Skip to main content

Ask RayNew Trends Ads Appearances Podcasts API

We value your privacy

We use cookies to understand how you use our platform and to improve your experience. Click “Accept All” to consent, or “Decline non-essential” to opt out of non-essential cookies. Read our Privacy Policy.

Off Leash with Dr. Pete

Off Leash with Dr. Pete

Firework Fright

Jul 1, 2026 · 20 min · 9 segments

Fireworks, thunderstorms, road trips, and summer celebrations can be exciting for us—but for many dogs, they can be some of the most stressful days of the year. In this episode of *Off Leash*, Dr…

Fireworks, thunderstorms, road trips, and summer celebrations can be exciting for us—but for many dogs, they can be some of the most stressful days of the year. In this episode of *Off Leash*, Dr. Pete and Molly discuss why so many dogs struggle with noise anxiety and travel stress, and what pet owners can do before the panic starts. They break down the importance of planning ahead, how the "Chill Protocol" works, when medications like gabapentin and trazodone may be appropriate, and why waiting until your dog is already terrified is often too late. The conversation also covers practical training techniques for helping dogs become more comfortable with loud noises, travel, and unfamiliar situations, along with the common mistakes owners make when trying to comfort an anxious pet. Whether your dog hides during thunderstorms, panics during fireworks, or gets anxious on road trips, this episode is packed with practical advice to help make the busy summer season safer and less stressful for both you and your four-legged family members. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review! Wishing all of our listeners and clients a very happy 4th of July weekend!

Fireworks, thunderstorms, road trips, and summer celebrations can be exciting for us—but for many dogs, they can be some of the most stressful days of the year. In this episode of *Off Leash*, Dr…

Speakers: Pete VanvrankenHostMolly VanBrinkenHost

Show signals: SuitabilitySafeBiasNot politicalAudience≈19k followers

Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube Amazon Music Website

Top entities: Alfred E. Neuman×3 Aruba×2 Trazodone Boykin Spaniel Gabapentin

Copper in Dog Livers2:14 – 3:26

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:14

Well, we're starting to create a movement.

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:17

Yeah.

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:17

You know, and the movement is, and listen, there's scientific data.

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:21

You know, sometimes people say stuff.

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:23

You know, they'll say stuff in their advertisements, excuse me, and they'll say stuff.

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:29

And their literature and all that sort of thing.

M

MollyHost

2:31

Yeah, definitely.

M

MollyHost

2:32

But

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:32

pretty much everything we say is based on fact and peer-reviewed articles.

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:37

Yes.

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:37

So, you know, we're at that point in our career here is like, you know, we think, you know, we did calculations.

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:45

We think dogs with copper staining in the livers are probably around 38% of the dogs.

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:53

And those are the dogs that be over six years of age.

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:55

Even some of the ones less than six years of age.

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:57

So are those, are they all going to die? No, no, no, no.

Pete VanvrankenHost

3:01

It just

M

MollyHost

3:01

depends on how much is accumulated and whether the dog, yeah.

M

MollyHost

3:04

2%

Pete VanvrankenHost

3:04

of them are going to have serious problems.

Pete VanvrankenHost

3:07

2%? Well, 2% to 5% maybe.

Pete VanvrankenHost

3:09

But that's a lot of dogs.

Pete VanvrankenHost

3:11

That's anywhere from 500, you know, actually 600 to 250,000 dogs.

Pete VanvrankenHost

3:14

But about 17% will have staining in their liver.

Pete VanvrankenHost

3:16

Okay.

Pete VanvrankenHost

3:20

17%?

Alfred E. NeumanEntityCartoon character
97%3 mentions
ArubaCountryIsland country
91%2 mentions
TrazodoneEntityMedication
84%1 mention
Boykin SpanielEntityDog breed
78%1 mention
GabapentinEntityMedication
72%1 mention
FluoxetineEntityMedication
66%2 mentions
FloridaAdministrative AreaUS state
59%2 mentions
MadPeriodicalMagazine
53%1 mention
ArizonaAdministrative AreaUS state
47%1 mention
MichiganAdministrative AreaUS state
41%1 mention
New YearEntityCelebration
34%1 mention
United StatesCountryCountry in North America
28%1 mention
VietnamCountryCountry in Asia
22%1 mention
Ferris wheelEntityAmusement ride type
16%1 mention
Lowe'sCompanyRetail company
6%1 mention
MenardsCompanyRetail chain company
6%1 mention

Mental HealthHealth
Society
PetsSociety
AnxietyAnimals > Pets > Dogs > Behavior
Animal BehaviorScience > Veterinary Science
Animal AnxietyHealth > Mental Health > Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety DisordersHealth > Mental Health
Veterinary CareHealth
BehaviorAnimals > Pets > Dogs
Pet OwnershipSociety > Pets
Animal WelfareSociety > Pets > Pet Ownership
Health
Science
Animals
Treatment MethodsHealth > Mental Health > Anxiety Disorders > Animal Anxiety
Anxiety in AnimalsScience > Veterinary Science > Animal Behavior
Treatment ApproachesScience > Veterinary Science > Animal Behavior > Anxiety in Animals
Behavioral IssuesSociety > Pets > Pet Ownership > Animal Welfare
PharmaceuticalsHealth > Veterinary Care
Anxiety MedicationsHealth > Veterinary Care > Pharmaceuticals
Dosage and AdministrationHealth > Veterinary Care > Pharmaceuticals > Anxiety Medications
PetsAnimals
DogsAnimals > Pets
Veterinary ScienceScience

Copper in Dog Livers2:14 – 3:26

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:14

Well, we're starting to create a movement.

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:17

Yeah.

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:17

You know, and the movement is, and listen, there's scientific data.

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:21

You know, sometimes people say stuff.

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:23

You know, they'll say stuff in their advertisements, excuse me, and they'll say stuff.

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:29

And their literature and all that sort of thing.

M

MollyHost

2:31

Yeah, definitely.

M

MollyHost

2:32

But

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:32

pretty much everything we say is based on fact and peer-reviewed articles.

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:37

Yes.

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:37

So, you know, we're at that point in our career here is like, you know, we think, you know, we did calculations.

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:45

We think dogs with copper staining in the livers are probably around 38% of the dogs.

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:53

And those are the dogs that be over six years of age.

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:55

Even some of the ones less than six years of age.

Pete VanvrankenHost

2:57

So are those, are they all going to die? No, no, no, no.

Pete VanvrankenHost

3:01

It just

M

MollyHost

3:01

depends on how much is accumulated and whether the dog, yeah.

M

MollyHost

3:04

2%

Pete VanvrankenHost

3:04

of them are going to have serious problems.

Pete VanvrankenHost

3:07

2%? Well, 2% to 5% maybe.

Pete VanvrankenHost

3:09

But that's a lot of dogs.

Pete VanvrankenHost

3:11

That's anywhere from 500, you know, actually 600 to 250,000 dogs.

Pete VanvrankenHost

3:14

But about 17% will have staining in their liver.

Pete VanvrankenHost

3:16

Okay.

Pete VanvrankenHost

3:20

17%?

Sign up to see more

The rest of this transcript — segmented and speaker-labeled, so you land on the exact moment something was said
Search every transcript — by keyword, by phrase, or by meaning, across every show Radar indexes
Trends — what is surging across podcasts, measured against its own baseline
Alerts — when a name you follow appears in a newly indexed episode

Create an account Already have an account? Log in

No account is needed to search Radar.