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

Send us a textWhat 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 anaesthesiaThen 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 showIf 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 textWhat 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 dogsMovement 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 awarenessEvery 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 showIf 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 textIn 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. Small wins compound fast - and they change the tone of your day, the energy you bring to your dog, and the bond you build together.We dig into: • Why the people around you shape your joy levels • How variety builds resilience in both humans and dogs • Gratitude as a stabiliser—especially around competitions and big goals • The reinforcement balance that keeps dogs motivated and healthy • Emotional hygiene: venting safely, writing the unsent email, and reclaiming your energy • How to control the controllables and stop spiralling into what-ifsDogs model this beautifully. They don’t analyse yesterday or pre-worry tomorrow - they meet the moment. And when we practise that skill too, joy becomes easier to access, easier to repeat, and easier to build into every part of our life with dogs.If big joy feels out of reach, scale it right down: tea with honey by the sea, a ridiculous cat on a turquoise lead, a spaniel delighted by seaweed. Size doesn’t matter - pattern does.Listen in, try one tiny joy reset today, and tell us: what’s the strangest thing that brings your dog joy? Subscribe to the show, share this episode with someone who needs a lift, and leave a review to help more dog lovers find us.Support the showIf 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 textTravelling 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 walks in and instantly knows what to do. We even share the story of a dog who arrived car-sick and anxious and left confident, settled, and ready for adventure, plus the exact routines that created the shift.We get practical fast: • The packing list that actually matters (triple-duty towels, gut-settling paste, electrolytes, chews, long lines, and a whistle that cuts through chaos) • How to transition food safely—even when you buy locally • The arrival formula that replaces zoomies and counter-surfing with calm, clear boundaries • The barking plan that works anywhere (settle cues, enrichment, bed/crate placement, and simple management) • The travel must-haves for UK trips and abroad: vet paperwork, safe transport setups, ID checks, hydration, and pop-up crates that create a “bedroom” on the goThese strategies aren’t theory: they’re field-tested with thousands of travelling dog owners. A few smart choices turn “stressful holiday” into “best trip yet.”Want the cheat sheet?  Happy Travels with Your Dog:An action-packed book full of tips, tricks and hacks for an amazing holiday with your dog!https://www.devondogs.co.uk/happy-travels-guide/ and book a stay at our purpose-built dog-friendly cottages. Mention the podcast for 15% off your stay.If this episode helped, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone planning their next adventure with their dog.Support the showIf 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 textFlyball 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 beats toys for technical flyball work • Why the fixed nine-inch Crufts jump changes stride planning • How to prep for loud crowds, benched halls, and high-energy lanes • The real mechanics behind a 3.33-second singles run • Rabbit-skin balls: useful tool or training trap? • Why her team runs indoor-only on springy rubber for long-term safety • How to know when a dog needs to retire—even if they love to runNew to Flyball? We map out UKFL, BFA, and the new outdoor-only league, plus exactly what to look for in a great team: their training choices, warm-ups, cooldowns, and culture.If you care about speed, kindness, and teamwork, this conversation gives you practical takeaways you can use in your next session.🎧 Listen now, hit “Follow,” and share this episode with someone who loves a fast dog and thoughtful training. Then ask yourself: What’s one thing you’ll try this week?Support the showIf 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!