In this episode of the Research Bites podcast, Dr. Spaulding interviews Dr. Lisa Gunter about her work on reducing stress and improving welfare in shelter dogs.  If you work or volunteer in a shelter – or work closely with shelter or rescue dogs - this is the podcast for you! 

Lisa Gunter is an Assistant Professor of Animal Behavior and Welfare at Virginia Tech in the School of Animal Sciences, and she directs the Center for Applied Animal Behavior and Education. Before beginning her graduate studies, she worked for nearly a decade in animal shelters and with pet dogs and their owners.

The goal of Lisa's teaching, research, and extension is to better the lives of people and their pets. Prior to joining Virginia Tech, she was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Coastal Carolina University and the Maddie's Fund Research Fellow at Arizona State University. Lisa is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and earned her Ph.D. and M. A. in the Behavioral Neuroscience and Comparative Psychology program at Arizona State University. In the canine science collaboratory. 

Dr. Gunter discusses how weekend foster stays and brief field trips affect shelter dogs. Specifically, she explains how these activities influence stress and length of stay. Another factor that may impact length of stay is breed labeling – Dr. Gunter shared key insights from her research on this topic as well. This exciting research sheds light on how shelters can best serve the animals in their care. 

Next, Dr. Gunter and Dr. Spaulding share their thoughts on the future of animal sheltering– it’s a very different model than what is being used today! Finally, make sure you stay to the end to learn more about the upcoming Canine Science Symposium!

00:00 Introduction to Research Bites Membership
00:53 Welcome to the Research Bites Podcast
01:27 Introducing Dr. Lisa Gunter
01:44 Dr. Gunter's Background and Research Focus
03:34 The Importance of Shelter Dog Research
05:44 Impact of Short-Term Foster Stays
08:42 Measuring Stress in Shelter Dogs
10:24 Challenges and Methods in Collecting Data
10:55 Findings from Sleepover Studies
24:48 Field Trips vs. Sleepovers
32:13 Understanding Animal Stress in Shelters
32:48 Interpreting Cortisol Levels in Shelter Dogs
35:47 Field Trips and Their Impact on Shelter

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In this episode, we explore two common myths about science and how they relate to the world of dog training and behavior:

Myth #1: Science is elitist and doesn’t apply to the real world.

• The Truth: Science is for everyone! You don’t need a fancy degree to understand and apply science in meaningful ways.
• Science is deeply connected to real-world applications, including the everyday work of dog training and behavior.
• Dr. Spaulding shares examples of research that directly informs and improves how we work with dogs.

Myth #2: There are black-and-white answers about behavior.

• The Truth: Behavior and biological systems are incredibly complex.
• Oversimplifying them can hinder our ability to truly understand and help animals.
• Science evolves as we learn more, and this is a good thing! Progress means discovering better ways to do things, rather than sticking to outdated methods.

Key Takeaways:

• Science matters! It can be approachable and valuable for anyone working with animals. 
• Complexity is part of what makes science (and behavior) fascinating—and embracing it can lead to better outcomes.
• Learning and adapting as new evidence emerges is essential for growth, both as individuals and as practitioners.

This episode is about making science less intimidating, highlighting how it connects to what you do every day, and encouraging curiosity about the way we approach training and behavior.

Let’s dive in!

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00:00 Introduction to Research Bites Podcast
 00:30 Join the Research Bites Membership
 01:08 Introducing Dr. Sara Hintze
 02:01 Dr. Hintze's Journey into Animal Welfare
 04:43 The Evolution of Animal Welfare Science
 06:22 Understanding Positive Welfare in Animals
 09:33 Challenges in Measuring Animal Emotions
 14:58 Individual Differences in Animal Welfare
 19:28 Cognitive Bias and Optimism in Animals
 22:28 Assessing Well-Being in Individual Animals
 28:40 Balancing Individual Differences in Animal Training
 30:23 The Importance of Addressing Underlying Problems
 33:01 Introduction to Flow in Animal Behavior
 34:10 Defining Intrinsic Reward and Flow
 37:13 Exploring Flow in Animals
 48:31 Inducing Flow in Companion Animals
 51:39 Future Directions in Animal Welfare Research
 54:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
 
 In this episode of the Research Bites podcast, host Dr. Kristina Spaulding welcomes Dr. Sara Hintze, who studies animal welfare and emotions. They discuss the evolution of the study of animal welfare, shifting from focusing solely on reducing suffering to promoting positive emotional states. Dr. Hintze explains the complexities of measuring subjective experience in animals and highlights research related to cognitive bias, optimism, and individual differences in animal behavior. The conversation also delves into the intriguing concept of 'flow' in animals, exploring how activities such as herding and hunting might induce a state of intrinsic reward. The importance of choice, agency, and varied enrichment for enhancing animal well-being is also discussed.

