Barks from the Bookshelf Barks from the Bookshelf

Hey, Hey, Hey Bookshelvers!
You find us feeling as focused as a sincere sighthound silently stalking a stag! Why you ask? Well it’s all to do with this amazing conversation we’ve had with Professor Carri Westgarth. To say we’re excited to share it with you is, one heck of, an understatement. We really do cover VAST number of topics including some difficult subjects like: fatalities from dog bites, breed bans and how to increase public safety. On top of that we discuss both of Carri’s books (The Happy Dog Owner & Dogs Bites), Dave the virtual dog and the endless possibilities he brings and much, much more. Steve also goes solo with the intro and outro this week AND reads an exclusive audio version of a piece he wrote that fits with the general tone of todays conversation. So pop that kettle on and immerse yourself in dog geekery for a couple of hours.
Carri Facts:
Professor Carri Westgarth is Chair in Human-Animal Interaction at the University of Liverpool with a passion for understanding the relationships we have with our pets. With a background in animal behaviour and dog training she has trained in veterinary epidemiology and human public health. Her research interests focus on the implications of dog ownership for human health and wellbeing, but also how owner management of their dogs can impact dog welfare. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods are used to tackle her primary research questions of how to improve population health through the promotion of dog walking, and how to prevent dog bites. Her expertise on understanding and changing the behaviour of dog owners is sought by many organisations wishing to prevent dog bites and promote ‘responsible’ dog owner behaviour, such as her work as a consultant for Royal Mail. She is also a Full Member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors and founder of the Merseyside Dog Safety Partnership. In her spare time Carri teaches dog training classes, and previously was a professional Assistance Dog Instructor. Her practical experience in many areas relating to dogs, combined with a multi-disciplinary academic perspective, gives unique strength and relevance to her expertise.Links:
The Merseyside Dog Safety Partnership
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HOW DO YOU ALL DO BOOKSHELVERS!? 
Another fortnight has passed and that means another sparkling new episode of Barks from the Bookshelf is here to tickle your, dog nerd, ear buds into joyus submission. This week is a WHOPPER of an episode BUT it’s a whopper for a very good reason! This week We are thrilled to interview the wonderful force of nature that is Linda Michaels, M.A., Psychology about her book The Do No Harm Dog Training & Behaviour Handbook. As many of you already know, Linda will be crossing the Atlantic and speaking at the DOGx 2024 conference this October. You’ll get a glimpse into the “force of nature” that is Linda Michaels during this interview as we discuss her origins, the decisions and processes that led to the book itself, the development of the Hierarchy of Dog Needs, activism and some, good old psychology as well. We also get a taster of what’s to come at DOGx. There really isn’t enough words to describe Linda’s role in moving the dog training and behaviour world forward so you’ll just have to listen. On top of all that Corrin, Nat and Steve talk through the book and answer your Bookshelver questions in their own rambling style.  
 
Linda Facts:
Linda Michaels, M.A., Psychology, author of the ground-breaking, best-seller, The Do No Harm Dog Training and Behaviour Handbook— Featuring the Hierarchy of Dog Needs pioneers the “First, Do No Harm” ethics approach in dog training. With an advanced degree in psychology and animal behaviour, research conducted in behavioural neurobiology, and five years of shelter and rescue experience, Linda’s work bridges a gap between science, dog trainers, and pet parents with hands-on skills with dogs, wolfdogs, and the famed Belyaev foxes. Linda tells us, “My shelter experience working with the most difficult behavioural cases helped lay the foundation for all of the work I do today in animal care and training, protecting both the physical and the emotional well-being of the heartbeats at our feet.”
Linda is considered one of the modern-era, trailblazing experts and influencers in canine behaviour consulting and animal welfare advocacy. Her internationally acclaimed Hierarchy of Dog Need teaching tool, now translated into 14 languages, is endorsed by canine scientists and ethologists as well as trainers, new and seasoned, and is available FREE. The Hierarchy of Dog Needs offers a clear, dog-centric alternative to the outdated, teaching paradigms widely used today.
The Do No Harm Dog Training and Behaviour Handbook combines compassion with science in an easy-to-follow roadmap to success, providing answers to common and complex dog behaviour problems. Illustrating the most effective methods endorsed by the greatest minds in dog training and behaviour, dog lovers are taken on a journey to understanding and meeting their dog’s needs. The first section of The Do No Harm Dog Training and Behaviour Handbook is devoted to detailing each item on the Hierarchy of Dog Needs. By addressing needs first, pet parents and trainers often find that many behaviour problems may all but disappear. The meticulously researched handbook tackles the most challenging issues faced by dog lovers and pet professionals, including: nutrition, veterinary and grooming visits, basic training skills, aggression, and separation anxiety. With a foreword by Dr. Marc Bekoff, co-founder with Jane Goodall of the Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the handbook is scientifically supported with 18 pages of scholarly journal citations and a detailed index.
You may find Linda in international trade magazines, and as a featured expert in Psychology Today online, Newsweek online, Huffington Post Live, Wolf Dog Radio, as an APBC, Dog-Centered Care, Barking Up the Right Tree International Festival for Reactive Dogs, KIENO Summit, Puppy Blueprint, Dog Wisdom webinar presenter, and speaker at the inaugural Pet Professional Guild Summit on “Understanding Research—Making t

We hope we find you well Bookshelvers!?
What an insightful and delightful chat we had with Dr Chris Little here at Barks HQ. This was one of those chats FULL of great advice and stories. Have you ever wanted to nurture a better relationship with your vet? Would you like to simultaneously increase your knowledge of dogs as well as gain a deeper understanding of important and common diseases that our dogs might develop? Well if this is you then The Dog Care Handbook is the book for you! Arguably, no other book we’ve read and aimed at the public provides such a wide-ranging remit covering the health and well-being of our dogs. Chris takes us all through a journey into understanding and cultivating relationships with our veterinarian friends as what the landscape looks like from within the veterinary world. Nat and Steve review the book and Steve drops the (not so secret) big news he’s been sat on! Enjoy us massaging your inner ears for a tiny wee while… woof! 
Chris Facts:
Dr Chris Little is a vet who recently retired from clinical work after more than 40 years. He taught at Glasgow University Veterinary School for a decade but spent the bulk of his career in companion animal practice. Initially a keen surgeon, the focus of his interests gradually evolved towards diagnostics and medicine, especially cardiology. Chris has published widely in the academic literature and lectured both in the UK and abroad. He is married with two adult children and two dogs.
Links:
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HOW THE DEVIL ARE YOU BOOKSHELVERS!? 
What a treat we have in store for you this week here at Barks HQ. We are joined by yet another awesome author, the excellent Simone Mueller. Not only has Simone written some of the most helpful, accessible and informative books on how to work with a dog with a high predatory behaviours but she will also be presenting a talk at this years DOGx Conference. We talk about the squirrel event that caused Steve to first read Hunting Together, how Simone approaches training, on both sides of the lead, the emotions we all feel when faced with a dog that has higher than average drives/needs and how to provide outlets that work WITH dogs. We talk through the dangers of using pain and intimidation to tackle these behaviours and what is going on inside our dogs when arousal goes through the roof. This really was an interesting conversation that we know you'll all love. We also tackle some very interesting and well thought out listener questions, get an audio PACT blog from Natalie AND have some wild canid visitors LIVE during recording!!!! Prepare those lug holes gang X
Simone Facts:
Simone Mueller, MA is a certified dog trainer and dog behaviour consultant (ATN) from Germany. She specialises in force-free anti-predation training and is the author of the Predation Substitute Training series. Simone is proud to be an Associate Trainer at the Scotland-based Lothlorien Dog Training Club (AT-LDTC) and a member of both the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) and the Pet Dog Trainers of Europe (PDTE). Follow Simone’s work on Facebook and Instagram: #predationsubstitutetraining
Links:
Learn more about Predation Substitute Training: http://www.predation-substitute-training.comLinks:
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HOW'S TRICKS BOOKSHELVERS???
We are back with a informative, funny and life affirming chat with the wonderful Cat Henstridge (known to all as Cat the Vet). Cat is known to many of you as the voice of reason for the veterinary profession on social media. Her informative, entertaining videos dispense crucial information to the public and professionals alike. We get to talk all things "Cat" as well as her advice for trainers when it comes to, the sticky subject of, how to conduct yourself and navigate the world of social media. This is a must listen and it was a very free flowing conversation. On top of all this top content the team reviews the food (and other aspects) of their recent environmental soiree as well as Corrin reading out a rousing blog about coming together for the better of our companion animals at the end. Prepare for ear love!
Cat facts:
Cat Henstridge BVSc ESVPS Cert GP (SAM) MRCVS
Cat 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  FacebookInstagram
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HEY HEY HEY Bookshelvers!
We are back this week with another DOGx 2024 special for you! This episode we get to interview the awesome Belinda (Bee) Johnson & Fran Murtaugh of the wonderful charity Dog Aid. It never fails to amaze us as to how this amazing charity change the lives of physically disabled people by enabling them to train their own pet dog to become a fully fledged assistance dog. They have an incredible and talented community of voluntary professional dog trainers across the U.K. and in this episode you can here all about the important work they do. This was a genuine joy to record and we will be excited to see them talk and demo at this years DOGx.
Dog Aid Facts:
Dog A.I.D. (created in 1992) changes lives by enabling physically Disabled people across the U.K. to train their own pet dog to become an accredited Assistance Dog, supported by our team of dedicated and experienced volunteer dog trainers. A Dog A.I.D. trained Assistance Dog increases independence by helping with practical tasks, builds confidence, reduces isolation and the need for care.
Find out more or volunteer here: https://dogaid.org.uk/
On top of this we paint a vivid image of how Nat shares her life with a "Rubber Ducky" and run a (non sponsored) ad for Belvita
There are still a few tickets left for DOGx 2024 so be quick to grab one here: https://www.pact-dogs.com/dogx2024