Sexier Than A Squirrel: Dog Training That Gets Real Life Results

Send us Fan Mail Think rehab is just rest and painkillers? We dig into the real toolkit—laser, PEMF, ultrasound, and shockwave—and map out exactly when each one helps, when it hinders, and how to blend them into a plan your dog actually enjoys. With Mel, an experienced canine physiotherapist, we unpack the science in plain English and keep the focus on results you can see: smoother movement, fewer...

Send us Fan Mail Holidays shouldn’t feel like a gauntlet of barking, lunging, and white-knuckle car rides. We dig into the real reasons dogs struggle when routines change and show how a clear plan, games-based training, and smart logistics turn stressful trips into confident adventures. From the first few minutes at a new training centre to that important “second time in” when food finally starts...

Send us Fan Mail What if the keys to calmer, clearer dog training are hiding in a muddy field at dawn? In this episode, we sit down with a farm-animal vet who swapped spotless theatres for open skies and on-call chaos. She walks us through the reality of rural practice - live calves at sunrise, emergency lambings, tea-stop triage, and the quiet skill of handling animals without force or fear. From...

Send us Fan Mail What if one of your most effective training sessions happens on a chair? In this episode, we dig into “glass of wine” games: short, calm, indoor training sessions that turn bad weather, busy days, pain flare-ups, or limited mobility into genuine progress. Anchoring yourself in a chair strips out all the noise. No over-helping. No micromanaging. Just clear information, steady reinf...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Lauren Langman and Bill break down practical, real-world ways to create more joy on busy, messy, unpredictable days… and how that same mindset transforms your dog training. You’ll learn how tiny resets shift everything: a five-minute step outside, noticing the birds, watching the rain, opening that letter you’ve been avoiding, or running one short training game. S...

Send us Fan Mail Travelling with your dog shouldn’t feel like a gamble. In this episode, we break your holiday prep into simple, stress-proof steps that work in real cottages, hotels, rentals, and road trips across the UK and beyond. You’ll learn how to rehearse car comfort before you ever start the engine, teach toileting on cue in new environments, and set up your holiday cottage so your dog wal...

Send us Fan Mail Flyball is loud. Barking. Gates slamming. Paws pounding turf. Behind it all -  pure skill. In this episode, Nicole - a force-free flyball trainer and vet - breaks down how elite teams turn raw arousal into laser-focused speed and rock-solid safety, even under the pressure of Crufts. What We Cover (Fast + Clear): • How to fix box turns without frying your dog’s brain • When food be...

Send us Fan Mail Vet days don’t have to feel like a battle. We break down a calmer, smarter way to get great care for your dog by preparing the right evidence, shaping the environment, and training simple skills that pay off when it matters. From short videos of movement and wound healing to clear photos of stool or vomit, we show how to brief your vet with exactly what they need to see so a ten-m...

Send us Fan Mail A normal training day. A happy cocker spaniel. Then a sudden shift - arched back, tucked tail, fever, vomiting - and a rush into a world of labs, ultrasound, and impossible choices. We sit with Debbie as she relives Marley’s final hours, from the first quiet signs to an emergency diagnosis of gallbladder mucocele, a condition that often hides. Beyond medicine lies the heart. Debbi...

Send us Fan Mail Grief is heavy; choice is heavier. We open the door to a conversation many avoid: how to make humane, timely end-of-life decisions for our dogs and other animals without surrendering dignity to fear or delay. Through real stories—a goat with Johne’s disease, a Labrador remembered with regret, a joyful dog named Eazy whose last morning was full of play ... we map the emotional terr...

Send us Fan Mail Responsibility isn’t a vibe—it’s a skill set that protects your dog, your community, and your peace of mind. We open with a frank look at UK law and why “friendly” doesn’t matter if someone feels scared, especially when your dog is big and loud. Then we share Bonnie’s transformation from high-stakes history to steady, social companion, using practical tools any owner can apply: ga...

Send us Fan Mail Some animals step into the arena and you can feel it—the spark, the “cue me now” readiness, the sense that they want to win with you. We bring that feeling into focus with international dressage rider and team manager Beth Bainbridge, comparing notes across horses and high-drive dogs to show how trust, routines, and basics turn talent into stable, repeatable results. Beth takes us...

