When a caregiver tells me, “I don’t think the medication is working anymore,” I don’t question their commitment. I question the system around the dog.

In this episode, I take you inside a case that started with good intentions, a prescription for fluoxetine, and no plan beyond the pill. Three years later, the dog was still struggling—and no one could explain why.

We’ll look at:

• The common failure points in how behavioural medication is introduced and sustained
• Why medication without caregiver support, co-regulation, or behavioural tracking often leads to stagnation
• What needs to be in place before, during, and after medication to ensure it helps
• The concept of White Pathway moments—and why spotting them changes everything

This isn’t a critique of medication. It’s a call for clarity, structure, and shared responsibility. Because when behavioural medication is the only thing in place, we don’t know what it’s helping—or what it’s missing.

Whether you’re a professional, a vet, or a caregiver making hard decisions, this episode offers a structured, hopeful approach to using medication within a plan—not as the plan.

Want to learn more, read my academic paper: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/391899664_Systems_Thinking_in_Dog_Medication

In this powerful episode of the Dog Parentology Podcast, Sparky is joined by Jonah Meller an independent Dog Behaviourist, (PivotalChangeToronto@gmail.com) to revisit the case of Kodak—a dog with severe behavioural issues that resisted every traditional method. Together, we explore how applying Canine Neurobiological Systems Science (CNSS) led to remarkable and lasting changes—not just for Kodak, but for his entire family system. Through Jonah’s perspective, we unpack how systems thinking, caregiver capacity, and neurobiological insight made it possible to reach a dog others had given up on. This is more than a case study—it’s a moving account of what becomes possible when we stop treating behaviours as symptoms and begin shifting the system itself. Key topics covered in this episode: • Dog reactivity • Behavioural issues in COVID dogs • Systems-based dog behaviour support using CNSS • Real-world application of CNSS • Family dynamics in canine rehabilitation • Why conventional dog training sometimes fails • A case that redefined the role of the caregiver Perfect for dog behaviourists, vet professionals, and dog parents navigating complex canine behaviour challenges. Advice, questions and cases for Jonah - contact him at pivotalchangetoronto@gmail.com Learn more about CNSS and systems thinking in dog behaviour at www.dogparentology.com Subscribe for more real cases and evidence-based insights in canine behaviour care. © 2025 Sparky. CNSS and all related frameworks are proprietary to Sparky, Canine Psychologist. No use or citation without written permission.

Is your dog biting — or on the verge of it? In this episode, Sparky, Canine Psychologist, offers a clear and compassionate approach to understanding and preventing biting behaviours without using force, fear, or obedience training.

You’ll learn:

• How your dog’s world shapes their behaviour (Step 1: Look Around)
• How to use a colour-coded system to track emotional states (Step 2: Colour-Code It)
• How to build a real, two-way dialogue with your dog (Step 3: Speak With Your Dog)
• How to reach them during stressful moments (Step 4: Deepen the Dialogue)
• And how to help them feel brave again (Step 5: Build Courage)

These five steps draw from Canine Neurobiological Systems Science and are designed to help caregivers build lasting trust and behavioural stability, especially for dogs who have been misunderstood or have learned to use their teeth to cope.

Leave a comment below:

What colour would you say your dog spends most of their day in?