Research Bites Podcast

• #35: Dr. (Jessica) Perry Hekman – What Genetics Really Tells Us About Dog Behavior

  In this episode of the Research Bites Podcast, Dr. Kristina Spaulding talks with Dr. (Jessica) Perry Hekman, DVM, PhD — behavioral geneticist and co-founder of the Functional Dog Collaborative — about what genetics can (and can’t) tell us about dog behavior.Dr. Hekman shares her journey from veterinary practice to genetics research and helps unpack key concepts like heritability, epigenetics, and behavioral phenotypes. Together, they explore what the science really says about breed and behavior — including a thoughtful look at the much-debated 2022 Darwin’s Ark study.The conversation takes a nuanced look at some of the biggest questions in our field: What does “breed” actually mean? How much variation exists within breeds? And how do genes and environment interact to shape the dogs we live and work with? While these questions don’t yet have clear, concrete answers, Dr. Hekman helps shed light on what current research can tell us — and where science is still evolving.Dr. Hekman also discusses the goals of the Functional Dog Collaborative, which promotes evidence-based breeding practices that support genetic diversity, health, and sound temperament. The discussion concludes with a look at how trainers and behavior professionals can contribute to a more informed, ethical approach to breeding and behavior.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 Join the Science Matters newsletter Facebook ...

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• #34: Ádám Miklósi - Natural dog behavior, imitation, self-awareness, word learning (full length version of original, shortened version)

  This podcast was originally released in April 2022 as a shortened version. This is the full version of the original podcast.Dr. Ádám Miklósi is a full professor and the leader of the Department of Ethology at the Eötvös University in Budapest (Hungary). He is also the co-founder and leader of the Family Dog Project ( http://familydogproject.elte.hu ) which studies human-dog interaction from an ethological perspective. In recent years he has also become interested in the automatization of measuring dog behavior and his research group has pioneered  studying the neural and genetic aspects of dog behavior using non-invasive methods like fMRI and EEG.  Over more than twenty years The Family Dog Project published over 180 scientific papers, and organized several conferences. In 2014 Miklósi published the second edition of an academic volume entitled Dog Behavior, Evolution and Cognition by Oxford University Press that summarizes the most recent status on dog oriented research. More recently, together with his colleagues, he published The Dog: A Natural History with Ivy Press, London.  For more information on Dr. Miklósi and his lab visit: https://familydogproject.elte.hu/In this episode we talk about meeting the needs of dogs, approaches to training, imitation, self-awareness, exceptional word learning capabilities in certain dogs, and much more.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 Join the Science Matters newsletter Facebook ...

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• #33: Building Resilience: Dr. Mike Mendl on Positive Welfare, Emotion, and Decision-Making in Animals

  In this thought-provoking episode of the Research Bites Podcast, Dr. Kristina Spaulding is joined by Dr. Mike Mendl, professor of Animal Behavior and Welfare at the University of Bristol’s Veterinary School, for a deep dive into what it truly means to support positive animal welfare.From competence and resilience to cognitive bias and decision-making, Dr. Mendl explores how animals perceive and interact with the world—and why individual differences matter so much. You’ll hear how animal-based indicators can reveal nuanced welfare states, why emotions play a pivotal role in behavior, and how the dimensional model of emotion can help us better understand and assess an animal’s experience.Along the way, we discuss:How competence and resilience shape behavior and well-beingHow animals set and pursue their own goalsCognitive bias testing as a window into welfare statesRecognizing when hidden medical issues influence behaviorUsing positive states—not just the absence of negatives—to improve livesFuture directions for research in welfare and emotionWhether you’re a trainer, behavior consultant, veterinarian, or simply a science-curious animal lover, this conversation offers both practical insights and a deeper appreciation for the complexity of animal minds. By connecting the latest welfare science with real-world applications, Dr. Mendl’s work challenges us to move beyond preventing suffering and toward actively fostering lives worth living.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 Join the Science Matters newsletter Facebook ...

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• #32: Why Behavior Doesn’t Fit in Boxes: Rethinking How We Classify Behavior

  In this episode, Dr. Kristina Spaulding dives into the complex world of labels—how we define, categorize, and talk about behavior in both humans and animals. Drawing on her psychology background, she explores the benefits and pitfalls of labels, the messiness behind mental health classifications, and how new models in psychology might help us think differently about animal behavior. At the heart of the discussion: lasting change comes from addressing underlying processes—like stress, emotional regulation, and impulsivity—rather than focusing only on behaviors. If you’ve ever wondered how labels shape your work—or how to use them more effectively—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Whether you’re a trainer, behavior consultant, vet, or science-curious animal lover, you’ll come away with a richer, more nuanced view of how labels shape our understanding—and results.Links & Resources: Unlocking Resilience:  https://sciencemattersllc.com/unlocking-resilience First, M. B., Rebello, T. J., Keeley, J. W., Bhargava, R., Dai, Y., Kulygina, M., ... & Reed, G. M. (2018). Do mental health professionals use diagnostic classifications the way we think they do? A global survey. World Psychiatry, 17(2), 187-195.Maj, M. (2018). Why the clinical utility of diagnostic categories in psychiatry is intrinsically limited and how we can use new approaches to complement them. World Psychiatry, 17(2), 121–122. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20512Nasrallah, H. A. (2021). Re-Inventing the Dsm as A Transdiagnostic Model: Psychiatric Disorders Are Extensively Interconnected. Annals of Clinical Psychiatry, 33(3), 148–150. https://doi.org/10.12788/acp.0037 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 Join the Science Matters newsletter Facebook ...

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• #31: Dr. Michael Blackwell on increasing access to services in the animal field

  In this episode of the Research Bites podcast, Dr. Spaulding interviews Dr. Michael Blackwell, Director of Pet Health Equity at the University of Tennessee. The discussion centers around the intersection of veterinary care and public health, emphasizing how financial and systemic barriers affect access to veterinary services, particularly for low-income and BIPOC families. Dr. Blackwell introduces Align Care, a program designed to subsidize veterinary care through community-supported fund accounts, and highlights the benefits of case management over strict enforcement in animal control policies. The episode also delves into the importance of diversity within the animal welfare field, effective strategies to make it more inclusive, and the pioneering role of veterinary social workers in supporting pet owners' mental health. This insightful conversation underscores the need for systemic changes and community involvement to improve the well-being of pets and their families.00:00 Welcome to Research Bites01:19 Introducing Dr. Michael Blackwell03:02 Dr. Blackwell's Journey and Mission04:36 The Intersection of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health07:12 Mental Health and Veterinary Medicine11:26 Racial Disparities in Animal Welfare17:13 Challenges in Animal Control and Sheltering26:05 Improving Diversity in Animal Welfare32:56 The Importance of Inclusive Public Health35:56 Introducing Align Care: A Solution for Veterinary Subsidies36:25 How Align Care Works: Structure and Goals41:26 Community Involvement and Funding for Align Care45:15 Align Care's Impact on Shelters and Local Governments50:20 Behavioral Services and Align Care53:31 Veterinary Social Work: Supporting Pet Owners59:12 Future Directions and Final ThoughtsFor 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 Join the Science Matters newsletter Facebook ...

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