Vets To Go Radio Podcast

Over the past few weeks, there have been a number of high-profile stories in the media involving dog attacks, both on people as well as other dogs.   This week, we're going to speak to one of the leading aggressive dog behaviorists, J.C. St. Louis about these cases, and we'll look at what you can do to protect yourself and your pet if you're ever faced with the potential of an aggressive dog. We'll also look at a major health trend of activity trackers, and see how it's impacting the world of pets.  One of the fastest growing areas of health and fitness are products that you can wear that keep track of how many steps you take, how much you move, and even some of your biometric information such as heart rate and breathing rates. We'll speak to the communications director of a company called Whistle, which has created a tracker that helps you know how much activity your pooch is getting each day, and lets you know how they're doing when you're not with them.  

Summer dangers are here with the weather - we'll speak to an emergency veterinarian to learn what some of the most common issues are that they see during the summer, and what you can do to hopefully avoid a visit to the emergency clinic yourself (with your pet). We'll also speak to the owner of a local pet store called Urban Dog Market in Calgary that's celebrating their 9th anniversary. We'll hear about how they got started, and what they've learned about dogs and their owners over the past 9 years.

One of our favourite guests is on today's show - Tracie Nielson from Clever Canines!  We'll talk about one of the summer's most popular outdoor activities with dogs, going for a hike. We'll make sure you know how to make the best of the experience, and avoid some of the potential dangers that many people aren't aware of. Because Tracie's also an experience behaviorist and trainer, she'll also cover one of the most fundamental things you need to understand about walking your dog. Most people who own a dog and have never taken training are walking their pooch the wrong way, and we'll talk about why that is, and what to do in order to make sure you're not accidentally making your dog more aggressive. We also want to make sure we're helping you actively manage your pet's health and happiness, so we'll talk a little bit about our 3 Step Checkup that you should be doing with your pet each month. It only takes about 4 or 5 minutes, and it's a great tool for you to quickly make sure that your pet isn't dealing w

It's the Canada Day long weekend, and that usually means the official start to summer for most Canadians! Because of this, we thought we would look at some of the most important considerations you need to keep in mind to make sure your pet stays happy and safe this summer, especially for those hounds that are getting outside and coming on family trips. Another topic that's really important to pet owners is what happens if your pet runs away, gets lost or maybe is even stolen.  One of the easiest ways to reduce the potential of losing your pet is making sure they can be traced back to you if they're ever lost, and microchips are the best way to do that.  This week, we'll speak to Dr. Peter Denooy, who's with EIDAP, one of the companies that provides microchip technology for the pet industry.

This week, we're talking about nutrition! We're going to speak to a Canadian manufacturer of premium pet food to help understand what makes some pet food better than others, and how you can try to sort through all the options and confusion when it comes to feeding your pet the right food. Holistic approaches to veterinary medicine are also growing quickly, and we'll speak to a company that specializes in creating holistic supplements and products designed to help your furry friend with some of the most common ailments and problems that our pets face today. And as always, we'll have questions with Dr. Wendy in our "Ask The Vet" segment!  

Anyone who owns a cat or dog knows that animals have so much to teach us, and sometimes the best thing we can do is allow them to do what they do naturally - and when we do, the results are often amazing. This week, we're going to speak to a fascinating dog lover from Canmore who specializes in tracking techniques from his search and rescue background.  Frans Baars from "On The Trail"  runs programs that allow dog owners to train their dogs to use their noses for games, and he combines this with agility and leadership development.  It's a very unique concept, and one that allows dogs to do have fun doing what they naturally like to do - use their noses to solve problems. Another topic we'll look at is vaccinations - they've become a major story in the media, especially when celebrities like Jenny McCarthy get involved in the conversation about the suggested risks and dangers of vaccinations. A lot of pet owners have similar concerns when it comes to their pets - specifically, over-vaccinating.

We'll learn about a very fun event coming up next week in Calgary for your dog, and for you.  It's called the Dog Jog and it's a major fund raising event for the Calgary Humane Society.  We'll speak to them to hear what they've got planned, and why you should think about coming out next week. We'll also speak to the co-founder of Dawg Tired, a Calgary based company specializing in dog walking and care of dogs.  We'll get their perspective on the questions you need to ask when it comes to trusting someone to take care of your pet. A recent study came out that conclusively shows that dogs have the ability to actually smell the presence of cancer in early stage cancer patients.  We'll look into this study, and also talk about some of the incredible talents that animals have that are having a positive impact on the quality of people's lives around the world. And as always, questions with Dr. Wendy - so enjoy this week's show!

