Dog Walking, Wellbeing, and Pet-Friendly Travel with Lori Hoy

Karin talks with Lori Hoy, a researcher at Leeds Beckett University, about how dog walking shapes well-being, outdoor recreation, and travel experiences in the UK and the US. Lori shares how her research began with her dog Princess Buttercup and grew into studies on responsible recreation, safety, phone use on walks, and dog festivals.

In this episode, Lori explains how dog walking became the focus of her PhD during COVID, how UK access laws shape walking habits, and why dog owners often see walks as an obligation for the dog rather than a personal outdoor activity. The conversation also explores the well-being benefits of walks, the role of dogs as social facilitators, and the rising popularity of dog-centered travel and events.

Key topics

Lori shares how her research started with hospitality and travel, then shifted to dog walking during COVID restrictions in the UK. Princess Buttercup, a small Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix, inspired Lori’s academic interest in pets, travel, and dog-friendly experiences. As a research assistant at Leeds Beckett University, Lori supports research on responsible recreation in protected sites, especially national nature reserves. In the UK, dogs are often off-leash by default in many outdoor areas, unlike the more leash-restricted culture many Americans are used to. Public footpaths and open-access land create a different countryside experience in England, while also raising questions about livestock, wildlife protection, and safety. Dog walkers may not identify as “outdoor recreationists,” even though they regularly use outdoor spaces. Lori’s research points to well-being benefits from dog walking, including reduced stress, improved mood, and a stronger appreciation for where people live. Phone use on walks is a growing area of interest. Most people bring a phone, and more than half report using it on walks; heavier phone use appears related to lower pet attachment and less connection to nature. Safety matters to walkers, including clear paths, phone signal, potential hazards, and feeling welcome in a space. Lori’s travel research highlights both the benefits and complications of traveling with a dog—from social connection to pet policies, hidden rules, and finding suitable road-trip stops. Dog festivals bring together shopping, training, expert advice, charities, and social connection for dogs and their people.

Timestamps00:00 - Lori’s dog-walking research and how it began during COVID

00:59 - Shared outdoor leisure spaces, well-being, and protected sites

02:25 - Lori’s marketing background and meeting Princess Buttercup

03:45 - Why Buttercup inspired research into travel and hospitality with dogs

04:59 - What a research assistant does at Leeds Beckett

07:28 - Dog population differences and leash culture in the UK and US

11:52 - Natural England and responsible recreation on protected sites

15:57 - City, suburban, and rural walking differences

18:56 - Livestock, public footpaths, and managing risk

21:08 - Dog walkers as caretakers—and sometimes unintentional recreationists

22:52 - Dog walking and well-being for people and dogs

25:09 - How a walk can affect mood and stress

26:48 - Phone use on walks and why it matters

30:37 - How often people walk dogs in the UK and US

32:44 - Rain, cold, and walking dogs in British weather

36:10 - Safety, hazards, and feeling welcome outdoors

39:19 - Recall training when dogs are off-leash

40:58 - Princess Buttercup’s favorite walks

44:28 - How Buttercup shaped Lori’s travel research

47:14 - The safety paradox of traveling solo with a dog

50:24 - Road trips, rest stops, and dog-walking breaks

53:55 - Dog festivals as travel experiences

55:17 - Goodwoof and what makes a dog festival enjoyable

57:45 - What people value about dog festivals

Ken Ramirez shares his extensive experience in animal training, the evolution of positive reinforcement methods, and the impact of Karen Pryor's work on the industry. Discover how modern training techniques have transformed animal care and training worldwide.

keywords

animal training, positive reinforcement, Karen Pryor, clicker training, guide dogs, zoological training, behavior certification, training courses

Key topics

History of guide dog training and shift from punishment to positive reinforcement

Ken Ramirez's zoological work with marine mammals, big cats, and birds

The development and impact of Karen Pryor's clicker training

Global reach and certification of positive reinforcement trainers

Details of the Karen Pryor Academy professional and behavior courses

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ken Ramirez and his background

01:49 Ken's early career in guide dog training in the 1970s

04:11 The shift from punishment to positive reinforcement in guide dog training

07:08 Ken's zoological work with marine mammals, big cats, and birds

11:10 Relationship-building with individual animals over species

13:08 Global experience and travel in animal training

14:57 Karen Pryor's role in popularizing clicker training

18:00 The growth of Karen Pryor's organization and international influence

21:06 Certification and standards in positive reinforcement training

25:00 The structure and offerings of Karen Pryor Academy

29:02 Details of the professional training courses and certification process

36:14 Advice for aspiring trainers and interested individuals

38:01 Resources for learning about positive reinforcement and clicker training

41:05 Karen Pryor's books and recommended reading

42:59 How to learn more and get involved in training community

In this episode, Ellen Furlong from Transylvania University's Dog Cognition Lab shares insights on dog behavior, training myths, and her research on canine cognition and development. Discover how scientific research is shaping modern dog training and understanding.

keywords

dog cognition, dog training, impulse control, dog behavior myths, canine psychology, dog lab, developmental psychology, dog training methods, science communication, animal behavior

key topics

Dog cognition research at Transylvania University

Myths about impulse control in dogs

The impact of generalization in dog training

The role of individual needs in training

Science communication in dog training

Research on dog domestication and perception

The influence of social cognition on dogs

Educational approaches in dog behavior classes

The gap between scientific best practices and public training methods

sound bites

"Impulse control is not a magic bullet."

"We work specifically on impulse control for cars."

"Not all dogs can handle all activities."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Transylvania University's Dog Cognition Lab

02:01 Impulse Control and Dog Behavior Myths

04:11 Research on Dog Cognition and Development

05:38 Student Engagement and Research at the Dog Lab

07:43 Public Adoption of Modern Dog Training Practices

09:10 Science Communication in Dog Training

15:03 Individual Needs and Realistic Dog Training Goals

17:03 Challenging Cultural Expectations of Perfect Dogs

19:33 Background in Primates and Transition to Dogs

21:01 Training and Education in Dog Cognition

23:56 Ellen's Book on Dog Cognition and Domestication

26:19 Creating the Audiobook and Its Focus

28:02 Resources and How to Connect with the Dog Lab