Brain and Behaviour

• Episode 15 - Dog Welfare Today - Breeding, Law, and Owner Responsibility - Melissa McCue-McGrath

  Guest BioMelissa McHugh McGrath is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, author, and speaker known for her expertise in urban dog behaviour. With decades of experience in Boston and now Maine, she specialises in the intersection between environment and behaviour—exploring how city life challenges dogs differently than rural living. Melissa is the author of Considerations for the City Dog and a frequent conference presenter.Episode SummaryMelissa joins Daniel to compare the behavioural challenges of dogs in urban and rural settings. She explains how city dogs are constantly bombarded by sensory overload—sounds, smells, confined spaces, and straight-line encounters on sidewalks—that create frustration, reactivity, and stress. In contrast, rural dogs often face challenges like predation and lack of recall training. Melissa also shares her personal experiences of burnout from urban training and how shifting environments transformed the cases she sees today.Relevant Links • Book: Considerations for the City Dog: https://considerationsforthecitydog.com • PACT Conference (mentioned): https://www.pact-dogs.comMore information:Website: https://animalbehaviourkent.co.ukABK Learn Platform: https://www.abklearn.co.ukYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@animalbehaviourkent261Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animalbehaviourkentFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnimalbehaviourkentTwitter (X): https://x.com/AnimalKentFor 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 [email protected].

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• Episode 14 - Breaking Down Barriers to Dog Welfare - Dr Rowena Packer

  Guest BioRowena is the Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science (2020-Present) at the Royal Veterinary College, London. Rowena leads a research group exploring diverse topics in this area, including the impact of chronic and inherited disorders on dog behaviour and welfare, and the impact of owner knowledge, attitudes and behaviour on canine welfare. She has received >£1.9 million of research funding to date, of which ~£820,000 has been held as Principal Investigator. Rowena has co-authored >90 peer reviewed papers and book chapters and co-edited the textbook ‘Health and Welfare of Brachycephalic (Flat-faced) Companion Animals’ (2021). Rowena holds a PhD from the Royal Veterinary College (2013) which explored the impact of extreme conformation on canine health, a 1st Class BSc (Hons) in Animal Behaviour and Welfare from the University of Bristol (2009), and a PGCert in Veterinary Education from the Royal Veterinary College (2021). Rowena is a Coordinating Group Member for the Animal Welfare Research Network, and a founding member of the Brachycephalic Working Group (UK) and the Legal Advisory Group on Extreme Conformation in Dogs.Episode SummaryIn this episode, Rowena Packer and Daniel explore the major welfare challenges facing dogs in the UK and globally. They discuss the ethics and realities of dog breeding, the enforcement gaps in legislation, and the responsibilities of owners versus breeders. Rowena explains how cultural differences and government involvement affect welfare standards across countries, and why meaningful enforcement is just as critical as laws themselves. The conversation also dives into the importance of engaging “the unengaged” dog owners, and how public attitudes, misinformation, and anti-expert culture create barriers to better welfare.Relevant Links - Royal Veterinary College https://www.rvc.ac.uk- Infographicshttps://www.rvc.ac.uk/vetcompass/audio-visual-resources/research-infographicsWant to learn more? Explore science-backed courses, webinars, and resources for dog behaviour professionals at our online platform: ⁠www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk.⁠

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• Episode 13 - The Science of Stress with Dr. Else Verbeek

  Guest Bio:Else Verbeek is the founder of Amazing Animal Minds and an Associate Professor of Animal Welfare at the Agricultural University in Uppsala (Sweden). At Amazing Animal Minds, I help dogs (and their owners) overcome stress, fear and anxiety. In addition, I provide training and education about dog behaviour, stress and emotion for dog trainers and behaviourists. My research explored the link between cognition, emotion and (stress) physiology with the aim to improve animal welfare.Episode Summary:In this episode, Else Verbeek joins Daniel to explore the science of stress, welfare, and emotion. She explains the role of the HPA axis and cortisol in animals, unpacking what stress hormones really tell us—and what they don’t. Else discusses the differences between acute and chronic stress, the challenges of measuring welfare across species, and the parallels (and limits) between animal and human mental health research. The conversation also dives into how environment, enrichment, and even the microbiome shape behaviour, and why focusing on positive welfare—allowing animals to thrive, not just survive—is the next frontier for science and practice.Want to learn more? Explore science-backed courses, webinars, and resources for dog behaviour professionals at our online platform: ⁠www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk.⁠

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• Episode 12 - Welfare in Captive Dogs with Kim Brophey

