Brain and Behaviour

The Reactivity Zones Approach with Victoria Stilwell

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://standishdogtrainer.co.uk/seminars-conferences/] https://positively.com/ [https://positively.com/] https://www.vsdogtrainingacademy.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 [www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk]

Episode 22 - Beyond Training Formulas - Suzanne Clothier

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

Episode 21 - Beyond Breed: How to Judge Bite Risk - Dr. Helen Howell

Guest Bio Dr. Helen Howell is a canine behaviourist, researcher, and expert witness specialising in aggression, risk assessment, and breed identification. Her PhD at the University of Lincoln focused on human-directed dog bites and how to assess and mitigate risk. Helen has assessed cases across the UK courts, advised rescues internationally, and worked with a wide range of dogs from game-bred fighting lines in the US to street dogs in India and Sri Lanka. She now concentrates on evidence-based risk assessment and tool development rather than Section 1 breed-typing work. 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. More information: Website: https://animalbehaviourkent.co.uk ABK Learn Platform: https://www.abklearn.co.uk YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@animalbehaviourkent261 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animalbehaviourkent Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Animalbehaviourkent Twitter (X): https://x.com/AnimalKent For more on evidence-based training, canine behaviour science, or upcoming events, visit animalbehaviourkent.co.uk or explore our learning platform at abklearn.co.uk. Questions or feedback? Email us at daniel@animalbehaviourkent.co.uk.

Episode 20 - Resource Guarding Behaviour - Sonia Fetherling

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

Episode 19 - Talking Separation Anxiety - Malena DeMartini

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