The Human-Animal Connection - Pet Life Radio Original

• The Human-Animal Connection 79 How to Have a Happier Life with Dogs and Cats

  It is wonderful to share our lives with animals. But sometimes they can get bored, or stressed with having to fit into our human world. How can we address their needs to help them be more themselves? Animal Chaplain Shel Graves, a dog trainer and cat behavior specialist who has worked in rescue for years, explains simple things you can do to give your animals a greater sense of choice, which increases their well-being by reducing boredom. Animals can get frustrated, anxious, and fearful just like us. Helping them by providing small opportunities to do more of their “natural behaviors” can alleviate many behavior issues. She explains how you can create novelty in their life with just simple things you can do at home. And as an animal chaplain, she acknowledges that our lives with our animals are always far too short. What we can do is meditate with our animals or have special times where our attention is just on them. This sacred bonding time is something we will never forget, making every minute we have together peaceful and delightful. Shel Graves does consultations online and in person. EPISODE NOTES: How to Have a Happier Life with Dogs and CatsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-human-animal-connection-pet-life-radio-original--6669311/support.

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• The Human-Animal Connection 78 The Five Types of Dog Enrichment – and Why They Work

  Dogs share our lives, and we do our best to take care of their needs. But we may have overlooked some of the needs that individual dogs may have. Is your dog getting the enrichment they need? There are five types of enrichment that may benefit your dog, no matter their age. They are: physical, social, nutritional, occupational, and sensory stimulation. Many overlap, so if you are doing sensory stimulation games, chances are you are also engaging other parts of their brain and emotions. Just like humans, we can get into trouble if we are bored. Many undesirable behaviors in dogs may be a result of under stimulation in one or more of these five domains. Understanding your dog’s wants, needs, and temperament can help you both have happier, more connected, and fulfilled lives together. You don’t need to spend a fortune on fancy toys, training classes, or wild experiences. Sol Dog Training Program Manager, Kim Stoll, explains how simple objects around your house can be great enrichment opportunities. And when you engage a dog’s nose in any game, you are helping balance their minds and their energy. EPISODE NOTES: The Five Types of Dog Enrichment – and Why They WorkBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-human-animal-connection-pet-life-radio-original--6669311/support.

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• The Human-Animal Connection 77 Oh, the Guilt! Caring for Very Senior Dogs

  We love the animals who share our lives so much that it can be very painful to watch them go through the degenerative processes of aging. They used to run, jump, and play, and easily jump up to cuddle on the bed. Now, they may be doing none of those things. We wonder if they are in pain or suffering, if they need pain medications or other therapies. And, of course, we wonder if we are doing the right things, or enough things, to improve the quality of their daily lives. The amount of time, energy, and focus required to care for a dog that no longer has normal mobility can be draining and demoralizing at times. They may be unable to maintain their potty-training habits. These changes, which may be sudden or gradual, can produce compassion fatigue, and people who have not experienced this level of care for an animal may not understand what we are going through. Mobility is directly related to the quality of life, and in many cases, we humans can help, everything from specific exercises to simple household adaptations. Kate Titus is the founder and director of A Loyal Companion, which offers hydrotherapy, wheelchair fitting for paralyzed dogs, and helps their owners make simple changes to accommodate aging dogs' mobility issues. She is the author of From Emotion to Motion. EPISODE NOTES: Oh, the Guilt! Caring for Very Senior DogsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-human-animal-connection-pet-life-radio-original--6669311/support.

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• The Human-Animal Connection 76 A Shelter Director Speaks

  Can you imagine running an open-admissions city municipal shelter that has over 500 dogs in a facility built for 235 dogs? That is the job that Steve Kozachik has – Director of Animal Services at PACC, Pima Animal Care Center. And did I mention that there are currently 800 dogs in foster care? And there are 600 cats in foster care. That’s a lot to manage! Hear some of Steve’s hopes, dreams, and frustrations with the situation at this – and many national shelters. The system may be broken, but some small changes are making a huge difference in the lives of shelter animals. Little programs like read to the dogs, take a dog overnight for a pajama party, take a dog out for lunch – a burger, an ice-cream, or a hike in the mountains. Hear some hard truths, but also some exciting possible ideas to improve the quality of life for all shelter animals.EPISODE NOTES: A Shelter Director SpeaksBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-human-animal-connection-pet-life-radio-original--6669311/support.

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• The Human-Animal Connection 75 The Forbidden Angle – What Dog’s Know About Confrontation

  Dogs are communicating all the time – it is just that we don’t always know what they are saying. Dog Trainer Jesse Sternberg, author of Enlightened Dog Training, has some radical ideas about what dogs need from us and how we can get into sync with each other. First, he doesn’t focus on “trying to get dogs to behave a certain way.” He focuses on what emotion the dog is feeling, which is what drives behavior. Understanding how dogs confront and then can instantly calm each other can go a long way toward creating harmony in the household. Jesse talks about how dogs need structure to make the right choices. How can we create a peaceful, calm experience that dogs will respect and model? That is what his soulful method is all about. Dogs want to respect us, and using fear is not the way to gain their respect. We gain their respect by being a calm, peaceful leader who allows them to look to us for a sense of safety and order. If you are ready to explore this exciting, gentle method, you will love this episode. You can reach Jesse Sternberg at PeacefulAlpha.com and get the first chapter of his new book for free.EPISODE NOTES: The Forbidden Angle – What Dog’s Know About ConfrontationBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-human-animal-connection-pet-life-radio-original--6669311/support.

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