Big Wags Chicago

07/08/2025

This is Bo. I worked with him and his mom, Jenny, some years ago to help him deal with some pretty bad separation anxiety. Jenny just sent me these along with this email:

"Hope you are doing well! Funny and fun update for you. I just saw someone post on instagram about rescuing a dog with really bad separation anxiety and am now in a DM conversation about how it's so overwhelming but absolutely gets better! I sent them your website and just wanted to say my gratitude for you is never-ending.

Bo is a total champ now - he comfortably hangs home and waits for our dog walker when [NAME REDACTED] and I are both in office THREE days a week. At the start of our work that never, ever, ever seemed possible, but Bo has come so far. I'm so proud of him. Some fun Bo pics for tax and wishing you all the best always!"

I love updates like this. And it just goes to show that things like separation anxiety - which can be so overwhelming and which can seem like it will never get better - can in fact get better. Dogs that struggle navigating the scary world CAN have happy lives. It's always a journey and always hard, but it's worth it.

By the way, if you have an update like this, I'd love to get it. And if you're so inclined, I'd love it if you left me a review on Facebook and/or Google and/or Yelp.

Way to go, Bo!

07/03/2025

Hey y'all!

So, I'm on vacation (seriously, the picture is the view from my spot), which means no episode of Hound Opinions this week. A new episode will be out in two weeks! Meanwhile, stay safe. Hopefully your neighborhoods don't become warzones of fireworks this weekend.

06/28/2025

Some good info here from the BISSELL Pet Foundation. I'd add a couple things, though:

1. They suggest es**rting your dogs out for potty breaks. I'd go even further and suggest that even if you have a fenced in yard, when you take your dog out to go to the bathroom, have them on a leash. A scared dog WILL find a way to bolt even from a well-secured yard.

2. If your dog is unwilling to go outside, DO NOT FORCE THEM. Let them stay inside and feel safe. And if that means they have an accident in the house, so be it. It's a small price to pay for them to feel safe. And in reality, if you force a scared dog to go outside when they're unwilling, they'll likely be too stressed to go to the bathroom anyway. So have potty pads on hand and if you're worried your dog might have an accident, keep them contained somewhere that's easy to clean.

3. Final thing: Bathrooms make great fireworks bunkers. Seriously, they usually don't have windows and they're usually more in the center of the house. And you can do things to really make it a safe spot for your dog. Line the bathtub with blankets and pillows. Give them puzzle toys and a water dish in there. Bring in a smart speaker or laptop and play some calming sounds or soothing music.

4. Final FINAL thing: If your dog is on anti-anxiety meds for fireworks, that's awesome. But if you're low, DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THURSDAY AT 4:55 PM TO TRY TO GET MORE! If you're low on your dog's brain drugs, call your vet FIRST THING on Monday and get them.

Fingers crossed for as quiet a holiday as possible.

More pets run away on the 4th of July than any other day of the year! Protect your pets this holiday. 🎇🐾

💙 Make sure your pet is microchipped and the information is updated.
❤️ Ensure your pet's collar is properly fitted and has a current and readable ID tag attached.
💙 Secure all fences and gates. For added safety, es**rt your dog out for potty breaks.
❤️ Create a comfy hideaway for your pet to stay safe during celebrations.
💙 Spend your day tiring your pet out.
❤️ Speak to your vet about potential calming aids or medications.

06/25/2025

A couple from my visit with Elwood yesterday.

06/24/2025

I won't dare to pretend that the work I do is anywhere near as important or psychologically taxing as what she did and I haven't experienced anything resembling the volume of hatred and abuse she did.

But working in the animal field is hard, no matter where you are in the field. It's a roller coaster of emotions every day and it doesn't end when you're "off the clock" because you're never totally "off the clock".

All that is to simply say this: Be kind to the animal pros in your life, y'all. And that includes the ones you only know/interact with in the virtual world. That's all.

Fly high, Mikayla.

The animal rights advocate died via su***de after being subjected to cyberbullying, her husband said.

06/20/2025

Lenny and Bodhi want to let y'all know that the early part of next week is going to be REALLY FREAKING HOT!

Seriously, there's a heat warning that starts Saturday and goes through Tuesday. So keep your dogs' trips outside short. Let 'em go to the bathroom and then come back in quick.

That's what I'll be doing with my walking buddies. I'll stay out as long as I think we can be safe, but we definitely won't be outside the entire visit. You'll of course still get the full visit, but it just means more will be spent staying cool inside.

Also, Lenny definitely wants to remind everyone that dogs on brain drugs like fluoxetine (Prozac) and other SSRIs may be more susceptible to problems with heat. In humans, SSRIs can definitely make people more susceptible to heat exhaustion and such. There's not much actual research about this in dogs, but there's a lot of anecdotal evidence that suggests it might be true. I don't know for sure, but being safe can't hurt.

Stay cool, y'all!

06/19/2025

You know what's as important as training your dog? NOT training your dog. What do I mean? Tune in to find out on a new episode of Hound Opinions!

Sorry this is two weeks late. Life got away from me a couple weeks back. But I'm back to the podcasting grind. Training is important for your dog. But you know what's more important? NOT training your dog. Why? Well, you'll just have to listen to find out.Big Wags Chicago is online at ⁠⁠⁠⁠.....

06/18/2025

The pups spent the weekend and yesterday with their grandparents while my spouse and I were out of town. They're clearly happy to be home.

