The Pawsitive Post Navigates Pet Paradoxes in Engaging ‘This or That’ Episode

The latest installment of "The Pawsitive Post," a renowned podcast delving into the nuances of animal behavior and training, featured hosts Zazie Todd, PhD, and Kristi Benson engaging in a lively "This or That" rapid-fire question game. Titled "This or that on dog training and cat behaviour with Zazie and Kristi in this fun episode of The Pawsitive Post," the episode transcended mere entertainment, offering listeners a unique blend of personal insight into the experts’ perspectives and valuable, research-backed information on canine and feline welfare. The format, popular on social media, was adeptly adapted to illuminate deeper principles of responsible pet ownership, training methodologies, and ethical considerations, all while fostering a sense of community interaction.

Unpacking Expert Preferences: From Puppies to Poodles

The episode commenced with Zazie Todd, an award-winning author and companion animal behavior scientist, introducing the rapid-fire format, inviting co-host Kristi Benson, a certified professional dog trainer and behavior consultant, to answer a series of intriguing dilemmas. The initial questions immediately highlighted common pet ownership decisions. When posed with the choice between recommending a Golden Retriever puppy or a friendly adult Golden Retriever to a first-time dog owner, Benson’s immediate preference for a puppy, despite acknowledging differing opinions, sparked a discussion. Todd, in contrast, leaned towards the friendly adult rescue, underscoring the benefits of adopting a dog with a known temperament and potentially reducing the intensive demands of puppy rearing. This segment subtly addressed the ongoing debate within the pet community regarding responsible acquisition—whether to choose a young animal or offer a home to an adult in need, often emphasizing the potential for fewer behavioral surprises and a smoother integration period with an adult dog.

Further exploring breed preferences, Todd challenged Benson with a choice between a Border Collie and an Australian Shepherd, both highly intelligent, high-energy working breeds. Benson’s inclination towards the Border Collie, describing them as "squishier," alongside Todd’s clear preference for the Australian Shepherd, served to illustrate the subjective appeal of different breeds. According to the American Kennel Club, both breeds consistently rank among the most popular due to their trainability and athleticism, but they also require significant mental and physical stimulation, a point often overlooked by prospective owners. The discussion on Shih Tzus versus Miniature Poodles, two breeds with distinct grooming requirements, further emphasized the practical considerations in pet selection. Benson, citing the daily grooming needs of a Shih Tzu compared to the manageable professional grooming for a Poodle, highlighted a critical aspect of breed-specific care that can significantly impact an owner’s lifestyle and commitment. Miniature Poodles, known for their hypoallergenic coats and intelligence, often require less home maintenance than long-haired breeds like Shih Tzus, which can develop painful mats if not groomed daily.

The Sensory World of Pets: A Deep Dive into Delightful Quirks

Kristi Benson then took the reins, presenting a series of questions that tapped into the sensory and aesthetic joys of pet ownership. The debate between "the smell of puppy breath" and "the smell of puppy feet" elicited an immediate "puppy breath" from Todd, while Benson surprising chose "feet." This seemingly whimsical exchange subtly touched upon the profound emotional connections owners form with their pets, often through unique sensory experiences. Puppy breath, a transient phase, is frequently associated with new beginnings and innocence, while the often-described "Frito-like" smell of puppy feet is linked to bacterial flora and a more earthy, comforting presence.

A particularly challenging question for Todd involved choosing between "the howls of a husky" and "the chirping of a cat." Todd’s eventual choice of the cat’s chirrup, attributing it to a "pro-social" and emotionally involved communication, highlighted the intricate nature of cat-human interaction. Husky howls, while often endearing and a natural breed characteristic, can sometimes be a response to external stimuli, whereas a cat’s chirrup is frequently directed at a person or another cat in an inviting manner. The visual appeal of pets also came into play with the choice between a "cat in a loaf on a glass table" (revealing its underside) or a "dog with their nose tucked under their tail as they lay." Todd’s preference for the latter, describing it as "so, so cute," showcased the simple, often profound, joy derived from observing a pet’s unique behaviors and comfortable postures. The hosts acknowledged the growing trend of capturing and sharing such moments on social media, with photographs of cats on glass tables becoming a popular genre, demonstrating a shared appreciation for these charming pet quirks.

Training and Client Counseling: Navigating Professional Dilemmas

The "This or That" format then transitioned into the more professional realm of animal training and client counseling, offering insights into the hosts’ expert methodologies. The question of whether to prefer training a "sit" or a "heel" revealed Todd’s enjoyment of the quick, gratifying nature of teaching a sit, which allows for rapid reinforcement and direct observation of the dog’s engagement. Benson, while acknowledging the challenge of training her own large dog, Archer, to sit, spoke to the "gratifying" experience of teaching heel to sled dogs, emphasizing the physical engagement of the handler. This discussion underscored the different philosophies in dog training: foundation behaviors like "sit" are crucial for control and communication, while "heel" focuses on controlled movement alongside the handler, often for specific activities or competitive obedience.

