Barks From The Bookshelf podcast

2:00:37

Happy Spring Time Bookshelvers! As the temperatures are rising in the UK and spring has truly sprung we thought it would be a great time to spring clean our noggins about all things dog businesses. We are thrilled this week to bring you a talk with the wonderful Gretta Ford. Not only is Gretta a member of PACT, an ABTC Registered Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB), a full member of the APBC and FABC (which is pretty darn impressive) but Gretta is also a business strategist for trainers and behaviourists! Steve and Nat speak from experience when they say that Gretta has helped them out with all sorts in terms of the business side of PACT and we wanted an informal chat that would be beneficial to people with both existing businesses in the dog training world AND those of you starting out. We cover A LOT! Including: The challenges faced by dog trainers in building successful businesses, The importance of having that “business mindset”, the crowded market for dog training services, and the emotional burdens that come with running a business, the need for support and fresh perspectives in the industry, the significance of focusing on one's own business and the importance of emotional health in the face of external pressures. We talk about the dreaded imposter syndrome and the importance of a stoic mindset. We explore strategies for effective marketing, the significance of having a strong online presence through a website, and the challenges of navigating social media. The discussion also touches on the potential for passive income streams, the role of gratitude in professional relationships, and the environmental impact of business practices in the dog training industry. We also chatted about the super interesting topic of the significance of aligning personal and business values, particularly in the dog training industry AND niching in dog training. All that as well as hearing all about Gretta’s journey! All that along with some waffle from Nat and Steve about their brand spanking NEW FREE course and haberdashery’s and what you may find within one… don’t ask. You know you’ll be have a better brain for listening so what on earth are you waiting for? Get it in your lug holes human! LINKS: Link to Gretta's amazing Set Up To Succeed website here Link to Gretta's Dog Training & Behaviour website here Link to PACTS free Breed & Body Language Course here…

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#79: Roz Pooley (The Mutty Professor) - DogX Speaker Special 1:43:23

16 days ago1:43:23

1:43:23

Howdy doody Bookshelvers! We’re thrilled to bring you another one of our awesome DOGX 2025 speakers today… drumroll please… It’s Roz Pooley! We had a ball chatting with Roz and got into a LOT! From sharing her journey from a retail background to becoming a prominent figure in dog training and behaviour, her experiences in dog walking, the evolution of training methods, and the importance of understanding dog behaviour and social dynamics. We also discuss the significance of continuous learning and adapting to the changing landscape of dog training, while also getting Roz’s perspective on the unique roles that different dogs play within their social groups. We also couldn’t chat with Roz without discussing the overwhelming influence of social media on guardians and the pressure of perfection in dog training and the unrealistic expectations placed on trainers and their dogs. We wax lyrical about a world where a more realistic and empathetic approach to dog training that embraces imperfection and prioritizes the well-being of both dogs AND their owners might exist. We touch on the impact of seasonal changes on dog behaviour and share a spoiler of what Roz will be talking about at DOGX! All this and our usual waffle for your earbud pleasure! Go on… pop it in your auditory canal Link to The Mutty Professor Link to DOGX Tickets Link to PACT'S Free Courses…

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#78: ABTC Special with Jane Williams & Hanne Grice 1:24:37

28 days ago1:24:37

1:24:37

Greetings Bookshelvers We are coming to you a few days late this week as the team is currently knee dee in Crufts shenanigans. If anyone of you are visiting Crufts this year do pop by and see us at Hall 3 stand 117 as we'd love to meet some podcast listeners! Todays offering has been a long time coming. As many of know PACT are a member organisation of the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC). We set up a special podcast to speak to Hanne Grice and Jane Williams so they could tell you folks all about the ABTC. We took a whole bunch of Bookshelver questions and amalgamated them to ask Hanne and Jane. We had a blast exploring its structure, purpose, and the importance of being a registered practitioner. We talk about the rigorous assessment processes, the need for regulation in the industry, and our (and others) community's role in supporting that mission. Hanne and Jane also talk about the importance of ethical training and the ongoing efforts to improve standards within the animal behaviour and training sector. We tried our best to get all questions answered but we did have time constraints that meant we couldn't get to them all. We'll just have to invite them back :) You'll get the idea of just how passionate we all are about the importance of open communication and ethical considerations in our industry. Link to find out more about the ABTC: https://abtc.org.uk/ Link to get a DOGX ticket at a discounted rate until 10th march 2025: https://www.pact-dogs.com/dogx2025 Link to interesting paper all about regulation: https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1011&context=paij Link to interesting paper all about regulation: https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1011&context=paij…

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#77: Chirag Patel - DOGx 2025 Keynote Speaker Special! 1:21:38

