Hey there Bookshelvers! 

A midweek podcast extra!? What’s going on? Well…we’re going off piste a little today but with good reason. 

Many of you may know that there is a lot of division within the dog training industry (what’s new we hear you cry). Lately there has been a call for unity and a call for people with different training styles, ethics and core beliefs to come together and talk it out for the good of the dogs and humans. Here at PACT headquarters we thought we would record an episode talking through some of key points that are being debated and, more importantly, what we think about the question of unity and whether or not, we feel having these conversations/debates is useful. 

We decided to predominantly record this for our PACT members and, of course, for anyone else that is listening that is a professional in the dog training industry, has an interest in becoming a dog trainer in the future or just loves dogs and wants what is best for them and their guardians moving forward. Having become directors of one of the training organisations that seem to be looked down upon in these discussions we thought we should go on the record and fight the good fight for animal welfare, wellbeing and ethics. 

I would imagine that most of our listeners are pretty clear on where our ethical standards are. Those who listen will also have a good idea of what the science, especially welfare sciences, are informing us about the use of aversive methods on ALL individuals. So although we thought we’d discuss these topics this certainly isn’t a bridge to try to combine our ethical approach with one that we do not support. On top of that we are also individuals with different takes on different things so we really hope you enjoy this episode. Topics we cover include: 

·       What does regulation mean to us?

·       What are ethics vs morals and how should that inform the decisions we make when interacting with animals?

·       Is there an issue with a lack of practical training being offered by organisations. Is the landscape too theoretical?

·       Should we have discussions between camps?

·       Gish gallop & unfair debating tactics we see

·       Time it takes to train purely positively 

·       Boundaries. Where are the lines in the sand?

·       What makes an excellent trainer?

We have titled this talk “Le Chat Part un” I hope this is taken in the good hearted and tongue in cheek way it is intended and we have more to talk about so let us know if you’d be up for us recording a “Le Chat Part Deux” and we’ll get on it.

Join us this week Bookshelvers for a special episode with our BFF from across the pond Melissa McCue McGrath! There's SO much love we have for Melissa and we were thrilled to catch up with her to talk about everything that's happened between her last appearance and now (including her triumphant DOGx talk in 2023). Full of laughs and love we hope you'll enjoy this informal catch up. Slight trigger warning if you don't feel like hearing a story about a (narrowly avoided) septic tank disaster is Corrin and Steve's garden you might want to skip a little bit of this. As for those robust listeners... You're welcome! 

Slap on a Wolf Fleece Bookshelvers... it’s about to get chilly!

This week we find ourselves transported back through time to ancient Siberia for a fascinating conversation about how, where and why dogs became our BFF's! We were thrilled to have archaeologist Dr Angela Perri join us for an episode all about Dog Domestication (Steve especially as he has been going on about this interview for WEEKS)! Angela has researched the story of early prehistoric dogs on sites across the globe and recently her and her team published a paper proposing a new theory as to where domestication may have taken place and how dogs spread across the world. Steve and Angela talk theories, the challenges of finding answers, the wonder of science, how you might observe domestication happening on your front door and MORE. Steve also reads out a PACT Lunch about music and dogs. This is such an interesting episode ENJOY!

Angela facts:

Dr Angela Perri is an archaeologist with primary interests in human-animal interactions, paleoecology, and paleoenvironments. Her research largely focuses on the nature of human-environmental interactions by analysing early relationships between humans, animals, climate, and landscapes. She particularly interested in the effects of climate change on prehistoric animal biodiversity and human responses to these changes.

Links:

Click here to see the 8000 year old cave art we discussed

DOGx Tickets

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Well, well, well Bookshelvers you find us a fizzy as a feisty Foxhound as we set about round two of speaking with the brilliant Simone Mueller. As well as a wee bit of spoilers about Simone’s upcoming talk at DOGx2024 we spend the majority of our conversation talking about, one of, the most searched dog training topics online… Loose Lead Walking. Why is it so bloomin’ hard to train? What is happening to cause the pulling? Thoughts on equipment, management strategies, outlets and training games and strategies to succeed. If you haven’t got a copy of Simone's book “Walking Together” it is a much needed and worthy book to have on those shelves.

