Guest Bio

Sonia Fetherling is a professional dog trainer and behaviour consultant with nearly 25 years of experience. Based just south of Chicago, she is known for her creative, outside-the-box approach to complex cases, especially resource guarding. Sonia’s work is deeply informed by her own dog, Kismet, whose severe and multifaceted guarding behaviours led her to rethink traditional desensitisation and counterconditioning protocols. Through board-and-train work, client coaching, and a strong focus on predictability, attachment, and nervous-system regulation, Sonia helps dogs and families rebuild trust and navigate high-stress guarding cases with compassion and nuance.

She can be reached via email at [email protected], and you can follow her under her name, Sonja Fetherling, on social media. Her website is undergoing redevelopment.

Episode Summary

In this episode, Sonia Fetherling joins Daniel to unpack the complexity and nuance of resource guarding. Sonia explains why typical protocols often fall apart in real homes, particularly with dogs who steal items, escalate quickly, or have developed poisoned cues around trading and food delivery. Drawing from decades of experience and her work with severe cases—including her own dog, Kismet—Sonia outlines why resource guarding is rarely just about “the item” and far more connected to insecurity, attachment patterns, arousal, predictability, sleep quality, health, and environmental stress.

The conversation covers predatory components of stealing behaviours, how value of resources shifts through effort and conflict, why secure attachment and choice are essential, and how board-and-train can be used thoughtfully to reset patterns. Sonia also introduces concepts such as the core affect space, poisoned protocols, global guarders, and the importance of early intervention. Her approach centres on relationship, trust, decompression, and preventing conflict before it begins.

Want to learn more? Explore science-backed courses, webinars, and resources for dog behaviour professionals at our new online platform: www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk

Links

Email Sonia: [email protected]

More information:

Website: https://animalbehaviourkent.co.uk

ABK Learn Platform: https://www.abklearn.co.uk

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@animalbehaviourkent261

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animalbehaviourkent

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Animalbehaviourkent

Twitter (X): https://x.com/AnimalKent

For more on evidence-based training, canine behaviour science, or upcoming events, visit animalbehaviourkent.co.uk or explore our learning platform at abklearn.co.uk.

Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected].

In this episode Daniel talks to the incredible Malena DeMartini about all things separation anxiety in dogs. Malena dives into some fascinating topics including the dog–caregiver relationship in the context of separation anxiety protocols, tracking data in separation cases, and the practical considerations for supporting dogs with separation anxiety.

Episode Summary

Alyssa joins Daniel to explore the critical intersection of nutrition and behaviour. She shares her journey from zoo animal welfare to canine nutrition, inspired by both professional experience and personal health challenges. The conversation covers the science of the microbiome, the similarities between human and canine nutrition, and how diet can exacerbate or alleviate behaviour issues.

Want to learn more? Explore science-backed courses, webinars, and resources for dog behaviour professionals at our online platform: ⁠www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk

Guest Bio:

Dr. Cook is an International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, a longstanding professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), and was one of the first trainers nationally to become a Certified Professional Dog Trainer through independent evaluation. Dr. Cook received her Ph.D. in Psychology from UC Berkeley, with her research focusing on the dog-human relationship and its effect on the problem solving strategies dogs employ. Dr. Cook is the founder and creator of the Play Way and a popular instructor for the online school, The Fenzi Dog Sports Academy. She has been training dogs for nearly 30 years, and has specialized in the rehabilitation of shy and fearful dogs for over 20 years

Episode Summary:

Amy and Daniel explore the origins and applications of The Play Way. Amy explains how she combined insights from child play therapy, human psychology, and dog training to create a system that helps fearful and anxious dogs feel safe and connected. They discuss the role of social buffering, laughter, and expectation-free play in building resilience, and why traditional conditioning methods often leave underlying fear untouched. The conversation is full of practical insights into how play can transform the dog-human relationship.

Amy's signature Play Way class starting in December looking at using the Play Way to support fearful and reactive dogs: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/84

Want to learn more? Explore science-backed courses, webinars, and resources for dog behaviour professionals at our online platform: ⁠www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk

Episode Summary:

Hannah and Daniel discuss the role of campaigning, policy, and communication in advancing dog welfare. Hannah shares her journey from hands-on training to TV, authorship, and policy work, and explains how being able to connect with different stakeholders —from dog owners to vets to MPs—is a critical skill. They explore the successes of APPG for Dog Welfare, grassroots campaigning, and how public opinion and expert advocacy can combine to make lasting change for dogs.

