:In this episode, I’m diving deep into my personal journey working through reactivity with my young Border Collie, Tali. From her early signs of discomfort around other dogs to a pivotal (and humbling) moment during a rushed introduction, I share the ups and downs of managing and improving her reactivity.

I’ll talk about the challenges, the mistakes I made, and the key takeaways that have helped me create a solid training plan. We’ll cover controlled exposure, pattern games, engagement strategies, and how short, positive sessions can make a big difference.

Plus, I’m excited to announce my upcoming 6-week online course focused on helping reactive dogs and their owners build confidence and calm through structured training plans. I’ll be sharing my exact step-by-step approach, practical exercises, and what’s been working with Tali. I will give you more details when it's ready to book, but in the meantime if you are interested in being informed send me an email and I will add you to the waiting list.

If you’re based in the UK, don’t miss out on my face-to-face workshop – Collie Connected – on March 9th, where we’ll explore hands-on reactivity training and give you tools to take home.

https://thatlldoacademy.thrivecart.com/cool-and-connected-managing-big-feelings/

Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:

https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls

Get in touch:

⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/⁠⁠

⁠⁠Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/online-academy/⁠⁠

To follow me on social media:

Facebook : ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/⁠⁠

Instagram : ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bordercollie_geek/

TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thebordercolliegeek⁠

What are my 5 favourite skills to teach my dogs? 🐾I'll list them here but I into details in the episode so it's worth a listen: 1. Recall 2. Focus 3. Lie Down 4. Confidence 5. Sociability

Here are some links as I promised in the episode!

My workshops for 2025

My Recall Online Course

Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:

https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls

Get in touch:

⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/⁠⁠

⁠⁠Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/online-academy/⁠⁠

To follow me on social media:

Facebook : ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/⁠⁠

Instagram : ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bordercollie_geek/

TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thebordercolliegeek⁠

Something about Anja:

- Involved in dogs in some capacity for the last 10+ years

Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:

https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls

Get in touch:

⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/⁠⁠

⁠⁠Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/online-academy/⁠⁠

To follow me on social media:

Facebook : ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/⁠⁠

Instagram : ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bordercollie_geek/

TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thebordercolliegeek⁠

This is the recording of the live video I have done on Facebook last week!

You are still in time to grab a Black Friday discount on the 3 month membership, you will find the link under the live video on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/bordercolliegeekcommunity

Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:

https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls

Get in touch:

⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/⁠⁠

⁠⁠Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/online-academy/⁠⁠

To follow me on social media:

Facebook : ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/⁠⁠

Instagram : ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bordercollie_geek/

TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thebordercolliegeek⁠

Today's episode is about your dog behaviour and how to recognise if it's just a behaviour and training problem or if there is something else underlying and if a dog trainer is really the professional you need?

Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:

https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls

Get in touch:

⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/⁠⁠

⁠⁠Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/online-academy/⁠⁠

To follow me on social media:

Facebook : ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/⁠⁠

Instagram : ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bordercollie_geek/

TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thebordercolliegeek⁠

In this conversation, we discuss the critical role of arousal in dog training with Helen. We emphasise the importance of understanding both the dog’s and handler’s arousal levels to achieve optimal performance in dog sports. We talk about the complexities of canine behaviour, particularly focusing on the concept of over-arousal in dogs, especially working breeds like Border Collies. We explain how over-arousal can affect a dog's ability to perform tasks and how it is often linked to their genetic programming. We also highlight the importance of physical health, right exercise outlets and handler awareness to support dogs effectively. We stress the significance of understanding a dog’s behaviour in the context of their physical and emotional well-being, advocating for a compassionate approach to training and handling.

In this conversation, we also explore the complexities of dog ownership, focusing on the expectations that owners have versus the reality of training and living with dogs. We emphasise the importance of understanding the dog’s behaviour, the handler’s mindset, and the need for proper skills in dog training. We cover the differentiation between arousal and reactivity in dogs, the significance of mental stimulation and free movement, and the role of medication in managing dog behaviour. Throughout the conversation, we share insights on creating a positive and effective training environment for both dogs and their owners.

