PPG Podcast

The Pet Professional Guild
  • 4.0 (4)
  • Education
  • Updated Biweekly

Bringing you news, interviews and discussions from some of the best in force-free and behavioral science-based animal training. We aim to create a fun, educational and informative podcast that is member focused, so come along and join us! Bring your questions, expertise and a dash of humor!

  1. 5d ago

    Chat and Chuckle: Talking about Cats with Alejandra López Irala

    In this episode, Laura Cassiday and Joanna Wachowiak-Finlaison Chat & Chuckle with Alejandra López Irala, joining from Argentina, to talk about building a community that is focused on domestic feline well-being. Ale's new YouTube show, The B-Side of Cats, helps everyone learn about cats and highlight their welfare. Her life focuses on the domestic feline so she can help people better understand and relate to their pets, leading to a stronger bond and a more rewarding relationship between animal and human.  Enjoy listening as Laura, Joanna, and Alejandra share their expertise in a fun, free-flowing format! Recorded August 28, 2026.

  2. Sep 17

    PPG Advocacy Panel: How to Choose a Trainer or Behavior Consultant

    In this episode, the panel discusses the new American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) position statement: How to Choose a Trainer. We also look at resources pet guardians can use to help select a trainer or behavior consultant, including a new Pets and Their People blog post, 'Looking for a Dog Trainer or Behavior Consultant? Here’s What You Need to Know,' by Niki Tudge, PPG founder and president. Your moderator: ⁠PPG Advocacy Task Force⁠  Chair Don Hanson Today’s panelists: Rebekah King, PPG Director of Operations| Jennifer Van Valkenburg, Natural Healthy Cats | Tasha Attwood, Mutts and Mischief | Dayle Pierce, co-leader of PPG's British Isles Chapter| Kim Silver, Building Bonds | & Michelle Martiya, Essential Animal Training Relax and enjoy the discussion! Recorded September 16, 2026.

  3. Sep 10

    Chat and Chuckle: Talking Heart Rate Variability with Dr. Dean Hart

    Tune in as Dayle Pierce, Jenn Friedline, and Rebekah King are joined by special guest Dr. Dean Hart for a fascinating discussion about about heart rate variability (HRV) in dogs. Discover what HRV measures, how it reflects physiological stress and recovery, and why it's a game-changer for evaluating animal welfare. Come away with actionable low-stress strategies and practical, welfare-centered takeaways for groomers, trainers, and pet professionals to minimize arousal, prevent distress, and build true cooperative care. Recorded September 10, 2026. Mentioned in this episode: Dr. Hart presented a webinar on HRV in June. Register for the on demand here. Additionally, Dean will be the next guest for the PPG Scholarly Circle, PPG’s members-only academic paper reading group. Members, please join us to continue this discussion. If you're interested in learning more about practical ways to adapt training, environments and interactions to match how dogs experience the world, don't miss, Through a Dog’s Eyes, Ears and Nose: Sensory Biology for Better Communication and Learning with Dr. Dean Hart.

  4. Aug 20

    PPG Advocacy Panel: What Happens When We Offer Pets More Choices?

    In this episode, the panel explores, "What Happens When We Offer Pets More Choices?" Your moderator: ⁠PPG Advocacy Task Force⁠  Chair Don Hanson Today’s panelists: Tasha Attwood, Dayle Pierce, Michelle Martiya, Kim Silver, and Debra Bell Recorded: August 19, 2026  We all know that sometimes we need to get our pets to do something that, even if it’s for their benefit, may be difficult for them if they are frightened. Cognitively and emotionally, they are no different than a human toddler, and it is necessary that we treat them with the same compassion and patience. Using force will only make it more difficult next time. Which is why today we discuss the concepts of cooperative care and consent testing as aids in helping our pets cope with difficult situations. Our discussion applies to all pets, regardless of age. Resources mentioned in this episode include: YouTube videos on Training a Chin Rest Programs to learn (and teach) dog body languageDogwise Streaming Video on demandTeach Your Cat to Like the Carrier (blog post)Find a PPG Training and Behavior Professional Eye Drops for Dogs, the Premack Principle, and Stationing on the Stairs (blog post)

  5. Aug 14

    Chat & Chuckle: Chatting Separation Anxiety with Jenn Gavin

    Tune in as Niki Tudge, Dayle Pierce, Jenn Friedline, and Rebekah King are joined by special guest Jenn Gavin of A Pleasant Dog. Today's topic is Separation Anxiety. There is a need for a simple, easy-to-follow method for treating separation-related behaviors that can be employed in conjunction with real-life departures that necessitate situational medications. Jenn Gavin has developed a method for treating separation anxiety that does not just rely on gradual exposure therapy. This method, outlined in her ⁠⁠book⁠⁠ and two scientific studies, has helped thousands of clients help their dogs overcome separation anxieties.Recorded: August 13, 2026 You can find information about Jenn's webinar on August 31, 2026, Pleasantly Independent – A New Approach to Separation Related Behaviors, on the PPG website.

