Chat and Chuckle: Talking Heart Rate Variability with Dr. Dean Hart
Tune in as Dayle Pierce, Jenn Friedline, and Rebekah King are joined by special guest Dean Hart, PhD for a fascinating discussion about Heart Rate Variability (HRV) in dogs.
Discover what HRV measures, how it reflects physiological stress and recovery, and why it’s a game-changer for evaluating animal welfare and well-being. Come away with actionable low-stress strategies and practical, welfare-centered takeaways for groomers, trainers, and pet professionals to minimize arousal, prevent distress, and build true cooperative care.
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Recorded September 10, 2026.
Featured in this episode:
- Dr. Hart presented a webinar on HRV earlier this year. Register here to watch it on-demand.
- Additionally, Dean will be the next guest at the PPG Scholarly Circle, a members-only academic paper reading group. PPG members, please join us to continue this discussion about the welfare implications of specific grooming phases.
- Kristin Baker’s recent webinar about Polyvagal Theory was mentioned as a coachable framework to help clients regulate their own autonomic nervous systems to broadcast a biological signal of safety directly to their dogs.
- If you’re interested in learning more about practical ways to adapt training, environments and interactions to match how dogs experience the world, don’t miss, Through a Dog’s Eyes, Ears and Nose: Sensory Biology for Better Communication and Learning with Dr. Dean Hart.
- Hear for You, a dedicated space for PPG members to find support, connection, and understanding.
- Behavior Teams -Whether you are a trainer, a groomer, or a veterinarian, you don’t have to navigate the complexities of animal behavior alone. Behavior Teams is designed to bridge the gap between isolated professionals and create a community rooted in positive reinforcement and collective success.
Two More Live Webinars. Register and Receive Both Sessions – Live or Recorded- Your Choice!
Webinar One: November 9, 2026 Understanding Genetics Through the Behavioural Toolkit Analogy & Genetics in Practice: Behaviour, Arousal, Sensitivity, and Motor Patterns with Dr. Dean Hart
November 9, 2026, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (ET)
This session introduces genetics in a way that trainers and behaviour consultants can immediately use. Instead of heavy biology, we explore DNA, genes, alleles, polygenic traits, and protein production through the “behavioural toolkit” analogy a practical model that explains how inherited instructions shape the tools dogs start life with. We look at how the blueprint (DNA), development, environment, diet, and epigenetics influence the building and use of those tools. The session includes a guided Q&A addressing common genetics questions trainers encounter in practice.
Webinar Two: November 30, 2026 Understanding Genetics Through the Behavioural Toolkit Analogy & Genetics in Practice: Behaviour, Arousal, Sensitivity, and Motor Patterns with Dr. Dean Hart
November 30, 2026, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (ET)
This session builds on the toolkit analogy to explore how inherited tendencies influence behaviour in everyday training and behaviour work. We examine arousal regulation, sensory sensitivity, motor patterns, frustration tolerance, stress recovery, and emotional stability as “tools” shaped by genetics and refined by development and experience. The session focuses on practical application: how to recognise inherited tendencies, how to support fragile tools, and how to explain these concepts to guardians. A Q&A‑driven format allows participants to explore real‑world questions about behaviour, inheritance, and training outcomes.
(PPG Members get $10 off all webinars! To get your discount code, log in to your PPG member area.)