Dogs are great. They're also weird, quirky, gross, challenging, wonderful and fun. Hosted by Bill Mayeroff (the owner and Chief Canine Officer of Big Wags Chicago Dog Training and Dog Walking), Hound Opinions is a new podcast about all things dog - from behavior to training to the trials and tribulations of dog ownership ... and everything in between! Have a question or topic you'd like Bill to talk about on the pod? Email bigwags@bigwagschicago.com!
We've all had this thought: My dog needs a friend. But ... does your dog really need a friend? That's what we talk about in this episode. Spoiler: The answer is a very definite MAYBE.I also get into how to set yourself and your dog up for success before bringing another dog into your family. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, Discord, and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
We're back, baby! That's right, it's Season 6 comin' atcha!This time, I'm talking about some of the cool stuff I've learned from Lenny in her short time with us. Spoiler alert - it's pretty cool! So sit back, relax and enjoy!Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, Discord, and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
It's the Season 5 finale, y'all! The pod's going on a break, but Season 6 will kick off May 8.It's a short but important finale. If you're not taking care of yourself, the care you're providing for your dog is likely not the best. I know that sounds dire. It's not meant to be.In this episode, I talk about how it's important that you don't forget to care for yourself even as you care for your dog. If you don't care for yourself, it can adversely affect your life and relationship with your pup. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, Discord, and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
There's no denying that pet care is expensive.Pet guardianship should not be only for those with means. The benefits of having pets – both physical and psychological – are well-documented. The problem, though, is that having a pet is expensive and one of the biggest expenses is veterinary care. It's that particular expense that causes so many people who for whatever reason don't have extra money to opt to rehome their pets. And that's just not fair.My guest this time is Liv Sigel. Liv is the founder and director of the Underdog Community Project. The UCP, founded in 2021, is a mutual aid non profit organization based in Los Angeles that focuses on increasing access to veterinary care for pets of those experiencing homelessness, living in shelter housing, or temporary housing.You can find the Underdog Community Project at https://www.underdogcommunityproject.org/.Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, Discord, and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Language matters when it comes to our dogs and their behavior. Why? Because language - and specifically the language around dog training/behavior - can affect how our relationships with our dogs develop. In this episode, I get into some language that has been used around dogs for a long time and suggest better ways of communicating the ideas. So join me for a semantic journey, won't you? Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, Discord, and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
So a while back, I did an episode talking about how fostering is super important and that the rescue world would probably grind to a halt if everyone who fostered simply adopted their foster pets ... which is colloquially known as a "foster fail". Well, on this episode, I defend the foster fail. Why? Because it happened to me. If you recall, in the last episode, I talked about how my family adopted our last foster. But what that episode didn't talk about was how much thought and hand-wringing went into the decision to adopt her. And that's what I'm talking about this time around. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, Threads, BlueSky, Discord, and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Merry everything! Sometimes dogs need help learning how to dog. What does that mean? Well, basically, it is that sometimes, dogs need to figure out how to simply function in the world. And that's what I'm talking about in this episode. People don't realize that it can be hard for dogs to just be dogs in this world and that they have to learn how to exist and if they don't, it can lead to a lifetime of problems. By the way, the pod's taking a brief New Year break and the next episode is scheduled to be out January 23. That said, if I feel ambitious, I might make it earlier. No promises, though. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, Threads, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Happy holidays, everyone! We're gettin' festive on Hound Opinions this time around. This is a gift-giving time of year and for families that are looking to add a pup to their home, it seems like the perfect time to do it. Spoiler alert – It's not. Spoiler alert part 2 – It's actually a lot more nuanced than that and I'll get into it in the episode. Spoiler alert part 3 – I'm not going to tell you outright to not get a pet as a gift for your family. So if you're planning to do it, you have my blessing. Just please listen to this episode before you do. Also, I talk about the Daveed Diggs masterwork "Puppy For Hanukkah" at the top of the show. Here's a link to it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbxyZAduGvY Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, Threads, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Trigger warning: Lots of talk of pet death. Ok, y'all. It's gonna be heavy today. We're talking about veterinary hospice and euthanasia. Specifically, we're talking about a branch of veterinary medicine that helps people make the ends of their beloved pets' lives as smooth and painless as possible. My guest is Dr. Amy Myers. She's a hospice veterinarian with Lap of Love, which provides veterinary hospice care and in-home euthanasia in the Chicagoland area. I actually used Lap of Love when we made the decision to help Chester pass back in June and Dr. Myers was the person who came to the house. So this one's personal for me. Like I said, it's going to be heavy. So strap in. Quick note: Since two weeks from today is a holiday, the pod's taking a short break. We'll be back with a new episode on December 12. