Featuring news, interviews, and information from the pet industry, bringing you news about latest events and seminars, as well as interviews from some of the best in force-free and behavioral science-based 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.
In this episode, Niki Tudge & Louise Stapleton-Frappell Join Us to Discuss Their New Book, Beyond Belly Rubs: The Compassionate Pet GuardianHosted by: Don HansonPanelists: Dayle Pierce and Tasha AttwoodAbout Beyond Belly RubsThis book was written because love, while essential, is often asked to do too much work on its own.· Love does not automatically teach us how fear works in the brain.· Love does not explain why a dog can know a cue at home and seem to forget it outside.· Love does not tell us how to respond when kindness alone doesn't seem to help.That isn't a failure of love. It's a gap in guidance. This book exists to help bridge that gap.You don't need to be a trainer, behaviorist, or expert in learning theory. You don't need to memorize terminology or follow rigid rules. What you do need is a way to understand what your dog is communicating, how learning actually happens, and how to make choices that protect both emotional and physical well-being - without fear, force, or guilt.At its heart, this book is about turning care into clarity.It offers a calm, science-based framework to help you make sense of your dog's behavior, respond with confidence rather than frustration, and build a relationship rooted not just in love, but in understanding, safety, and trust. · You are not behind. · You are not failing. You are here - and that already tells us a great deal about the kind of guardian you are.
In this episode Niki Tudge, Dayle Pierce, and Jenn Friedline chat about behavior acquisition, training mechanics, and much more!
Recorded April 7, 2026. You can download the research paper here. This research was funded by the Pet Professional Guild's Pet Training Science Alliance Program. The APC was funded by Grand Valley State University.Academic Mentor: Jamie DeLeeuw, PhD, is a community psychologist and evaluation leader specializing in animal welfare systems. She is the Founder of Community Research Plus, where she leads mixed-method research and evaluation initiatives grounded in ecological systems theory and an implementation science lens. Her work examines professional decision-making, governance structures, stakeholder attitudes, and policy-to-practice gaps shaping humane outcomes for animals. She previously served as Director of Evaluation and Impact for Austin/American Pets Alive!, leading national performance measurement and data initiatives across shelter networks.Academic Paper AbstractThe professional dog training field sits at the intersection of applied behavioral science, ethics, and lived experience. Despite its significant animal welfare implications, it remains largely unregulated. This primarily qualitative study, complemented by quantitative analyses, examined how professional trainers with differing methodological orientations conceptualize humane and effective practice. Using stratified sampling, 35 trainers affiliated with independent certification directories (17 reward-based; 18 mixed methods) completed a pre-screen survey and semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed to explore associations among training approach, certification, and demographics, as well as differences in ethical reasoning, evidentiary interpretation, and views on industry regulation. Across orientations, trainers consistently identified positive reinforcement as their most frequently used and effective method, expressed strong commitments to canine emotional well-being and owner education, and voiced concern over the industry's lack of professional regulation. However, ethical and epistemic orientations diverged. While both groups evaluated methods in relation to canine welfare and behavioral outcomes, reward-based trainers more often grounded their practice in behavioral science and articulated deontological concerns regarding the intentional use of fear or pain. Mixed methods trainers more frequently employed consequentialist reasoning, supporting conditional use of aversive methods in specific contexts and placing comparatively greater emphasis on practitioner-based expertise when interpreting evidence. Although mixed methods trainers reported using positive reinforcement most often, they rated positive punishment and positive reinforcement as equally effective in independent assessments. Overall, the findings depict a profession characterized by ethical pluralism and epistemic tension, yet marked by sustained reflection and adaptive learning. To strengthen professional cohesion and enhance the practical relevance of future research and ethical frameworks, we recommend structured adversarial collaboration embedded within a community-based participatory research approach.
Your moderator: PPG Advocacy Task Force Chair Don HansonToday's panelists: Tasha Attwood, Rebekah King, Kim Silver, &Jennifer Van Valkenburg
This episode is the February 2026 PPG Advocacy Panel discussion and the topic is: How do we, as pet professionals, make a kinder world for pets?Your host/moderator: PPG Advocacy Task Force Chair Don HansonYour panelists: Tasha Attwood, who runs Mutts and Mischief, Dayle Pierce, & PPG operations director, Rebekah KingRelax and enjoy the discussion!