Do you want to know ore about Hélène work?

Follow her on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/helenelawlercoaching

Join my Puppy Training Diary Membership today:

https://thatlldoacademy.thrivecart.com/puppy-training-diary/

Tug e Nuff Toys!

I'm excited to be able to offer you all my favourite toys into a bundle at a special price JUST FOR YOU, my podcast listeners! Follow this link to learn more and listen back to Episode 70 to learn more about how I use these toys in my everyday training with my dogs and my students

⁠https://www.tug-e-nuff.co.uk/pages/border-collie-geek⁠

Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:

https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls

Get in touch:

⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/⁠⁠

⁠⁠Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/online-academy/⁠⁠

To follow me on social media:

Facebook : ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/⁠⁠

Instagram : ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bordercollie_geek/

TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thebordercolliegeek⁠

You can find more of Kat work follow these links

https://www.facebook.com/K9BehaviourConsultancy

https://www.facebook.com/k9detectionsolutions

Takeaways from this episode:

Sound Bites 

Do you want to join my Facebook Puppy Diary Week?
https://thatlldoacademy.com/puppy-training-facebook-challenge/

⁠https://www.tug-e-nuff.co.uk/pages/border-collie-geek⁠

Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:

⁠https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls-clone⁠

Get in touch:

⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/⁠⁠

⁠⁠Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/online-academy/⁠⁠

To follow me on social media:

Facebook : ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/⁠⁠

Instagram : ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bordercollie_geek/

TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thebordercolliegeek⁠

Ever wondered if it’s good to let your Border Collie stare at things? In this episode, I dive into the natural instincts of Border Collies and whether it’s healthy to encourage or manage their staring behaviour.

Here’s what we cover:

Book your CPD day with me:

https://thatlldoacademy.thrivecart.com/collie-traits-petpro/

Learn more and listen back to Episode 70 to learn more about how I use these toys in my everyday training with my dogs and my students, buy my favourite toys with a discount following this link:

⁠https://www.tug-e-nuff.co.uk/pages/border-collie-geek⁠

Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:

⁠https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls-clone⁠

Get in touch:

⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/⁠⁠

⁠⁠Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/online-academy/⁠⁠

To follow me on social media:

Facebook : ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/⁠⁠

Instagram : ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bordercollie_geek/

TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thebordercolliegeek⁠

This overdue episode is about Kite, his water obsession, his focus and recall, his hyperactivity and how I improved our relationship!

Would you like to sign up to the FREE Reactivity Webinar?

https://www.subscribepage.com/reactivitywebinar?fbclid=IwY2xjawE63kBleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZviUG_Z50PKjAWynoqFpeOw-Kt7urgzxIrbQ7vTPoHAw67QaNnA4-qdZw_aem_64nGSmLZUOFk9VjlOjuxOg

I'm excited to be able to offer you all my favourite toys into a bundle at a special price JUST FOR YOU, my podcast listeners! Follow this link to learn more and listen back to Episode 70 to learn more about how I use these toys in my everyday training with my dogs and my students

⁠https://www.tug-e-nuff.co.uk/pages/border-collie-geek⁠

Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:

⁠https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls-clone⁠

Get in touch:

⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/⁠⁠

⁠⁠Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/online-academy/⁠⁠

To follow me on social media:

Facebook : ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/⁠⁠

Instagram : ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bordercollie_geek/

TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thebordercolliegeek⁠

Here some links for you from the episode:

Get your holiday Tug-E-Nuff toys:

https://www.tug-e-nuff.co.uk/pages/border-collie-geek

Find the perfect accommodation for multiple dog households

https://www.facebook.com/groups/236903123501722

Adder Packs

https://www.adderpacks.com/

Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:

⁠https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls-clone⁠

Get in touch:

⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/⁠⁠

⁠⁠Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/online-academy/⁠⁠

To follow me on social media:

Facebook : ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/⁠⁠

Instagram : ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bordercollie_geek/

TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thebordercolliegeek⁠