6 weeks ago1:21:38

1:21:38

The wonderful human being that is Chirag Patel is this years DOGx 2025 Keynote Speaker so it was only a matter of time before we got together to chat! What resulted was one of our favourite ever episodes and we couldn’t be any more excited for this years conference. Click the link below NOW to register your interest to know when the tickets go on sale at an exclusive early bird rate and make bloomin’ sure you botty is on one of those seats! Register your interest for DOGX 2025 now! https://www.pact-dogs.com/dogx2025#register-your-interest This was a jam packed show where we left no stone unturned. We explore Chirag's early experiences with the dog named Kane that sparked it all, how some wonderful early mentorship opportunities have shaped his views on giving back to the training community, delve into how we us trainers can foster creativity and the importance of observation. We also discuss mindfulness, how engaging fully with clients can lead to wonderful outcomes and where we should be putting our efforts in terms of inspiring the next wave of awesome animal trainers. We celebrate the realities of where positive training has got us and talk through the potential pitfalls of any movement that doesn’t follow the evidence. Chirag also muses on how societal changes have evolved our training styles and talks about being a proud Radical Behaviourist. No chat with Chirag would be complete without a good dose of Skinner and Chirag talks passionately about Skinner's philosophies including areas he wrote about that many haven’t explored. On top of all that we also chew the fat over how social media can distort perceptions of animal training practices, How the very nature of scientific inquiry requires a level of uncertainty to flourish AND the importance of balancing technical knowledge with practical application when it comes to dog training. As an added “Bookshelver bonus” we’ve also captured Nat’s LIVE reaction to seeing Benson Boones performance at the Grammys (spoiler…she enjoyed it) Honestly this was one of our favourite shows EVER and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it from start to end! Now make like a Benson, flip off a piano and get this episode in you ear-holes... WOOF!…

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#76 Professor Carri Westgarth & Dr Lisa Wallis - Research into Ageing Dogs & the Ageing Canine Toolkit 1:54:06

8 weeks ago1:54:06

1:54:06

Grab yourselves a Wethers Original Bookshelvers... Let's chat about about getting old “Dogs are living up to twice as long as they did 40 years ago which has implications for ageing dogs’ healthcare and wellbeing. As the life expectancy of canine golden oldies increases, so does the amount of time our dogs spend in poor health, but it may be difficult for us to distinguish between normal age-related changes and serious diseases that require veterinary treatment. To help address this, BSAVA PetSavers funded a major research project at the University of Liverpool – Old Age Pets – to help vets and owners provide the best care for their senior and geriatric dogs.” We were thrilled to talk with the amazing Lisa Wallis and Carri Westgarth about their fascinating research on aging in dogs at what their research found. We touch on cognitive development, owner and veterinary perceptions, and how the practical applications of their research led to the creation of an exciting practical resource called the Aging Canine Toolkit. Lisa and Carri share fascinating insights from their experiences researching this topic we all discuss the need for more open conversations about aging and how best to care for our dogs in their twilight years. All that and the usual tangential banter including a discussion about the reality show 'Traitors' which we are all addicted to. Go on… Pop it in your brain holes! WOOF!…

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#75 New Year Catch Up! 1:02:40

10 weeks ago1:02:40

1:02:40

In our first episode of 2025, Steve, Nat and Corrin celebrate the New Year with light-hearted waffely banter and reflections on our holiday experiences. We dangle the carrot and discuss upcoming podcast episodes featuring special guests, share funny stories about injuries during the holidays, and provide updates on what PACT has in store and future plans for the podcast. We also look reflect on last years successes, particularly the free canine body language course, and share exciting plans for future events, including DogX 2025. Then in the second half we talk on the importance of dog happiness and training goals, hopes and what we want to see more (and less) of in the upcoming year.…

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#74 Christmas Special & Q&A 2:35:38

15 weeks ago2:35:38

2:35:38

In our last episode for 2024 the whole gang reflect on a year of wonderful podcasts and answer a Santa's sack full of Bookshelver questions. Thank you so much to all who've listened to us this year and we really hope you have some lovely festive time off. We'll be back in 2025 for another year of dog podding! BIG LOVE!…

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#73 Jennifer Holland - Dog Smart: Life-Changing Lessons in Canine Intelligence 1:48:08

17 weeks ago1:48:08

1:48:08

Greetings Bookshelvers! We sincerely hope you're all keeping warm and toasty whilst listening this week as the weather in the UK has taken a frosty U-turn! No matter though as we have a very warm and wonderful podcast featuring the amazing Jennifer Holland talking about her book Dog Smart. We had an absolute blast exploring the intelligence and emotional lives of dogs, sharing personal anecdotes about our own dogs, and delving into Jennifer's impressive career as a journalist. Jennifer discusses her writing process and the emotional connections formed with dogs, the impact of dog interactions on human emotions, and the importance of understanding dog welfare. The conversation also delves into the potential for improved communication between dogs and humans, the overwhelming sensory experiences of dogs, the celebration of 'dogness', and the growing interest in canine cognition. The conversation also delves into Jennifer's adventurous experiences, including diving with sharks and her time on the 'vomit comet'. Steve flies solo this week so strap in for tangential meanderings around his headspace ;) Links: Buy Dog Smart here Sign up to receive our "PACT LUNCHES"…