For our February 2026 Chat & Chuckle, we are joined by special guest Will Bangura to discuss his new book, “Sniff to Soothe” and the many applications of structured scent work. Your hosts are: Niki Tudge, Dayle Pierce, and Jenn Friedline.The book is available for Kindle, in hardcover and paperback:SNIFF TO SOOTHE: Rewiring Neurobehavioral Patterns of Aggression, Anxiety, and Reactivity Through Structured Scent Work by Will Bangura, M.S., CAB-ICB, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, FDM, FFCPRecorded: February 12, 2026
In this episode, the PPG Advocacy Panel discusses how we, as pet guardians, can make a kinder world for our pets.Your host/moderator: PPG Advocacy Task Force Chair Don HansonYour panelists: Tasha Attwood, Dayle Pierce, Debbie Sheridan, Sam Wike, Kim Silver, Beth Adelman, and Michelle MartiyaRelax and enjoy the discussion!
Join Laura Cassiday and Joanna Wachowiak-Finlaison as they chat with Dr. Marci Koski about paths to becoming a feline behavior consultant.
Tune in as Niki Tudge chats with Dr. Zazie Todd and Dr. Eduardo Fernandez about research ethics and individual methodology.
Join your hosts, Niki Tudge, Dayle Pierce, and Jenn Friedline, as they chat and chuckle with Erika Liljefelt of Relax, Rover about the Dynamic Dog Practitioner and the connection between pain and behavior.
Join Laura Cassiday and Joanna Wachowiak-Finlaison as they chat and chuckle with Dr. Kristyn Vitale about comparing the interactions of dog and cat owners with their pets.
In this episode, the PPG Advocacy Panel discusses how many pet professionals are also pet parents, and the role that plays in their advocacy efforts.Advocacy Task Force Chair Don Hanson is your moderator, and the panelists are Tasha Attwood, Rebekah King, Dayle Pierce, and Niki Tudge.
Join Niki Tudge, Dayle Pierce, and Jenn Friedline as they discuss the myths and lies about positive-reinforcement and force-free training—and dispel them!Relax and enjoy the lively discussion!
In this episode, the PPG Advocacy Panel discusses kind alternatives to shock collars and aversives. Your moderator is PPG Advocacy Task Force Chair Don Hanson, and the panelists are Tasha Attwood, Judy Luther, Dayle Pierce, and Jennifer Van Valkenburg.Enjoy listening!
In this episode, Niki Tudge, Dayle Pierce, and Jenn Friedline discuss PPG's Credential Matrix—what it is, how and why it was developed, and ways it can be useful to you.
Tune in as Niki Tudge and Jenn Friedline chat and chuckle with Dr. Zazie Todd and Dr. Eduardo Fernandez about barriers to humane dog training.
Join Laura Cassiday and Joanna Wachowiak-Finlaison as they chat and chuckle with Ingrid Johnson about cooperative care strategies for medicating cats.
Join Niki Tudge as she chats and chuckles with Dr. Zazie Todd and Dr. Eduardo Fernandez about "training as enrichment."
Tune in and listen as the PPG Advocacy Panel sets the records straight about misunderstood facts about equids. Your moderator is Don Hanson and the panelists are PPG Equid Division Chair Michelle Martiya, Jessica Gonzalez, and Dayle Pierce.
Listen as Niki Tudge, Dayle Pierce, and Jenn Friedline chat and chuckle about ethical sheltering and rescue!
Join Niki Tudge, Inclusivity Committee Chair Lorena Patti, Dayle Pierce, and Rebekah King in this special episode featuring Annie Phenix, founder of the Phenix Advocacy Center (PAC). Annie shares information about the PAC and how you can create a life you don't want to escape from as a canine professional (or a professional who works with any animal species).Make yourself comfortable and enjoy the lively discussion!
In this episode, the PPG Advocacy Panel discusses electronic containment systems for dogs and cats. Your moderator is PPG Advocacy Task Force Chair Don Hanson, and the panelists are Laura Donaldson, Sandra Machado, and Pat Miller.Relax and enjoy the discussion!
Join Laura Cassiday and Joanna Wachowiak-Finlaison as they chat and chuckle with Joey Lusvardi of Class Act Cats about the Pet Professional Accreditation Board's exciting new feline credential.Make yourself comfortable and enjoy the lively discussion!
Join Niki Tudge and she chats and chuckles with Dr. Zazie Todd and Dr. Eduardo Fernandez about an important topic—ethics in pet training. Relax and enjoy this episode's lively discussion!
In this episode, panelists discuss what their Pet Professional Accreditation Board (PPAB) credential means to them. Your host is PPG Advocacy Task Force Chair Don Hansen, and the panelists are Daniel Antolec and Kim Silver. Enjoy!To learn more about how to earn a PPAB credential, visit https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/about-ppab/.
