A dog can be “aggressive” on the outside while living a totally different emotional story on the inside, and that mismatch is where so many training plans break. We sit down with Karin Pienaar, author of Mood Matters, to talk about what behavior is really made of: mood, emotions, arousal, and the dog’s lived experience day to day.

We get concrete about definitions first, then go deeper into why mood is the starting point for everything we ask dogs to do. Karin explains the difference between emotion and mood with a simple visual that sticks, and we connect it to the reality of reactive dog training and aggression in dogs. If arousal is too high, learning fails, and “progress” becomes trigger rehearsal. We also talk about how to read thresholds in real time using responsiveness, food, and clear physiological signs.

From there, Karin walks us through her MHERA framework (Mood, Hedonic Budgets, Emotionality, Reinforcement Assessments) and the role cognitive bias plays in how dogs interpret novelty and ambiguity. We explore why enrichment and exposure are not automatically helpful, how agency and consent cues can change outcomes, and why two dogs displaying the same behavior at the end of the leash may need completely different behavior change plans.

About Karin:
https://mhera.org/about.html

Learn more about options for help for dogs with aggression here:
AggressiveDog.com

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Artificial intelligence is a big part of the conversation in our industry right now. The real question isn’t whether we’ll use it, but how to use it without losing the clinical reasoning that makes us effective practitioners.

In this episode, I’m joined once again by my good friend Dr. Chris Pachel to explore one of the biggest shifts happening in our profession. We discuss where AI is genuinely useful, from organizing lengthy medical records and capturing consult notes to creating reports that improve communication with clients, veterinarians, and trainers. But we also talk about its limitations, the risks of bias and overreliance, and why AI should never replace the thinking that comes from experience.

We also dive into behavior medication, including some of the newest developments in veterinary behavior medicine, what’s currently available, and what’s still on the horizon. More importantly, we discuss why medication decisions require careful clinical reasoning. Dogs displaying aggression may look similar on the surface, but the underlying motivations can be completely different. The goal isn’t to medicate every dog or avoid medication altogether. It’s about understanding the individual in front of you and choosing the interventions that give both the dog and caregiver the best opportunity for success.

The second half of our conversation focuses on prognosis, risk assessment, and behavioral euthanasia. Chris shares why he has become increasingly cautious about making early prognostic predictions, how repeated assessments lead to better decision-making, and why acceptable risk looks different for every family and every dog. We also explore some of the most challenging conversations professionals have with clients and why empathy, curiosity, and humility are just as important as technical knowledge.

Whether you’re a trainer, behavior consultant, veterinarian, or simply fascinated by canine behavior, this conversation is a reminder that our work rarely has simple answers. The best decisions are usually found in the nuance.

Learn more about options for help for dogs with aggression here:
AggressiveDog.com

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Breeding is one of the quickest ways to start a fight in the dog world, but we wanted a different angle: what if breeder decisions are one of the biggest upstream drivers of the behavior problems we’re all trying to solve downstream? I’m joined by Kate Dalman, founder of Herzog’s Heroes, to connect the dots between breeding practices, puppy development, and the aggression and reactivity cases that land on a trainer’s schedule years later.

We get specific about what separates a conscientious breeder from someone who just markets well: selecting parent dogs for balanced temperament, pairing complementary traits, reducing prenatal stress, using written early socialization protocols, and doing the hard work of matching the right puppy to the right home. Kate also explains why the simple promise to take a dog back at any point in its life reshapes everything, from buyer screening to long-term owner support, and how that mindset can prevent shelter surrender before it starts.

Then we zoom out to the bigger system. We talk about the cultural divide between breeders, rescues, and trainers, why “adopt don’t shop” can miss key realities, and how transparency and verifiable standards could help the public compare breeders apples to apples. If you care about dog behavior, dog welfare, and reducing shelter intake, this conversation offers a practical roadmap for “breed better, shelter less.”

