Paws & Play

Having puppies jumping all over you may feel like heaven when they're tiny, but as they grow and the behavior continues, not only can it can be a real nuisance but it can actually be dangerous (even for small dogs). Tune in to this special video episode, live from Yappy Hour, where Cathy shares real life examples and gives play-by-play feedback to help you train your pup to keep four paws on the floor. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

If you listen to this podcast, you're obviously an animal lover, which also probably means at some point you've given thought to fostering animals. I spoke with current cat foster guardian, LeeAnna Bias, about what fostering is and what it isn't, the steps to take to find the right rescue or shelter to work with, and the many benefits for everyone involved. If you were sitting on the fence about whether to get started, be prepared to start searching for foster opportunities after listening. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It’s summer time and the living, well, it’s not that easy this year. If you’re looking for an escape from the heat, the indoors, and everything else going on in the world, there’s a good chance you’ll head towards somewhere with water. Dr. J joined me virtually to talk about the dangers of blue-green algae, some resources available to help you take preventive measures to identify and avoid it, and what to look out for in case your dog is starting to show symptoms of its toxic effects. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Preparing for the arrival of a baby is an exciting and stressful time. When you've got a dog at home, there are even more considerations and precautions to take to ensure the entire family is safe, comfortable, and secure. Special guest, certified dog trainer and founder of Pawsitive Transformation, Jennifer Anderson, is back with great tips for setting your growing family up for success. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today’s show has actually been in the works for a long time but is coming late due to some technical glitches. The timing couldn’t be more perfect though, because the current pandemic has a lot of us thinking about who might be able to care for our pets in case something happens to us.Our special guest Debra Hamilton provides a lot of great information, including an actual plan you can follow to ensure your fur family’s needs are met. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We’re shaking it up a little bit and bringing you a live taping from one of our Yappy Hours that was all about puppy nipping and biting. Cathy gave a great overview of training with lots of emphasis on incompatible behaviors, redirection and counter-conditioning and then took questions from our audience. All of the videos referenced during this taping are available in the blog post for this episode.Learn more about our Puppy Essentials Workshops, lead by our certified dog trainer, Cathy Madson. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcoming a new cat into your home can be a wonderful experience — it also has the potential to stir up some drama. On today’s show, certified feline trainer and behavior consultant, Dr. Marci Koski, from Feline Behavior Solutions, is back and talking about how to add another cat to your family in a way that makes your new cat and your established cat feel safe and comfortable.We go over things to consider on behalf of your existing cat before choosing your new kitty, Marci’s preferred method for introductions step by step, how ease into it, and what to do if things aren’t going as well as you hoped. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode of Paws and Play, we are excited to introduce our audience to Jennifer Anderson, certified dog trainer and founder of Pawsitive Transformation. Jennifer began her dog training journey as a registered veterinary technician and then rescued a dog named Bali. Raising Bali and working alongside her training mentor Madeline Gabriel (Dogs & Babies) became her inspiration for launching Pawsitive Transformation.Jennifer now specializes in family-friendly dog training and sat down with Mia and Cathy to chat about kids and dog safety, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. She'll share some great ideas for teaching children the right way to greet dogs, talk about what canine body language to watch for, and tips for setting up your home to keep everyone safe and sane! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On today’s very special quarantined episode, Pets and COVID-19, I’ve got Dr. J back to talk about what we know about coronavirus and our pets, debunking some myths, and of course, we wouldn’t be Preventive Vet if we didn’t spread some awareness about potential hazards that might be more likely to come up now that everyone is home all the time.We'll be keeping the blog post for this episode updated with the latest information as it comes in and you can find it at https://www.preventivevet.com/pawsandplay/pets-and-covid-19 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Are you ready to add another dog to your family? Here are a few things to consider and tips for bringing home the right match for you and your existing dog. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Separation anxiety is a heartbreaking condition that effects 1 in 7 dogs. My own dogs suffer from separation anxiety and, to be totally honest, their stress has brought on my own anxiety and kept me very close to home.Thankfully, there is hope! On today's show, Preventive Vet's certified dog trainer and behavior consultant, Cathy Madson, and I are joined by special guest, Dr. Judy Korman, veterinarian and Chief Business Officer for Assisi Animal Health, who was part of the development team along with engineers and neurobiologists for creating a breakthrough drug-free therapy to help dogs with separation anxiety. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Temperatures are dropping and that means it's time to start (or continue) thinking about the best ways to prepare your animals for a safe and healthy winter season. Tune in for cold weather tips to use inside and outside your home – at least one of which will help keep you healthy, too! If you've got any questions or a podcast topic suggestion, send them to us here! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's episode, we're answering a listener question from Barb, who wrote: "How do you teach a dog to jump on a chair or bed?"Well Barb, Preventive Vet's certified dog trainer, Cathy Madson, is going to take your question a step further and teach us how to train our dogs to do anything in just 4 easy steps! Whether you're just getting started with dog training, or are teaching an older dog some new tricks, the steps are the same. Just think of all the fun indoor training activities you can do with your pooch over the winter (you can even do it while drinking wine). Tune in and if you've got any questions or a podcast topic suggestion, send them to us here! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We’re back with another show in our senior pets series, and not a moment too soon! Tune in to find out how to make small changes in and around your home that can lead to big improvements in our aging dog and cats’ lives. Whether they’re dealing with mobility issues, vision impairment, or something else, there’s a lot we can do to ensure as their age increases, their quality of life does too See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We're back with certified feline trainer and behavior consultant, Dr. Marci Koski, to do a deeper dive into cat spraying, and what methods you can use to figure out why your cat is doing it, and how to stop it. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Cats peeing outside of the litter box is one of the most frustrating (and stinky) issues a cat owner can face. Contrary to what many people think, kitties aren't spraying on the walls, peeing on clothes, or eliminating outside of the litter box just for vindictive funsies. But, they are trying to tell you something. Feline trainer and behavior consultant, Dr. Marci Koski, is back to talk about the many reasons your cat could be spraying or having litter box issues. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Choke collars, and bark collars may seem like the perfect investment to train your dog to stop unwanted behavior — after all, that's exactly how they are marketed.But just like those super long prescription drug commercials, the unwanted side effects of these products are often much worse than the original problem.On today's show, PV's certified dog trainer and behavior consultant, Cathy Madson, teaches us all about aversives, the four quadrants of operant conditioning, and better methods for training your dogs to listen to you. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It may not seem like such a big deal, but feeding cats wet food over kibble is actually incredibly important. In this episode, Dr. J and I discuss why it should be the main source of a cat's diet, and what you should be looking for on the can to find the best option for your kitty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This episode, Dr. J, Cathy, and I talk about the many benefits of adopting senior dogs and cats. Unfortunately, they are often overlooked at the shelters, but we believe a lot of that may be due to misunderstanding and misinformation.There are so many incredible benefits of adopting a senior pet. You may be surprised at how well they fit in with your lifestyle and might just be the perfect new addition to your household. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Microchipping your pets is an important topic to understand regardless of time of year, but is especially important as we head into fireworks season, when the shelters are overrun with traumatized pets fleeing the loud booms and now need help getting home.Most pet parents have at least heard of microchips, but there is still a lot of confusion when it comes to what they actually do and the proper steps you have to take to ensure the chip is actually registered, and your contact information is updated. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On today's show, Dr. J, Cathy, and Mia walk you through the steps of what to do if you should ever come across a pet you think is missing, whether you're only able to snap a quick picture and post it to social media, or are able to bring them home until the owner is found, we discuss the growing number of resources available to help reunite lost animals with their humans. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On today’s episode, we give Dr. J a break and I sit down with PV's dog behavior and training expert, Cathy Madson, to discuss what you should do, and what you shouldn’t do, if you’re ever approached by an off-leash dog.It’s a really important episode, because the answers aren’t as intuitive as you might think. So pay attention because these tips could really come in handy if you’re ever in this situation. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Having the right supplies and knowing what to do (and what not to do) in an emergency situation involving your pet, can literally save lives.In this episode, Dr. J tells us what you can expect to learn at a pet first aid class, we walk through some of the essentials to keep in your kits at home and on the road, and recommend first-aid manuals and great free resources See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With spring cleaning upon us, I've decided it's not only time to do the deep-cleaning the floors, carpet, and surfaces deserve right this moment, but it's time to use this celebration of sanitization to kickstart myself into better cleaning habits all year round, for myself, and my pets.From cat trees to recirculating water fountains and beyond, Dr. J and I discuss a lot of the pet-related cleaning that we should be doing with some frequency, that many of us (myself very much included) probably aren't. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After one of Preventive Vet's new staff pups, Mary Berry, had her spay surgery, a lot of us had questions about e-collars. So, Dr. J and Mia discuss a little bit of the history of e-collars, the importance of using them, why the hard plastic collars are the most used and recommended by veterinarians, and tips for desensitizing your dog or cat prior to actually needing to use one - to make things much easier for everyone. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Contrary to what many people may believe, not every dog is cut out for doggie daycare — for a host of reasons. So, if you're thinking about getting your puppy, or even your mature dog started at daycare, this is definitely an episode you won't want to miss. Dr. J and Mia talk to one of Preventive Vet's newest team members, Cathy Madson, a certified dog behavior and training expert, about what to expect and not expect from a doggie daycare. Health and behavior issues to think about before and while a dog is at daycare. Red flags to turn you away from a daycare facility. And a whole lot more! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