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, Threads, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Decompression is incredibly important for your dog's mental and physical health. But what is it exactly? And when does a dog need to decompress? And how do you help a dog decompress? I get into all of that in this episode, so sit back and enjoy! Quick note – this episode drops on Thursday, October 31. Happy Halloween, by the way. But more importantly, there's a very important election in just five days. If you haven't voted yet, get out there and cast your ballot. And don't stop at voting in the major races. Your vote in the down-ballot races can have very direct impacts on you and your family. And don't skip the judge races and judicial retention questions, either. Injustice Watch creates a great guide to judicial races in Cook County, so if you're in Chicagoland, check it out, along with the Girl, I Guess guide for the non-judicial races. Outside of Illinois, you can go to sites like votesaveamerica.com for resources. However you do your research, get out there and make your voice heard! Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, Threads, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Sorry for the delay. But I think the wait will be worth it. On the pod with me this time is Dr. Matt Lemmons, DVM and we dive into the world of pet dental health. We talk about why it's so important and why you can't neglect it. Matt's a veterinary dentist at MedVet in Indianapolis and a Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College. He's been a practicing veterinary dentist since 2007 and was board certified by the American Veterinary Dental College in 2008. He also consults for the Veterinary Information Network and is a visiting instructor at Purdue University. For more good info about pet dental health, check out the Veterinary Oral Health Council at https://vohc.org/. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, Threads, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
This time around, I'm talking about one of the hard parts of fostering – letting go when it's time for your foster to leave you. It's gonna be a bit emotional ... again. DON'T FORGET: I want to answer YOUR training and behavior questions on the pod. And I want to play your voices asking those questions. You've got two options: Use your audio recording app of choice to record yourself asking a training or behavior question and email it to podcast@bigwagschicago.com. I will then play it on the pod and answer it. You can actually jump on a recording session with me and we'll go over your question together. That'll let me ask you follow-up questions and really dig deep into the issue. If that's the route you want to go, shoot me a quick email at podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, Threads, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Well, y'all, it happened again! My family and I became foster parents! We're fostering a husky named Damien for Anti-Cruelty here in Chicago. The cool thing about fostering is that you always learn something new and unexpected. And that's what I'm going to be talking about this time around. In just a short time, Damien's shown me so much about myself, himself and Bodhi. And it's been quite lovely to see. DON'T FORGET: I want to answer YOUR training and behavior questions on the pod. And I want to play your voices asking those questions. You've got two options: Use your audio recording app of choice to record yourself asking a training or behavior question and email it to podcast@bigwagschicago.com. I will then play it on the pod and answer it. You can actually jump on a recording session with me and we'll go over your question together. That'll let me ask you follow-up questions and really dig deep into the issue. If that's the route you want to go, shoot me a quick email at podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, Threads, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Strap in, folx. We're getting political this time around. One of my biggest pet peeves is the fact that pet guardianship is getting more and more expensive. Money shouldn't be an impediment to it. Unfortunately, I'm also part of the problem. So what can we do about it? Well, I put forward at least one idea in this episode, but mostly I talk about how our capitalist way of life is making it so that having a pet is increasingly difficult except for the well-moneyed among us. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Ok, it's just me again. And it's a short but poignant episode. This time around, I talk about the importance of just being with your dog. What does that mean? You'll have to listen to find out, but it involves spending quality time with your pup. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
It's just me this time around and I'm talking muzzles with y'all! There are so many great reasons for your pup to wear a muzzle. And in fact, I tend to think that most dogs should be taught to comfortably wear a muzzle just as a matter of course. It's that useful of a skill. No matter why you decide to muzzle your pup, proper fit and properly conditioning them to wearing it are super important. And that's what this episode's about. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Welcome to Season 5 of the pod! Brace yourselves. It's gonna get emotional. Trigger warning: This episode talks about pet death. I brought back one of my favorite guests - Alex Fliess - to talk about anticipatory grief. Alex is a licensed clinical social worker in Chicago. After starting work in a group therapy practice in 2016, Alex went on to open their own practice – Three Tales Therapy – in 2018 and also co-owns Chicago Center for Sex and Wellbeing. Anticipatory grief tends to hit pet guardians because unless your pet is one of those turtles or birds that live 100 years, the odds are you're going to outlive your pet. And that's weird because it means that you spend this time you have with them knowing that the time is limited. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
It's the finale of Season 4! After this episode, the pod's going to go on a break for a bit. But I've already got some fun stuff lined up for season 5. And you never know. I might pop in with an unofficial episode from time to time, but the new season will officially drop sometime after the 4th of July. We're going to start by talking about leashes and why it's so important to have your dog on a leash while you're out and about in the world. Why? Because spring and summer are upon us and I'm already starting to see LOTS of off-leash dogs out in the wild and honestly, I'm pretty annoyed by it. After my leash rant, I'm going to answer a listener question. My very dear friend Rachelle asked if I could talk about best practices for bringing a dog into your home when you already have a dog. And it's one of my favorite things to talk about. DON'T FORGET: I want to answer YOUR training and behavior questions on the pod. And I want to play your voices asking those questions. You've got two options: Use your audio recording app of choice to record yourself asking a training or behavior question and email it to podcast@bigwagschicago.com. I will then play it on the pod and answer it. You can actually jump on a recording session with me and we'll go over your question together. That'll let me ask you follow-up questions and really dig deep into the issue. If that's the route you want to go, shoot me a quick email at podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Nobody takes their pet to the emergency vet when things are great. No matter why you've taken your pet there, it's always stressful. It's always scary. And all those factors make it hard to focus on anything, much less digest complicated medical information and make potential life or death decisions for your pet. My guests this time are Laurie Maxwell and Claire Johnson. Laurie is the director of social work for MedVet, a chain of emergency and specialty veterinary hospitals with over 40 locations around the country. Claire is the veterinary social worker at MedVet's Chicago location. Laurie and Claire will give us an inside look at just what veterinary social workers do and how that work can help make a really scary time for you and your pet a bit easier. A quick trigger warning, by the way: This episode does discuss pets in various states of medical distress, emotional trauma and euthanasia. DON'T FORGET: I want to answer YOUR training and behavior questions on the pod. And I want to play your voices asking those questions. You've got two options: Use your audio recording app of choice to record yourself asking a training or behavior question and email it to podcast@bigwagschicago.com. I will then play it on the pod and answer it. You can actually jump on a recording session with me and we'll go over your question together. That'll let me ask you follow-up questions and really dig deep into the issue. If that's the route you want to go, shoot me a quick email at podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Resource guarding is exactly what it sounds like – it's when a dog guards something that it considers a resource. And it can be scary because dogs will go to great lengths to protect their resources, including snapping, nipping or biting at people or other dogs who they feel are trying to take their resource. But what people often forget is that resource guarding is actually a pretty common and normal-ish behavior. And it gets even more tricky because so many different things can be considered “resources”. So how, then, do you deal with it? That's what this episode is all about! DON'T FORGET: I want to answer YOUR training and behavior questions on the pod. And I want to play your voices asking those questions. You've got two options: Use your audio recording app of choice to record yourself asking a training or behavior question and email it to podcast@bigwagschicago.com. I will then play it on the pod and answer it. You can actually jump on a recording session with me and we'll go over your question together. That'll let me ask you follow-up questions and really dig deep into the issue. If that's the route you want to go, shoot me a quick email at podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
We're talking crates this time, y'all! I make no secret of the fact that I love crate training. But crating is also controversial. It's not a magic bullet and if a dog isn't taught how to be comfortable in a crate, it can have serious negative effects on their mental health and in fact can have negative effects on their physical health if they decide to try to get out of the crate and hurt themselves. So what's the right answer? That's a good question! And it's why I'm doing this episode! DON'T FORGET: I want to answer YOUR training and behavior questions on the pod. And I want to play your voices asking those questions. You've got two options: Use your audio recording app of choice to record yourself asking a training or behavior question and email it to podcast@bigwagschicago.com. I will then play it on the pod and answer it. You can actually jump on a recording session with me and we'll go over your question together. That'll let me ask you follow-up questions and really dig deep into the issue. If that's the route you want to go, shoot me a quick email at podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
We're learning all about the Lancashire Heeler today! The Lancashire Heeler is the newest breed to join the American Kennel Club and I could think of nobody better to talk to than Sheryl Bradbury. Sheryl's the president of the United States Lancashire Heeler Club and the Nebraska Kennel Club. She gives us the inside scoop on the Lancashire Heeler and I even get her to talk a little trash and tell us why she thinks Lancashire Heelers should win the coveted Best in Show title. DON'T FORGET: I want to answer YOUR training and behavior questions on the pod. And I want to play your voices asking those questions. You've got two options: Use your audio recording app of choice to record yourself asking a training or behavior question and email it to podcast@bigwagschicago.com. I will then play it on the pod and answer it. You can actually jump on a recording session with me and we'll go over your question together. That'll let me ask you follow-up questions and really dig deep into the issue. If that's the route you want to go, shoot me a quick email at podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Hound Opinions is back, baby! That's right! The holiday hiatus is over and we're diving back into it by talking once again about fostering. Since Thanksgiving, my spouse and I have fostered a couple dogs. That's part of why we got a house, after all. The first experience was not so great and I'll get into why in the episode. The second was pretty great. I wanted to talk about both of those experiences because they're so different and they represent the real gamut of what fostering is like. It's a tough experience and the fact that I'm a professional dog trainer who works with tough dogs every day doesn't make me immune from having a tough time with a foster dog. So sit back, relax and strap it down, because it's going to be a little emotional. DON'T FORGET: I want to answer YOUR training and behavior questions on the pod. And I want to play your lovely voices asking those questions. You've got two options: Use your audio recording app of choice to record yourself asking a training or behavior question and email it to podcast@bigwagschicago.com. I will then play it on the pod and answer it. You can actually jump on a recording session with me and we'll go over your question together. That'll let me ask you follow-up questions and really dig deep into the issue. If that's the route you want to go, shoot me a quick email at podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Look! It's a bonus episode! The pod is technically on hiatus, but I wanted to chat a bit about how to keep your dogs feeling calm and comfortable during holiday gatherings. It's too late to help with that turkey-based holiday, but we still have Hanukkah and Christmas and other winter seasonal gatherings coming up. And just so you're not worried, the pod *WILL* be back in earnest next month! DON'T FORGET: I want to answer YOUR training and behavior questions on the pod. And I want to play your lovely voices asking those questions. You've got two options: Use your audio recording app of choice to record yourself asking a training or behavior question and email it to podcast@bigwagschicago.com. I will then play it on the pod and answer it. You can actually jump on a recording session with me and we'll go over your question together. That'll let me ask you follow-up questions and really dig deep into the issue. If that's the route you want to go, shoot me a quick email at podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
It's safe to say that we all want to do the best we can for our pups. We want to give them the best food. We want to make sure we're closely monitoring their health so that they're always healthy and comfortable. We want to make sure that they don't' find themselves in situations where they may feel uncomfortable and like they have to defend themselves. But none of us are perfect. We're not able to have our eyes on our dogs 24/7. We're going to occasionally miss things (or think we've missed things) and occasionally, our dogs are going to find themselves in situations where they're not comfortable, despite our best efforts. And that, friends, is where parental guilt kicks in. I'm very excited to welcome Alex Fliess back to the pod. Alex is a licensed clinical social worker in Chicago. After starting work in a group therapy practice in 2016, Alex went on to open their own practice – Three Tales Therapy – in 2018 and also co-owns Chicago Center for Sex and Wellbeing. I wanted to talk to Alex because they recently went through an incident with one of their dogs that led to a LOT of parental guilt and I thought they'd be perfect to break down how it works and how they handled it. A quick note before we get into things. First, Hound Opinions will betaking a holiday break after this episode. In fact, this is likely to be the last episode of 2023. The plan is to resume season 4 in January. DON'T FORGET: I want to answer YOUR training and behavior questions on the pod. And I want to play your lovely voices asking those questions. You've got two options: Use your audio recording app of choice to record yourself asking a training or behavior question and email it to podcast@bigwagschicago.com. I will then play it on the pod and answer it. You can actually jump on a recording session with me and we'll go over your question together. That'll let me ask you follow-up questions and really dig deep into the issue. If that's the route you want to go, shoot me a quick email at podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Guide dogs are amazing creatures. More amazing than we realize, in fact. We think of guide dogs as the dogs with the rectangular handles sticking up from their backs helping their handlers navigate a world they can't see. And that's accurate, but it's also incomplete. On the pod with me is Marin Baumer. In 2019, Marin was in a horrific car accident that left her totally blind. But with the help of her guide dog, Kegan, not only can Marin navigate the world around her, she's also able to run, which is one of her favorite things to do. It's a fascinating conversation and I learned a ton about the capabilities of guide dogs. DON'T FORGET: I want to answer YOUR training and behavior questions on the pod. And I want to play your lovely voices asking those questions. You've got two options: Use your audio recording app of choice to record yourself asking a training or behavior question and email it to podcast@bigwagschicago.com. I will then play it on the pod and answer it. You can actually jump on a recording session with me and we'll go over your question together. That'll let me ask you follow-up questions and really dig deep into the issue. If that's the route you want to go, shoot me a quick email at podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
It's almost Halloween! And while you should absolutely enjoy the holiday, it can be tough on your pups. Bill tackles a few Halloween-themed topics this time around. They start off talking about how to help your dog get used to wearing a costume, but cautions that if your dog REALLY isn't into it, don't force the issue. From there, they talk about how to help your pup get used to people ringing your doorbell for candy all night and finish up with some safety tips for your dogs. DON'T FORGET: Bill wants to answer YOUR training and behavior questions on the pod. And they want to play your lovely voices asking those questions. You've got two options: Use your audio recording app of choice to record yourself asking a training or behavior question and email it to podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Bill will then play it on the pod and answer it. You can actually jump on a recording session with Bill and you'll go over your question together. That'll let Bill ask you follow-up questions and really dig deep into the issue. If that's the route you want to go, shoot Bill a quick email at podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
