The Dog Expert Podcast

What if animals already know how to heal themselves?   In this episode of The Dog Expert Podcast, Jo Middleton, Emily Dustan and Penny Wood are joined by Caroline Ingraham, founder of Applied Zoopharmacognosy and one of the world’s leading experts in animal self-medication. With over 35 years of experience,   Caroline’s work explores how animals instinctively select plants, oils and natural substances to support their physical and emotional wellbeing.   Together, we explore a fascinating and sometimes controversial question: what happens when we step back and allow animals more choice in their own healing? In this episode, we discuss: • What zoopharmacognosy actually is — and how animals self-medicate in the wild • How this knowledge is applied to domestic animals through Caroline’s work • The role of choice, agency and observation in supporting wellbeing • Why Caroline feels so strongly about giving animals a voice in their own care • Where this approach fits alongside modern veterinary and behavioural practice   This conversation sits at the intersection of instinct, science, and philosophy. It invites us to consider not just what we do to dogs, but what we might learn by allowing them to guide us.   As always, we encourage listeners to stay curious, think critically, and keep the welfare of the animal at the centre of every decision.  

Flat-faced breeds are among the most loved dogs in the UK, but they are also among the most vulnerable when it comes to respiratory compromise and chronic health challenges.   In this episode, we’re joined by Lindsey Taylor, Co-Founder of OxyPet, and Karla Pearson of No Bull Just Natural Health for Dogs, to explore the realities of airway health in brachycephalic breeds. We discuss what the science tells us about oxygenation, exercise tolerance and thermal stress, what pet parents should be looking out for, and how we can shift the conversation from normalising struggle to prioritising welfare.

When most people think about dogs, they picture pets living in homes. But globally, that represents only a minority of the canine population. Around 80% of the world’s dogs live as free-living community dogs, particularly across parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America.   In this episode of The Dog Expert Podcast, Jo Middleton and Penny Wood are joined by Sindhoor Pangal to explore the reality of these populations, how they coexist alongside human communities, and why understanding them is essential to improving canine welfare worldwide.   Together we discuss: • What free-living community dogs actually are and why they are not simply “strays” • Why stable community dog populations can support public health through vaccination and sterilisation programmes • Why removal-based population control strategies repeatedly fail • The current situation in India, where proposals to remove community dogs at scale have raised serious welfare and scientific concerns • How humane, evidence-based coexistence strategies can protect both people and dogs

Join us the two Jo's as they talk about all things ACE! Joanne Burton from Paw & Order Noosa, Australia’s first certified ACE Freework Practitioner and Associate Tutor, joins Jo Middleton to we explore Animal Centred Education (ACE) Freework ... a gentle, choice-based approach that supports dogs’ emotional and physical wellbeing by inviting them to explore, self-regulate, and learn at their own pace.   Joanne shares what ACE Freework is, why she’s so passionate about it, and practical tips for anyone just starting out, from creating sensory stations using everyday items to interpreting your dog’s subtle cues of comfort and trust. Whether your dog is shy, anxious, reactive or simply needs a calmer foundation for learning, this conversation offers deep insight into how giving dogs choice leads to empowerment, confidence and lasting behavioural change.   Find out more about Joanne's work over on her website here: https://pawordernoosa.com.au/   #acefreework #rememberingSarahFisher #thedogexpertpocast #forcefree #fearfree    

In this episode of The Dog Expert Podcast, we’re joined by Dan O'Neill, Marisa Heath, and Vanessa Barnes from APGAW to discuss the recently launched Innate Health Assessment (IHA).   Since its release in December 2025, the IHA has generated strong reactions across parts of the dog world. Some have welcomed it as a much-needed welfare tool. Others have raised concerns about scope, science, impact and implementation.   Rather than amplifying noise, this episode creates space for something more useful ... an evidence-led and constructive discussion about what the IHA is and what it isn’t.   We explore:   The purpose and vision behind the Innate Health Assessment How it was developed and who contributed to its framework Whether a checklist model can meaningfully influence breeding standards The scientific thinking underpinning the approach How voluntary welfare tools interact with regulation and public perception What the creators hope will happen next   Importantly, this conversation is not about hostility, point-scoring or social media rhetoric. It is about animal welfare and how we, as professionals and guardians, navigate reform in a sector that is both emotionally charged and deeply complex.   Strong feelings often reflect how much people care. But meaningful progress requires thoughtful dialogue, not polarisation.   If you work in behaviour, training, veterinary science, breeding, policy, or simply care deeply about the future of dogs, this episode offers insight into the intentions behind the IHA and an opportunity to engage with the debate in a measured and informed way.   As always, we invite listeners to reflect critically, think scientifically, and keep welfare at the centre of every conversation.