Recently, the Calgary Humane Society seized 33 dogs from a home, where the animals were living in terrible conditions.  This case in particular has caused a number of people to suggest that there needs to be a limit on the number of animals that anyone is allowed to keep in their home in Calgary, and it has stirred up a lot of controversy.  In this week's show, we speak to City of Calgary Councillor Diane Colley-Urquhart, who is bringing forward a motion to Calgary City Council  aimed at limiting the number of animals someone can have in their home. Another case that sparked massive response on social media was the story of several dogs in B.C. that a dog walker had reported as stolen while in her care.  Originally, she told people that she had stopped for a few minutes to go to the bathroom, and when she came back to her truck, the dogs were all gone.  Well, this week it was revealed that the 6 dogs were not stolen at all.  The dog walker has admitted that the dogs actually all

A couple of weeks ago, we were scheduled to bring on Krista DeCarle from Royal Pooch to discuss first aid for pets.  Unfortunately, a technical issue kept us from having Krista on, but we're doing it again this week!   First aid for your pet is a very important topic, because there's nothing worse than feeling helpless if your pet faces some kind of unforeseen accident or problem.  We'll talk about some of the most common problems that first aid can help with, and why every pet owner should know basic first aid for their furry friend. We'll also learn more about the Calgary Humane Society, and what it actually does in the community.  They provide a number of services to the city which you may not be aware of, and they've also got a very fun event coming that is one of their key fundraisers.  If you like to get your hound out into the fresh air and raise some money for a good cause at the same time, the 2014 Dog Jog might be for you! And as we always do, we answer questions in the "Ask

Happy Mothers Day to all of the moms of both the human and furry kind! In light of the animal cruelty charges being laid this week in the Calgary cases involving the Siberian Husky and the kitten, we focus our attention on the laws related to animal abuse. This week, we speak to Alberta's Solicitor General and Minister of Justice (and MLA) Jonathan Denis, to hear his view on the current laws and the efforts he is undertaking to strengthen the laws against animal abusers in Alberta We also catch up with Brad Nichols, the Manager of Investigations at the Calgary Humane Society.  It was Brad's team that led the investigation and brought charges in the Calgary case, and we'll hear from his perspective whether the current laws are sufficient, and what he would like to see change in the legislation. Of course we answer listener question as always during our "Ask The Vet" segment, featuring Calgary mobile veterinarian Dr. Wendy McClelland.

This week, we speak to Krista DeCarle, a certified Pet First Aid trainer about why it's so important to be prepared in case of an emergency or accident with your pet.  Sometimes, being able to immediately respond to an issue means the difference between a successful outcome and a tragedy.  We'll talk about this and learn what some of the most common problems are that pet first aid can help you avoid. We'll also discuss a very difficult topic for pet owners - the loss of their pet, and more importantly, the deep sadness and grief that so many pet owners experience.  While many people underestimate or even dismiss how traumatic it is to lose a pet, it's an important topic that we'll explore.  Joining us is Judith Blythe, a grief counsellor that specializes in helping pet owners through a time of sadness and difficult emotions.  Learn a powerful way to deal with the emotions around losing  pet, and how to best support yourself or others during the tough transition. And we'll cover s

It's an iconic image of freedom:  a dog with its head sticking out of the window. But, we may be putting ourselves and our pet at risk by not buckling them up as well.  This week, we talk about the risks and dangers of travelling with your pet in the vehicle, and cover some of the best ways to protect your furry friend when you're driving around. With the Calgary Pet Expo just around the corner, we'll also hear from the Show Director on what you can expect at this year's show and why it's such a great family event. We'll also cover a number of important questions that listeners have submitted - so enjoy an extended version of "Ask Dr. Wendy" in this week's show!  

