Not Another Dog and Pony Show

Oct 24 2024 19 ep. 57 mins 13
Not Another Dog and Pony Show Podcast artwork

Welcome to Not Another Dog and Pony Show, where animal behaviour and training professionals Lauren Fraser, MSc, FFCP, and Matthias Lenz, KPA graduate, FDM, are on a mission to connect dog and horse trainers from diverse backgrounds, through open-minded & friendly, philosophical discourse. We tackle our industry's 'dog and pony show' issues head-on, encouraging our training and behaviour colleagues to learn from one another and consider things from outside one's usual biases. We believe such unity is crucial for improving our industry and, ultimately, the welfare of animals.

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Dr David Lane: Why is transient stress OK in vet care but not training?

Oct 24 2024 53 mins  
Where we sit down in a cheap motel room with Dr David Lane for a discussion about some differences in how we approach animals for veterinary care and training or behaviour modification work: giving clients treatment options and causing animals tolerable stress or discomfort. Also, having the willingness to refer to another professional if something is outside of your wheelhouse, re

Dr Sam Couper: How many research papers does a fact make?

Oct 06 2024 60 mins  
Where we sit down with Dr Sam Couper for a discussion about what science is (and isn't), and how research about training and behaviour may (or may not) be relevant to our work as boots-on-the-ground animal training and behaviour professionals. Also, Lauren's justification for feeding dogs ice cream cones, 'publish or perish' in academia, and a case for the dreaded 'doing your own r

Kristi Walker: The painful path of acknowledging, and fixing, our mistakes

Sep 04 2024 42 mins  
Where we sit down with dog trainer Kristi Walker for a frank discussion about her personal journey in moving away from using harsh training, led by experiences with her own dog. Also, Kristi & Bren's turning point, our very normal, human reactions to criticism from others, and possible ways to better effect change in our industry. Ideal Canine website Ideal Canine IG Fan

Verena Sutherland: Stages of being an R+ crossover trainer

Aug 13 2024 77 mins  
Where we sit down with Verena Sutherland for a discussion about her journey through the stages of being a crossover trainer, the pain of changing your beliefs, and who - if anyone - identifying labels serve. Also, how constructional approaches might be the gateway drug to paradigm shifts, having discussions about 'amputation-equivalents' in our industry, and Lauren escapes

Sarah Stremming: Training for/competing with animals in sport & our values

Jul 29 2024 80 mins  
Where we sit down once again with Sarah Stremming for a timely talk about recent events in the Olympic horse world, the harms of subjective judging in sport, and using values to guide our competitive natures. Also the lifelong effects of putting sparkly pink whips into children's hands, selective breeding of animals to 'wear' pressure, and a discussion about if vilific

If we can't give animals choice and control; what then?

Jul 23 2024 52 mins  
Where we sit down for a discussion about what happens if/when we can't give animals choice and control, minimizing behavioural injury, and the role of cognitive appraisal during what might be stressful events. Also a harrowing tale about Lauren's first combat roll whitewater kayaking, what not to say to a child who falls off a horse, and the motivating factors that get Mat

Lecture-based vs hands-on learning

Jul 11 2024 42 mins  
Where we sit down for a discussion about the efficacy of lecture-based versus hands-on learning, the importance of real-world, practical experience, and the debate over whether trainers should compete to validate their skills. Also, we discuss using The Bucket Game with children, who would win an escalator competition, and how Lauren isn't great at keeping what happens in Vega

Ruth Crisler: intrusiveness, ethics, and efficacy in training

Jun 17 2024 76 mins  
Where we sit down with the rational Ruth Crisler for a discussion about the ethical considerations and practical applications of aversives in animal training, particularly within the positive reinforcement training community. Also, the importance of open, non-judgmental dialogue around the use of aversives, the need for clear and accurate definitions, and the potential for aversive

Leadership: helpful or harmful construct for the animals we train?

Jun 03 2024 53 mins  
Where Matthias and Lauren discuss the concept - and helpfulness - of leadership and deference in animal training. Also, they explore the complexities of balancing giving direction and allowing choice, debate whether our social relationships with animals allow for the human construct of leadership, and Matthias shares a story that explains why he wasn't awarded Father of the Yea

Chad Mackin: (under-utilized) leash communication

May 21 2024 65 mins  
Where Matthias sits down (sadly, without Lauren) with the philosophical Chad Mackin to talk about leash communication. Also, the importance of escape hatches when pushing close to thresholds, gentle communication pressure vs revenge pressure in training, and the power of letting learners think that their behaviour change is their idea and not something you imposed on them - wheth