Guns and Noses

As the nights draw in and our routines change, it's the perfect time to revisit the foundations of our dog's training. It's easy to get caught up in progression, working towards the next award, the next level or that impressive retrieve. But sometimes we forget that all those fancy skills rely on the basics being firmly in place. This week I'm talking about why it's worth strip...

Shooting and fireworks season is nearly here, but is your dog ready for the bangs, flashes and unexpected noises? In this episode of the Guns & Noses podcast, we’re talking about how to prepare your dog for the months ahead, whether you have a confident Labrador, an enthusiastic spaniel, a young dog who is still learning about the world, or a dog who finds loud noises frightening. 🐾 We’ll cov...

Red has been spayed this week, and in this episode, I'm sharing how preparing our dogs for handling and veterinary visits can help make potentially stressful experiences a little easier. From arriving early for Red's pre-op appointment and practising familiar tricks in the waiting room, to using a position I'd taught her beforehand to help the vet remove some very sticky post-op plaste...

Sky is 10! 🎉🐾 Ten years of adventures, scurries, shoot days, training, and a whole lot of memories. In this episode, I'm celebrating my wonderful Sky and reflecting on the life we've shared, including the fact that she gave me Jack from her second litter of puppies! But as our dogs get older, their needs change, and we need to change with them. Sky still loves training, helping me in cla...

🎙️ Let’s Talk Dogs — with enthusiasm… and the humans trying to keep up! 🐾 This week’s episode is a little more reflective. Over the summer holidays, I made a conscious effort to slow down and spend more time with my daughter. And, as these things often do, it got me thinking about something else… Time with our dogs. We’re all busy. Work, family, school runs, chores, life… and sometimes dog traini...

We often think about warm weather in terms of keeping our dogs physically cool, but have you ever considered what it's doing to their brain? In this episode, I'm talking about how heat affects your dog's tolerance levels. Just like us, when dogs are too hot, they're less able to cope with everyday life. Their patience becomes shorter, they're more likely to feel overwhelmed, th...

Have you ever noticed that your dog seems perfectly settled out on a walk but turns into the neighbourhood watch the moment they're at home? In this episode, we're exploring something that many owners never even consider... acoustics. Your home doesn't just look different to your dog—it sounds different too. Every room reflects noise differently, from hard flooring and bare walls to hi...

The Power of Changing Your Approach We've all heard the saying, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Yet it's something many of us fall into when training our dogs. If your recall isn't improving, your dog is still pulling on the lead, or unwanted behaviours keep cropping up despite your best efforts, it may...

Using Two Toys to Improve Retrieves Does your dog love retrieving but seem to develop selective hearing when it's time to come back? Do they skirt around you, play keep-away, or struggle with the drop cue? In this episode, we're talking about one of my favourite training hacks: using two toys. This simple technique can help encourage your dog to return to you willingly, build value in comi...

Is your dog getting mixed messages from different family members? In this episode, we're talking about one of the biggest reasons dogs struggle to learn new behaviours: inconsistency. From using different cues for the same behaviour to changing equipment from one walk to the next, we'll explore how mixed messages can slow your dog's progress and create confusion. We'll also dive in...

One of the most common training mistakes I see isn't a lack of training—it's accidentally rewarding the very behaviour people are trying to stop. Picture the scene. Your dog jumps up at you. You tell them to sit. They sit. You reward them. Sounds reasonable, doesn't it? The problem is that your dog doesn't necessarily see it the same way. What many dogs see is: Jump up → Sit down →...

Visitors arriving can send some dogs into complete overdrive — jumping, barking, spinning, grabbing toys, or racing around the house. In this episode, we talk about why using a lead indoors can be an incredibly helpful management tool, how it prevents unwanted behaviours being rehearsed, and why calmer greetings help dogs succeed long term.

