Simplifying Shelter Behaviour

Ep. 48 Gamification for Grooming with Victoria Shepherd In this episode we discuss Victoria journey to becoming a holistic grooming professional. A big passion for Victoria is gamification for grooming and she takes us through some of these games, and easy techniques to support grooming both in and out of the shelter! About Victoria Shepherd Originally from Salt, Staffordshire, Victoria returned t...

This episode explores practical strategies for improving the daily lives of shelter animals through kennel enrichment. The discussion emphasizes how enrichment is not just about keeping animals entertained but about reducing stress, promoting natural Behaviours, and improving overall well-being—ultimately making them more adoptable. Key points include: ·        Why enrichment matters:  A kennel en...

About this episode Join us as we delve into Dr. Erica Feuerbacher’s groundbreaking work in applied animal behavior. In this episode, we explore how what we often consider simple—like petting—can deeply influence a shelter dog’s emotional well-being and adaptability. From reinforcement theory to practical applications in rescue environments, we'll explore how science supports more thoughtful, h...

In this episode, we sit down with renowned trainer  Grisha Stewart  to explore how  Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT) can be applied to support shelter dogs. We dive into the foundations of BAT and how it helps dogs build resilience, reduce reactivity, and make better choices in challenging environments. Together, we unpack practical tools such as  set-ups  that create safe learning opportunities...

In this episode I’m joined by Kat Creagh an animal welfare scientist who reviews policies and procedures for a large uk animal welfare charity. In this discussion we tackle some of the complicated questions around capacity to care and how we can best support the behavioural health of animals we are helping! There is no perfect solution to this problem and one of the discussions that continually ke...

In this episode Tom and Andrew Hales explore what it means to approach emotional experiences with Compassion Acceptance Knowledge and Empathy. Focusing on how we can take care of ourselves and those around us Andy explores the CAKE model and how it can impact the work we do in shelter and rescue, before moving on to discuss resilience, support and most importantly looking after ourselves to ensure...

Ep. 42 How do we Choose the Doggy in the Window, Decision Making of Adopters with Lawrence Minnis. In this episode we discuss Lawrence’s research looking at decision making of adopters. This important topic matches perfectly to behaviour as our end goal is getting dogs successfully rehomed. Join us as we look at reasons adopters select dogs, how we can support adopters and tips for reviewing and i...

Ep.41 the Look at That Game for Reactivity in Shelter with Kim Palermo In this episode I’m joined by Kim Palermo to took about the look at that game. There are many reasons why our dogs bark and lunge at stimuli in the environment, and there are also many methods and philosophies that are meant to “fix” this behavior. But what if you could go beyond fixing? What if you could actually have a conver...

In this episode I’m joined by Sarah Ellis and Vicky Halls from International Cat Care. During the show we discuss ICCs approach to Cat Friendly Care, how we can improve welfare, rehoming and support for the Cats in our shelters and rescues. Shelters and rescues can be stressful places for all animals, but Cats in particularly can often struggle in silence. Learn from two of the leaders in the cat...

Ep. 39 Research to Support Welfare with Dr. Lisa Gunter  In this episode we dive into some of the amazing research of Dr Lisa Gunter and her Colleagues. Dr Gunters contributions to the field have a massive positive impact on dogs in shelter and rescue, from improving perception and rehomability to reducing stress there’s some great practical implementations of research to take away from this episo...

Ep. 38 Supporting Rehoming to Homes with Children with Michelle Stern. This week we look at what we can do before, during and after rehoming, to support a dog moving from shelter or rescue into a home with children. Wether existing children or a growing family join myself and Michelle as we discuss green and red flags for the dog and the homes. How to best prepare a dog and how we can support the...

In this episode I’m joined by Dr Findy Wills, a vet behaviourist with a passion for shelter and rescue dogs. Findy joins the pod to talk about differing attachment styles and how we can support these in shelter and rescue, and gives us some insights into her PHD studies that are currently underway, About Findy Dr Findy started as a small animal veterinarian in Newcastle NSW after graduating from t...