For more information about Dr. Hintze, you can click here.

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In this episode of the Research Bites podcast, host Dr. Kristina Spaulding interviews Professor Daniel Mills, a renowned expert in veterinary behavioral medicine from the University of Lincoln. They explore the complexities of animal behavior, the evolution of different behavioral models, and the role of emotions in influencing behavior. Professor Mills shares insights from his extensive research, including the development of the psychobiological model for assessing animal behavior and his work on using AI to detect emotions and pain in animals.

Key Topics Covered:

• Behavioral Models Explained: Differences between the medical, behavioral, and psychobiological approaches to animal behavior.
• The Role of Emotion in Behavior: Considering internal states is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of animal behavior.
• AI and Emotion Detection: How artificial intelligence is being used to recognize emotions and pain in animals, including dogs, cats, and horses.
• The Impact of Cognitive Load: How factors like discomfort or anxiety can affect an animal's cognitive capacity and behavior.
• Human-Animal Interactions: How dogs respond to human facial expressions and vocal cues, and the importance of building a positive relationship with pets.
• Challenges in Scientific Communication: Addressing the uncertainty of science, biases, and the influence of beliefs on interpreting behavior.

Key Quotes:

•  "Dogs live in an emotional world, often looking to synchronize their emotions with those of their human companions." 
• "Science is about reducing uncertainty, not finding absolute truths."

Timestamps:

• [00:05:45] Discussion of different behavioral models
• [00:18:47] The function and importance of emotions in animals
• [00:24:03] Using AI for emotion recognition in animals
• [00:46:47] The effects of cognitive load on behavior
• [00:48:42] How dogs respond to human emotions and facial expressions
• [00:59:57] The complexities of scientific communication

Resources Mentioned:

• Dr. Daniel Mills' 
  • On Facebook
  • At the University of Lincoln

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Hello everyone! I am taking a break to develop a more effective and consistent system for podcast production so that I can release episodes on a regular timeline. That means I need to take a short break to get everything organized, but rest assured we will be back soon!

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Your host: Kristina Spaulding, PhD, CAAB with Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior, LLC

This podcast was originally released in March 2022 as a shortened version. This is the full version of the original podcast.

My guest today is Dr. Monique Udell. Dr. Udell is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and an Associate Professor of Animal & Rangeland Sciences at Oregon State University, where she directs the Human-Animal Interactions Lab and teaches courses on Animal Behavior, Cognition and Learning. Much of her work focuses on the development of human-animal bonds, with wild and domesticated animals, and the impact that these bonds can have on the behavior and success of both species. She also studies the social behavior and cognition of a variety of species including cats, dogs, wolves and sheep. In addition, Dr. Udell is a Co-director of an imitation-based dog training intervention program dedicated to improving the physical activity and quality of life of children with and without developmental disabilities and their family dog. To find out more visit: https://thehumananimalbond.com/ In this episode we talk about a variety of topics including problem-solving, how dogs attend to humans and forming secure attachments.

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Summary

In this conversation, Kristina discusses two research papers. The first paper explores the effects of pair housing versus single housing in shelter dogs (yes, this was discussed last episode, but this is a 2nd study on the same topic, from a different perspective). The study found that pair housing with another dog may decrease stress levels and reduce the length of stay in shelters.

The second paper examines training methods used by dog owners in the United States. The study found that problem behaviors were common in dogs, and aversive training methods were frequently used. The results also highlighted the need for increased accessibility to professional training and behavior advice.

