The Bitey End of the Dog

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Diving Into the Decades: An Enlightening Chat with Ken McCort Jul 01, 2024

Show notes

This is a fascinating discussion that dives into everything from dogs to coyotes; from selective breeding to feral dog populations; from social facilitation to intentional thinking --- a jam packed episode! Join us for a compelling chat with my longtime friend and esteemed colleague, Ken McCort, a luminary in animal training since 1979. Together, we share our journeys through the early days of animal training and reminisce about unforgettable moments from conferences. Ken's illustrious career, notably his exceptional work with wolves and contributions to veterinary education, provides invaluable insights into the complex world of animal behavior.
About Ken:
Ken is a professional animal trainer and behavior consult that has been working with multiple species since 1979. With an education in psychology, ethology and neurobiology, he strives to understand animal behavior based on the niche that the animals live in. He looks at modification of unwanted behaviors and modification for desired behaviors using all three sciences.

As the receiver of the 2020 Association of Professional Dog Trainers Lifetime Achievement Award as well as many other international recognitions, he thrives to teach people the animal’s perspective. Having taught people and trained animals in many countries around the world, Ken strives to get other trainers and pet people to embrace science as the modality for change.

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Awe Inspiring Tales of Animal Behavior and Conservation Success with Ken Ramirez Jun 24, 2024

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This episode of "The Bitey End of the Dog" kicks off Season 5 with none other than Ken Ramirez, a legend in the field of animal training. Ken takes us on an extraordinary journey that began at a guide dog school and expanded to working with a variety of species, from tigers to dolphins.
We explore groundbreaking conservation projects where innovative strategies were employed to alter animal behaviors. Imagine training elephants to change their migration routes using artificial barriers and man-made watering holes, or reducing human-wildlife conflict involving polar bears. Ken shares eye-opening insights on ethical wildlife management, emphasizing collaboration and the importance of understanding both animal and human behaviors to create effective solutions.
This season promises to enrich your understanding of animal training and conservation, leaving you inspired by Ken Ramirez’s modest yet remarkable expertise. Don't miss these fascinating stories and invaluable insights from one of the most accomplished trainers in our community.

About Ken:
Ken Ramirez is the Executive Vice-President and Chief Training Officer at Karen Pryor
Clicker Training where he helps to oversee the vision, development and implementation of training education programs for the organization.
Previously, Ken served as EVP of animal care and animal training at Shedd Aquarium, where he developed and supervised animal care and animal health programs, staff training and development as well as public presentation programs for more than 32,000 animals. He worked at Shedd Aquarium for over 25 years and continues as a consultant to this day.
A nearly 50-year veteran of animal care and training, Ramirez is a biologist and animal
behavior specialist who has overseen or consulted on training projects for many zoological organizations throughout the world. He began his training career working with guide dogs for the visually impaired and has maintained a close affiliation to pet training throughout his career.
He hosted two successful seasons of the pet training television series Talk to the Animals that compared pet training to the important work done with training and caring for animals in zoological facilities. He has also recently worked closely with several search and rescue dog organizations, service dog groups, as well as with bomb and narcotic dogs. Ramirez has been active in several professional organizations, including the International Marine Animal Trainer’s Association (IMATA), of which he is a past president. He taught a graduate course on animal training at Western Illinois University for 20 years. Ramirez has written for numerous scientific publications and authored countless popular articles. He authored the book ANIMAL TRAINING: Successful Animal Management through Positive Reinforcement, published in 1999. His most recent book The Eye of the Trainer: Animal Training, Transformation, and Trust, was published in 2020.
Instagram: ken_ramirez_kpct
Web www.clickertraining.com

Dog Parks, Dominance, and Deep Dives into Dog Behavior with Dr. Marc Bekoff Sep 25, 2023

