The Yappy Hour

Enrichment is essential, not optional — and in this episode of The Yappy Hour we dive into how to keep your dog truly happy, calm, and fulfilled.

Host Nathan Dunleavy chats with canine enrichment expert and author Shay Kelly, who shares why enrichment matters, how it prevents behaviour problems, and simple enrichment ideas you can do at home today.

Whether you have a playful puppy, a senior dog, or a nervous rescue, this episode is packed with practical, budget-friendly advice to help you strengthen your bond and give your dog a life worth living.

🐾 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

00:00 – Welcome & introduction to Shay Kelly

04:30 – What enrichment really means (beyond puzzle toys)

12:10 – The 5 types of enrichment every dog needs

19:40 – Why safety is the foundation of enrichment

28:15 – Enrichment for puppies vs. senior dogs

38:00 – How enrichment helps nervous or anxious dogs

46:00 – Budget-friendly enrichment ideas you can try today

55:00 – How enrichment prevents behaviour problems

1:04:00 – Final thoughts: enrichment is essential, not optional

Find local and ethical dog trainers, dog behaviourists, dog walkers, groomers, dog pros and pet businesses near you.  Yappily is the UK directory built to help you find trusted pet care professionals you can feel good about working with.

📍 Search verified and trusted listings on Yappily

In this episode of The Yappy Hour, powered by Yappily, your host, Nathan Dunleavy, sits down with internationally respected behaviourist and educator Sarah Fisher. Sarah is the founder of ACE (Animal Centred Education) and the creator of ACE Free Work, a structured yet gentle approach that helps dogs thrive through observation, trust, and choice.

🐾 Whether you live with a nervous rescue, a high-energy adolescent, or a senior dog, this episode will change how you see your dog.

🎧 What you'll learn:

• What ACE Free Work is and how to get started
• How observation helps identify hidden stress or pain
• Why “less is more” when supporting reactive or anxious dogs
• The importance of sensory experiences in building calm and confidence
• How ACE is helping in vet practices, grooming salons, rescue shelters and more
• Practical ways to use Free Work at home, in daily life, or out on walks

🌐 Learn more about Sarah and ACE Free Work:

https://www.animalcentrededucation.com

https://www.tilleyfarm.org.uk

Find local and ethical dog trainers, dog behaviourists, dog walkers, groomers, dog pros and pet businesses near you.  Yappily is the UK directory built to help you find trusted pet care professionals you can feel good about working with.

📍 Search verified and trusted listings on Yappily

This week, Nathan is joined by clinical animal behaviourist Daniel Shaw of Animal Behaviour Kent to talk about one of the most misunderstood stages in your dog’s life: adolescence.

We explore:

🐶 What’s really going on in your teenage dog’s brain

⚠️ Why training may seem to fall apart — and why that’s normal

🥴 How to spot the difference between temporary wobbles and deeper behavioural challenges

💚 The importance of connection, co-regulation, and emotional safety

👣 How to support your dog (and yourself) through the ups and downs of adolescence

📍Whether your dog is barking more, listening less, or suddenly unsure of the world, this episode offers compassionate, science-based guidance — and a whole lot of reassurance.

Find local and ethical dog trainers, dog behaviourists, dog walkers, groomers, dog pros and pet businesses near you.  Yappily is the UK directory built to help you find trusted pet care professionals you can feel good about working with.

📍 Search verified and trusted listings on Yappily

In this episode of The Yappy Hour, host Nathan Dunleavy chats with Jay Gurden a dog behaviour expert, author, and founder of Good Guardianship, about how to truly support sensitive, complex, or "reactive" dogs.

Jay shares powerful advice on how to build trust, reduce stress, and avoid the trap of “fixing” behaviours. You’ll learn how to read subtle body language, help your dog decompress, and become the advocate your dog needs in a busy world.

Whether you're struggling with reactivity, over-arousal, fear-based behaviours, or just want to deepen your bond with your dog, this episode is full of practical tips and heartfelt reassurance.

Topics covered:

• What “reactive” really means and why we’re moving away from that label
• Why trust and choice matter so much in behaviour change
• How to handle setbacks and bad days
• Tools and mindset shifts that help guardians and dogs thrive
• Jay’s own experience with her sensitive dog, Finn

🎧 Grab a cuppa, settle in, and listen to this supportive, insightful episode that will leave you feeling empowered and understood.

Find local and ethical dog trainers, dog behaviourists, dog walkers, groomers, dog pros and pet businesses near you.  Yappily is the UK directory built to help you find trusted pet care professionals you can feel good about working with.

📍 Search verified and trusted listings on Yappily

Decoding the Dachshund | Yappy Hour Podcast with Nicky Hammel

Welcome to The Yappy Hour, powered by Yappily – the podcast for dog lovers who want to deepen their bond with their four-legged friends. In this episode, host Nathan Dunleavy chats with Nicky Hammel, a licensed breeder and behaviourist specialising in long-haired dachshunds.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How to read and understand dachshund behaviour
• Common behavioural challenges and how to tackle them
• The truth about dachshunds' "stubborn" reputation
• Why responsible breeding is crucial and what to look for in a breeder
• Managing barking, reactivity, and separation anxiety
• Tips for raising a well-adjusted dachshund from puppyhood to adolescence
• Essential health considerations like IVDD and PRA

Find local and ethical dog trainers, dog behaviourists, dog walkers, groomers, dog pros and pet businesses near you.  Yappily is the UK directory built to help you find trusted pet care professionals you can feel good about working with.

