In this conversation, Anne and Killian discuss the implications of breed specific legislation (BSL) in Ireland, particularly focusing on the upcoming XL Bully ban. We explore the flaws of BSL, the misconceptions surrounding dog behaviour, and the impact of such legislation on responsible dog owners and the dogs themselves. We discuss the need for community-based solutions, education, and awareness to improve dog safety and welfare, rather than punitive measures that unfairly target certain breeds and their owners.

Find out more about AniEd :

Instagram: @aniedireland

Website: www.anied.ie/

Find out more about Dog in Society:

Instagram: @dogs_in_society

Statement of the ineffectiveness of BSL

Find out more about Ruby Reese:

Instagram: @rubyreeseofficial

Website: www.ruby-reese.com

Book Recommendation: “Pit Bull” by Bronwen Dickey

Please Note: In the interest of keeping episodes conversational and entertaining we will make broad generalisations that may not reflect you, your situation or your pet. If you have any concerns please consult a certified professional who will assess your individual needs.

00:00 Introduction to Breed Specific Legislation

02:19 Understanding Breed Specific Legislation in Ireland

05:12 The Impact of Media on Dog Breed Perception

08:16 The Role of Upbringing and Training in Dog Behaviour

11:14 The Misconception of Dangerous Breeds

14:06 The Limitations of Breed Identification

17:16 Behavioural Nuances in Dogs

20:09 The Stigma Surrounding Certain Breeds

23:13 The Effect of Legislation on Responsible Dog Owners

26:14 The Ineffectiveness of Breed Specific Legislation

29:10 The Societal Impact of Dog Ownership

32:23 Alternatives to Breed Specific Legislation

35:11 Community-Based Solutions for Dog Safety

38:07 The Importance of Education in Dog Ownership

41:21 The Role of Policymakers in Dog Welfare

44:27 Conclusion and Call to Action

58:25 Outro

In this week's episode, Claire Quinlan joins us to discuss the fascinating world of gundogs, exploring their history, evolution, and the differences between show lines and working lines. She emphasises the importance of understanding a gundog's needs, the challenges they may face in homes as pets, and how to choose the right breed of gundog. The conversation highlights the significance of matching a dog's energy with the owner's lifestyle and the potential for a rewarding relationship when their needs are met.

Find out more about Snout and About Kerry :

Instagram: @snoutandaboutkerry

Website: https://snoutandabout.ie/

Please Note:

In the interest of keeping episodes conversational and entertaining we will make broad generalisations that may not reflect you, your situation or your pet. If you have any concerns please consult a certified professional who will assess your individual needs.

00:00 Introduction

04:28 The Origins and Evolution of Gundogs

08:54 The Distinction Between Working Lines and Show Lines

13:39 Training Gundogs for Other Roles and Sports

19:20 Gundogs as Pets: Challenges and Considerations

25:10 The Rise of Working Line Dogs in Pet Homes

33:43 Enrichment and Fulfilling Breed-Specific Desires

50:30 Conclusion and Outro

In this conversation, Killian from Little Woofers joins Killian from Ruby Reese to discuss the importance of holistic health for dogs, focusing on the often-overlooked aspect of pain and its impact on behaviour. The discussion covers various topics including the subjective nature of pain, the connection between pain and behavioural issues, signs of pain in dogs, the role of gait analysis, common conditions affecting dogs, and the importance of advocating for your dog's health. Killian emphasises the need for pet owners to observe their dogs closely and to take proactive steps in managing their health and well-being.

Find out more about Little Woofer :

Instagram: @littlewoofersdogtraining

Website: www.littlewoofersdogtraining.ie

Please Note:

In the interest of keeping episodes conversational and entertaining we will make broad generalisations that may not reflect you, your situation or your pet. If you have any concerns please consult a certified professional who will assess your individual needs.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

05:43 Understanding Pain in Dogs: Subjectivity and Challenges

07:43 The Link Between Pain and Behavioural Issues in Dogs

12:25 Recognising Signs of Pain in Dogs

14:13 Exploring the Connection Between Pain and Aggression

23:46 Assessing Pain through Gait Analysis

24:05 The Importance of Gait Assessment

26:30 Understanding the Relationship Between Pain and Behaviour

32:25 Practical Tips for Preventing and Mitigating Pain

39:10 Being an Advocate for Your Dog's Health

47:46 Outro

In this episode we are joined by Louise Griffey, grief recovery specialist, to discuss the topic of grieving the loss of a pet. We explore how grief is emotional pain and that the depth of grief experienced when losing a pet can be just as intense as losing a human. Louise emphasises that every relationship with a pet or human is unique and should not be compared. She encourages us to seek the right kind of support from safe people in your inner circle or from professionals specialising in pet loss. Louise also discusses with Killian the common emotions experienced during grief, such as guilt and regret, and suggests coping strategies, including reframing guilt and finding ways to honour and remember the pet. For friends hoping to support others, we cover how it is important to listen without judgment and criticism, and check in on the person weeks, months, and even years later. We discuss different myths around grief including the stages of grief concept as well as the myth that time alone will heal. Is it really necessary to actively process and feel the pain and how do numbing behaviours impact the healing process. We touch on the questions when is it the right time to get a new pet, how we speak to children around pet loss and where people can look to receive support.