In this episode I’m joined by Jess Feliciano to look at how using food in training maybe more complicated than it seems! Off the back of her amazing presentation at Micheal Shikashios’ aggression in dogs conference, we discuss four main ways that’s treats might be the enemy! As well as the great friend we know they can be. We look at backward conditioning and poison cue Oops moments false sense of...

in this episode Carm Aufderheide Joins me to talk about how we can become conflict Olympians. Working in shelter and rescue can often lead to difficult, emotionally charged situations. Being able to handle these to the best of our abilities can really aid welfare by gaining a better understanding of struggles, pressure and behaviour from the owners point of view. Carm discusses how we can create s...

Ep. 34 Smelly Toys are Best with Skylar Howard. In this episode Skylar joins me to discuss her recent paper looking at if scent improves dog’s interactions with toys. Improving the use of toys is a great way to improve enrichment but also in terms of where to focus resources and funds! Skylar investigated this topic as part of her master’s degree and breaks down the paper and results for us to see...

In this episode were joined by Devan Amundsen to discuss successful ways of introducing our shelter and rescue dogs to adopters dogs. Introductions can be tricky, often with a lot of pressure attached due to the potential loss of a good home, accidental fights or unsuccessful re-homes .Devan does an amazing job of exploring the multifaceted aspects of this topic and provides great tips for making...

Ep. 32 cross collaboration and community programs with Beverly McKee In this episode we look at how cross collaboration and community programs can help support animals, guardians and community’s to improve welfare and behaviour. Beverly joins us to talk about different types of community programs, how they were set up and what impact they have had in the city of Toronto. About Beverly McKee Beverl...

Ep. 31 Prognosis Setting for Behaviour and Welfare in Shelters with Dr. Wailani Sung In this episode join me and Dr. Sung as we discuss how we can set prognosis for our behaviour and welfare cases to support decision making and planning in shelter and rescue animals. Dr Sung did an amazing job of navigating this difficult conversation, providing several tips and suggestions around identifying prog...

Ep 30. Holistic Approach to Reactivity with Dante Camacho About this episode Dante joins me on the podcast to discuss his holistic program for dogs who show reactivity type behaviours, including lundging barking and growling. When we consider the difficulties in working with dogs who show reactive behaviours, particularly in the difficult shelter or rescue environment, we know it can be a big chal...

Ep. 29 Functional Enrichment, how to do More Than Just Stuff a Kong with Emily Lewis. In this episode I am joined by Emily Lewis to talk about functional enrichment. We cover how we can use enrichment to support our behaviour modification plans and how we can craft specific enrichment programs for the dogs in our care that support behaviour as well as welfare. About Emily • 22 years of professiona...

Episode 28 Free support groups for compassion fatigue and empathetic strain Join us this week as we talk about compassion fatigue and empathetic strain with Dr Melissa Trevathan-Minnis. Mellisa and her colleagues are running a study looking at the success of support groups for supporting empathetic strain, whilst this is a study it also provides Free support sessions for animal welfare professiona...

*New Episode- Greif and Loss with Dr. Tara Quinn* In this episode we cover another difficult reality of working in shelter and rescue. Join myself and Dr. Tara as we discuss all aspects of grief and loss, including bereavement and more. this episode discusses some difficult ground so feel free to take your time, skip past it or do whatever you need for yourself (a key theme of the conversation). S...

Ep. 26 Shelter Assessments the Good the Bad and the Ugly with Dot Baisly About this Episode In this podcast episode, I’m Joined by Dot Baisly, Executive Director of the IAABC and all-round shelter expert, to discuss the critical topic of dog behaviour assessments. Dot and I explore the importance of accurately evaluating dogs to ensure their suitability for adoption and to enhance their chances of...

Bark! The Science of Helping your Anxious, Fearful and Reactive dog with Zazie Todd In this episode we are joined by Zazie Todd author of Wag, Purr and now Bark! These books do a great job of combining stories, science and tips and tricks for owners and care givers. In this episode we talk about Bark! The what’s, whys and how’s. Exploring the book, Zazie’s reasonings behind it and how she hopes it...

Summary In this episode we look at different ways we can support the transition from the shelter/resuce to the home, specifically for our feline friends. We know that cats can often be sensitive to changes in their environments so as a shelter, and adopter we want to take supportive steps to assist our cats be successful in their new homes. About Katenna Jones Animal Behavior is not a new field fo...