There's a proposal in Chicago for a dog park with an attached bar. It will be a place, according to this piece on Block Club Chicago, where people can "“grab a beer at the concession-style stand, have a seat and work on their computer while their dog runs around and plays.” Here's the URL of the Block Club piece: https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/10/04/an-indoor-dog-park-with-a-bar-proposed-in-north-center/ This is just a mind-blowingly stupid idea. And that's what this episode is about. Bill talks about why mixing alcohol and lots of dogs is not only a bad idea, but also an incredibly dangerous one and why they're worried that if this place opens, dogs could get hurt ... or worse. DON'T FORGET: Bill wants to answer YOUR training and behavior questions on the pod. And they want to play your lovely voices asking those questions. You've got two options: Use your audio recording app of choice to record yourself asking a training or behavior question and email it to podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Bill will then play it on the pod and answer it. You can actually jump on a recording session with Bill and you'll go over your question together. That'll let Bill ask you follow-up questions and really dig deep into the issue. If that's the route you want to go, shoot Bill a quick email at podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
It's just Bill this time. In this solo pod, Bill talks about why you REALLY should pay attention to your dog during a walk ... along with a sub-rant about retractable leashes. Spoiler: They're the worst. And in the second segment, Bill talks about the importance of microchipping your dog and tells the story of how they helped a happy husky find his way home. DON'T FORGET: Bill wants to answer YOUR training and behavior questions on the pod. And they want to play your lovely voices asking those questions. You've got two options: Use your audio recording app of choice to record yourself asking a training or behavior question and email it to podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Bill will then play it on the pod and answer it. You can actually jump on a recording session with Bill and you'll go over your question together. That'll let Bill ask you follow-up questions and really dig deep into the issue. If that's the route you want to go, shoot Bill a quick email at podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
This is the second and final installment of Bill's brief series on dog parks. Last time, Bill talked about why dog parks aren't generally great places for dogs. But here's the problem: Even reactive dogs and other dogs who just wouldn't enjoy dog parks need exercise. And when you have a dog in a city like Chicago, getting them that exercise can be hard, especially if you don't work from home and/or have a dwelling space with a yard. So what's the reactive dog guardian to do? On the pod with Bill is Kim Theobald. She's the owner and founder of Bosly's Backyard - a private, indoor playspace in Chicago where dogs can run around and play without being around other dogs. She launched Bosly's in 2020 and worked her full-time job for about 2 ½ years while building up the business. You can find Bosly's online at boslysbackyard.com and @BoslysBackyard on Facebook and Instagram. DON'T FORGET: Bill wants to answer YOUR training and behavior questions on the pod. And they want to play your lovely voices asking those questions. You've got two options: Use your audio recording app of choice to record yourself asking a training or behavior question and email it to podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Bill will then play it on the pod and answer it. You can actually jump on a recording session with Bill and you'll go over your question together. That'll let Bill ask you follow-up questions and really dig deep into the issue. If that's the route you want to go, shoot Bill a quick email at podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Quick trigger warning: This episode does talk a bit about a dog attack. It doesn't get graphic and the dog who got attacked survives. But a dog attack is discussed, so be ready for it. Everyone loves dog parks, right? Well, not quite. There's one very important group that doesn't often love dog parks: DOGS. And it makes sense, right? Dog parks are often kind of the wild west, which can create situations that make dogs scared or nervous. And even if the dogs aren't scared or nervous, energy runs high at dog parks. When you have that combination – nervous dogs and lots of energy – it's a recipe for not-so-great things. On the pod with Bill is Julie Iovine. She's a lapsed journalist who's now studying to be a dog trainer and is on the board of the Animals & Society Institute. She recently wrote a piece for the New York Times about why she's not a fan of dog parks and how her thinking about dog parks evolved over time. She and Bill had a great conversation about dog parks and dog play. Dog parks are one of Bill's favorite topics, so this is the first in a two-part series on dog parks. So make sure you check out the next episode in a couple weeks, too! DON'T FORGET: Bill wants to answer YOUR training and behavior questions on the pod. And they want to play your lovely voices asking those questions. You've got two options: Use your audio recording app of choice to record yourself asking a training or behavior question and email it to podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Bill will then play it on the pod and answer it. You can actually jump on a recording session with Bill and you'll go over your question together. That'll let Bill ask you follow-up questions and really dig deep into the issue. If that's the route you want to go, shoot Bill a quick email at podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Quick trigger warning: This episode does talk about euthanasia. Nothing graphic or disturbing, but the topic is discussed in no uncertain terms. So just be ready for it. If you've been on social media and/or keeping up with your local news lately, you've probably seen lots of reporting about how animal shelters across the country are at capacity. And there's no denying that shelters here in Chicago and elsewhere are in crisis. On this episode, Bill talks with Armando Tejeda. He's the public information officer for Chicago Animal Care and Control. He also functions as the executive assistant to the shelter director and manages CACC's community outreach and social media. Bill and Armando talk about what CACC does and what day-to-day life is like there, for both humans and animals. They also get into some numbers and talk about how the shelter is managing, despite being pretty much packed to the gills. You can find CACC online at https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cacc.html. You can also search for "Chicago Animal Care and Control" on all your favorite social channels. DON'T FORGET: Bill wants to answer YOUR training and behavior questions on the pod. And they want to play your lovely voices asking those questions. You've got two options: Use your audio recording app of choice to record yourself asking a training or behavior question and email it to podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Bill will then play it on the pod and answer it. You can actually jump on a recording session with Bill and you'll go over your question together. That'll let Bill ask you follow-up questions and really dig deep into the issue. If that's the route you want to go, shoot Bill a quick email at podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
