Brain and Behaviour

• Episode 11 - Behaviour cases in the veterinary setting - Dr Grace Cook

  Guest Bio:Dr. Grace Cook is a recent graduate of the Royal Veterinary College, earning her degree as a veterinary surgeon in July 2024. With a deep-rooted passion for canine care, she has dedicated over a decade to working with rescue dogs, having personally cared for around 30 foster dogs, kittens and other animals. Her extensive experience with dogs spans from rescue and rehabilitation to professional dog walking, sitting, training, and behavioural management.During her time at university, Dr. Cook led the Royal Dog Society, where she organised educational talks, hands-on training sessions with professionals, social events, and dog sports, fostering a community passionate about canine welfare. Her journey with dogs extends beyond professional practice, having adopted and rehabilitated three rescue dogs, each presenting unique behavioural and medical challenges.Dr. Cook's interest in the connection between pain and behaviour was further cultivated through shadowing veterinary behaviourists, physiotherapists, and observing the Queen Mother Hospital's pain clinic. These experiences have profoundly shaped her approach to veterinary medicine, particularly in understanding and addressing the complex interplay between physical pain and behavioural issues in dogs.Want to learn more? Explore science-backed courses, webinars, and resources for dog behaviour professionals at our new online platform: ⁠www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk⁠

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• Episode 10 - Genetics and Behaviour - Dr. Jessica Perry

  Guest BioJessica Perry Hekman, DVM, PhD, is a behavioral geneticist. She is one of the founders of the Functional Dog Collaborative (functionalbreeding.org), a non-profit which seeks to change the conversation around dog breeding in the dog loving community. She also teaches behavioral biology at the Virginia Tech online Masters program for Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare, and offers webinars online and consults with breeders about genetic testing and breeding choices. Perry lives in Raymond, NH with her husband and two dogs.Episode SummaryIn this episode, Dr. Jessica Perry Hekman unpacks the science behind puppy development, behaviour, and socialisation. She discusses why the first 12 weeks of a dog’s life are so crucial, how genetics interact with experience, and what we know (and don’t know) about creating stable, resilient adult dogs. Jessica and Daniel talk about how breeders, shelters, and puppy buyers can all play a role in shaping behavioural outcomes—and why there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. They also dive into the mission behind the Functional Dog Collaborative and how a more inclusive, science-informed breeding culture can benefit dogs and humans alike.Want to learn more? Explore science-backed courses, webinars, and resources for dog behaviour professionals at our new online platform: ⁠www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk⁠

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• Episode 9 - Rethinking Leash Reactivity with Jessica Wheatcraft

  Guest BioJessica Wheatcraft, CDBC is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant and professional dog trainer who has worked with thousands of dogs for over 17 years. She works with dog professionals virtually all over the world via her Leash Reactivity Mentorship for Professionals and online community, in addition to in-person seminars for trainers, behavior consultants and shelter staff. She specializes in leash reactivity cases, with an emphasis on understanding each dog as an individual and thinking outside of the box to implement the most effective, humane training solutions. She shares her life with her two dogs, Scout and Finn, mustang horse, Waylon and cat, Reeves.Episode SummaryIn this episode, Jessica Wheatcraft dives into the complex topic of canine reactivity, challenging the often rigid labels and protocols that dominate the conversation. She explains how many dogs who are labelled “reactive” are actually overwhelmed or underprepared for real-world environments. Jessica encourages trainers and guardians to zoom out, take stock of the whole picture, and ask better questions. Through real examples and compassionate insights, she shares how to approach reactivity not as a checklist of triggers to desensitize—but as a relationship to rebuild.Want to learn more? Check out our new online platform:https://www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk/

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• Episode 8 – Marketing and Messaging – Andre Yeu

  Guest BioAndre Yeu is a highly successful dog trainer and entrepreneur. As the founder of When Hounds Fly Dog Training, he's grown his business to over seven figures in annual revenue with five locations and a team of over 20. His expertise has also led him to become a Karen Pryor Academy faculty member, where he shares his knowledge with aspiring trainers. Yeu is a sought-after speaker, delivering keynotes and talks at prominent industry conferences such as APDT, IAABC Foundation, and ClickerExpo. His passion for positive reinforcement training and dedication to building a thriving dog training business make him a respected figure in the dog training world.Episode SummaryIn this business-focused episode, Andre Yeu joins Daniel to explore the current challenges facing dog trainers in a declining market. He discusses why many professionals are struggling to attract and retain clients—and how shifting our communication, marketing, and mindset can help. Andre explains the “curse of knowledge,” the power of storytelling, and the importance of simplifying language to connect with clients more effectively. He also shares practical tips on balancing ethics and effectiveness in messaging, crafting impactful social media content, and using SEO and local marketing strategies to build credibility and visibility.

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• Episode 7 - Welfare and Working Dogs - Sally Dickinson

  Guest Bio:It all started as a kid working border collies on a sheep farm in northern England, Sally knew from a young age that animals, and dogs in particular, would be an enduring feature of her life.Now based out of northern Virginia, Sally recently completed 20 years of service as a firefighter / paramedic and technical rescue specialist, concurrent with training and working Search and Rescue dogs for local, national and international agencies. Perfecting the incredible work of today’s handler and preparing the work of tomorrow’s handler is a priority for Sally, who specializes in teaching SAR canine programs, combining operational experience and the evidence based training.The science of animal behavior and the wellbeing of working dogs is a passion for Sally. She is a graduate of the KPA Professional Dog Trainer program, University of Tennessee Certified Canine Fitness Trainer, and the University of Washington Animal Behavior program and is now continuing her formal education as a PhD candidate in Applied Animal Behavior focusing her research on working dogs and how physical conditioning affects field ability at Virginia Tech.Summary:Sally shares her journey from sheep farms to search and rescue, and how her experiences led her to pursue a PhD. The episode explores the impact of stress on working dogs and how physical and emotional conditioning influence performance and welfare. Sally offers a rare dual perspective: operational and scientific.The paper Sally discusses in this podcast has also recently been published - check it out here - Here is the link - https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1546412/fullWant to learn more from us? Check out our new online platform:https://www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk/

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