The Doctor and The Dog Man Video Podcast Episodes

Welcome to The Doctor and The Dog Man podcast.

Hosted by myself and Dr Jodi, a research scientist with a PhD in psychology, this podcast takes a deep, honest look at the subjects that truly matter to dogs and the people who live with them.

In a world where social media is overflowing with strong opinions and confident claims, many of them unsupported by evidence, we aim to ask better questions. We explore the prevailing social-media narrative, then dig beneath it using a combination of scientific research, real-world experience, and years of hands-on work with dogs and their owners.

Where relevant, we reference the scientific papers that inform our discussions, explain what the research actually says (and what it doesn’t), and balance this with practical insight from real dogs in real homes.

Understanding dogs and their world can often feel confusing, especially when advice is conflicting or oversimplified. Our aim is to cut through that confusion by combining academic rigour with lived experience, helping you build clearer thinking, better decisions, and ultimately a stronger relationship with your dog.

In this episode we talk about ways to help our dogs as they get older. What can we do in order to give our dogs the chance to not just live longer, but live longer healthier lives. Drawing on Dr Jodi's experience as a human ageing scientist we discover there is plenty of research into human ageing that can be transferred to our dogs. From exercise to eating patterns we discuss a wide range of subjects that could help to make our dogs live longer healthier lives, and some things might surprise you

In this episode, we discuss the BBC article produced in association with the RSPCA examining proposals to license dog rescue centres, driven by concerns around animal health and welfare. A central focus of the report was the zoonotic disease Brucella canis and its ability to cause brucellosis in humans.

As with many dog-related topics, the response across social media was swift and deeply polarised. Both the BBC and the RSPCA came under heavy criticism, with strong opinions expressed on all sides. We explore why a disease capable of causing miscarriage in pregnant women and sterility in men is being downplayed by some, and how emotion, misinformation, and selective statistics can distort risk perception.

Since recording this episode, new rules have come into force requiring dogs imported from Romania to be tested for Brucella canis. Government figures show that around 50% of UK cases are linked to dogs imported from Romania. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates over half a million cases of brucellosis occur each year, classifying it as a serious human health issue.

Some commentators have accused the UK government of acting “hysterically,” but discussions with practising vets and deeper examination suggest otherwise. UK authorities are acutely aware of how Brucella canis mirrors the early history of Brucella melitensis and Brucella abortus, diseases that began with isolated, import-linked cases before becoming entrenched and enormously costly to control.

Organisations such as DEFRA and Animal and Plant Health Agency are not being alarmist they are trying to prevent history repeating itself.

At present the risk remains low, but the consequences of a single infection can be severe, ranging from human miscarriage to the permanent closure of a rescue kennel. This episode looks at why low-probability, high-impact risks deserve serious consideration.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c... https://www.bsavalibrary.com/content/...

In this episode, we tackle the growing problem of overweight dogs and yes, the numbers really are huge. We look at why so many dogs are carrying excess weight, where owners are going wrong, and what actually needs to change if we’re serious about improving canine health. Left unaddressed, it leads to significant but avoidable long-term health issues.

We also dive into the increasingly bizarre use of weigh loss drugs for dogs, questioning whether this is genuine progress or simply another attempt to medicate around poor lifestyle choices. As fireworks season approaches, we turn our attention to a problem many owners dread. We unpack why fireworks are so challenging for some dogs, and crucially what does and doesn’t work when it comes to helping them cope. The Doctor breaks down the science behind effective strategies, separating evidence-based approaches from well-meaning but ineffective advice.

Articles relating to the fat dogs conversation https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles...https://www.sciencedirect.com/science... https://www.sciencedirect.com/science... https://link.springer.com/article/10.... https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk... https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk... https://www.mdpi.com/2813-9372/2/2/22

Articles relating to the fireworks conversation https://www.sciencedirect.com/science... https://www.sciencedirect.com/science... https://www.sciencedirect.com/science... https://www.sciencedirect.com/science... https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/23/...

In this episode, we begin with The Doctor reflecting on her first couple of weeks at home with her new puppy, Marlow, sharing the early experiences, challenges, and small realities that come with settling a young dog into everyday life.

The conversation then shifts as The Dog Man describes a difficult and uncomfortable discussion with the owners of a dog that has been labelled as “aggressive.” That encounter opens the door to a wider discussion about how easily behaviour is categorised, and how damaging those labels can be when they replace proper understanding. This naturally leads into a deeper exploration of the so-called condition known as Cocker Rage. We examine where the idea originates, why it may not be what it appears at first glance, and how some of the existing research in this area feels distinctly one-sided. A particular behavioural test carried out on Cocker Spaniel puppies leaves The Dog Man perplexed, raising important questions about methodology, interpretation, and how conclusions become accepted as fact.

Throughout the discussion, we challenge assumptions, question the strength of the evidence, and explore why genetics, environment, learning history, and human influence all play a far greater role than simplistic labels ever can.

In the final part of the first episode of The Doctor and The Dog Man, we continue the conversation by diving into just how tribal the dog world has become. People are often firmly entrenched in their own beliefs and just as firmly opposed to anyone who thinks differently, sometimes disagreeing in the strongest and most uncompromising terms. We explore how this plays out across almost every aspect of dog ownership, from leads versus collars, feeding choices, and training methods, to the endless debates about whether purebreeds are better than crossbreeds. Rather than encouraging better outcomes for dogs, these divisions often create noise, confusion, and hostility, leaving owners caught in the middle. As the discussion unfolds, we question why the space has become so polarised, what it says about modern dog culture, and whether any of this tribal thinking is actually helping the dogs we all claim to care about. Some of it is truly bonkers....

List Of Scientific Papers referred to in episode 1 The Canine Genetics Centre (University of Cambridge) -  https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/re... Priester 1976 -https://www.sciencedirect.com/science... Brown 2017 -  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29073... Abouzied 2025 -  https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/4/602 https://www.instituteofcaninebiology.... https://www.instituteofcaninebiology....

The second part of this episode of The Doctor and The Dog Man turns its focus to the science and real-world reality of intervertebral disc disease in Cocker Spaniels (IVDD). A recent case involving Stacey Solomon and her dog Teddy has brought a surge of attention to the condition, sparking concern and discussion well beyond the veterinary world. We take a step back from the headlines to explore what intervertebral disc disease actually is, how and why it occurs, and what the evidence really says about its prevalence in the breed. Rather than relying on emotion or social media amplification, we examine whether this is truly as widespread a problem as many owners are being led to believe. By looking at both the science and practical experience, the conversation aims to bring balance, context, and clarity to a topic that is often dominated by fear rather than facts.

The First Episode of The Doctor And The Dog Man...Part 1. Where we bring the reality and the science together to better understand dogs. In this first part of the first episode we explore the challenges of living with a dog with serious health issues.