Shows
Enrichment for the Real World#120 - Why Your Pet Needs a Safe Space (and How to Make One)Whether your pet is overwhelmed by the doorbell, a new houseguest, or the invisible ghosts that apparently live in the laundry room, having a safe space can make a world of difference. In this episode of Enrichment for the Real World, Emily and Ellen break down why safe spaces aren’t just cozy corners—they’re essential tools for helping our pets (and us!) navigate stress in all its forms: tolerable, chronic, and toxic.You'll learn what makes a safe space effective, why avoiding stress isn't the goal, and how breaking this concept down into smaller teachable skills...2025-06-2346 min
Behavior Buzzzzzz with 2 AmysScience DOES Matter!Dr. Kristina Spaulding returns to flip the script on the Amys! Research Bites is Dr. Spaulding’s podcast and platform for delivering applied animal behavior to non-scientists, and revealing how science and research apply to working and living with dogs in our everyday lives. Join the conversation about everything from the Mind-Body Unit, to the controversy over the game of fetch.What if a rose was not a rose at all? How should veterinarians, trainers, and behavior consultants be working collectively toward common goals?...2025-06-181h 12
Research Bites Podcast#30 - Dr. Amy Learn and Dr. Amy Pike on medical issues and behaviorIn this episode, we’re joined by not one, but two Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorists—Dr. Amy Learn and Dr. Amy Pike—for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation on the intersection of medicine and behavior. We dive into Dr. Spaulding’s new favorite concept: mindbody unity, and explore how physical health and behavior are deeply intertwined.Dr. Pike has been caring for patients for well over 20 years. She is a Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist, and Certified Dog Behavior Consultant through IAABC, and is Fear Free Certified. She is the Secretary for the American College of Veterinary Behaviorist's Board of Regen...2025-06-181h 14
Behavior Buzzzzzz with 2 AmysStressed The F Out!Have you ever been stressed out? Were you experiencing eustress, distress, or toxic stress? Do you know what factors in your life have directly affected your stress threshold? Join the Amys and their bee-guiling guest, Dr. Kristina Spaulding - the stress expert - and founder of Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior, as they discuss all the F words that have to do with stress and how it affects our bodies. They touch on the important areas of the brain that deal with stress and some strategies for better coping....2025-04-021h 37
PPG PodcastPPG Advocacy Panel: Why Positive Reinforcement?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!2025-04-021h 00Research Bites Podcast#29: Dr. Lisa Gunter on sleepovers and field trips for shelter dogsIn this episode of the Research Bites podcast, Dr. Spaulding interviews Dr. Lisa Gunter about her work on reducing stress and improving welfare in shelter dogs. If you work or volunteer in a shelter – or work closely with shelter or rescue dogs - this is the podcast for you! Lisa Gunter is an Assistant Professor of Animal Behavior and Welfare at Virginia Tech in the School of Animal Sciences, and she directs the Center for Applied Animal Behavior and Education. Before beginning her graduate studies, she worked for nearly a decade in animal shelters and with pet dogs...2025-03-061h 04Research Bites Podcast#28 Science Myths Busted: Understanding Behavior and the Role of ScienceIn this episode, we explore two common myths about science and how they relate to the world of dog training and behavior:Myth #1: Science is elitist and doesn’t apply to the real world.The Truth: Science is for everyone! You don’t need a fancy degree to understand and apply science in meaningful ways.Science is deeply connected to real-world applications, including the everyday work of dog training and behavior.Dr. Spaulding shares examples of research that directly informs and improves how we work with dogs.Myth #2: There are...2025-01-2536 min