Show notes

Step into the world of canine behavior with the distinguished Dr. Marc Bekoff, a professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology. This episode takes you on a captivating journey as we delve into the emotional landscape of our furry friends, the impact of confinement on their behavior, and the fascinating dynamics of dog-human relationships. We don't stop there, we also tackle the often ignored segment of free-range and feral dogs globally, citing Dr. Bekoff's invaluable experiences with the Jane Goodall Institute and his insightful publications.
We also discuss the controversial world of dog parks, examining the fluid relationships among dogs and between dogs and humans. We debunk common misconceptions about dominance in animals and discuss the misuse of the term 'alpha'. In anticipation of Dr. Bekoff's upcoming book, Dogs Demystified: An A-to-Z Guide To All Things Canine, we provide a sneak peek into the wealth of knowledge it promises. This conversation with Dr. Bekoff is an eye-opening session that deepens our understanding of canine behavior, reminding us to respect their emotions and choices. Join us on this enlightening journey and let's explore the world through a dog's eyes together.
The Aggression in Dogs Conference
The Bitey End of the Dog Bonus Episodes
The Aggression in Dogs Master Course and Expert Webinar Bundle --- LIMITED TIME SPECIAL OFFER
ABOUT MARC:
Marc Bekoff is professor emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He has published 31 books (or 41 depending on you count multi-volume encyclopedias), won many awards for his research on animal behavior, animal emotions (cognitive ethology), compassionate conservation, and animal protection, has worked closely with Jane Goodall, is co-chair of the ethics committee of the Jane Goodall Institute, and is a former Guggenheim Fellow. He also works closely with inmates at the Boulder County Jail. In June 2022 Marc was recognized as a Hero by the Academy of Dog Trainers. His latest books are The Animals' Agenda: Freedom, Compassion, and Coexistence in the Human Age(with Jessica Pierce), Canine Confidential: Why Dogs Do What They Do, and Unleashing Your Dog: A Field Guide to Giving Your Canine Companion the Best Life Possible (with Jessica Pierce) and he also publishes regularly for Psychology Today. Marc and Jessica's most recent book A Dog's World: Imagining the Lives of Dogs in a World Without Humans was published by Princeton University Press in October 2021.
Check out Marc's newest book

Decoding Dog Bites and Aggression: A Deep-Dive with Janice Bradley from the National Canine Research Council Sep 18, 2023

Show notes

Imagine a world where our understanding of dog bites and aggression is rooted more in fact than fear, and where we can coexist harmoniously with our canine companions, regardless of breed. Welcome to that world, as we navigate it with our guide for this episode, Janice Bradley, the eminent author and revered Director of Communications and Publications at the National Canine Research Council. Graced with her depth of knowledge and wealth of experience, we dissect the misconceptions shadowing dog bites, and unravel the truth underpinning aggressive dog behavior.
The Aggression in Dogs Conference
The Bitey End of the Dog Bonus Episodes
The Aggression in Dogs Master Course and Expert Webinar Bundle --- LIMITED TIME SPECIAL OFFER
https://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/the-truth-behind-dog-impulses-what-they-mean-and-how-they-shape-behavior/
ABOUT JANIS:
Janis Bradley is a science writer, specializing in the role of bias, particularly related to breed, in policy making regarding canine/human relationships, and serves as the Director of Communications and Publications at the National Canine Research Council. She has written a peer reviewed policy paper on dog bites, which contains a full literature review of the scientific papers on that topic. She has authored papers in peer reviewed journals on various related topics, most currently having collaborated with a veterinary epidemiologist on a series of studies reviewing the use of behavior evaluations administered to dogs living in shelters: “No better than flipping a coin: Reconsidering canine behavior evaluations in animal shelters,” “What is the evidence for reliability and validity of behavior evaluations for shelter dogs? A prequel to ‘No better than flipping a coin,’” and “Saving Normal: A new look at behavioral incompatibilities and dog relinquishment to shelters.”

Additional peer reviewed publications include “Who is minding the bibliography? Daisy chaining, dropped leads, and other bad behavior using examples from the dog bite literature,” and “Defaming Rover: Error-Based Latent Rhetoric in the Medical Literature on Dog Bites.”All of this comes from an abiding interest in finding the very best information about the remarkable relationship between dogs and people. She maintains a research library for the National Canine Research Council for use by academics, dog professionals, media, and the public.