There's also a not to be missed (ahem) section where Nat, Corrin and Steve reminisce about the school days and words they used to think were cool. We also have a brand new Stevie song for you called “What Comes Natural Mate”, inspired by Simone's PST training books. All this absolutely free!? YES PLEASE!

Simone Facts: 

Simone Mueller, MA is a certified dog trainer and dog behaviour consultant (ATN) from Germany. She specialises in force-free anti-predation training and is the author of the three books of the Predation Substitute Training series. Simone is proud to be an Associate Trainer at the Scotland-based Lothlorien Dog Training Club (AT-LDTC) and a member of The Initiative of Force-Free Dog Training, the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) and the Pet Dog Trainers of Europe (PDTE).

LINKS

Learn more about Simone: http://www.predation-substitute-training.com

DOGx Tickets

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Hey, Hey, Hey Bookshelvers!

You find us feeling as focused as a sincere sighthound silently stalking a stag! Why you ask? Well it’s all to do with this amazing conversation we’ve had with Professor Carri Westgarth. To say we’re excited to share it with you is, one heck of, an understatement. We really do cover VAST number of topics including some difficult subjects like: fatalities from dog bites, breed bans and how to increase public safety. On top of that we discuss both of Carri’s books (The Happy Dog Owner & Dogs Bites), Dave the virtual dog and the endless possibilities he brings and much, much more. Steve also goes solo with the intro and outro this week AND reads an exclusive audio version of a piece he wrote that fits with the general tone of todays conversation. So pop that kettle on and immerse yourself in dog geekery for a couple of hours.

Carri Facts:

Professor Carri Westgarth is Chair in Human-Animal Interaction at the University of Liverpool with a passion for understanding the relationships we have with our pets. With a background in animal behaviour and dog training she has trained in veterinary epidemiology and human public health. Her research interests focus on the implications of dog ownership for human health and wellbeing, but also how owner management of their dogs can impact dog welfare. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods are used to tackle her primary research questions of how to improve population health through the promotion of dog walking, and how to prevent dog bites. Her expertise on understanding and changing the behaviour of dog owners is sought by many organisations wishing to prevent dog bites and promote ‘responsible’ dog owner behaviour, such as her work as a consultant for Royal Mail. She is also a Full Member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors and founder of the Merseyside Dog Safety Partnership. In her spare time Carri teaches dog training classes, and previously was a professional Assistance Dog Instructor. Her practical experience in many areas relating to dogs, combined with a multi-disciplinary academic perspective, gives unique strength and relevance to her expertise.

Links:

The Merseyside Dog Safety Partnership

Buy "The Happy Dog Owner" on Amazon

Buy "Dog Bites" on Amazon

Subscribe to receive a weekly PACT LUNCH

DOGx Tickets

HOW DO YOU ALL DO BOOKSHELVERS!? 

Another fortnight has passed and that means another sparkling new episode of Barks from the Bookshelf is here to tickle your, dog nerd, ear buds into joyus submission. This week is a WHOPPER of an episode BUT it’s a whopper for a very good reason! This week We are thrilled to interview the wonderful force of nature that is Linda Michaels, M.A., Psychology about her book The Do No Harm Dog Training & Behaviour Handbook. As many of you already know, Linda will be crossing the Atlantic and speaking at the DOGx 2024 conference this October. You’ll get a glimpse into the “force of nature” that is Linda Michaels during this interview as we discuss her origins, the decisions and processes that led to the book itself, the development of the Hierarchy of Dog Needs, activism and some, good old psychology as well. We also get a taster of what’s to come at DOGx. There really isn’t enough words to describe Linda’s role in moving the dog training and behaviour world forward so you’ll just have to listen. On top of all that Corrin, Nat and Steve talk through the book and answer your Bookshelver questions in their own rambling style.  

