The Honest Hounds Podcast

Saffron & Odin - Moving Beyond ‘Don’t Touch Me’

When Saffron first brought Odin home, he was the calm, easy puppy everyone hopes for. As he grew older, things began to change. Same sex aggression, unpredictable reactivity, and a refusal to be touched left Saffron avoiding walks, dodging people in the street, and dreading vet visits, life was stressful for both of them.

In this episode, Saffron shares openly what that looked like in day-to-day life, the fear, the overwhelm, the exhaustion, and the moment she realised she couldn’t keep managing and avoiding forever.

We talk about her experience at her Honest Hounds Reactivity Retreat, the emotional highs and lows, and the shift that came when she started to rebuild trust with Odin. Today he is a dog who can be handled again, who is learning to enjoy touch, and who is giving Saffron the chance to breathe and enjoy life with him instead of just surviving it.

If you’re feeling stuck or wondering if there’s a different way to approach things with your dog, this one’s full of insight, honesty, and inspiration.

We’d love to know what part hit home for you 💛

Follow us on socials:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@honesthounds ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Honest Hounds Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Honest Hounds FB⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@HonestHoundsTV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to know what you’re missing? ➡️

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to Honest Hounds today for just £1 with code ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠'HHPODCAST'

Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts - it makes such a difference for our mission!

Proper Paws Dog Training - When Confusion Leads to Clarity

This week, we sat down with Alex, one of our brilliant affiliate trainers who supports Honest Hounds members across the North East of England. But his journey didn’t start with confidence, it started with a very challenging Romanian rescue who pushed him to the edge.

Despite trying many different methods, nothing was working, until he took a leap and joined an Honest Hounds residential and that was the catalyst for him redefining both his relationship with his dog, Flint and how he showed up as a trainer.

In this episode, Alex shares how he moved beyond frustration, what it was like adding a second dog to the mix, and how he’s built a holistic, down-to-earth approach that now supports so many others. You’ll hear about the lessons that shaped him, the challenging bits along the way and what he’s most excited about for the future.

If you’re feeling stuck or wondering if there’s a different way to approach things with your dog, this one’s full of insight, honesty, and inspiration.

We’d love to know what part hit home for you 💛

Follow us on socials:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@honesthounds ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Honest Hounds Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Honest Hounds FB⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@HonestHoundsTV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to know what you’re missing? ➡️

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to Honest Hounds today for just £1 with code ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠'HHPODCAST'

Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts - it makes such a difference for our mission!

Jackie, Kai & Rory - Growth from Across the Globe

This episode is proof that location doesn’t matter when you’ve got the right support behind you.

This awesome team joined us all the way from Australia to share their journey with Kai, their fluffy boy who had started to show signs of guarding and over-reactivity. They were already so committed, doing dog sports and obedience from a young age, but something wasn’t quite clicking.

With support from the Honest Hounds community and a series of tailored 1:1 Zoom sessions with affiliate trainer Jess W, they found the clarity they needed. Some tweaks, a deeper understanding of Kai’s body language, breed fulfilment, and everything started to shift.

This one is a joyful, down-to-earth conversation filled with giggles, honest reflections, and a whole lot of insight. You’ll finish this one feeling inspired, no matter where in the world you’re listening from, so come & join us!

We’d love to know what part hit home for you 💛

If you'd like to reach out to Jess about online training from anywhere in the world, her website is HERE and her Instagram is HERE.

Follow us on socials:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@honesthounds ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Honest Hounds Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Honest Hounds FB⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@HonestHoundsTV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to know what you’re missing? ➡️

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to Honest Hounds today for just £1 with code ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠'HHPODCAST'

Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts - it makes such a difference for our mission!

Ellie, Tom & Ruby: When Touch Becomes a Trigger

This episode is a heart-wrenching story of how one event, at just six months old, set off a chain reaction that changed everything.

We dive into Ruby’s journey and the struggle of living with a dog who can no longer be safely touched and what that means not just for her, but for Tom and Ellie too.

