Dogs are very social animals, and bond strongly with their pack whether canine or human. Some dogs can find it difficult to be left alone, and sometimes separation anxiety can develop into a serious problem. We were contacted by a listener with a dog called Scruffy who hated being left alone so much that she barked. Scruffy's owner found the complaints and unsympathetic attitude of her neighbours difficult to cope with, and it was clear the situation wasn't ideal for anyone involved. We turned to expert trainer and author Cindy Scott for advice. In this interview Cindy has some great and practical suggestions on how you can cope with separation issues.

Happily for Scruffy she now spends time at a friend's house when her owner is at work. Scruffy was a rescue dog and in these photos you can see how far she has travelled in her new home. When she first arrived she was uncertain and worried, but after some time with her new loving owner, you can see she has relaxed and is loving life.

The Border Collie is a very popular, but often misunderstood breed. Barbara Sykes is a Collie expert who has lived and worked with the breed all her life. She has written several books and publishes a magazine, Freedom of Spirit, on the breed, as well as competing at the highest level, and developing her own training philosophy, T.L.C - Thinking Like Canines. Barbara knows Border Collies well and in this interview she talks about how to meet the needs of the breed. What is the ideal home for a Collie? How do you motivate a Border Collie, and do you really have to give them to chance to do constant agility or flyball? Barbara has the answers.

In the DogCast Radio News Kate and Nick bring you some advice for keeping your dog healthy and comfortable in summer. We have a fiction feature called Teamwork, which focuses on a dog and his person's struggle to find an activity that suits them.

It's DogCast Radio's third birthday, and we've had a great time sharing anything and everything dog related with you. We're taking a short break, and we'll be back with the next episode of DogCast Radio on September 13th.

Greyfriars in the UK is a rehabilitation and hydro-therapy referral centre. The centre does a much needed job of helping dogs with a variety of problems, and even healthy dogs can benefit from some water treatment. In this interview Angela Griffiths talks about her work at Greyfriars, the dogs she has helped, and the close bond she forms with them. In order to enhance dogs' enjoyment of their time in the water, Angela or another member of staff goes into the pool as well, and it's not unknown for owners to accompany their dog too.

The Cold Wet Nose Show was billed as the show with a sense of humour and a heart of gold, and also as the most fun a dog and his family can have all year. It certainly was a terrific day out for humans and dogs, with displays, demonstrations, competitions and awards going on in the main ring, with fun games and training and shopping opportunities to hand as well. Don't worry if you couldn't attend as we spoke to a variety of people who were there.

One of the amazing dogs with a heart warming story who won an award is Bianca. She is a young Labrador who is being trained to work with a little boy called Noah. At a very young age, Bianca has learned to alert Noah's parents when his blood sugar levels fall, which can happen frequently and without warning. Bianca is making a huge difference to a family's life, and she was a pleasure to meet. Claire Guest who is training Bianca told us all about this award-winning dog.

The Berkshire Search and Rescue Dogs put on a display in the main ring, and I spoke to Chairman Daryl Toogood about what the team actually does. He told me how early dogs can start their training, and how long it usually takes to complete. He talked about how the dogs work, and the sort of environment in which they work.

Candy King lost her Jack Russell puppy four years ago, and despite the puppy having a microchip, they have still not been reunited. Candy turned her pain into a positive and launched Dolly's Directive, which seeks to make it a legal requirement that everyone who comes into contact with dogs, whether they are lost or not, scans them. The effect of losing a dog can be devastating and Candy talks movingly about her missing dog and her mission to change the legal situation in the UK.

How much thought do you give to what your dog sleeps on? Do you know the advantages that a raised bed can offer? Katherine McKay was at the show offering the chance to try the beds out, and she told us the benefits of letting your dog sleep on one. Star tried them out and certainly looked comfortable enough!