Linda Facts:

Linda Michaels, M.A., Psychology, author of the ground-breaking, best-seller, The Do No Harm Dog Training and Behaviour Handbook— Featuring the Hierarchy of Dog Needs pioneers the “First, Do No Harm” ethics approach in dog training. With an advanced degree in psychology and animal behaviour, research conducted in behavioural neurobiology, and five years of shelter and rescue experience, Linda’s work bridges a gap between science, dog trainers, and pet parents with hands-on skills with dogs, wolfdogs, and the famed Belyaev foxes. Linda tells us, “My shelter experience working with the most difficult behavioural cases helped lay the foundation for all of the work I do today in animal care and training, protecting both the physical and the emotional well-being of the heartbeats at our feet.”

Linda is considered one of the modern-era, trailblazing experts and influencers in canine behaviour consulting and animal welfare advocacy. Her internationally acclaimed Hierarchy of Dog Need teaching tool, now translated into 14 languages, is endorsed by canine scientists and ethologists as well as trainers, new and seasoned, and is available FREE. The Hierarchy of Dog Needs offers a clear, dog-centric alternative to the outdated, teaching paradigms widely used today.

The Do No Harm Dog Training and Behaviour Handbook combines compassion with science in an easy-to-follow roadmap to success, providing answers to common and complex dog behaviour problems. Illustrating the most effective methods endorsed by the greatest minds in dog training and behaviour, dog lovers are taken on a journey to understanding and meeting their dog’s needs. The first section of The Do No Harm Dog Training and Behaviour Handbook is devoted to detailing each item on the Hierarchy of Dog Needs. By addressing needs first, pet parents and trainers often find that many behaviour problems may all but disappear. The meticulously researched handbook tackles the most challenging issues faced by dog lovers and pet professionals, including: nutrition, veterinary and grooming visits, basic training skills, aggression, and separation anxiety. With a foreword by Dr. Marc Bekoff, co-founder with Jane Goodall of the Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the handbook is scientifically supported with 18 pages of scholarly journal citations and a detailed index.

You may find Linda in international trade magazines, and as a featured expert in Psychology Today online, Newsweek online, Huffington Post Live, Wolf Dog Radio, as an APBC, Dog-Centered Care, Barking Up the Right Tree International Festival for Reactive Dogs, KIENO Summit, Puppy Blueprint, Dog Wisdom webinar presenter, and speaker at the inaugural Pet Professional Guild Summit on “Understanding Research—Making the Case for Force-free Dog Training.”

Linda founded the wildly popular Do No Harm Dog Training Facebook group where you can easily find her, and recently launched the DoNoHarmDogTraining.com swag store.

Links:

Amazon Link to purchase The Do No Harm Dog Training and Behavior Handbook:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1732253706?ref_=cm_sw_r_mwn_dp_6R09BF50YG2ZBDZPKCHB&language=en-US

The Do No Harm Website & Store:

https://www.donoharmdogtraining.com/

DOGx Tickets:

https://www.pact-dogs.com/dogx2024

Subscribe to receive a weekly PACT Lunch:

https://www.pact-dogs.com/

We hope we find you well Bookshelvers!?

What an insightful and delightful chat we had with Dr Chris Little here at Barks HQ. This was one of those chats FULL of great advice and stories. Have you ever wanted to nurture a better relationship with your vet? Would you like to simultaneously increase your knowledge of dogs as well as gain a deeper understanding of important and common diseases that our dogs might develop? Well if this is you then The Dog Care Handbook is the book for you! Arguably, no other book we’ve read and aimed at the public provides such a wide-ranging remit covering the health and well-being of our dogs. Chris takes us all through a journey into understanding and cultivating relationships with our veterinarian friends as what the landscape looks like from within the veterinary world. Nat and Steve review the book and Steve drops the (not so secret) big news he’s been sat on! Enjoy us massaging your inner ears for a tiny wee while… woof! 

Chris Facts:

Dr Chris Little is a vet who recently retired from clinical work after more than 40 years. He taught at Glasgow University Veterinary School for a decade but spent the bulk of his career in companion animal practice. Initially a keen surgeon, the focus of his interests gradually evolved towards diagnostics and medicine, especially cardiology. Chris has published widely in the academic literature and lectured both in the UK and abroad. He is married with two adult children and two dogs.

