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

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! Does being a good dog owner mean taking your dog for a walk every single day? What if that walk leaves your dog stressed, overwhelmed or rehearsing behaviours you really don’t want? And what if you could meet their needs brilliantly without heading out for a traditional walk at all? This week, Lauren is joined by Mic...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, we’re continuing our series of episodes exploring what concept training actually is and how it shows up in real life with your dog. We’re taking the concepts you hear us talk about all the time, breaking them down, and making them practical, relatable, and easy to spot in your everyday training. This time,...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, Lauren is joined by Michelle for a slightly different conversation – all about food, healthy habits and some of the choices they’ve made to help themselves feel better day to day. Because when life is busy, eating well can very easily become another thing on the to-do list. You’re hungry, you’re short on t...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, Lauren is joined once again by Justin Prust for a conversation about something that can make a huge difference to your confidence, your skills and even the opportunities that come your way: continuing to learn. And learning doesn’t have to mean signing up for another qualification or finding hours you simp...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! What happens when dogs and horses meet out on a walk – and how do we make sure everyone stays safe? This week, Lauren is joined by Michele, who brings decades of experience with horses alongside her work with Naughty But Nice dogs, to talk about the responsibility we have when dogs, horses and livestock share the sam...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, Lauren and Alice are tackling one of the most common – and frustrating – struggles in dog ownership: lead pulling. If you've ever found yourself wondering why your dog still pulls despite everything you've tried, this episode might just change the way you think about your walks. Together, they explore why ...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, Lauren and Alice tackle one of the biggest frustrations in dog training: why does your dog seem to listen perfectly at home, then forget everything the moment you step outside? If you've ever wondered why a brilliant behaviour in your living room completely disappears on a walk - and how to bridge that gap...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, Lauren and Karen tackle one of the biggest frustrations dog owners face: why does the whole world seem more exciting than you? If you've ever felt like your dog would rather sniff a hedge, chase a squirrel or investigate a discarded sandwich wrapper than pay you any attention, you're definitely not alone. ...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, Karen turns interviewer as Lauren shares the story behind one of the toughest dogs she's ever lived with: Skittle. If you've ever wondered how a dog trainer could end up dreading walks, this episode is for you. Skittle is brilliantly clever, endlessly enthusiastic, and always five steps ahead. She could sp...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, Lauren is joined by the brilliant Linda Hughes to introduce one very small dog with a very big personality. Meet Bobble – a two-kilo silver toy poodle who lives with four Border Collies, has absolutely no concept of being tiny, and somehow ended up with his own treehouse on Linda's desk. Living with a toy ...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, Lauren is joined by Alice to explore one of the most misunderstood pieces of dog training equipment there is: the muzzle. Whether you've never considered muzzle training before or you already have a dog who wears one, this episode is all about changing the conversation and showing how a muzzle can create m...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, Lauren is joined by Michelle to chat about one of the simplest ways we can support our dogs every single day: what goes into their bowl. From homemade treats and nourishing meal toppers to bone broth, kefir and colourful fresh ingredients, this episode is packed with practical ideas that are easy to introd...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, we’re continuing our series of episodes exploring what concept training actually is and how it shows up in real life with your dog. We’re taking the concepts you hear us talk about all the time, breaking them down, and making them practical, relatable, and easy to spot in your everyday training. This time,...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, Lauren is joined by the brilliant Linda Hughes to tackle a question that sparks some fascinating discussion: what would you tell someone who's completely new to dog training? Whether you're dreaming of becoming a professional trainer, you've just welcomed a puppy into your life, or you're simply trying to ...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, Lauren is joined by the brilliant Justin Prust for a conversation about something that affects every area of life and dog training: confidence. We talk about confidence all the time when it comes to our dogs, helping them feel safe, optimistic, and ready to take on the world. But what happens when our own ...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, Lauren is joined by Linda for a candid conversation about the mistakes that have shaped them as dog trainers and dog owners. Not the polished success stories, but the moments they would do differently, the lessons they learned the hard way, and the experiences that changed how they see dogs forever. From c...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, Lauren is joined by the brilliant Sam to answer a listener question that so many owners of worried dogs will recognise: what do you do when the very confidence-building games designed to help your dog seem to scare them in the first place? Whether it's a cardboard box, a crinkly bottle, a piece of paper on...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, Lauren is joined by Dan to tackle something that sits behind every training session, every result, and every relationship with your dog: mindset. Because no amount of better treats, tools, or techniques will compensate for a cluttered, inconsistent, or reactive headspace. When your thinking is off, your ti...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, Lauren is joined by Karen for a conversation all about cooperative care: what it is, why it matters, and why so many dogs are simply enduring handling rather than truly feeling safe with it. Because a dog standing still at the groomers, freezing for the vet, or wriggling away from a harness isn’t necessari...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, we’re continuing our new series of episodes exploring what concept training actually is and how it shows up in real life with your dog. We’ll be taking concepts you may have heard us talk about before, breaking them down, and making them practical, relatable, and easy to spot in your own training sessions ...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, Lauren is joined by Michelle for a deep dive into parasite prevention, fleas, ticks, worms, gut health, and the growing questions around routine chemical treatments. Because while spot-ons, tablets, and collars are often seen as the “normal” route, more and more dog owners are starting to ask: what are the...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, Sam is back to tackle a challenge so many dog owners face: car chaos. That moment the keys jingle or the engine starts and suddenly your dog is whining, pacing, panting, or barking out of the window. For some dogs it’s over-excitement, for others it’s stress or even nausea, but either way, it can make ever...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, Lauren is joined once again by canine physiotherapist and hydrotherapist Mel to tackle a topic that every dog owner thinks they’ve got covered: exercise. Because your dog’s walk should be the best part of their day… not the moment an avoidable injury begins. From dogs launching out of the boot and sprintin...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, Lauren is joined by the brilliant Linda to tackle a challenge so many dog owners know all too well: window barking. That moment your dog launches at the glass, noise levels skyrocket, and suddenly the whole house feels tense, chaotic, and on edge. It’s frustrating, it’s exhausting, and for many, it feels l...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, Lauren is joined once again by the brilliant Justin Prust, and this time they’re diving into something that sits at the heart of everything we do – connection. We don’t always realise how much it matters until it’s missing, but when you really look at it, connection is the thing holding your life (and your...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, Lauren is joined by the wonderful Sam for a refreshingly honest conversation about something many dog owners struggle with: walks that just don’t work. If your dog melts down on walks and you feel that knot of dread before you even pick up the lead, you are not alone - and you are not doing anything “wrong...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, Lauren is joined by vet and Flyball competitor Nichol to chat about raising a sports dog. Barking dogs, busy ringsides, food on the floor - whether it’s agility, flyball or obedience, it’s a complex environment for any dog to navigate. Our starting point is simple: focus first. Because if you don’t have yo...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, we’re diving into one of the most misunderstood topics in dog training: food. Are you bribing your dog? Creating a treat monster? Or accidentally training the very behaviours you don’t want? At absoluteDogs, we believe something simple but powerful: every piece of food has a purpose. When you start using f...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, the wonderful Sam is back to chat to Lauren about a rather unusual training tool: a suitcase. Siri, Sam’s Jack Russell, used to find the outside world pretty overwhelming. Walks could quickly turn into moments of panic and reactivity. But a simple idea - a suitcase covered in unicorns - helped turn those t...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, we’re continuing our series of episodes exploring what concept training actually is and how it shows up in real life with your dog. We’ll be taking concepts you may have heard us talk about before, breaking them down, and making them practical, relatable, and easy to spot in your own training sessions and ...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! Better performance and fewer injuries don’t start with fancy equipment. They start with the basics: a balanced stand, a square sit, and the patience to slow down. In this episode, Lauren sits down with canine physiotherapist and hydrotherapist Mel to talk about what really builds strong, capable dogs. They chat about...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! Ever felt like your dog’s reactivity is a life sentence you didn’t sign up for? Lauren and Linda chat frankly about the things owners rarely say out loud - relief when the pressure lifts, embarrassment on tricky walks, and the guilt that often comes with owning a challenging dog - and replace them with a manage...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, we’re continuing our new series of episodes exploring what concept training actually is and how it shows up in real life with your dog. We’ll be taking concepts you may have heard us talk about before, breaking them down, and making them practical, relatable, and easy to spot in your own training sessions ...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, Lauren is joined once again by the amazing Alice, to kick off a new series of episodes where we’re exploring what concept training actually is and how it applies to real life with your dog. We’ll be taking concepts you may have heard us talk about before, breaking them down, and making them practical, rela...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, Lauren is joined by the brilliant Rosanne Calabrese for a conversation that switches the spotlight from our dogs back onto us. Together, they explore what happens when dog people put everyone else first – and why our own health and wellbeing is just as important. From food, energy, gut health, stress, and ...

