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.

Pam Dennison was already an experienced trainer when she met Shadow, a Border Collie in need of a new home. Shadow however, had more problems than even Pam imagined. After a short time with him, she decided to return him - but she changed her mind, and the two of them began a long and difficult journey. Pam needed all her skills to help Shadow, and their experiences inspired her to write Bringing Light to Shadow - a Dog Trainer's Diary. Could Shadow overcome his fear and aggression and live a normal life? Could Pam teach him alternative behaviours? To find out more about Pam Dennison and the other books she has written, check out her website. Dr. Paula Terifaj is a veterinarian with some great advice for dog owners. In this interview you can hear her top tips for giving your dog the best diet you can, as well as solving a listener's problem. If you're too nervous to change straight to a natural diet, Paul has some easy steps to improve the food you offer your dog. Paula is passionate about helping dog owners provide the best standard of health care for their dogs, and you can hear her advice about vaccinating your dog in episode 59 of DogCast Radio. Paula has written several books to help you make informed decisions concerning your dog, which you can find at her website, where you can also sign up for her newsletter, Dog Breath. In the DogCast Radio News, Kate and Nick tell you about the radical approach one website is taking to persuade people to adopt rescue dogs. Other stories include how pregnant women in Australia are getting help preparing their dogs for the new human arrival, and how a children's hospital is helping veterinarians carry out difficult surgical procedures. Plus hear how two dogs got into trouble - one out and about and one in his own kitchen! Author Bernard Cartwright reads an extract from his book the Knocknobbler which tells of his experiences as a dogcatcher in Worcester, UK. Host Julie has some dog-related items of interest. Jody Wright's fascinating and beautiful book 50 Secrets Humans Should Know, was inspired by her love of dogs, which grew from an early age, as well as her admiration of their approach to life. In this show you can hear music especially for dog lovers from the album Dog People, by Freebo. On his website, Freebo expresses his love for dogs, as well as dedicating the album to dogs and dog lovers everywhere. You can hear extracts of My Dog Has Fleas and More Like You in the show.

Paula Terifaj is a holistic veterinarian with lots of sound and relevant advice for dog owners. In this interview you can hear her advice about vaccinating your dog. Paula talks about what you really need to vaccinate your dog against, and has some surprising news concerning when and how often those shots should occur. If you've been having your dog routinely vaccinated every year, you may well be shocked by what Paula has to say. Paula's advice is based on her own years of experience in practice as well as current guidance from the American Animal Hospital Association. At her website, Paula has some useful advice booklets available. Does your dog run to the door every time the doorbell sounds? Does he give your visitors an enthusiastic greeting - whether they want it or not? Do you want to know how to have him behave properly in these situations? Well DogCast Radio listener Ayeshah has just this problem with her dog, and contacted us for some help. Dawn Antoniak Mitchell is co owner of the Bonafide Dog Academy LLC, and has offered courses tailored to owners wishing to give their dogs better doorbell manners. Hear how to go about training your dog to behave when guests call. Dawn has some great advice - not just on how to train, but also on how to make it less stressful. That sounds good to us! DogCast Radio listener Chris got in touch to tell us what she thinks about the show, and also to share a tip she has to make walking your dog easier. She enjoyed our feature on rescue dogs, especially Millie, the rescue St. Bernard, whose owner preferred to think of as a "lucky find". In Buddy's Diary, Buddy has noticed something about Star. This indefatigable little white fluffball has finally found a dog she is frightened of- in fact a whole breed? Listen to find out more. In the DogCast Radio News, Kate and Nick bring you tales of how dog owner "down under" are having to find greener ways to scoop the poop, how a Norwegian dog fell foul of New Year's celebrations, and how one dog protected his owner, while another owner protected her dog. Plus we take a look at some new breeds competing for the first time at the Westminster Dog Show in New York, USA. Host Julie is intrigued by the methods some dogs use to communicate, and our quotes between features are themed with love in mind. Valentine's Day is just around the corner, so tell your dog you love him.

MRSA is a frightening subject - and now even our dogs are at risk from it. In this show you can hear from owners whose dogs have suffered from the infection, and also where to get information and support. We have interviews with Jill MOss, founder of the Bella Moss Foundation, and also from Doctor Harley Farmer who has spent fifteen years researching and developing products which can help keep us and our dogs safe from MRSA. Jill Moss and her dog Bella met in an unusual way, but formed a close and strong bond. When Bella was struck down by MRSA, and eventually died, Jill was distraught. She has kept her promise to her dying dog to create a lasting tribute to her beautiful Samoyed companion who was so cruelly taken from her. In this moving interview Jill talks about how Bella came into her life, how she enriched it, and how she died. Jill Moss is an incredible example of an individual who makes a stand and makes a difference. From the early days of her campaign, Jill has been determined to educate, inform and support others whose animals contract MRSA and other serious infections. This she has certainly done - since Bella's death in 2004 the foundation which carries her name have helped over 700 hundred animals of various species, including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and horses. Doctor Harley Farmer has spent fifteen years researching and developing products that can get rid of MRSA. He has some simple common sense steps that anyone can take to help keep their dogs - and themselves - safe from MRSA. He also has products, advice and information available at the Newgenn website. To find out how you can keep your environment, your dog's bed and bowl, and even your dog as clean and germ free as possible listen to this thought provoking interview. Harley has spent years trying to persuade the authorities to accept his methods - which he has proved work on cruise ships and care homes - and has even written a novel to bring his message to the public in general. The message is that we all - including dog owners - have a part to play in beating MRSA, and we have to work together. We also hear from two dog owners who turned to Jill Moss when their dogs contracted MRSA. Vikkie's dog Xena caught MRSA after a spinal operation. Vikkie has turned her experiences into a positive and now helps fellow dog owners by offering Reiki healing. Sue's dog Maple was diagnosed with MRSA after a leg operation. Sue tells how she, Maple and the team at their vets battled the infection. Thank you to Jill, Vikki and Sue for sharing their very difficult experiences with us. Let's hope fewer dogs and people will suffer from MRSA in the future.

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