Links:

DOGx Tickets
PACT Lunches

HOW THE DEVIL ARE YOU BOOKSHELVERS!? 

What a treat we have in store for you this week here at Barks HQ. We are joined by yet another awesome author, the excellent Simone Mueller. Not only has Simone written some of the most helpful, accessible and informative books on how to work with a dog with a high predatory behaviours but she will also be presenting a talk at this years DOGx Conference. We talk about the squirrel event that caused Steve to first read Hunting Together, how Simone approaches training, on both sides of the lead, the emotions we all feel when faced with a dog that has higher than average drives/needs and how to provide outlets that work WITH dogs. We talk through the dangers of using pain and intimidation to tackle these behaviours and what is going on inside our dogs when arousal goes through the roof. This really was an interesting conversation that we know you'll all love. We also tackle some very interesting and well thought out listener questions, get an audio PACT blog from Natalie AND have some wild canid visitors LIVE during recording!!!! Prepare those lug holes gang X

Simone Facts:

Simone Mueller, MA is a certified dog trainer and dog behaviour consultant (ATN) from Germany. She specialises in force-free anti-predation training and is the author of the Predation Substitute Training series. Simone is proud to be an Associate Trainer at the Scotland-based Lothlorien Dog Training Club (AT-LDTC) and a member of both the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) and the Pet Dog Trainers of Europe (PDTE). Follow Simone’s work on Facebook and Instagram: #predationsubstitutetraining

Links:

Learn more about Predation Substitute Training: http://www.predation-substitute-training.com
Links:

DOGx Tickets
PACT Lunches

HOW'S TRICKS BOOKSHELVERS???

We are back with a informative, funny and life affirming chat with the wonderful Cat Henstridge (known to all as Cat the Vet). Cat is known to many of you as the voice of reason for the veterinary profession on social media. Her informative, entertaining videos dispense crucial information to the public and professionals alike. We get to talk all things "Cat" as well as her advice for trainers when it comes to, the sticky subject of, how to conduct yourself and navigate the world of social media. This is a must listen and it was a very free flowing conversation. On top of all this top content the team reviews the food (and other aspects) of their recent environmental soiree as well as Corrin reading out a rousing blog about coming together for the better of our companion animals at the end. Prepare for ear love!

Cat facts:

Cat Henstridge BVSc ESVPS Cert GP (SAM) MRCVS

Cat graduated from Bristol University in 2003  and works as a small animal veterinary surgeon at Peak vets.  Cat is a published author and writes a number of articles for various veterinary and non-veterinary publications. She is a vet on the BBC Children’s Television Show – The Pets Factor and is passionate about promoting animal welfare. Cat also has a significant social media presence that has gained her millions of views as "Cat the Vet" where her videos educate and entertain in equal measure.

Links:

TikTok 
Facebook
Instagram

DOGx Tickets
PACT Lunches

HEY HEY HEY Bookshelvers!

We are back this week with another DOGx 2024 special for you! This episode we get to interview the awesome Belinda (Bee) Johnson & Fran Murtaugh of the wonderful charity Dog Aid. It never fails to amaze us as to how this amazing charity change the lives of physically disabled people by enabling them to train their own pet dog to become a fully fledged assistance dog. They have an incredible and talented community of voluntary professional dog trainers across the U.K. and in this episode you can here all about the important work they do. This was a genuine joy to record and we will be excited to see them talk and demo at this years DOGx.

Dog Aid Facts:

Dog A.I.D. (created in 1992) changes lives by enabling physically Disabled people across the U.K. to train their own pet dog to become an accredited Assistance Dog, supported by our team of dedicated and experienced volunteer dog trainers. A Dog A.I.D. trained Assistance Dog increases independence by helping with practical tasks, builds confidence, reduces isolation and the need for care.

Find out more or volunteer here: https://dogaid.org.uk/

On top of this we paint a vivid image of how Nat shares her life with a "Rubber Ducky" and run a (non sponsored) ad for Belvita

There are still a few tickets left for DOGx 2024 so be quick to grab one here: https://www.pact-dogs.com/dogx2024