It's Season 4, y'all! That's right. Hound Opinions is back and Bill has had a helluva couple months. They and their spouse, along with the dogs, moved from a two-bedroom apartment into a house. That's right, a whole house! It was one of the more stressful experiences of Bill's life. But you know who else was stressed by it? Their pups - Chester and Bodhi. Moving is tough for dogs. In the Season 4 kickoff, Bill talks about how moving can affect your dogs and what you can do to make it as easy on them as possible. Spoiler: It will still be stressful for humans and dogs alike, but there are ways of helping your dogs get through it better. DON'T FORGET: Bill wants to answer YOUR training and behavior questions on the pod. And they want to play your lovely voices asking those questions. You've got two options: Use your audio recording app of choice to record yourself asking a training or behavior question and email it to podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Bill will then play it on the pod and answer it. You can actually jump on a recording session with Bill and you'll go over your question together. That'll let Bill ask you follow-up questions and really dig deep into the issue. If that's the route you want to go, shoot Bill a quick email at podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
It's the Season 3 Finale! The podcast is taking a break for a bit, but Season 4 will drop in mid-late July! We're talking about two of Bill's favorite topics today – fear and socialization. Why? Because there are a lot of misconceptions about those two things and how they affect dogs. And Bill wants to clear them up. DON'T FORGET: Bill wants to answer YOUR training and behavior questions on the pod next season. And he wants to play your lovely voices asking those questions. You've got two options: Use your audio recording app of choice to record yourself asking a training or behavior question and email it to podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Bill will then play it on the pod and answer it. You can actually jump on a recording session with Bill and you'll go over your question together. That'll let Bill ask you follow-up questions and really dig deep into the issue. If that's the route you want to go, shoot Bill a quick email at podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Mastodon, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Once again, it's just Bill. This time, our podcaster extraordinaire talks about frustration. It's a normal human emotion. We all get frustrated at things - life, the universe, everything - and people - parents, kids, friends, romantic partners. It's just normal. Something else that's normal? Getting frustrated at your dog. On this episode, Bill talks about frustration and how it can affect your relationship with your dog, as well as your training work. And he talks a bit about how even he - an experienced dog trainer and handler - gets frustrated with his pups from time to time. DON'T FORGET: Bill wants to answer YOUR training and behavior questions on the pod. And he wants to play your lovely voices asking those questions. You've got two options: Use your audio recording app of choice to record yourself asking a training or behavior question and email it to podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Bill will then play it on the pod and answer it. You can actually jump on a recording session with Bill and you'll go over your question together. That'll let Bill ask you follow-up questions and really dig deep into the issue. If that's the route you want to go, shoot Bill a quick email at podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Mastodon, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
It's just Bill this time around. In this solo pod, we're talking about doing nothing. Doing nothing is hard for dogs. For humans, that's a weird concept, but it's an important one when it comes to training. In the first part of the episode, Bill talks about why the ability to do nothing is important and how to teach our dogs that skill. In the second part, Bill opens up about one of the harder realities of working in the dog walking biz - the fact that people and their dogs occasionally move away. And Bill wants to answer YOUR training and behavior questions on the pod. And he wants to play your lovely voices asking those questions. You've got two options: Use your audio recording app of choice to record yourself asking a training or behavior question and email it to podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Bill will then play it on the pod and answer it. You can actually jump on a recording session with Bill and you'll go over your question together. That'll let Bill ask you follow-up questions and really dig deep into the issue. If that's the route you want to go, shoot Bill a quick email at podcast@bigwagschicago.com. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Mastodon, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Hound Opinions is on a bit of a break this week. There'll be a new episode in two weeks, but in the meantime, enjoy this rebroadcast of Bill's chat with Lisa Lunghofer of the Grey Muzzle Organization. By the way, Bill's older pup, Chester, turns 13 next week! Because Chester's a mensch, he wants to use his Bark Mitzvah to do some good! So he's raising money for the Grey Muzzle Organization because senior dogs are the best. If you'd like to donate, that'd be awesome. Head on over to https://www.facebook.com/donate/910542973480995/. Fact – senior dogs are awesome. There's really nothing like a senior dog. They're often happy to just spend time on the couch with you. They might let you sleep in on weekends. They don't require super-long walks or play sessions to get their energy out. What's not to love, right? But despite being amazing, senior dogs that wind up in shelters or rescues are often overlooked in favor of younger dogs and puppies. They're some of the hardest dogs to adopt out. And that needs to change. On the pod with Bill is Lisa Lunghofer. She's the executive director of The Grey Muzzle Organization. The mission of The Grey Muzzle Organization is to improve the lives of at-risk senior dogs by providing funding and resources to animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries and other nonprofit groups nationwide. Find The Grey Muzzle Organization online at GreyMuzzle.org. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Mastodon, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
