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

Imagine your dog being able to make better decisions across different situations – choosing to stay calm around guests, resisting the temptation to jump on the counter, choosing their bed instead of hogging the sofa. This time, we’re not talking about calmness or disengagement. We’re uncovering the one essential skill no one’s talking about that could completely transform your dog’s behaviour – fl...

Has your dog ever gotten over-excited and engaged in behaviours that are a bit…cringeworthy? In this episode, we’ll be problem solving a cringe story where we’ll break down the three essential skills that could have turned this situation around. We are tackling everything from arousal levels and disengagement to how to teach a ‘safety net’ to prevent future ‘cringe’ moments. Tune in to hear this i...

If you’re juggling a busy home, whether with multiple dogs, kids, adults, or just a lot of activity, there’s an essential game that’s an absolute must for keeping your dog calm and on their best behaviour. In this episode, we’ll be sharing how to play this game to help them disengage from overstimulating situations like zoomies, playing kids or visitors arriving (including some key troubleshooting...

Does your dog treat your kitchen counters like a buffet? In this episode, we dive into the sneaky world of counter surfing and why your pup keeps testing their luck to steal your lunch! Discover how a dog’s natural gambler instincts can work against you and what it takes to keep your food and valuables secure. In the process, you’ll be keeping your dog safe by preventing them from eating toxic or...

Happy New Year, dog lovers! In this episode, we’re talking about something more powerful than New Year’s resolutions: setting a vision and goals for your life – and your dog’s life – that inspire real progress. We dive into why having a clear vision of what you want to achieve with your dog is essential for making the most of the new year and each new day ahead. Whether you’re working on training,...

Merry Christmas from the Help! My Dog Team! We couldn’t help but inject some learning into our Christmas message! During this time of year, there are so many competing demands on our time and energy, and through it all, we want to make sure we’re doing our best for our dogs. Aside from any presents under the tree or special treats you have in mind, in this episode, we’re letting you in on a secret...

Is your approach to rewarding calmness not working? Is your dog actually getting LESS calm and MORE crazy? In this episode, Dr Tom Mitchell unpacks why your calmness reward strategy might not be working and creating more frustration and tension in your dog. You’ll discover how to shift your focus and learn how to recognise subtle signs that can be the key to helping your dog relax and settle natur...

Can your dog sense that you’re stressed? Do dogs literally smell fear? We’re getting geeky in this episode and exploring the idea of emotional contagion. Science now confirms that a person’s emotional state might influence our furry friends in surprising ways (but not necessarily in the ways we might have been previously told!). From subtle changes in body language to shifts in scent, we break dow...

Frustration. It’s something we all feel, but how does it show up in our dogs? We’re diving into the fascinating world of canine emotions to explore what happens when a dog’s expectations don’t match reality and what we can do to help them navigate around those big emotions that might result in barking, jumping and other reactive behaviours. Join us as we discover how making some small, everyday ch...

Have you ever wondered why your dog is reactive or what is causing their barking, lunging, snapping, growling, pulling on lead or other reactive behaviours? In this episode, we’re diving into three different ways that reactivity can develop in dogs. Between your stories and what we see in the behaviour clinic, these root causes show up again and again – though they might not be what you would imme...

Dr Aston is back! This time, she’s sharing the top three things she wishes she knew before she got her dog (who happens to be a big reason why she went down the behaviour rabbit hole!). They are things that can absolutely help you in your dog training journey whether your dog is reactive or not and, especially, if you have or are thinking about getting a new puppy! Learn from our past mistakes and...

If you’re struggling with a reactive dog and feel like there’s no hope, this episode is for you. Join us as we chat with special guest, Dr. Aston from Behavet, about finding hope in challenging situations and reshaping your dog’s future to achieve your dog-owning dreams. We’ll hear real-life stories straight from the clinic and meet three dogs with some big struggles who are now thriving in their...

Do you feel like the dream you once had with your dog has faded into a cycle of day-to-day firefighting and endless to-dos? In this episode, we explore how to reconnect with that vision and build a joyful, fun-filled life with your dog by your side, wherever you are in your journey. Learn how to stay resilient, shift your mindset and understand what you and your dog truly need to thrive. Whether y...

