Send us a text

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 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 run

New 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 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

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-minute consult becomes targeted, not rushed. You’ll hear how waiting in the car, asking for outdoor consults, and timing drop-offs can transform stress levels for everyone.

We also tackle the moments where speed saves lives. Pyometra can look like “just a tummy bug” until it’s not; we explain the signs, the urgency, and how to advocate for scans when your gut says something’s wrong. Alongside that, we talk through positive muzzle training as a crucial life skill, not a stigma. Done well, a muzzle becomes a cue for rewards and calm handling, useful for pain exams, travel rules, or breed legislation, and a safety net that protects vets, techs, and your dog.

To round it out, we share practical first aid steps and why a simple kit plus a printed quick-reference guide can steady your decisions when adrenaline spikes. Add in a handful of “vet games” that build consent, optimism, and mat settling, and you’ve got a playbook for kinder care and faster diagnoses. If this conversation helps you or your vet team, pass it on. Subscribe for more real-world training wins, share with a dog-loving friend, and leave a review to help others find the show.

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

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. Debbie names the shock few dare to say out loud: when a heart dog dies young, grief can break the body. We talk broken heart syndrome, anxiety spikes, and the odd, floating hours after the phone rings. Lauren shares the tools that helped ... therapy, journaling, structure, and a focus on gratitude that doesn’t erase pain but gives it shape. There’s no single right way to mourn. Some people wait before welcoming a new dog; others need a lead in hand. Both paths honour love.

Threaded through the sorrow is Marley’s legacy: tricks that sparked laughter, dance routines that built confidence, and games-based training that turned optimism into a daily habit. Debbie explains why she left aversive methods for kind, reward-based work and how better mechanics ... fading lures, clean reinforcement, simple setups ... made progress stick. At 72, she’s drafting a book, dreaming up a small online venture, and exploring a future with another American cocker, not to replace Marley, but to carry forward the joy he started.

If you’ve ever faced a sudden, devastating diagnosis ... or you want to be ready if it comes ... this conversation offers practical guidance and gentle company. Listen, share Marley’s name, and, if you need it, reach for help. Subscribe, leave a review to support the show, and tell us what legacy your dog left you.

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

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 terrain and the practical steps that lead to a kinder farewell.

We talk about the hard calls that vets present and what they mean in real life: failed vein access, prolonged sedation, and invasive procedures that add risk without improving outcomes. You’ll hear why “a day early rather than a day late” can prevent traumatic endings like haemorrhage, suffocation, or frantic final car rides.

We share how to plan a peaceful goodbye at home, in a place your dog loves ... the training arena, the garden, a sunny bed ... with familiar voices, favourite games, and last suppers that say “you’re safe.” Presence matters; calm touch and routine reduce fear, and those final moments become a gentle memory instead of a lifelong scar.

We also challenge treatment norms. Not every surgery, MRI, or chemo protocol serves the animal when the prognosis is poor. We walk through the questions that bring clarity: What does recovery look like? What comfort will this buy? What risks are certain?

Alongside honest talk about limits, we cover supportive care ... nutrition upgrades, raw diets when appropriate, targeted supplements, and low-stress routines—that can boost wellbeing without false hope. The through line is stewardship: asking tough questions, choosing compassion over delay, and trusting yourself to act before suffering eclipses joy.

If you’re bracing for a hard decision or carrying the weight of one that has passed, this conversation offers language, frameworks, and courage for the moments that matter most. Subscribe, share with someone who needs it, and leave a review with the one question you’d ask your vet before making the call.

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

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: games-based training, thoughtful management, and stepwise freedom.

We break down the real difference size and arousal make in public spaces and how to lower risk with clear choices. You’ll hear simple ways to turn chaos into calm: teaching a rock-solid recall and proximity, introducing a positive muzzle for safety, and making off-lead time a gradual, low-pressure progression rather than an all-or-nothing leap. At the vet, we show how planning ahead—videos, car waiting, cooperative care—can prevent panic and protect everyone. At home, we talk countersurfing prevention, guest setups, pens and gates, and how tiny tweaks stop big mistakes from ever happening.

Bonnie’s “ding dong dash” routine for deliveries shows how boundaries create freedom. With selective play, capped arousal, and careful dog-to-dog intros, progress sticks and stress stays low. Games turn training into emotion change, not just obedience; management buys safety while those new habits bed in. If you’ve wondered how to juggle kindness with control, or how to move from fear of mistakes to confident, everyday wins, this is your guide to becoming your dog’s best advocate and safest leader.

If this helped you rethink responsibility, share it with someone who needs a clearer plan. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us your non‑negotiable safety habit ... we’d love to hear it.

