Dr. C.B. Chastain

Better Animal Handling

Education EN ↓ 350 episodes

Humans have domesticated and handled animals for 14,000 years. Modern times have brought urbanization and technology which have caused a drastic decline in human-animal interactions. As a result, the knowledge of how to properly handle, restrain, and house animals is in decline. In Better Animal Handling, C.B. Chastain, veterinarian and professor emeritus, describes effective, humane animal handling with emphasis on safety measures to prevent injury and the transmission of zoonotic diseases.

Author

Dr. C.B. Chastain

Episodes

Critical Socialization of Puppies 22.07.2025 15:51

Send us Fan Mail Please join Dr. Chastain and Ginger to learn more about: The initial socialization of nursing and weanling puppies Puppy classes Puppy first interactions with other animals and children Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

Saddles for Horses and Their Attachments 17.07.2025 13:23

Send us Fan Mail This week Dr. Chastain and Ginger explain: Western and English saddles Parts of a saddle Saddle attachments Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

Sex-Linked Haircoat Colors in Cats 10.07.2025 7:56

Send us Fan Mail Please join Dr. Chastain and Ginger if you are interested in cats, particularly: Tricolor cats Orange male cats Orange cats in history Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

Natural Behavior of Reptiles 02.07.2025 17:49

Send us Fan Mail If you are interested in reptiles, join Dr. Chastain and Ginger for a review of: Typical behaviors of turtles, snakes, and lizards How reptiles sense their environment Reptiles means of defense Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

Handling and Restraint Equipment and Facilities for Cattle 26.06.2025 17:49

Send us Fan Mail This week Dr. Chastain and Ginger invite you to join them to learn about: Primary facilities needed to handle cattle Recommended cattle handling equipment Optional facilities for handling cattle Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

Hamsters: Grouchy Little Bears 17.06.2025 10:50

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Dr. Chastain and Ginger describe: Natural behavior of hamsters Housing for hamsters Handling of hamsters Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

Transporting a Cat 12.06.2025 13:46

Send us Fan Mail Please join Dr. Chastain and Ginger while they explain: Carrying a cat in your arms Transporting a cat in a crate Moving a cat by vehicles and by air Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

Proper Approach to a Strange Dog 05.06.2025 13:25

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Chastain and Ginger would like you to join them to learn more about: Common INappropriate greetings for a strange dog How to invite a strange dog to approach you Greetings and approaches for Service Dogs Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

Head-Shyness in Horses 29.05.2025 11:00

Send us Fan Mail Join Dr. Chastain and Ginger as they review: Hazards of head-shyness in horses Causes of head-shyness How to prevent common causes for head-shyness Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

Backyard Housing for Poultry 21.05.2025 12:42

Send us Fan Mail This week Dr. Chastain and Ginger are ready to tell you about: Housing needs for chickens Assessments of the quality of poultry housing Special housing needs for turkeys, ducks, and geese Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

Pet and Livestock Predators in the U.S. 13.05.2025 7:07

Send us Fan Mail Join Dr. Chastain and Ginger to learn more about predators of pets and other animals, including: Predators of pets and livestock in the U.S. Coyote behavior Deterrents against coyotes and other predators Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

Odors and Animal Behavior 06.05.2025 10:27

Send us Fan Mail Join Dr. Chastain and Ginger for explanations on: Sense of smell in small companion animals Aromatherapy for handling animals Managing odors that adversely affect handling of animals Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

Basic Handling of Small and Large Lizards 29.04.2025 10:43

Send us Fan Mail This week Dr. Chastain and Ginger will guide you in how to handle lizards, including: Lizard handling hazards Handling techniques for small lizards Precautions for handling large lizards Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

Longeing Horses 24.04.2025 9:27

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Chastain and Ginger invite you to join them for a description of equine longeing, including: What is longeing? What are the benefits of longeing? How is longeing properly performed? Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

Risks of Handling Hogs Raised in Extreme Confinement 16.04.2025 10:46

Send us Fan Mail This week Dr Chastain and Ginger will alert you to dangers in handling total confinement hogs, including: Damage to hearing Respiratory impairment Bite wounds Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

Understanding Pet Rabbits' Behavior 09.04.2025 9:28

Send us Fan Mail If you like pet rabbits, join Dr. Chastain and Ginger to hear about: Behaviors of ancestors of the modern domestic rabbit Daily grooming behaviors of pet rabbits Territorial and maternal aggression of pet rabbits Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

Prey and Predator Behavior in Domestic Animals 02.04.2025 9:17

Send us Fan Mail This week Dr. Chastain and Ginger delve into: Physical characteristics of prey animals and predator animals Hunting tactics of predator animals and defense techniques of prey animals Animal perceptions of humans as predators or as prey Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

Handling Methods Adverse to the Health and Safety of Cattle 25.03.2025 13:13

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Chastain and Ginger will help you understand: Assessment of cattle welfare Injuries from poor handling facilities Handling methods adverse to the health and safety of cattle Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

Cat Vision 20.03.2025 9:38

Send us Fan Mail Join Dr. Chastain and Ginger in reviewing cats' Clarity of vision: acuity Perception of motion Ability to see in darkness Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

Horseback Riding Safety Tips: Part II 14.03.2025 11:09

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Dr. Chastain and Ginger offer more tips on safer horseback riding, such as: How to check and maintain riding tack Safer riding attire Helmets Boots Shirts and jackets Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

Horseback Riding Safety Tips: Part I 04.03.2025 9:52

Send us Fan Mail Interested in horseback riding? Join Dr. Chastain and Ginger to learn some safety tips, such as: Partnership with the horse Cautious confidence in yourself Pairing with a horse that matches your riding skill and ability Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

When Chemical Restraint of Dogs or Cats is Warranted 25.02.2025 13:07

Send us Fan Mail Please join Dr. Chastain and Ginger to learn more about: Anxiety: detrimental to development or a learning facilitator? Safety and efficacy of anti-anxiety nutraceuticals and drugs Justifiable reasons for the use of chemical restraints Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

Catching Sheep and Goats 19.02.2025 9:21

Send us Fan Mail This week Dr. Chastain and Ginger explore: Approaches to catching sheep compared to goats Restraints to avoid with sheep and goats Proper use of crooks and neck straps or chains with sheep and with goats Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

Common Handling and Restraint of Companion Birds 11.02.2025 10:58

Send us Fan Mail Flock together with Dr. Chastain and Ginger to learn more about: Precautions needed prior to handling birds Handling training as part of socializing young birds Handling techniques for different sized birds Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com

Use of Voice, Touch, and Body Language in Handling Animals 04.02.2025 9:26

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Chastain and Ginger would like you to join them to learn more about: Effective voice commands for handling animals Animal detection of body language Proper use of touch to control an animal's movements Link to show notes: BetterAnimalHandling.com