The Paws Perspective

Does your dog really need more exercise, or are you accidentally creating a canine athlete who just keeps getting fitter? In this episode, Pat and Molly from Flying Paws Dog Training challenge some of the common myths surrounding dog exercise and explore why more physical activity isn't always the answer to a calmer, happier dog. We discuss the importance of mental enrichment, teaching dogs ho...

No two dogs are the same, so why would we expect the same training approach to work for every dog? In this episode, Pat and Molly from Flying Paws Dog Training reflect on how their approach to dog training has evolved over the years, with plenty of lessons learned from their own dogs along the way. From different personalities and temperaments to setting boundaries, encouraging independence and un...

In this episode, we explore the often difficult and emotional topic of rehoming a dog . We discuss the stigma that can surround rehoming, why it isn’t always a sign of failure, and the circumstances where finding a different home may genuinely be the best option for both the dog and their family. We look at lifestyle and environmental mismatches, behavioural and safety concerns, changes in family...

Sometimes dog training means changing the plan, having an awkward conversation, or accepting that management might actually be the best solution. In this episode, we talk about some of the common misconceptions we see around dog training and some of the things trainers occasionally have to stop themselves from saying out loud! We discuss: ​Why management isn’t a failure ​What to do when the origin...

Dog training progress doesn’t always look dramatic. Often, it’s the small changes that happen quietly over weeks or months that show just how far you and your dog have come. In this episode, we talk about why progress can be difficult to recognise when you’re living with your dog every day, and how an outside perspective can sometimes highlight improvements you’ve stopped noticing. We also dive in...

This is a difficult episode, but an important one. Over the past five years, between us we’ve had to say goodbye to four of our own dogs, Murph, Rily, Tani and Dudley. With the recent loss of Murph, we wanted to have an open conversation about something almost every dog owner will eventually face: knowing when it might be time to say goodbye. This isn’t an episode about having all the answers. It’...

Bringing home a new puppy is exciting but those first few weeks can also feel like a lot. What should you focus on? How much socialisation do they really need? And are you accidentally putting too much pressure on yourself to get everything right? In this episode, we break down what really matters when setting your puppy up for success. We chat about: What puppy socialisation actually means and wh...

Thinking about getting a puppy? Choosing the right dog involves a lot more than falling in love with a cute face. In this episode, we break down how to choose a puppy that actually suits your lifestyle , including what to consider when choosing a breed, how genetics and breed traits can influence the dog you end up living with, and why your day-to-day life matters more than looks. We also talk abo...

In this episode, we’re changing things up with a fast-paced, quick-fire chat about all things dogs ! From dogs on the bed and our thoughts on crate training, to muddy paws, beach walks, enrichment toys and the ridiculous number of nicknames our dogs somehow collect, we work our way through a stack of everyday dog-related questions. We share our own experiences, preferences and a few training thoug...

Would You Rather: Dog Training Edition 🐾 This week on The Paws Perspective , we’re doing things a little differently! Pat and Molly put their dog training opinions to the test with a rapid-fire game of Would You Rather , tackling some surprisingly difficult choices about dogs, training and everyday life. Would you rather have one Border Collie or three Labradors? Perfect recall or perfect loose l...

Pet insurance is one of those things you hope you never need—but if you do, it can completely change the decisions you're able to make for your dog. In this episode of The Paws Perspective , Pat and Molly discuss why pet insurance has become increasingly important for modern dog owners. Through honest conversations and personal experiences with their own dogs, they explore the financial realit...

We all want our dogs to learn quickly. Whether it's loose lead walking, recall, reactivity or simply settling at a café, it's easy to wonder why progress isn't happening as fast as we'd hoped. In a world of quick fixes and instant results, dog training can sometimes feel frustratingly slow. But what if slow progress is actually the goal? In this episode of The Paws Perspective , Mo...