About Kate:
https://herzogsheroes.org/about-us
Herzog's Heroes:
https://herzogsheroes.org/

Learn more about options for help for dogs with aggression here:
AggressiveDog.com

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CANIS Conference

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Dog training has a short memory, and that’s a problem when the best solutions are often the oldest ones. I’m joined by Dr. Ian Dunbar, veterinarian, animal behaviorist, and one of the key forces behind reward-based training and off-leash puppy socialization, to walk through how the profession got built, what we got right, and where we’ve drifted. If you’ve ever wondered why puppy classes feel optional while aggression and reactivity consults feel “advanced,” this conversation flips that story on its head.

We go back to Ian’s early years with off-leash dogs, his first shock at watching leash-correction culture, and the practical roots of lure reward training before it even had a name. From there, we unpack the rise of off-leash puppy classes, and the early conferences that helped professionalize dog training. Ian shares what those “glory years” felt like and why openness and community mattered as much as technique.

Then we get into the messy middle: ideology, the meaning of “aversive,” the social media dynamics that punish nuance, and why many trainers are scared to show real training on video. We also talk about prevention at a skill level, not a slogan: early socialization, play and enrichment as reinforcement, bite inhibition, and fast ways to change behavior so the dog’s emotional response can change too. Ian makes a strong case for using simple metrics and real-world testing so “science-based dog training” means measurable improvement, not just theory.

If you’re ready to rebuild your foundation with puppies, prevention, and practical training you can see and track, you’ll get a lot out of this one. 


ABOUT IAN:

Dr. Ian Dunbar is one of the world's most respected experts on dog training and behavior. 

He grew up on a farm in the English countryside training cows, chickens and yes, dogs using time-honored lure reward training techniques learned from his family. 

He went on to receive his veterinary degree from the Royal Veterinary College at London University and his doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley. 

In 1982, he designed and taught the world's very first off-leash puppy socialization and training classes – SIRIUS® Puppy Training. These puppy classes would go on to become immensely popular and imitated all around the world. 

The success and popularity of these classes ultimately revolutionized the world of dog training by putting a much needed focus on puppyhood and easy, enjoyable, and effective methods, at a time when most training was boring and unpleasant.

Subsequently, Ian went on to create and develop the San Francisco SPCA's Animal Behavior Department, he started the American Kennel Club's Gazette "Behavior" column, which he wrote for seven years, and he designed and organized the K9 GAMES®. 

In 1993, he founded the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. With over 5000 members in 48 countries, the APDT has grown to be the world's largest association of dog trainers.

He has authored numerous books and videos, including five seasons of Dogs with Dunbar, a popular television program in the UK. He has given over one thousand seminars and workshops around the world and has been instrumental in the rise of reward-based, fun and games, scientifically sound dog training methods.

https://www.dunbaracademy.com/

Barking Up the Right Tree book:
https://www.dunbaracademy.com/pages/barking-up-the-right-tree

Learn more about options for help for dogs with aggression here:
AggressiveDog.com

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A severe dog bite doesn’t end when the wound is stitched or the adrenaline wears off. It keeps going in your sleep, in your startle response to barking, and in the quiet shame that can hit hardest when you’re “the professional” who’s supposed to know better. That’s why we wanted to hold space for Marilyn Gilchrist, a respected dog training and behavior professional, to tell the full truth of what happened when a foster visit turned into a serious attack and a life-altering injury. 

We walk step by step through the incident, the ER reality check, and the long physical healing process, but we spend just as much time on the invisible aftermath: panic around unfamiliar dogs, hypervigilance, replaying every second for missed signals, and the identity crisis of wondering who you are if dogs no longer feel safe. Marilyn shares how quickly she shut down her business, how hard it was to find useful resources for dog bite trauma, and why some online spaces made things worse through blame and sensationalism. 

From there, we get practical. Marilyn explains what helped her most, including a trauma-informed therapist who prioritized safety, immediate coping tools, cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, and hypnotherapy that proved far more effective than she expected. We also talk about support networks that actually show up, returning to work in a way that feels doable, and how her experience sharpened her commitment to listening to dog body language and protecting consent, even if that means disappointing people. 

