Animal Behavior Professionals

Research

I take great care and joy in performing animal behavior research through Carroll University and Virginia Tech. My personal research tends to focus on applied companion dog behavior, with special emphases on interventions for behavior modification and also the development of protocols which caretakers can implement on their own. My studies have received several awards and have been funded by both external grantors (Fear Free) as well as internal donors. We are always looking for funding for our studies, so donations and funding are deeply appreciated.

Dr. Waite presenting at the 2024 Association for Applied Behavior Analysis conference

Research is my absolute passion, and I’m always happy to discuss opportunities to collaborate on research or provide consulting on research projects.

To learn more about how you can support our research, reach out to Dr. Mindy Waite at [email protected]

Current Research

Calming Cap Study

Many dogs engage in problem behaviors in response to strange dogs while on leash. Therefore, we need strategies which immediately and consistently reduce reactive behaviors. One potential strategy is the use of Calming Caps, which are mesh caps that go over a dog’s eyes to reduce (but not totally negate) their ability to see. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the use of Calming Caps in the absence of training can reduce problem behaviors in dogs who are reactive toward strange dogs while on leash. 
Funded by Carroll University donor, Peggy Schenk

To learn more: https://sites.google.com/view/about-calming-cap-study

Window Film Study

This is a thesis study run by Jacqueline Drake at Virginia Tech and performed in Michigan only.

The purpose of the project is to assess whether using window film can reduce barking at windows in dogs.
Funded by Virginia Tech

To learn more: https://sites.google.com/vt.edu/window-film-study/home

Past Research

Cooperative Care Ear Cleaning Study

Dogs occasionally need their ears cleaned; however, most dogs find this aversive and try to escape/avoid the medication. The purpose of this study was to develop and test a cooperative, owner-implemented protocol to train dogs to engage in ear cleaning. Overall, the protocol was efficacious (meaning it worked!) at training caretakers to train their dogs to allow ear cleaning, and owners liked the protocol and could follow it.
Funded by Fear Free

Preference Assessment Study

Preference assessments allow caretakers to identify their dogs’ preferences. This study found that preference assessments developed for use by caretakers were a valid way to rank individual dogs’ treat preferences. Importantly, caretakers were able to successfully implement the protocol after a brief virtual demonstration, and they liked it too.

You can find the published paper here: Waite & Kodak, 2023 – Preference Assessment

Funded by Fear Free

Reducing Mouthing and Identifying the Function in Dogs Study

Mouthing is a common problem behavior in pet dogs, and many owners seek to reduce it. This study assessed the validity of the functional analysis for identifying why mouthing occurred in individual dogs, then used the analysis results to develop interventions which reduced the mouthing.

You can find the published paper here: Waite and Kodak, 2021 – Interventions for mouthing in dogs

Demographics of Dog Mouthing

Many dogs engage in mouthing behavior on humans, which is often considered a problem behavior. This study surveyed dog owners in the United States about their dogs’ mouthing behavior. Results indicated that many adult and, especially, young dogs mouthed. Many caretakers wanted to reduce their dog’s mouthing behavior, yet their interventions were untargeted or ineffective.

You can find the published paper here: Waite et al., 2021 – Mouthing Demographics

Animal Behavior Publication List (non-animal behavior studies not listed; see CV)

  1. Waite MR, Kodak TM. Owner-Implemented Functional Analyses and Reinforcement-Based Treatments for Mouthing in Dogs. (2022). Behavior Analysis in Practice, 15,269–283.
    https://doi.org/10.1007/S40617-021-00554-Y
  2. Waite MR, Harman M, Kodak TM. (2021). Frequency and animal demographics of mouthing behavior in companion dogs in the United States. Learning and Motivation, 74.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lmot.2021.101726
  3. Kodak T, Bergmann S, & Waite MR. (2022). Strengthening the procedural fidelity research-to-practice loop in animal behavior. Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior, 118(2), 215–236. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.780
  4. Waite MR, Heslin K, Cook J, Kim A, Simpson M. (2023). Predicting Substance Use Disorder Treatment Follow-Ups and Relapse Across the Continuum of Care at a Single Behavioral Health Center. Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment, 147.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.josat.2022.208933
  5. Kodak TM, Bergmann S, Waite MR. (invited book chapter, 2023). Strengthening the Research-to-Practice Loop in Treatment Integrity. In JK Luiselli (Ed.), Applied Behavior Analysis Advanced Guidebook: A Manual for Professional Practice (2nd ed., pp. 33-62). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2016-0-01055-0
  6. Waite MR, Kodak TM. (2023). Owner-Implemented Food Preference Assessments for Dogs. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.846
  7. Waite MR. (invited book chapter, submitted for review). In Mehrkam L, Feuerbacher E, and Kalafut K (Ed.), Applied Animal Behavior Analysis: From Principles to Practice. Cambridge University Publishing.
  8. Waite MR, Kodak TM. (manuscript under review). Development and Validation of an Owner-Implemented Ear Cleaning Training Protocol for Companion Dogs.