New Years is just over two weeks away, and while the sound champagne bottles popping almost never goes off in my home, fireworks booming nearby, and a frenzied vacuum making its way around the house before guests arrive both happen way more often throughout the year than I'd like.For some animals, these noises instill fear that literally makes them feel as though the sky is falling. And it doesn't take a loud boom, sometimes it can be something as common as a microwave beep, or the popping of bubblewrap.Thankfully, there are a lot of different tools, resources, and desensitization and counter-conditioning techniques you can use with your dog or cat, to help them understand everything will be ok. Don't forget, the best plans are made early, and tested early. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's the most wonderful time of year! If your gift list might include a new dog or cat, you'll want to make sure you have an action plan in place, along with the appropriate supplies and preventive awareness, to start off your new life together on the right paw.Don't worry, we don't get too Grinchy on the podcast! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

While this is not a particularly "fun" episode, this is an incredibly important one. Xylitol is an all natural sugar substitute found in an increasing number of products, including some peanut butters, and it is absolutely deadly to dogs.I can tell you that if I didn't work at Preventive Vet, I probably wouldn't know about Xylitol toxicity (or Xylitol at all), and that is a dangerous place for a dog owner to be, which is why spreading awareness is so important. On today's show, we talk about what Xylitol is, signs that your dog may have ingested Xylitol, important steps to take (immediately) if you know or suspect that your dog has ingested Xylitol, and how you can help other dogs and their families and #GetXylitolOut. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week we have a very special guest joining us on the podcast! Feline training and behavior professional, and winner of the Pet Industry Woman of the Year Advocate Award in 2017, Dr. Marci Koski. She gives us some excellent tips and techniques for training our cats, which in turn makes it easier to enjoy better lives together.If you've got a cat or are thinking of getting one, you'll definitely want to tune into this episode. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Halloween is probably my favorite time of year. It's a magical time when people let their creativity shine! And we're not the only ones dressing up — our dogs and cats are now being transformed into Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Chewbacca, Mr. Rogers, and other superheroes.This episode, Dr. J and I discuss what makes a good Halloween costume for pets, fun ideas for celebrating with them, and of course, how to keep things safe for everyone. If you've got a photo of your animals dressed up, please share them with us, we'd love to see them! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

If you're like me, the variety of leashes, leads, collars, and harnesses can make shopping for them an incredibly overwhelming experience. Also if you're like me, you may be left scratching your head as to why there are so many options.So, I asked Dr. J to tell me a bit more about the variety of products on the market, why you would want to choose one over another, and why you should absolutely stay away from certain products like retractable leashes, choke & prong collars. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

