Barks from the Bookshelf

Hey there Bookshelvers!  A midweek podcast extra!? What’s going on? Well…we’re going off piste a little today but with good reason.  Many of you may know that there is a lot of division within the dog training industry (what’s new we hear you cry). Lately there has been a call for unity and a call for people with different training styles, ethics and core beliefs to come together and talk it out for the good of the dogs and humans. Here at PACT headquarters we thought we would record an episode talking through some of key points that are being debated and, more importantly, what we think about the question of unity and whether or not, we feel having these conversations/debates is useful.  We decided to predominantly record this for our PACT members and, of course, for anyone else that is listening that is a professional in the dog training industry, has an interest in becoming a dog trainer in the future or just loves dogs and wants what is best for them and their guardians moving forward. Having become directors of one of the training organisations that seem to be looked down upon in these discussions we thought we should go on the record and fight the good fight for animal welfare, wellbeing and ethics.  I would imagine that most of our listeners are pretty clear on where our ethical standards are. Those who listen will also have a good idea of what the science, especially welfare sciences, are informing us about the use of aversive methods on ALL individuals. So although we thought we’d discuss these topics this certainly isn’t a bridge to try to combine our ethical approach with one that we do not support. On top of that we are also individuals with different takes on different things so we really hope you enjoy this episode. Topics we cover include:  ·       What does regulation mean to us? ·       What are ethics vs morals and how should that inform the decisions we make when interacting with animals? ·       Is there an issue with a lack of practical training being offered by organisations. Is the landscape too theoretical? ·       Should we have discussions between camps? ·       Gish gallop & unfair debating tactics we see ·       Time it takes to train purely positively  ·       Boundaries. Where are the lines in the sand? ·       What makes an excellent trainer?   We have titled this talk “Le Chat Part un” I hope this is taken in the good hearted and tongue in cheek way it is intended and we have more to talk about so let us know if you’d be up for us recording a “Le Chat Part Deux” and we’ll get on it.

Join us this week Bookshelvers for a special episode with our BFF from across the pond Melissa McCue McGrath! There's SO much love we have for Melissa and we were thrilled to catch up with her to talk about everything that's happened between her last appearance and now (including her triumphant DOGx talk in 2023). Full of laughs and love we hope you'll enjoy this informal catch up. Slight trigger warning if you don't feel like hearing a story about a (narrowly avoided) septic tank disaster is Corrin and Steve's garden you might want to skip a little bit of this. As for those robust listeners... You're welcome!

Slap on a Wolf Fleece Bookshelvers... it’s about to get chilly! This week we find ourselves transported back through time to ancient Siberia for a fascinating conversation about how, where and why dogs became our BFF's! We were thrilled to have archaeologist Dr Angela Perri join us for an episode all about Dog Domestication (Steve especially as he has been going on about this interview for WEEKS)! Angela has researched the story of early prehistoric dogs on sites across the globe and recently her and her team published a paper proposing a new theory as to where domestication may have taken place and how dogs spread across the world. Steve and Angela talk theories, the challenges of finding answers, the wonder of science, how you might observe domestication happening on your front door and MORE. Steve also reads out a PACT Lunch about music and dogs. This is such an interesting episode ENJOY! Angela facts: Dr Angela Perri is an archaeologist with primary interests in human-animal interactions, paleoecology, and paleoenvironments. Her research largely focuses on the nature of human-environmental interactions by analysing early relationships between humans, animals, climate, and landscapes. She particularly interested in the effects of climate change on prehistoric animal biodiversity and human responses to these changes. Links: Click here to see the 8000 year old cave art we discussed [https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/ancient-dog-rock-art-arabian-desert-cliff-images-spd] DOGx Tickets [https://www.pact-dogs.com/dogx2024] Subscribe to receive a weekly PACT LUNCH [https://www.pact-dogs.com/]

