Show Notes
Hey there Bookshelvers! A midweek podcast extra!? What’s going on? Well…we’re going off piste a little today but with good reason. Many of you may know that there is a lot of division within the dog training industry (what’s new we hear you cry). Lately there has been a call for unity and a call for people with different training styles, ethics and core beliefs to come together and talk it out for the good of the dogs and humans. Here at PACT headquarters we thought we would record an episode talking through some of key points that are being debated and, more importantly, what we think about the question of unity and whether or not, we feel having these conversations/debates is useful. We decided to predominantly record this for our PACT members and, of course, for anyone else that is listening that is a professional in the dog training industry, has an interest in becoming a dog trainer in the future or just loves dogs and wants what is best for them and their guardians moving forward. Having become directors of one of the training organisations that seem to be looked down upon in these discussions we thought we should go on the record and fight the good fight for animal welfare, wellbeing and ethics. I would imagine that most of our listeners are pretty clear on where our ethical standards are. Those who listen will also have a good idea of what the science, especially welfare sciences, are informing us about the use of aversive methods on ALL individuals. So although we thought we’d discuss these topics this certainly isn’t a bridge to try to combine our ethical approach with one that we do not support. On top of that we are also individuals with different takes on different things so we really hope you enjoy this episode. Topics we cover include: · What does regulation mean to us? · What are ethics vs morals and how should that inform the decisions we make when interacting with animals? · Is there an issue with a lack of practical training being offered by organisations. Is the landscape too theoretical? · Should we have discussions between camps? · Gish gallop & unfair debating tactics we see · Time it takes to train purely positively · Boundaries. Where are the lines in the sand? · What makes an excellent trainer?
We have titled this talk “Le Chat Part un” I hope this is taken in the good hearted and tongue in cheek way it is intended and we have more to talk about so let us know if you’d be up for us recording a “Le Chat Part Deux” and we’ll get on it.
More from Barks from the Bookshelf
In this episode, Steve is joined again by the legendary Professor Carri Westgarth to unpack a recent controversial BBC article claiming that "woke" training methods are leading to an increase in dog bites. We move past the headlines to look at the real data, why it's a complex and nuanced issue, and why being a "cheese-tossing cuddle fairy" might not be as bad as the BBC suggests. About Our Guest: Professor Carri Westgarth is the Chair in Human-Animal Interaction at the University of Liverpool. She is a leading authority who supervises PhD research on all aspects of companion animal welfare and anthrozoology. Her own PhD, conducted within the Liverpool Veterinary Epidemiology Group, specifically explored the complexities of contact between dogs and people. A Full Member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors, Carri is the author of The Happy Dog Owner and Dog Bites: A multidisciplinary perspective and, quite impressively, a recent winner of a swanky camper van for the price of a fancy sandwich (£7.50). The "Woke" Headline: Unpacking the recent media narrative that positive training is "permissive" and dangerous. The Bite Data: What are the figures and what might that tell us Unpicking the Science: How to know what you're looking at can be trusted? The Trainer Wars: Fear mongering and bear poking; is it audience capture or marketing & who ultimately loses? The Pain Link: Carri shares a personal story about her Spaniel, Maple, and how subtle pain can mask as unwanted behavior. The Regulation Utopia: Why Carri feels licensing and industry regulation may be harder to implement than they look on paper. Important Links: DogX 2026 Tickets: Grab your seat for the ultimate training conference at dogxconference.com Start Your Journey: Find out how to become a PACT accredited trainer at pact-dogs.com Carri’s Research: Check out her work at the University of Liverpool or grab her book The Happy Dog Owner.
In this episode, Steve is joined (for the third time!) by the brilliant Carrie-Anne Selwyn. They dive into the reality of moving a city-dwelling Malinois to the countryside, the nuances of high-level sports, and the "safety vs. training" equipment debate. Topics Covered: The Country Move: Living in a barn renovation, "zombie fences," and the weight of land management. Crufts 2026: A look behind the scenes of qualifying Viper the Malinois for the show ring and how to prioritise welfare over competition. Managing the "Ferrari": Learning agility with a high-speed breed and the importance of arousal management. The "Why" of Behaviour: Moving beyond "bad dog" labels to understand displacement behaviors and the human role in the training team. Positive is Not Permissive: A candid discussion on the being human, and why boundaries are essential for trust. Find Out More About Carrie-Anne: Facebook: Carrie-Anne Selwyn Canine Hoopers World: www.caninehoopersworld.com TikTok: Join some excellent Malinois noise over @caninehoopersworld
Hey. Hey, Hey Bookshelvers! In this very special episode, Nat and Corrin "fly solo" to sit down with a true icon of the dog world, Suzanne Clothier. While Steve was away, the team dove deep into a conversation that spans far beyond traditional training, touching on the raw reality of farming life, the hilarity of animal antics, and the wisdom that comes from a lifetime dedicated to understanding other species. We delve into: The Reality of Farm Life: From Highland cattle forming protective circles against coyotes to the stark difference between "suspicious" sheep and "troublemaking" goats. Winter Wonderland vs. Mud Season: A playful look at the environmental challenges of rural life and the joy of watching happy cows frolicking in the snow. Training Through the Ages: Suzanne reflects on her extensive career and the evolution of the industry—sharing how it feels to be the "ancient" wisdom for a new generation of trainers. The "Pantyhose" Incident: One of the most hilarious animal stories ever told on the pod! Community and Connection: Why sharing our failures and funny stories is the secret ingredient to building a non-judgmental community of dog enthusiasts. Find Suzanne Clothier Online: Website: suzanneclothier.com Books: Find Suzanne's books and resources here
Howdy Bookshelvers! Let's go way back together to the uncertain times of 2020. When we launched this Podcast we never would have believed that we'd get to chat with so many amazing humans and least of all we never even dreamed we'd talk to our hero Patricia McConnell THREE TIMES. In yet another "pinch me" moment we have the absolute pleasure of talking to Patricia yet again! This time , however, it's all about her first dog-centric work of fiction, Away To Me. If your passions include a love for reading about dogs, mystery, solving murders and immersing yourself in the entangled lives of incredible characters, then look no further. We chat all things writing including how Patricia built the world inside the book. We talk about how education on dogs can be spread through stories and why story telling is a magic skill for communication. We talk about the power of voice when crossing the interspecies divide and much, MUCH more! Away To Me is on sale from February 24th 2026 from all good booky places and we just know our audience will love it. So kick back on a Wisconsin farm, gather your furry friends, brew yourself a cuppa, source a cowboy hat and delve on in. WOOF!