What exactly are sheepdog trials? Have you ever watched this fascinating dog sport on television or seen a YouTube video of these amazing dogs at work? I’m captivated by the dedication of the dogs and handlers that compete in sheepdog trials, and I wanted to learn more about the sport.
To do that, I spoke with Bridget Strang of the National Finals Sheepdog Trials. I wanted to learn more about the history of the sport and what exactly the dogs are required to do. I also wondered if the sport was safe for the dog and the sheep?
Bridget helped to answer these questions and tell me more about the dogs that perform best in these trials and the benefits of this sport for dogs and their handlers. If you’ve ever wondered how to get involved in sheepdog trials, Bridget has some tips on that subject too!
Canine agility has been a popular sport for decades. It’s something that I have recently taken up with our Labrador, Saddie. I’ve seen the benefits of this sport firsthand, and I’ve also seen just how exciting and rewarding it can be for our canine companions.
Today I’m speaking with Cindy Swiney, she has been involved with the sport in various capacities since 1990. Cindy has trained many dogs and competed on various levels in the field of agility. In this interview she explains more about the sport for beginners and tells advanced agility handlers how they can get involved in the competition circle.
As you’ll hear Cindy mention in this interview, virtually any dog can try agility to some degree. Whether your dog is a young athlete or a slower senior, there are obstacles that are suitable for all breeds and ages. You can participate by setting up a couple of obstacles in your backyard or training at a canine agility facility in your local area.
Dock diving has been a popular sport in the pet industry for decades. In recent years it has grown substantially. I recently stumbled onto the sport with a little from our Labrador Retriever, Saddie. Saddie loves the water and took to dock diving very quickly. It’s something that her and I both enjoy!
Today I’m speaking with Kristen Cooper, who has been involved with dock diving in various capacities. From training to competing, Kristen has firsthand experience to share with us. She has even served as a judge for competitions in recent years. In this interview she explains more about the sport for beginners and tells advanced dock diving handlers how they can get involved in the competition circle.
Dock diving may not be a good fit for every dog, but if your pup loves the water there is a good chance he’ll enjoy this sport with a little practice. As Kristen explains, it may take some time and patience to get him off the dock the first time, but once your pooch gets over those initial nerves, it may just be his new favorite pastime.
The dictionary defines something that is transparent as being something that is easy to perceive or detect. Transparency in the pet food industry means that a company should offer all the information that a pet owner needs to detect the quality of their product. What ingredients are used in the making of the product? Where are these ingredients sourced? How is the product prepared?
Redbarn Pet Products is one of the most transparent companies in the pet food industry, which inspired me to speak with a representative of their company to find out why this is so important. I was able to chat with Lindsay Tracy, their director of new business and product development about transparency in the industry and why pet owners should be looking for this quality in the companies they support.
In this interview, Lindsay discusses the importance of knowing where pet food ingredients are sourced, and why it’s not always best to focus on ingredients sourced in the USA. She’ll also talk about some of the beneficial ingredients that you should be looking for and the unhealthy ingredients that you need to avoid when choosing a diet for your pet.
Skin and coat health go hand-in-hand. If your dog has dry, itchy skin, his coat is likely going to be dry and brittle too. Most pet owners think of grooming products first when brainstorming ways to help moisturize and condition their pet’s skin and coat. Did you know that proper nutrition is one of the best ways to help pets with skin issues?
Dr. Jennifer Adolphe is a regular guest on my podcast. She is the senior nutritionist for Petcurean, and is speaking with me today about how your pet’s meals can affect their skin and coat health. Dr. Adolphe has a PhD in pet nutrition, and she is my go-to resource for all things related to a pet’s diet.
Today she’s sharing some tips and tricks for pet owners who are trying to improve the condition of their pet’s skin and coat. She will also share helpful information about choosing the right dog food/ingredients for pet’s with skin allergies, as well as which ingredients you should be avoiding. If you’re wondering whether or not your pet may be suffering with skin allergies, Dr. Adolphe also describes the signs and symptoms you should be looking for in this week’s podcast episode.