In this episode, the PPG Advocacy Panel discusses how to help families who are experiencing "pet regret" find solutions and move forward. Your moderator is Advocacy Task Force Chair Don Hanson, and the panelists are Kristi Benson, Dayle Pierce, Kim Silver, and Sam Wike.Enjoy the discussion!
Join Niki Tudge as she chats and chuckles with Dayle Pierce and Grace Peck about an important topic: canine separation anxiety.
In this special episode, Niki Tudge hosts Equid Division Chair Michelle Martiya in a discussion about providing hoof care to fearful equids. Enjoy!
Listen as PPG's Advocacy Panel discusses how to help families find their ideal pet ... and avoid pet regret!Your host and moderator is PPG Advocacy Task Force Chair Don Hanson, and the panelists are Tasha Attwood, Allison Hunter-Frederick, Pat Miller, and Dayle Pierce.
Join Laura Cassiday and Joanna Wachowiak-Finlaison as they chat and chuckle with Frania Shelley-Grielen about introducing cats, inter-cat aggression, and other topics related to multi-cat households.Frania Shelley-Grielen is a professional animal behaviorist, dog trainer, and educator who holds a Masters Degrees in Animal Behavior from Hunter College and a Masters Degree in Urban Planning from New York University, complimenting her insight into behavior with an in-depth understanding of the built environment. She is a licensed Pet Care Technician Instructor, a registered therapy dog handler, a certified Doggone safe Bite Safety Instructor, and a professional member of the Pet Professional Guild and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Frania specializes in behavior modification work and training with cats, dogs, and birds and humane management for urban wildlife.Frania is the author of Cats and Dogs: Living With and Looking at Companion Animals From Their Point of View. She founded AnimalBehaviorist.us in 2009 to share her work on how welfare-based, science-focused strategies and solutions from the canine and feline point of view are more effective and make everyone happier, including the humans. Frania also taught the ASPCA's Fundamentals of Dog Care course for the Houlton Institute where she is on the zoology faculty. She has worked on research projects at the Wildlife Conservation Society, the American Museum of Natural History, and the ASPCA in NYC. Frania presents and consults in the metropolitan New York area, nationally and internationally. She lives in New York City with her family and cats and dogs.
In this episode of the PPG Podcast, Niki Tudge and Rebekah King walk you through the process of getting a credential through the Pet Professional Accreditation Board (PPAB). Whether you are transferring your current credential to a PPAB credential or earning a PPAB credential outright, Niki and Rebekah answer the most commonly asked questions about the process. Tune in now and get started on your journey to a PPAB credential!
Join Niki Tudge as she chats and chuckles with Frania Shelley-Grielen about her book, Behavior Matters for Cats and Dogs, winner of the Dog Writers of America's "Best Behavior Book 2024" and the Dogwise "Best Book of 2024.”Niki and Frania discussed both the cat and dog sections of the book and snippets from the chapters on aggression, dog bite prevention, and some of the individual cat and dog skills.Frania Shelley-Grielen is a professional animal behaviorist, dog trainer, and educator who holds a Masters Degrees in Animal Behavior from Hunter College and a Masters Degree in Urban Planning from New York University, complimenting her insight into behavior with an in-depth understanding of the built environment. She is a licensed Pet Care Technician Instructor, a registered therapy dog handler, a certified Doggone safe Bite Safety Instructor, and a professional member of the Pet Professional Guild and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Frania specializes in behavior modification work and training with cats, dogs, and birds and humane management for urban wildlife.Frania is the author of Cats and Dogs: Living With and Looking at Companion Animals From Their Point of View. She founded AnimalBehaviorist.us in 2009 to share her work on how welfare-based, science-focused strategies and solutions from the canine and feline point of view are more effective and make everyone happier, including the humans. Frania also taught the ASPCA's Fundamentals of Dog Care course for the Houlton Institute where she is on the zoology faculty. She has worked on research projects at the Wildlife Conservation Society, the American Museum of Natural History, and the ASPCA in NYC. Frania presents and consults in the metropolitan New York area, nationally and internationally. She lives in New York City with her family and cats and dogs.
Join Niki Tudge and Judy Luther as they chat and chuckle with Veronica Sanchez and Jenn Friedline about the damaging effect of dog trainers dispensing poor advice on social media.
Join Laura Cassiday and Joanna Wachowiak-Finlaison as they chat and chuckle with Emily Hall about adventure cats!
Listen as the PPG Advocacy Panel discusses how to stay motivated and afloat during challenging times. Advocacy Task Force Chair Don Hanson is your host and moderator, and the panelists are Laura Donaldson, Dayle Pierce, and Sam Wike. Enjoy learning some helpful tips from your colleagues!
