ARL Animal Connection

Podcasts 2018

Jan. 6, 2018

How to protect your animals during the winter months. Iowa's weather can be brutal this time of year, be sure to keep your pets safe by following Carol and Mick's instructions and advice! Also, reminder if you see something you aren't sure is in the best interest for an animal, say something.

March 17, 2018

Pet reactions to loud noises such as fireworks, when to reinforce behaviors, do inside animals need rabies shots and dogs similarities to goats.

March 24, 2018

How to toilet your dog when it is raining outside, pros and cons of rabbits as pets, how to prevent animals from eating pine cones and teaching animals to be calm.

March 31, 2018

The ARL's Small and Exotic Animal Coordinator Will is the guest to discuss pets off the beaten path. There are also behavior questions, how to deal with a dog playfully biting, and questions on rabbits including their diet and types of pellets and hay.

April 7, 2018

Carol and Mick discuss why going to an animal shelter is a better idea than getting a puppy or kitten from a friend. Also Mick reveals his favorite animal is a pelican, dealing with a cat that is acting up and how to handle multiple dogs that aren't getting along.

April 14, 2018

How to deal with your pets if there is in-house fighting. Also a caller has questions regarding bees, questions if your dog doesn't get along with neighbors, and talk of cockatiels.

April 21, 2018

How to train dogs for good behavior as well as getting positive responses out of your dogs and how to reinforce that behavior. Also questions on fostering and trivia.

April 28, 2018

Tonight is the 26th Annual ARL Raise Your Paw Benefit. Find out how you can attend and have the chance to see Mick in a suit. A caller asks for advice on choosing dog trainers. Plus, Mick talks about how you can adopt a rooster.

May 5, 2018

Listen to this weeks Animal Connection.

May 12, 2018

Mick shares how to fade out the reward system for pets. We welcome William, who focuses on how to handle small animals. Hear how to handle baby rabbits, birds, and snapping turtles.

May 19, 2018

Mick talks about the recently rescued horses, takes calls about the royal pets, and discusses all your emails and questions.

May 26, 2018

Discussion on if giving birds bits of string for nest building is ok and an inquiry on how long birds will sit on their nests, summer care for your pets and how to help your animal cope with a fear of certain items.

June 2, 2018

Mick and Carol discuss first time pet bird ownership tips, volunteer opportunities at the ARL, Hug a Cat day, this weeks trivia question, and teaching your cat to stay off tables and counters.

June 9, 2018

ARL cat foster coordinator, Betsy, joins Mick and Carol to talk about the ARL's foster program!

Other topics discussed include: acclimating your dog to ear cleaning, grooming owners (licking) in cats and dogs, cat communication (talking), and dogs tipping over their water bowls.  

June 30, 2018

Mick and Carol discuss 4th of July safety, cat introductions, 3-bark rule, ear touching, and how to modify dog's behavior of play biting to entice play time. 

August 25, 2018

Mick and Carol discuss jealousy issues between new and resident dog, hierarchy of cats and dogs, fostering, and introduction tips between a Macaw (bird) and dog.

Trivia question: How many whiskers does a cat have?

September 1, 2018

Guest host, "Dan, Dan, the chicken man", joins Mick and Carol to talk rosters and hens, prepping your chickens for winter, and broody chickens. Mick also covers dogs playing in their water bowl and marking. 

Trivia question: How many hours for a hen to lay an egg?


October 20, 2018


October 27, 2018


November 3, 2018


November 10, 2018


November 17, 2018


November 24, 2018


December 1, 2018


December 8, 2018


December 15, 2018


December 22, 2018


December 29, 2018