This one's a bit personal for Bill. Trigger warnings: Talk of cancer and pet death. In May of 2021, a mass was found on Bill's dog Chester's spleen. A trip to the emergency vet and a splenectomy later (plus a couple days at the hospital), Chester was back home with a shaved belly and a badass scar from the surgery. Luckily the mass was benign and Chester's still as ornery as ever. But what Bill realized is that he had no idea what spleens do, why they're so prone to masses and a particularly dangerous form of cancer known as a hemangiosarcoma and why the prognosis for a cancerous splenic mass is rarely good. On the pod with Bill is Dr. Mark Byrum, DVM, DACVIM. He's a veterinary medical oncologist at MedVet Chicago and a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine as a medical oncologist. He talks to Bill all about hemangiosarcomas and explains just what spleens do and why it's possible for dogs to easily survive without them. He also talks more generally about cancer in dogs and cats. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Mastodon, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Trigger warning: This episode contains mentions of animals being used for pharmaceutical testing purposes, talk of animals being abused and animals dealing with issues of PTSD and the fallout that comes from surviving life in testing facilities. We all know animal testing happens. But did you know that it doesn't just happen on rats and mice? It happens on all sorts of animals, including dogs and cats. And when it comes to dogs, the breed of choice for testing, especially when it comes to toxicity testing for the pharmaceutical industry, is the beagle. In this episode, Bill talks to Shannon Keith. She's the founder and president of the international non-profit Beagle Freedom Project. Throughout her career advocating for animals, she has been a voice for all animals on the streets, behind closed doors, in the courtroom and in state capitols. Check out the Beagle Freedom Project at BFP.org and @BeagleFreedom on all your standard social channels. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Mastodon, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Sorry for the delay! But it's finally here! Bill's by himself this time. On this episode, he chats for a bit about expectations and why letting go of some of the traditional ideas of what it means to have a “good” or “well-behaved” dog can make everyone happier. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Mastodon, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Sometimes, rehoming a dog is the best decision for both you/your family and the dog. And there's nothing wrong with that. But it's never an easy decision. Nobody wants to feel like they're giving up on a dog, especially if that dog's had a tough go of things. Bill's got another returning guest this time. Sara Polk is a lifelong dog lover and licensed mental health provider in El Paso, Texas. She's also a very dear friend of Bill's who had to make the tough decision to rehome a dog that wasn't a good fit for her family. On this episode, they talk about how she came to make that decision and how she ultimately realized it was the right one, even if it felt terrible to make. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Mastodon, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Mission K9 Rescue is a special kind of dog rescue. Based in Texas, Mission K9 is an animal welfare group dedicated to rescuing, reuniting, rehoming, repairing, and rehabilitating American working dogs. This includes military and contract working dogs, as well as retired police, TSA and other law enforcement dogs. Since 2013, the group has provided a wide array of medical and behavioral services to working dogs to offer them a comfortable and peaceful retirement. In this episode, Bill chats with Bob Bryant. He's Mission K9's Chief Technology Officer and guardian to retired Military Working Dog Navy. Bill and Bob chat about why adopting a retired working dog isn't for everyone, but also why it's one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. They also get into some of the hard realities retired working dogs face. Check out Mission K9 Rescue online at MissionK9Rescue.org. You can also find them by going to @MissionK9 on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Mastodon, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Sorry for the delay. There were technical issues. It's the holidays and you fine folx have questions. So Bill's going to answer some of them. He talks about helping to introduce your dog to new people and gets into body language. He also talks about the most unusual cues he's seen dogs do and gets into why he never uses the term "command". Happy holidays! Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Mastodon, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Bill's taking a bit of a holiday break this week. There'll be a new episode in a couple weeks. Stay tuned. In the meantime, Bill is going to be putting together a live video event where he talks about dog body language and takes questions in real time. When he nails down a time, he'll announce it on Facebook, Discord and Mastodon. So get ready for that. It's going to be fun. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Mastodon, Discord, TikTok and Instagram under the handle @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
