Series 10 – Episode 3

Join dog trainer and dog behaviourist Lara Shannon, with veterinarian Dr Melissa Meehan and expert guests, for practical dog and cat health, behaviour and training advice focused on prevention, early warning signs and everyday solutions.

Episode 3 of Series 10 of Pooches at Play covers anxiety in dogs and cats, ideal dog weight, pet dental health, worm prevention, foreign body ingestion, dog grooming, safe training games, and guide dog access rights, giving pet owners clear guidance on some of the most common, and serious, pet care issues.

In this episode you’ll learn about:

• Understanding Guide Dogs access rights – what the law says, where assistance dogs are legally allowed, and why access rights are critical for people living with vision impairment.
• Signs of anxiety in dogs and cats – common behavioural and physical indicators of anxiety, plus natural strategies that may help support calmer, more confident pets.
• Ideal dog weight – integrative veterinarian Dr Nicole Rous explains how to assess healthy body condition, why ideal weight matters, and how it impacts long-term health and mobility.
• Pet dental health solutions – veterinarian Dr Melissa Meehan explains why dental disease is so common, signs owners often miss, and practical ways to protect teeth and gums.
• Short-haired dog grooming tips – how to care for short coats properly, reduce shedding, support skin health and avoid common grooming mistakes.
• Foreign body ingestion in dogs and cats – what happens when pets swallow objects, warning signs to watch for, and when ingestion becomes a medical emergency.
• Preventing lungworm in cats and heartworm in dogs – why parasite prevention matters year-round.
• Tug-of-war with dogs – training tips, safety guidelines and how to play tug appropriately without encouraging unwanted behaviour.