Better Animal Handling

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Humans have domesticated and handled animals for 14,000 years. Modern times have brought urbanization and technology which have caused a drastic decline in human-animal interactions. As a result, the knowledge of how to properly handle, restrain, and house animals is in decline. In Better Animal…

Dr. C.B. Chastain


    • Jun 12, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 12m AVG DURATION
    • 294 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Better Animal Handling

    Transporting a Cat

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2025 13:46


    Send us a textPlease join Dr. Chastain and Ginger while they explain:Carrying a cat in your armsTransporting a cat in a crateMoving a cat by vehicles and by airLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Proper Approach to a Strange Dog

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2025 13:25


    Send us a textDr. Chastain and Ginger would like you to join them to learn more about:Common INappropriate greetings for a strange dogHow to invite a strange dog to approach youGreetings and approaches for Service DogsLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Head-Shyness in Horses

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 11:00


    Send us a textJoin Dr. Chastain and Ginger as they review:Hazards of head-shyness in horsesCauses of head-shynessHow to prevent common causes for head-shynessLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Backyard Housing for Poultry

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 12:42


    Send us a textThis week Dr. Chastain and Ginger are ready to tell you about:Housing needs for chickensAssessments of the quality of poultry housingSpecial housing needs for turkeys, ducks, and geeseLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Pet and Livestock Predators in the U.S.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2025 7:07


    Send us a textJoin Dr. Chastain and Ginger to learn more about predators of pets and other animals, including:Predators of pets and livestock in the U.S.Coyote behaviorDeterrents against coyotes and other predatorsLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Odors and Animal Behavior

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2025 10:27


    Send us a textJoin Dr. Chastain and Ginger for explanations on:Sense of smell in small companion animalsAromatherapy for handling animalsManaging odors that adversely affect handling of animalsLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Basic Handling of Small and Large Lizards

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 10:43


    Send us a textThis week Dr. Chastain and Ginger will guide you in how to handle lizards, including:Lizard handling hazardsHandling techniques for small lizardsPrecautions for handling large lizardsLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Longeing Horses

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 9:27


    Send us a textDr. Chastain and Ginger invite you to join them for a description of equine longeing, including:What is longeing?What are the benefits of longeing?How is longeing properly performed?Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Risks of Handling Hogs Raised in Extreme Confinement

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 10:46


    Send us a textThis week Dr Chastain and Ginger will alert you to dangers in handling total confinement hogs, including:Damage to hearingRespiratory impairmentBite woundsLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Understanding Pet Rabbits' Behavior

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 9:28


    Send us a textIf you like pet rabbits, join Dr. Chastain and Ginger to hear about:Behaviors of ancestors of the modern domestic rabbitDaily grooming behaviors of pet rabbitsTerritorial and maternal aggression of pet rabbitsLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Prey and Predator Behavior in Domestic Animals

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 9:17


    Send us a textThis week Dr. Chastain and Ginger delve into:Physical characteristics of prey animals and predator animalsHunting tactics of predator animals and defense techniques of prey animalsAnimal perceptions of humans as predators or as preyLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Handling Methods Adverse to the Health and Safety of Cattle

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 13:13


    Send us a textIn this episode, Dr. Chastain and Ginger will help you understand:Assessment of cattle welfareInjuries from poor handling facilitiesHandling methods adverse to the health and safety of cattleLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Cat Vision

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 9:38


    Send us a textJoin Dr. Chastain and Ginger in reviewing cats'Clarity of vision: acuityPerception of motionAbility to see in darknessLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Horseback Riding Safety Tips: Part II

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2025 11:09


    Send us a textIn this episode Dr. Chastain and Ginger offer more tips on safer horseback riding, such as:How to check and maintain riding tackSafer riding attireHelmetsBootsShirts and jacketsLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Horseback Riding Safety Tips: Part I

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2025 9:52


    Send us a textInterested in horseback riding?  Join Dr. Chastain and Ginger to learn some safety tips, such as:Partnership with the horseCautious confidence in yourselfPairing with a horse that matches your riding skill and abilityLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    When Chemical Restraint of Dogs or Cats is Warranted

