Dog behavior is in the eye of the beholder – presentation by Joke Monteny

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Dr. ir. Joke Monteny is a lecturer and researcher at Vives College in Roeselare Belgium. 

She teaches ethology, applied dog ethology, animal handling and training in various courses, including bachelor of applied engineering and biotechnology, option animal care, postgraduate animal care, training shelter workers and breeders of dogs and/or cats. 

The main focus of the scientific research is the social behavior of dogs towards people and its impact on the human-dog relationship. The last 5 years, the group is searching and working on the development of an objective scoring tool to evaluate the social capacities of dogs. At the Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, she teaches the practical classes on dog language.

She is the founder of Hond Inform, an education and training center which provides services related to training and handling of animals.

Much of the practical work involves assisting families in raising their puppy, behavior analyses of ‘problem’ dogs and setting up rehabilitation programs for people with their dog. Training experience has been shaped by working with more than 1500 cases. She provides training, refresher courses and supervisions on handling / training dogs for professionals such as trainers of assistant dogs, government, veterinarians,… In addition, she is often involved as a specialist in establishing training programs for zoo animals. As well as the implementation of programs to score or improve welfare in laboratory dogs. 

Joke is author and co-author of several vulgar and scientific articles on dog behavior including several peer review publications on dog behavior (a.o. in the BSAVA Manual of Canine Practice). 

She is freelance advisor to Purpose Dogs (Belgian Non-Profit Organisation)  on selection, training and behavioral advice regarding their dogs.