Relevant Links

APPG for Dog Welfare (APDAWG): https://apdawg.co.uk

Book What’s My Dog Thinking?: https://www.dk.com/uk/book/9780241419832-whats-my-dog-thinking

The Future of Dogs Podcast: https://futureofdogs.buzzsprout.com/

Want to learn more? Explore science-backed courses, webinars, and resources for dog behaviour professionals at our online platform: ⁠www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk.⁠

Episode Summary:

Melissa joins Daniel to compare the behavioural challenges of dogs in urban and rural settings. She explains how city dogs are constantly bombarded by sensory overload—sounds, smells, confined spaces, and straight-line encounters on sidewalks—that create frustration, reactivity, and stress. In contrast, rural dogs often face challenges like predation and lack of recall training. Melissa also shares her work in an exciting new research project!

Relevant Links

• ​Book: Considerations for the City Dog: https://considerationsforthecitydog.com
• ​PACT Conference (mentioned): https://www.pact-dogs.com

Want to learn more? Explore science-backed courses, webinars, and resources for dog behaviour professionals at our online platform: ⁠www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk.⁠

Guest Bio

Rowena is the Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science (2020-Present) at the Royal Veterinary College, London. Rowena leads a research group exploring diverse topics in this area, including the impact of chronic and inherited disorders on dog behaviour and welfare, and the impact of owner knowledge, attitudes and behaviour on canine welfare. She has received >£1.9 million of research funding to date, of which ~£820,000 has been held as Principal Investigator. Rowena has co-authored >90 peer reviewed papers and book chapters and co-edited the textbook ‘Health and Welfare of Brachycephalic (Flat-faced) Companion Animals’ (2021). Rowena holds a PhD from the Royal Veterinary College (2013) which explored the impact of extreme conformation on canine health, a 1st Class BSc (Hons) in Animal Behaviour and Welfare from the University of Bristol (2009), and a PGCert in Veterinary Education from the Royal Veterinary College (2021). Rowena is a Coordinating Group Member for the Animal Welfare Research Network, and a founding member of the Brachycephalic Working Group (UK) and the Legal Advisory Group on Extreme Conformation in Dogs.

Episode Summary

In this episode, Rowena Packer and Daniel explore the major welfare challenges facing dogs in the UK and globally. They discuss the ethics and realities of dog breeding, the enforcement gaps in legislation, and the responsibilities of owners versus breeders. Rowena explains how cultural differences and government involvement affect welfare standards across countries, and why meaningful enforcement is just as critical as laws themselves. The conversation also dives into the importance of engaging “the unengaged” dog owners, and how public attitudes, misinformation, and anti-expert culture create barriers to better welfare.

Relevant Links

- Royal Veterinary College

https://www.rvc.ac.uk

- Infographics

https://www.rvc.ac.uk/vetcompass/audio-visual-resources/research-infographics

Want to learn more? Explore science-backed courses, webinars, and resources for dog behaviour professionals at our online platform: ⁠www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk.⁠

Guest Bio:

Else Verbeek is the founder of Amazing Animal Minds and an Associate Professor of Animal Welfare at the Agricultural University in Uppsala (Sweden). At Amazing Animal Minds, I help dogs (and their owners) overcome stress, fear and anxiety. In addition, I provide training and education about dog behaviour, stress and emotion for dog trainers and behaviourists. My research explored the link between cognition, emotion and (stress) physiology with the aim to improve animal welfare.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Else Verbeek joins Daniel to explore the science of stress, welfare, and emotion. She explains the role of the HPA axis and cortisol in animals, unpacking what stress hormones really tell us—and what they don’t. Else discusses the differences between acute and chronic stress, the challenges of measuring welfare across species, and the parallels (and limits) between animal and human mental health research. The conversation also dives into how environment, enrichment, and even the microbiome shape behaviour, and why focusing on positive welfare—allowing animals to thrive, not just survive—is the next frontier for science and practice.

Want to learn more? Explore science-backed courses, webinars, and resources for dog behaviour professionals at our online platform: ⁠www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk.⁠

Guest Bio:

Kim Brophey, CDBC, CPDT-KA, FDM, is an applied ethologist and accomplished behavior consultant and trainer who has been working with dogs and their families for over 25 years. Kim’s commitment to Family Dog Mediation® has been recognized internationally, awarded the APDT Outstanding Trainer of the Year in 2009 and the Best Dog Trainer of WNC eight years in a row.