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#72 Jenifer A. Zeligs - Mindful Partners: The Zen Art and Science of Working With Animals 2:50:46

19 weeks ago2:50:46

2:50:46

What's occurring Bookshelvers!? Well let me tell you what's been occurring here at Barks HQ for the last few weeks... Steve and Corrin have been buzzing about their interview with the amazing Jenifer A. Zeligs Ph.D. and are so happy to get it out in the world. As many of you know Steve has been on a philisophical mission to get to the bottom of what the "art" is in Dog Training. Ever since learning about Jenifer and reading her book "Mindful Partners" we've been dying to talk to her and this week those dreams came true. This book had a profound affect on Steve and has actually refocused his thoughts on how to approach Dog training over the last year so, it was an absolute pleasure to talk to Jenifer and explore her journey in animal training. The discussion highlights the "Art" of training, the influence of Buddhism, and practical applications for all trainers. We explore how she successfully married the integration of mindfulness and psychological principles within the book. We chat about the complexities of behaviour, the importance of building trust and relationships with animals, and the role of reinforcement in training. Jenifer also shares insights on managing fear in animals, the significance of empathy, and the concept of the relationship bank account in fostering positive interactions. Putting HUGE weight on the importance of understanding animal perspectives, the power of mindfulness, and the role of choice as a motivator. Zeligs highlights the significance of prevention in training, the art of balancing science and intuition, and the necessity of effective communication through body language. We also talk about Jenifer's take on the ethical divides in animal training and the importance of finding common ground to foster better relationships with animals. This one goes DEEP! On top of all that goodness we also have a look into Corrin and Steve's recent "date night" where they (almost) met a famous person. We talked Nanobots, wild household invaders AND premier a newly commissioned song written by the fabulous Grant Sharkey. What on earth are you waiting for???? Get it in your head! Links: Jenifer's Online Animal Training 101 Course…

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#71 Gwen Bailey - The Perfect Puppy & Puppy School 2:23:58

21 weeks ago2:23:58

2:23:58

How the devil are you lovely Bookshelvers?! The dust has now settled after another fabulous DOGX and with Nat away on her holidays and corrin run off her feet it falls to Steve to host this episode SOLO (what could go wrong?). Luckily Nat and Corrin were around when we interviewed the wonderful, awesome, trail blazing human that is Gwen Bailey about her book The Perfect Puppy. We discuss her journey in dog training, the evolution of her book 'The Perfect Puppy', and the changes in training techniques over the years. She reflects on her experiences in kennels, the importance of communication with dog owners, and the impact of her work on the dog training landscape. The team and Gwen also delve into the complexities of dog training, discussing the challenges of reaching puppy owners, the impact of educational resources like books as well as the flexibility of training curriculums, and the significance of consent-based handling. We sing from the rafters about the importance of collaboration among training organisations and explore the fundamental qualities that make a good dog trainer. On top of all that we have a segment of interviews Steve did running around at lunch time at DOGX (where he mentions potatoes at least 500 times). Enjoy! Gwen Facts: Gwen worked for a leading UK national animal welfare charity from 1988-2002 and pioneered the use of dog behaviour knowledge in the rehoming of unwanted animals. She was the first person to be appointed by a national animal welfare charity as a full time Animal Behaviourist, eventually heading a team of behaviourists. Gwen has successfully solved behaviour problems in thousands of rehomed dogs, helping to prevent dogs with behavioural problems being passed from home to home and improving the rehoming success rate. Gwen has lectured at national and international conferences, run training courses for staff at animal charities around the world and has written many books & education leaflets. She is a past Chair of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors and a past Trustee for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. In 2003, Gwen founded and now runs Puppy School, a large network of professionally-trained puppy tutors which is a Practitioner Member of the Animal Behaviour and Training Council. Puppy School tutors have collectively helped to have a positive training impact on more than 100,000 puppies and their owners, and continue to run excellent classes around the country. Links: The Perfect Puppy on Amazon Puppy School…

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#70 Zazie Todd - Bark!: The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog 2:13:11