Well, well, well Bookshelvers you find us a fizzy as a feisty Foxhound as we set about round two of speaking with the brilliant Simone Mueller. As well as a wee bit of spoilers about Simone’s upcoming talk at DOGx2024 we spend the majority of our conversation talking about, one of, the most searched dog training topics online… Loose Lead Walking. Why is it so bloomin’ hard to train? What is happening to cause the pulling? Thoughts on equipment, management strategies, outlets and training games and strategies to succeed. If you haven’t got a copy of Simone's book “Walking Together” it is a much needed and worthy book to have on those shelves.   There's also a not to be missed (ahem) section where Nat, Corrin and Steve reminisce about the school days and words they used to think were cool. We also have a brand new Stevie song for you called “What Comes Natural Mate”, inspired by Simone's PST training books. All this absolutely free!? YES PLEASE!   Simone Facts:    Simone Mueller, MA is a certified dog trainer and dog behaviour consultant (ATN) from Germany. She specialises in force-free anti-predation training and is the author of the three books of the Predation Substitute Training series. Simone is proud to be an Associate Trainer at the Scotland-based Lothlorien Dog Training Club (AT-LDTC) and a member of The Initiative of Force-Free Dog Training, the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) and the Pet Dog Trainers of Europe (PDTE).   LINKS Learn more about Simone: http://www.predation-substitute-training.com [http://www.predation-substitute-training.com/] DOGx Tickets [https://www.pact-dogs.com/dogx2024] Subscribe to receive a weekly PACT LUNCH [https://www.pact-dogs.com/]

Hey, Hey, Hey Bookshelvers! You find us feeling as focused as a sincere sighthound silently stalking a stag! Why you ask? Well it’s all to do with this amazing conversation we’ve had with Professor Carri Westgarth. To say we’re excited to share it with you is, one heck of, an understatement. We really do cover VAST number of topics including some difficult subjects like: fatalities from dog bites, breed bans and how to increase public safety. On top of that we discuss both of Carri’s books (The Happy Dog Owner & Dogs Bites), Dave the virtual dog and the endless possibilities he brings and much, much more. Steve also goes solo with the intro and outro this week AND reads an exclusive audio version of a piece he wrote that fits with the general tone of todays conversation. So pop that kettle on and immerse yourself in dog geekery for a couple of hours. Carri Facts: Professor Carri Westgarth is Chair in Human-Animal Interaction at the University of Liverpool with a passion for understanding the relationships we have with our pets. With a background in animal behaviour and dog training she has trained in veterinary epidemiology and human public health. Her research interests focus on the implications of dog ownership for human health and wellbeing, but also how owner management of their dogs can impact dog welfare. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods are used to tackle her primary research questions of how to improve population health through the promotion of dog walking, and how to prevent dog bites. Her expertise on understanding and changing the behaviour of dog owners is sought by many organisations wishing to prevent dog bites and promote ‘responsible’ dog owner behaviour, such as her work as a consultant for Royal Mail. She is also a Full Member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors and founder of the Merseyside Dog Safety Partnership. In her spare time Carri teaches dog training classes, and previously was a professional Assistance Dog Instructor. Her practical experience in many areas relating to dogs, combined with a multi-disciplinary academic perspective, gives unique strength and relevance to her expertise. Links: The Merseyside Dog Safety Partnership [https://merseydogsafe.co.uk/] Buy "The Happy Dog Owner" on Amazon [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Happy-Dog-Owner-Finding-Happiness/dp/178739655X/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?crid=2UVTU6WJYU45H&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fDsd8Tvm8Ko-GV8amwcgWLNea3O32zV0ld2KWswLZAopeTSh_t-NAqk5ioxuQIqQ.ysv-PMCxbch4lfDdC8JnmHJcJkR3CX1uhA8aEQKuldM&dib_tag=se&keywords=carri+westgarth&qid=1721222264&sprefix=carri+westgarth%2Caps%2C65&sr=8-1-fkmr0] Buy "Dog Bites" on Amazon [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dog-Bites-Multidisciplinary-Daniel-Mills/dp/191045561X/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?crid=3UI2QM61Q11DF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Uw-d2xUqA8_kUHxJuDzbal2a82m9F56Pr9I5Nj1lXsjGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.6aQJRonY_K0CWiY3uCIfHYRLbERUX7BPxe2nx3-vieI&dib_tag=se&keywords=dog+bites+carri+westgarth&qid=1721222209&sprefix=dog+bites+carri+westgarth%2Caps%2C64&sr=8-1-fkmr0] Subscribe to receive a weekly PACT LUNCH [https://www.pact-dogs.com/] DOGx Tickets [https://www.pact-dogs.com/dogx2024] https://www.pact-dogs.com/