If you work with dogs, especially aggression and reactivity cases, this conversation is a grounded reminder that recovery is possible and you don’t have to do it alone. Subscribe for more honest conversations, share this with a colleague who needs it, and leave a review with the one part you wish our industry talked about more.

ABOUT MARILYN: 
Marilyn Gilchrist has pursued extensive education in dog behaviour and training, earning qualifications from a number of institutions including PACT and is a registered Animal Training Instructor through the ABTC.  She has a profound passion for trailing which started in 2017 with her rescue dog Lola! Now trailing her Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Scout (who has attained Expert Level status) and Spicy Dachshund Jem, Marilyn has seen first hand the benefits trailing can bring to a dog’s wellbeing. Deciding to focus on trailing in 2022, Marilyn went on to set up The Canine School of Trailing with Rachel Rodgers where they focus on teaching other dog professionals how to add this enriching activity to their businesses.

https://thecanineschooloftrailing.co.uk/

Learn more about options for help for dogs with aggression here:
AggressiveDog.com

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This week, a special episode from our friends at the RISK! podcast. 

A kid gets invited into the neighbor's yard, and within seconds a dog attack turns a normal evening into an emergency. Jill Karliner's story is graphic, emotional, and unforgettable as she shares what comes next: emergency surgery, a burn unit, night terrors, and the slow realization that childhood trauma can shape how someone experiences the world for decades. 

Then John and Kate LaSala join the conversation to explore the bigger question Jill's story raises: how can the same species that caused the worst moment of your life also become a source of comfort, purpose, and healing? They discuss fear of dogs and exposure therapy, how repeated safe experiences can rebuild trust, and how Jill's family ultimately found healing by fostering puppies for a guide dog program, helping raise future guide dogs and service dogs for people who are blind. 

Kate also shares her perspective as a dog behavior consultant and companion animal end-of-life doula, discussing what meaningful supervision really looks like in homes with dogs and children, why management alone eventually fails, why the myth that "good dogs tolerate everything" places children at unnecessary risk, and how planning ahead for a pet's final chapter can bring greater peace when the time comes.

If this episode resonates with you, share it with a fellow dog lover, subscribe, and leave a review so more listeners can discover the show. We'd also love to hear from you: what's one "two truths" moment you've experienced in your own life?

Learn more about options for help for dogs with aggression here:
AggressiveDog.com

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Your dog can look “fine” while their nervous system is working overtime, and that mismatch is where so many training plans go off the rails. I sit down with Kristina Spaulding, PhD, CAAB, to get precise about canine stress, resilience, and what the science says about how dogs cope with change. We talk through the sympathetic nervous system, the HPA axis, and the difference between stress (the internal response) and stressors (the external triggers) so your next decision is based on biology, not buzzwords.

We also tackle the messy middle: good stress, tolerable stress, and toxic stress. You’ll hear why “stress inoculation” is not a free pass to flood dogs with scary experiences, and how agency and coping skills change the outcome. We break down what to watch for beyond single body language cues like yawns or lip licks, including approach vs avoid behavior, recovery time, and the early signs of chronic stress such as emotional dysregulation, shutdown, and escalating reactivity that can spill into aggression.

Then we shift gears into responsible research literacy for the dog training industry. Dr. Spaulding explains scientific consensus, why a handful of papers can’t carry that label, how bias shows up in both writing and reading studies, and why replication and broader evidence across species often matter when dog-specific research is thin.

Learn more about Kristina:
http://www.sciencemattersllc.com/
Unlocking Resilience Course:
https://go.sciencemattersllc.com/unlocking-resilience-landing

Learn more about options for help for dogs with aggression here:
AggressiveDog.com

Learn more about the CANIS Conference here:
CANIS Conference

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Dog training gets messy when we treat methods like identities and disagreement like a moral failing. I sit down with Jay Jack for a candid, sometimes blunt conversation about what actually helps dogs and what helps trainers grow. We talk about the real cost of staying inside a single “camp,” how cross-training in sports like MMA changed the level of skill overnight, and why dog training needs more curiosity and fewer boxes. Jay also shares how he draws a firm ethical line against cruelty while still being willing to study ideas from outside his comfort zone.

