The Mother-in-Law, the Balcony and other Weird Canine Requests | ft. Shirin Dhabhar

What does it really mean to be a pet parent in today’s world?

In this episode of 3 Techies Banter, we sit down with leading canine behaviourist Shirin Dhabhar, one of the very few globally accredited experts in her field, to unpack 30 years of experience working with dogs and humans.

From the shift from “dog owners” to “pet parents” to the dangers of over-humanizing pets, this conversation dives deep into what we’re getting right - and wrong - about raising dogs today.

00:00:00 - Highlights of the Episode

00:04:20 - Introduction to Shirin Dabur

00:06:30 - The Journey into Dog Training

00:07:30 - Changes in Pet Ownership Over 30 Years

00:09:00 - Understanding Dogs as Different Species

00:10:00 - The Importance of Time and Commitment

00:12:00 - Choosing the Right Dog Breed

00:14:00 - The Allure of Popular Breeds

00:15:00 - Best Dog Breeds for City Living

00:16:30 - The Importance of Mental Stimulation for Dogs

00:18:00 - Feeding Dogs: Common Sense Guidelines

00:19:00 - Support for Pets in India: Too Much or Too Little?

00:22:00 - The Stray Dog Dilemma

00:24:00 - Technology Advancements in Pet Care

00:27:00 - The Bark GPT April Fool's Joke

00:29:00 - The Challenge of Training Videos from the West

00:30:00 - The Role of Toys in Dog Happiness

00:32:00 - Aggression in Dogs: City vs. Village

00:34:00 - Funny Stories from Dog Training Experiences

00:38:00 - Emergency Care for Pets

00:40:00 - Dealing with Pet Loss

00:41:00 - The Challenge of Pet-Friendly Spaces in Cities

00:42:00 - Five Must-Haves Before Adopting a Pet

00:43:00 - The Role of Dog Walkers in Pet Care

We also explore:

Why many people shouldn’t get a dog

The truth about breed selection (and why Huskies in India are problematic)

How technology is changing pet care

The myth of “perfect dog diets” and over-engineering pet care

Real-life stories that show how humans are often the problem, not dogs

The rise of AI in pet care (and why it can’t replace real understanding)

Whether you’re a dog lover, a pet parent, or just curious about how humans and animals coexist, this episode is full of insights, humor, and hard truths Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices