Brain and Behaviour

Daniel Shaw
  • 5.0 (1)
  • PETS & ANIMALS
  • UPDATED TWICE WEEKLY

The Brain and Behaviour Podcast with Daniel Shaw MSc, CDBC dives into the science behind complex dog and cat behaviour. Blending neuroscience, real-world cases, and expert insights, Daniel explores topics like aggression, trauma, and training to help listeners better understand the animals in their lives.

  1. 17/12/2025

    Episode 20 - Resource Guarding Behaviour - Sonia Fetherling

    Episode Summary In this episode, Sonia Fetherling joins Daniel to unpack the complexity and nuance of resource guarding. Sonia explains why typical protocols often fall apart in real homes, particularly with dogs who steal items, escalate quickly, or have developed poisoned cues around trading and food delivery. Drawing from her work with severe cases Sonia outlines why resource guarding is rarely just about “the item”. Want to learn more? Explore science-backed courses, webinars, and resources for dog behaviour professionals at our online platform: ⁠www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk

    1h 9m

  2. 03/12/2025

    Episode 19 - Talking Separation Anxiety - Malena DeMartini

    In this episode Daniel talks to the incredible Malena DeMartini about all things separation anxiety in dogs. Malena dives into some fascinating topics including the dog–caregiver relationship in the context of separation anxiety protocols, tracking data in separation cases, and the practical considerations for supporting dogs with separation anxiety. To find out more, visit Malena’s website https://malenademartini.com/ Want to learn more? Explore science-backed courses, webinars, and resources for dog behaviour professionals at our online platform: ⁠www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk

    1h 8m

  3. 19/11/2025

    Episode 18 - Microbiomes, Meals, and Mood: Nutrition’s Role in Behaviour - Alyssa Ralph

    Episode Summary Alyssa joins Daniel to explore the critical intersection of nutrition and behaviour. She shares her journey from zoo animal welfare to canine nutrition, inspired by both professional experience and personal health challenges. The conversation covers the science of the microbiome, the similarities between human and canine nutrition, and how diet can exacerbate or alleviate behaviour issues. Want to learn more? Explore science-backed courses, webinars, and resources for dog behaviour professionals at our online platform: ⁠www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk

    1h 10m

  4. 05/11/2025

    Episode 17 - The Play Way - Dr Amy Cook

    Guest Bio: Dr. Cook is an International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, a longstanding professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), and was one of the first trainers nationally to become a Certified Professional Dog Trainer through independent evaluation. Dr. Cook received her Ph.D. in Psychology from UC Berkeley, with her research focusing on the dog-human relationship and its effect on the problem solving strategies dogs employ. Dr. Cook is the founder and creator of the Play Way and a popular instructor for the online school, The Fenzi Dog Sports Academy. She has been training dogs for nearly 30 years, and has specialized in the rehabilitation of shy and fearful dogs for over 20 years Episode Summary: Amy and Daniel explore the origins and applications of The Play Way. Amy explains how she combined insights from child play therapy, human psychology, and dog training to create a system that helps fearful and anxious dogs feel safe and connected. They discuss the role of social buffering, laughter, and expectation-free play in building resilience, and why traditional conditioning methods often leave underlying fear untouched. The conversation is full of practical insights into how play can transform the dog-human relationship. Amy's signature Play Way class starting in December looking at using the Play Way to support fearful and reactive dogs: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/84 Want to learn more? Explore science-backed courses, webinars, and resources for dog behaviour professionals at our online platform: ⁠www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk

    1h 22m

  5. 22/10/2025

    Episode 16 - Campaigning and Advocacy - Hannah Molloy

    Episode Summary: Hannah and Daniel discuss the role of campaigning, policy, and communication in advancing dog welfare. Hannah shares her journey from hands-on training to TV, authorship, and policy work, and explains how being able to connect with different stakeholders —from dog owners to vets to MPs—is a critical skill. They explore the successes of APPG for Dog Welfare, grassroots campaigning, and how public opinion and expert advocacy can combine to make lasting change for dogs. Relevant Links APPG for Dog Welfare (APDAWG): https://apdawg.co.uk Book What’s My Dog Thinking?: https://www.dk.com/uk/book/9780241419832-whats-my-dog-thinking The Future of Dogs Podcast: https://futureofdogs.buzzsprout.com/ Want to learn more? Explore science-backed courses, webinars, and resources for dog behaviour professionals at our online platform: ⁠www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk.⁠