🎙️ THE DOG EXPERT PODCAST - SEASON 4 LAUNCH! LIVE NOW!   We’re busting myths and breaking moulds 🐾   🎧 Watch us live @6.30pm GMT TONIGHT on our YouTube channel here:    / @thedogexpertpodcast   Or the Canine Principles Facebook Page or Instagram   In our first episode back, Emily Dustan from See Spot Learn by Emily Dustan and I are joined by new co-host Penny Wood aka Dr Zoolittle ... . .. and we’re kicking things off by tackling one BIG question: What’s one myth about dogs you wish we could erase forever?   Here are some I've heard over the years, but I'd love to know ones you've heard ...   💥 “Bad behaviour just needs firmer handling.” 💥 “You need to show them who is the boss.” 💥 “They’re just doing it for attention.”   Yeah… no.   #TheDogExpertPodcast #Season4 #DogMyths #DogBehaviour #ForceFree #BehaviourisCommunication #EthicalDogTraining Transcript

Scent & Strategy: How Nosework Changes Behaviour with Jamie (UK Sniffer Dogs)   Think nosework is just a fun trick? Think again.   Jamie from UK Sniffer Dogs joins us to explore how scent work rewires behaviour, reduces stress, and helps dogs thrive, while also offering trainers a valuable tool to diversify their services.   🎧 Listen now and try your first scent game today ❤️   🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/66429817...  

Behaviour is rarely just about what you see. It’s the visible edge of deeper systems — environments, thresholds, human psychology, stress accumulation, and more.   This week on The Dog Expert Podcast, Jo and Emily speak with Sparky Smith, a canine psychologist and systems expert who brings a powerful lens to complex behaviour change. Drawing from her work at DogParentology, Sparky shows how understanding the system behind behaviour — rather than chasing symptoms — allows caretakers and professionals to create lasting, meaningful change.   You’ll learn how to: Recognize the hidden systems influencing your dog’s behaviour Use guiding principles to predict “stuck points” before relapse Change the language you use: from “fixing” to stabilizing systems Take practical steps today to begin seeing behaviour as a system you can shape If you’ve ever felt stuck with a dog whose behaviour keeps resurfacing, this episode will give you a new vantage point — one that sees beyond just the behaviour.   #dogbehavioursystems #dogtraining #caninepsychology #dogprofessionals #dogpodcast   🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/66429817...    

As our dogs live longer, the real question becomes: how well do they age?   In this episode, we speak with Prof Carri Westgarth, lead researcher behind the Ageing Canine Toolkit - a resource designed to help guardians and veterinary teams differentiate normal aging from potential disease and support better quality of life in senior dogs.   You’ll learn: How the toolkit was developed from owner and vet research Key health and behavioural signs to monitor using the traffic‑light checklist What changes are “red flags” and when to seek veterinary care Practical strategies to support mobility, cognition, comfort, and wellbeing in aging dogs How to use the toolkit as a conversation bridge with vets   Whether your dog is entering their golden years or you’re preparing ahead, this episode gives you the tools to see aging not as decline but as a stage to support with clarity, empathy, and intention.   🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/66429817...  

✨ NEW EPISODE: “Ethics in Action” with Vicky Skinner 🐶   Thinking about starting, or already running, an animal‑business (boarding, grooming, dog visits, interventions)? Doing well means doing good.   This week on The Dog Expert Podcast, we chat with Vicky Skinner, founder of Animal Focused Alliance, about what it really takes to run an ethical animal business:   What animal welfare really looks like in everyday practice How to meet licensing & regulatory standards while keeping animal wellbeing front and centre The power of clarity, transparency & staff training How ethics can be part of your business strength, not a burden   🎧 Tune in and discover how compassion and compliance builds a business people trust and animals benefit from.   #EthicalPetBusiness #AnimalFocused #DogPodcast #AnimalWelfare #PetBusinessTips #TheDogExpertPodcast   🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/66429817...

If you know a dog that struggles when left ... barking, chewing, pacing, panicking you’re not alone… and neither are they.   This week on The Dog Expert Podcast, we’re joined by Ness Jones, a leading expert in separation anxiety and creator of the A.L.O.N.E. Method.   💬 We unpack: 🔍 What separation anxiety really is 🧠 Why it’s emotional, not behavioural 🛟 How to help dogs feel safe, secure, and truly okay with being alone   Whether you're dealing with full-blown panic or subtle signs of stress, this episode is packed with guidance, calm, and hope.   🎧 Listen in, because no dog should feel afraid when the door closes.   #SeparationAnxiety #DogPodcast #CanineBehaviour #TheDogExpertPodcast #AloneNotAfraid #ForceFree #NessJones #ReactiveDogs #DogTrainingTips #EmotionalSafety   🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/66429817...

