Help! My Dog: The Podcast. Dog Behaviour & Training Strategies that Work!

Could pain secretly be causing your dog’s sudden reactivity or changes in behaviour, even if they aren’t showing any outward signs of discomfort? This week we’re discussing a super important and valuable topic - how our dogs’ health, specifically pain, can influence how they feel, behave and perceive the world around them. While many of us think of the obvious signs of pain, such as limping, slowi...

Your dogs are brilliant on their own, so why does everything fall apart when they’re together?! If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why your dogs can listen beautifully individually, but suddenly become over-excited, distracted or completely forget everything they’ve learned as soon as they’re walking side by side, you’re definitely not alone! This week, we’re exploring our top tips for stress...

Does going out for a walk always leave your dog wanting more, no matter how long it was or how much you did? Whether they pace around, get the zoomies, or even follow you like a shadow, when our dogs struggle to relax after getting home from a good walk, it can leave us feeling pretty confused! This week, we’re exploring why some dogs can’t seem to switch off after getting in from a walk, and what...

Is your dog suddenly afraid of totally random things that never used to bother them before? From wheelie bins, to scooters or even people wearing hats, when our dogs suddenly start showing signs that they’re scared of everyday things they used to ignore, it can be incredibly confusing and, at times worrying, for us owners. This week, we’re discussing the hidden reasons why your dog might be showin...

Has your teenage dog forgotten everything that they once knew - including their own name!? This week, we’re exploring what adolescence really means for our dogs’ bodies and brains, as well as why this typically troublesome lifestage can actually be a valuable opportunity to level up your (and your dog’s) skills! While adolescence can inspire some funny and (often) embarrassing moments, it can also...

Does your dog ignore you? No matter how many times you call their name or ask them to do something, does it feel like you’re talking to a brick wall? While it may seem like your dog is being intentionally stubborn, this week we’re exploring the top 4 reasons why your dog might seem to channel their inner teenager! We’ll take a look at a few possible underlying causes for this frustrating (and slig...

Does playtime with your dog get a little too over the top a little too often? Is tug of war or a simple game of fetch a one-way ticket to your dog mouthing, jumping up or even biting at your clothes? This week, we’re taking a look at why playtime can often descend into chaos and what that might be telling you about your dog’s brain! While playtime is a great chance to have fun, let off some steam...

Do you have a velcro dog? No matter where you go or what you do, they always want to be right by your side, looking for attention or trying to play? This week, we’re exploring why our dogs can start to feel more like our shadow, and what we can do to help them get unstuck! While having your dog by your side might sound quite cute, it can actually have some hidden consequences for your dog’s overal...

Does going out for a walk feel like you’re taking 2 completely different dogs with you? Does it always seem like your dog is rushing ahead, pulling on lead and eager to go until…you turn around and head home, and then they’re as good as gold, walking politely by your side? This week we’re exploring why our dog’s behaviour on walks can leave us feeling confused and what we can do to help them stay...

Do you start hearing the Jaws theme song every time your puppy gets a bit too excited!? If you’ve ever owned a puppy, you’ve probably found yourself on the receiving end of those tiny teeth at least once! This week, we’re discussing a listener’s question and thinking about some of the key reasons behind why puppies bite. This super common mouthy behaviour might actually have more to do with the na...

Has anyone ever told you that if you just “let your dog do what they were bred to do”, all of their behaviour struggles will miraculously disappear? Our dogs have evolved to have super strong skills in certain areas - from ultra-speedy, chase-y collies to laser-focused pointers - and it’s easy to believe that “giving them an outlet” to flex those skills could do them a lot of good! This week, we’r...

Do you own an aggressive dog? Whether your dog has already been labelled as “aggressive” by other dog owners or passers-by or they’ve started showing worrying or scary behaviours such as biting or snarling, helping our dogs through big behaviour struggles and emotions can be difficult and unsettling! This week, we’re answering another listener’s question and thinking about where and why this kind...

