The Yappy Hour

In this episode, Nathan is joined by Kay Attwood, founder of K9 Services and author of Canine Cognitive Skills, to explore a genuinely fascinating approach to dog training: Canine Cognitive Behaviour Training (CCBT). Kay explains how giving dogs the freedom to think, problem-solve, and make choices can transform behaviour from the inside out, particularly for anxious and reactive dogs. Whether you are a seasoned dog guardian or just starting out, this conversation will change the way you see what is going on behind your dog's eyes.

What you'll learn in this episode:

✅ What Canine Cognitive Behaviour Training (CCBT) actually is and how it differs from conventional reward-based training

✅ The difference between the "play brain" and the "reactive brain" and why it matters for your dog's behaviour

✅ Why giving dogs real choices builds confidence and reduces stress hormones

✅ Simple, low-cost games you can try at home using everyday household items

✅ How cognitive enrichment can support anxious and reactive dogs without medication

✅ Why slowing down and letting your dog think is one of the most powerful things you can do as a guardian

Key takeaways:

• Dogs are continually looking for solutions; they are not trying to be difficult
• Enrichment is not just about keeping dogs busy. It is about giving them meaningful mental engagement and genuine downtime
• You do not need expensive equipment. A bag of plastic cups or empty water bottles can be the start of a cognitive training journey
• The relationship between dog and guardian improves dramatically when both learn to communicate, not just instruct

Kay's website

Cognitive Canine Skills book on Amazon

Kay's Facebook page

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Georgie Bleza is a dog trainer, self-taught artist, and the creative mind behind Trick Woofs, a body of work that uses comics and illustrations to make dog behaviour accessible, relatable, and genuinely joyful.

In this episode, Nathan chats with Georgie about the power of visual learning, what consent-based training really looks like in everyday life, and why trick training is far more useful than most people think.

If you've ever struggled to explain what you know about dogs to someone else, Georgie's work might just do it for you.

What you'll learn in this episode:

✅ Why visual resources help dog guardians understand behaviour in a way that words often can't

✅ What consent-based training actually means and how to start building it into daily life

✅ How to read when your dog is giving or withdrawing consent, from grooming to walks

✅ Why trick training builds confidence in anxious and nervous dogs

✅ How to slow down and give your dog processing time and why it makes all the difference

✅ What the "hold" trick can do for resource guarders and why a hand touch is one of the most versatile skills you can teach

Key takeaways:

• Consent isn't just a buzzword; it's about opening up a conversation with your dog and giving them a genuine stop/start button in situations they find difficult
• Slowing down is one of the simplest and most powerful things you can do, whether that's with a harness, a vet visit, or a training session
• Trick training gives dogs a sense of purpose and confidence, and there's a practical use for almost every trick you can teach
• Your dog feels your emotional state. If you're frustrated, they notice. A calm handler makes for a calmer dog
• Science-based trainers are stronger together division creates noise that confuses dog guardians who are just trying to do right by their dogs

🐾 Find ethical, qualified pet professionals near you at Yappily, the directory for dog guardians who care about doing right by their dog.

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In this episode, Nathan sits down with Clayton Payne, pet industry veteran, Chief Commercial Officer of The Bug Factory, and host of Pet Business Disruptors, for a refreshingly honest look behind the scenes of the pet food world.

From growing up in his parents' pet shop to building a wholesale business for 22 years and now farming insects as a sustainable protein source, Clayton has seen every corner of this industry.

Whether you're a curious dog guardian, a raw feeding convert, or someone just trying to do better by your dog, this conversation is packed with practical, no-nonsense insight. Pull up a chair, this one's a good one.

