio Episode 72.

Difficult Dog Training

Until I started doing what I do there wasn't anywhere that people with disruptive, challenging, noisy dogs could actually go and get their issues sorted out.
 - Steven Havers

While most dogs and owners take to dog training with very few problems, and enjoy classes and the company of other dogs, what happens to those who have a demanding or aggressive or noisy dog? It can be difficult for them to find help, and almost impossible for them to find a situation to let their dog work out how they should be behaving. Steven Havers is an expert on difficult demanding dogs, and many of the dogs who attend his classes have been rejected by other trainers.

Steven doesn't use treats, toys or fear in his training, and insists that if you get the relationship right between you and your dog, the dog will start to behave better. He runs classes and offers home visits to cope with a variety of problems. His greatest reward is when he sees a previously trouble dog relax. To find out more about Steven visit his Specialised Dog Training website, and you can hear him talking about the dog sport of Schutzhund in Episode 108 of DogCast Radio.

DogCast Radio News

In the DogCast Radio News, Kate and Nick have stories of how dogs can help reduce stress in the workplace, how hearing dogs are helping deaf people, how one deaf dog was given a second chance after her breeder dumped her and much more.

The Dog News Show

If you enjoy DogCast Radio, you may well like a new podcast called The Dog News Show. It's hosted by Julie Hill and Debbie Connolly and features spirited discussion of current dog related news stories. If you know of a dog story you'd like mentioned, get in touch.

DogCast Radio now on You Tube

You can now enjoy DogCast Radio on You Tube. To enjoy the video versions of the shows, visit the DogCastRadio You Tube Channel - we'll be adding new episodes as fast as possible.

Sharing

280 - pet bereavement leave and the dog sniffing for an escaped capybara

Erika Sinner shares why pet bereavement leave is so important - on a business and a personal level. Rachel Rodgers talks about her and her dog Rico helping to sniff out missing capybara, Cinnamon.

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.