Join Niki Tudge and Judy Luther as they chat and chuckle with Frania Shelley-Grielen about behavior matters for cats and dogs.Frania Shelley-Grielen is a professional animal behaviorist, dog trainer, and educator who holds a Masters Degrees in Animal Behavior from Hunter College and a Masters Degree in Urban Planning from New York University, complimenting her insight into behavior with an in-depth understanding of the built environment. She is a licensed Pet Care Technician Instructor, a registered therapy dog handler, a certified Doggone safe Bite Safety Instructor, and a professional member of the Pet Professional Guild and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Frania specializes in behavior modification work and training with cats, dogs, and birds and humane management for urban wildlife.Frania is the author of Cats and Dogs: Living With and Looking at Companion Animals From Their Point of View. She founded AnimalBehaviorist.us in 2009 to share her work on how welfare-based, science-focused strategies and solutions from the canine and feline point of view are more effective and make everyone happier, including the humans. Frania also taught the ASPCA's Fundamentals of Dog Care course for the Houlton Institute where she is on the zoology faculty. She has worked on research projects at the Wildlife Conservation Society, the American Museum of Natural History, and the ASPCA in NYC. Frania presents and consults in the metropolitan New York area, nationally and internationally. She lives in New York City with her family and cats and dogs.
Kim Silver fills in for Don Hanson as your host in this episode of the PPG Advocacy Panel about why we use positive reinforcement in pet training. Your panelists for this discussion are Beth Adelman, Pat Miller, Debbie Sheridan, Dr. Kristina Spaulding, Niki Tudge, and Dr. Karolina Westlund. Sit back, relax, and enjoy listening!
Join Niki Tudge as she hosts Jenn Friedline, Zuzanna (Zuzia) Kubica, and Veronica Sanchez in a lively discussion about how to teach loose-leash walking!
Join Laura Cassiday and Joanna Wachowiak-Finlaison as they chat and chuckle with the one and only Dr. Susan Friedman about behavior analysis.
In this episode, Laura Cassiday and Joanna Wachowiak-Finlaison chat and chuckle with Dr. Denise Johnson about house soiling issues in cats.Dr. Denise Johnson is a general practitioner of veterinary medicine and an International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) Certified Cat Behavior Consultant. Her special interests include behavioral health and low-stress handling. Her qualifications include Elite Fear Free Practitioner, Certified in Low Stress Handling–Silver, and Cat Friendly Veterinarian Certifications. In addition to being a certified member of the IAABC, she serves on their Ethics Committee and as a peer reviewer for the IAABC Journal. Dr. Johnson offers remote behavior consulting, vet-to-vet consultation, and is a member of the AVSAB's Speakers Bureau. She spends her free time working on Committed to Claws, an education project that provides pet owners and pet professionals with resources to reduce the incidence of onychectomy.
In this episode, the PPG Advocacy Panel discusses ethics—what they are and why they are so important in the pet care professions.Your moderator is Don Hanson and panelists are Allison Hunter-Frederick, Dayle Pierce, Kim Silver, Holden Svirsky, and Niki Tudge.Relax and enjoy listening to the discussion!
Join PPG Founder and President Niki Tudge as she chats and chuckles with Veronica Sanchez of Cooperative Paws Service Dog Education , a PPG Corporate Partner, about her Service Dog Certificate (SDC) program. Rolling enrollment for the SDC program is back! You can now take the course any time that's convenient for you. Listen to the episode for full details and more information about the program. Apply to the program by February 11 and get a free extra month to complete the course. Click here to learn more.
Join Laura Cassiday and Joanna Wachovia- Finlaison as they chat and chuckle with Dr. Mary Gardner about all things senior cats! There is nothing better to Dr. Gardner than a dog with a grey muzzle or a skinny old cat! Her professional goal is to increase awareness and medical care for the geriatric veterinary patient and to help make the final life stage as peaceful as possible, surrounded with dignity and support for all involved. A University of Florida graduate, Dr. Gardner discovered her niche in end-of-life care and is a founder of Lap of Love, which has over 350 veterinarians around the country who are dedicated to veterinary hospice and euthanasia in the home. Dr. Gardner published two books on caring for geriatric pets: It's Never Long Enough (dogs) and Nine Lives Are Not Enough (cats). She is co-author of the textbook, The Treatment and Care of the Veterinary Patient, and co-author of a children's activity book focused on saying goodbye to a dog called “Forever Friend.” Dr. Gardner also won the VMX Small Animal Speaker of the Year award in 2020!
Listen as the PPG Advocacy Panel discusses the people skills animal trainers and behavior consultants need to teach, counsel, and advocate. Your moderator is Don Hanson, chair of PPG's Advocacy Task Force. The panelists are Kristi Benson, Dayle Pierce, Debbie Sheridan, and Sam Wike. Make yourself comfortable and enjoy the discussion!