  6. Aug 3

    PPG Assistance Animal Division Meetup - Talking New Credential

    Learn About the new Assistance Animal Accreditation Program with Niki Tudge Host: Niki TudgeGuests: Christina de Juan, Ph.D. and ⁠Tracey Hagan⁠ Topic: Assistance Animal Accreditation Recorded: July 30, 2026

  7. Jul 16

    PPG Advocacy Panel: An Introduction to Pet Professional Guild Resources for Pet Guardians

    In this episode, the panel highlights some of PPG's most useful resources for pet guardians. Your moderator: ⁠PPG Advocacy Task Force⁠  Chair Don Hanson Today’s panelists: Tasha Attwood, Dayle Pierce, Kim Silver, and Rebekah King Recorded July 15, 2026. Relax and enjoy the discussion! If you are a pet guardian visiting the PPG website, here are some helpful features that are explored in this episode: Find a PPG training and behavior professional: Trainer and behavior consultant listings (a global database) Find a PPG pet care professional: Listings for groomers, dog walkers, pet sitters, boarding and day care Find a PPAB credentialed professional: These individuals have met specific criteria of skills and knowledge. Find a Behavior Team: A collaborative referral network of pet professionals in your geographic area. Like a "one-stop shop" for guardians. Subscribe for FREE to the Pets and Their People blog for practical tips for pet people. FREE Junior Membership - We offer membership to children (8-12 years of age), teenagers (13-17 years of age) and young adults (18-20 years of age) as a way of helping them to learn about and understand pet care and give them insight into the possibility of working with animals in the future in a force-free, fear-free way. The Pet Dog Ambassador (PDA) Program to learn and grow using positive reinforcement protocols. This isn’t about stiff, robotic drills in a sterile environment; it’s about celebrating the “Real Life” skills that make a dog a joy to live with. Two ways to become your community dog bite prevention expert: 1. The Dog Bite Prevention Educator Certification Program - This program prepares you to stay safe and provides the resources to help educate others on how to advocate for the importance of Dog Bite Prevention. 2. Be a Tree Presenter- This program focuses on fun and interactive activities to teach children how to read dog body language and act safely around their dogs and strange dogs.

  8. Jun 14

    Chat & Chuckle: The Ethics of Pet Shows

    Tune in as Niki Tudge, Dayle Pierce, Jenn Friedline, and Erika Liljefelt chat about pet shows and conformation. How ethical are they, and what needs to change? Recorded June 11, 2026. The Price of the Ribbon: While the public often sees the polished glamour of major conformation dog shows, there is also another side to the conversation - one that focuses on animal welfare, health, and quality of life. It is important to acknowledge that many exhibitors care deeply about their dogs, provide excellent care, and genuinely enjoy participating in shows with their canine companions. Many dogs also appear to enjoy aspects of the experience and are not subjected to all of the concerns discussed below. Nevertheless, critics of the conformation show world continue to raise important questions about how some dogs are housed, transported, handled, groomed, and judged. The following are ten of the most commonly cited welfare concerns associated with major conformation events: 1. Extreme and Prolonged Confinement ("Warehousing") 2. High-Stress Transport Logistics 3. The "Exhibitor's Blind Spot" to Environmental Stress 4. Cosmetic Invasiveness and Forced Grooming Restraint 5. Intrusive and Forceful Ring Handling 6. Intrusive Physical Exams by Strangers 7. Suppression of Natural Behaviors and Emotional Regulation 8. Deprivation of Social and Behavioral Enrichment 9. Lack of Standardized Veterinary Oversight During Events 10. Prioritizing Aesthetics Over Functional Biomechanics The Core Ethical Conflict: The future of conformation showing does not have to be a choice between celebrating breeds and protecting welfare. Many people within the show community are already advocating for healthier breed standards, improved welfare practices, and greater recognition of the emotional and physical well-being of the dogs involved. Meaningful progress is most likely to come through open discussion, ongoing research, thoughtful breeding practices, welfare-focused judging criteria, and a willingness to continually re-evaluate traditions in light of what we now know about canine health and behavior. Whether you agree with all, some, or none of the concerns discussed above, one principle should unite everyone involved: every dog deserves a life that prioritizes health, welfare, choice, enrichment, and quality of life alongside any competitive achievements.

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About

Bringing you news, interviews and discussions from some of the best in force-free and behavioral science-based animal training. We aim to create a fun, educational and informative podcast that is member focused, so come along and join us! Bring your questions, expertise and a dash of humor!

Information

  • Creator
    The Pet Professional Guild
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    198
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Pet Professional Guild
  • Show Website
    PPG Podcast

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