Chat & Chuckle with Suzanne Clothier About the Functional Assessment Tracking (FAT) App
Watch Niki Tudge and Judy Luther chat and chuckle with Suzanne Clothier about the Functional Assessment Tracking (FAT) app. The recording is FREE to all! See below for the link to register. Read on for more information about the FAT app FAT (Functional Assessment Tracking) is an online assessment tool that views the dog as a functional being across these dimensions: Functional behaviors are the behaviors of daily life necessary for a dog’s well-being. Functional behaviors contribute to the animal’s quality of life and are important to health and well-being,… Continued
“A Dog’s View” by Kristy and Jamie Spencer
PPG member Kristy Spencer and her son Jamie have made a short film called, “A Dog’s View.” Jamie is doing a filmmaking degree at the Film School in Manchester. “The aim of the film is to hopefully help people develop a better understanding of how dogs see their world around them, including all sensory inputs,” said Kristy. “It’s going to be the start of a mini series of films to help express how a dog perceives its world and develop a deeper understanding of why dogs struggle with certain aspects… Continued
Industry News: Update on the U.K. “American XL Bully” Ban
The following update is from Cooper & Co. Solicitors, which specializes in criminal and civil cases involving dogs in England and Wales: The ban is being introduced in stages. The first thing to know is that you should STOP any plans you may have for breeding from an XL Bully, as by the time the puppies are born it will be illegal to sell the puppies (or even give them away). DEFRA has published what it says is the “Official definition of an XL Bully dog” and it summarizes what they… Continued
Industry News: U.K. Aims to Ban “American XL Bully”
On September 15, 2023, the U.K. government announced its intention to add American XL Bully dogs to its list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dog Act. Read the full story here. A panel discussion entitled, “XL Bully Ban: What We Know So Far,” was held on September 24, 2023. The panelists included Trevor Cooper (Solicitor), Mel Rushmore and Andrea Phillips (Deed Not Breed), and Mike Webb (Battersea Dogs’ and Cats’ Home). Watch the recording here. As stated in PPG’s position statement on breed specific legislation, “PPG holds that Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) such as… Continued
Shock and Prong Collars Banned in Spain
Spain has joined the growing list of countries banning the use of shock and prong collars on animals. Read the full story here.
Action Needed! The Final Push for the U.K. Shock Collar Ban
We need your help to make a final, hard push for the e-collar ban in the United Kingdom! Please email the Leader of the House and ask her to re-schedule the House of Commons debate that was cancelled back in June, so that the legislation can go through on the timetable stated back in April. This will be a triumph for animal welfare! If you have friends, family or colleagues in the United Kingdom, please pass this email along to them so they can take action as well. Even if… Continued
PPG’s New Pet Training Science Alliance Program
Join Niki Tudge, Jean Donaldson, Judy Luther, and Rebekah King as they gather to officially launch PPG’s new Pet Training Science Alliance (PTSA)! Learn about what the program is, how the program works, and how you can help support it as an educator or as a learner. Stay up to date on the latest PTSA projects here: https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/Pet-Training-Science-Alliance Listen to the podcast on a choice of platforms here. Or simply click on the “play” button below. Recorded September 25, 2023
Take Part in Groundbreaking Puppy Research Run by University of Lincoln and Zigzag
Did you know? There has been minimal research surrounding puppy development since the 1960s, with huge gaps existing in our knowledge—particularly in relation to specific breed behaviours and traits. Crazy, isn’t it? Zigzag has joined forces with the University of Lincoln, and we want you to join us and be a pioneer in new, modern research—research that could prove crucial to puppy development. Through this research, you and your clients could be a direct reason for people to gain a better understanding of puppy behaviour that would ultimately help improve… Continued
PPG’s Ethics Review Process—A Reminder
Professional ethics are of utmost importance here at PPG, and we take reports about ethics violations very seriously. PPG’s ethics review process is detailed and confidential, and has worked exceptionally well since it was created more than 12 years ago. However, in order for PPG’s Ethics Committee to investigate an ethics violation report, the person making the report must provide complete information and evidence to support their claim. For legal, ethical and other reasons, PPG can’t investigate ethics complaints based on hearsay. Read more about PPG’s ethics review process and requirements… Continued
Chat & Chuckle with Katenna Jones About Working with Dogs and Cats Together
Join Laura Cassiday and Joanna Wachowiak-Finlaison as they chat and chuckle with Katenna Jones of Jones Animal Behavior about working with dogs and cats together. Animal behavior is not a new field for Katenna, nor a hobby turned into a career—it’s all she’s ever done. She became a shelter volunteer in 1998 while earning a Bachelor’s degree in biology, then went on to earn a Master’s in psychology with a focus on animal behavior from Brown University. Katenna is Rhode Island’s only Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and Certified Cat Behavior Consultant,… Continued
Dogs Demystified: An A-to-Z Guide to All Things Canine with Dr. Marc Bekoff
Join Niki Tudge as she chats with Dr. Marc Bekoff about his recent book, Dogs Demystified: An A-to-Z Guide to All Things Canine, including some annoying dog myths that are covered in the book. The book is available on Amazon here. Listen to the podcast on a choice of platforms here. Or simply click on the “play” button below. Recorded July 31, 2023
Chat & Chuckle with Dale Ward: Raising the Worst Dog Ever! (Part 1)
Join Niki Tudge and Judy Luther as they chat and chuckle with Dale Ward of Dale’s Dog Training Academy about her book, Raising the Worst Dog Ever: A Survival Guide—winner in the Human/Animal Bond category of the 2020 Dog Writers Association of America competition! Enjoy listening as Niki, Judy, and Dale share their expertise in a fun, free-flowing format! Listen to the podcast on a choice of platforms here. Or simply click on the “play” button below. Recorded May 29, 2023
England Bans Shock Collars
Great news! England has banned the use of remote-controlled electric collars on dogs, effective February 1, 2024. The Kennel Club, which led the decade-long effort, made the announcement on Friday, April 28. Please help keep the momentum going! If you haven’t already done so, sign the Shock-Free Pledge today and encourage your friends, clients and colleagues to sign as well.
