Efficacy and Welfare - with recently released research on Stopping Chasing Behavior in Dogs, Jason Toy and I sat down to discuss what we got from this paper. Much of our conversation flowed into how research, among other things, can be misused as vindication. How we've gotten away from understanding what the scientific process is about and how we can extrapolate information from research. It's also been a while since I've recorded a podcast, and I was slightly overcaffeinated, so there are more words from me than needed in this one (sorry, Jason!).

Furthermore, the general public needs to be better informed about how to interpret research, making it even more challenging for pet parents to decipher what it all means if anything at all. Whether fully engrossed in the scientific community or not, influencers (generally not) form and spread their opinions on what Jason and I discuss as "both sides of the fence"—the training divide between force-free dog trainers and balanced trainers.

Jason and I may differ in our practices, as do many behavior and training professionals, and even in interpreting some of the information presented in the study. Still, we both respect one another professionally, and I feel comfortable speaking for both of us when I say there's something to be said for common ground. In a sea of grey that represents individual training practices and methodologies, forcing people into one of two camps of black or white, in my opinion, is detrimental to the industry as a whole. The labels have muddied the water. We can at least agree on the extremes to start. Jason is a balanced trainer, but he's not a shock jock causing dogs to turn on their owners. I'm a positive reinforcement behavior professional, but I don't just throw food at dogs to fix all the things. These are just two examples of the mislabeling that comes along with being associated with "sides." Dare I say, there's a cock on either side of the fight, and perhaps we let the hens solve this issue for once?

You can read my extended thoughts on this topic HERE.

You can find Jason HERE at Canine Scholars or on Insta HERE

You can find me HERE at Whole Dog Behavior and Wellness or on Insta HERE.

Thanks for listening!

Dr. Amy Pike is a Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist who owns and operates the Animal Behavior Wellness Center. In this episode we dive into a couple of hot topics that Dr. Pike and I both feel need to be more openly discussed in the dog training and behavior space. What I love the most about having this conversation with Dr. Pike is that we don't necessarily agree on everything but we both have a shared respect for each other's professional perspective and we both came to the table to listen. I also came to the table to learn, given that Dr. Pike is an expert as it pertains to animal behavior, I have utmost respect for her, and I value her perspective. I hope this episode gives you the courage to talk with colleagues and other professionals openly to listen and learn from one another as legislation looks to regulate animal behavior and training. The professionals in the industry need to be a part of the conversation. I also hope this episode opens you up to the wonderful things that you can do for your clients and their dogs when you collaborate with other professionals, whether you are a veterinarian, a dog trainer, a behavior consultant, a veterinary behaviorist, or other pet professional.

We discuss diagnosing disorders, the important reasons only veterinarians truly diagnose, the challenges encountered with that, and how collaborations may help navigate the slippery diagnosis slope.

We dive into dog trainer and behavior consultant regulations as more conversations are happening to help pet parents safely navigate the training and behavior world when their pets need help.

We talk about challenges with higher education and how bridging the gap for professionals could present significant opportunities to elevate the training and behavior industry.

Dr.Pike talks CBD, nutrition and how relying on the right professional for direction making nutritional and supplemental decisions is crucial for the pet.

I hope you enjoy the episode! Feel free to comment once you've listened to share your perspective and please share this conversation with other professionals.

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Dr. Erica Feuerbacher is an Associate Professor in the School of Animal Sciences at Virginia Tech and director of the Applied Animal Behavior & Welfare Lab, where she focuses her research on dogs and horses.

She also coordinates the online Master's program in Applied Animal Behavior & Welfare at Virginia Tech. She earned her Ph.D. in Psychology at the University of Florida in the UF Canine Cognition and Behavior Lab and her Master’s in Behavior Analysis at the University of North Texas in the Organization for Reinforcement Contingencies with Animals.

She is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. Her research focuses on understanding domestic animal behavior and learning from a behavior analytic perspective, using applied animal behavior to solve behavioral issues in dogs and horses, and identifying interventions that improve shelter dog welfare.

She has published her research in a variety of scientific journals and has won awards for her research. She is passionate about humane, effective animal training, and working with owners, trainers, and shelter staff to improve our interactions with animals.

👇 Check This Out:

Online Master's in Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare in Fall 2020 particularly designed for behavior professionals.

https://www.cals.vt.edu/academic-programs/online/concentrations.html

https://www.facebook.com/aabvt

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