It's almost time for the National Dog Show, hosted by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia! On the pod with Bill this time is his first ever returning guest - longtime voice of the National Dog Show, David Frei. David and Bill preview the show and David shares his insights about the world of dog shows built over years of experience as an owner and handler of show dogs, as well as his experience as a judge and broadcaster. The National Dog Show will be broadcast November 24 at noon on NBC. It's right after the Macy's parade ends. Don't forget to tune in to hear David Frei and his longtime partner John O'Hurley calling the action and to see all your favorite dog breeds and maybe a few you've never seen before! Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Twitter and Instagram at @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Fact – senior dogs are awesome. There's really nothing like a senior dog. They're often happy to just spend time on the couch with you. They might let you sleep in on weekends. They don't require super-long walks or play sessions to get their energy out. What's not to love, right? But despite being amazing, senior dogs that wind up in shelters or rescues are often overlooked in favor of younger dogs and puppies. They're some of the hardest dogs to adopt out. And that needs to change. On the pod with Bill is Lisa Lunghofer. She's the executive director of The Grey Muzzle Organization. The mission of The Grey Muzzle Organization is to improve the lives of at-risk senior dogs by providing funding and resources to animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries and other nonprofit groups nationwide. Find The Grey Muzzle Organization online at GreyMuzzle.org. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Twitter and Instagram at @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
So much of dogs' communication comes in the form of body language. Tails, ears, eyes, mouths … all of them hold clues to what a dog is thinking and feeling at any given time. But one of the hardest parts about reading a dog's body language is that it happens fast. So it's easy to miss subtle signs that can give you an indication of what's going on in a dog's head. And that can lead to misunderstandings between people and dogs, which can be dangerous. On the pod with Bill is Lili Chin. Lili is an artist, author and illustrator and the mind behind the fabulous website doggiedrawings.net and the book Doggie Language: A Dog Lover's Guide To Understanding Your Best Friend. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Twitter and Instagram at @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
Welcome to Season 3, y'all! Bill wanted to kick off the third season of Hound Opinions with something a bit different. But don't worry, he still talks about dogs a bit. If you've been following on social media, then you know that since Roe v. Wade was overturned by the “supreme” court, Big Wags Chicago has been regularly donating a portion of the proceeds of each walk and training session to the Midwest Access Coalition and Chicago Abortion Fund. To open Season 3, Bill wanted to shout out one of those organizations doing some of the work to make sure women and all people with uteruses have access to safe, legal abortion. Let's not forget - Abortion is health care. Full stop. On the pod this time are Veronica Mucha and Madison Lyleroehr of the Midwest Access Coalition. Veronica is a volunteer with the organization, as well as working in immigration as a paralegal manager. In addition to her dog, Nora, she has two cats – Percival and Gertrude. Madison joined the Midwest Access Coalition in 2016 as a client coordinator and now serves as the treasurer of the board. This is a cool group and they're doing awesome work. Check out the Midwest Access Coalition online at midwestaccesscoalition.org. Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Twitter and Instagram at @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
It's the final episode of Season 2, folx! Hound Opinions will be taking a break for the month of September, but Bill will be back with Season 3 on October 6. We see the term "self-care" tossed around a lot these days, especially on social media. Really, since the covid pandemic began, we've been talking about how important it is to practice. But the term "self-care" isn't particularly descriptive, is it? So it's hard to know what it actually entails. That's why Bill wanted to do this episode. It's a dog-adjacent topic that's important because if you're not caring for yourself, it's tough to care for your dogs. And on the flipside, dogs can be a central part of your self-care regimens. With Bill on the pod for the Season 2 finale is Sara Polk, LCSW-S. Sara is a very dear friend of Bill's from college (seriously, they each had a Beatles-themed radio show on their school's station) who is now a licensed mental health provider in El Paso, Texas, focused on providing trauma-informed care to survivors of crime and justice-involved youth. Outside of her day job, she's focused on giving her three rescue pups the lives they deserve. She's also an avid and award-winning cosplayer and all-around fantastic human. Bill and Sara break down what self-care actually is and why it's important, as well as how dogs factor into it. Big Wags Chicago is on the web at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Twitter and Instagram at @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
It's the second-to-last episode of Season 2, y'all! If you've been in certain veterinary offices or groomers, you might have seen some signage that says the clinic or groomer is “Fear Free Certified”. Ever wondered what that means? Fear Free is a philosophy dedicated to alleviating fear, stress and anxiety in pets by educating the people who care for them – including veterinarians, groomers, rescue and shelter staff and even pet parents – on how to provide their pets physical and emotional care to live happier, healthier and fuller lives. On the pod with Bill is Mikkel Becker. Mikkel is the lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets and Fear Free Happy Homes as well as the host of the Happy Paws podcast. You can learn more about the Fear Free philosophy at fearfreepets.com and definitely check out Mikkel's Happy Paws podcast by heading over to fearfreehappyhomes.com/podcast. Big Wags Chicago is on the web at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Twitter and Instagram at @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
This is the second in the Rescue Spotlight series. This time, we talk to Patty Sampson, who's on the board of It's a Pittie Rescue. It's a Pittie is entirely volunteer-run and is dedicated to rescuing, rehabbing and rehoming pitbull-type dogs. Find It's a Pittie Rescue online at rescueapittie.org and by searching It's a Pittie on social. Big Wags Chicago is on the web at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Twitter and Instagram at @bigwagschicago. Have a question you want answered in a future episode or just want to say hi? Email podcast@bigwagschicago.com.
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