Barks from the Bookshelf

• #89 Cat the Vet (Dr. Cat Henstridge) - Regulation, Reality, Trust & the Truth: DOGx Speaker Special

  Welcome back, Bookshelvers! In this weeks episode we welcome back the incredible Cat the Vet (Dr. Cat Henstridge) for her second appearance and another DOGx Speaker Special! Get ready for a deep dive, recorded (humorously!) from under a blanket in her new vet practice – a testament to her dedication to great sound!Cat, a prominent veterinary surgeon and renowned social media voice, is a trusted source for dispelling misinformation and offering quality advice on all aspects of pet health and welfare. You might also know her from CBBC's 'The Pets Factor' or her many TV and radio appearances. As alluded to above we're beyond thrilled that Cat will also be a speaker at DOGX 2025 on Sunday, October 12th, at Winchester University!In this jam packed conversation, we cover:Behind the Practice Door: Cat's journey to becoming a vet, the common "childhood dream" narrative, and the surprising reality that being a vet is often more about people than just animals.The Power of Sound & Scent in Vet Practices: A fascinating tangent on how clinic environments impact animal behaviour and welfare, and why these factors are often underestimated.Regulation in the Pet Professional World: A crucial, candid discussion on the lack of consistent regulation in dog training and behaviour compared to the veterinary field. Cat bravely tackles the "soup of acronyms" in qualifications and the vital need for quality control in education.Building Bridges Between Professions: How vets and paraprofessionals (like trainers and behaviourists) can better collaborate, refer, and build trust – essential for optimizing animal welfare.Navigating Online Misinformation: Cat offers invaluable advice on fact-checking what you see on social media, identifying confidence vs. correctness, and the danger of "kernel of truth" myths.The Rise of Tech in Vet Med: An exciting look at new, non-invasive diagnostic tools (like the HTVista and AI for reading X-rays) and how technology is shaping the future of veterinary care.The Mark of a Good ProfessionalIf you're invested in animal welfare, ethical practice, and cutting through the noise in the pet world. Prepare for all the honesty, humour, and a whole lot of wisdom (mostly from Cat)!Cat facts:Cat Henstridge BVSc ESVPS Cert GP (SAM) MRCVSCat graduated from Bristol University in 2003  and works as a small animal veterinary surgeon at Peak vets.  Cat is a published author and writes a number of articles for various veterinary and non-veterinary publications. She is a vet on the BBC Children’s Television Show – The Pets Factor and is passionate about promoting animal welfare. Cat also has a significant social media presence that has gained her millions of views as "Cat the Vet" where her videos educate and entertain in equal measure.Links:TikTok FacebookInstagramDOGx Tickets

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• #88 Ryan Cartlidge - The Messy, Beautiful Journey of Learners