More complex professional scenarios emerged with questions like "teaching a class or training a client one-on-one." Todd, who less frequently teaches classes, found the novelty and interactive dynamics of group instruction appealing, while Benson reflected on the different types of exhaustion associated with each—the "on" performance required for classes versus the detailed "homework" follow-up in one-on-one sessions. These choices illuminate the varied demands and rewards of different pedagogical approaches in animal behavior education.

The ethical considerations in training were sharply brought into focus with a hypothetical choice between a "dog biting dog" or a "dog biting human," assuming "good ABI" (acquired bite inhibition) and a positive outcome. Todd’s preference for a dog-on-dog incident, deeming it potentially less serious and easier to resolve due to fewer emotional human factors, contrasted with Benson’s view that human-directed bites, when managed correctly, might have a more "standard resolution." This segment highlighted the complexities of bite assessment and intervention, where factors like bite inhibition, context, and the emotional state of all parties play a crucial role in determining the severity and appropriate course of action. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) consistently advocates for positive reinforcement and force-free methods in addressing aggression, regardless of the target.

Addressing Behavioral Challenges: Cats, Ethics, and Overrated Tricks

Cat-specific behavioral challenges also featured prominently. The choice between a "litter box issue" or a "multi-cat issue" saw Todd opting for the former, citing the potential intractability of inter-cat aggression and the difficulty in guaranteeing harmonious cohabitation. Litter box issues, while common and often frustrating for owners, frequently have identifiable causes (e.g., medical, location, substrate) that can be addressed with targeted environmental modifications and veterinary consultation. Multi-cat households, conversely, can present deeply rooted social conflicts that are challenging to mitigate, even with extensive management and behavior modification.

A particularly thorny question presented a choice between a "marking dog with an aversive-adherent owner" or a "jumpy Golden with an overly busy owner." Both hosts unequivocally chose the "jumpy Golden," illustrating the significant hurdle presented by owners resistant to positive reinforcement methods. Aversive techniques, which involve punishment or discomfort, are widely condemned by professional animal behavior organizations due to their potential to cause fear, anxiety, and aggression, as well as damage the human-animal bond. Working with an owner who relies on aversives often requires not just behavior modification for the dog, but also a fundamental shift in the owner’s understanding and philosophy of training, a task that can be far more demanding than guiding a busy owner through management strategies for a boisterous but well-intentioned Golden Retriever.

The episode also explored "overrated" aspects of dog training. Benson humorously singled out the "CPR" trick in freestyle heel work, critiquing its misrepresentation of actual rescue behavior and the use of a "mouse pounce" action. Todd, meanwhile, identified the "heel" command as often overrated for general pet ownership, arguing that a loose-leash walk is sufficient for most dogs outside of competitive contexts. This discussion encouraged listeners to critically evaluate training goals, prioritizing behaviors that genuinely enhance the dog’s quality of life and the human-animal relationship over purely performative tricks.

Final Conundrums: Health, Welfare, and Personal Sacrifices

The latter part of the episode delved into more profound ethical and personal choices related to pet welfare. When forced to choose between owning a "brachycephalic" (flat-faced) dog or a "chondrodystrophic" (short-legged) dog, both hosts expressed a preference for the latter, despite Todd owning a brachycephalic dog. This decision highlighted the growing awareness and concern within the veterinary and animal welfare communities regarding the severe health issues associated with brachycephalic breeds, such as brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), dental problems, and skin fold dermatitis. While chondrodystrophic breeds (like Dachshunds or Basset Hounds) can suffer from intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), the chronic respiratory and thermal regulation challenges faced by brachycephalic breeds often lead to a lower quality of life.

The personal sacrifices involved in pet ownership were touched upon with the choice between a "dog that drools" or a "doodle coat" (requiring extensive grooming). Todd, accustomed to grooming a Shih Tzu, chose the doodle coat, indicating a preference for predictable maintenance over the unpredictable nature of excessive drooling. Benson, now living with a drooling dog, acknowledged the adjustment required but still leaned towards managing drool over the intensive grooming of a doodle. These seemingly minor preferences underscore the daily realities and compromises inherent in sharing a home with animals.

The episode concluded with a reflection on the value of these discussions. Todd emphasized the individuality of answers and the absence of "right" or "wrong" choices, reinforcing the core message of empathy and understanding in pet care. The hosts encouraged listeners to share their own "This or That" answers and questions, fostering an interactive community around the shared love for dogs and cats. The "Pawsitive Post" episode, therefore, served as an engaging and informative platform, cleverly using a popular game format to explore complex topics, deepen listener connection with the hosts, and ultimately enrich the discourse around responsible and compassionate pet ownership.

This page contains affiliate links which means I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you.