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

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Ever felt that jolt of panic when two dogs square up at a doorway, over the sofa, or as they leap into the van? We’ve been there. Today we open the curtain on real-world scuffles in multi-dog homes and share the clear-headed systems that prevent fights, lower arousal, and protect relationships without relying on punishment or wishful thinking.

We start with honest case studies: Orla, a brilliantly trained collie who still snipes when tense; Venture, a spaniel who turns fiery when startled at close range; and a tiny toy poodle who guards people like treasure. These stories reveal how genetics, arousal, and space can stack the deck. We map the true flashpoints—stairs, doorways, narrow gates, and high-energy van entries—then show how to defuse them with crates, baby gates, tethers, and smart traffic flow. You’ll learn why “sleep pods” beat chaos, how to place resources so they don’t spark clashes, and how to rotate dogs through calm states so nobody rehearses bad habits.

When conflict breaks, speed and precision matter. We explain safe breakup tactics, from sharp startle cues to quick physical separation, and why staying calm prevents escalation. We also dig into the big mindset shift: punishment after a fight damages trust and rarely fixes the pattern. Instead, we teach alternate behaviours, interrupt early, and design the room so better choices are easy. By the end, you’ll have a practical blueprint for keeping dogs together: staggered movement, separate feeding, defined rest spaces, and routines that hold steady even when excitement spikes.

If you’re juggling collies, spaniels, or any mix with big feelings, this is your guide to a safer, saner household. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs fresh strategies, and leave a review to tell us which tip you’ll try first.
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If you’re loving the podcast, you’ll love our NEW Sexier than a Squirrel Dog Training Challenge even more! Get transformational dog training today for only £27!

Want even more epic dog training fun and games and solutions to all your dog training struggles? Join us in the AbsoluteDogs Games Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/gamesclub

Want to take your learning to the next level? Jump into the games-based training membership for passionate dog owners and aspiring trainers that know they want more for themselves and their dog - Pro Dog Trainer Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/prodogtrainerclub

And while you’re here, please leave a review for us and don’t forget to hit share and post your biggest lightbulb moment! Remember, no matter what struggles you might be facing with your dog, there is always a game for that!

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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 flare-ups, and calmer sessions.

We start with the essentials: inflammation isn’t the enemy if it’s moving through the proper stages, and shockwave can be a smart reset for chronic, stuck injuries. From there, we compare laser and PEMF. Laser uses light to boost circulation, reduce pain, and free up trigger points—great for tight backs, overworked shoulders, and compensations after spinal issues. PEMF works at the cellular level by helping damaged membranes repolarise, often delivering surprisingly fast relief and better range. We also cover where ultrasound shines with tendons and ligaments, and why technique, gel, and constant motion matter more than the machine’s screen.

Safety runs through everything. We clarify contraindications like active infection, cancer, and pregnancy; explain why class 4 lasers demand respect; and share practical fixes like shielding eyes and managing heat. Timing is the secret sauce: place electrotherapies at day’s end or pair with quiet time so a pain-free, high-drive dog doesn’t sprint into a setback. When used before controlled work, keep the focus on quality movement, not intensity.

What ties it together is cooperative care and a strong team. We show how inviting consent leads to better outcomes, and how layering therapies with lifestyle changes, hydrotherapy, and progressive strength beats any single gadget. Expect clear takeaways you can use today: how to choose the right modality, how to time sessions around training, and how to advocate for your dog if a setting or approach doesn’t feel right.

If this helped you rethink your dog’s recovery, tap follow, share the episode with a fellow dog person, and leave a quick review. Tell us: which therapy are you most curious to try next?
Support the show
If you’re loving the podcast, you’ll love our NEW Sexier than a Squirrel Dog Training Challenge even more! Get transformational dog training today for only £27!

Want even more epic dog training fun and games and solutions to all your dog training struggles? Join us in the AbsoluteDogs Games Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/gamesclub

Want to take your learning to the next level? Jump into the games-based training membership for passionate dog owners and aspiring trainers that know they want more for themselves and their dog - Pro Dog Trainer Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/prodogtrainerclub

And while you’re here, please leave a review for us and don’t forget to hit share and post your biggest lightbulb moment! Remember, no matter what struggles you might be facing with your dog, there is always a game for that!

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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 to matter, we break down simple steps that lower arousal and build focus where it counts.

We walk through transport challenges with options for every situation—train routes and easy taxi hops, supportive pick-ups, and the comfort of dog-friendly cottages right on site. If your dog hates the car, you’ll get a practical progression: feed near the vehicle, reinforce calm in the parked car, introduce engine noise, and layer in tiny drives. We add body-confidence games like wobble boards and skateboards to help motion-sensitive dogs learn that movement can be predictable and safe. Safety gets its own spotlight: crates, fitted bedding, secure harnessing, and daily short trips that make travel normal instead of a big event.