  Ahoy Bookshelvers! This week, Steve is proper chuffed (that's British for really, really happy) to chat with the one and only Ryan Cartlidge from The Animal Training Academy! Having been an avid listener to the ATA podcast for many years, this is a "pinch me" moment for Steve and if you don't know Ryan, get ready for a big dose of honesty, humility, and a whole bunch of wisdom.Ryan and Steve dive deep into the messy (and often hilarious) reality of life. Get ready for tales of how Ryan became a zookeeper by accident;  his competent use of cable ties and duct tape, the touching (and slightly terrifying if I'm being honest) story of Reg, the wedge-tailed eagle who helped Ryan cut his teeth in positive reinforcement. Discover the spark that ignited The Animal Training Academy, from workshops to online courses to a thriving membership of 8,000+ wonderful humans, and the wise words that made Ryan work his butt off for his dreams. Plus, brace yourself for (what can only be described as) "The Hallway Poo Situation," It's a raw, relatable peek behind the "perfect Instagram post" that every trainer needs to hear.We also take on imposter syndrome, burnout, and how Ryan has learned to take the "mask off," embrace vulnerability, and use "clarity squeezes" and "capacity signals" (you'll want to steal these!) to navigate life's pressures. He delves into the power of language and community, explaining why naming your fears can strip them of power and how a supportive community (like PACT and ATA!) is crucial for human learners (that's you!) to thrive. We talk about why we should apply the same positive reinforcement principles to ourselves and our clients, and Ryan even shares his simple 3-questions to transform your training reflections. All that and, as always, we've got book recommendations galore! This episode is packed with invaluable insights for both aspiring and seasoned trainers, serving as a powerful reminder that we're all human learners on a messy, beautiful journey. Enjoy!Links: The Animal Training AcademyThe Animal Training Academy PodcastThe "Making Ripples" Podcast Jim Mackie's Crocodile Training Video Carol Dweck's Mindset Ken Ramirez' Animal Training: Successful Animal Management Through Positive ReinforcementAli Bender & Emily Strong's Canine Enrichment for the Real World Ryan Facts:As the founder of Animal Training Academy, Ryan (KPA CTP) brings over a decade of global experience as a professional animal trainer. His 13-year journey has taken him through New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the US, where he's trained teams, crafted effective animal training programs, and shared his insights in top industry publications. Ryan is also a recognized voice in the field, having spoken at international conferences and lectured at universities on animal behaviour. Through the Animal Training Academy, Ryan is building a vibrant community, connecting hundreds of animal behaviour and training enthusiasts with an ever-expanding resource of lessons and tutorials from highly respected animal experts.

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• #87 Jenifer Zeligs Ph.D. - The Art of Communication & Compassion in Animal Training - DOGx Speaker Special

  Welcome back, Bookshelvers! We've got an absolute treat for your ears today, a conversation that really gets to the heart of what ethical animal training is all about.Today, we're incredibly honoured to chat (for a second time) with Jenifer Zeligs, a true luminary in the animal training world. Jenifer and Steve dive into some fascinating nuances of animal training. Exploring everything from the subtle differences between dog and horse training, to the often-debated ethics of using negative reinforcement. We also shine a bright light on the absolute importance of clear communication in all our training.You'll hear us discuss the transformative concept of cooperative care – how it's revolutionising the way animals receive medical treatment and why it's so vital. Jenifer also shares her invaluable experiences as a mentor and the incredible impact her teachings have had on countless students in the field. This conversation truly champions the need for open discussions about training methods and, above all, a compassionate approach to animal care.Jenifer Facts:Jenifer Zeligs is a highly respected behavioural consultant and the visionary founder of the Animal Training and Research International Centre in California. With over two decades of experience, she has taught advanced animal care and training of both pets and exotic animals at California State University. Jenifer's extensive experiences in animal training span an immense history of partnerships across the animal kingdom – from profoundly improving the welfare of horses and dogs to pioneering the filming of wild whales using trained sea lions.Jenifer holds a deep passion for establishing strong connections and interspecies communication, a philosophy she passionately imparts through teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in animal training. She brings an exciting, practical, and revolutionary approach to her work, expertly integrating mindfulness with cognitive, behaviourist, and ethological sciences. Beyond her academic and practical achievements, Jenifer is also an internationally acclaimed author, having released the amazing 'Animal Training 101' and 'Mindful Partners,' and is a practicing Buddhist, further enriching her unique perspective on animal welfare and communication.If you've been following our DOGX 2025 speaker announcements, you'll know that Jenifer will be sharing her profound insights live with us on Sunday, October 12th, at Winchester University – and trust me, you won't want to miss her talk! We still have a handful of tickets left, so head over to www.dogxconference.com to grab yours before they're gone.