What you'll learn in this episode:

✅ Why where you buy your dog's food says more than you might think, and what the difference really is between a supermarket, a pet shop, and a raw food retailer

✅ How dog food is actually made, from formulation and manufacturing to packaging and getting it on shelves

✅ Why the raw food market has grown from less than half a percent to around 10% of the UK market, and what's driving it

✅ What to actually look for on a dog food label (and what words to ignore entirely)

✅ The two big myths Clayton wants busted: mixing raw and kibble, and feeding the same protein every day

✅ What "natural," "wholesome," and "sustainable" actually mean on packaging. Spoiler: not much

✅ Where the pet industry is headed, and why mushroom-based supplements might be the next big thing

Key takeaways:

• If meat isn't the first ingredient, put it back on the shelf. There's usually something better in the same price range
• You don't have to overhaul everything at once. Even small additions like bone broth or pumpkin powder alongside kibble can make a real difference
• Don't just take your vet's word on nutrition. They're generalists, not nutritionists, and there are brilliant specialist resources out there
• Variety of proteins matters. You wouldn't eat the same meal every night, and neither should your dog

🐾 Find ethical, qualified pet professionals near you at Yappily the directory for dog guardians who care about doing right by their dog.

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If you've ever brought home a rescue dog and felt like you were failing — this episode is for you.

Rachel Rodgers is a registered clinical animal behaviourist, founder of Nose to Trail, and a specialist in separation anxiety with a background spanning over 15 years in UK rescue centres including Dogs Trust and the RSPCA. In this episode, she and host Nathan Dunleavy have an honest, warm, and deeply practical conversation about why rescue dogs are more prone to SA, what the early signs really look like, and why so many cases go unrecognised or get made worse with the wrong approach. If you're navigating separation anxiety with a rescue dog, this is the episode to share.

In this episode:

✅ Why rescue dogs are more vulnerable to separation anxiety and what's really going on emotionally when a dog has been rehomed

✅ The early warning signs of SA that most new adopters miss (including one that looks like a toilet training problem)

✅ How pain and underlying health issues can masquerade as separation anxiety and why a vet referral matters more than you think

✅ What the settling-in period should actually look like, and why "just leave them to cry it out" can make things significantly worse

✅ How to gently build independence without causing stress from day one

✅ Why working with a certified separation anxiety professional or clinical animal behaviourist is so important, and how to tell the difference

✅ How to manage caregiver fatigue and find real support when you're struggling

Key takeaways:

• Separation anxiety in rescue dogs often has roots in broken attachment, kennel stress, and unknown history. It's not a training failure; it's an emotional response
• Subtle signs like not eating, pacing, or toileting only when you're apart can be easy to miss without a camera, but they matter
• Before starting any separation programme, a thorough vet check is essential; pain is a common and overlooked driver of SA
• Caregiver fatigue is real. Building a support network of people your dog trusts isn't a luxury, it's part of the treatment plan

🐾 Subscribe to The Yappy Hour for more conversations that help you understand, connect with, and care for your dog.

🐕 Find ethical and qualified pet professionals near you at Yappily.co.uk

Sound note: we did have some technical issues in the first 14 minutes of this episode, but they get much better after, so please bear with us!

In this episode of The Yappy Hour, Nathan is joined by Caroline Griffith — canine nutrition consultant, founder of the Canine Holistic Science Academy, and the driving force behind the Natural Dog Expo. With over 25 years of experience in natural dog care, Caroline cuts through the noise around dog nutrition with calm, evidence-backed clarity. Whether you're feeding raw, kibble, or somewhere in between, this conversation will leave you feeling more informed, more confident, and genuinely inspired to look more closely at what's going into your dog's bowl.

What you'll learn in this episode:

✅ Why "complete and balanced" on a pet food label doesn't mean what most of us think it means

✅ How fresh and raw diets support your dog's gut, hydration, and ability to regulate their own health

✅ What to actually look for (and avoid) when choosing a commercial dog food

✅ The surprising link between nutrition, gut health, and your dog's behaviour and reactivity

✅ Why the DCM/grain-free scare has been largely debunked — and why vets may not know yet

✅ How to start raw feeding without overwhelm, including the easiest entry points for beginners

✅ Why bone broth might be the single most impactful addition to your dog's bowl right now

Key takeaways:

• Fresh whole food — raw or lightly cooked — gives a dog's body what it needs to regulate itself, stay hydrated, and maintain a healthy gut lining in a way processed food simply can't
• "Complete" pet food is only complete to a set of guidelines — and those guidelines don't reflect what dogs need to truly thrive
• Every dog is an individual; what works for one may not work for another, and fresh feeding makes it far easier to adapt
• Bone broth is an accessible, affordable, and genuinely powerful addition for all dogs — especially anxious or reactive ones
• Bacteria in raw food is far less of a concern than it's portrayed — two studies specifically aimed to prove transmission risk, and both found it to be rare or low

Connect with Caroline Griffith:

Website: http://www.canineholisticscienceacademy.com/

Natural Dog Expo: naturaldogexpo.com

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🐕 Find ethical and qualified pet professionals near you at Yappily.co.uk

This episode includes a brief mention of suicide.