Reward Your Dog Podcast#19 Digging into Nervous System Dysregulation with Gabrielle Johnson / Best Life Dog ServicesIn this information-packed episode, Jesse and Verena interview Gabrielle Johnson of Best Life Dog Services who generously shares their vast knowledge about the topic of nervous system dysregulation. Dogs with dysregulated nervous systems may struggle to bounce back after stressful events, have difficulty settling in the home, seem depressed, and more. Do you have a dysregulated dog? And what can you do to help them? Listen to find out more!Thank you to Gabrielle Johnson of Best Life Dog Services for this awesome interview. Gabrielle's shoutout goes to "Research Bites" by Dr. Kristina Spaulding for...2024-12-161h 04Research Bites Podcast#27: Dr. Sara Hintze on animal well-being and intrinsic reward00:00 Introduction to Research Bites Podcast 00:30 Join the Research Bites Membership 01:08 Introducing Dr. Sara Hintze 02:01 Dr. Hintze's Journey into Animal Welfare 04:43 The Evolution of Animal Welfare Science 06:22 Understanding Positive Welfare in Animals 09:33 Challenges in Measuring Animal Emotions 14:58 Individual Differences in Animal Welfare 19:28 Cognitive Bias and Optimism in Animals 22:28 Assessing Well-Being in Individual Animals 28:40 Balancing Individual Differences in Animal Training 30:23 The Importance of Addressing Underlying Problems 33:01 Introduction to Flow in Animal Behavior 34:10 Defining Intrinsic Reward and Flow 37:13 Exploring Flow in Animals 48:31 Inducing Flow in Companion Animals 51:39 Futu...2024-11-1655 minResearch Bites Podcast#26: Dr. Daniel Mills on understanding animal emotions and behaviorIn this episode of the Research Bites podcast, host Dr. Kristina Spaulding interviews Professor Daniel Mills, a renowned expert in veterinary behavioral medicine from the University of Lincoln. They explore the complexities of animal behavior, the evolution of different behavioral models, and the role of emotions in influencing behavior. Professor Mills shares insights from his extensive research, including the development of the psychobiological model for assessing animal behavior and his work on using AI to detect emotions and pain in animals.Key Topics Covered:Behavioral Models Explained: Differences between the medical, behavioral...2024-10-211h 10Research Bites PodcastPodcast Update!Hello everyone! I am taking a break to develop a more effective and consistent system for podcast production so that I can release episodes on a regular timeline. That means I need to take a short break to get everything organized, but rest assured we will be back soon!For more information, please check out my website and social media links below! Website: https://sciencemattersllc.com/ Unlocking Resilience: https://sciencemattersllc.com/unlocking-resilience Research Bites: https://sciencemattersllc.com/research-bites Facebook ...2024-10-1602 min
Backyard Pet Talk with Shannon RileyThe Stress Factor in Dogs Unlocking Resiliency and Enhancing Well-Being with Kristina Spaulding, PHD, CAABKristina Spaulding, PHD, CAAB, tells us how stress impacts your dog's brain, behavior and welfare! When you understand and recognize stress in your dog, you will help be able to prevent and deal with problematic behavior!Check out her newly released book, "THE STRESS FACTOR IN DOGS UNLOCKING RESILIENCY AND ENHANCING WELL-BEING"2024-08-2330 minResearch Bites Podcast#25 Monique Udell - Problem solving, communication, and attachment (full length version of original, shortened version)Your host: Kristina Spaulding, PhD, CAAB with Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior, LLCThis podcast was originally released in March 2022 as a shortened version. This is the full version of the original podcast.My guest today is Dr. Monique Udell. Dr. Udell is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and an Associate Professor of Animal & Rangeland Sciences at Oregon State University, where she directs the Human-Animal Interactions Lab and teaches courses on Animal Behavior, Cognition and Learning. Much of her work focuses on the development of human-animal bonds, with wild and domesticated animals, and the...2024-08-121h 04
Barkology: Unleash your dog’s potentialStress and your dog with Dr Kristina SpauldingIn this episode, Chantal and Angelique talk to Dr Kristina Spaulding about stress and how it relates to and affects dogs.