Janis first pursued a career as a college teacher, counselor, and administrator. Leaving academia in 2000, she took up her passion for the human-canine relationship professionally, teaching more than 400 aspiring professional dog trainers over a 10 year period at the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers, at that the time the first science based program of its kind, while maintaining a private behavior consultation practice. She now lives in rural New York with her rescued Greyhound, Tommy.

Unleashing Peace: Restoring Harmony in Intra-Household Aggression with Sarah Stremming Sep 11, 2023

Show notes

Handling dog-to-dog aggression in the home can feel like navigating through a minefield, but guess what? We've got just the right person to guide you - my friend and colleague Sarah Stremming, a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant with nearly two decades of experience under her belt. She's here to unravel the complexity of dog aggression, spotlighting common triggers like resource competition and dog incompatibility and the fascinating role of humans in these cases.
The Aggression in Dogs Conference
The Bitey End of the Dog Bonus Episodes
The Aggression in Dogs Master Course and Expert Webinar Bundle --- LIMITED TIME SPECIAL OFFER
ABOUT SARAH:
Sarah Stremming, the Cog Dog Coach is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (IAABC) with a bachelors of science degree in psychology from Colorado State University. She has been in the field of dog behavior and training for nearly two decades and has been competing in the sports of agility and obedience for even longer. Known for her popular podcast Cog Dog Radio, Sarah owns and operates The Cognitive Canine where she works complex behavior cases, runs a dynamic members platform, offers online courses and webinars, mentors colleagues, and speaks globally. Her passion is helping people and dogs live their best lives side by side. When she is not working you can find her deep in the woods of the Pacific Northwest behind two border collies and an Icelandic sheepdog.
https://thecognitivecanine.com/

Understanding the Widespread Implications of Trauma: Insights from Dr. Linda Randall and Dr. Kathie Nurena Sep 04, 2023

Show notes

Ever wondered how trauma transcends species boundaries, impacting both humans and dogs alike? Here's your chance to unravel this complex topic with us and our esteemed guests, Dr. Linda Randall, a seasoned veterinarian, and Dr. Kathie Nurena, a medical doctor with a wealth of knowledge. Together, we'll explore the multifaceted nature of trauma, the invisible scars it leaves, and how understanding it as a 'wound' can illuminate its impact.
The Aggression in Dogs Conference
The Bitey End of the Dog Bonus Episodes
The Aggression in Dogs Master Course and Expert Webinar Bundle --- LIMITED TIME SPECIAL OFFER
ABOUT LINDA:
Linda Randall, DVM is a Board Certified Companion Animal Veterinarian focused on the behavioral aspects of training in dog sports. She also brings positive reinforcement handling to junior handlers, who excel under her tutelage. A proponent and practitioner of the LIMA methodology, Linda brings multiple fields of expertise to the work of trauma informed care. She is certified in Living and Learning with Animals (LLA), Tag Teach (Level 3), and is also a KPA-CTP of distinction.

Linda is a past president of the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board, past president of the Board of the Medina Battered Women’s Shelter, and currently heads the Leadership Medina County Agriculture Day, where she emphasizes farms working with increasingly positive reinforcement handling and care with beef and dairy cattle. She was recognized by The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine as an Outstanding Alumni 2022, and Medina County’s Outstanding Leader, 2022.

Linda owns a full-service training facility in Seville OH, One Smart Dog. You can reach her at: 330-958-9224, 1smartdog.LR@gmail.com,

ABOUT KATHIE:
Kathie Nurena is a doctor and a dog trainer. She graduated for Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1999. She completed her Family Medicine Residency at Stamford Hospital. She is now faculty at that program, with an interest in social determinants of health and scholarly activity. She also graduated from Karen Pryor Academy (KPA-CTP) and earned her Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI) certification. She currently teaches nosework classes at Port Chester Obedience Training Club. She is a member of APDT and IAABC.

Kathie helped organize the first interdisciplinary conference for animal control officers, Department of Children and Families social workers, and other professionals in Connecticut, when cross reporting of child abuse and animal abuse became a law in that state.

She has long appreciated how the principles of learning theory and the positive reinforcement principles she learning in animal training were relevant to her work with human learners. And, perhaps, some of the theories in the medical literature may be useful to animal trainers.