    1h 5m

  6. 08/10/2025

    Episode 15 - Insights on Behaviour Cases - Melissa McCue-McGrath

    Episode Summary: Melissa joins Daniel to compare the behavioural challenges of dogs in urban and rural settings. She explains how city dogs are constantly bombarded by sensory overload—sounds, smells, confined spaces, and straight-line encounters on sidewalks—that create frustration, reactivity, and stress. In contrast, rural dogs often face challenges like predation and lack of recall training. Melissa also shares her work in an exciting new research project! Relevant Links ​Book: Considerations for the City Dog: https://considerationsforthecitydog.com​PACT Conference (mentioned): https://www.pact-dogs.com Want to learn more? Explore science-backed courses, webinars, and resources for dog behaviour professionals at our online platform: ⁠www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk.⁠

    1h 15m

  7. 24/09/2025

    Episode 14 - Dog Welfare Today - Breeding, Law, and Owner Responsibility - Rowena Packer

    Guest Bio Dr. Rowena Packer is a lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the Royal Veterinary College in London. Her research focuses on contemporary dog welfare issues, including breeding practices, inherited disorders, training, and the impact of legislation on welfare outcomes. She has been a leading force in generating evidence on brachycephalic health and welfare, and regularly contributes to policy and public education worldwide. Episode Summary In this episode, Rowena Packer and Daniel explore the major welfare challenges facing dogs in the UK and globally. They discuss the ethics and realities of dog breeding, the enforcement gaps in legislation, and the responsibilities of owners versus breeders. Rowena explains how cultural differences and government involvement affect welfare standards across countries, and why meaningful enforcement is just as critical as laws themselves. The conversation also dives into the importance of engaging “the unengaged” dog owners, and how public attitudes, misinformation, and anti-expert culture create barriers to better welfare. Relevant Links • Royal Veterinary College https://www.rvc.ac.uk More information: Website: https://animalbehaviourkent.co.uk ABK Learn Platform: https://www.abklearn.co.uk YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@animalbehaviourkent261 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animalbehaviourkent Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Animalbehaviourkent Twitter (X): https://x.com/AnimalKent For more on evidence-based training, canine behaviour science, or upcoming events, visit animalbehaviourkent.co.uk or explore our learning platform at abklearn.co.uk. Questions or feedback? Email us at daniel@animalbehaviourkent.co.uk.

    1h 11m

  8. 10/09/2025

    Episode 13 - The Science of Stress with Dr. Else Verbeek

    Guest Bio: Else Verbeek is the founder of Amazing Animal Minds and an Associate Professor of Animal Welfare at the Agricultural University in Uppsala (Sweden). At Amazing Animal Minds, I help dogs (and their owners) overcome stress, fear and anxiety. In addition, I provide training and education about dog behaviour, stress and emotion for dog trainers and behaviourists. My research explored the link between cognition, emotion and (stress) physiology with the aim to improve animal welfare. Episode Summary: In this episode, Else Verbeek joins Daniel to explore the science of stress, welfare, and emotion. She explains the role of the HPA axis and cortisol in animals, unpacking what stress hormones really tell us—and what they don’t. Else discusses the differences between acute and chronic stress, the challenges of measuring welfare across species, and the parallels (and limits) between animal and human mental health research. The conversation also dives into how environment, enrichment, and even the microbiome shape behaviour, and why focusing on positive welfare—allowing animals to thrive, not just survive—is the next frontier for science and practice. Want to learn more? Explore science-backed courses, webinars, and resources for dog behaviour professionals at our online platform: ⁠www.brainandbehaviouracademy.co.uk.⁠

    55 min
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About

The Brain and Behaviour Podcast with Daniel Shaw MSc, CDBC dives into the science behind complex dog and cat behaviour. Blending neuroscience, real-world cases, and expert insights, Daniel explores topics like aggression, trauma, and training to help listeners better understand the animals in their lives.

Information

  • Creator
    Daniel Shaw
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Daniel Shaw
  • Show Website
    Brain and Behaviour

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