Find out more about Light after Loss :

Instagram: @Lightafterloss

Website: https://www.lightafterloss.ie/

Please Note:

In the interest of keeping episodes conversational and entertaining we will make broad generalisations that may not reflect you, your situation or your pet. If you have any concerns please consult a certified professional who will assess your individual needs.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

03:19 Understanding Grief and Pet Loss

05:11 The Intensity of Grief: Comparing Pet Loss to Human Loss

08:18 The Bond with Pets and the Difficulty of Understanding

14:27 Finding Support During Pet Loss

19:38 Guilt and Regret in Pet Loss

23:45 Coping with Guilt and Regret

27:43 Honouring and Remembering a Pet

32:03 Supporting Someone Who Has Lost a Pet

39:00 The Myth of the Stages of Grief

42:42 Time Does Not Heal All Wounds

50:00 Supporting Other Household Pets and Children

54:34 Considering a New Pet After Loss

58:59 Coping with the Loss of a Pet

01:01:48 Outro

In this conversation, Killian and Suzi Walsh discuss the emotional lives of dogs. They explore how dogs experience emotions and the scientific evidence that supports this. They also debunk misconceptions about spoiling dogs and emphasise the importance of meeting their emotional needs. The conversation highlights the role of nature and nurture in shaping a dog's emotions and the significance of positive experiences in their daily lives. Ongoing research is focused on understanding facial expressions in dogs and their unique ability to communicate with humans.

Find out more about Suzi and Dogbehaviour.ie:

Instagram: @dogbehaviour.ie

Website: dogbehaviour.ie

Please Note:

In the interest of keeping episodes conversational and entertaining we will make broad generalisations that may not reflect you, your situation or your pet. If you have any concerns please consult a certified professional who will assess your individual needs.

00:00-Introduction and Overview

05:42-Scientific Evidence of Dogs' Emotional Experiences

11:33-Common Emotions Displayed by Dogs

16:40-The Role of Upbringing and Environment in Shaping Dog Emotions

21:38-Forming Emotional Bonds with Other Animals

25:42-Processing Loss and Grief in Dogs

28:29-Helping Dogs Cope with Negative Emotions

31:47-The Importance of Positive Emotions in Dogs' Lives

34:45-Dispelling the Myth of Spoiling Dogs and Behaviour Problems

37:04-Understanding Dog Behaviour for Effective Training

37:34-The Power of Positive Reinforcement in Dog Training

38:18-Seeking Professional Help for Complex Behaviour Issues

38:27-Outro

Caroline from Dogsercise joins the podcast this week to talk about the dog sport flyball. Flyball is a fast-paced relay race where dogs jump over hurdles, trigger a flyball box to release a ball, and retrieve the ball back over the hurdles. Caroline explains that flyball is suitable for all breeds of dogs that are healthy and socially capable. She emphasises the importance of proper training and body awareness to prevent injuries. Flyball is still relatively new in Ireland, but Caroline hopes to see more teams and competitions in the future.

Find out more about Dogsercise :

Instagram: @dogsercise.ie

Website: https://dogsercise.ie/flyball/

Please Note:

In the interest of keeping episodes conversational and entertaining we will make broad generalisations that may not reflect you, your situation or your pet. If you have any concerns please consult a certified professional who will assess your individual needs.

00:00-Introduction to Fly Ball

10:34-Training and Socialisation

15:14-Suitable Dog Breeds

19:58-Building a Strong Bond

28:39-Injury Prevention

35:14-Growing Fly Ball in Ireland

35:16-Prioritising Mental Health for Dogs

35:45-Supporting Small Businesses

36:14-Insights from the Irish Dog Community Survey

36:21-Outro

This week, Killian and special guest Vanessa Fagan discuss the topic of finding the right fit when choosing a dog. They highlight the importance of considering factors such as lifestyle, energy levels, size, age, grooming, and maintenance requirements when selecting a dog breed. They caution against choosing a dog based solely on looks or popular trends, and emphasise the need for thorough research and understanding of the breed's characteristics. They also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of getting a puppy versus adopting an older dog. The conversation covers various topics related to dog ownership, including the importance of honesty and communication between trainers and owners, the development of the dog culture in Ireland, the behavioural characteristics of crossbreeds, the suitability of different breeds for families, the impact of work schedules on dog ownership, and the financial commitment of owning a dog. The key takeaway is that thorough research, open communication, and proper training are essential for successful dog ownership.

Find out more about Perfect Paws Dog Training :

Instagram: @perfect_paws_dog_training_ire

Please Note:

In the interest of keeping episodes conversational and entertaining we will make broad generalisations that may not reflect you, your situation or your pet. If you have any concerns please consult a certified professional who will assess your individual needs.

This week we speak with Petra from wellbehaved.ie all about agility for dogs. Agility is a team sport that involves a dog and a handler navigating through various obstacles. It originated in the 1970s as a form of entertainment and has since evolved into a professional sport in many countries. Some of the best-known countries for agility are Germany, Czech Republic, and Austria. In Ireland, there are multiple organisations where people can compete in agility. Any dog can participate in agility, but certain breeds are more commonly seen - a dog's physical ability and fitness is usually the more limiting factor. The benefits of agility training include strengthening the bond between the dog and handler, improving physical fitness, and enhancing obedience and behaviour. Basic equipment for agility training can be created at home, and competitions are open to the public and can be watched on platforms like YouTube.

Find out more about Wellbehaved.ie :

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellbehaved.ie/

Website: wellbehaved.ie

Please Note:

In the interest of keeping episodes conversational and entertaining we will make broad generalisations that may not reflect you, your situation or your pet. If you have any concerns please consult a certified professional who will assess your individual needs.