Send us Fan Mail We challenge the tired story that Huskies are untrainable and show how early game‑based work, smart reinforcement, and flexible routines create calm, reliable dogs. From recalls around deer to safe outlets for the full predatory chain, we share what works and what to skip. • starting early with games to prevent bad rehearsal • building motivation with ditch‑the‑bowl and animated r...

Send us Fan Mail The hardest part of “socialising your puppy” isn’t getting out the door—it’s knowing when to say no. We unpack the difference between ticking boxes and shaping feelings, contrasting Rupert, a sensitive dog overexposed to chaotic greetings and traditional classes, with Tokyo, a dog raised on low-drama, consistently positive experiences. The takeaway is simple and powerful: quality...

Send us Fan Mail The words “no pressure” can make you feel all the pressure. We pull back the curtain on how stress sneaks into training and competition, how it leaks down the lead, and what it takes to build a team that holds together when the stakes feel high. From a near‑perfect run that unravelled at the last jump to the quiet wins in everyday pet training, we share what we’ve learned about mi...

Send us Fan Mail The heart-stopping moment when you realise your dog has vanished is something no pet owner wants to experience. Yet when Linda's tiny toy poodle Bobble disappeared during what should have been a routine walk, it led to valuable lessons that challenge everything we think we know about finding missing dogs. This compelling episode takes you through the entire emotional journey...

Send us Fan Mail The road to recovery after canine surgery can feel overwhelming and restrictive. Between strict activity limitations, wound management, and preventing your dog from causing further damage, rehabilitation periods often leave pet owners feeling helpless and frustrated. Lauren Langman and guest Alice share their first-hand experiences navigating this challenging journey, offering pra...

Send us Fan Mail Three hundred episodes and 4.2 million downloads! What started as a simple DVD in the early days of Facebook has grown into a worldwide movement transforming dog training as we know it. In this milestone celebration, host Lauren Langman sits down with trainer Sam to reflect on their games-based training journeys. Sam shares how her relationship with her first dog was deteriorating...

Send us Fan Mail When Karen's dog Rupert bit her father, it could have spelled disaster for family relationships and dog-sitting arrangements. Instead, it became a powerful learning opportunity that transformed their approach to managing challenging dog behavior. The bite occurred during what should have been a simple interaction – Karen's father attempting to put Rupert's harness o...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how elite trainers build confidence in both sport dogs and those with behavioural challenges? Lauren Langman and Jamie dive deep into the transformative world of confidence circuits – a versatile training approach that's changing how dogs learn to navigate their environment with precision and trust. Confidence circuits combine problem-solving with physical aware...

Send us Fan Mail When that adorable new puppy or rescue dog joins your household, the dream is harmony, but the reality often involves chaos, stress, and sometimes even conflict between your existing dogs and the newcomer. What if there was a better way? Crufts Champion, Expert Naughty but Nice Dog Trainer, Lauren Langman sits down with Linda, a competitive obedience trainer who recently introduce...

Send us Fan Mail From anxious and reactive to calm, confident and focused — Cavaletti training is the secret tool you didn’t know your dog needed. 🐾 In this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel Podcast , world-class trainer Lauren Langman and her colleague Jamie dive into how Cavaletti builds strength, balance, focus, and emotional resilience in dogs of all breeds, ages, and training backgrounds...

Send us Fan Mail What do you do when your massive mastiff mix - described as "half grizzly bear, half donkey" - turns into a reactive nightmare? For Alice, the journey with Bonnie began with serious doubts about whether she could provide a forever home for such a challenging dog. Most small reactive dogs get labeled "cute" despite their behaviour. But for Bonnie, a large brindl...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock your dog's problem-solving potential through the power of movement with Confidence Circuits!   https://absolutedogs.me/confidencecircuits This episode reveals how these versatile training setups can transform your dog's physical abilities and mental acuity using everyday household items. Lauren and Linda share their expertise on why Confidence Circuits have become...

Send us Fan Mail Could skipping your dog's daily walk be the kindest thing for them? In this paradigm-shifting episode, Lauren and Karen explore the controversial concept of "ditching the walk" and its potential to transform your relationship with your dog. Explore our diverse range of courses, including the recently released Bake Off course, for inspiration and enrichment ideas. ht...