Clayton sits down with Yaz Porritt, the founder of Yorkshire Pooch's Therapies. Yaz shares her unique journey from being a fraud investigator in a bank to becoming a specialist in canine pain management and nutrition. They take a look at the complexities of identifying pain in dogs, who are often masters at hiding discomfort, and the importance of a collaborative, holistic approach to treatment. Yaz discusses her advocacy for industry regulation and the ‘four pillars of pain’ that every pet parent should monitor to ensure their furry companions live a happy, comfortable life.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Approximately 80% of changes in a dog's behaviour, such as new anxieties or noise sensitivities, can be attributed to underlying physical pain.

Pet owners should regularly monitor four specific areas: Behaviour, Gate (movement), Posture, and Capability to catch early signs of discomfort.

Effective pain management requires an integrative approach involving vets, therapists, and nutritionists to treat the ‘whole dog’ rather than just symptoms.

There is a significant push for legislative reform in the UK (the Veterinary Surgeons Act) to protect professional titles and ensure practitioners meet strict competency standards.

The pet industry is flooded with ‘functional treats’ and supplements that often lack therapeutic doses; always prioritise high-quality foundation nutrition over trendy add-ons.

BEST MOMENTS

"Pain goes so much further than a limp or a yelp. It's the stoic ones, the quiet ones who have quietly accepted that this is just what their life looks like now, that you have to watch."

"Your cheapest, most effective supplement is actually having a lean dog. You can't out-supplement a bad diet and poor body condition."

"The inability to verbally communicate about pain does not negate that there is potentially pain, just because they cannot say it doesn't mean it's not there."

"Holistic has been muddied. People believe holistic is just natural, but actually holistic is taking the whole body into account."

"You should never use pain, coercion, or fear to train a dog. You completely misunderstand the absolute fundamentals of a relationship with another sentient being if you think you have to use pain."

HOST BIO

Clayton Payne is an industry veteran of three decades of working in the pet industry. Brought up working in his parents' pet store, Clayton has seen the industry evolve over five different decades and has been on the cutting edge of the industry since the nineties. Building pet businesses from scratch, establishing multi-national distribution chains and having worked in every aspect of the industry, Clayton has a rare insight into the Pet Industry that is rivalled by few.

Clayton has been the spearhead of many of the industry's changes and has introduced numerous new concepts to market with a trail of success behind him. He has worked in numerous countries within the pet industry, speaks four different languages and has established both import and export relationships on all continents (excluding Antarctica).

As well as being COO of one of the UKs fastest growing insect technology companies, Clayton is a Pet industry consultant who has consulted for many household brands and delivers sales training to pet trade professionals.

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This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/