23 weeks ago2:13:11

2:13:11

Howdy Bookshelvers! We hope this podcast finds you warm and snuggly by a fire with a dog on your lap. This week Corrin and Steve are joined by the wonderful award winning author, PhD, certified dog trainer, animal behaviourist and returning guest Zazie Todd to discuss everything about her brand spanking new book Bark! We love chatting with Zazie. She is always so compassionate, practical, and deep rooted in science as well as being open to difficult conversations and generous with the absolute universe of knowledge inside her head. We get to discuss her journey as an author, the importance of a deep understanding of dog behaviour, and the emotional challenges faced by dog guardians dealing with dogs with fear and anxiety. We slap a heavy emphasis on the significance of positive reinforcement and counter conditioning in dog training when it comes to fear, while also addressing misconceptions surrounding anthropomorphism that just might be holding us back. Zazie shares insights on the role of professionals in the field and the need for a lovely, supportive community for dog trainers and much, much more. Steve and Corrin talk through windy beach walks and fat seal pups as well as going through our normal book review sections. Put simply you’re gonna LOVE it! Zazie Facts: Zazie Todd, PhD, is the award-winning author of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy and Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy. She is the founder of the popular blog Companion Animal Psychology, where she writes about everything from training methods to the human-canine relationship. Todd also writes a blog for Psychology Today, Fellow Creatures. She lives in Maple Ridge, BC, with her husband, one dog, and two cats. Links: Buy Bark! here (but better off going to a local bookshop right?!) Sign up to Zazie's newsletter here…

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#69 Carrie-Anne Selwyn - The Sparkle Queen Returns! 1:58:49

25 weeks ago1:58:49

1:58:49

Autumnal Greetings Bookshelvers! We are back to normal scheduling now after another amazing DOGX 2024 and the UK has plummeted into Autumn! To celebrate the seasonal change we have the Pumpkin Spiced Latte of Dog Sports Herself Carrie-Anne Selwyn! Steve and Nat welcome back Carrie to discuss her journey with dogs, the impact of COVID-19, and the exciting sport of Hoopers. The conversation delves into Carrie's experiences with various dog breeds, particularly her Malinois V, and the challenges of managing dog behaviour in public spaces. They explore the importance of risk assessment in dog training and the emotional rollercoaster of living with reactive dogs. Carrie, Steve, and Nat delve into the complexities of dog training, focusing on socialization, emotional wellbeing, and the role of sports like Hoopers in enhancing the bond between dogs and their handlers. They discuss the importance of ethical training practices, the emotional connections formed through dog sports, and the need for a supportive community among dog trainers. The conversation also touches on the challenges of navigating dog behaviour and the significance of understanding each dog's unique needs and genetics. As ever... Get it your earholes!!!! Carrie facts: Carrie-Anne Selwyn is a Dog trainer, podcaster, speaker, international hoopers judge and competitor and the founder of Canine Hoopers World. Originally a riding instructor Carrie also worked at a groomers and a cattery. After passing her level 3 animal care Carrie pursued a career in dog training in 2012 Becoming a qualified trainer with the IMDT. She is now an ambassador for the Pet Profesional network, a guest speaker for the Distictive dog trainer and IMDT and PPG Australia. A course tutor and assessor for the IMDT. Carrie also has two successful podcasts Canine Hoopers World and the Dog Training Dictionary. Carrie has taught internationally both in person and virtually. She set up Canine Hoopers World in 2019 and has taught over 500 instructors how to teach hoopers in over 20 different countries.…

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Billy Big Dogs 2:40

27 weeks ago2:40

2:40

Something a little short and a little special for you Bookshelvers. As many of you know Steve writes little songs and jingles for the podcast and we've been asked to pop this particular one out as a stand alone. Enjoy #stopbillybigdogs

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#68 Debby Lucken - It Started With a Sit: The Book to Help Expectant & New Parents of Both Kids & Dogs 3:01:16

27 weeks ago3:01:16

3:01:16

What is happening out there Bookshelvers!? As the dog world goes doolally on the socials we thought we'd bring you some doolally of our very own! This week we give (a long overdue) welcome to the awesome Debby Lucken, who shares her experiences in writing her book 'It Started With A Sit'. The discussion covers her journey in the dog training world, the challenges of balancing family life with work, and the importance of pets in family dynamics. Debby reflects on her personal stories, the creative process behind her book, and the significance of honest storytelling. The conversation also touches on the complexities of adoption assessments and the cultural differences in dog ownership. We get deep into the weeds discussing the emotional landscape of parenting, the importance of community support, and the role of professionals in navigating family dynamics. Debby is full of empathy and understanding in both parenting and dog training and a real advocate of safely involving children in dog training responsibilities. On top of all that quality dog chat Steve, Nat & Corrin navigate the complexities of the dog training industry, discussing the current turbulence and the importance of community support, explore various themes surrounding dog ownership, parenting, Fall down a Greg Wallace giggle hole, and, of course, discuss insights from the book and answer your questions. We hope you enjoy! Links: Buy "It Started With a Sit" DOGx Tickets Subscribe to receive a weekly PACT LUNCH…

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#67 Sally Bradbury - Teacher, Mentor, Author and Inspiration 1:24:24

28 weeks ago1:24:24