Does your dog’s reactivity leave you feeling absolutely clueless when you’re in the moment with no idea what to do or how to help? Owning a reactive dog can be incredibly challenging and often isolating, but we’re here to tell you that you’re not alone! This week, we’re discussing reactivity and giving you our top tips to help your dog when you’re in the moment. By breaking everything down into 3...

Welcome home! Welcoming a new dog into your home is incredibly exciting, and there are lots of wonderful things to look forward to - from getting to make new memories, learning about their personality and having some extra cuteness around. But it can also be stressful and overwhelming for us owners as we navigate our new responsibilities and adjust to life with our new companion. This week, we’re...

Do totally random things make your dog feel anxious, scared or even show signs of reactivity? Whether it’s cars, strangers, other dogs, certain men or women, or even people using wheelchairs or zimmer frames, it can sometimes feel like there’s no clear reason behind why our dogs suddenly react. This week we’re discussing all things novelty - and we don’t mean silly toys or gifts! Our dogs encounte...

Does it sometimes seem like your dog doesn’t quite know how to interact with other dogs? Whether they’re a walking buddy, a family member’s pet or just a random dog that you see out and about, does your dog struggle with those polite (if sometimes a bit playful) dog-to-dog meet and greets? If barking, lunging, snapping or flipping around on the end of the lead is your reality, then this episode is...

So you’ve brought home a new dog…but now what!? Figuring out the first steps with a new dog - whether they’re a puppy, a rescue dog, or are just new to your household - can often leave us feeling like we’ve got a million things to accomplish and no time to actually do so! But don’t worry, you’re not alone! This week we’re talking about all things ‘new dog’, and how we can set up strong foundations...

Does your dog go from zero to one hundred in the blink of an eye? One moment they’re relaxed at home, and the next they’re barking, jumping or even biting? You’re not alone! In this week’s episode we’re diving into why our dogs might seem to be unpredictably reactive at home. We’ll explore why our dogs flip from calm to chaotic in an instant, and how seemingly insignificant events, like the neighb...

Are walks an unavoidable part of your dog’s daily life? Whether you live in an apartment or flat, don’t have a garden, or have been told that walks are a necessity, this episode is for you! This week we’re tackling one of our most asked questions and taking a look at how you can rebuild your dog’s relationship with walking when ditching them completely just isn’t possible! We’ll think about some w...

Is your dog constantly x-raying your hands for a treat? Is food ruling your relationship with your dog? Have you ever been worried that your dog cares more about the food you have than you - perhaps they don’t seem that interested in what you’re saying, your training progress has slowed, or it may have even come to a complete standstill. This week we’re discussing a topic that we think every dog o...

Does your dog think they’re the next Monty Don? Have they got a real love for landscaping - even if you’re not quite so keen? This week we’re answering a listener question and exploring why your dog might be digging holes in your garden. Rehearsals aren’t just for actors -  it might be that your dog’s brain is telling them that being in the garden means destroying the garden! We’ll discuss an easy...

 ZOOM! There goes your dog chasing after another cyclist, dog, jogger, car…This week we’re tackling one of our most requested topics - why dogs love to chase (and what to do about it!). We’re thinking about exactly why dogs find chasing so exciting and how our dog’s natural instincts can leave us standing, watching as they run after whatever has caught their attention this time! We’ll introduce so...

Feeling stuck when it comes to your dog’s training? You’ve seen some great progression, and your dog was heading in the right direction, but then everything just seemed to…stop? In this week’s episode we’re addressing some common reasons behind why your dog’s progress may have hit a dead end, including some you haven’t thought about before! It can be easy to fall into patterns and routines, using...

When our female dogs go into season, it can be a bit puzzling for us humans, especially if it’s the first time or they start displaying behaviours that we’ve not seen before! This week we’re diving into one of our most requested topics and taking a close look at the way our dog’s hormones can impact them physically and emotionally while they’re in season. If your female dog doesn’t seem quite like...

Does your dog like to channel their inner teenager? Despite how many times you call them, or how many treats and toys you offer them, they just ignore you completely? We promise they’re not being rude, and this week we’re getting to the bottom of some of the reasons why your dog might be ignoring you, as well as some useful ways you can help to address this frustrating behaviour struggle. Although...