***

Arthritis in dogs is far more common than many people realise, and it does not just affect older dogs.

In this episode of The Yappy Hour, Nathan is joined by Hannah Capon, founder of Canine Arthritis Management (CAM), to talk about the early signs of arthritis in dogs, how pain can affect behaviour, and what dog guardians can do to help their dogs live more comfortable lives.

They explore why arthritis is often missed, why dogs are not necessarily “hiding” pain, and how subtle changes in movement, mood, posture, or behaviour can all be important clues. Hannah also explains why weight, flooring, lifestyle, and exercise choices matter so much for managing joint pain and supporting long-term well-being.

This is an important conversation for anyone living with a dog who seems to be slowing down, moving differently, or showing changes that do not quite feel right.

✅ Why arthritis is not just an old dog condition

✅ How young dogs can develop arthritis too

✅ The subtle early signs of pain many guardians miss

✅ How pain can influence behaviour, anxiety, and reactivity

✅ Why weight management matters so much

✅ Simple changes at home that can make a big difference

✅ How to approach exercise and movement safely

✅ Why early support can improve a dog’s quality of life

Dogs with arthritis can still live happy, active, fulfilling lives, but early recognition and the right support matter.

Canine Arthritis Management (CAM)

The Pain Vet

Looking for a qualified professional to support your dog?

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👉 https://yappily.co.uk

Victoria Stilwell on reactive dogs, force-free training and the Reactivity Zones Approach

In this episode of The Yappy Hour powered by Yappily, Nathan Dunleavy is joined by world-renowned dog trainer, author, educator and TV presenter Victoria Stilwell.

Known for It’s Me or the Dog, The Dog Academy, the Victoria Stilwell Academy and Positively, Victoria has helped shape modern dog training across the world. In this conversation, she shares her compassionate and practical thoughts on one of the most emotionally charged topics for dog guardians: living with a reactive dog.

Together, Nathan and Victoria explore what dog guardians often misunderstand about reactivity, why so many people feel shame and isolation when their dog struggles in public, and how Victoria’s Reactivity Zones Approach offers a force-free, real life framework built around safety, trust, choice and predictability.

They also discuss the difference between the comfort zone, tolerance zone and discomfort zone, how to recognise subtle signs of stress before barking and lunging happen, and why progress with reactive dogs is rarely linear.

This episode is packed with hopeful, humane guidance for anyone supporting a reactive dog or working in force-free dog training and behaviour.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. What reactivity really is and what dog guardians often get wrong
2. Why reactive behaviour is not the same as disobedience
3. What the Reactivity Zones Approach is and how it works
4. The difference between comfort, tolerance and discomfort zones
5. Why choice and agency matter for dogs’ emotional wellbeing
6. How to use practical tools like emergency U-turns and body blocking
7. Why management is not failure
8. What resilience looks like beyond obedience
9. How to stay compassionate with yourself while supporting a reactive dog

About Victoria Stilwell

Victoria Stilwell is an internationally respected dog trainer, author, educator and television presenter best known for It’s Me or the Dog. She is the founder of the Victoria Stilwell Academy and Positively, and is widely known for championing force-free, humane dog training methods.

Resources mentioned:

Positively

Victoria Stilwell Academy

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https://yappily.co.uk

If you're struggling with reactivity, fear or behaviour challenges, you can find ethical, qualified dog trainers and behaviourists through the Yappily directory:

https://yappily.co.uk/find-a-dog-behaviourist/

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Have you recently adopted a rescue dog and found the first few weeks harder than you expected? Or are you thinking about adoption and want to know what you're really signing up for? This episode is for you.