Standing Up for the Little Ones: Abbey Johnson on Advocacy and Respect for Small Dogs Aug 28, 2023

Show notes

"Can't we get a little respect?!"
Our pint-sized companions often don't get the respect they deserve, a topic we dive into with Abbey Johnson, a keen advocate for small dogs. Abbey shares her journey from initially fostering a small dog with behavior issues, to becoming a well-known defender for these little champs, shedding light on their unique needs, training strategies, and the need for representation in dog-related conversations.
The Aggression in Dogs Conference
The Bitey End of the Dog Bonus Episodes
The Aggression in Dogs Master Course and Expert Webinar Bundle --- LIMITED TIME SPECIAL OFFER
ABOUT ABBEY:
Abbey Johnson CPDT-KA, FDM
"Understanding animals and their behavior has always been a passion of mine. I grew up surrounded by dogs, cats, horses, and various other types of animals throughout my childhood onwards. The more time I spend with animals, the more I realize the disconnected communication we often tend to have with them. Animals, and dogs especially, are always talking to us. It’s our job to stop, listen, and kindly teach them about our human world!

I have an extensive background working with shelter and rescue dogs. Stemming from this comes my special love for small breed dogs, and although I work with all dogs from Chihuahuas to Great Danes, I get a lot of satisfaction from helping people reach their full potential with their small breed dogs, who can often be overlooked and misunderstood. I strive to make my two rescued small breed dogs, Phoebe and Pocket, an example to the fact that small dogs are just as trainable and just as deserving of a fulfilled life as any other dog! We spend most of our days learning tricks, practicing nosework, adventuring out in nature, or curled up watching movies on the couch.

I graduated in 2018 with my Bachelor’s in Psychology from Auburn University, and continued on to work for over 5 years in animal sheltering/rescue, where I generated a lot of experience handling various dogs with different degrees of behavioral needs. From there, I pursued my passion for training by becoming a multi-certified professional dog trainer, and haven’t looked back! I strive to be approachable, accessible, and non-judgemental when working with clients. My goal is always “progress over perfection,” and I will never try to hold you to unrealistic or unhelpful standards when working together. We do better when we know better, and all of us always have something new to learn in life!"

Pawsitivefutures.com
Pawsitive Futures has a blog, Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram where we share free R+ training information and tutorials
Small Breed Dog Training- Facebook group with free professional training advice for small breeds: https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallbreeddogtraining
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepositivechihuahuas
Instagram: @the_positive_chihuahuas

Understanding Canine Aggression through Chaos Theory with Brian Fleming Aug 21, 2023

Show notes

What does chaos theory have to do with dogs? Join us as we sit down with the charismatic and knowledgeable Brian Fleming, a dog behavior consultant and licensed Family Dog Mediator.
Brian takes us on a journey from stability to disorder, unraveling how this intriguing concept applies to complex aggression cases in dogs. He brilliantly illustrates the role of reductionism and its importance in understanding dog behavior.
The Aggression in Dogs Conference
The Bitey End of the Dog Bonus Episodes
The Aggression in Dogs Master Course and Expert Webinar Bundle --- LIMITED TIME SPECIAL OFFER
ABOUT BRIAN:
"I joined the Army right out of high school and served 6 years as a Military Police Officer in the Rhode Island National Guard. After that, I worked as an assistant trainer before branching off and working with dogs on my own.
I'm always interested in continuing education, and I have completed the Aggression in Dogs Master Course, and the LEGS Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation course, both of which have transformed how I view complex behavior cases. I grew a bad taste for dog behavior solutions that homogenized all dogs into simple input-output conditioning robots who just need more obedience training, I used those techniques, and they barely scratched the surface of the real issues dogs are facing. Thankfully I found a community of likeminded professionals who also want to look at the whole picture. I am currently working on educational offerings that I hope will benefit the applied ethology community.
I specialize in complex cases and have been sought after by conferences and podcasts to speak on chaos theory & complexity in dog behavior cases.
I have an Australian Shepherd named Nova, who sometimes assists with training. She is pretty cool."

