Balancing Rewards and Fear in Animal Behavior

Hello everyone,

Welcome to the latest episode of my podcast! Today, I’m joined by Dr. Douglas Elliffe, a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, whose expertise lies in animal behavior, behavior analysis, and behavioral science. In this episode, we dive into some highly relevant and often controversial topics, starting with Dr. Elliffe’s well-known Kiwi Aversion Training (KAT) study, which used electric collars and included both one-month and one-year follow-ups. We also discuss his commentary on the influential China, L. Mills, and Cooper study, which compares the efficacy of dog training with and without electronic collars against positive reinforcement methods.

Together, we explore the benefits and challenges of using Differential Reinforcement Protocols and tackle some of the critical issues facing the dog training industry today, including the rise of bans and position statements from various organizations. Dr. Elliffe also shares his thoughts on some fascinating topics that will pique the interest of dog trainers everywhere.

So, sit back, enjoy the episode, and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe if you find this discussion valuable!