The Bitey End of the Dog

Why Mood Matters in Aggression Cases With Karin Pienaar

A dog can be “aggressive” on the outside while living a totally different emotional story on the inside, and that mismatch is where so many training plans break. We sit down with Karin Pienaar, author of Mood Matters, to talk about what behavior is really made of: mood, emotions, arousal, and the dog’s lived experience day to day.We get concrete about definitions first, then go deeper into why mood is the starting point for everything we ask dogs to do. Karin explains the difference between emotion and mood with a simple visual that sticks, and we connect it to the reality of reactive dog training and aggression in dogs. If arousal is too high, learning fails, and “progress” becomes trigger rehearsal. We also talk about how to read thresholds in real time using responsiveness, food, and clear physiological signs.From there, Karin walks us through her MHERA framework (Mood, Hedonic Budgets, Emotionality, Reinforcement Assessments) and the role cognitive bias plays in how dogs interpret novelty and ambiguity. We explore why enrichment and exposure are not automatically helpful, how agency and consent cues can change outcomes, and why two dogs displaying the same behavior at the end of the leash may need completely different behavior change plans.About Karin:https://mhera.org/about.htmlLearn 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! 

The Lost Art of Critical Thinking with Dr. Chris Pachel

Artificial intelligence is a big part of the conversation in our industry right now. The real question isn’t whether we’ll use it, but how to use it without losing the clinical reasoning that makes us effective practitioners.In this episode, I’m joined once again by my good friend Dr. Chris Pachel to explore one of the biggest shifts happening in our profession. We discuss where AI is genuinely useful, from organizing lengthy medical records and capturing consult notes to creating reports that improve communication with clients, veterinarians, and trainers. But we also talk about its limitations, the risks of bias and overreliance, and why AI should never replace the thinking that comes from experience.We also dive into behavior medication, including some of the newest developments in veterinary behavior medicine, what’s currently available, and what’s still on the horizon. More importantly, we discuss why medication decisions require careful clinical reasoning. Dogs displaying aggression may look similar on the surface, but the underlying motivations can be completely different. The goal isn’t to medicate every dog or avoid medication altogether. It’s about understanding the individual in front of you and choosing the interventions that give both the dog and caregiver the best opportunity for success.The second half of our conversation focuses on prognosis, risk assessment, and behavioral euthanasia. Chris shares why he has become increasingly cautious about making early prognostic predictions, how repeated assessments lead to better decision-making, and why acceptable risk looks different for every family and every dog. We also explore some of the most challenging conversations professionals have with clients and why empathy, curiosity, and humility are just as important as technical knowledge.Whether you’re a trainer, behavior consultant, veterinarian, or simply fascinated by canine behavior, this conversation is a reminder that our work rarely has simple answers. The best decisions are usually found in the nuance.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! 

Breed Better. Shelter Less. With Kate Dalman.

Breeding is one of the quickest ways to start a fight in the dog world, but we wanted a different angle: what if breeder decisions are one of the biggest upstream drivers of the behavior problems we’re all trying to solve downstream? I’m joined by Kate Dalman, founder of Herzog’s Heroes, to connect the dots between breeding practices, puppy development, and the aggression and reactivity cases that land on a trainer’s schedule years later.We get specific about what separates a conscientious breeder from someone who just markets well: selecting parent dogs for balanced temperament, pairing complementary traits, reducing prenatal stress, using written early socialization protocols, and doing the hard work of matching the right puppy to the right home. Kate also explains why the simple promise to take a dog back at any point in its life reshapes everything, from buyer screening to long-term owner support, and how that mindset can prevent shelter surrender before it starts.Then we zoom out to the bigger system. We talk about the cultural divide between breeders, rescues, and trainers, why “adopt don’t shop” can miss key realities, and how transparency and verifiable standards could help the public compare breeders apples to apples. If you care about dog behavior, dog welfare, and reducing shelter intake, this conversation offers a practical roadmap for “breed better, shelter less.”About Kate:https://herzogsheroes.org/about-usHerzog's Heroes:https://herzogsheroes.org/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! 

