Eileen Anderson: Writing, Mentorship, and Dog Behavior Science [Episode 54]

Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples

In this episode of the Making Ripples podcast, we are thrilled to welcome Eileen Anderson—writer, researcher, and advocate for humane dog training. Eileen is the author of Remember Me?, a Maxwell Award-winning book on canine cognitive dysfunction, and a thought leader in the world of positive reinforcement training.

Eileen shares her fascinating journey from engineering and music to becoming a trusted voice in the animal behavior community. She discusses how a chance adoption of a challenging dog named Summer set her on a path of discovery, leading her to the world of behavior science, dog training, and eventually, writing. With her unique background in acoustics, Eileen also sheds light on common misconceptions about sound sensitivity in dogs and how her expertise has helped shape innovative approaches to training and problem-solving.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the science of sound and its impact on dogs, the importance of careful and ethical training, and practical strategies for building trust and communication with their pets. Eileen also shares her experiences mentoring aspiring writers, offering tips for overcoming writer’s block and developing a meaningful writing practice.

Whether you're a dog trainer, behavior enthusiast, or an aspiring writer, this episode is packed with inspiration, knowledge, and practical advice.

Links

• Dogs and Sound Webinars
  • Both webinars are available here >>> https://payhip.com/brightfriendsproductions
• Books
  • Remember Me? Loving and Caring for a Dog with Canine Cognitive Dysfunction >>> https://books2read.com/dogdementia
  • Puppy Socialization: What It Is and How to Do It, coauthored with Marge Rogers >>> https://books2read.com/puppysocialization
  • Both books are also available at Dogwise, and Puppy Socialization is available at Clean Run and Mungo’s in Canada.
• Contact Eileen via Her Blog >>> https://eileenanddogs.com/drrp/
• Blog Posts Discussed in the Podcast
  • https://eileenanddogs.com/blog/2022/07/29/how-i-taught-my-puppy-to-sleep-later-in-the-morning/
  • https://eileenanddogs.com/blog/2024/01/09/desensitizing-a-dog-to-high-pitched-beeps-part-1-of-2/
  • https://eileenanddogs.com/blog/2024/01/12/desensitizing-a-dog-to-high-pitched-beeps-part-2-of-2/
• Journal Article Related to the Counterconditioning Posts
  • Poppen, R. (1970). Counterconditioning of conditioned suppression in rats. Psychological Reports, 27(2), 659-671. (desensitization was done using frequency rather than volume)
• Other Information on Sound from Eileen
  • All articles on dogs and sound on my blog >>> https://eileenanddogs.com/blog/category/dogs-and-sound/
  • How to Soundproof a Dog Crate (You Can’t >>> https://eileenanddogs.com/blog/2019/08/06/how-to-soundproof-a-dog-crate/
  • Using Sound Apps for Desensitization & Counterconditioning for Dogs >>> https://eileenanddogs.com/blog/2021/01/08/using-sound-apps-for-desensitization-counterconditioning-for-dogs/
  • Article on Sound Masking >>> https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/behavior/noise-canceling-for-dogs/
• Eileen’s Writing Mentorship (next one will be in July 2025)
  • https://iaabcfoundation.org/courses/writing-mentorship-with-eileen-anderson/
• Writing Tips
  • About Freewriting >>> https://www.research.ucsb.edu/sites/default/files/RD/docs/FREEWRITING-by-Peter-Elbow.pdf
  • Writing Word Count Goals Gamified (R+) >>> https://4thewords.com/