Although Adolescent Dogs trains all ages of dogs from young puppies to older dogs, I talked to Jenny Trigg & Anna Read about a time that can be particularly trying - when your dog hits the teenage years. What happens when your dog becomes a teenager, and how can you make the time as stress free as possible? You can emerge at the other end with your sanity and your relationship with your dog intact - so listen to some advice on how to manage that!

In the DogCast Radio News you can hear about the dangers of going out or staying in with your dog, the latest thing dogs are being taught to sniff out, and a dog who got in a flap when he tried to be a copycat.

In our fiction feature, The Kitchen Dog, you can hear about a dog who isn't happy with his life.

In this show we grapple with some of the really problematic areas of training. Cindy Scott is an experienced trainer who gives her advice on two subjects that she finds most owners need help with. The first is socialisation. It is vital for your dog's development to give him experience of as many environments as possible as early as possible. This can be difficult, because this is at an age when most puppies haven't completed their vaccinations, but Cindy has some advice on what to do, as well as how to approach things with an older dog. The second subject she has advice for is toilet training. Surely house breaking a dog is something all dog owners have to try hard with - some of us more than others! Don't despair though, as Cindy can help you get it right. For more of Cindy Scott's excellent advice you can read her book Zen Chien - and in this interview she explains exactly what the term Zen Chien implies.

Imogen Holt is a dog counsellor who works with people as well dogs and specialises in bereavement counselling. She approaches her cases with a different attitude from many trainers, and has a special insight in to the way our behaviour affects our dogs'. In many situations, she ends up working on the human's problems rather than the dog's as the dog is reading his person and adjusting his behaviour accordingly. It can be such a comfort when we are in tune with our dogs, but such a disadvantage for them if our issues spoil their quality of life, and Imogen shares some of the partnerships she has helped steer back to a healthy balance. There is a lot of information as well as a message board on Imogen's Work Wonders website.

In the DogCast Radio News you can hear about one woman's amazing efforts to save dogs in China, how weather caused problems for a Rottweiler in America, and life for dogs in Wales won't be so shocking anymore.

Divorce is affecting more and more couples, and consequently it is affecting more and more dogs.

Jennifer Keene is an experienced dog trainer who has been through a divorce involving dogs, and has put what she has learned to great use by writing the book We Can't Stay Together for the Dogs. This book is full of useful advice and practical suggestions to help anyone contemplating or going through divorce.

Splitting up can be an extremely stressful and difficult time, there are many pitfalls to get caught in, and of course it's a time when communication can be fraught. If there are dogs involved they can pick up on the tension surrounding them, they can be affected by the loss of part of their pack (be it human or canine) and they can have difficulty adjusting to new routines. Jennifer has help for anyone coping with any of these problems, and ways to make the process as pain free as possible.

The Border Collie is a well known and loved breed, and Barbara Sykes is a well known and respected Border Collie expert.

Barbara was born surrounded by Border Collies, developed her own training techniques called TLC - Thinking Like Canines, and has competed at international level in the male dominated sheepdog trialling world. She has also trained dogs for television work, and has international clients seeking her behavioural advice.

Barbara has founded the Freedom of Spirit Trust for Border Collies which seeks among other things, to support existing Border Collie owners, educate the public about the breed, and find homes for Collies in need. In this interview Barbara's knowledge of and love for the breed that is her passion shines out.

In the DogCast Radio News, you can hear about fireworks affecting dogs in Australia, the dog who swallowed a Cane toad, the dangers of dogs and driving, and one family who got more than they bargained for when they took in two strays.

Host Julie talks about how the Kennel Club is leading the way in the UK in reacting to the arrival of the hire a dog company Flexpetz, as well as a European Union ruling about dogs in kitchens. Plus did you hear about he trampolining dog? No - well listen up!