Join us in this incredible episode as we explore the top five most powerful takeaways for helping reactive dogs by learning from the transformational and inspiring journey of Gorse, Dr. Tom Mitchell’s own little dachshund, who bounced back from a traumatic experience of being bitten by a dog over 20 times her size. Offering hope, support and actionable steps to help your dog thrive, whether they’r...

Here in the UK, fireworks season is upon us with Guy Fawkes Night on the 5 November, but wherever you are in the world, fireworks are a popular way to celebrate many holidays and occasions from the 4th of July to Christmas, New Years and weddings. Although many of us enjoy the spectacle, they are a real challenge for our dogs. In this episode, we’re giving you all of our top tips to not only survi...

Halloween can be a fun, exciting, ghoulish time for kids and adults alike. But for our dogs, it can be a whole new, strange experience filled with novel sights and sounds from decorations, masks, costumes and pumpkins (not to mention trick-or-treaters and door knocking!), filling them with excitement or fear and turning an otherwise uneventful walk or evening into a proper nightmare! We’re here to...

This episode is for the suspicious dogs out there! The “catch me if you can”, bolt away when the lead appears, “let me stay JUST out of arm’s reach”, “you’re never going to catch me” dogs! Sound familiar? These are the dogs that don’t want the fun to end, that can spot a sub-par deal from a mile away, that don’t particularly love being handled. Whether you immediately relate or don’t ever want to...

Our modern lives can be SO confusing for our dogs, filled with mixed signals and unmet expectations. As humans, we are quite inconsistent! One day, it will be ok to greet another dog or person, the next, it won’t be! From delayed treats to interrupted greetings, it’s no wonder that our dogs get frustrated. That’s why in this week’s episode, we’re diving into one of the most essential life skills e...

Ever wondered how to have smooth, enjoyable walks with more than one dog (or even just one!)? You’re not alone! Whether you have multiple dogs, are considering adding one into the mix or want some ways to improve your walks, this episode is packed with fresh ideas to help you turn those chaotic outings into calm, happy adventures for one, two, three or more. We’ll explore three practical strategie...

Are you bribing your dog without even realising it? In this episode, we dive into when training becomes transactional and how to build a next-level relationship with your dog where x-raying your hands will be a thing of the past. We’ll challenge everything you think you know about food rewards and show you how to make your dog see YOU as the ultimate reward! Get ready to level up your dog training...

Does your dog struggle to let things go? Whether it’s your shoe, your homework or a stinky prize, some dogs can’t seem to give up objects they grab hold of. In this episode, we explore the common challenge of “resource guarding” and look at what’s really going on in your dog’s brain when they seem to want to “possess” items. We’ll also share a practical strategy that can help your dog feel more co...

Feeling stressed about your dog training? In this eye-opening episode, we tackle the top 3 dog training myths that could be wreaking havoc on your life. These are the common misconceptions leading dog owners astray, causing frustration and making life with your pup much harder than it needs to be! We’ll be clearing the air about dog behaviour and science to find out what’s really important to crea...

Does your dog have their nose glued to the ground or maybe they couldn’t care less? In this episode, we’re diving nose-first into the fascinating world of sniffy dogs! With expert tips to help you turn your dog’s sniffing habits into a training tool that strengthens your bond to sharing a new way of looking at dog behaviours (of any kind!), you’ll get some practical tips and a quick and easy game...

Is your dog bouncing off the walls, bowling over guests, zooming everywhere they go and leaving chaos in their wake? In this episode, we dive into the world of over-exuberant pups who seem to love life just a little too much. But is that boundless energy a sign of confidence – or something else entirely? We explore the surprising reasons behind this behaviour, the common mistakes dog owners make w...

Puppy and dog socialisation is a hot topic for dog training everywhere, but do you know how to tell the difference between truth and fiction? Join us in this new episode where we debunk common myths about socialisation. (HINT: It’s not about meeting everyone and every dog!) Discover why the pressure to expose your dog to everything in a short window of time might have the opposite effect to what y...