How important is the food that you're feeding your pet?  We'll speak to a local pet store owner that's passionate about helping pet owners make the right decision on what to feed their pets, and will give some guidance on how navigate the maze of food options out there for pets.  He'll explain how the right food selection can have a dramatic impact on your pet's health, activity level and happiness.  And for all the cat lovers out there, the Calgary Cat Show is just around the corner, and we'll speak to the Show Director to find out what it's all about and what you need to know about the event.  Plus Dr. Wendy will answer questions from listeners in our "Ask The Vet" feature - so enjoy this week's show!

With warmer weather coming, having a great experience at the off-leash dog park for both you and your hound is one of the things we want to help with - so this week, we're talking "Dog Etiquette" at the dog park!  Specifically, how can you maximize the likelihood you'll have a good time at the park, and what you should do in case you run into unruly or aggressive dogs during play time. We'll also speak to the owner of 2 pet stores about why they have committed to working with local rescues to highlight animals that are available for adoption, and why the partnership between pet stores and rescue organizations can be such a great fit for everyone involved. And, what are the warning signs that your pet's health may be at risk?  Dr. Wendy goes over the 7 hidden signs that often are the early indicators that your pet's health is at risk.   Plus as always, she'll answer listener questions on our "Ask The Vet" feature!

With spring just around the corner, we've got a couple of great guests this week who will help you maximize the warmer weather and keep your pets safe and happy! The Calgary Pet Expo is held every spring, and this year's event is coming up quickly.  This week, we speak to Terra Connors, Show Director for the Calgary Pet Expo, and she'll share news about this year's show as well as why it's such a great family-oriented event to attend. We'll also check in with Debbie Turtle from Pet Planet in Airdrie about some of the most popular seasonal and new products that you can get to make sure your pooch enjoys the spring and summer. Plus, we'll also review the "Top 10 Things" you can do as a pet owner to identify problems early, keep your pet engaged and happy, and make sure that you're building the connection with your furry friend.  (You can download the list below) It's another busy show, complete with "Ask Dr. Wendy" where we answer your questions about pets.

Alberta is blessed to have a number of great animal rescue groups, and Oops A Dazy Foundation is one that operates in and around the Calgary area.  We speak to Christine Campbell, Chairperson of the Board of Directors about the group, what it does, and the interesting story behind how it was formed. We'll also speak with Hailey Seidel, the founder of Bowbog, one of the first "full service" facilities in Calgary that provides a one-stop shop for a variety of dog behavior, care and socialization services.  We also discuss interesting new research about cats and dogs and their vision - does your cat have x-ray or night vision?  Find out on this week's show!

Wondering what kind of breed your mutt is?  Skeptical that your 'purebred' really is?  This week we speak to the President of DNA My Dog, a Toronto-based company that provides canine DNA testing.   We'll also chat with RJ Bailot from Alberta Spay Neuter Task Force, one of Alberta's great animal welfare organization that completes thousands of surgeries each year to reduce animal overpopulation in First Nation's communities. We'll also talk about new stats out that confirm that cat photos and videos are more popular than selfies on the Internet. It's a busy show, plus our regular Q&A feature with "Ask Dr. Wendy"! And as always, you can submit your own questions by visiting http://www.vetstogoradio.com.

Being prepared in case an emergency happens to your pet is critical, and this week we cover the Top 5 Emergencies that every pet owner needs to know how to handle in case they happen. We'll also speak to Holly Montgomery from Brindleberry Custom Pet Photography to hear about the biggest challenges with getting great pictures of your pet, and get some great tips on ensuring that you capture wonderful memories of your furry friend. You'll also learn whether you should keep your pet's diet and nutrition the same, or if you should be giving your pet a variety of food and options in their diet. We wrap up with answers to listener questions as well, so it's a busy show - enjoy this week's episode!

Your pet's mouth is where many of the most common diseases and problems begin -- and they get expensive when you don't take preventative action. This week, Dr. Wendy shares the biggest lies that pet owners tell their veterinarians, and why it's so dangerous when pet owners aren't completely up front with their vets! Dr. Wendy also covers the 7 biggest myths about pet oral health, and helps you understand the simple but critical things you need to be aware of to avoid big health problems (and medical bills). We also speak with one of Canada's first organic and chemical-free dog spas and groomers, Muttley Crue in Calgary.   And as we do each week, we'll answer some of our listener questions and help you become a more educated and informed pet owner!