Dogs and Cats, Breeds and Behaviour: Quick Questions

In a recent compelling episode of "The Pawsitive Post in Conversation," esteemed animal behaviour experts Zazie Todd, Ph.D., and Kristi Benson, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), engaged in a rapid-fire "This or That" segment, designed to offer listeners unique insights into their professional philosophies and personal preferences regarding dog training and cat behaviour. The format, inspired by popular social media trends, moved beyond simple choices, delving into the rationale behind their decisions and illuminating broader principles of animal welfare, training methodologies, and ethical considerations in pet ownership. The episode not only provided an entertaining glimpse into the hosts’ personalities but also served as an educational platform for both seasoned and new pet guardians.

The Pawsitive Post: A Platform for Science-Backed Pet Care

"The Pawsitive Post in Conversation" podcast, hosted by Zazie Todd and Kristi Benson, has established itself as a leading voice in positive, science-based pet care. Dr. Todd, a psychologist and author of acclaimed books like "Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy" and "Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy," brings a rigorous academic perspective to animal welfare. Benson, with extensive experience in canine behaviour and training, including co-authoring "From Fearful to Fearless: A Positive Program to Free Your Dog from Anxiety," offers practical, real-world application of humane training techniques. Together, they bridge the gap between scientific research and actionable advice, making complex topics accessible to a wide audience. This particular episode exemplifies their commitment to thoughtful discussion, even when tackling seemingly light-hearted questions.

Navigating Pet Acquisition and Breed Choices

The "This or That" game commenced with foundational questions concerning pet acquisition, immediately highlighting divergent approaches among pet owners. Dr. Todd posed a scenario for a first-time dog owner: a Golden Retriever puppy or a friendly adult Golden Retriever. Benson’s immediate choice was "puppy," citing her personal affection for young dogs. This preference, while seemingly innocuous, touches upon a significant debate within the pet community: the allure of a puppy versus the often-overlooked benefits of adopting an adult dog. Organizations like the ASPCA consistently advocate for adult dog adoption, noting that adult dogs often come with established temperaments and may require less intensive initial training compared to puppies, whose early months are critical for socialization and foundational learning. Dr. Todd, on the other hand, expressed a soft spot for the "friendly adult rescue dog," reflecting a common sentiment among animal welfare advocates who prioritize giving a second chance to animals in need.

The discussion then moved to specific breed preferences, often revealing personal biases and practical considerations. When asked to choose between a Border Collie and an Australian Shepherd, Dr. Todd unequivocally chose the Australian Shepherd, while Benson leaned towards the Border Collie, describing them as "a little squishier." Both breeds are highly intelligent, energetic, and excel in various dog sports, demanding significant mental and physical stimulation. This choice underscores the importance of researching breed-specific needs to ensure compatibility with an owner’s lifestyle. A later question contrasting a Shih Tzu with a Miniature Poodle brought grooming needs to the forefront. Benson opted for the Poodle, acknowledging both require substantial grooming but reasoning that a Poodle’s coat is more manageable for professional grooming, whereas a Shih Tzu often requires daily home care. This practical insight serves as a crucial reminder that breed selection extends beyond aesthetics to encompass ongoing care requirements.

The conversation further explored challenging breed-related decisions by presenting a choice between a brachycephalic dog (short-nosed breeds like Pugs or Bulldogs) and a chondrodystrophic dog (short-legged breeds like Dachshunds or Basset Hounds). Both experts expressed reservations about brachycephalic breeds due to the severe health issues associated with their craniofacial structure, including Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), which can lead to chronic respiratory distress. Research published in Canine Genetics and Epidemiology consistently highlights the welfare concerns of extreme brachycephaly. While chondrodystrophic breeds can suffer from intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) due to their elongated spines, both Dr. Todd and Benson leaned towards the latter, suggesting a preference for mitigating the most immediate and pervasive forms of suffering. This segment provided a subtle yet powerful commentary on ethical breeding and responsible pet acquisition.