  Guest Bio:Kim Brophey, CDBC, CPDT-KA, FDM, is an applied ethologist and accomplished behavior consultant and trainer who has been working with dogs and their families for over 25 years. Kim’s commitment to Family Dog Mediation® has been recognized internationally, awarded the APDT Outstanding Trainer of the Year in 2009 and the Best Dog Trainer of WNC eight years in a row.She is a member of the International Society for Applied Ethology and the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, and a certified member and past board member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants as well as the Asheville Humane Society. Kim Brophey’s L.E.G.S.® model of integrated canine science has been endorsed by prominent canine scientists such as Raymond Coppinger, and embraced by reputable academics and dog trainers worldwide.Her market-disrupting L.E.G.S.® Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation® Course is the flagship of a rapidly growing worldwide initiative that is leading the charge in setting a new direction for the pet industry and culture- a welfare-first understanding of pet dog behavior. From the Family Dog Mediation Education Center ® to the L.E.G.S. in Motion Conference, and her Dog Key® Canine Genetic Heritage Testing Software to the thousands of active FDM student community members collaborating in a functional professional ecosystem, Kim’s work is a meaningful contribution to the advancement of the pet dog industry.Her groundbreaking, awarded, sold-out first edition book – MEET YOUR DOG, TED talk, Beyond The Operant (BTO) collaborative, The Dog’s Truth documentary, numerous public speaking venues at institutions & conferences around the world, references in various publications, and countless radio and podcast features have made profound waves throughout the dog behavior world as well as the general public. Kim continues to endeavor to build bridges and invite others to contribute to a new conversation about dogs – one that challenges us to redefine how we perceive, talk about, provide for, and live with our canine companions as a society.Episode Summary:In this episode, Kim Brophey joins Daniel to discuss why the way we think about pet dogs needs to change. She argues that dogs are captive animals, subject to the same welfare challenges seen in zoos and farms, and that behaviour problems often stem from unmet welfare needs rather than training failures. The conversation explores the limitations of management-heavy approaches, the role of evolution and artificial selection in shaping behaviour, and how the LEGS model integrates genetics, learning, environment, and self to provide a holistic framework. Kim also introduces concepts like purpose, resilience, and third way evolutionary theory, inviting us to rethink welfare beyond the absence of distress and towards helping dogs live meaningful lives.Want to learn more? Explore science-backed courses, webinars, and resources for dog behaviour professionals at our online platform: www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk.

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• Episode 50 - Rehab in Everyday Practice - Early Identification of Canine Pain - João Alves

  In this episode of Canine Arthritis Matters, Hannah Capon speaks with João Alves MRCVS, a veterinary surgeon with a special interest in chronic pain and osteoarthritis. Together they discuss why spotting pain early is vital, how misinterpreting behaviour can delay care, and why arthritis should be considered long before obvious lameness develops.João shares practical advice for general practitioners on integrating chronic pain assessment into everyday consults, from history-taking to subtle movement observation. He and Hannah also explore the importance of teamwork with owners, how simple validated tools can improve accuracy, and why communication and empathy are often as powerful as prescriptions in managing canine OA.Guest Bio:João Alves MRCVS is a veterinary surgeon based in the UK with a strong focus on chronic pain management and welfare. He has built his clinical practice around improving outcomes for dogs living with osteoarthritis and other long-term pain conditions, ensuring that both vets and owners have the knowledge and tools to intervene earlier. João is passionate about bridging the gap between research and everyday practice, making pain management more accessible and effective for all.Key Takeaways: 1. Chronic pain is often under-recognised. Behavioural changes such as reluctance to jump, subtle stiffness, or reduced play may be early red flags.2. Owners are key partners. Teaching them to recognise and record changes helps provide better evidence for diagnosis and management.3. Validated assessment tools reduce subjectivity and help track progress more reliably than owner memory alone.4. Pain management should begin early—waiting for overt lameness means lost time and welfare compromise.5. Empathy, continuity, and communication are central. Building trust leads to more accurate reporting and better adherence to management plans.Relevant Links:Join the CAM Member ZoneAccess webinars, guides, case studies, and a supportive community of professionals and pet owners working to improve canine arthritis care.Join here: https://www.caninearthritis.co.uk/member-zone/Use the Suspicion of Chronic Pain FormHelp identify dogs that may be living with hidden pain. This validated form supports early recognition and structured conversations with owners.Download here: https://caninearthritis.co.uk/suspicion-of-chronic-pain/Learn more about CAM:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAMarthritisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/canine_arthritisYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CanineArthritisManagementLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canine-arthritis-management-ltdHave questions send them to: [email protected] tuned to learn how early detection can make a significant difference in managing OA in younger dogs.

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