Pet Lover Geek – Details, episodes & analysis

Today's episode is about clicker training...for CATS.  You don't often hear about training cats, but it's not only possible -- it's also not that hard to do! Clicker training can help you strengthen your bond with your cat, potentially solve behavior problems they may be having AND... wildly impress your friend, family and social media fans. 

Learn all the ins and outs of cat training from Dr. Marci Koski, founder of Feline Behavior Solutions. Dr. Marci L. Koski is a certified feline behavior and training consultant in Vancouver, Washington. She earned specialized and advanced certificates in Feline Training and Behavior from the Animal Behavior Institute, and established her business, Feline Behavior Solutions, in 2014. She also has a doctorate (Ph.D.) in Fishery and Wildlife Biology from Colorado State University and had a career as a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for over ten years, where she worked towards the conservation and recovery of threatened and endangered species. Dr. Marci is also involved in the local cat rescue community in southwest Washington; she’s a member of the Board of Directors for Furry Friends (a no-kill cats-only rescue) and worked with the Humane Society for Southwest Washington to design and implement their cat socialization program that took place in a local prison.  Dr. Marci believes that the number of cats who are abandoned and/or euthanized in shelters can be significantly reduced if guardians better understand cat behavior and how to meet their cats’ specialized needs.  Keeping cats in homes and out of shelters is Dr. Marci’s goal, and the mission of Feline Behavior Solutions.

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Have an idea for a PetLoverGeek episode or have something else you want to share? Drop us a note to pawnews@pethub.com.

Today we are going to dig deep into pet insurance. It’s one of the fastest growing sectors of the pet industry and if you have a pet, I’ll bet that you are inundated with advertising about pet insurance. So let’s talk about some numbers, shall we? (Y’all know I love me some statistics!) about 70% of the households in the US have pets – and there are roughly 125 MILLION dogs and cats combined living as furry family members in those homes. According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (that’s NAPHIA), only 5.36 million pets were insured in the US at the end of 2022 – 80% of those insured were dogs. That number is mind boggling – that only a little bit more than 4% of pets have coverage despite how much this country LOVES their pets and how expensive veterinary care is these days. Maybe it's because pet parents don't really understand how pet insurance works. This episode gives you the 411 on all you need to know about getting your pet insured.

Thanks for listening! Check out our sponsor, PetHub for more great pet parent resources.

Have an idea for a PetLoverGeek episode or have something else you want to share? Drop us a note to pawnews@pethub.com.

Training is a huge part of keeping pets happy safe and home for the rest of their lives. 1 in 10 rescued pups are rehomed in 6 months due to obedience issues, according to some studies, as high as 85% of dogs have behavior issues…and almost half of those issues are due to fear and anxiety. There’s been more research on dog behavior in the last 10 years than in the entire 20K years that humans and dogs have been hanging out together, so this episode sniffs around the subject of the science behind dog training. You’ve probably seen some famous dog trainers on mainstream TV or social media, but are they really using scientifically proven methods to help a dog learn to be a good canine citizen?  And what exactly is behind your dog’s smelly behavior? All doggos can be very good boys or girls, and the problem is very often at the other end of the leash. Listen in as Lorien chats with  Gentle Beast founder and CEO, Ben Green. 

Thanks for listening! Check out our sponsor, PetHub for more great pet parent resources.

Have an idea for a PetLoverGeek episode or have something else you want to share? Drop us a note to pawnews@pethub.com.

Not all leashes, collars and harnesses are the same when it comes to calm and controlled walks with dogs that are triggered by other dogs, people or other distractions.  Learn how different types of tools can help make "walkies" better. In this  episode, Lorien chats with Heather Beck, the owner and founder of Heather's Heroes. Heather knows all about tough-to-train dogs and how the right tools can make a world of difference. Don't miss out on this informative episode that could help you with your fur buddy!

Show Notes:

 Heathersheroes.com

 k9lifeline.dog

Thanks for listening! Check out our sponsor, PetHub for more great pet parent resources.

Have an idea for a PetLoverGeek episode or have something else you want to share? Drop us a note to pawnews@pethub.com.

We pay a lot of attention to dogs on this show but we don't forget about the cats! Join Lorien as she interviews four different cat industry experts on how to enrich your cat's life. In part one of this From the Vault episode, you will hear from Marci Kowski and Damien Hall about some solutions to a bored cat and how to improve your bond with them!

Show Notes:

https://felinebehaviorsolutions.com/

https://catit.com/

Thanks for listening! Check out our sponsor, PetHub for more great pet parent resources.

Have an idea for a PetLoverGeek episode or have something else you want to share? Drop us a note to pawnews@pethub.com.

Do you pay attention to how your dog is feeling? Probably. Do your KIDS pay attention? Likely not...and that can lead to chaos and potential big issues (bites and other injuries for both the kids and dogs!). 

Join us to hear Lorien's chat with Justine Schuurmans, the CEO and Founder of The Family Dog about how "listening" to your dog, and teaching kids how to properly behave around dogs can help create peace in your household.  Did you know that dogs have 16 different ways they show us they are unhappy before they growl, and 18 before they bite!? Tune in to this episode of Pet Lover Geek to learn more about your relationship with your dog.

Thanks for listening! Check out our sponsor, PetHub for more great pet parent resources.

Have an idea for a PetLoverGeek episode or have something else you want to share? Drop us a note to pawnews@pethub.com.

Many of us love to hike, and most of us love to be able to take our four-legged friends with us, but how do you know what to take? What steps do you need to take to make sure your pet will have an enjoyable and safe time? How can you find the best places to take your pups on an adventure with you? On today’s show, we will be talking to some of the best in the industry when it comes to hiking with your beloved fur kids!

Show Notes:

https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/

https://www.gopetfriendly.com/

Thanks for listening! Check out our sponsor, PetHub for more great pet parent resources.

Have an idea for a PetLoverGeek episode or have something else you want to share? Drop us a note to pawnews@pethub.com.

The tables have turned! Join us in this Pet Lover Geek episode where independent journalist Dominick Bonny interviews Lorien Clemens on his show, 'Common Sense,' as she shares how she became the CEO of PetHub, some BIG news happening with the company recently, and her advice for girls and women who aspire to shake things up in the working world -- as they should.

Show Notes:

Newsletter

Thanks for listening! Check out our sponsor, PetHub for more great pet parent resources.

Have an idea for a PetLoverGeek episode or have something else you want to share? Drop us a note to pawnews@pethub.com.

Join us for part 2 of our From The Vault episode on improving the bond with your pets! This episode features renowned certified feline behavior and training consultant Dr. Marci Koski and New York-based dog trainer, Shelby Semel. Listen in to hear the great advice both experts give on how to improve the bond between you and your cat or dog.

Show Notes:

Marci Koski
Website
Blog

Shelby Semel
Website
Blog

Thanks for listening! Check out our sponsor, PetHub for more great pet parent resources.

Have an idea for a PetLoverGeek episode or have something else you want to share? Drop us a note to pawnews@pethub.com.

The pet industry is a complex obstacle course to navigate as a young entrepreneur. In today's episode, Lorien interviews Jonaie Johnson about her company Interplay and the challenges that come with being a young Founder and CEO. Check out the show notes below if you would like to learn more about Jonaie and her mission!

Show Notes:

Interplay

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Have an idea for a PetLoverGeek episode or have something else you want to share? Drop us a note to pawnews@pethub.com.