030 - How Yeast Overgrowth Affects Your Pup With Julie Anne Lee DCH RCSHom

It seems like there’s an endless stream of dogs that come into our stores with skin irritation that causes them to chew, nibble and scratch at themselves relentlessly.  

Oftentimes, they’ve already gotten a diagnosis that their dog has allergies, but many of the treatment options they’ve been given aren’t working as they should be. 

In many of these cases, we discover that although the dog may have allergy-like symptoms, they may actually have a yeast problem that’s not being addressed. Once we tackle yeast head on through diet and supplements, many dogs experience fantastic results. 

Today’s guest is Julie Anne Lee DCH RCSHom. Julie Anne has been the owner and practitioner of some of the busiest and long-standing holistic veterinary hospitals and clinics in North America. 

Graduating from the Vancouver Academy of Homeopathy’s 4 year Homeopathic Medicine Program, she has studied with some of the world's leading veterinary homeopaths. 

She is an Associate Member of the British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons and has co-founded and taught a three-year post-graduate program to veterinarians in Canada with Dr Sue Armstrong to help bridge the gap between human and animal homeopathic medicine.

Julie Anne is now the founder and co-owner of the Adored Beast Apothecary, where she formulates holistic pet care products.

In this episode, we’re going to discuss the often overlooked issue of yeast overgrowth in dogs, how to spot it, and how we can begin to bring balance back into the dog’s body and alleviate uncomfortable, itchy skin problems.

In this episode you'll learn:

• What exactly yeast overgrowth is when it pertains to our canine companions.
• If an under-active immune system can lead to yeast issues in dogs.
• If there are medications that might contribute to yeast overgrowth.
• If allergies can lead to yeast overgrowth in dogs. 
• What types of foods cause yeast, or aggravate yeast, in dogs.
• If there are foods that are good for dogs prone to yeast overgrowth. 
• Some of the signs and symptoms that a dog might have a yeast problem.
• How a vet can diagnose a yeast problem in dogs. 
• The best way to prevent yeast overgrowth in dogs. 
• How to get rid of yeast in dogs. 

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#029 - The Journey From Wolfdog Owner to Wolfdog Advocate With Georgina De Caigny

The first time I met a real life Wolfdog it was a magical experience. I started to imagine that one day I might share my home with a Wolfdog. I mean, how cool would it be to have a wild-looking pet that was actually domesticated like a dog?? 

But the more I learned about the Wolfdog, the more I realized that these animals are not just like dogs. They’re not fully domesticated, and not fully wild and many Wolfdogs that contain high wolf content find themselves displaced and not truly belonging anywhere. 

Today’s guest is Georgina De Caigny. Georgina is the founder of Wolfdog Awareness and the Executive Director of Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary near  Cochrane, Alberta Canada. 

In this episode Georgina will share her personal experience with her pet Wolfdog named Kuna, and how she went on the journey from being a Wolfdog owner, to becoming an advocate for both Wolfdogs and Wolves.

In this episode you'll learn:

• What a Wolfdog is, and how they came to be
• The difference between a low, mid and high content Wolfdog
• The biggest challenges with owning a Wolfdog
• How owning a Wolfdog differs from owning a dog
• How the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary came to be
• All about Wolfdog containment 
• How you can help the Wolfdogs
• Where to find resources for Wolfdog ownership

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#028 - Should You Buy Pet Insurance?

One of the most common questions we get asked in our pet food stores is, “What do you think about pet insurance?” And, I’ll be honest - I have a lot of feelings about pet insurance!

In our household, we pay over $400/month for pet insurance for our three, large breed dogs. AND it’s almost a monthly occurrence that we get an email notifying us that one or more of the dogs’ premiums have gone up. 

So, is it worth it? Would we do things differently now if we could start fresh again? 

In today’s episode I’ll be exploring the answers to those and many other questions about pet insurance. 

Holly's qualifications include:

• Certified Pet Food Nutrition Specialist
• Assisting pet parents with holistic health and nutrition for 16+ years in her pet food stores: Tail Blazers Copperfield and Tail Blazers Legacy.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• What questions you should ask when looking for an insurance provider
• What are some different ways you can research providers
• What to look for when comparing insurance plans
• When is the best time to sign up for an insurance plan
• Why pet insurance can become a trap
• Some alternatives to pet insurance
• Which insurance provider the receptionists at my clinic prefer
• Which insurance provider we use for our dogs

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#027 - The Best Time to Spay or Neuter Your Pup With Dr. Wanda Vockeroth DVM

Today’s topic is a little bit controversial. I know that people have very strong opinions about spaying and neutering dogs and some of today’s conversation might not align with the beliefs amongst the general population of dog owners. 

No matter your thoughts on the matter, we can all agree that spaying and neutering your pup is the surest way to ensure that no unwanted puppies are born. Nobody wants unwanted puppies. Nobody wants to euthanize dogs. THAT is a no-brainer!

I also know that in the case of rescuing dogs, there might not be the luxury of choice when it comes to spaying and neutering dogs. Nothing I ask, or say, in this episode is disputing that. 

That being said, I believe that every person should be armed with the information they need to make the best decisions for THEIR pup. There is no going back from a decision to spay or neuter your dog, and it’s you and your dog that will experience the potential consequences of your decision, so it should be an informed one. It’s my hope that this episode will help you with that decision.  

Today’s guest is Dr. Wanda Vockeroth from Healing Traditions Holistic Veterinary Clinic in Calgary, Alberta Canada. She also happens to be my veterinarian! Dr. Vockeroth is certified in veterinary acupuncture and homeopathy, and has training in Chinese herbology, osteopathy and rehab medicine.

