Episoder
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Reimagining a Dog Psychology Centre: The Future of Complex Behavioural Recovery with Roman Gottfried
In this episode of Dog Parentology, we challenge conventional approaches to dog behaviour, dog training, and dog psychology with a thought-provoking conversation on complex behavioural recovery. Host Sparky, Canine Psychologist and Behaviourist, is joined by Roman Gottfried, a holistic behaviour consultant with a background in systems thinking and product engineering, to discuss what truly defines a Dog Psychology Centreânot as a facility, but as an ecosystem of ideas, collaboration, and science-driven rehabilitation.
đš Key topics covered:
⢠Behavioural euthanasia: When is it truly the only option, and when is it a failure of the system?
⢠Dog trauma and neurobiology: Understanding the hidden influences of genetics, early development, and environmental factors.
⢠Dog trainers, veterinarians, and dog behaviourists: The missing collaboration between professionals that leads to treatment gaps.
⢠Canine neurobiology and system science (CNSS): A new way to assess and rehabilitate behaviour beyond basic training models.
⢠The role of dog parents in recovery: Why intuition, observation, and co-regulation matter as much as professional expertise.
For dog professionals, veterinarians, and dedicated dog parents, this episode provides a deep dive into dog behaviour analysis, holistic education, and interdisciplinary teamwork, reshaping the way we approach complex cases in canine rehabilitation.
Subscribe, review, and engage: Join the conversation and share your experiences in the comments.
Exclusive for Patrons: Get a Listening Guide to accompany this episodeâtrack key insights, take notes, and apply what you learn to your own dog or practice. Become a Patron today for the cost of a small coffee.https://www.patreon.com/c/DogParentologyPodcast
#DogBehaviour #DogPsychology #DogTrainer #DogBehaviourist #DogConsultant #DogPsychologyCenter #Veterinarian #VeterinarianCareer #SpiritualWellness #HolisticEducation #HolisticHealing #DogTraining #CanineNeurobiology #DogRehabilitation
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Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a canine psychologist? In this BONUS episode of Dog Parentology, Iâll guide you through the fascinating path to one of the most impactful careers in canine care.
Weâll explore the five essential steps to building a professional foundation in dog psychology, from mastering multidisciplinary knowledge to uncovering root causes of behaviour and working collaboratively with veterinarians, trainers, and caregivers.
Youâll also learn how a canine psychologist differs from established roles like Certified Applied Animal Behaviourists and dog behaviouristsâdelving into systems thinking, neuroscience, and holistic behavioural care.
Plus, as a special bonus, Iâm sharing a free resource: the Emerging Dog Psychologist Comparative Matrix, designed to help you understand the distinctions across key roles in the field for only a limited time.
If youâre passionate about elevating your impact on dogs and their families, this episode is your first step toward becoming a professional canine psychologist. Tune in now!
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Life changes can be exciting but challengingâespecially when adding a baby, child, or grandparent to your home.
For families with reactive dogs, these transitions require preparation and adaptability. Without planning, stress can overwhelm human and canine members of the household. This episode focuses on 7 essential steps to help your dogs adjust to a growing family, creating harmony, reducing stress, and ensuring safety.
đ The Key 7 Steps Answered:
⢠0:00 to 1:49 - Introduction: Preparing your home for new family dynamics.
⢠1:50 to 4:55 - Step One: Introducing new items, scents, and routines.
⢠4:56 to 6:24 - Step Two: Creating safe, relaxing spaces for your dogs.
⢠6:25 to 8:00 - Step Three: Teaching all family members to interact respectfully with dogs.
⢠8:01 to 8:28 - Step Four: Reassessing boundaries as dynamics evolve.
⢠8:30 to 9:00 - Step Five: Gradually introducing your dogs to new activities.
⢠9:01 to 10:19 - Step Six: Using sensory-based positive associations to prepare for changes.
⢠10:20 to 12:00 - Step Seven: Building calm, predictable routines to support impulse control.
⢠12:01 to 12:30 - Family as a system: Understanding behavior through relationships.
⢠12:31 to 15:30 - Final tips, insights, and reflections on Season 1.
This episode isnât just about adjustmentsâitâs about fostering long-term harmony and ensuring your dog feels secure as your family evolves.
