Lessons from a Lifetime in Behaviour with Karen Deeds [Episode 279]

In this episode of the Animal Training Academy Podcast, Ryan Cartlidge is joined by Karen Deeds — a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant through the IAABC and co-owner of Canine Connection in Memphis. Bringing over three decades of experience across assistance dogs, the veterinary profession, and competitive sports, Karen shares a profound "origin story" from the early 1990s—a traumatic assault that her own dog intervened in—which shifted her entire focus from traditional obedience training to the complex emotional world of animal behaviour.

Together, Ryan and Karen explore the transformative world of Multiple Marker Systems (MMS) and why the delivery of reinforcement is just as critical as the reinforcer itself. Karen explains how moving beyond a single clicker to specific verbal cues like "toss," "scatter," and "tush" can provide dogs with ultimate clarity, reducing frustration and creating a more cooperative partnership. They discuss the concept of "eating as a behaviour" and how strategically placing, moving, or slowing down food delivery can directly influence a dog's physical physiology and emotional state in both high-level sports and severe behaviour cases.

The conversation also highlights the vital bridge between "in the trenches" experience and academic science. Karen reflects on a pivotal interaction at the University of North Texas with the ORCA group, highlighting the need for academia to meet practitioners in the middle to make technical lingo accessible and inclusive. Finally, Karen shares her vision for the future of the industry—a heartfelt call for "peace and harmony" and an end to the vitriol that can separate professionals, reminding us that empathy must extend to our human colleagues just as much as the animals we serve.

Throughout this episode, we discuss:

✅ Karen's "Behaviour Odyssey" and the 1990 encounter that changed her career trajectory

✅ The technical mechanics of Multiple Marker Systems (MMS) vs. traditional clicker training

✅ Why "how" reinforcement is delivered is as important as the reinforcement itself

✅ The concept of treating eating as a behaviour and putting it on cue

✅ Bridging the gap between academic lingo and "in the trenches" training experience

✅ How to use "The Three Cs" (Change, Continue, Create) to address non-sport behaviours

✅ Impulse control vs. stimulus control and their role in behaviour modification

✅ A vision for the future of the industry: Unity, education, and moving past the "us against them" mentality

Whether you're a professional behaviour consultant, a competitive sport enthusiast, or a pet owner navigating reactivity, this episode offers an empowering roadmap for using clarity and kindness to master your training skills.