Animal Behavior Presentation List (non-animal behavior presentations not listed; see CV)

  1. Waite MR. Does chronic SSRI treatment interfere with fear extinction in animals. Interdisciplinary Forum for Applied Animal Behavior; 2014 February; Phoenix, AZ.
  2. Waite MR. Consultant-initiated follow-up improves client satisfaction and animal outcomes. Interdisciplinary Forum for Applied Animal Behavior; 2015 February; Fort Worth, TX.
  3. Waite MR.Maximizing the fear extinction process. Interdisciplinary Forum for Applied Animal Behavior; 2016 February; Phoenix, AZ.
  4. Waite MR. The brain and behavior: a complicated relationship; 2017 February; webinar, Behavior Education Network (Animal Behavior Associates).
  5. Waite MR, Kodak TM. A functional analysis of dog mouthing on owners. AGSIP Symposium; 2017 May; Milwaukee, WI.
  6. Waite MR, Kodak TM, Bergmann SCJ, Fulton CJ. Use of the functional analysis to identify the function of mouthing in dogs. Interdisciplinary Forum for Applied Animal Behavior; 2018 February; New Orleans, LA.
  7. Waite MR, Kodak TM, Bergmann SCJ, Fulton CJ. Use of the functional analysis to identify the function of mouthing in dogs. Animal Behavior Society Conference; 2018 August; Milwaukee, WI.
  8. Waite MR, Kodak TM, Bergmann SCJ, Fulton CJ. Developing Functional Analysis-Informed Interventions to Reduce Mouthing in Dogs. Association for Behavior Analysis International Conference; 2019 May; Chicago, IL.
  9. Waite MR. You Can’t Reinforce Fear. Animal Behavior Society. 2020 July; Virtual, US.
  10. Waite MR, Harman M, Kodak TM. Frequency and Animal Demographics of Mouthing Behavior in Companion Dogs in the United States. Animal Behavior Society. 2020 July; Virtual, US.
  11. Waite MR, Harman M, Kodak TM. Mouthing is Common in Companion Dogs: Biting is in the Eye of the Beholder. Interdisciplinary Forum for Applied Animal Behavior. 2021 May; Virtual, US.
  12. Waite MR, Kodak Simple Food Preference Assessments for Companion Dogs. Association for Behavior Analysis International. 2021 May; Virtual, US.
  13. Waite MR, Kodak TM. Simple Food Preference Assessments for Companion Dogs. Animal Behavior Society. 2021 August; Virtual, US.
  14. Waite MR, Kodak TM. Simple Food Preference Assessments for Companion Dogs. Veterinary Behavior Symposium. 2021 August; Virtual, US.
  15. Waite MR, Kodak TM. Food Preference Assessments for Companion Dogs. The Pet Professional Guild Geek Week. 2021 November; Virtual, US.
  16. Waite MR, Kodak TM. Functional Analyses and Reinforcement-Based Treatments for Mouthing in Dogs. The Pet Professional Guild Geek Week. 2021 November; Virtual, US.
  17. Waite MR, Kodak TM, Bergmann S. Nailed It! Treatment Integrity as a Critical Component for Animal Behavior Interventions. Interdisciplinary Forum for Applied Animal Behavior. 2022 February; Tucson, AZ.
  18. Waite MR, Kodak TM. Functional Analyses and Reinforcement-Based Treatments for Mouthing in Dogs. Applied Animal Behavior Analysis SIG Virtual Journal Club. 2023 June; Virtual, US.
  19. Waite MR, Kodak TM. Development and Validation of an Owner-Implemented Ear Cleaning Training Protocol for Companion Dogs. Animal Behavior Society Conference. 2023 July; Portland, OR.
  20. Waite MR, Pfaller-Sadovsky N. Unravelling Agonistic Behavior: Implications for Behavior Change Practices and the Role of Animal Welfare Standards. Association for Behavior Analysis International. 2024 May; Philadelphia, PA.
  21. Waite MR, Kodak TM. Development and Validation of Owner-Implemented Protocols for Companion Dogs. Invited presentation to the Association for Behavior Analysis International. 2024 May; Philadelphia, PA.
  22. Waite MR, Kodak TM, Whang A. Development and Validation of Owner-Implemented Protocols for Companion Dogs. Veterinary Behavior Symposium. 2024 June; Minneapolis, MN.