Pet Talk

Looking back over the years, Laurie recalled some of her craziest questions and impossible requests. On today's show callers had questions about a cats and litter boxes; one cat used the sink as a litter box and another cat was just missing the litter box. A woman was concerned about her 17 year old cat who was licking her fur off. The last caller had a problem acclimating a dachshund x chihuahua with a guide dog foster puppy.

Learn about cold weather safety tips for your pets.

It was a cold day and Laurie encouraged people to be aware of how cold affects dogs. She suggested using a coat, not just as a fashion statement, but to keep dogs comfortable. A caller agreed that it helped his dog but wanted advice about keeping his dog's feet comfortable as well. If your dog won't wear boots a wax based product like "Musher's Secret" can help. Laurie announced new classes in Wethersfield at Wagtime Doggie Daycare starting in February. A woman wanted advice on how to pass the Canine Good Citizen test. Her dog failed twice because she couldn't ignore a passing dog. There was a question about getting a reluctant cat into his carrier, then someone with experience with feral cats called offering more tips The last caller wanted to know the best way to teach her two schnauzers to stop excessive barking.

Laurie announced a new location for teaching group classes in Wethersfield at Wagtime Doggie Daycare starting this month.The callers on today's show included a question about a rescue dog who wouldn't do his business outside in bad weather, a man with a Chug (chihuahua x pug) who barked, pooped on the floor, and was just all together out of control, and a woman who wanted suggestions on how to get her older cat to take her vitamins and what to do about her younger cat who scratches her furniture. Another caller wanted to share his cat's unusual behavior; demanding to get into the running shower so she could get soaking wet. Laurie had some suggestions for keeping pets safe and happy on Thanksgiving and a warning about tea tree oil. The last call was from someone whose dog had some separation issues and needed to learn how to be alone.

On today's show Laurie pointed out how people stop learning new things as adults and why it's necessary to be open minded to successfully train your pet. A caller had an issue with a golden retriever who didn't listen well when excited and needed some suggestions about how to handle greetings at the door. The next caller wanted to convince Laurie that Labradors and Golden Retrievers were just too excitable to be trained and should just be loved and allowed to be uncontrollable . Laurie adamantly disagreed. Laurie recommended a product called SSCat to keep a cat off the counter. Another caller with a rescue Plott Hound wanted advice on handling his dog's random barking. The owner of 3 Bengal cats wanted help with the oldest urinating on a living room chair. A friend and fellow trainer called to partially agree with the premise that retriever breeds can be hard to train, and the last caller had used Laurie's help many years ago and wanted to share his positive experiences.

Halloween is just around the corner. Keep your pets safe and sound. 

On the latest Pet Talk, discussing what to do if your dog is bitten by the venomous Copperhead snake here in Connecticut. Plus, talking about all the bear activity that has been going on throughout the state. How to keep both dogs and cats safe indoors and outdoors in the fall months. 

On today's Pet Talk Laurie offered people the option of contacting her off the air for questions, and upcoming class information at www.lauriefassdogtraining.com The first caller had a cavachon who was out of control at the door. Another caller wanted to know why his 8 year old wheaten terrier periodically attacks his 12 year old wheaten terrier. Laurie reflected on a dog problem that was difficult, yet people solved it, and a problem that should have been easy, yet it was unsolvable. August 18 was Clear the Shelters Day and Laurie cautioned people not to be impulsive about adopting a pet. Judy from Animal friends of Connecticut called and shared some stories about animal rescue. Laurie brought up some examples of things on the internet that are nonsense and advised against believing everything you see and read.

The rain was pouring as Laurie discusses the value of teaching dogs who dislike rain a command to relieve themselves quickly outside. Caller questions include a call about a cat who attacked the caller when she tried to do yoga, an aggressive Cocker Spaniel, a Miniature Dachshund acting aggressively on walks, and two Labradors who ate too fast if they were next to each other. A caller has a sensitive question about when euthanasia is appropriate and how to measure the quality of a dog's life. Then a caller has a question about a Siberian husky, who at age seven, is regressing on her housebreaking. As well as a cat who randomly bites, and a six month old German Shepherd who likes to steal things off the counter and climb on tables.

Even with the heatwave behind us, it is still important to be mindful of keeping your pet or pets safe in the persistent summer heat. 

On this very hot day Laurie warns people of the potential dangers of hot sidewalks, roads, and scalding hot water from the garden hose. Callers with questions about how to handle a dog who was mourning the death of his friend, and how to know if your dog is drinking enough water. Laurie discusses the different types of intelligence in humans and animals. A caller who was having trouble house-training his 3 year old Shar pei x Basset hound. A woman asks why her 10 year old Maine Coon cat suddenly stopped using the litter box. Laurie brings up the topic of when it might be best to re-home your pet. A final caller wants to know what makes feral cats act so wild and skittish?

Your hosts for this week are Dr. Andrea Dennis and Dr. Eva Ceranowicz, veterinarians from Bloomfield Animal Hospital, discussing how to best prepare your pets for the potential danger of the upcoming holiday, July 4th. Everything from what foods to keep them away from at your backyard barbeque, keeping them cool while you may be enjoying the summer sun, and ensuring their safety in the evening hours when fireworks may be present.

Learn tips about preparing for safe vacation travel with your pets.

Laurie discusses the testing process used by many shelters and rescue groups to determine compatibility between cats and dogs, and offers suggestions on how to get them used to each other once you bring them home. Callers had questions about a Pekingese x Corgi with a barking problem, a cat who bites too hard when playing, and a Boston Terrier who peed on their bed pillow. Laurie also shares her opinion about the value of training and finding solutions to problems rather than just doing "testing" for behavior problems.

5 Silent Killers of Cats.

Callers on today's behavior edition included a woman who wanted to know why her Airedale was licking herself all the time, and a Feist Terrier who chewed up furniture. Laurie discussed "dog people" and "cat people". A woman needed advice about how to keep her over weight cat from eating her underweight cat's food, someone else asked how to keep there puppy from jumping all over people. Laurie explained that there are many types of training equipment and techniques to choose from. A caller needed advice on housebreaking a puppy, and the last caller described her dog as becoming noise sensitive but the behavior she needed advice about was biting a swiffer when she was trying to clean.