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• #86 Danny Nelis-Rouse - Tug-E-Nuff: Building Better Bonds & Businesses With Play

  Alright, fellow dog fanatics, prepare for an episode of Barks from the Bookshelf that's got more bounces than a super-excited Border Collie! Steve and Corrin are back from their beach break (and likely still shaking sand out of their ears) to dive into a seriously fun chat with the brilliant Danny Nelis-Rouse from Tug-E-Nuff!Ever wondered how a passion for pups turns into a booming business? Danny spills the beans on his journey, inspired by his own furry companions. We get the inside scoop on:Making Toys That Last: How Tug-E-Nuff battles the chew-monster challenge.Eco-Friendly Fetch: Their awesome commitment to sustainability – because a happy planet means happy dogs!The Power of Play: Why a good game of tug is more than just fun, it's bond-building magic!Myth-Busting for Mutts: Danny's take on debunking common training misconceptions.Growing Old Playfully: How they might look forward to designing toys for our "golden oldies" and their changing play needs.Plus, we talk about the sheer joy of seeing your product loved, the importance of your feedback in creating awesome toys, and how to keep that business passion burning bright.And if that wasn't enough, Steve and Corrin dish on their own dog ownership joys, tease some very exciting upcoming webinars and DOGX conference snippets, and give you a sneak peek at future podcast guests. Get ready for a listen that's as fun as a squeaky toy and as insightful as a perfectly timed recall! WOOF!Danny Facts:Danny Nelis-Rouse, Managing Director of Tug-E-Nuff, the award-winning tug-toy company exclusively for dogs Danny Nelis-Rouse left a corporate career in call centres behind to join his family business Tug-E-Nuff in 2013. Since then, he's played an integral role in reshaping Tug-E-Nuff's direction toward the broader dog training market, establishing it as more than just another business selling dog toys. Today, Tug-E-Nuff is known across the UK, US and Europe for its quality range of interactive training toys - each designed to bring change, enrichment and positivity to dogs of all breeds and backgrounds through the power of play. Links:Get your DOGX Tickets hereTug E Nuff Website hereTug E Nuff Partner Programme here

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• #85: Jamie & Gemma Pound from UK Sniffer Dogs: Great Laughs, Good Sniffs & Game-Changing Training

  Alrighty then Bookshelvers, settle in with your favourite beverage (and maybe a tasty morsel, or two, for your furry co-listener) because this episode is a HOOT! We’re still wiping away tears of laughter reminiscing with our amazing guests, the legendary Jamie and Gemma Pound from UK Sniffer Dogs. We spend a bit of time reminiscing on the hilarious antics and, shall we say, memorable moments from behind-the-scenes shenanigans at Crufts. Let’s just say what happens at Crufts, mostly stays at Crufts... until it’s shared on a podcast!We also get the fascinating origin story of UK Sniffer Dogs – how sniffing completely turned their dog training world upside down (in the best possible way!) and the incredible positive waves it sends through a dog's behaviour. Spoiler: it’s pretty magical. We chat about why making dog training feel less like homework and more like a party is crucial for both ends of the lead, and the sheer joy of finding your dog-loving tribe.But it's not all giggles and games (okay, it mostly is!). We dive into the serious business of making dog training a genuinely inclusive and enjoyable space for everyone. Think less "drill sergeant" and more "super-fun camp counsellor." Jamie and Gemma spill the beans on:Classroom Zen: Smart setup and management so classes are calm, cool, and collected (well, mostly!).Engagement Secrets: Techniques to get those tails wagging and brains buzzing.Scent Work Superpowers: Why scent work is like a magic wand for dogs who find the world a bit much (yep, we’re talking about our beloved reactive pups!). Seriously, this stuff is versatile, super safe, and a fantastic outlet for dogs of all ages, creeds, and sniffing abilities.The sniffing adventures don't stop there! We explore some of the innovative tools that make scent work even more exciting, how to make sure every dog can join in (no matter their ability), and the eternal quest for the perfect sniffing venue (because not all lampposts are created equal).And for our fellow dog pros listening, we even peek into the business end of things – making your passion profitable while keeping it accessible. Because sharing the joy of dog training shouldn’t break the bank!Naturally, this being "Barks from the Bookshelf," we couldn't let them go without squeezing out some top-tier book recommendations to get your human brains just as engaged as your dog's nose.So, pop in those earbuds, prepare for some laugh-out-loud moments, and get ready to be inspired by the wonderful world of UK Sniffer Dogs!Links:UK Sniffer DogsTrain Your Dog to Save the Environment - WebinarDOGx Tickets

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