Here are some important links:

The Science Matters website: www.sciencemattersllc.com
Unlocking Resilience course: https://sciencemattersllc.com/unlocking-resilience
Join the Science Matters mailing list: http://eepurl.com/hY-7hr

1st paper:
Hecker, G., Martineau, K., Scheskie, M., Hammerslough, R., & Feuerbacher, E. N. (2024). Effects of single- or pair-housing on the welfare of shelter dogs: Behavioral and physiological indicators. PLOS ONE, 19(6), e0301137. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0301137

2nd paper:
Johnson, A. C., & Wynne, C. D. L. (2024). Training Methods Used by Dog Guardians in the United States: Prevalence, Sources of Information, and Reasons for Use. Animals, 14(9), Article 9. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14091310 

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Summary

In this conversation, Dr. Patricia McConnell and Dr. Kristina Spaulding explore the concept of flow, which is a state of complete absorption and engagement in an activity that is intrinsically rewarding. They discuss how flow can vary among individuals and how it relates to different activities dogs might do. The conversation highlights the importance of providing opportunities for animals to engage in activities purely for their own enjoyment.

They also discuss the importance of providing animals with opportunities for agency and choice, allowing them to actively engage with their environment and gather knowledge. The conversation highlights the need for balance in caregiving, reinforcing ourselves for the efforts we make, and giving animals the space to learn and explore.

For more information on Dr. McConnell, go to www.patriciamcconnell.com or visit her blog, at www.theotherendoftheleash.com, and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

For more information on Dr. Spaulding, go to www.sciencemattersllc.com, or click here for Research Bites or here for the Unlocking Resilience course.

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Summary

In this conversation, I discuss two research papers related to dog behavior. The first paper explores the influence of puppy whines on maternal behavior in dogs. The study found that puppy whines trigger maternal care - with stronger maternal care in response to the mother's own puppies.  The second paper examines the impact of different enrichment interventions on the stress levels of dogs in a shelter. The study suggests that housing dogs with conspecifics may be beneficial in reducing stress. However, the results are not clear cut and I discuss the limitations and challenges in interpreting this study.

Takeaways

• Puppy whines can influence maternal behavior in dogs, and mothers can identify their own puppies based on the acoustics of their whines.
• Housing dogs with conspecifics may help reduce stress levels in shelter dogs.
• Individual variation in shelter dogs is important to consider.
• Interpreting results in stress-related studies is complex - I discuss some of the important points to consider.

Chapters

00:00 The Influence of Puppy Whines on Maternal Behavior in Dogs
10:19 Enrichment Interventions and Stress Levels in Shelter Dogs

References

Massenet, M., Philippe, R., Pisanski, K., Arnaud, V., Barluet de Beauchesne, L., Reynaud, K., ... & Reby, D. (2024). Puppy whines mediate maternal behavior in domestic dogs. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 121(22), e2316818121.

Corsetti, S., Natoli, E., Palme, R., & Viggiano, E. (2023). Intraspecific interactions decrease stress affecting welfare in shelter dogs: A comparison of four different housing conditions. Animals, 13(11), 1828.

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Dr. Lucia Lazarowski, chief behavioral scientist at Auburn University's Canine Performance Sciences Program, discusses her research on olfaction and behavior in detection dogs. Dr. Lazarewski shares insights on the best methods for training dogs to detect odors, the capacity of dogs to learn multiple odors, and the maintenance of odor memory and search training.

We also discuss the fascinating topic of inattentional blindness and how focus on one thing can prevent dogs from even noticing other stimuli - as well as the implications on training and the overall ability of the dog to cope with their environment. We discuss the use of early behavioral testing in working dogs and the reliability of temperament testing. We also touch on the factors associated with success in working dogs, such as confidence, stress resilience, cognitive flexibility, and impulse control. This is worth listening to even if you don't work with working dogs because much of this information likely applies to pet dogs as well!

Dr. Lazarowski emphasizes the need for further research on the behavior and performance of working dogs throughout their career and into old age. She also provides recommendations for improving the well-being of working dogs, including evidence-based training and providing a balance between work and downtime.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Lucia Lazarewski and her work with detection dogs
08:15 The Value and Training of Detection Dogs
24:41 The Importance of Maintenance Training for Detection Dogs
33:33 The Impact of Arousal on Performance
44:19 Cognitive Flexibility and Impulse Control
01:01:04 Unanswered Questions in Detection Dog Research

If you'd like to learn more or contact Dr. Spaulding, you can do so through our website www.sciencemattersllc.com.

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