đĄ Free Resources to Help You Today:
⢠Free Interaction Signals Guide: Spot subtle signs of tension before fights escalate.
⢠System Patterns Tracker (for Patrons): Map out behavioral loops and find leverage points for change.
đ Links:
⢠Free Interaction Signals Guide
⢠Support us on Patreon
Together, we can stop breaking up families due to life transitions and give every dog the chance for a harmonious home.
Episode List from Season 1:
Episode 1: Dog Parentsâ Secrets: Systems Thinking and Psychology
Discover why your dog really acts the way they doâbeyond treats and commands.
Episode 2: Who is Controlling Your Dogâs Mind?
Meet the four hidden forces running your dogâs brain: Tom, Conrad, Reggie, and Viv.
Episode 3: Reactive Systems: Triggers and Long-term Solutions
Explore how sleep, family, and environment create reactivity and master NeuroBalance strategies.
Episode 4: Healing Your Dogâs Trauma-Induced Behaviour
Using neuroscience and the NeuroBalance Framework, learn to help your dog heal and build positive behaviors.
Episode 5: The New Science for Developing Impulse Control
Discover the revolutionary âSomething Betterâ technique and HLCPM for lasting impulse control.
Episode 6: When Your Dog Bites: From Betrayal to Understanding
Understand the real reasons behind biting and learn the path forward for you and your dog.
Episode 7: How to Stop Behavioural Euthanasia: 6 Steps to Save Multi-Dog Families with Systems Thinking
Discover 6 essential steps to decode conflict, manage resource guarding, and keep your dogs safe and balanced.
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"When Your Dog Bites: From Betrayal To Understanding - Episode 6 Highlights
What does a Level 5 bite really mean? Journey from military-style home management and protective gear to sharing couches and teaching tricks again. Learn why your dog's 'sudden' aggression is actually like a bathtub slowly filling up â and how to drain it.
Discover how Saturn, a dog driven by survival, transformed through understanding the silent language of trust. Through his story, understand why your dog isn't choosing to bite â their brain literally shuts down everything but survival mode. They can't hear your call, see your face, or smell treats.
But fear doesn't have to be the end of your story. When we fail our dogs, it's not about the failure â it's how we respond. With the right tools, endless patience, and unwavering commitment, even the deepest wounds can heal into something beautiful.
Saturn's journey proves that understanding leads to compassion, and what feels like an ending can become a doorway to something better.
đ§ Ready to transform your relationship with your dog? Listen to the full 30-minute episode to discover the exact steps Saturn's family took to go from crisis to connection, plus get our proven framework for understanding and healing bite behavior. This episode might just change everything for you and your dog.
Visit dogparentology.com/episode6 or find us wherever you get your podcasts.
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Are your dogs fighting, and you're worried it might lead to a heartbreaking decision?
Behavioural problems in multi-dog families can feel overwhelming, and too often, they lead to behavioural euthanasiaâan outcome no dog parent wants. But before you consider drastic measures, know this: there are solutions.
In this episode of Dog Parentology, discover the 6 crucial steps you can take using Systems Thinking to uncover the hidden patterns causing conflict in your multi-dog household. Fights, resource guarding, and stress arenât random eventsâtheyâre signals from the system. Learn how to decode these signals and restore balance and harmony.
đ Key Questions Answered:
Why do my dogs fight, and how serious is it?
What can I do to avoid behavioural euthanasia?
How can I recognise early signs of stress and tension between my dogs?
How do I manage and prevent resource guarding?
What strategies help divide attention fairly and calm multiple dogs?
How can Systems Thinking create lasting peace in my home?
đĄ Free Resources to Help You Today:
Free Interaction Signals Guide: Learn to spot the subtle signs of tension before conflicts escalate.
System Patterns Tracker (for Patrons): Identify and break harmful behavioural loops in your household system. This isnât just about fixing one fightâitâs about reshaping the system to keep your dogs safe, balanced, and at home where they belong.
đ§ Watch now, download your free guide and join our Patreon community for exclusive tools that support your mission to keep dogs in homes.
đ Links: Free Interaction Signals Guide: [Download Here]
Support the Podcast on Patreon: [Join Here]
Together, letâs stop behavioural euthanasia and give every dog the chance for a harmonious home.