A Dog About Town is written by J. F. Englert is the first novel in the Bull Moose Dog Run Mystery series. The book's narrator is a charming and highly intelligent Labrador called Randolph. When his owner Harry is faced with various dilemmas and dangers, including murder, it falls to Randolph to help him sort things out. Add to this the fact that Harry girlfriend - Harry's beloved owner - has also mysteriously disappeared, and you'll see Randolph is a dog with a lot to cope with. Randolph carries it all off splendidly, and even offers a glimpse into the world of an urban dog along the way. In this interview Englert talks about his first novel, and his second, A Dog Among Diplomats, in which Randolph finds himself in even greater danger.

The fact that Englert is a dog lover, with experience of living with dogs shines through in his writing. Hear him talk about the laid back Labrador who shares his life, and how she came into his life. We have two copies of A Dog About Town, and to win one all you have to do is email us telling us the name of the canine narrator of the books. At the end of June we will select two entries at random and mail the book out to you. Good luck!

Our fiction feature this week is a short story entitled The Ship of The Desert. The story is written and read by The Diplomatic Dog of Barbados author Winfred Peppinck. DD is living in Bahrain as the story takes place, and he has some encounters with strange humped animals; but are they friend or foe? The book The Diplomatic Dog of Barbados tells DD's rags to riches story. From humble beginnings as a cane dog living wild, he is rescued and spends many months in a shelter until he is adopted by no less than the Australian High Commissioner to the Caribbean and taking up residence in the fabulous Molyneaux House.

DogCast Radio listener Bob Cardone heard Paula Terrifaj talking about breed specific legislation and contacted us with his experiences. Bob and Paula agree on some issues and differ on others - listen and see what you think. If you would like to express your opinion on this complicated subject phone us on our UK or US number or send us an email. Bob is a dog lover, who volunteers at a no kill shelter and has also adopted a rescue dog.

If you haven't read "Merle's Door" by Ted Kerasote, you've missed out on a treat. This is an amazing book that tells the story of a man and a dog living in harmony. Ted met Merle when the dog was around ten months, and living wild in the Utah desert. Ted was on vacation taking a river trip, and Merle ended up travelling down the river with him and his friends. At the end of the trip a bond had been formed, and Merle accompanied Ted back to Wyoming.

Ted's home in Kelly is in the middle of a national park, and the dogs living there are afforded freedom which would be impractical in most areas. Having lived alone, Merle had become independent, and wanted to come and go on his own timetable. To enable this, Ted installed a dog door - Merle's door. Man and dog could then develop their own routine.

This is no ordinary tale of man meets dog. Merle had clear ideas of his own, and he gave Ted an insight into the dog world. He had a way of communicating which Ted had a way of translating. Reading this will make you smile and make you cry, it will educate you and it will make you examine your attitude towards your own dog. In this interview you can hear Ted talk about his and Merle's journey together - from how they met, to what Merle showed him about the natural world to how Ted coped with the eventual loss of his best friend.

Adding another aspect to the book is the research included, which is presented in a very accessible way. Dog lovers will find the wolf research cited particularly interesting and relevant to dog ownership. You may not be able to give your dog total freedom, but hear how Ted advocates enhancing his life.

We were contacted by a listener who was concerned about the impact the ban on hunting with dogs was having on beagles. At Crufts we found an expert and put the question to her. In this interview you can hear whether Beagles are adapting to the new legal situation, and what Beagles are like to live with.

The DogCast Radio News brings you the usual mix of dog related stories, and you can catch up with listener Jim Martin's quest to find the dog he wanted. Jim spotted Scout on our Jack Russell breed pages, and wanted a dog that looked just like her. He found one - but be careful what you wish for as the reality can take an awful lot of energy!

Graeme Sims is the amazing dog trainer and shepherd who can work up to nine Border Collies simultaneously. Just to make his achievements even more impressive, each dog responds to commands in a language specific to him.

Graeme and his beautiful, clever dogs featured in episode 29 of DogCast Radio. Never one to sit around, Graeme has delighted crowds with his dog displays all over the UK, as well as visiting America to lecture about his experience and knowledge. He is also an extremely talented artist, an award winning children's book illustrator, and used to be a Church of England Vicar.