This is more than a case of reactivity. It’s a raw look at how a human-aggressive dog can shake your confidence, strain relationships, and turn daily life into a battlefield. But it’s also a story of hope.

Because through dedication, learning, and partnership, Tom and Ellie have helped Ruby learn to see the world in a completely different light. They’ve reclaimed their confidence through knowledge & community and are now thriving as a team.

🎧 This one’s emotional, but it’s also packed with resilience and the reality of what’s possible when you don’t give up.

We’d love to know what part hit home for you 💛

Follow us on socials:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@honesthounds ⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Honest Hounds Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Honest Hounds FB⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@HonestHoundsTV⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to know what you’re missing? ➡️

⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to Honest Hounds today for just £1 with code ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠'HHPODCAST'

Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts - it makes such a difference for our mission!

Nicola & Florence⁠ - From Strong-Willed To Stronger Together

In this episode, we sit down with one of our most dedicated Honest Hounds members, Nicola, to talk about her incredible journey with Florence, her strong-minded and sassy Dachshund.

Florence has always known what she wants and hasn’t been shy about letting the world know. At first they were stuck in dog and human reactivity and separation anxiety. Their world got incredibly small and there was no time for self care for poor Nicola, but through consistent work, deep reflection, and a whole lot of commitment, Nicola has taken every opportunity to learn, connect, and show up for her dog in a way that’s truly inspiring.

From online courses to in-person workshops, and even joining us on retreat, this duo have embraced it all. What they’ve built is more than just progress in training, it’s a partnership of understanding, resilience, and shared joy.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever wondered what’s possible when you go all in. Because sometimes the biggest breakthroughs don’t come from a single strategy, but from showing up, again and again - those one percents really do add up!

🎧 Now live on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you tune in.

We’d love to know what part hit home for you 💛

Follow us on socials:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@honesthounds ⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠Honest Hounds Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠Honest Hounds FB⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠@HonestHoundsTV⁠⁠⁠

Want to know what you’re missing? ➡️

⁠⁠⁠Sign up to Honest Hounds today for just £1 with code ⁠⁠⁠⁠'HHPODCAST'

Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts - it makes such a difference for our mission!

Julia & Milo - Overwhelm to Ownership.

In this episode, we dive into the story of Julia and Milo - an unstoppable duo who prove that with enough grit, mindset shifts, and the right support, even the wildest of journeys can lead somewhere extraordinary.

From the beginning, Milo was a whirlwind. With a mix of high-energy, high-drive, and highly strung traits, they got to the point that Milo was confined to a lead to keep him and other dogs safe. Julia wrestled with guilt and overwhelmed but they didn’t give up. She leaned in, joined the Honest Hounds community and began rewriting the narrative.

What followed was a deep transformation not just in Milo’s behaviour, but in her own confidence, clarity, and resilience.

This episode dives into how Julia turned emotional overload into clarity, and how being open to growth allowed her to tap into a level of self-leadership she didn’t even know she had and it’s such an inspiring listen!

💛 If you’ve ever questioned your ability to cope, or wondered if your dog is just “too much,” this episode will remind you what’s possible when you lean in to the process.

🎧 Now live on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you tune in.

We’d love to know what part hit home for you 💛

Follow us on socials:

Instagram: ⁠⁠@honesthounds ⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠Honest Hounds Tik Tok⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠Honest Hounds FB⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠@HonestHoundsTV⁠⁠

Want to know what you’re missing? ➡️

⁠⁠Sign up to Honest Hounds today for just £1 with code ⁠⁠⁠'HHPODCAST'

Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts - it makes such a difference for our mission!

Hannah’s Hounds - From Whining To A Way Of Life

Meet Hannah — Honest Hounds affiliate, dog mum to Shadow and Percy, and someone whose life took a completely unexpected turn when she reached out for help.

