In the season finale of The Bitey End of the Dog, we sit down with Dr. Daniel Mills, a leading authority in clinical animal behavior, to unearth the complexities of canine aggression. Dr. Mills challenges the conventional wisdom that labels dogs as aggressive, advocating instead for an objective observation of their behaviors. Our journey continues with an exploration of the emotional lives of dogs, guided by the influential work of Jaak Panksepp. We discuss how miscategorizing aggress...

What if you could turn your dog's natural sniffing instinct into a powerful tool for behavior modification and enrichment? Join us as we explore this intriguing idea with Nancy Reyes, a dog training expert with over thirty years of experience. Nancy takes us through the captivating evolution of nose work—a sport initially developed to help shelter dogs that has now garnered widespread recognition. Together, we navigate the fascinating world of scent detection activities, ranging from tracking...

In this episode, I chat with Christine Neumeyer-Smith, a master groomer, behavior specialist, AND certified professional dog trainer, to uncover the secrets of making grooming a stress-free experience for dogs. Christine's journey from a boarding kennel intern to a leading expert in the field is nothing short of inspiring. We tackle the communication gaps between groomers and trainers and reveal practical strategies like counter conditioning and consent-based training to enhance dog comfort a...

What if you could unlock the secrets of your dog's behavior through their gut? In our latest episode, we welcome Sarita Pellowe, an esteemed dog trainer and researcher, to guide us through the fascinating world of the gut microbiome and its profound impact on canine behavior. Sarita demystifies the vast and diverse ecosystem residing in your dog's gut, explaining how these microorganisms can shape health and behavior. You'll be amazed at the parallels between human and dog gut microbiomes and...

Kathy Callahan joins us for this episode to chat about the enriching world of puppy fostering, focusing on the critical aspects of puppy socialization and building resiliency. Her personal stories are filled with practical advice on setting up a positive environment to ensure puppies grow into well-adjusted dogs, making this episode a must-listen for anyone eager to foster and socialize a puppy effectively. About Kathy: Certified as a dog trainer (CPDT-KA) and a family dog mediator (FDM), Ka...

What are the emotional challenges faced by both professionals and pet owners? This episode promises to shed light on this intriguing question as we sit down with Valerie Bogie who has a unique breadth of experience in both animal care and veterinary social work. With over two decades of experience, Valerie shares her incredible journey from feeling overwhelmed and bullied in the workplace to finding her calling in veterinary social work, where empathy, active listening, and resiliency are key...

Unlock the secrets to understanding and treating trauma in dogs with our special guest, Caroline Alupo, an authority in dog behavior and canine trauma. Caroline breaks down the similarities and differences between human and canine trauma, highlighting common symptoms like hyper-vigilance and avoidance behaviors, while explaining why traditional training methods might fall short in addressing these issues. ABOUT CAROLINE: "My name is Caroline Alupo, and I am a dog behaviorist and ethologist....

What unique challenges do shelter animals face in their journey to find a forever home? Tune in to this enlightening conversation with Dr. Sheila Segurson, America's first veterinary behaviorist to specialize in animal shelters, as she walks us through her groundbreaking work and daily responsibilities at Maddie's Fund. Dr. Segurson shares her experiences consulting with shelter organizations and fostering community collaboration, providing insight into the stressors faced by shelter animals,...

Ever wondered how structured routines and dog training can transform lives? Join us in this enlightening episode as we welcome Mattison Simpson, a certified dog trainer and behavior consultant who found her true calling during a five-year prison sentence. Mattison shares her incredible journey from being overwhelmed by prison conditions to finding purpose through rehabilitating retired greyhound racing dogs and participating in honor dorm programs. Her story paints a vivid picture of how thes...

Ever wondered what sets a service dog apart from therapy dogs and emotional support animals? Get ready for a deep dive into the legal frameworks, specifically the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Air Carrier Access Act, and how they impact the lives of individuals with disabilities. Veronica Sanchez, the distinguished founder of Cooperative Paws Service Dog Coach shares her wealth of experience and anecdotal wisdom, shedding light on the profound responsibilities and challenges f...