Do you use “wait” and “stay” interchangeably? Many owners do — but they can actually mean very different things. In this episode, we break down how to use each cue effectively, why release cues matter, and how clear communication helps your dog succeed. Use code Founder at checkout to get 25% off your subscription for the duration of your subscription Insider Club | Guns and Noses

“No” is one of the most overused words in dog training — but does your dog actually know what it means? In this episode, we explore why simply saying “no” often isn’t enough, and how teaching your dog what TO do instead creates clearer communication, faster learning, and better behaviour overall. Use code Founder at checkout for 25% off your monthly subscription Insider Club | Guns and Noses

Does your dog sometimes stare at you when you say “down”? They might not be ignoring you — they might genuinely be confused. In this episode, we talk about why “down” and “off” should mean different things, how mixed cues affect learning, and how clearer communication creates better results. Use code: Founder at checkout for 25% off your monthly subscription Insider Club | Guns and Noses

Teaching your dog “leave it” and “drop it” correctly can make life so much easier — but only when we use the right cue at the right time. In this episode, we break down the difference between the two, why clarity matters, and how using consistent language helps your dog learn faster and feel more confident. Use code Founder at checkout for 25% discount on your recurring payments Insider Club | Gun...

Are you accidentally confusing your dog with the way you give cues? In this episode, we’re breaking down a simple but powerful concept: the cue sandwich . Because when it comes to dog training, the order of your words matters more than you think. Inside this episode, you’ll learn: What a cue sandwich is (Cue → Reward → Cue) Why saying “good dog” before a cue can reduce clarity How to help your dog...

Does your dog seem fine one moment… and then suddenly react the next? In this episode, we’re breaking down one of the most important concepts in dog training: over and under threshold . Because behaviour doesn’t come out of nowhere—there’s always a build-up. Inside this episode, you’ll learn: What “threshold” actually means The difference between a dog that can learn vs a dog that is reacting Why...

Is your dog more interested in the rest of the world than they are in you? Walking your dog shouldn't feel like a game of tug-of-war. In this episode, we’re stripping back the complicated gear and going back to the basics of engagement . We dive deep into why "rewarding the eyes" is the single most effective way to teach a rock-solid position and a loose lead. In this episode, you’ll...

Does your dog pull on the lead no matter what equipment you use? Tried different leads, harnesses, or tools… but nothing seems to truly fix it? In this episode, we’re breaking down a common myth in dog training: the idea that the lead is the problem . Because pulling, lunging, and reactivity aren’t caused by the lead—they’re driven by what your dog is feeling. Inside this episode, you’ll learn: Wh...

Do you find yourself repeating cues like “sit… sit… sit…” and wondering why your dog still isn’t responding? In this episode, we’re breaking down one of the most common mistakes in dog training: repeating yourself —and why it actually teaches your dog not to listen. Because it’s not disobedience… it’s learning. Inside this episode, you’ll learn: Why repeating cues weakens your training What your d...

Does your dog struggle to settle when you stop on a walk? Pulling, sniffing, whining, or constantly fidgeting instead of relaxing? In this episode, we’re looking at a skill that’s often missed in dog training: teaching your dog to do nothing . Because calm behaviour isn’t automatic—especially in busy, stimulating environments. Many dogs are dealing with overstimulation, high arousal, or reactivity...

Living with a nervous dog can be challenging. You want to help them feel safe and confident, but sometimes it’s hard to know what the right approach is. In this episode we explore why some dogs feel worried about the world and what we can do to support them. From giving dogs space and allowing them to go at their own pace, to building confidence through small wins and simple training exercises. If...

Sometimes the best thing you can do for your dog’s training… is stop training. In this episode we talk about why giving your dog breaks during training, play and everyday life can make a huge difference to their learning, focus and emotional balance. If your dog suddenly “forgets” behaviours, gets overexcited, or switches off completely, it might not be stubbornness — it might just be a tired brai...

Those first five minutes of a training session can make or break everything that follows. In this episode, Helen explores why dogs don’t transition environments as quickly as we expect, and how skipping the warm-up leads to frustration. You’ll learn a simple 5-minute protocol to regulate arousal, build engagement, and set your dog up for success before asking for anything big. Manners Beyond the G...