📍 Search verified and trusted listings on Yappily

Join Nathan Dunleavy on this episode of Yappy Hour as he welcomes Carrie-Anne Selwyn, the founder of Canine Hoopers World. Discover how the inclusive and low-impact dog sport, Hoopers, is transforming the way dog guardians connect with their pets.

Carrie-Anne shares her journey from pet dog trainer to international Hoopers advocate, the benefits of Hoopers for all breeds and ages, and how anyone can get started with minimal equipment. Whether you’re looking for a fun activity, a confidence builder for reactive dogs, or a new way to bond with your pup, this episode is packed with insights and practical advice.

Listen in to learn how Hoopers can be practised casually at home or competitively, and how it fosters trust, focus, and teamwork between dogs and their guardians.

Find local and ethical dog trainers, dog behaviourists, dog walkers, groomers, dog pros and pet businesses near you.  Yappily is the UK directory built to help you find trusted pet care professionals you can feel good about working with.

📍 Search verified and trusted listings on Yappily

In this episode of The Yappy Hour, host Nathan Dunleavy is joined by Sue Williamson, a consent-based groomer and behaviourist. Sue shares her journey from the corporate world to becoming a grooming advocate, focusing on stress-free, dog-centric grooming practices.

Learn how to decode calming signals, prevent matting, and use tools that enhance comfort for sensitive pups. Discover the impact of grooming on a dog's emotional and physical well-being, and how pet parents can support positive grooming experiences at home. Tune in to find out how to transform a typically stressful grooming session into a calm and enriching experience for your dog.

Find local and ethical dog trainers, dog behaviourists, dog walkers, groomers, dog pros and pet businesses near you.  Yappily is the UK directory built to help you find trusted pet care professionals you can feel good about working with.

📍 Search verified and trusted listings on Yappily

Host: Nathan Dunleavy

Guest: Sally Gutteridge, bestselling dog writer, advocate, and rescue dog handler

In this heartwarming episode, Nathan Dunleavy sits down with Sally Gutteridge, a bestselling author, ethical dog trainer, and former military dog handler. Sally opens up about her incredible journey from working with military dogs to rescuing and rehabilitating traumatised dogs, including ex-puppy farm survivors.

What You’ll Learn:

• The importance of positive, science-based dog training
• How to help rescue dogs decompress and build trust
• Why understanding canine body language is crucial
• The impact of trauma on a dog's behaviour and how to respond
• How to create a predictable, safe environment for anxious dogs
• Writing as a tool for dog advocacy and education

Find local and ethical dog trainers, dog behaviourists, dog walkers, groomers, dog pros and pet businesses near you.  Yappily is the UK directory built to help you find trusted pet care professionals you can feel good about working with.

📍 Search verified and trusted listings on Yappily

Welcome to Yappy Hour, powered by Yappily - the podcast for dog lovers who want to build better relationships with their dogs!

In this episode, host Nathan Dunleavy is joined by Border Collie specialist and founder of That’ll Do Academy, Martina Miradoli. If you're living with (or considering owning) a Border Collie, this episode is packed with essential advice for understanding this intelligent, driven, and sometimes challenging breed.

We discuss:

• What makes Border Collies unique
• Their work ethic, herding drive & natural instincts
• How to meet their needs without over-exercising
• How to manage behaviours like car chasing or stalking
• The importance of mental enrichment & switching off
• Training techniques that build connection & cooperation
• Common mistakes pet parents make with Border Collies
• Herding: When it’s appropriate and what to consider

Find out more about Martina Miradoli and her work at That'll Do Academy website.

Find local and ethical dog trainers, dog behaviourists, dog walkers, groomers, dog pros and pet businesses near you.  Yappily is the UK directory built to help you find trusted pet care professionals you can feel good about working with.

📍 Search verified and trusted listings on Yappily

Are daily dog walks always the best thing for your pup?

In this thought-provoking episode of The Yappy Hour, host Nathan Dunleavy chats with dog trainer, author, and advocate Niki French to challenge the traditional approach to dog walking.

Niki, author of Stop Walking Your Dog and creator of #DontWalkYourDogDay, shares why not all dogs benefit from daily walks and how alternative enrichment activities can be even more fulfilling.

If you’ve ever felt guilty about skipping a walk or wondered if there’s a better way to meet your dog’s needs, this episode is for you!

🐾 Why traditional daily walks aren’t always beneficial for every dog

🐾 How to identify if your dog struggles with walks

🐾 Enrichment activities that provide mental and physical stimulation

🐾 How giving dogs choices helps build confidence

🐾 The emotional impact of changing your routine and overcoming guilt

🐾 Everything you need to know about #DontWalkYourDogDay and how to get involved

• Some dogs experience stress or anxiety on walks, and forcing them outside daily isn’t always the best solution.
• Activities like scent work, puzzle games, free work, and interactive play can be more fulfilling than a walk.
• Giving your dog choices—like picking a chew or deciding where to explore—can help them feel safer and more confident.
• Pet parents should trust their instincts—if walks feel stressful, it’s okay to change things up.
• #DontWalkYourDogDay (April 2nd) raises awareness and supports pet parents in exploring alternatives to traditional walks.

Find local and ethical dog trainers, dog behaviourists, dog walkers, groomers, dog pros and pet businesses near you.  Yappily is the UK directory built to help you find trusted pet care professionals you can feel good about working with.

📍 Search verified and trusted listings on Yappily