What does it take to truly understand and live with Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs)? Join us for this enlightening episode to hear about the knowledge and strategies that are essential for successfully integrating these remarkable, independent dogs into your home. Our special guest, Elizabeth Ingalls, an LGD behavior expert, shares her personal journey from fostering a Pyrenees mix to leading Big Fluffy Dog Rescue and running her own consulting practice. Elizabeth unpacks the unique traits of...

Join us for this spectacular episode with Dr. Melanie Uhde as we explore the cutting-edge intersection of neuroscience and dog behavior. Understanding the role of neurotransmitters like dopamine can transform the way we approach canine aggression, as well as provide insights into the so-called winner effect. Dr. Uhde takes us on a journey from her groundbreaking research at Columbia University to her hands-on experience with village dogs in Thailand, emphasizing the importance of translating ...

Ever wondered how to navigate emotionally charged training sessions? Our latest episode features Carmaleta Aufderheide, who brings a unique blend of a master’s degree in conflict resolution and a robust background in working behavior cases. Carm’s journey began from a personal loss that fueled her passion to merge these fields. She emphasizes the critical role of empathy and communication, sharing invaluable techniques for understanding both the human and canine sides of aggression and separa...

This is a fascinating discussion that dives into everything from dogs to coyotes; from selective breeding to feral dog populations; from social facilitation to intentional thinking --- a jam packed episode! Join us for a compelling chat with my longtime friend and esteemed colleague, Ken McCort, a luminary in animal training since 1979. Together, we share our journeys through the early days of animal training and reminisce about unforgettable moments from conferences. Ken's illustrious career...

This episode of "The Bitey End of the Dog" kicks off Season 5 with none other than Ken Ramirez, a legend in the field of animal training. Ken takes us on an extraordinary journey that began at a guide dog school and expanded to working with a variety of species, from tigers to dolphins. We explore groundbreaking conservation projects where innovative strategies were employed to alter animal behaviors. Imagine training elephants to change their migration routes using artificial barriers and ...

Step into the world of canine behavior with the distinguished Dr. Marc Bekoff, a professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology. This episode takes you on a captivating journey as we delve into the emotional landscape of our furry friends, the impact of confinement on their behavior, and the fascinating dynamics of dog-human relationships. We don't stop there, we also tackle the often ignored segment of free-range and feral dogs globally, citing Dr. Bekoff's invaluable experiences wit...

Imagine a world where our understanding of dog bites and aggression is rooted more in fact than fear, and where we can coexist harmoniously with our canine companions, regardless of breed. Welcome to that world, as we navigate it with our guide for this episode, Janice Bradley, the eminent author and revered Director of Communications and Publications at the National Canine Research Council. Graced with her depth of knowledge and wealth of experience, we dissect the misconceptions shadowing d...

Handling dog-to-dog aggression in the home can feel like navigating through a minefield, but guess what? We've got just the right person to guide you - my friend and colleague Sarah Stremming, a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant with nearly two decades of experience under her belt. She's here to unravel the complexity of dog aggression, spotlighting common triggers like resource competition and dog incompatibility and the fascinating role of humans in these cases. The Aggression in Dogs Conf...

Ever wondered how trauma transcends species boundaries, impacting both humans and dogs alike? Here's your chance to unravel this complex topic with us and our esteemed guests, Dr. Linda Randall, a seasoned veterinarian, and Dr. Kathie Nurena, a medical doctor with a wealth of knowledge. Together, we'll explore the multifaceted nature of trauma, the invisible scars it leaves, and how understanding it as a 'wound' can illuminate its impact. The Aggression in Dogs Conference The Bitey End of t...

"Can't we get a little respect?!" Our pint-sized companions often don't get the respect they deserve, a topic we dive into with Abbey Johnson, a keen advocate for small dogs. Abbey shares her journey from initially fostering a small dog with behavior issues, to becoming a well-known defender for these little champs, shedding light on their unique needs, training strategies, and the need for representation in dog-related conversations. The Aggression in Dogs Conference The Bitey End of the ...