Here's another of my Embrace Pet Insurance podcast collaborations Laura Bennett . This month, we discuss working animals. See: The Wonder of Working Dogs and Cats (click link to hear the podcast on the Embrace website). http://blog.embracepetinsurance.com/2013/10/working-dogs-and-cats.html.
Today's podcast is on working dogs and cats. There are many different kinds of ways dogs work in society such as dogs that sniff out drugs, bombs, fruit and other banned substances, cadaver dogs, seizure or blood-sugar alert dogs, mold-sniffing dogs, and even cancer-sniffing dogs. In addition, there are therapy dogs and cats. And of course, actual dogs and cats that work on the farm or in the field hunting or dragging a sled in the Iditarod.
Our podcast discusses the following questions about working dogs and cats:
- What sort of socialization, training, temperament is needed for a working dog or cat? Given that, which breeds tend to trend toward making a good working dog/cat?
- What you should look for in choosing a pet that you want to be a working dog/cat - to give yourself the best chance of success in your chosen field. What organizations to look into for more information.
- What qualities should your dog possess if you are thinking about having his certified as a therapy dog? What training can you do in advance to get him ready for therapy dog training?
- What certifications are needed specifically for working dogs to be considered "one in the same" with their pet parent's? (for example, to go to the mall, on planes, in public places where pets are forbidden overall?)
- How should you behave around a working dog? I never know when it’s appropriate or not to pay attention to a working dog.