Puppies are great, right? Who wouldn't want a puppy?
Well, I wouldn't. I'm talking the pros and cons of puppies this time around.
Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, 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.
On this episode, I’m talking about the importance of picking the right people for you and your dog. And the importance of trusting your gut.
Big Wags Chicago is online at www.bigwagschicago.com. You can also find Big Wags on Facebook, BlueSky, 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: There is talk of vomit in this episode.
Take a trip with me to just outside of Madison, Wisconsin where I learned a hard lesson about Lenny and her feelings about cars. She's fine, by the way. So are we all.
Why am I telling this tale of road trip woe? To remind you that there are lessons to be learned in every situation and you should never stop learning from and about your dogs.
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.
Sorry this is two weeks late. Life got away from me a couple weeks back. But I'm back to the podcasting grind.
Training is important for your dog. But you know what's more important? NOT training your dog. Why? Well, you'll just have to listen to find out.
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'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:
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:
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.