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

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 from the highs of elite competition—national anthems, big stages, and stallions who light up—to the quiet work that makes it possible: building security on fundamentals, respecting individual preferences, and designing environments that lower friction. We dig into welfare checklists for “behaviour” problems (teeth, saddle fit, backs, vet, forage), why continuity of routine matters for older or rehomed animals, and how a calm, predictable setup protects performance. You’ll hear practical competition strategies too: filmed run-throughs, targeted training blocks, clear day-of schedules, ring walks, visualisation, and the crucial rule that the calmest handler takes over when nerves spike.

Teaching gets a playful spotlight as Beth explains how to make dressage irresistible for kids by pairing precise asks with joyful releases. We compare “hot” and cooler types—how sensitive athletes often settle with more consistent contact, and how thoughtful, steadier horses become quicker by rewarding smaller aids. Expect honest personality talk (DJ Loki vs accountant Reef), transferable routines for travelling dogs, and the shared principle that basics win under pressure.

If you care about advanced dog training, dressage performance, equine welfare, or simply building better partnerships with animals, this conversation is a blueprint. Listen, borrow what fits your world, and tell us what you’ll change in your routine today. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review to help others find the show.

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

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 rewards
• reframing stubbornness as perseverance and independence
• delaying cues until behaviour is reliable
• managing deer, bears and high arousal with distance and lines
• safe outlets for the predatory sequence at home
• ditching routine to reduce anticipation and arousal
• exercise myths, decompression days and mental work
• agility, canicross and variety for fitness and focus
• who Huskies suit and how to set standards

Share this podcast far and wide, it's a much needed episode that sheds light on the stereotypes around Huskies! 

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

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 mindset, arousal, and the stories we tell ourselves.

We discuss the difference between healthy pressure that boosts performance and harmful pressure that stifles curiosity. You’ll hear simple language shifts—swapping but for and, adding yet to can’t - that reshape belief and behaviour. We break down the real‑world signs your dog is overloaded: sniffing and looking away, random behaviours, shutdown, vocalising, or trying to leave. 

You’ll learn how to tailor pressure to the dog in front of you, manage your own arousal so your cues land, and set crisp session boundaries so engagement doesn’t bleed into chatter. We also explore group dynamics, why comparison is the thief of joy, and how good coaching protects both people and dogs - especially when life baggage walks into training with us.

If you’re chasing red ribbons or just hoping for calmer walks, this conversation provides a practical path: clear criteria, small steps, honest expectations, and a plan you can trust. Flow isn’t magic; it’s the result of meeting your dog where they are and managing yourself first. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a gentler grip on goals, and leave a review to tell us which mindset shift 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!

Send us a text

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 beats quantity. A handful of safe, well-managed exposures paired with concept games builds neutrality, optimism, and handler focus far better than a hundred random hellos in busy parks.

We talk through the pivotal moments that set behaviour in stone: off-lead sprints to unknown dogs, crowded church halls where proximity is mistaken for progress, and the one-event learning that can turn curiosity into reactivity. Then we pivot to solutions that actually transfer to the real world. You’ll hear how games like Middle and Feet-on-Toes create portable safety boundaries, letting you feel arousal shifts through contact and move your dog with calm precision. We break down what a truly safe class setup looks like—space, non-interaction, and clear lanes—and why scent work can quietly drain stress without social pressure.

Owner mindset threads through everything. Dogs read our tension, so we offer simple ways to stack the deck in your favour: pick routes with visibility, walk with trusted teams, use long lines as seatbelts, and replace chance encounters with planned, appropriate choices—or none at all. If you’ve ever felt pressured by a vet’s tick-sheet or the “socialise more” chorus at the park, this conversation gives you the language and the tools to protect your dog and build the skills that matter.

Ready to trade overexposure for smart training? Grab 10 Days to Stop Reactivity and jump into the Games Club for a library of practical games and support. If this helped, follow, rate, and share the episode with a friend who needs a calmer walk tomorrow.

Jump into Games Club
https://absolutedogs.me/jointheclub

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

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 – from the split-second accident that led to Bobble's disappearance to the counterintuitive strategies that eventually brought him home. Most dog owners believe calling loudly and searching is the right approach, but Lauren discovered that silence and patience proved far more effective when Bobble entered "flight mode."

The expertise shared from legitimate lost dog organisations reveals why scared dogs physically cannot respond to calls and how our natural reactions may actually drive them deeper into hiding. You'll learn practical, immediately useful strategies, including leaving scent items, keeping vehicles open, and recognising the early warning signs that might prevent a disappearance in the first place.

Included is a cautionary tale about scammers who prey on desperate pet owners, having lost £575 to a fake drone search company in their moments of panic. This transparent account provides crucial information about legitimate resources like Drone to Home and Search and Rescue Drone charities that can help in these situations.

Whether you have a tiny escape artist or a confident explorer, this episode delivers potentially life-saving knowledge every dog owner should have before they need it. Because, as Henry Ford said, "Fail to prepare, prepare to fail." Share this episode with fellow dog lovers – the strategies within could make all the difference between heartbreak and a happy reunion.

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!