A big chunk of our conversation is about language. Words like punishment, pressure, and aversive can mean totally different things depending on whether you’re thinking in behavior science, psychology, or everyday speech. We dig into how misunderstandings start, how to slow down and define terms, and why even the four quadrants of operant conditioning make more sense when you think in gradients and zones instead of “allowed” versus “forbidden.”

Then we go deep on structured play as a behavior tool. Jay explains why play is a genetic need, how objective-based games teach focus and delayed gratification, and how toys, food, and personal play can become powerful systems for emotional regulation. We walk through how to use play in behavior modification for reactivity and aggression with clear steps, and why over-arousal is often a sign that the “game” has no real objective or boundaries. If you’re building a better relationship with your dog or sharpening your skills as a professional dog trainer, this one is packed with practical takeaways.

If this conversation helps you think differently, subscribe, share it with a trainer friend, and leave a review so more people can find it.


ABOUT JAY:

https://nldogs.com/

JAY'S PATREON:

https://www.patreon.com/nldogtalk?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=join_link

Learn more about options for help for dogs with aggression here:
AggressiveDog.com

Learn more about the CANIS Conference here:
CANIS Conference

Subscribe to the bonus episodes available here:
The Bitey End of the Dog Bonus Episodes

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For millions of people in Ukraine, air raid sirens have become part of daily life. They interrupt work, school, sleep, and any sense of normalcy. They also affect the dogs who share that experience, living with the same unpredictability and chronic stress as the families who care for them.

In this episode, we’re joined by Ukrainian dog trainer Nadiya Prokopyeva, now based in Romania, to discuss what it’s like to work with dogs during a time of war. Nadiya takes a science-based and holistic approach to behavior, recognizing the many ways stress, pain, health, and environment influence how dogs cope.

We talk about the behavioral challenges that have become increasingly common, including noise sensitivities, separation-related problems, fear, and reactivity. Nadiya explains how repeated exposure to air raid sirens, emergency evacuations, crowded shelters, and disrupted routines can leave dogs in a constant state of stress, making it difficult for them to recover before the next crisis begins.

Our conversation also explores the broader impact of war on animal welfare. We discuss the strain on veterinary professionals and trainers, limited access to veterinary behavior care and medication, the challenges facing shelters and street dogs, and concerns about public health in areas affected by conflict. We also examine how war influences breeding decisions, from the effects of prenatal stress to the difficult choices faced by ethical breeders.

Despite these extraordinary circumstances, Nadiya shares practical strategies that can help. We discuss creating predictable routines whenever possible, reducing stress where we can, supporting emotional recovery between stressful events, and recognizing when veterinary intervention, including medication, may be appropriate.

About Nadiya:

Nadiya Prokopyeva (Anteya), CSAP-BC, KPA-CTP - 26-year-old dog trainer from Ukraine - Specialize in separation anxiety, general behavior issues, aggression, and reactivity - Veterinary student on track to become a rehabilitation and orthopedic specialist - Galen Myotherapy student - Use low-frustration, force-free, science-based methods - Create Ukrainian-language educational content on ethical breeding, BYB awareness, and responsible dog ownership

Nadiya on IG:
https://www.instagram.com/anteya_k9?igsh=MWZyazE0bjM2anh3dQ== 

Ukrainian Gear 

https://www.instagram.com/darvin.dog.shop?igsh=MWF4emFodG5wbWc3cg==

https://www.instagram.com/lovyhav?igsh=MWg2N3hyZDFic29k

https://www.instagram.com/vivchar_dog_shop?igsh=OGZwMnRmM2o4dDk5

Adoptions and Shelters 

https://www.instagram.com/dogs_adopt_kyiv?igsh=MWczemh1enU3anFqaQ==

https://www.instagram.com/patron.center?igsh=b2Y3bzFmMHBvZ3dy

https://www.instagram.com/gostomel.shelter

https://www.instagram.com/dom.khvostov?igsh=MTk1ZHJvdmJ2d2VjNQ==

Antares - the search-and-rescue squad:
https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2026/0430/ukraine-rescue-dogs-canine-unit-lost-persons-remains

https://www.instagram.com/antares.poshuk/?hl=en

Sternenko Fund - direct support to the army and soldiers:
https://www.sternenkofund.org/en/donate