Exploring Canine Activities and Sensory Experiences

The "This or That" game also touched upon various canine activities and sensory preferences, illustrating the diverse ways humans interact with their dogs. Dr. Todd asked Benson to choose between watching agility or freestyle heelwork to music at Crufts. Benson initially picked agility, a fast-paced sport showcasing a dog’s athleticism and handler’s guidance through an obstacle course. However, upon Dr. Todd’s description of freestyle heelwork to music—a choreographed routine where dogs and handlers "dance" together—Benson switched her preference, drawn to the creative and artistic expression of the sport. Dr. Todd affirmed her own preference for freestyle, highlighting the deep bond and intricate communication required. Both activities demonstrate the potential for rich human-animal partnership, fostering engagement and mental stimulation for dogs.

A more personal question regarding Benson’s dog, Archer, involved choosing between a scent work class or rally obedience. Benson selected scent work, acknowledging Archer’s natural inclination for sniffing, despite his potential for comedic clumsiness. Scent work, which leverages a dog’s powerful olfactory senses, is widely recognized by trainers as an excellent form of mental enrichment and confidence building, accessible to dogs of all ages and physical abilities. This choice subtly advocates for activities that align with a dog’s innate drives.

Lighter "This or That" questions explored sensory experiences, such as "puppy breath" versus "puppy feet" smell (Benson chose feet, Dr. Todd chose breath) and "husky howls" versus "cat chirps." Dr. Todd, despite her affection for husky howls, chose cat chirrups, noting the "pro-social" and emotionally connective nature of a cat’s communication. This nuanced preference underscores the varied emotional responses pets evoke in their guardians.

Pet Care, Environment, and Wildlife Encounters

The episode also ventured into practical pet care and environmental considerations. A hypothetical choice between a Siberian Forest Cat and a Siamese cat, both striking breeds with distinct characteristics, highlighted the diversity within feline companionship. Dr. Todd, unable to choose due to her appreciation for both, noted the Siberian’s suitability for cold climates with its thick coat and the Siamese’s vocal, affectionate nature. Benson chose the Siberian Forest Cat simply because it "sounds cool," before acknowledging her unfamiliarity with the breed, prompting Dr. Todd to recommend further research. This brief exchange serves as a gentle reminder for listeners to explore various breeds and their unique needs before making a commitment.

Environmental preferences for dog walks—mountains versus a beach—sparked a discussion about enriching outdoor experiences. Both Dr. Todd and Benson preferred mountain walks, particularly forested areas, for the varied sniffing opportunities and natural sounds. While beaches offer open space, access for dogs can be restricted, and the sensory input differs significantly from a forest environment. This segment implicitly encouraged listeners to consider diverse environments for their dogs’ walks to maximize enrichment.

A more intense "This or That" presented a choice between encountering a grizzly bear or a cougar on a forest trail with dogs. Benson, despite the inherent danger of both, chose a grizzly bear, reasoning that cougars might more readily perceive humans as prey. This choice underscores the critical importance of wildlife awareness and safety protocols for pet owners in wilderness areas, especially in regions like British Columbia where both species are prevalent. Wildlife biologists consistently advise carrying bear spray, keeping dogs on leash, and knowing how to react to different animal encounters to minimize risk.

The hosts also explored the intricacies of professional grooming versus self-grooming. Both Dr. Todd and Benson, despite their deep involvement with animals, expressed a strong preference for professional groomers. Benson candidly admitted, "I was not the type of child who played with the Barbie head," while Dr. Todd highlighted the skill and effort required for proper grooming, especially for breeds like her Shih Tzu, Pepper, who benefits from professional bathing and blow-drying. This pragmatic choice acknowledges the specialized skills involved in maintaining a pet’s coat and skin health, a commitment often underestimated by new owners.