NEW EPISODE: “Bouncing Back” with Daniel Shaw MSc   Why do some dogs recover from fear or stress, while others crumble?   This week on The Dog Expert Podcast, we’re joined by behaviourist and neuroscientist Daniel Shaw to explore the fascinating science of resilience in dogs:   🔬 What resilience really means 🧬 The genetic + environmental factors behind emotional recovery 💥 Why coping dogs aren't always comfortable dogs 🛟 How to build resilience with enrichment, safety, and support   🎧 Listen now because resilience isn’t just about surviving. It’s about helping dogs thrive.

🚨 NEW EPISODE: Bomb Proof, Bullet Proof 🐶🧠🛡️   What if you could raise a dog that’s emotionally unshakeable and physically resilient just by focusing on the first 12 weeks?   Today on The Dog Expert Podcast, we’re joined by Dr Zoolittle to talk: 💥 Bomb-proof = no separation anxiety, calm confidence 🧬 Bullet-proof = cellular, biological resilience built from day one ⏳ 8–20 weeks = the most powerful window you’ll ever get   🎧 Whether you have a puppy, or plan to, don’t miss this one.   #PuppyTraining #CanineHealth #DogDevelopment #BombProofBulletProof #TheDogExpertPodcast #ForceFree #CanineWellness #PuppyResilience

Join us for a special Pride Month episode of The Dog Expert Podcast as we celebrate love, acceptance, and inclusivity across the dog industry. Featuring guest speakers Tasha Attwood and Debby Lucken, who are leading a powerful wave of support for the LGBTQ+ community - one message, one voice, one paw at a time. #PrideAndPaws #DogIndustryPride #LGBTQplus #PrideMonth2025 #TheDogExpertPodcast

NEW EPISODE 🎧: “Mine! The Truth About Resource Guarding” 🐾 Food. Toys. The sofa. If your dog growls or guards their stuff - it’s not about being “dominant.” It’s about feeling unsafe. This week on The Dog Expert Podcast, Jo and Emily are joined by special guest Holly Leake to unpack resource guarding. What causes it? How to help? And why safety beats control every time.   🎧 Listen in - because your dog isn’t being difficult. They’re asking for security. #ResourceGuarding #DogPodcast #TrustOverTraining #CanineBehaviour #TheDogExpertPodcast #CaninePrinciples #DogEducaiton

Living with a reactive dog can be overwhelming, isolating and misunderstood.   But you’re not alone - and your dog isn’t broken.   In this powerful episode, Jo Middleton and Emily Dustan are joined by reactive dog expert and author, Jay Gurden. Together they unpack what reactivity really is, why it happens and how to support your dog with empathy, science, and calm leadership. From trigger stacking and thresholds to practical, force-free tools you can use today, this episode is packed with both heart and help. You’ll learn: What’s really going on when your dog overreacts The emotional root of reactivity What to stop doing and what to start instead Tools for building safety, confidence, and trust Because reactivity isn’t disobedience, it’s communication. And your dog needs you to hear it.

For many dogs, grooming is more than uncomfortable — it’s downright terrifying. In this episode of The Dog Expert Podcast, we’re joined by author and ethical groomer Sue Williamson to explore why so many dogs dread the groomer… and what we can do about it. Sue shares powerful insights into the emotional triggers dogs face during grooming, the harm of outdated industry practices, and how her welfare-led approach helps dogs not just cope, but feel safe. Whether your dog panics at the sight of a brush or you’re looking for a groomer who puts emotional wellbeing first, this episode is packed with practical guidance, compassion, and hope. What we cover: Why grooming is emotionally challenging for so many dogs The silent stressors of traditional grooming environments How cooperative, consent-based care can change everything Tips to reduce grooming anxiety at home and in the salon What to look for in a trauma-informed groomer

What Your Dog Is Really Feeling?   What if your dog’s "bad behaviour" isn’t disobedience - but communication?   In this episode of The Dog Expert Podcast, Jo Middleton, Emily Dustan and guests Linda Michaels M.A. and Dr. Jessica Pierce, dive into the emotional lives of dogs. From joy and fear to frustration and grief, we explore the emotions behind common behaviours - and why recognising them is the key to building trust, resilience, and lasting change.   You’ll learn what the science says about canine emotions, how to spot the emotional signals your dog is giving you every day, and why emotional safety matters more than obedience.   If you've ever wondered what your dog is really feeling, this episode is for you. The Dog Expert Podcast is powered by CaninePrinciples.com

 The Dog Expert podcast. The podcast dogs would want you to listen to. Powered by canine principles.com. Helping passionate dog people go from feeling unsure and overwhelmed to confident, compassionate, and science savvy through a rich library of online courses and formal qualifications. Each week on the podcast, we dive deep into the real, raw and rewarding world of dogs. This isn't about obedience. This is about understanding because dogs aren't problems to solve. They're free thinking, sentient beings to connect with.