Now you can get the benefit of his training advice in his latest book, "The Dog Whisperer - How to train your dog using its own language". In this interview Graeme talks to us about what's in the book, about his fourteen beloved Border Collies, and we have a sneak preview into his next book.

Crufts 2008 was held at the Birmingham NEC, in the UK in March. It was the usual spectacular showcase of all things dog.

Crufts is not just about show dogs though. In the first part of our Crufts coverage, you can hear our interview with It's Me or The Dog presenter and trainer Victoria Stilwell about what she thinks of Crufts. We also speak to actor Neil Morrissey about why he is supporting the Pedigree Adoption Drive, which was part of a strong pro-rescue message at this year's Crufts.

Crufts is a great place to launch new developments, and so Jill Moss speaks to us about the fantastic news that The Bella Moss Foundation now has official charity status. Celebrity vet Marc Abraham tells us why he is supporting the Bella Moss Foundation, as well as about his own new website, The Pet.net. Dog magazine Dogs Monthly relaunched at Crufts, and you can hear from editor Caroline Davis about what readers will find in the new look magazine.

In the DogCast Radio News, you can hear from Kate and Nick about the unusual music that is affecting dogs in New Zealand, catch up with the results and gossip at Crufts 2008, and hear about the Cold Wet Nose Show.

Plus host Julie will be considering why some of us get so attached to one specific dog breed, and in Graeme Sims' honour our quotes between features are all about Border Collies.

Lloyd Aguero is an inspirational trainer who founded and runs the Great Falls/Reston Companion Dog Training School. Lloyd is a life member of the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors and a member of the Delta Society.

He pioneered the coupling of dog socialisation with training to prevent and treat temperamental problems. His training sessions sound not only effective but great fun from the dogs' point of view.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Lloyd's work is project heart, which involves him rehabilitating dogs who are damaged in some way. From his own experiences as well as research, Lloyd made the connection between environment and state of mind. Comparing dogs with emotional difficulties to people with emotional difficulties, Lloyd developed his own program to help rescue dogs in dire need of support.

Those unable to attend his training school can benefit from his advice via his television show, Your Dogs Best Friend.

Dr. Paula Terifaj has been on DogCast Radio previously offering excellent advice about how to vaccinate your dog safely, and how to feed your dog as well as possible. In this interview she talks about those causes close to her heart.

Breed specific legislation is something that this veterinarian is staunchly opposed to. She has even set up her own organisation - Roverlution - to protest against unreasonable restriction on dog ownership, to support owners of breeds discriminated against, and to raise public awareness about the issue.

 
In the DogCast Radio News, you can hear about the illegal discrimination that still affects guide dog owners, a dog in a million who followed his soldier rescuer, a dog owner who wants another dog exactly like her old one, and a puppy in a pet shop who had bad luck and good luck.

We all love a happy ending; a story of a rescue dog who finally finds a rescuer. In The Diplomatic Dog of Barbados, by Winfred Peppinck, you can read just such a story. The dog at the heart of the story starts off as Roy, then becomes Sandy, and finally gains the name Diplomatic Dog, when he finds a home with no less than the Australian High Commissioner/Ambassador to the Caribbean. Although the dog is the star of the story, the book also offers insights into life on Barbados, and the world of a high-flying diplomat.

To find out more, listen to the review in the show.

You can also hear the inspiring story behind Tennessee state bill 2399. Hayley Ham from Tennessee lost her dogs Sam and Jessie when they were poisoned by anti-freeze. A devastated Hayley, researched the subject, and set about protecting others from such a fate. To read more about brave Hayley, visit Melisa Wells' Remembering Ruby blog.

A Staffie cross in rescue has found his forever home with Trover Coats and the touching story of how Jane Aireton came to be his new owner will feature in a new TV show "Dog Rescue" on Sunday afternoons on ITV1 in the UK. The show airs between 9th March and 13th April, and we'll have more on the story when we catch up with Jane at Crufts.