Chat & Chuckle with Dr. Kristina Spaulding and Irith Bloom
Chat & Chuckle with Dr. Kristina Spaulding and Irith Bloom Join Niki Tudge as she chats and chuckles with Dr. Kristina Spaulding of Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior and Irith Bloom of The Sophisticated Dog about agency and choice, as well as slow thinking, stress, learned helplessness and much more! Pet guardians and pet professionals, enjoy listening as Dr. Spaulding, Irith and Niki share their expertise in a fun, free-flowing format! Listen to the podcast on a choice of platforms here. Or simply click on the “play” button… Continued
Chat & Chuckle with Dr. Jennifer Nesbitt-Hawes of Pet Perspective
Chat & Chuckle with Dr. Jennifer Nesbitt-Hawes of Pet Perspective Join Niki Tudge and Judy Luther as they chat and chuckle with Dr. Jennifer Nesbitt-Hawes of Pet Perspective in Australia about training and socializing puppies! Pet guardians and pet professionals, enjoy listening as Dr. Nesbitt-Hawes, Niki and Judy share their expertise in a fun, free-flowing format! Listen to the podcast on a choice of platforms here. Or simply click on the “play” button below. Recorded February 27, 2023
Chat & Chuckle with Carrie Anne Selwyn of Canine Hoopers World
Join Niki Tudge and Judy Luther as they chat and chuckle with Carrie Anne Selwyn of Canine Hoopers World based in Surrey, United Kingdom, about hoopers! Learn why Carrie calls hoopers “the laziest dog sport for the handler,” but also one of the most inclusive sports for dogs. Pet guardians and pet professionals, enjoy listening as Carrie, Niki and Judy share their expertise in a fun, free-flowing format! Listen to the podcast on a choice of platforms here. Or simply click on the “play” button below.… Continued
France Bans “Training” Devices That Cause Pain to Animals
On January 16, 2023, Members of Parliament in France voted to ban the “use on cats or dogs of any device that has an electrical charge, a looping collar which tightens without a restriction or which has spikes turned in towards the animal’s body.” Click here to read the full story.
PetSafe Shock Collars Falsely Touted as Safe, Dog Owner Alleges
There is a new legal filing in California. It is a Class Action Against Radio Systems. A new Class Action case has been filed in California. The lawyer we have spoken to over the last year has finally found a member of the public with legal standing. You can read more here as it has been picked up by Bloomberg Law. PPG is mentioned in the filing and our resources are cited. https://news.bloomberglaw.com/health-law-and-business/petsafe-shock-collars-falsely-touted-as-safe-dog-owner-alleges The complete legal filing can be found here This is a consumer class action arising out of misrepresentations and… Continued
The PPG 2023 Summit Save The Date!
Homeward Bound – Transitioning Pets into Their New Homes Save The Dates Fun & Enriching Education for Pets & Their People Dates Nov 1-5, 2023, Arizona Humane Society 2023 Presentation Topics Homeward Bound Matchmaking 101: Pairing the Right Pet With the Best Home Welcoming a New Pet: Reality, NOT “Reality TV” Look, Listen and Learn: Teaching People What Their Pets Are Telling Them Animal Husbandry: Top 10 Important Skills & Knowledge for Clients From Cautious to Confident: Fun and Games for Shy Pets AND Their People Simplifying Shaping Skills… Continued
Chat & Chuckle with Irith Bloom of The Sophisticated Dog
Join Niki Tudge and PPG Canine Division Chair Judy Luther to Chat & Chuckle with Irith Bloom. Irith is the owner of The Sophisticated Dog and offers virtual, online training for dogs and other pets. Enjoy listening as Niki, Judy and Irith share their expertise in a fun, free-flowing format! Listen to the podcast on a choice of platforms here. Or simply click on the “play” button below. Recorded August 22, 2022