Talking Adolescence with Dr. Kathy Murphy

In this episode, Dr. Kathy Murphy joins the podcast to talk about dogs' brains and how they process information during adolescence. Adolescence can be a difficult stage for both dogs and their humans but having better knowledge on what an adolescent dog is going through can make this stage little more bearable. 

Dr Kathy Murphy (BVetMed, DPhil, CVA, CLAS, MRCVS) is a veterinary surgeon and neuroscientist. She graduated from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons UK in 1999, initially working in mixed clinical practice before studying for two post graduate clinical qualifications with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, in Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia, and Laboratory Animal Science.

Dr Murphy founded, and is now Director of, Barking Brains Ltd (a neuroscience outreach platform for the animal behavior and training community), which focuses on translating neuroscientific information into practical and useful information for people interested in animal behavior. In order to maximize the impact of her diverse interests and skill set, Dr Murphy teamed up with Behavior Vets LLC in 2022 when she took up the position of Chief Scientific Officer.

She is now able to focus on her newfound passion for science communication and providing evidence based, up to date, accessible, scientific information to clinicians, animal professionals and their clients, about subjects related to pain, behavior, neurobiology and the many interrelated factors.

Barking Brains | Facebook

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Dog behavior training by specialists - NYC Behavior Vets (behaviorvetsnyc.com)

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2026 Decoding Aggression and Reactivity Summit

If you want your dog to truly live well—not just get through the day, but feel safe, regulated, and able to move through their world without constant stress—this is for you. If you’re tired of managing triggers, walking on eggshells, or dreading walks because you don’t know what might set your dog off… you’re not alone. And more importantly, there is a better way. That’s exactly why I’m part of the 2026 Decoding Aggression & Reactivity Summit, created by my friend Ness Jones. She’s brought together more than 10 professionals from around the world (myself included) to help you understand what’s really going on underneath aggression and reactivity—and how to support your dog in a way that actually creates change. It kicks off April 19 (Northern Hemisphere) / April 20 (Southern Hemisphere), and you’ll get access to over 12 hours of education, real-world application, and conversations that go far beyond surface-level training advice. Yes, it’s a paid event—but at $47 USD, it’s a small investment for the depth of information, practical tools, and perspective you’ll walk away with. You’ll also receive a workbook, audio and video access, and a gift from each of the speakers. If you’re ready to start understanding your dog differently—and supporting them in a way that actually makes a difference—you can sign up here: Register HERE!