The Bert Show – "Vault: How Do You Handle Your Pet's Anxiety?"

Episode Date: February 12, 2026
Hosts/Cast: Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy, and others
Main Theme: Coping with pet (specifically dog) anxiety, especially during life changes and home transitions

Episode Overview

This engaging episode dives into the emotional lives of pets, centering on how dogs (and to some extent, cats) experience anxiety—most notably during significant life changes like moving homes or shifting between different households. The cast discusses their personal experiences, share advice from experts and listeners, and debate options ranging from behavioral solutions to medications and aids designed to soothe pet nerves.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Recognizing Pet Anxiety

• Dogs Have Emotions: The cast begins by acknowledging that animals, especially dogs, exhibit a range of emotions similar to humans.

  • “You can tell when your, you know, dogs are feeling sad or tired or when your cat's ticked off at you for going on vacation and leaving them with a dirty litter box for a week.” – Dog Owner (01:01)

• Behavioral Regression: The featured Dog Owner describes her miniature schnauzers, Miles and Parker, reverting to puppy-like behavior after moving and splitting time between two homes:

  • “They're totally going back to, like, puppy behavior. They're, like, having accidents on the floor. They are, like, chewing stuff they're not supposed to chew…” (01:32)

The Impact of Life Changes on Pets

• Emotional Reflection: Dogs pick up on their owner’s mood and general household stress.

  • “Dogs...their emotions are reflective of yours. Like if they see you get upset, then they get upset. If they see you not settled or out of place, then they are going to feel the same way.” – Veterinarian/Animal Expert (02:50)

• Pack Animals vs. Homebound: Difference between dogs and cats in terms of stressors—dogs are impacted by changes in their “pack” (family), whereas cats are more tied to the home itself.

• Confusion and Routine Disruption:

  • “It certainly's gotta be a little confusing because they're going back and forth from old home to new home and then back to old home to new home.” – Co-Host (04:01)
  • Adjusting to multiple environments and lack of routine deepens anxiety in pets.

Coping Strategies and Solutions

Environmental/Behavioral Aids

• Plug-In Soothers:

  • Discussion of “aromatherapy for dogs”—plug-in diffusers meant to calm anxious pets via pheromones or sound frequencies.
  • “There's one, I guess for dogs that emits some sort of smell…some sort of sound that…is a frequency dog sitting here calming or something.” – Dog Owner (04:25)
  • Endorsement from listeners and expert: the Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) product is frequently mentioned as helpful (07:03).

• Familiar Objects:

  • Advice to bring familiar-smelling items (like shirts) to new homes or boarding situations to reduce stress via scent comfort.

Pharmacological Solutions

• Short-Term Medication:

  • Listener calls in to describe her sister’s success with Klonopin (a human anti-anxiety medication, prescribed by a vet) for her dogs’ separation anxiety.
    • “She used it only for like two weeks and now they're totally fine.” – Caller (05:32)
  • The idea is to use medication temporarily to help dogs adapt to change.

• Other Medications Mentioned:

  • Benadryl suggested as a milder, short-term option for anxiety (06:47).
  • Host and cast joke about how medicating has moved from children to pets, coining terms like "Doggy Riddlin" (07:49).

Holistic and Practical Considerations

• Try Holistic First:

  • Callers and co-hosts recommend exhausting natural or behavioral modifications before turning to medication.
    • “If you are wanting a more holistic route…the pheromone does really work.” – Stephanie, Caller/Vet Assistant (07:03)

• Veterinary Supervision Is Key:

  • Advice to always consult with a veterinarian before starting any medication.

Notable Quotes (with Attribution and Timestamps)

• “They're totally going back to, like, puppy behavior. They're, like, having accidents on the floor. They are, like, chewing stuff they're not supposed to chew and, like, completely reversing all of those things we taught them when they were puppies.”
  — Dog Owner (01:32)

• “Dogs are pack animals…If they see you not settled or out of place, then they are going to feel the same way.”
  — Veterinarian or Animal Behavior Expert (02:50)

• “They barked so much that my new neighbors actually…called the police because they thought something was wrong…they barked for like three hours straight.”
  — Dog Owner (03:17)

• “You gotta be a little confused because they're going back and forth from old home to new home…there's not like this new permanent place. They gotta be a little confused.”
  — Co-Host (04:01)

• “About this owner to the other owner. One owner to the other owner.”
  — Veterinarian or Animal Behavior Expert (04:12)

• “She took them to that. They put them on a drug called Klonopin. It's actually something used for humans and for panic and anxiety…she used it only for like two weeks and now they're totally fine.”
  — Caller (05:15, 05:32)

• “The dog appeasing pheromone, the DAP that they sell at petsmart and vets also sell. It does work. It helps.”
  — Stephanie, Caller/Vet Assistant (07:03)

• “The argument used to be that as a society, we're putting our kids on drugs too quickly…Now it's our dogs too.”
  — Co-Host (07:42)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:01] – Introduction to pet anxiety and behavioral regression after moving
• [02:50] – Animal expert explains pets' emotional reflections of their owners
• [03:17] – Dog Owner recounts a neighbor-calling-the-police incident due to dogs' distress
• [05:15-05:55] – Caller describes success with short-term anti-anxiety medication for dogs
• [07:03] – Veterinary assistant/Caller recommends DAP pheromone diffuser
• [07:42] – Debate on societal trends and medicating pets

Memorable Moments

• Police Called for Barking: The owner learns her new neighbors called the police due to incessant barking—highlighting how severe pet anxiety can get (03:17).
• Listener Input on Medication: Genuine testimonial from a listener whose sister’s dogs improved after just two weeks on vet-prescribed Klonopin (05:15–05:40).
• "Doggy Riddlin" Joke: The cast riffs on the idea of canine versions of ADHD medication, reflecting cultural concerns and adding a dose of humor (07:49).

Summary

The episode provides a compassionate and often humorous look at pet anxiety, focusing on the real struggles pet owners face during times of upheaval. The cast shares personal stories, listener advice, and expert insights, offering a mix of holistic and medical solutions—from pheromone diffusers to short-term anxiety medication. The consensus leans toward trying environmental and behavioral aids before resorting to medication, always under veterinary guidance. Whether you’re dealing with a pet’s regression or looking for tips to keep pets calm during change, the discussion is relatable, informed, and reassuring.