She is a member of the International Society for Applied Ethology and the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, and a certified member and past board member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants as well as the Asheville Humane Society. Kim Brophey’s L.E.G.S.® model of integrated canine science has been endorsed by prominent canine scientists such as Raymond Coppinger, and embraced by reputable academics and dog trainers worldwide.

Her market-disrupting L.E.G.S.® Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation® Course is the flagship of a rapidly growing worldwide initiative that is leading the charge in setting a new direction for the pet industry and culture- a welfare-first understanding of pet dog behavior. From the Family Dog Mediation Education Center ® to the L.E.G.S. in Motion Conference, and her Dog Key® Canine Genetic Heritage Testing Software to the thousands of active FDM student community members collaborating in a functional professional ecosystem, Kim’s work is a meaningful contribution to the advancement of the pet dog industry.

Her groundbreaking, awarded, sold-out first edition book – MEET YOUR DOG, TED talk, Beyond The Operant (BTO) collaborative, The Dog’s Truth documentary, numerous public speaking venues at institutions & conferences around the world, references in various publications, and countless radio and podcast features have made profound waves throughout the dog behavior world as well as the general public. Kim continues to endeavor to build bridges and invite others to contribute to a new conversation about dogs – one that challenges us to redefine how we perceive, talk about, provide for, and live with our canine companions as a society.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Kim Brophey joins Daniel to discuss why the way we think about pet dogs needs to change. She argues that dogs are captive animals, subject to the same welfare challenges seen in zoos and farms, and that behaviour problems often stem from unmet welfare needs rather than training failures. The conversation explores the limitations of management-heavy approaches, the role of evolution and artificial selection in shaping behaviour, and how the LEGS model integrates genetics, learning, environment, and self to provide a holistic framework. Kim also introduces concepts like purpose, resilience, and third way evolutionary theory, inviting us to rethink welfare beyond the absence of distress and towards helping dogs live meaningful lives.

Want to learn more? Explore science-backed courses, webinars, and resources for dog behaviour professionals at our online platform: www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk.

In this episode of Canine Arthritis Matters, Hannah Capon speaks with João Alves MRCVS, a veterinary surgeon with a special interest in chronic pain and osteoarthritis. Together they discuss why spotting pain early is vital, how misinterpreting behaviour can delay care, and why arthritis should be considered long before obvious lameness develops.

João shares practical advice for general practitioners on integrating chronic pain assessment into everyday consults, from history-taking to subtle movement observation. He and Hannah also explore the importance of teamwork with owners, how simple validated tools can improve accuracy, and why communication and empathy are often as powerful as prescriptions in managing canine OA.

Guest Bio:

João Alves MRCVS is a veterinary surgeon based in the UK with a strong focus on chronic pain management and welfare. He has built his clinical practice around improving outcomes for dogs living with osteoarthritis and other long-term pain conditions, ensuring that both vets and owners have the knowledge and tools to intervene earlier. João is passionate about bridging the gap between research and everyday practice, making pain management more accessible and effective for all.

Key Takeaways:

1. Chronic pain is often under-recognised. Behavioural changes such as reluctance to jump, subtle stiffness, or reduced play may be early red flags.

2. Owners are key partners. Teaching them to recognise and record changes helps provide better evidence for diagnosis and management.

3. Validated assessment tools reduce subjectivity and help track progress more reliably than owner memory alone.

4. Pain management should begin early—waiting for overt lameness means lost time and welfare compromise.

5. Empathy, continuity, and communication are central. Building trust leads to more accurate reporting and better adherence to management plans.

Relevant Links:

Join the CAM Member Zone

Access webinars, guides, case studies, and a supportive community of professionals and pet owners working to improve canine arthritis care.

Join here: https://www.caninearthritis.co.uk/member-zone/

Use the Suspicion of Chronic Pain Form

Help identify dogs that may be living with hidden pain. This validated form supports early recognition and structured conversations with owners.

Download here: https://caninearthritis.co.uk/suspicion-of-chronic-pain/

Learn more about CAM:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAMarthritis

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canine_arthritis

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CanineArthritisManagement

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canine-arthritis-management-ltd

Have questions send them to: [email protected]

Stay tuned to learn how early detection can make a significant difference in managing OA in younger dogs.