Hands-on coaching can reveal what video misses. Subtle tells—shoulders dropping, weight shifts, scanning—guide the choice of games that change behaviour fast. We share real cases, including a reactive collie whose “big show” was really uncertainty, and how giving her a clear job flipped the script. Food logistics are solvable too: arrange raw deliveries from local suppliers, stock high-value rewards, and use your cottage as a training lab to rehearse visitor protocols and calm settles that transfer home.

Whether you’re travelling with a reactive Frenchie or flying in to sharpen your skills with a demo dog, the theme is possibility. Age isn’t a barrier, and neither is past struggle. Want to make your next trip easier? Start small, stack the wins, and build momentum. If you’re ready for support, grab the £1 Games Club trial for full course access or book the £20 Watch One consult to map your plan. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs hope, and tell us where you’re headed next—what’s the one change you’ll try this week?
Support the show
If you’re loving the podcast, you’ll love our NEW Sexier than a Squirrel Dog Training Challenge even more! Get transformational dog training today for only £27!

Want even more epic dog training fun and games and solutions to all your dog training struggles? Join us in the AbsoluteDogs Games Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/gamesclub

Want to take your learning to the next level? Jump into the games-based training membership for passionate dog owners and aspiring trainers that know they want more for themselves and their dog - Pro Dog Trainer Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/prodogtrainerclub

And while you’re here, please leave a review for us and don’t forget to hit share and post your biggest lightbulb moment! Remember, no matter what struggles you might be facing with your dog, there is always a game for that!

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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 those stories come the lessons every dog owner needs:
• How reading body language becomes second nature
• Why space is a cue and how stepping ahead or behind a shoulder can turn movement on like a switch
• How pen size, positioning, and calm energy make handling safer and more effective
• Why one well-trained dog can steady nervous sheep better than three people
• How preparation and restraint change outcomes - whether it’s a surgical success or the weight of a loss under anaesthesia
Then we connect the dots.

Reluctant horses become blueprints for confidence games. Herding principles translate directly into agility handling, leash work, recall, and settling in busy environments. Working collies, kelpies, and huntaways show what clarity, timing, and resilience look like in motion and how the same principles transform everyday pet training.
By the end, you’ll understand why “stock sense” isn’t just for farmers. It’s a universal animal language - one that takes the chaos out of training and replaces it with calm, connection, and confidence.
If this sparks ideas for your own training, share the episode, hit follow, and drop a quick review.
Support the show
If you’re loving the podcast, you’ll love our NEW Sexier than a Squirrel Dog Training Challenge even more! Get transformational dog training today for only £27!

Want even more epic dog training fun and games and solutions to all your dog training struggles? Join us in the AbsoluteDogs Games Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/gamesclub

Want to take your learning to the next level? Jump into the games-based training membership for passionate dog owners and aspiring trainers that know they want more for themselves and their dog - Pro Dog Trainer Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/prodogtrainerclub

And while you’re here, please leave a review for us and don’t forget to hit share and post your biggest lightbulb moment! Remember, no matter what struggles you might be facing with your dog, there is always a game for that!

Send us a text
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 reinforcement, and a dog who suddenly understands exactly what you mean.

That simplicity builds confidence fast and strengthens your relationship in a way a muddy sprint never will.
We break down practical indoor training you can use tonight:
• Retrieve-from-a-chair (precision without pressure)
• Strong hand targets and chin rests for calmer handling
• Verbal cue discrimination so your words actually matter
• Living-room scent searches that grow optimism and reliable returns
• Confidence circuits—tiny, customisable routes for puppies and sensitive dogs
Movement fans get a full toolkit, too:
 • Cavalletti rails for rhythm, balance, and clean trot lines
 • Balanced stands for core strength and stillness
 • Position changes—sit/down/stand, bow, “look forward”—for tighter focus and better body awareness
Every idea has the same goal: repeatable wins in close proximity that build trust, clarity, and better behaviour.
When you do step outside again, you’ll walk out with cleaner cues, more control, and a dog who sees you as the most exciting thing in the room.
Ready for a five-minute chair session tonight?

Hit play, grab a handful of treats, and tell us which indoor game your dog loved most.

If this episode helped, follow the show, leave a quick review, and share it with a friend stuck indoors with an energetic dog.
Support the show
If you’re loving the podcast, you’ll love our NEW Sexier than a Squirrel Dog Training Challenge even more! Get transformational dog training today for only £27!

Want even more epic dog training fun and games and solutions to all your dog training struggles? Join us in the AbsoluteDogs Games Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/gamesclub

Want to take your learning to the next level? Jump into the games-based training membership for passionate dog owners and aspiring trainers that know they want more for themselves and their dog - Pro Dog Trainer Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/prodogtrainerclub

And while you’re here, please leave a review for us and don’t forget to hit share and post your biggest lightbulb moment! Remember, no matter what struggles you might be facing with your dog, there is always a game for that!