#DogParentology #BehaviouralEuthanasia #SystemsThinking #MultiDogFamily #DogBehaviour #KeepDogsInHomes
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"'My dog just BIT me - really bit me. How could they do this to ME?'
These words, spoken through tears in emergency rooms and veterinary clinics, mark the moment everything changes between a dog and their person. If you're living this nightmare right now - separated from your dog, managing your home like a military operation, wearing protective gear just to get through daily tasks - this episode is your lifeline.
As an award-winning Canine Psychologist, I've sat with countless families in the aftermath of serious bites. Through Saturn's remarkable journey - a Moroccan street dog who delivered multiple Level 4-5 bites - discover why there's hope even in the darkest moments. This isn't just another 'manage your reactive dog' story. This is about transformation: from planning euthanasia to planning playdates, from living in fear to building deep trust.
What makes Saturn's story different? It challenges everything you've been told about 'fixing' aggressive dogs. Instead of just focusing on the bites, we looked at the whole picture - from medical conditions to emotional trauma.
You'll discover:
Why your dog isn't choosing to bite any more than you choose to jump when startledHow what looks like 'sudden' aggression is actually more like a bathtub slowly filling upWhy it's extraordinarily rare that behavioral euthanasia is the only optionHow families go from wearing protective gear to sharing their couch againBut here's what makes this episode truly special: Saturn's setback. After months of progress, one distracted moment at an elevator led to another serious bite. What happened next shows the true depth of committed dog parenting and offers a masterclass in how to handle the moments when things go wrong.
This episode is your guide through the crisis. Whether you're:
Facing behavioral euthanasia decisionsLiving separated from your dogManaging your home like a military operationDesperate for answers and hopeYou'll find both understanding and a way forward. Because every bite has a story. And that story doesn't start with the bite.
For additional resources, visit www.dogparentology.com for:
Extended episode notes and infographicsOur comprehensive blog for explaining the science-behind each episodeLinks to all podcast episodesJoin us for this powerful journey from crisis to transformation, from fear to understanding, from betrayal to trust.
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Join Canine Psychologist, Sparky, on the Dog Parentology Podcast as she explores the transformative power of impulse control for your dog's emotional and neurological balance. Discover the innovative 'something better' technique, designed to help dogs make positive choices through calm guidance rather than traditional commands. Sparky shares practical steps for developing impulse control, highlighting real-world examples, such as Jersey--a dog with severe impulse control issues transformed by exercises and sensory experiences. Learn about the bottom-up and top-down processes driving impulse control, and gain insights into building trust and connection with your furry friend. Stick around for a free downloadable guide and understand how your own behavior may influence your dog's actions. This episode is a must-listen for dog parents dedicated to nurturing a deeper bond with their pets.
YOU WILL LEARN:
The Brainâs Role in Impulse Control: How key structures like the limbic system and prefrontal cortex affect your dogâs decision-making and emotional responses.
Practical Strategies: Science-based techniques you can use to help your dog develop better self-regulation in everyday situations.
Human-Centric Connection: How your role as a caregiver can positively influence your dogâs behaviour through co-regulation and empathy.
This episode offers a fresh perspective on helping your dog manage their impulses by focusing on whatâs happening in their mind, not just their actions. Itâs all about creating a deeper understanding and a stronger bond with your dog. Subscribe for more insights from Dog Parentology, and let us know how youâre helping your dog develop impulse control in the comments below! đ Donât miss future episodesâsubscribe and hit the notification bell! đ Join our Patreon community for only the cost of a small cup of coffee, for exclusive content and early access: https://www.patreon.com/DogParentologyPodcast
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In this episode, we explore how trauma, environment, and even genetics shape your dogâs behavior. If youâve ever wondered why your dog reacts unpredictably, or if their stress is rooted in something deeper, this is the episode for you!
We cover topics like understanding your dogâs brain under stress, how trauma affects their emotions, sleep, and actions, and how social environments and household dynamics play a role in recovery. Youâll also discover the NeuroBalance Wheel, a tool designed to gauge your dogâs executive function health.
If youâre a dog parent or a pet behavior consultant, and you want deeper insights into dog behavior, this episode provides valuable information from a Systems Thinking perspective.