United24 - one of the main official donation platforms for Ukraine:
https://u24.gov.ua

Prosthetics are extremely expensive and far beyond what an average person can afford, so even small recurring donations can make a real difference:
https://superhumans.com/en/donate-en/
https://curelieffundforukraine.com/projects/esper-program-for-ukrainians/

Learn more about options for help for dogs with aggression here:
AggressiveDog.com

Learn more about the CANIS Conference here:
CANIS Conference

Subscribe to the bonus episodes available here:
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A sweeping plan to remove India’s free-living dogs is racing ahead on shaky ground and the consequences could hit far beyond one country’s borders. We sit down with anthrozoologist and behavior expert Sindhoor Pangal to explain why uprooting tens of millions of dogs from their neighborhoods won’t curb bites or rabies, and how it actually increases danger for people and animals alike.

We trace India’s decades-long success with ABC-ARV—animal birth control plus anti-rabies vaccination—now a WHO-endorsed approach that drives down bites and stabilizes populations when implemented well. Sindhoor breaks down the vacuum effect that follows mass removal: rats and other scavengers surge, wildlife conflict grows, and unvaccinated dogs quickly repopulate. We explore the public health math behind herd immunity, the real-world limits of shelter capacity, and how crowded kennels can become hotbeds for zoonotic disease and antibiotic resistance.

Beyond numbers, we dig into the social lives of street dogs: loose, adaptive groups that coexist with people through routine, territory, and agency. Disrupt that fabric, and fear spreads. Stressed dogs labeled “biters” struggle in shelters; warier dogs remain on the street and pass defensive strategies to the next generation through social learning and epigenetic pathways. The alternative is both humane and practical: sustained ABC-ARV coverage, smarter waste management, simple environmental tweaks like moving feeding spots off busy walkways, and public education on safe interactions that slashes bite risk at a fraction of the cost.

If you care about dogs, public health, or evidence-based policy, this conversation matters. Help amplify the science, push back on panic-driven decisions, and support experts doing the work on the ground. Subscribe, share this episode with a friend, and leave a review to keep the conversation and the momentum going.

BHARCS:

Website:

https://www.bharcs.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/bharcs

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/bharcs_education/

X:

@bharcs

Learn more about options for help for dogs with aggression here:
AggressiveDog.com

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CANIS Conference

Subscribe to the bonus episodes available here:
The Bitey End of the Dog Bonus Episodes

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What if many dog behavior problems aren't actually problems at all, but symptoms of unmet welfare needs? In this thought-provoking conversation with applied ethologist Kim Brophey, we explore how the LEGS model (Learning, Environment, Genetics, Self) has evolved to reshape our understanding of canine behavior and welfare in modern environments.

Kim explains why behavioral diversity serves as both a critical welfare need and a powerful measurement tool. When dogs can express a wide range of natural behaviors, from foraging and exploration to appropriate hazard management...with agency and autonomy, they thrive. Yet in today's captive environments, many dogs lack these opportunities, leading to what we label as "problem behaviors."

The discussion takes us deep into the five domains model of animal welfare and how it applies to our companion dogs. While we've generally excelled at meeting biological needs like nutrition and health, we've significantly neglected the fourth domain of behavioral interactions and the natural living needs that are fundamental to a dog's wellbeing. This creates a mismatch between a dog's genetic design and the environment they actually live in.

Family Dog Mediation:

https://familydogmediation.com/

Learn more about options for help for dogs with aggression here:
AggressiveDog.com

Learn more about the CANIS Conference here:
CANIS Conference

Subscribe to the bonus episodes available here:
The Bitey End of the Dog Bonus Episodes

Check out all of our webinars, courses, and educational content here:
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