What could training a sheep possibly teach you about your dog? As it turns out… quite a lot. In this episode of The Paws Perspective , Molly shares her experience of training a sheep using positive reinforcement as part of her Karen Pryor Academy studies. While the project might seem completely unrelated to dogs, it quickly became one of the best reminders that the science of learning doesn't...

When we think about pain in dogs, we often imagine limping or obvious injuries. The reality is that many dogs experience pain in far more subtle ways. Changes in behaviour, increased reactivity, anxiety, reduced tolerance, slower learning, changes in movement or even avoiding certain situations can all be signs that something deeper is going on. In this episode of The Paws Perspective , Pat and Mo...

What does it actually mean to have a well-trained dog? Is it perfect obedience? A flawless recall? Never barking? Or is it something much more practical? In this episode, Pat and Molly unpack one of the biggest misconceptions in dog training: that every dog should achieve the same things. They explore how your lifestyle, your goals, and your dog's personality all influence what success really look...

Most of us head out on a walk thinking our dog's main job is to walk nicely beside us. But what if the most important part of that walk is actually the part we spend the most time trying to stop? In this episode, Pat shares why sniffing isn't just something dogs enjoy, it's something they need . Fresh from competing with Zani in their very first scent work trial (and coming home with a...

Dogs are masters at hiding pain. In the wild, showing weakness can make an animal vulnerable, so many dogs continue to play, walk, and wag their tails even when they're uncomfortable. As a result, pain often goes unnoticed until it becomes severe. But pain doesn't always look like limping. It can show up as barking, reactivity, anxiety, reluctance to jump into the car, slowing down on walk...

If we could only teach every dog owner one thing, what would it be? After more than a decade working with thousands of dogs and their owners, we've learnt that while there are endless training techniques, games and exercises available, there are a few key concepts that consistently make the biggest difference. In this episode, Pat and Molly each share the one lesson they believe every dog owner sh...

Episode Summary Why does your friend's dog seem to pick things up effortlessly while yours feels like a full-time job? Why did your last dog seem easy, but your current dog leaves you questioning everything? And why do some owners appear to get results with half the effort? In this episode, we explore the reality that not all dogs are created equal when it comes to training, behaviour and day-...

This episode dives into the dog training hills we’re absolutely prepared to die on. From why more exposure isn’t always the answer and why a tired dog isn’t necessarily a calm dog, to the importance of management, realistic expectations, and understanding the dog in front of you, we tackle some of the most common misconceptions in the dog world. Drawing on over a decade of experience working with...

Most dog owners have done it. You see another dog calmly walking through a busy café, ignoring every distraction, while yours is pulling towards a leaf blowing across the footpath. You watch someone else's dog come flying back on recall, while yours suddenly develops selective hearing. Before you know it, you're wondering what you're doing wrong. In this episode, we're talking abou...

What happens when dog trainers look back at the dogs that started it all? In this episode, we’re sharing the honest lessons, mistakes, wins, and reality checks that came with raising our first dogs, long before we had the experience we have now. We talk about the pressure new owners often feel to “get everything right,” how expectations can clash with reality, and the things we now wish someone ha...

After 12 years in the dog training industry, this episode is a honest reflection on how much our training philosophy, understanding of dogs and approach to behaviour has changed over the years. We talk about the things we used to believe about dog training, the advice we once gave, and the experiences that completely shifted the way we work with dogs and their owners today. From focusing heavily o...

In this episode of The Paws Perspective, Pat and Molly from Flying Paws dive into a topic that almost every dog owner (and every dog trainer) can relate to: ignoring the advice we know we should follow ourselves. From skipped training sessions and inconsistent routines to management shortcuts and “I’ll work on that later” moments, this episode unpacks the reality of living and working with dogs wh...

In this episode, we unpack one of the most misunderstood parts of dog training: why dogs struggle in the first place. It’s rarely stubbornness or disobedience. More often, it’s overwhelm. We break down what thresholds actually look like in real life, how overexcitement and pressure impact your dog’s ability to cope, and why “doing more” is often what makes things worse. You’ll learn how to recogni...