In this episode we meet CAPS - that's the Companion Animal Protection Society - founder and President, Deborah Howard. Deborah's love of animals lead her to set up CAPS which has a mission to alleviate the suffering of pet shop and puppy mill dogs.

CAPS is America's only national non-profit organisation dedicated exclusively to protecting companion animals. In this interview you can hear what experiences lead Deborah to found CAPS in 1992.

Although the society has been safeguarding the rights of companion animals for fifteen years, there is still work to be done in this area. If you wouldn't like your dog to live the life of a dog caught in the puppy mill and pet shop nightmare, help Deborah and CAPS improve the situation for those dogs forced to live in unacceptable conditions.

Does your dog have psychic abilities? Well according to innovative biologist Doctor Rupert Sheldrake there is good reason to explain why he might.

In this fascinating interview you can hear Rupert explain his theories of morphic fields and morphic resonance, and how the bonds formed by social animals could be what helps some dogs stay in touch with their owner, no matter where their owner is.

Rupert Sheldrake gained a double first class class honours degree in natural sciences and a Ph.D. in biochemistry, both from Cambridge University. He has written seventy five scientific papers and ten books, including the intriguing Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home.

You can hear author Bernard Cartwright read an extract of his book The Knocknobbler, which tells of his time working as a dog warden in Worcester, UK. This extract tells the story of Polly Seven legs.

Plus host Julie highlights some recent studies into dogs' abilities to recognise and sort photos, and how "walkies" can help keep you happy! Don't forget to listen right to the end to find out from Jenny the difference between dogs and fleas.

Our dogs need exercise to be happy and healthy - but when they're young puppies it can be tricky to ensure they get the right amount of the right sort of exercise. In this episode you can hear dog trainer and exercise specialist Cam Bexten's advice about making sure your dog has the appropriate exercise.
Cam has two Bulldogs - suitably named Rugby and Cricket! - with whom she enjoys many activities. A DogCast Radio listener asked for advice on how much exercise to allow a six month old Golden Retriever, and Cam has the solution to this dilemma.

However, Cam has lots of other suggestions for activities you and your dog can enjoy together. Cam is co-owner of the Bonafide Dog Academy LLC, and as such is involved in many training situations, as well as competing with her own dogs in agility and obedience. If you thought Bulldogs and their owners kept themselves to their couches think again!

To explore further, visit the website of the excellent Bonafide Dog Academy. To find out more about some great dog sports try Dogs Across America, Dog Scooter, SkiDawgSki, Cani Cross, and SkiJor. Listen to Cam's advice for exercising sufficiently and safely.

At this time of year we hear a lot about the horrible fates that can befall the dogs bought as Christmas presents. Many dogs who find themselves in rescue do find a happy ending with a loving family - and we hear from two owners who couldn't be happier with their "re-cycled" dog!

Hear from the family of first time dog owners who fell in love with a Neapolitan Mastiff at an RSPCA centre, and from the family who already had two young children and a young dog, but knew their family wasn't quite complete. Joanne and her family desperately wanted to give a rescue dog a home - but their journey wasn't a straight forward one.

The DogCast Radio News team bring us a special report on the dangerous, daft and expensive antics some dogs have got up to. It seems whether you stay in or go out there is plenty of scope for a dog to get into trouble.

Our Christmas episode wouldn't be complete without a specially written Christmas story - and this year is no different. Listen to The Christmas Dog, written and read by Julie Hill. Liz can't be sure whether she has one dog or two, but either way she knows he - or they - are a Christmas miracle.

Animals Healing has news of a terrific new book to help you feed your dog as well as possible - Real Food for Dogs and Cats by Dr. Claire Middle.

Dr Middle is a veterinarian with over twenty five years experience, who has combined her experiences with sound science to write this informative book which is easy to read and use.

All this plus do you know the answers to our dog-related teasers? If not don't worry we have the answers as well as the questions.

The whole DogCast Radio team wishes you and your dogs a happy and safe Christmas and a healthy New Year.