Nathan sits down with Tom Candy, animal behaviour specialist at Dogs Trust, to talk honestly about why rescue dogs struggle after adoption and, more importantly, exactly what you can do to help them settle in and thrive.

With 15 years of rescue and shelter experience, Tom shares practical, compassionate advice that every dog adopter needs to hear before, during and after bringing a rescue dog home.

In this episode you'll learn:

1. Why rescue dogs often shut down or struggle in those first weeks at home
2. What the decompression period is and why it matters
3. The Rule of Three, three days, three weeks, three months explained
4. The most common mistakes new adopters make and how to avoid them
5. How enrichment helps fearful and anxious rescue dogs build confidence
6. What to look for when choosing the right rescue dog for your lifestyle
7. When and how to reach out for support if you're struggling
8. Why you should ditch the label and stop blaming the "rescue" for behaviour challenges

Key takeaways:

1. Take it slow, rushing the settling in period is the number one mistake adopters make
2. Focus on what you want your dog to do, not what you don't want
3. Reach out to your rescue early if you're struggling - small problems are easier to fix
4. Enrichment isn't just fun, it reduces stress and builds your bond
5. Nearly 60% of dogs are returned due to behaviour issues, the right support from day one makes all the difference

Find Tom Candy on the Simplifying Shelter Behaviour website

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German Shepherd dog training with Sue Kewley of The Happy Shepherd: understanding emotional needs, busting myths & building connection

Welcome to The Yappy Hour, powered by Yappily!

In this episode, host Nathan Dunleavy sits down with Sue Kewley, founder of The Happy Shepherd, for an in-depth conversation about one of the world's most iconic breeds, the German Shepherd Dog (GSD).

Sue has dedicated over 35 years to understanding, training, and breeding German Shepherds. She shares her expertise on what makes these dogs so special, the common misconceptions that harm them, and how to build a thriving relationship with your GSD based on connection, not control.

🎯 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

✅ The emotional sensitivity of German Shepherds and why they need advocates

✅ Common myths about GSDs (firm handling, dominance, aggression)

✅ How their intelligence can work against them without proper guidance

✅ What a fulfilled German Shepherd's day looks like

✅ The truth about reactivity and how to address it early

✅ Why puppy classes often fail German Shepherds

✅ Activities that tap into their natural herding instincts

✅ How to choose a responsible breeder

✅ The importance of emotional needs over training drills

✅ Connection-based training approaches that actually work

🔗 CONNECT WITH SUE KEWLEY: Website: www.thehappyshepherd.com

📱 CONNECT WITH YAPPILY: Yappily - The UK’s Directory for Qualified and Kind Dog Professionals

🎙️ ABOUT THE YAPPY HOUR: The Yappy Hour is the podcast for dog guardians who want to better understand and connect with their canine companions. Each episode features expert guests discussing breed-specific insights, training approaches, and dog welfare topics.

Kids and dogs living together? In this episode of The Yappy Hour powered by Yappily, Nathan Dunleavy is joined by Debby Lucken, dog trainer, behaviourist, author, and founder of Kids Around Dogs (KAD).

We talk about dog body language and stress signals, consent and boundaries, active supervision, preventing problems before they start, and what to do if your child is afraid of dogs, or if your dog feels unsure around children.

Whether you’re a dog parent/guardian, a parent, a teacher, or a pet professional, this conversation is packed with practical, welfare-led guidance for safer, calmer family life.

What you’ll learn:

✅ Subtle signs your dog is uncomfortable (yawning, lip-licking, shaking off)

✅ Why active supervision matters with kids and dogs

✅ How to teach kids consent and respectful interaction

✅ Preventing common issues like toy snatching, jumping up, and rough play

✅ Support for fear of dogs (kids and adults) and rebuilding trust

Find Kids Around Dogs KAD approved professionals on Yappily 👉

Find Debbie / Kids Around Dogs:

1. Website: kidsarounddogs.co.uk

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1. Follow/subscribe for more dog behaviour, welfare, and real-life training conversations
2. If this episode helped, leave a review and share with a parent or dog guardian