06/16/2025

The backlash (mostly online these days) against people referring to themselves as "pet parents" has always confused me. I'm lucky in that my friends - even those with human children - have never had a problem with me referring to my dogs as "the kids" or myself as their dad/parent (in fact, a friend wished me a happy dogfather's day yesterday).

But this does a great job pointing out the ridiculousness of the backlash and describing how raising any creature - human or otherwise - is an act of hope and love. And it does so without turning into a whiny screed, as the pet parent rebuttals to the backlash often do (because, ya know, everyone sucks on the internet).

Tangentially-related: Despite the thumbnail picture accompanying this link: I DO NOT condone giving dogs pacifiers. They are too easily ingested and a hunk of foreign materials shaped like that in a dog's guts would be VERY bad. So pet parents, no binky for your puppy.

The backlash against pet parents reflects deeper anxieties about who gets to define what counts as a real family.

06/12/2025

Your dog probably loves to sniff. I talk about why sniffing is so important to them.

06/08/2025

This is important information.

🐾💭 I know this might ruffle some feathers. 🐾⚠️ But it’s important that we look at every angle when it comes to physical activity with our dogs. What feels “normal” or beneficial to us might feel very different to the dog on the other end of the leash. Before deciding what kind of exercise is right for your dog, it’s worth pausing to consider their experience, their body, and their voice in the process. 💬🧠

At first glance, going for a run or hopping on your bike with your dog trotting beside you sounds like a win-win. You’re both getting exercise, fresh air, and quality time together… right? 🏃‍♀️🐶

Well—maybe not.

The truth is, what feels like a productive routine for us can actually be physically and emotionally draining for our dogs. Especially when they’re on leash ( often pulled by a collar), trying to match our pace, follow our route, and ignore all the things that make walks enjoyable for them. 😞🚫

Let’s dig into why this kind of forced movement isn’t as dog-friendly as it seems—and what we can do instead. 🧠❤️

Why Leashed Running or Cycling Can Be a Problem 🚲🦴

Dogs weren’t built to jog in straight lines beside us for miles at a time. Their natural movement is full of starts and stops, curious detours, and long pauses to sniff. 🐕‍🦺🌿 When they’re tethered to us, especially at a running or cycling pace, they lose the ability to listen to their body—and we lose the chance to listen to them. 🎧🚫

And here's the tricky part: how would you even know if your dog wanted to stop? 😓 When they’re leashed and pulled along beside a runner, they have very few ways to communicate discomfort or fatigue. Slowing down may get corrected. Lagging may get overlooked. A dog’s subtle “no thanks” gets lost in the rhythm of our workout. 🏃‍♂️❌ That means we may be pushing them long after they’ve had enough—without realizing it.

Here’s what can happen when we ask dogs to move at our speed instead of theirs:

Joint and muscle strain 💥🐾

Overheating or exhaustion 🥵🔥

Frustration or overwhelm 😣🌀

Loss of connection between you and your dog 🧍‍♀️🐕

Even if a dog seems to “go along with it,” that doesn’t mean it’s right for them—or that they’re truly comfortable. 🧐🚦sice they may not have a choice...

So What Does Support Your Dog’s Well-Being? 🐕💚

If your goal is to help your dog feel good, regulate their emotions, and get healthy movement, there are much better options—ones that give them a voice in the process. 🔄🗣️

🌿 Decompression Walks (Sniff Walks)
Trade speed for freedom. Use a long line in a quiet space and let your dog lead the way. 🐾🦮 Sniffing is deeply regulating for dogs—it lowers stress and boosts feel-good chemicals in the brain. 🧘‍♂️🌸

🧠 Scent Games & Mental Enrichment
Scatter feeding, snuffle mats, hide-and-seek with treats—these give your dog a job that satisfies both brain and body without overexertion. 🕵️‍♀️🍖 Tired doesn’t have to mean panting.

🌱 Off-Leash Time (Where Safe)
Visit enclosed spaces or trails where your dog can move naturally—run, pause, sniff, roll. 🐾🏞️ Just a few minutes of free movement can do more good than an hour on pavement.
If your dog is more active and enjoys running, try taking them to a large, secure area where you can both run together—but off-leash, so they’re free to stop, sniff, or change pace. 🏃‍♀️🐕 This gives them that physical outlet while keeping their autonomy intact.

🪵 Proprioceptive Exploration
Let your dog climb on logs, walk across varied terrain, or navigate small obstacles. 🌲🪵 This builds coordination, confidence, and body awareness—especially helpful for anxious or adolescent dogs.

🚶‍♀️ Slower, More Connected Walks
If you enjoy being active, consider a slow-paced hike where your dog can sniff, rest, and move freely alongside you—not behind or beside you under tension. 🌄🐾

The Bottom Line: Connection Over Forced Physical Activity 🤝❤️

The goal of a walk—or any activity with your dog—shouldn’t just be physical output. It should be connection, communication, and co-regulation. 🧩💬

If you’re unsure whether your current routine supports your dog’s body and emotional health—or if you're seeing behavior changes that seem tied to movement—let’s talk. 📩🐶 I’d be happy to help you find a rhythm that works for both of you.
Canine Arthritis Management

https://www.dogmindful.com/

https://www.instagram.com/dogmindful?igsh=MWN0NXE0NjhmOXl3OQ==

06/05/2025

Sorry folx, but life/work/the universe conspired against me and I wasn't able to get the new episode of Hound Opinions done. So there won't be a new episode this week. I promise you'll get one in two weeks.

Photo of Lenny the Girl Dog looking at me judgmentally for tax.