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2025 13:07


    Send us a textPlease join Dr. Chastain and Ginger to learn more about:Anxiety: detrimental to development or a learning facilitator?Safety and efficacy of anti-anxiety nutraceuticals and drugsJustifiable reasons for the use of chemical restraintsLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Catching Sheep and Goats

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 9:21


    Send us a textThis week Dr. Chastain and Ginger explore:Approaches to catching sheep compared to goatsRestraints to avoid with sheep and goatsProper use of crooks and neck straps or chains with sheep and with goatsLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Common Handling and Restraint of Companion Birds

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2025 10:58


    Send us a textFlock together with Dr. Chastain and Ginger to learn more about:Precautions needed prior to handling birdsHandling training as part of socializing young birdsHandling techniques for different sized birdsLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Use of Voice, Touch, and Body Language in Handling Animals

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 9:26


    Send us a textDr. Chastain and Ginger would like you to join them to learn more about:Effective voice commands for handling animalsAnimal detection of body languageProper use of touch to control an animal's movementsLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Selection and Care of Barn Cats

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025 9:59


    Send us a textIn this episode Dr. Chastain and Ginger provide advice on:Desirable characteristics of a good barn catHealth care requirements of barn catsDaily care of barn catsLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Illegal Trafficking of Wildlife

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2025 10:04


    Send us a textPlease join Dr. Chastain and Ginger while they explain:The size of international wildlife trafficking criminal activityCollateral effects of illegal wildlife traffickingHow to combat illegal wildlife traffickingLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Barn Fires and Horses

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 13:15


    Send us a textThis week, Dr. Chastain and Ginger explain:Causes of barn firesPrevention of barn firesEvacuation of horses from a burning barnLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Recommended Knives for Horsemen

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 11:04


    Send us a textDr. Chastain and Ginger describe knives for horsemen, including:Need for an ever present knife when working with horsesQualities of a useful everyday carry knifeFacilitating access to an everyday carry pocket knifeLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Selection and Use of Dog Crates

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2024 8:09


    Send us a textThis week Dr. Chastain and Ginger investigates:Uses of dog cratesTypes of dog cratesProper sizing of a crate for a dogLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Mouth Bits for Horses

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2024 13:12


    Send us a textDr. Chastain and Ginger invite you to join their review of:Horse bit purposeMetals used in bitsTypes of bitsLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Diseases that can be Transmitted from Reptile Pets to Humans

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 8:59


    Send us a textIn this episode, Dr. Chastain and Ginger tell about:Captive-bred reptile diseases transmitted to humansReptile pets and childrenPrevention of reptile disease transmissionLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Outdoor Dog Runs and Houses

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 8:42


    Send us a textThis week, Dr. Chastain and Ginger review:Proper construction of outdoor dog runsEssential aspects of dog housesReasons against tethering dogsLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Where Have Most of the Good Animal Handlers Gone?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2024 15:35


    Send us a textJoin Dr. Chastain and Ginger to explore the:Benefits of good animal handlingCauses of good animal handling attritionReliable sources of information on animal handlingLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Using South American Camelids as Pack Animals

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 7:34


    Send us a textCome along with Dr. Chastain and Ginger as they talk about packing with camelids, including:Advantages of packing with llamasLimitations of packing with alpacas and llamasEquipment for packing with llamasLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Handling Alpacas and Llamas

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2024 11:19


    Send us a textDr. Chastain and Ginger invite you to join them as they describe alpaca and llama:Manual restraintCatch pens, stocks, and halters and lead ropesHandling of their young (crias)Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Understanding Camelids: Alpacas and Llamas

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2024 9:57


    Send us a textJoin Dr. Chastain and Ginger as they assist in the understanding of camelids, including:Uses of camelidsDifferentiating alpacas and llamasCamelid behaviorsLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Hearing in Animals

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2024 9:04


    Send us a textJoin Dr. Chastain and Ginger to hear about animal hearing, including:Desired sound intensity when handling animalsSound frequency range of animals compared to humansBidirectional hearing in animalsLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Capture and Release of Horses: Part II