If your cat is going into the litter box frequently, straining to pee, or can't pee, stop what you're doing and bring them to your vet or the emergency vet immediately.Thankfully, this was something I learned early on in my career here at Preventive Vet, because when my cat, Mazel, started exhibiting these symptoms I was able to jump into action and address what ended up being a urethral obstruction before it could do too much damage, or become fatal.This episode, I share my story in the hopes that it will spread awareness and help others more quickly identify the symptoms, and Dr. J answers some of my post-hospital questions, as well as offers some tips for See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The battle of the bulge is a painful one I've fought repeatedly — and if watching the news in the last few decades has taught me anything, it's that I'm not alone. Unfortunately, the trend towards packing on the pounds is one that we have passed down to our animal companions.The good news is, once we stop and take accountability for the extra servings, we also realize it is within our power to help our overweight cats and dogs. On today's episode, we discuss the pet obesity epidemic, and provide some simple ways to eliminate extra calories — and you won't even feel like a meanie! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Most people, including vets, aren't great at brushing their pets' teeth as often as they should (which is daily, btw). So, Dr. J offers up some tips for keeping our dog's and cat's mouths as healthy as possible. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Road trips and big moves can be a lot of fun, or filled with stress. When you add animals to the equation, the opportunities for either scenario are multiplied.On today's episode, we're sharing tips for successfully hitting the road with our furry companions — from what to pack, to how to use the bathroom when traveling alone. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We decided to have fun and give Dr. J a challenge this episode and ask him a speed round of some of the Internet's most popular dog and cat-related questions.Ever wondered why dogs and cats have dewclaws? Why cats love boxes so much? Why they follow us into the bathroom? Tune in! And if you've got a similar question, let us know and we'll try to answer it on an upcoming podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

If you've been curious about putting your dog or cat on supplements, this is the episode for you! It turns out, they can help with a variety of ailments, skin issues, and anxiety.Dr. J and I talk about different supplements to give for proactive/preventive measures vs. reactive/diagnostic. Plus, some of the things to look for when choosing a supplement, particularly because there isn't a lot of regulation. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Summer is finally here, and that means it's time to protect our animals from heat stroke, and find some comfortable and fun ways to keep them cool while doing so.Find out what qualities might put a dog or cat more at risk for heat stroke (some breeds are even more susceptible!), tips for setting up your home and yard, and we recommend a few products to beat the heat!Coming up in episode 7: What's Up with Supplements? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The week of June 18-22 is Take Your Pet to Work Week and many companies will be celebrating.Of course, just because you can bring your dog or cat (or goat?) to work, doesn't mean that you always should.On this episode of Paws and Play with Dr. J, we discuss a lot of the things to consider for everyone involved, including the property managers, HR, and your fellow employees, and your pets. And, ideas for keeping it safe and having fun! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This is part two of our discussion about parasites, and apparently it came just in time! There's a new CDC warning about the dangers of fleas, ticks and mosquitos for humans, and a new study saying most pet owners are oblivious to tick-borne illnesses. They're not oblivious, they just haven't listened to our podcasts yet!We cover a lot of information including:Heartworms and the importance of getting even your indoor cats on preventativesCommon intestinal wormsGiardia and rethinking communal water bowlsSafely traveling to new areas with your pets See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In part one of our two-part conversation about parasites, Dr. J and Mia cover fleas, ticks, and answer a listener question about sarcoptic mange. Probably not the best lunch time listen, but we'll let you decide for yourself. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The weather is getting nicer, and for those of us lucky enough to have yards and gardens, it's finally looking like we can spend some quality time with them. But of course, if you've got a cat or dog, there are plenty of dangers to be aware of and prepare for, so you can enjoy it all together. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's our very first episode! Does your dog or cat suffer from Resting Itch Face? If so, you don't want to miss this show. Dr. J and Mia do a deep dive into how to help your dogs and cats with environmental and food-related allergies. We discuss symptoms to look out for, preventive measures you can take, some different treatment options, and a lot of ways to help keep your pets comfortable as they're dealing with the pain and inflammation.Find out more, and subscribe to our newsletter at PreventiveVet.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.