Training Methodologies and Client Counseling Challenges

A significant portion of the "This or That" segment focused on the complex world of dog training and client counseling, revealing the ethical and practical dilemmas faced by professionals. When asked to choose between training a "sit" or a "heel," Dr. Todd immediately picked "sit," praising its simplicity, rapid reinforcement opportunities, and the direct visual interaction with the dog. Benson, while acknowledging the appeal, humorously recounted the unexpected difficulty of teaching her large dog, Archer, to sit, highlighting that even fundamental behaviors can present unique challenges depending on the individual dog. This discussion subtly reinforced the principle of individual learning styles and the need for adaptable training approaches.

The experts then delved into client-facing scenarios. A choice between teaching a class and working one-on-one with a client prompted Dr. Todd to select teaching a class, citing the collaborative learning environment and the energy derived from group interaction. Benson acknowledged the differing demands of both, noting the extensive prep work for classes and the ongoing "homework" involved in one-on-one training. This segment offered a behind-the-scenes look at the varied roles and challenges of animal behaviour professionals.

More ethically charged questions included a choice between working with a client whose dog exhibited "dog biting dog" or "dog biting human" behaviour, assuming "good acquired bite inhibition" and a positive outcome. Dr. Todd chose the dog-on-dog scenario, suggesting it often presents fewer emotional complexities for human clients compared to a dog-on-human bite, which carries significant legal and emotional weight. This choice reflects the professional’s assessment of the overall impact and manageability of a behavioural issue.

Perhaps the most challenging "This or That" questions involved navigating difficult client beliefs. Dr. Todd was asked to choose between a client who uses aversive training methods ("dominance adherent") and one who is "anti-vax." Dr. Todd expertly sidestepped a direct choice, stating that vaccinations are outside her professional purview as a behaviourist, while acknowledging the challenge of discussing dominance theory. Her response underscored the importance of professional boundaries and the dedication required to educate clients on evidence-based, positive reinforcement methods, even when confronting entrenched beliefs. This discussion highlights a common ethical tightrope walked by animal behaviour professionals.

Another challenging client scenario involved a "marking dog with an aversive-adherent owner" versus a "jumpy golden with an overly busy owner." Dr. Todd chose the "jumpy golden" scenario, explaining that while an overly busy owner might lack time for training, they are typically more open to learning new, positive reinforcement techniques than someone deeply committed to aversive methods. Overcoming the initial resistance to change in clients who believe in dominance-based training is often a significant hurdle for behaviour consultants.

Overrated Training and Feline Tricks

The episode concluded with a lighter, open-ended question: "What is the most overrated thing to teach a dog?" Benson humorously critiqued the "CPR trick" often seen in freestyle routines, where dogs jump on their handlers’ chests. She found it "annoying" due to its unrealistic portrayal of canine rescue and the misrepresentation of a natural mouse pounce as life-saving CPR. Dr. Todd, for her part, nominated the "heel" command for everyday life, arguing that unless competing, a dog simply needs to walk politely without pulling, rather than adhering to a strict, precise heel position. Both responses subtly advocated for practical, welfare-focused training that prioritizes a dog’s comfort and real-world applicability over performative or anthropomorphic actions.

Finally, Dr. Todd asked Benson about the "best trick to teach a cat." Benson shared her ambition to teach her cat, Apricat, to rear up on his hind legs like a "circus cat" on a tiny chair, a project she never fully completed due to the difficulties of fading the lure. This anecdote not only offered a charming personal touch but also implicitly highlighted the unique challenges and rewards of training cats, which often requires different motivational strategies than dog training.

The "This or That" episode of "The Pawsitive Post in Conversation" successfully blended entertainment with education. By exploring a wide array of choices, Zazie Todd and Kristi Benson not only shared personal preferences but also provided listeners with a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in responsible pet ownership, training, and animal welfare. The episode reaffirmed their commitment to promoting compassionate, science-backed approaches to enhance the lives of dogs and cats globally.

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