The Canine Lowe-Down

So what is it with dogs chasing everything down? It's a desirable trait when it comes to a game of fetch with our beloved canines. But when our furry family members turn to the pursuit of passing bicycles or hapless joggers, our embarrassment knows no bounds. So what causes an otherwise friendly and peaceable dog to instantly and intensely pursue anything that darts by? The answer is...(drumroll please)...PREY DRIVE!My guest today is Kristi Lee, Indiana Broadcasting Pioneer Hall of famer, and longtime news director/cohost of The Bob and Tom Show. Kristi's charming golden doodle, Frankie, is a model citizen in many respects, but had a perpetual urge to lunge towards bikers and joggers on a nearby trail. Kristi got a hold of me for help, and we chat about that (and a lot more) on this episode of The Canine Lowe-Down!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There are few sights more pitiful than a dog cowering in fear. Our sympathies are stirred, a lump grows in our throat, and, with a voice quivering with love, we tell the animal that everything will be okay. Alas, the furry one seems unaffected by our tenderness, and our compassion appears meaningless in the face of panic.I see this scenario play out constantly. Why can't love win in these situations? Why don't our visible displays of love and compassion have a calming effect on a fearful dog? What are we missing?Today on the Canine Lowe-Down we'll discuss, step-by-step, the tried and true process I've used for over a decade to help fearful dogs rediscover a life of trust and peace.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Rottweiler has a rich, storied history dating back to the days of the Roman Empire. The "Rottie," as it is often affectionately known, is an energetic, powerful, watchful breed. Rottweilers can be loving, sweet, exemplary pets if raised properly--with lots of early socialization and no-nonsense rules. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What does it mean for a dog to save your life? We routinely hear heartwarming, soul stirring tales of brave dogs risking fur and fang to pull a child from a burning building, or help a drowning swimmer to shore. But in a world where heroic canines execute movie-worthy, life-saving exploits, some furry helpers go unnoticed as they quietly preserve their human family members from silent killers like depression, anxiety, and despair. Today on the podcast I am joined by my friend (and media mentor), Patty Spitler. Patty has Ménière’s disease, and when she was first diagnosed, her late, beloved Bernese Mountain Dog, Louie, helped her cope with crippling depression. “He truly saved my life,” she often says.  It is my great honor and privilege to have Patty with me today on the Canine Lowe-Down.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Most of us have had the unpleasant experience of walking happily into a friend's home, only to be mauled with excitement by their out-of-control dog! And if the beast is of above-average girth, the experience can be a painful one! It's often hard to know what to do in a situation like that. We don't want to offend our friend by scolding their dog. But we do feel entitled to some respect in our personal space. I mean...c'mon!Believe it or not, most folks unwittingly prompt a dog to jump up and “go crazy” upon first meeting them. But there are a number of ways to keep a dog controlled and manageable when first saying “hi.” We're gonna chat about it today on the Canine Lowe-Down!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The ritual is one that repeats in itself in many homes...Your well-loved, but destructive canine family member is, of necessity, confined to his crate while you do a few errands. Upon returning a few hours later, your furry friend is fully charged and ready to blaze out of his crate like an errant missile. It's a ritual you've learned to dread...you reach down, unlatch the crate...and brace yourself for the mania.But did you know, confining and releasing your dog from the crate can be a calm, peaceful process? Really, it can! That's our topic of discussion today on the Canine Lowe-Down!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We all love to relax. A predominantly sedentary life, however, can lead to physical and psychological complications--depression, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and chronic pain just to name a few. We were made to move! And our dogs can help motivate us to do just that. I can't think of anyone more qualified to chat with me about this than my good friend, WISH-TV Daybreak anchor, Drew Blair. She's a triathlete and a german shepherd mom. She's my honored guest today on the Canine Lowe-Down!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“My dog WANTS to be good!” “My dog KNOWS when they’re bad!” If I have a quarter for every time I heard phrases like these, I would be a very VERY wealthy dog trainer! we love our dogs, because we do, we have this nagging tendency to make them into our own human likeness— including are very strong sense of right and wrong! Hey, if we know something is right or wrong, surely our dogs do too, right? What if I told you the dogs don’t have a moral compass? What if I told you that a spit/spewing junkyard dog who bites anyone who dares approach isn’t, technically, a bad dog? And what if I told you that the soft-faced, happy/go-lucky golden retriever puppy who has nothing but kisses for everyone she meets isn’t, in reality, a “good” dog?www.indydogwhisperer.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There’s few things as comforting as the serene companionship of a senior dog. Content to curl up by the fire on a cold winter day, or snooze lazily near an air conditioning vent in the heat of summer, senior dogs remind us to take it easy and let life hurry by outside the windows...if it must.  But despite their low-maintenance façade, senior dogs have very specific needs—needs that go well beyond the physical. As a dog trainer who sees lots and lots of senior dogs each year, I have been able to observe these needs first hand…and some of these needs often go unnoticed. www.indydogwhisperer.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The pitbull…a formidable mass of muscle and agility. The pitbull is a breed that is perhaps most universally feared by human beings. And though its reputation as a bloodthirsty killer is undeniable, does this powerful breed truly deserve the fear and loathing it so often receives? Today on the podcast I’ll share the history of the breed, talk about its tendencies and temperament, and discuss who may or may not be a match for this powerful, affectionate animal. www.indydogwhisperer.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What would you do if your beloved 5 year old granddaughter was being targeted by a huge family dog? A dog that meant well but was playing too rough. How would you set about to teach the dog to be calm around the little one? But, most importantly, how would you help your granddaughter lose her fear and become friends with the very animal that had terrified her? Such were the questions plaguing the mind of my guest, Doty Gatner, a concerned grandma who reached out to me in desperation when her daughter’s massive Great Dane, Gwennie, began targeting Doty’s five year old granddaughter, Ashlyn. This is Doty and Ashlyn’s story. A story with a very happy ending!www.indydogwhisperer.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Living with a canine can be a challenging experience. And all the more when you don’t speak the same language. Nathan Lowe, the Indy Dog Whisperer has helped hundreds of dog owners experience greater harmony and peace with their beloved dogs with his tried-and-true system that has achieved seemingly miraculous results time and time again. Join him on The Canine Lowe-Down as he helps you get wise to the whys behind your dog’s behavior. From peeing Pit Bulls to Yapping Yorkies, there’s help and hope for every dog (and humans too). Join Nathan each week on The Canine Lowe-Down from the All Indiana Podcast Network.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.