Dr. Kristina Spaulding owns Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior LLC. She has a PhD in biopsychology—the study of the biological basis of behavior—and is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist. Dr. Spaulding teaches a variety of online courses and webinars on the science of behavior through her website, www.sciencemattersllc.com. She is also the author of The Stress Factor in Dogs: Unlocking Resiliency and Enhancing Well-Being.2024-08-091h 00Research Bites Podcast#24: Mini episode 4 - Pair housing revisited, survey on guardian training methods and information sourcesSummaryIn this conversation, Kristina discusses two research papers. The first paper explores the effects of pair housing versus single housing in shelter dogs (yes, this was discussed last episode, but this is a 2nd study on the same topic, from a different perspective). The study found that pair housing with another dog may decrease stress levels and reduce the length of stay in shelters. The second paper examines training methods used by dog owners in the United States. The study found that problem behaviors were common in dogs, and aversive training methods were frequently...2024-07-0825 minPPG PodcastChat & Chuckle with Dr. Kristina Spaulding of Science Matters Academy of Animal BehaviorJoin Niki Tudge and Judy Luther as they chat and chuckle with Dr. Kristina Spaulding about her new classes and courses! Dr. Spaulding's educational offerings can be found on her website, Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior.2024-07-021h 04
Enrichment for the Real World#83 - Enrichment for SheltersLast week, we heard from Mara Velez, and one of the topics we discussed was how BEAR can help shelters. This week, we're going to dive further into enrichment for shelters and talk about implementation with the animals in your life.In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about: Emily's love language, which I don't love sometimesAccepting a linear time frame and accepting that Kristina Spaulding can't go back 20 years to write her book and have made past me and Emily better shelter workers The sad trombone that sometimes comes with rest as a primary st...2024-07-0141 minResearch Bites Podcast#23 - Dr. Patricia McConnell on intrinsic reinforcement, flow, and agencySummaryIn this conversation, Dr. Patricia McConnell and Dr. Kristina Spaulding explore the concept of flow, which is a state of complete absorption and engagement in an activity that is intrinsically rewarding. They discuss how flow can vary among individuals and how it relates to different activities dogs might do. The conversation highlights the importance of providing opportunities for animals to engage in activities purely for their own enjoyment. They also discuss the importance of providing animals with opportunities for agency and choice, allowing them to actively engage with their environment and gather...2024-06-281h 03Research Bites Podcast#22: Mini-episode 3 - Puppy whines and maternal care, impacts of housing on shelter dog stressSummaryIn this conversation, I discuss two research papers related to dog behavior. The first paper explores the influence of puppy whines on maternal behavior in dogs. The study found that puppy whines trigger maternal care - with stronger maternal care in response to the mother's own puppies. The second paper examines the impact of different enrichment interventions on the stress levels of dogs in a shelter. The study suggests that housing dogs with conspecifics may be beneficial in reducing stress. However, the results are not clear cut and I discuss the limitations and challenges i...2024-06-0723 minResearch Bites Podcast#21 - Dr. Lucia Lazarowski - Odor and cognition, working dogs, resilience and arousalDr. Lucia Lazarowski, chief behavioral scientist at Auburn University's Canine Performance Sciences Program, discusses her research on olfaction and behavior in detection dogs. Dr. Lazarewski shares insights on the best methods for training dogs to detect odors, the capacity of dogs to learn multiple odors, and the maintenance of odor memory and search training. We also discuss the fascinating topic of inattentional blindness and how focus on one thing can prevent dogs from even noticing other stimuli - as well as the implications on training and the overall ability of the dog to cope with their environment...2024-05-301h 06PPG PodcastAdvocacy Panel: How Do We Turn Prospects Into Clients?Listen as the PPG Advocacy Panel talks about ways to turn prospects into clients.
Your Moderator: PPG Advocacy Task Force Chair Don Hanson
Your Advocacy Panel for this discussion: Dr. Eduardo Fernandez, Dr. Kristina Spaulding, Beth Adelman, Daniel Antolec, Allison Hunter-Frederick, Judy Luther, Sandra Machado, Debbie Sheridan, and Sam Wike
Enjoy listening to the Advocacy Panel’s informal, free-flowing discussion!2024-05-1659 minResearch Bites Podcast#20: Mini-episode #2 - Perspectives on puppy development, training and impulse control, barking in sheltersIt's time for another mini-episode on recent research! In this episode, I discuss papers about 1) gaps in our understanding of puppy development, from a unique perspective, 2) the impact of dog sports discipline (e.g. obedience or nosework) on impulse control and persistence, and 3) a program for reducing barking in shelter dogs. Each paper is summarized briefly in easy to understand language so you don't have to work - or find the time! - to find, read, and interpret the research yourself. If you enjoyed this information and would like more opportunities to stay current with dog behavior...2024-05-1329 min
Dans La NicheEP60 : Lola Burton - Le chien sensibleDans ce nouvel épisode, je suis ravie de vous partager ma conversation avec Lola Burton. Lola est comportementaliste canin spécialisée dans l’accompagnement des chiens dits sensibles, anxieux ou encore peureux… Dans cette discussion, elle nous raconte son parcours avec ses chiens et comment un voyage en Asie a changé sa vie. De son intérêt pour les chiens des rues à son parcours professionnel, Lola nous partage sa vision de l’accompagnement des chiens dit sensibles. Que signifie cette étiquette, qu’est-ce qu’un traumatisme, comment aider un chien qui se trouve dans cette situation ? Vous saurez tout, ou pr...2024-04-241h 08
Le seuil de mon chienEpisode 11 : Travailler la résilience de son chien - raisons et exemplesLa résilience : un terme qu'on entend souvent, y compris en psychologie humaine. Mais qu'est-ce donc au juste ? Pourquoi la travailler ? Quelles en sont les composantes ? Dans cet épisode, nous tentons de répondre à ces questions. Nous précisons comme toujours que les exemples apportés ne sont que des exemples : à chaque cas ses solutions, à analyser individuellement.A lire sur le sujet : l'ouvrage "The stress factors in dogs" du Dr Kristina Spaulding.2024-04-1740 minPPG PodcastPPG Advocacy Panel: Unrealistic Expectations—Where Do They Come From and How Do We Diffuse Them?It's time to get real! Listen as the PPG Advocacy Panel discusses unrealistic expectations for pets, where those expectations come from, and how to diffuse them.
