Welcome to Maine’s radio show and podcast all about dogs and cats and the people that share their lives. Our goal is to inform and educate you about the needs and wants of your furry friends so that your lives together can be the best that they can be. 
Kate and I discuss the latest news from the pet world covering a wide range of topics such as; basic healthcare, how to choose a good cat or dog food, training, behavior, and management of your pet, resolving problem behavior, serious health issues, and more. Sometimes a show is just the two of us having a conversation, but we also have guests on the shows from our hometown, Bangor, ME and from all throughout the USA. Veterinarians, authors, trainers, behaviorists, filmmakers, shelter managers, and others have all shared their knowledge with us on The Woof Meow Show.
Whether you listen to our podcast or to the show as it is broadcast on Saturday at 9 AM on Z62 Retro Radio AM620, WZON, and WKIT HD3, we hope you find the show enjoyable and a valuable resource and that you become a regular listener. If you have a topic you would like us to consider for the show, contact me at donh@greenacreskennel.com.
Don Hanson, Producer & Co-Host
Mar 12, 2016
In this week’s show Kate, Don and Dr. Dave Cloutier of the Veazie Veterinary Clinic discuss the American Animal Hospital Associations (AAHA) new guidelines on behavior management for dogs and cats. This groundbreaking document represents the first time that a major veterinary organization has addressed pet behavior. According to the guidelines “More dogs and cats are affected by behavioral problems than any other condition, often resulting in euthanasia, relinquishment of the patient, or chronic suffering.” Tune in and learn why behavior is so important and why a behavioral assessment should be part of every pets annual wellness exam.
Dr. Cloutier, Kate and Don discuss reasons for an increase in behavior problems, and how these problems can best be addressed. Dr. Cloutier explains changes he and his colleagues have made to work towards free-free visits for their clients. We address serious behavioral problems such as separation anxiety and aggression as well as nuisance behaviors like jumping, barking, and counter surfing. We address how veterinarians and dog trainers can work together and why it is essential to focus on rewarding desired behaviors and removing rewards for unwanted behaviors. Lastly we review the guidelines recommendations on refraining from using any training methods that use aversive techniques such as electronic shock collars, choke collars, prong collars, alpha-rollovers, and other things where that work on the basis of fear, intimidation, force, discomfort or pain.