In today’s episode we will be discussing all of the available options pup parents have when it comes to spaying and neutering their dogs. This is an extremely informative and eye-opening episode you aren’t going to want to miss!

Dr. Vockeroth's qualifications include:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
• Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist 
• Certified in Veterinary Homeopathy 
• Training in Chinese Herbology 
• Training in Osteopathy 
• Training in Rehab Medicine 

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• What exactly spay and neuter procedures entail 
• What a pediatric spay and neuter are
• The long term effects of pediatric spay and neuter 
• How you can help your pup when pediatric spay or neuter is unavoidable
• What is pyometra and who's at risk for it
• If neutering males can curb unwanted behaviours 
• About several, lesser known sterilizing procedures 
• What to look for to indicate your intact female is fertile 
• The best ways to avoid an unwanted pregnancy with intact pups
• The biggest beefs of having an intact pup 
• The ideal age to spay or neuter your pup 

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#026 - 7 Easy Ways to Give Your Pup More Freedom of Choice

Chances are you’ve never really thought about how many choices you make in one day. And, if you’re lucky, you’ve never had to consider what it might be like to start having your choices taken away from you. 

What would it be like to live a life where everything you do is determined by someone else? 

When you get up, when you go to the bathroom, when and what you eat, when you can go outside or socialize with friends. 

Having choices in life is so important because it gives you confidence, autonomy and a sense of control, and we can only assume that the same would be true for our canine companions. When you don’t have control, you feel helpless and don’t handle stressful situations well. 

In today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the importance of providing choice in your dog’s daily routine, and some ways you can give your dog the opportunity to make some of their own decisions. 

Holly's qualifications include:

• Certified Pet Food Nutrition Specialist
• Assisting pet parents with holistic health and nutrition for 16+ years in her pet food stores: Tail Blazers Copperfield and Tail Blazers Legacy.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Why choice is so important for mental health.
• How to tell if you dog is ok to be touched.
• How you can make your dog more comfortable when children are around.
• What makes a fearful dog's fears worse.
• Why you shouldn't punish growling.
• Why your dog might not be interested in training.
• What my favourite feeding surface is.
• 7 ways to give your pup freedom of choice.

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#025 - The Problem With Off-Leash Parks With Natasha Mazac

Most pup parents believe that visiting off-leash parks with their canine companion is a right of passage. But, what if I told you that dogs suitable for attending public off-leash parks may actually be the exception, not the rule?

Today’s guest is Natasha Mazac. Natasha is a certified professional dog trainer and head of behaviour at Dogma Training in Calgary, Alberta Canada. 

In this episode, we’re going to discuss the many reasons why visiting public off-leash parks may not be a good idea for your pup, and some of the things you can do to better understand how to visit them responsibly, should you decide to take them anyway.

Natasha’s qualifications include:

• CPDT-KA Certified Dog Trainer (Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed through CCPDT)  
• Head of Behaviour at Dogma Training

In this episode you'll learn:

• The best age for puppies to start visiting the dog park. 
• What a "fear stage" is and why it's so important. 
• If dog parks are good for socializing your puppy. 
• If dog parks are a good choice for "shy" dogs. 
• What to do if your dog gets injured at an off-leash park. 
• What signals to look for from your dog at the off-leash park. 
• How to tell if your dog is suitable for public off-leash parks. 
• How to prep yourself and your dog for an off-leash visit. 
• How long and how often you should visit an off-leash park. 
• The biggest problems with public off-leash parks. 
• About alternatives to visiting off-leash parks. 

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#024 - Dog Dental Disease and How to Prevent and Treat it

Did you know that over 80% of dogs over the age of 3 have some form of active dental disease? This staggering number makes dental disease the most prominent of all diseases in dogs. 

The saddest part of this statistic is that in most cases, dental disease in dogs can be prevented! Of course, like many diseases, genetics plays a role, but in the majority of cases simple, preventative measures can totally inhibit dental disease progression. 

In today’s episode, we’re going to discuss the stages of dog dental disease and what can be done to help prevent and treat it in dogs. 

Holly's qualifications include:

• Previous Career as a Registered Dental Assistant, Level 2 
• Certified Pet Food Nutrition Specialist
• Assisting pet parents with holistic health and nutrition for 16+ years in her pet food stores: Tail Blazers Copperfield and Tail Blazers Legacy.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• The difference between plaque and tartar
• Which stage of gum disease is reversible
• Which diet is least likely to lead to dental disease
• How to choose a safer raw bone
• Why I don't recommend elk antlers
• My favourite dental chews and supplements
• If anesthetic-free cleanings are effective 

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#023 - Pets and Domestic Violence With Mandi Pratt

Did you know that 48% of victims of domestic violence delay leaving their abuser because they aren’t sure where to find safety, with their pet?

In honour of Domestic Violence Awareness month, my guest today is Mandi Pratt from Greyboy Pet Prints. Mandi once had to flee a domestic violence situation with her child and cat and now she’s a domestic violence advocate that speaks and teaches on this topic.

In today’s episode Mandi is going to share some helpful resources about keeping pets and their people TOGETHER during a crisis. 

Mandi is also a talented pet photographer and pet artist who uses her Grandmother’s printing press to craft portrait etchings from photos of your pet. She has a special offer for our listeners that we’ll share with you at the end of the show! 

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why domestic abuse stats increased during the pandemic. 
• Why you should consult an expert to make a plan before you leave an abusive situation. 
• What you can do if you suspect someone you know is being abused. 
• Why it's so important to keep victims of abuse with their pets. 
• The best website to find a pet-friendly shelter. 
• Of the many, many resources available for domestic abuse victims.

Resources from this episode:

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