Your moderator for this discussion is Don Hanson and the panelists are Dr. Kristina Spaulding, Daniel Antolec, Kristi Benson, Kim Silver, and Sam Wike.2024-03-221h 03Research Bites Podcast#19: Mini-episode #1 - Handling in horses, cat aggression at the vet clinic and at home, pandemic puppiesHere is a quick little episode for you with a summary of three recent papers. If you enjoyed this information and would like more opportunities to stay current with dog behavior research, check out Research Bites here. You can also get more information on my courses and upcoming events at www.sciencemattersllc.com. Papers discussed in this episode:Pereira-Figueiredo, I., Rosa, I., & Sancho Sanchez, C. (2024). Forced Handling Decreases Emotionality but Does Not Improve Young Horses’ Responses toward Humans and their Adaptability to Stress. Animals, 14(5), 784. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/5/784 Gerken, A., Lee, K., Ba...2024-03-2122 minResearch Bites Podcast#18 - Dr. Erin Hecht - Breed differences in dog brainsIn this episode, I will be talking to Dr. Erin Hecht. She received her bachelor of science degree in cognitive science from the University of California, San Diego in 2006, and her PhD in neuroscience from Emory University in 2013. Before moving to Harvard, she was a research scientist at the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience at Georgia State University and an affiliated scientist at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center at Emory University.Dr. Hecht joined the Department of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University in January of 2019. Her lab studies brain behavior, evolution, and dogs, primates, and humans...2024-03-1440 minResearch Bites Podcast#17 - Dr. Sharmaine Miller - One HealthDr. Sharmaine Miller is a Postdoctoral Fellow at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. Her research focuses on stress, One Health, and health equity and she is interested in human-animal relationships and their impact on both human and animal health.Dr. Miller completed her undergraduate studies at Towson University (2010 - 2014) and her PhD in Biology from Pennsylvania State University (2014 - 2019). Her PhD focused on stress (biology and exposure) and its effects on animal behavior. She is currently conducting research on the stress and health impacts of animal-assisted therapy as well as potential health impacts of pet ownership...2024-02-021h 12Research Bites Podcast#16 - Pierre Zimmerman - Addressing burnout and emotional well-being in humansWe can't help animals if we, ourselves, are not okay. Taking care of your mental health and well-being is essential to avoid burnout. In this episode, I interview Pierre Zimmerman, a Buddhist chaplain and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction instructor. We discuss the impact of stress on different aspects of behavior, and approaches for handling stress and uncertainty. Drawing parallels from animal behavior, Pierre explains how mindfulness can foster compassion, empathy, and better communication among humans. Set aside some time and give yourself the gift of listening to this episode - you won't regret it! If you'd like to...2024-01-301h 03Research Bites Podcast#15 - Dr. Allison Scagel - Cognition and trainingDr. Allison Scagel. She is the owner and founder of Scholars with Collars Training and Behavior LLC. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a bachelor's degree in wildlife and conservation biology and minors in both psychology and animal behavior. She then interned with Dr. Spaulding for three years. She also served as a dog kennel attendant for the Humane Society of Rome and upstate New York for two years during this period.In 2022, she completed her PhD in behavioral neuroscience at the University of Buffalo. There, she studied canine cognition and behavior work, which...2023-10-0551 minResearch Bites Podcast#14 - Puppy Independence Trails with Rose BrowneThis episode's guest is Rose Browne. She was a student in my Unlocking Resilience course. I decided to have her on because I was so impressed by one of the assignments that she submitted for this course that I asked if she'd be willing to come on the podcast to talk about her idea more and share it with a wider audience. Rose is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner and a Fear-free Certified professional animal trainer. With over 25 years of experience in dog training with a primary focus on canine behavior modification and preventing problems b...2023-08-0944 min
Tails from the Dog House: Separation Anxiety ExplainedStress in Dogs with special guest Dr Kristina SpauldingIn this episode Stacey and Ness meet with Dr. Kristina Spaulding, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, to discuss stress. We cover types of stress and the impacts of stress, as well as building resilience to stress. You can find more information about Dr. Kristina Spaulding on her website at:https://sciencemattersllc.com/Her awesome book, The Stress Factor in Dogs: Unlocking Resiliency and Enhancing Well-Being, can be found here:https://www.dogwise.com/the-stress-factor-in-dogs-unlocking-resiliency-and-enhancing-well-being/
==========================================
This podcast discusses Separation Anxiety in dogs and how to fix it.