Send us Fan Mail Watch a mindset shift in real time as we explore how purpose-bred sports mixes are changing flyball and agility. We dive into the why and how behind crosses like the border whippet and kelpie–whippet, pairing racing-line sprint genetics with collie-style responsiveness to create dogs that explode down the lane, turn cleanly, and still curl up on the sofa by eight. If you’ve ever wondered whether speed and an off switch can live in the same dog, this is your tour through the e...

Send us Fan Mail What if changing what’s on your plate could change how you feel, think, and even how you train your dog? We dive into a candid journey from a daunting fibroid diagnosis and surgery-first advice to a practical, food-first plan built around whole ingredients, simple prep, and flavour that sticks. Along the way, we talk about the 25% reduction that showed up on a scan, the meals that kept us going, and the mindset shifts that made healthy choices sustainable through packed train...

Send us Fan Mail Ever felt that jolt of panic when two dogs square up at a doorway, over the sofa, or as they leap into the van? We’ve been there. Today we open the curtain on real-world scuffles in multi-dog homes and share the clear-headed systems that prevent fights, lower arousal, and protect relationships without relying on punishment or wishful thinking. We start with honest case studies: Orla, a brilliantly trained collie who still snipes when tense; Venture, a spaniel who turns fiery...

Send us Fan Mail Think rehab is just rest and painkillers? We dig into the real toolkit—laser, PEMF, ultrasound, and shockwave—and map out exactly when each one helps, when it hinders, and how to blend them into a plan your dog actually enjoys. With Mel, an experienced canine physiotherapist, we unpack the science in plain English and keep the focus on results you can see: smoother movement, fewer flare-ups, and calmer sessions. We start with the essentials: inflammation isn’t the enemy if i...

Send us Fan Mail 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 wal...

Send us Fan Mail 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 seco...

Send us Fan Mail 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 conf...

Send us Fan Mail 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,...

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-sic...

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...

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 outdoo...

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 bod...

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 ve...

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 differen...

Send us Fan Mail Some animals step into the arena and you can feel it—the spark, the “cue me now” readiness, the sense that they want to win with you. We bring that feeling into focus with international dressage rider and team manager Beth Bainbridge, comparing notes across horses and high-drive dogs to show how trust, routines, and basics turn talent into stable, repeatable results. Beth takes us from the highs of elite competition—national anthems, big stages, and stallions who light up—to...