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2024 11:45


    Send us a textThis week, Dr. Chastain and Ginger expand on their description of capture and release of horses, including:Capturing horses in stallsRemoving a horse from a herd of horsesReleasing horses safelyLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Capture and Release of Horses: Part I

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 14:07


    Send us a textIn this first of two parts episode Dr. Chastain and Ginger will tell you about:Teaching a horse to be caughtProper application and use of haltersThe use of advance and retreat to catch a loose horseLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Yard Fences for Dogs

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2024 8:41


    Send us a textJoin Dr. Chastain and Ginger this week to learn more about:Mesh wire fencing for dogsInvisible fencesTethering as an alternative to fencingLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Bird Behavior and Basic Handling Safety

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024 10:28


    Send us a textDr. Chastain and Ginger cover the topics of:How different types of birds have different behaviorsBasic bird handling techniquesLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Zoonoses: Diseases Transmitted from Animals to Humans

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2024 12:04


    Send us a textIn this episode, Dr. Chastain and Ginger review:How zoonotic diseases are transmittedRelative susceptibility of humans to zoonosesPrevention of zoonotic disease transmissionLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Basics of Handling Cats

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2024 14:44


    Send us a textThis week Dr. Chastain and Ginger describe proper:Handing of non-aggressive catsHandling of aggressive catsBasic equipment for handling catsLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Electric Fencing for Horses and Livestock

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2024 8:35


    Send us a textDr. Chastain and Ginger invite you to become shocked on how good electric fencing can be as they review electric fencing:AdvantagesComponentsMaintenance requiredLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Care of Senior Dogs

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2024 8:10


    Send us a textDr. Chastain and Ginger invite you to come learn more about senior dogs':Home careDietary careMedical careLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Proper Longeing of Horses

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2024 10:41


    Send us a textDr. Chastain and Ginger invite you to join them as they review:Advantages and purposes of longeing horsesFree and long line longeingCommon longeing mistakesLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Poultry Housing

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2024 13:52


    Send us a Text Message.Join Dr. Chastain and Ginger in a tour of poultry housings, including:Conventional chicken cagesEnriched housing for chickensFree range and backyard housing for chickensLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    The Natural Behavior of Ferrets

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2024 10:38


    Send us a Text Message.This week Dr. Chastain and Ginger discuss the:History of pet ferretsCongenital deafness in some ferretsUnique behaviors of ferretsLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Dog Bites Are Increasing in the U.S.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 9:37


    Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Rabbits, Cages, and Broken Backs

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2024 7:54


    In this episode, Dr. Chastain and Ginger explain:Handling risks for rabbitsSafer methods for handling rabbitsLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Special Equipment for Handling Snakes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2024 11:48


    Join Dr. Chastain and Ginger as they review:Handling snakes without special equipmentUsing hooks, shields, boxes, poles, tongs, and tubes to handle snakesLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Caged Birds as Pets

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2024 11:27


    This week Dr. Chastain and Ginger go over:The history of caged birds as petsPopular caged bird petsNormal behavior of caged pet birdsLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Transporting Cattle

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 7:49


    Come along with Dr. Chastain and Ginger as they give advice on:Preparing cattle for transportLoading cattle in trailersFederal requirements when transporting cattleLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    How to Prepare to be a Good Animal Handler

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2024 7:17


    This week Dr. Chastain and Ginger provide guidance in how to become a good animal handler, including:The study and observation required of a good animal handlerConstant practice of animal handling to prevent loss of skillsTen keys to becoming a good animal handlerLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Horseback Riding Safety for Trail Riding

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024 11:26


    Come join Dr. Chastain and Ginger as they check off some tips on:Desirable trail riding mental attitudeTrail riding etiquetteSafety precautions for trail ridingLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

    Containments for House Cats

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2024 12:02


    This week Dr. Chastain and Ginger will cover:Cages and catteries for catsCat cratesFences and tunnels for catsLink to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

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