While her dog Shadow didn’t present with severe behaviour issues, the constant whining, restlessness, and inability to settle slowly wore her down. It impacted their bond, their dynamic, and her daily life. What started as a step towards recalibration during a Residential became the first leap into a future she hadn’t even considered… a career in dog training.

💛 If you’ve ever felt like something needs to change, or you’re curious about what it really looks like to take the leap into dog training as a career, this one’s for you.

🎧 Now live on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you tune in.

We’d love to know what part hit home for you 💛

Follow us on socials:

Instagram: ⁠@honesthounds ⁠

TikTok: ⁠Honest Hounds Tik Tok⁠

Facebook: ⁠Honest Hounds FB⁠

YouTube: ⁠@HonestHoundsTV⁠

Want to know what you’re missing? ➡️

⁠Sign up to Honest Hounds today for just £1 with code ⁠⁠'HHPODCAST'

Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts - it makes such a difference for our mission!

Ally, Kim, Otis & Rupert - Rescue, Resilience & a Rabbit

Your mental health matters.

You can’t pour from an empty cup, and these two know it better than most. In this episode, we sit down with Ally and Kim to hear their raw and honest journey with Otis, their rescue dog. What started as a nervous boy lacking in confidence progressed into some pretty big feelings they were finding hard to navigate which led them to a deeper exploration of what they needed — support, space, and a reminder to look after themselves as much as their dog.

It’s a story of burnout, breakthroughs, and the little decisions that helped them finally turn a corner. And yes, there’s a very special non-dog guest in this one — their rabbit, Rupert, who just might be the real MVP of the episode.

✨ This one’s for anyone who’s ever felt like they were running on empty, or who needed a reminder that showing up for your dog starts with showing up for yourself.

🎧 Now live on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you tune in.

We’d love to know what part hit home for you 💛

Follow us on socials:

Instagram: @honesthounds

TikTok: Honest Hounds Tik Tok

Facebook: Honest Hounds FB

YouTube: @HonestHoundsTV

Want to know what you’re missing? ➡️

Sign up to Honest Hounds today for just £1 with code ⁠'HHPODCAST'

Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts - it makes such a difference for our mission!

Emma , Arthur & Billy - Beyond the 'Easy Dog' Label

Being a Golden Retriever, Arthur was often seen as the “easy dog” but things at home told a different story. Behind the calm exterior were quiet challenges that left Emma unsure, second-guessing herself, and wondering why it still felt so hard.

In this episode, she reflects on what that experience really looked like, and how the experience with Arthur shaped everything about how she approached raising her second puppy, Billy. It’s a conversation about learning through experience, letting go of pressure, and doing things with more confidence the second time around.

If you’ve ever felt like no one quite understands what you’re dealing with behind closed doors, this one will resonate.

Follow us on socials:

Instagram: @honesthounds

TikTok: Honest Hounds Tik Tok

Facebook: Honest Hounds FB

YouTube: @HonestHoundsTV

Want to know what you’re missing? ➡️

Sign up to Honest Hounds today for just £1 with code ⁠'HHPODCAST'

Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts - it makes such a difference for our mission!

Victoria, John & Albus - From Confusion to Confidence

What happens when the advice is endless but the progress is missing? Victoria and Jon found themselves overwhelmed, pulled in a dozen directions by conflicting opinions - and still struggling to help their dog, Albus. This episode dives deep into the emotional weight of navigating reactivity as a couple, the toll of trainer fatigue, and the moment where things changed for the better.

With honesty, heart, and humour, they share how they found the right path to move forward - not just for Albus, but for themselves. If you’ve ever felt lost in the noise, this episode is your sign to tune out the chaos and tune into real change.

Follow us on socials:

Instagram: @honesthounds

TikTok: Honest Hounds Tik Tok

Facebook: Honest Hounds FB

YouTube: @HonestHoundsTV

Want to know what you’re missing? ➡️

Sign up to Honest Hounds today for just £1 with code ⁠'HHPODCAST'

Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts - it makes such a difference for our mission!