Join Laura Cassiday and Joanna Wachowiak-Finlaison as they chat and chuckle about performing cats and how to get them ready to do their thing! Melissa Millett is the founder and head trainer of In Dogs We Trust and The Ultimutts, and Ultimutt Animal Actors. She has trained thousands of family pets and is recognized globally as an animal expert. Melissa has been featured on major Canadian TV networks, including Breakfast Television (Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary), CP24, Global News, CTV (Toronto, Vancouver), Animal Planet, The Pet Network, and more. She is the host of the popular television shows Doggy House Calls and the spin-off series Doggy Diaries across Canada. Internationally acclaimed as an advanced trick trainer and performer with Ultimutts, Melissa's dogs have appeared on Good Morning America, The Rick Mercer Report, The Family Channel, and Canada's Got Talent. Bella the Boston terrier has traveled across the country with Ripley's Believe it or Not! to promote her feature in the 2016 publication. Jellybean, the deaf Australian cattle dog, made it to the semifinals of the Facebook Watch show World's Most Amazing Dog, garnering 36 million views and narrowly missing the $100,000 USD prize! Melissa offers an elite service for animals in film and TV, with credits including Pet Sematary, Priscilla, Titans, a 2019 U.S. Super Bowl commercial, as well as commercials for Duracell, Yoplait, and Gund. Past clients have included Paramount, Netflix, Warner Brothers, and others.
In this episode, the PPG Advocacy Panel discusses pet obesity. Your host is PPG Advocacy Task Force Chair Don Hanson, and the panelists are Beth Adelman, Daniel Antolec, Judy Luther, Debbie Sheridan, and Kim Silver. Grab a healthy snack and enjoy the discussion!
Join Laura Cassiday and Joanna Wachovia-Finlaison as they chat and chuckle with Dr. Sarah Brown about her book, The Hidden Language of Cats—How They Have Us at Meow! Sarah Brown gained her PhD on the social behavior of neutered domestic cats while working at the Anthrozoology Institute at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom. She has since worked as an independent cat behavior counselor and a consultant for the cat-toy industry, and has conducted research for and worked with several UK animal charities. She has authored and co-authored a number of cat books, including her recent popular science book, The Hidden Language of Cats—How They Have Us at Meow.
Join Niki Tudge as she chats and chuckles with Veronica Boutelle of dogbiz about the five steps to a thriving R+ training business!
Join Joanna Wachowiak-Finalison and Krista Schulte as they chat and chuckle with Alice Chau-Ginguene about comparing attitudes of cat ownership in Ireland and the U.S. Alice Chau-Ginguene is a clinical animal behaviorist with 15 years of experience specializing in cat behavior. Passionate about making animal science accessible and engaging, she is dedicated to enhancing the enjoyment between cats and humans, and improving feline mental health. Through her private practice Alice supports cat lovers worldwide. Her expertise and insights have made her a regular feature in media across Ireland, the U.S., and beyond, where she continues to advocate for better understanding and care of our feline companions.
Join Laura Cassiday and Joanna Wachowiak-Finlaison as they chat and chuckle with Dr. Zazie Todd, author of Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy, about the five pillars of feline welfare. Zazie Todd PhD is an animal behaviour expert and award-winning author. She got the world talking about happiness for pets with her first two books Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy and Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy. Her third book, Bark! The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog, will be published in October 2024. Todd is the creator of Companion Animal Psychology blog and has a column at Psychology Today. She has a PhD in psychology, is an honours graduate of the prestigious Academy for Dog Trainers, and has an Advanced Certificate of Feline Behaviour (with Distinction) from International Cat Care. Originally from the UK, she lives in Maple Ridge, BC, with her husband, a dog and a cat.
Join Laura Cassiday and Joanna Wachowiak-Finlaison as they chat and chuckle with Sassafras Patterdale (Lowrey) about tricks, games, and enrichment for cats! Sassafras Patterdale (Lowrey) CPDT-KA is an award-winning author whose books have been honored by organizations ranging from the American Library Association to the Dog Writers Association of America. Sassafras' books include Tricks In The City, Healing/Heeling, and Chew This Journal: An Activity Book For You And Your Dog. Sassafras is also the author of the Cat Writers Association Finalist book, Claw This Journal: An Activity Book for Cat Lovers. Sassafras is a Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI) and Certified Fear Free Professional who writes regularly about cat enrichment for magazines and publications across the country. Sassafras lives, writes and trains in Portland, Oregon. Learn more at www.SassafrasPatterdale.com.
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