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Daniel is joined by Dr Findy Wills and Elena Wilse on what happens when behaviour and physiotherapy work together, and why physical pain so often sits underneath a behaviour problem. Links from this episode: - Elevate Veterinary Physiotherapy, including the online gait analysis service: elevatevetphysio.co.uk - Elevate on Instagram: @elevatevetphysio - The guide framework discussed in the episode, available through the Elevate website: https://elevatevetphysio.co.uk/wellness-check/ - Dr Findy Wills: https://www.letstalkpaws.com.au/ Find more from Brain and Behaviour Academy at https://www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk. If you enjoy.ed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague.

Daniel is joined by Lynn Hewison and Chirag Patel to question a word we all use and rarely define, reactivity. They look at why it means something different to almost everyone who says it, and what a more useful approach looks like when the dog is in front of you. Lynn Hewison is a Clinical Animal Behaviourist who led the MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour at the University of Lincoln. Chirag Patel is an internationally recognised behaviour and training consultant. Links from this episode: Lynn Hewison, The Pet Behaviour Company, for her reactivity webinars and courses: https://www.petbehaviourcompany.co.uk/the-teamLynn and Chirag's coaching for professionals, BYS Coaching: https://www.byscoaching.com/The B.F. Skinner Foundation, recommended by Chirag for its free resources and quarterly magazine: https://www.bfskinner.org/ Find more from Brain and Behaviour Academy at https://www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague.

In this episode Daniel is joined by Victoria Stilwell to discuss her new Reactivity Zones Approach as well as her journey into dog training, her early experience as a dog trainer in New York City, and her projects and collaborations with incredible trainers all over the world. Victoria will be involved in a number of events in 2026 including the Emotional Wellbeing in Animals Conference, a UK seminar on the Reactivity Zones in June (link below), as well offering lots of great courses via her platforms Positively and the Victoria Stilwell Academy. https://standishdogtrainer.co.uk/seminars-conferences/ https://positively.com/ https://www.vsdogtrainingacademy.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 In this conversation, Suzanne Clothier explores why behaviour work must begin with the individual animal rather than rigid training formulas or one-size-fits-all methods. She reflects on her evolution as a trainer, her concerns about overly transactional models, and why relationship, context, and the animal’s lived experience are central to meaningful behaviour change. Suzanne introduces her six elemental questions as a practical framework for understanding animals, including interest in interaction, individual differences, present-moment experience, capability, permission, and what is possible together. She explains how these questions help trainers and guardians move beyond assumptions and better interpret what the animal is actually communicating. The episode also covers Suzanne’s assessment tools and her emphasis on function, including physiological, cognitive, and social wellbeing. She discusses why details such as sleep, pain, mobility, and everyday functioning are often missed in behaviour cases, and how these factors can fundamentally shape behaviour outcomes. The conversation then turns to reactivity, where Suzanne challenges the broad use of the term and advocates for a more nuanced, individualised approach. She discusses handler skill, leash handling, self-regulation, relationship dynamics, and decision points in training, highlighting the importance of helping both dog and human stay in the “think and learn zone” rather than relying on generic recipes. 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 Helen Howell is a forensic behaviourist and expert witness. Helen spent 16 years as a police detective, much of which was spent working on a child protection unit. Following retirement through injury Helen became a clinical animal behaviourist. Helen has worked with dogs all over the world including street dogs in India and Sri Lanka and game bred American Pit Bull terriers from dog fighting cases in the United States. Helen now works predominantly as an expert witness for Dangerous Dog cases involving injury or fatality and has recently completed a PhD at the University of Lincoln. For her doctoral thesis Helen has developed evidence based dog bite risk assessment guidance. This new approach to the assessment of dog bite risk is a holistic and more ethical approach than many current methods with the intention of better prediction and prevention of dog bites. Episode Summary Helen explains why traditional, stimulus-provocation style “temperament tests” are poor predictors of real-world risk and outlines a new, evidence-based approach using structured professional judgment. She introduces two tools under development, the DBR24 for comprehensive expert assessments and the DBRT triage tool for frontline professionals, both designed to shift focus from a dog’s appearance to the factors that actually drive bite risk: environment, management, owner understanding, predictability, and safeguarding. The conversation contrasts this with breed-specific legislation in the UK, highlighting subjectivity in type identification, why breed is a weak proxy for risk, and how better home-context assessments, owner capability, and practical management plans more effectively protect public safety. 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 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 her work with severe cases Sonia outlines why resource guarding is rarely just about “the item”. 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 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. To find out more, visit Malena’s website https://malenademartini.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 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.

Guest Bio: Dr. Grace Cook is a recent graduate of the Royal Veterinary College, earning her degree as a veterinary surgeon in July 2024. With a deep-rooted passion for canine care, she has dedicated over a decade to working with rescue dogs, having personally cared for around 30 foster dogs, kittens and other animals. Her extensive experience with dogs spans from rescue and rehabilitation to professional dog walking, sitting, training, and behavioural management. During her time at university, Dr. Cook led the Royal Dog Society, where she organised educational talks, hands-on training sessions with professionals, social events, and dog sports, fostering a community passionate about canine welfare. Her journey with dogs extends beyond professional practice, having adopted and rehabilitated three rescue dogs, each presenting unique behavioural and medical challenges. Dr. Cook's interest in the connection between pain and behaviour was further cultivated through shadowing veterinary behaviourists, physiotherapists, and observing the Queen Mother Hospital's pain clinic. These experiences have profoundly shaped her approach to veterinary medicine, particularly in understanding and addressing the complex interplay between physical pain and behavioural issues in dogs. Want to learn more? Explore science-backed courses, webinars, and resources for dog behaviour professionals at our new online platform: ⁠www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk⁠