Two global specialists (all certified as Separation Anxiety Pro Behavior Consultants) discuss all things...2023-07-271h 00Research Bites Podcast#13 - Dr. Tammy McClain, PsyD - Navigating challenging client conversationsDr. McClain is a licensed clinical psychologist who has 27 years of experience administering and evaluating a wide variety of personality, intelligence, and aptitude psychological tests. She is an innovative and understanding professional proficient in mental health and therapeutic interventions and protocols.In addition, she has expertise in ADHD and PTSD and is well-versed in providing strategic direction and ongoing leadership to academic programs. She obtained her certification in dog training from Catch Canine Trainers Academy in 2022, and is the owner of Positive Attitude Dog Trainers in Northern West Virginia where she provides obedience training and behavioral consultation.2023-07-171h 09Research Bites Podcast#12 - Dr. Lindsay Palmer - Peoples attitudes about dog training. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.Dr. Lindsay Palmer is a social psychologist who earned her PhDs in Psychology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from the Pennsylvania State University in 2022. Before attending Penn State, she earned her B.A. from the University of Virginia and managed a UVa laboratory in social cognition and behavior for two years. Currently, she is a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences at the UMass Chan Medical School. She has been accepted as a scholar at the Human-Animal Studies Summer Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to further advance her work in...2023-06-301h 13
Enrichment for the Real World#43 - Why Your Dog Training Isn't WorkingLast week we heard from Dr. Kristina Spaulding and one of the topics we discussed was The Stress Factor in Dogs. This week we’re going to dive further into a common reason why folks say training isn’t working, which is providing a challenge that is well-matched to the animal’s skill set, and talk about implementation with the animals in your life.In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about:What grade schools and dog training have in commonHow to provide the right kind of challenge for your petA dog who had to be tau...2023-05-0118 minResearch Bites Podcast#11 Dr. Clive Wynne - Dog behavior research, anthropomorphism, clicker trainingIn this episode, I speak with Doctor Clive Wynne. Dr. Wynne is Professor of Psychology at Arizona State University and Director of Research at Wolf Park, Indiana. He was educated at University College London and Edinburgh University in Scotland and has studied animal behavior in Britain, Germany, the U.S., and Australia in species ranging from pigeons to dunnarts (a mouse-sized marsupial). Several years ago he founded the Canine Cognition and Behavior Lab dedicated to the study of dogs and their wild relatives. As well as numerous scientific papers, he has also written for Psychology Today, American Scientist, the...2023-04-251h 07
Enrichment for the Real World#42 - Dr. Kristina Spaulding: The Stress Factor in DogsIn this week's episode of Enrichment for the Real World, we are joined by Dr. Kristina Spaulding, author of The Stress Factor in Dogs: Unlocking Resiliency and Enhancing Well-Being. Stress and its effect on behavior is one of those topics that benefit everyone to know about. It’s such an integral part of understanding behavior and addressing needs of every individual! And Kristina talks about it in a way that is so down to Earth. In this episode, you’re going to hear Emily and Kristina talk about:The difference between eustress, tolerable stress, and toxic stres...2023-04-241h 10