Chapters:
⢠00:00 Cracking Canine Behavior
⢠00:15 Breaking the Mold: Innovative Dog Behavior Solutions
⢠01:06 Inside the Mind: Understanding Your Dogâs Brain
⢠02:39 Recognizing Trauma in Dogs
⢠04:47 What is Trauma in Dogs?
⢠07:41 Unpredictable Behavior as a Sign of Trauma
⢠09:02 Traumaâs Cellular Impact on Your Dog
⢠10:04 Is Your Dogâs Anxiety Hardwired?
⢠12:04 Traumaâs Physiological Toll on Dogs
⢠12:49 Trauma Disrupts Your Dogâs Sleep
⢠15:06 How Trauma Affects Feelings and Actions
⢠15:11 Behavior and Environment in Recovery
⢠16:47 What Happens When a Traumatized Dog Enters a New Social Setting?
⢠19:30 Could Your Dogâs Past Be Affecting Their Behavior?
⢠20:04 The Role of Culture in Treating Trauma
⢠23:34 Has Something Deeper Been Overlooked?
⢠27:42 The NeuroBalance Wheel: A Game-Changer for Dog Parents
⢠28:17 A Gauge to Assess Your Dogâs Executive Function
⢠28:54 Take Action: Supporting Your Dogâs Recovery
⢠34:30 Recap and Encouragement
Visit our blog for more: dogparentology.com/blog
Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/DogParentologyPodcast
Social Media:
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⢠LinkedIn
⢠Instagram
⢠TikTok
⢠Join our Dog Parentology Community Group: Facebook
#DogBehavior #CertifiedAppliedAnimalBehaviorist #PetBehaviorModification #CanineBehavior #EvidenceBasedDogTraining #DogAnxietyManagement #NeuroBalanceWheel #DogTrainingScience #CanineWelfareResearch #VeterinaryAdvice #SystemsThinkingforDogs
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Episode 2: Unlocking Your Dogâs Triggers: A Science-Backed Guide to Calm
In this episode of Dog Parentology, we take a deep dive into one of the most challenging aspects of dog behaviourâtriggers. What makes your dog go from calm to reactive in an instant? Using my proprietary Bio-Coloured Framework and Systems Thinking, we'll explore how triggers emerge in your dog's brain and body, leading to stress, anxiety, and behavioural outbursts.
Youâll learn about the four behavioural pathwaysâBlue, Red, White, and Greenâwhat each one represents, and how to guide your dog back to a state of calm. We'll also introduce proactive exercises to build confidence and resilience, helping you prevent emotional "overflows" before they happen.
This episode isnât just about managing behaviour; itâs about creating a meaningful connection with your dog by understanding their mind and supporting their recovery in a way that aligns with their unique neurological makeup. Tune in to discover a science-backed approach that goes beyond traditional training and offers a pathway to real change.
Curious to know whatâs really going on inside your dogâs brain? Join us and start unlocking the hidden language of your dogâs mind.
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Are you at your witsâ end with a dog that barks constantly, reacts to everything, and just wonât listen? In this episode, I break down whatâs really going on in your dogâs brain during those moments of chaos. Youâll meet Reggie, Tom, and Conradâcharacters that simplify the science behind your dogâs reactivity. More importantly, youâll learn how to turn things around.
Through easy-to-understand insights into neuroplasticity and behaviour, Iâll show you how to rewire your dogâs brain to help them stay calm, focus, and listen. No more daily battles with barking fits, leash reactivity, or seemingly uncooperative behaviour. Youâll walk away with actionable steps to create positive experiences that will reduce your dogâs overreactions, ease your stress, and strengthen the bond between you both.
If youâre ready to stop the headaches and start seeing real changes in your dogâs behaviour, this episode is for you. Subscribe, tune in, and letâs turn frustration into relief.
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In this insightful episode, we unlock the power of Systems Thinking to tackle complex dog behavior challenges, including dog aggression and potential dog bite scenarios. As a dog parent or dog owner, understanding the interconnected elements that contribute to your dogâs reactivity is key. Learn how addressing root causesârather than just the symptomsâcan lead to long-term solutions, improving your dogâs well-being and behavior. Discover how these strategies can create a safer, more peaceful environment for both you and your dog.