What We've Learned... and Forgotten with Dr. Ian Dunbar

Dog training has a short memory, and that’s a problem when the best solutions are often the oldest ones. I’m joined by Dr. Ian Dunbar, veterinarian, animal behaviorist, and one of the key forces behind reward-based training and off-leash puppy socialization, to walk through how the profession got built, what we got right, and where we’ve drifted. If you’ve ever wondered why puppy classes feel optional while aggression and reactivity consults feel “advanced,” this conversation flips that story on its head.We go back to Ian’s early years with off-leash dogs, his first shock at watching leash-correction culture, and the practical roots of lure reward training before it even had a name. From there, we unpack the rise of off-leash puppy classes, and the early conferences that helped professionalize dog training. Ian shares what those “glory years” felt like and why openness and community mattered as much as technique.Then we get into the messy middle: ideology, the meaning of “aversive,” the social media dynamics that punish nuance, and why many trainers are scared to show real training on video. We also talk about prevention at a skill level, not a slogan: early socialization, play and enrichment as reinforcement, bite inhibition, and fast ways to change behavior so the dog’s emotional response can change too. Ian makes a strong case for using simple metrics and real-world testing so “science-based dog training” means measurable improvement, not just theory.If you’re ready to rebuild your foundation with puppies, prevention, and practical training you can see and track, you’ll get a lot out of this one. ABOUT IAN:Dr. Ian Dunbar is one of the world's most respected experts on dog training and behavior. He grew up on a farm in the English countryside training cows, chickens and yes, dogs using time-honored lure reward training techniques learned from his family. He went on to receive his veterinary degree from the Royal Veterinary College at London University and his doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley. In 1982, he designed and taught the world's very first off-leash puppy socialization and training classes – SIRIUS® Puppy Training. These puppy classes would go on to become immensely popular and imitated all around the world. The success and popularity of these classes ultimately revolutionized the world of dog training by putting a much needed focus on puppyhood and easy, enjoyable, and effective methods, at a time when most training was boring and unpleasant.Subsequently, Ian went on to create and develop the San Francisco SPCA's Animal Behavior Department, he started the American Kennel Club's Gazette "Behavior" column, which he wrote for seven years, and he designed and organized the K9 GAMES®. In 1993, he founded the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. With over 5000 members in 48 countries, the APDT has grown to be the world's largest association of dog trainers.He has authored numerous books and videos, including five seasons of Dogs with Dunbar, a popular television program in the UK. He has given over one thousand seminars and workshops around the world and has been instrumental in the rise of reward-based, fun and games, scientifically sound dog training methods.https://www.dunbaracademy.com/Barking Up the Right Tree book:https://www.dunbaracademy.com/pages/barking-up-the-right-treeLearn 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! 

Still Dog People: Who am I now?

A severe dog bite doesn’t end when the wound is stitched or the adrenaline wears off. It keeps going in your sleep, in your startle response to barking, and in the quiet shame that can hit hardest when you’re “the professional” who’s supposed to know better. That’s why we wanted to hold space for Marilyn Gilchrist, a respected dog training and behavior professional, to tell the full truth of what happened when a foster visit turned into a serious attack and a life-altering injury. We walk step by step through the incident, the ER reality check, and the long physical healing process, but we spend just as much time on the invisible aftermath: panic around unfamiliar dogs, hypervigilance, replaying every second for missed signals, and the identity crisis of wondering who you are if dogs no longer feel safe. Marilyn shares how quickly she shut down her business, how hard it was to find useful resources for dog bite trauma, and why some online spaces made things worse through blame and sensationalism. From there, we get practical. Marilyn explains what helped her most, including a trauma-informed therapist who prioritized safety, immediate coping tools, cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, and hypnotherapy that proved far more effective than she expected. We also talk about support networks that actually show up, returning to work in a way that feels doable, and how her experience sharpened her commitment to listening to dog body language and protecting consent, even if that means disappointing people. If you work with dogs, especially aggression and reactivity cases, this conversation is a grounded reminder that recovery is possible and you don’t have to do it alone. Subscribe for more honest conversations, share this with a colleague who needs it, and leave a review with the one part you wish our industry talked about more.ABOUT MARILYN: Marilyn Gilchrist has pursued extensive education in dog behaviour and training, earning qualifications from a number of institutions including PACT and is a registered Animal Training Instructor through the ABTC.  She has a profound passion for trailing which started in 2017 with her rescue dog Lola! Now trailing her Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Scout (who has attained Expert Level status) and Spicy Dachshund Jem, Marilyn has seen first hand the benefits trailing can bring to a dog’s wellbeing. Deciding to focus on trailing in 2022, Marilyn went on to set up The Canine School of Trailing with Rachel Rodgers where they focus on teaching other dog professionals how to add this enriching activity to their businesses.https://thecanineschooloftrailing.co.uk/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!