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

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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! 

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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! 

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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. 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-ifs

Dogs 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 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 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 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 go

These 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 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 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 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 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-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 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. 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 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 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 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: 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!