The Bitey End of the Dog

From Chasing Safety to Creating Risk: The Truth About Mass Dog Roundups

A sweeping plan to remove India’s free-living dogs is racing ahead on shaky ground and the consequences could hit far beyond one country’s borders. We sit down with anthrozoologist and behavior expert Sindhoor Pangal to explain why uprooting tens of millions of dogs from their neighborhoods won’t curb bites or rabies, and how it actually increases danger for people and animals alike.We trace India’s decades-long success with ABC-ARV—animal birth control plus anti-rabies vaccination—now a WHO-endorsed approach that drives down bites and stabilizes populations when implemented well. Sindhoor breaks down the vacuum effect that follows mass removal: rats and other scavengers surge, wildlife conflict grows, and unvaccinated dogs quickly repopulate. We explore the public health math behind herd immunity, the real-world limits of shelter capacity, and how crowded kennels can become hotbeds for zoonotic disease and antibiotic resistance.Beyond numbers, we dig into the social lives of street dogs: loose, adaptive groups that coexist with people through routine, territory, and agency. Disrupt that fabric, and fear spreads. Stressed dogs labeled “biters” struggle in shelters; warier dogs remain on the street and pass defensive strategies to the next generation through social learning and epigenetic pathways. The alternative is both humane and practical: sustained ABC-ARV coverage, smarter waste management, simple environmental tweaks like moving feeding spots off busy walkways, and public education on safe interactions that slashes bite risk at a fraction of the cost.If you care about dogs, public health, or evidence-based policy, this conversation matters. Help amplify the science, push back on panic-driven decisions, and support experts doing the work on the ground. Subscribe, share this episode with a friend, and leave a review to keep the conversation and the momentum going.BHARCS:Website:https://www.bharcs.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/bharcsInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/bharcs_education/X:@bharcsLearn more about options for help for dogs with aggression here:AggressiveDog.comLearn more about the CANIS Conference here:CANIS ConferenceSubscribe to the bonus episodes available here:The Bitey End of the Dog Bonus EpisodesCheck out all of our webinars, courses, and educational content here:Webinars, courses, and more!

From Training to Welfare: A Shift in Thinking with Kim Brophey

What if many dog behavior problems aren't actually problems at all, but symptoms of unmet welfare needs? In this thought-provoking conversation with applied ethologist Kim Brophey, we explore how the LEGS model (Learning, Environment, Genetics, Self) has evolved to reshape our understanding of canine behavior and welfare in modern environments.Kim explains why behavioral diversity serves as both a critical welfare need and a powerful measurement tool. When dogs can express a wide range of natural behaviors, from foraging and exploration to appropriate hazard management...with agency and autonomy, they thrive. Yet in today's captive environments, many dogs lack these opportunities, leading to what we label as "problem behaviors."The discussion takes us deep into the five domains model of animal welfare and how it applies to our companion dogs. While we've generally excelled at meeting biological needs like nutrition and health, we've significantly neglected the fourth domain of behavioral interactions and the natural living needs that are fundamental to a dog's wellbeing. This creates a mismatch between a dog's genetic design and the environment they actually live in.Family Dog Mediation:https://familydogmediation.com/Learn more about options for help for dogs with aggression here:AggressiveDog.comLearn more about the CANIS Conference here:CANIS ConferenceSubscribe to the bonus episodes available here:The Bitey End of the Dog Bonus EpisodesCheck out all of our webinars, courses, and educational content here:Webinars, courses, and more!

Beyond Training: The Medical Side of Aggression with Dr. Maggie O'Brian

In this fascinating conversation with Dr. Maggie O'Brian, one of North Carolina's few board-certified veterinary behaviorists, we have an enlightening discussion about the clinical side of animal behavior.Dr. O'Brian takes us through the reality of treating complex behavior cases, where the line between medical and behavioral issues often blurs. She shares surprising insights about pain as an underlying factor in aggression, including the eye-opening statistic that 25% of dogs under four already have arthritis, and how addressing physical discomfort can sometimes completely transform a dog's behavior. One memorable case involved a Golden Retriever whose severe resource guarding disappeared entirely after pain treatment, leading the owners to exclaim, "We didn't know she had a personality!"Whether you're a pet professional or simply trying to understand your own dog's puzzling behavior, this episode offers a compelling look at the intersection of medicine, behavior, and the powerful human-animal bond. Check out Dr. O'Brian's practice at Southeast Animal Behavior and Training, or explore their virtual options for nationwide consultation.https://www.southeastanimalbehavior.vet/meet-the-teamLearn more about options for help for dogs with aggression here:AggressiveDog.comLearn more about the CANIS Conference here:CANIS ConferenceSubscribe to the bonus episodes available here:The Bitey End of the Dog Bonus EpisodesCheck out all of our webinars, courses, and educational content here:Webinars, courses, and more!

Crossing the Line: Thresholds and Leash Reactivity with Jessica Wheatcraft

Ever wondered why some dogs transform from perfect companions at home to reactive dynamos the moment a leash gets clipped on? Jessica Wheatcraft returns to discuss the complex world of leash reactivity with clarity and compassion that both dog guardians and professionals will appreciate.This conversation goes beyond simplistic solutions by exploring the subtle body language cues that signal stress long before barking begins. Jessica expertly differentiates leash reactivity from aggression, explaining how a dog's motivation on leash often stems from frustration rather than intimidation. "The dog's behavior on a leash can be very different than their behavior off of a leash to the same exact stimulus," she notes, highlighting how context dramatically changes a dog's responses.What makes this episode particularly valuable is the practical framework Jessica provides for understanding thresholds. Rather than viewing them as single breaking points, she describes thresholds as doorways or transitions where behavior changes in observable ways. Learn to recognize when your dog crosses these thresholds through subtle signs like increased respiration, closed mouth, facial tension, or raised tail carriage. This awareness allows handlers to intervene effectively before reactions escalate!About Jessica:https://www.jessicawheatcraft.com/about/Learn more about options for help for dogs with aggression here:AggressiveDog.comLearn more about the CANIS Conference here:CANIS ConferenceSubscribe to the bonus episodes available here:The Bitey End of the Dog Bonus EpisodesCheck out all of our webinars, courses, and educational content here:Webinars, courses, and more!

Emotional Regulation: The Missing Piece in Dog Training

Ever wondered why your perfectly planned training techniques sometimes fall flat, despite your best efforts? The missing piece might not be in your training toolkit at all. It could be your emotional state.Max Seifert, certified dog behavior consultant and creator of the Connection Over Control approach, takes us deep into the fascinating world of emotional regulation in dog training. While traditional approaches focus heavily on operant conditioning and behavior modification, Max reveals how our nervous systems directly impact our dogs' ability to learn and respond. Drawing from attachment theory, affective neuroscience, and his own extensive case experience, Max demonstrates why the emotional connection between handler and dog often determines training success.About Max:https://www.shoprosiestailtraining.com/blank-1Learn more about options for help for dogs with aggression here:AggressiveDog.comLearn more about the CANIS Conference here:CANIS ConferenceSubscribe to the bonus episodes available here:The Bitey End of the Dog Bonus EpisodesCheck out all of our webinars, courses, and educational content here:Webinars, courses, and more!