https://brianthebarkeologist.com/

Unleashing the Joys and Challenges of Dog Rescue: Insights from Andrea Dinan and Carla Filies Aug 14, 2023

Show notes

Get ready to unearth the profound joys and challenges of the dog rescue journey with our special guests, Andrea Dinan and Carla Filies. Together, we unravel the complexities of helping a rescue pup adjust to a new home environment. We tap into a pandemic silver lining that catapulted the trend of dog adoption, providing rescues with a loving home, and address the behavioral issues that often come with these canine companions due to their unique histories.
The Aggression in Dogs Conference
The Bitey End of the Dog Bonus Episodes
The Aggression in Dogs Master Course and Expert Webinar Bundle --- LIMITED TIME SPECIAL OFFER
ABOUT ANDREA AND CARLA:
Andrea Dinan - CPDT-KA, FFCT, KAD, LFDM-T

Andrea’s specialties lie in helping dogs and their guardians navigate the canine-human relationship to assure success in training no matter the age of your dog nor the issue at hand.

Andrea’s main goal is to make training fun, effective and motivating for dogs and humans through evidence-based training methods.

Each dog is looked at as an individual; what works for one may not work for another. With Andrea’s experience and education, she has a variety of ways to achieve training goals focusing on setting up you and your dog for success, utilizing what motivates your dog and effective communication.

Andrea Dinan and City Dogs was the recipient of the following awards through the International Positive Dog Trainers Association:

Dog Training Excellence Award
Excellence in Boarding and Sitting Award

Andrea also received the Toronto Star’s Reader’s Choice Platinum Award in 2021 for Dog Training.

Andrea is also the Founder of EduCanine, an organization that provides in-person and online workshops and courses for dog parents and dog professionals on a variety of topics to help with common issues. Workshops and courses are taught by a collaboration of reputable and certified dog trainers. EduCanine was the recipient of the Education Award through www.ipdt.org in 2020.

Andrea is a true dog nerd and is constantly researching and studying behavior, motivations, techniques and best practices to help dogs live their best life with their guardians.

Andrea is also a Canine Good Neighbour Exam Evaluator through the Canadian Kennel Club and is a therapy dog team with her vizsla, Galaxy as well as Midtown Co-Ordinator for the Therapeutic Paws of Canada.

Andrew Hale on Building Trust and Understanding Through Emotional Safety Aug 07, 2023

Show notes

Are you ready to venture into the world of emotional safety with Andrew Hale as our trusty guide? Hold tight as we discuss the interconnectedness of physical safety and emotional safety, revealing the profound impact of our emotional experiences on our interactions and behaviors, for both humans and dogs. We look at how the illusion of physical safety does not necessarily equate to feeling emotionally secure, and how this distinction plays a critical role in training our canine companions and fostering trust in our relationships.
The Aggression in Dogs Conference
The Bitey End of the Dog Bonus Episodes
The Aggression in Dogs Master Course and Expert Webinar Bundle --- LIMITED TIME SPECIAL OFFER
ABOUT ANDREW:

Andrew Hale BSc, ISCP.Dip.Canine.Prac is a Certified Canine Behaviourist with Association of INTODogs. He is the behaviour consultant for Pet Remedy and the British Isles Grooming Association and is a Canine Arthritis Management Expert Advisor. He also works to support many dog rescue organisations around the UK. With a background in Human Psychology, Andrew is passionate about exploring the emotional experience that lies behind behaviour, both in dogs and the humans around them. Andrew has played a leading role in the UK Dog training and behaviour community, having been the chair of the Association of INTODogs, and the driving force behind the UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter.

In 2020, Andrew started Dog Centred Care (https://www.facebook.com/groups/dogcc) which focusses on supporting a dog led, emotionally centred, approach to providing their best care and support. Within the Dog Centred Care Facebook group, he has been hosting on-line conversations with some of the world’s leading scientists, researchers, trauma experts, dog professionals and veterinarians who are working in this way. Andrew has also co-hosted the Beyond The Operant series of conversations with Kim Brophey and Kathy Connor (www.youtube.com/c/DogCentredCare/videos). These conversations are credited with helping transform the perceptions and language around dog training and behaviour.

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