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

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Mindset Matters: Better Thoughts, Better Training Jun 09, 2026

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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 timing slips, your patience shortens, and your dog feels it.

In this episode, we dig into how a strong handler mindset is actually built, through small, repeatable actions. Dan shares why having one clear outcome for each session matters, how to break training down into simple chunks (think step-by-step, not all at once), and why trusting the process is what eventually gets you to that point where everything starts to click.

Lauren and Dan also explore the impact of the people around you. From training partners to wider communities, who you spend time with shapes how you think, how you train, and what you expect of yourself. You’ll hear honest insights into competition, comparison, and how to push for high performance without letting it become personal.

We also go into the patterns that often hold people back - getting stuck on setbacks, replaying problems, or measuring yourself against highlight reels instead of real progress. You’ll learn practical ways to shift your focus, track wins, and course-correct day by day so progress stays steady, even when things feel messy.

If you want better dog training results, it starts with better thinking - and this episode will give you simple, practical tools you can use straight away.

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Cooperative Care: The Art of Conversation in Handling Jun 02, 2026

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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 necessarily “fine” at all. Often, it’s a dog with no real understanding, no predictability, and no way to say “give me a moment, I’m not comfortable with that.”

In this episode, we explore what happens when handling becomes a conversation instead of a battle. From muzzle training and harness struggles to grooming, nail clipping, tick removal, blood draws, and end-of-life care, cooperative care gives dogs a way to understand what’s happening and participate willingly, one small step at a time.

Lauren and Karen talk through some of the practical foundation skills that make the biggest difference, including permission chin targets, bar holds, head-in-a-box games, and how proofing and gradual layering help dogs build genuine confidence around handling. You’ll hear why reinforcement alone is not the same as consent, especially for food-motivated dogs who may still be deeply uncomfortable, and why giving dogs the ability to pause or opt out can completely change the emotional picture.

We also dive into the real-life impact this training can have. From smoother blood draws at the vets and calmer grooming appointments to reducing stress around harnesses and medical procedures, cooperative care isn’t just “nice training” - it’s a practical skillset that supports your relationship with your dog through every stage of life.

Along the way, Karen shares honest reflections about living with a dog who finds handling difficult, the signs she wishes she’d recognised earlier, and how changing the conversation has transformed everyday interactions that once felt stressful or confrontational.

If you want handling to feel calmer, clearer, and more collaborative for both you and your dog, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can start using right away.

Check out our Cooperative Care course (including the 10 Days to Happy Handling foundational learning) here.

And register for our FREE Live Cooperative Care Masterclass on Friday 5th June (12 noon - 3pm BST) at absolutedogs.me/masterclass

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Concept Training Explained: Engagement aka Can I Have Your Attention Please? May 26, 2026

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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 and day-to-day interactions with your dog. This time, Lauren is joined by the brilliant Linda to unpack one of the most important concepts in all of dog training: engagement.

Engagement isn’t just about your dog looking at you. It’s about your dog choosing you. Choosing to check in. Choosing to stay connected. Choosing to come back mentally, even when the world is busy, exciting, distracting, or full of things that normally pull their attention away.

Lauren and Linda explain why engagement underpins so many other skills - recall, agility, obedience, heelwork, calm walks, even day-to-day life in the house - and highlight the importance of the moments we often miss: the ones where your dog asks, “What next?”

You’ll hear why rewarding re-engagement changes everything and how building a strong reinforcement history helps your dog learn to seek connection rather than waiting to cued repeatedly. They also talk about fading food rewards sensibly, why you don’t need to carry treats forever, and how value, timing, and consistency shape habits over time.

Play gets a huge spotlight too, because engagement should feel good for both ends of the lead. Lauren and Linda discuss using toys, movement, celebration, and genuine interaction to build motivation and excitement in training - while also recognising that different dogs enjoy different styles of reinforcement.

Lauren and Linda also consider the balance between engagement and appropriate disengagement. Because the goal isn’t a dog who pesters you endlessly for work - it’s a dog who understands when the game is on, when the game is finished, and how to switch between focus and relaxation successfully.

Ready to grow a dog who chooses you more often?

Check out 10 Days to a Toy Motivated Dog here: https://absolutedogs.me/toymotivateddog

Or check out 10 Days to a Food Motivated Dog here: https://absolutedogs.me/foodmotivateddog

Or why not grab the £1 Games Club trial and get both courses, plus all our other 10 Days courses, included!

https://absolutedogs.me/7daytrial

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The Bug Episode: The Hidden Cost of Flea & Tick Treatments May 19, 2026

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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 these products actually doing to our dogs, our homes, and the environment around us?

In this episode, we talk through the pros, cons, and wider impact of common flea and tick treatments, including why many products only work once a tick or flea bites, and what that means when we’re talking about tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease and babesiosis. We also explore some of the side effects owners report seeing, from nausea and digestive upset to neurological wobbliness, and why dosage can become especially tricky for very small dogs.

Lauren and Michelle also talk through a different approach: prevention through consistency, daily habits, and supporting the dog as a whole. You’ll hear why they choose natural ingredients, how gut health plays a surprisingly important role in resilience, and why they prefer testing before treating wherever possible. From worm counts to stool testing, this episode challenges the idea of broad-brush “just in case” treatments and looks at the growing issue of resistance over time.

We also get practical. You’ll learn how to check your dog properly for fleas and ticks, where ticks commonly hide, how to spot flea dirt with a comb, and easy ways to feed preventative powders consistently, including a simple kefir ice cube hack your dog will probably love.

Along the way, there’s a wider conversation too, about waterways, bees, environmental impact, and why one spot-on treatment on a large dog can reportedly kill up to 25 million bees. It’s a huge topic, and whether you’re already using a natural approach or just starting to question the status quo, this episode will give you plenty to think about.

If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s another way to approach flea, tick, and worm prevention, this episode is for you.

Want to explore A-OK9’s Bug-K9 range? Check it out here: https://a-ok9.com/products/bug-k9

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Calmness in the Car: Stress-Free Travel for Dogs Who Struggle May 12, 2026

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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 every journey feel like hard work.

So what’s really going on? For so many dogs, the car is loaded with meaning. Walks, vet visits, new places… It all builds anticipation fast. And that anticipation can tip into over-arousal or stress before you’ve even left the drive.

Listen in as Lauren and Sam share practical strategies to help you change that picture. From creating “non-event” car journeys that lead to nothing, to simply hanging out in a parked vehicle, you’ll learn how to remove the hype and help your dog switch off. They also explore why crate training can be a game-changer for calm travel, creating safety, structure, and reducing visual triggers that often keep dogs on edge.

As the conversation continues, Lauren and Sam get into the detail of reinforcement too, because if calmness in the car is your current struggle, that’s where your training focus needs to be. From hand feeding and using daily food to build positive associations, to scatter feeding and long-lasting chews, this is all about changing how your dog feels about the car.

If your dog struggles with car travel, this episode will give you a clear, practical plan you can start straight away.

Ready to connect with a community of like-minded dog owners and feel supported in your training journey? Grab the £1 Games Club trial and get started right now!

https://absolutedogs.me/7daytrial

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Exercise Done Right: Keeping Dogs Fit and Injury-Free ft. Mel Doyle May 05, 2026

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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 sprinting cold, to high-speed chases, collisions, and endless ball throwing, many “normal” routines are actually putting dogs at risk.

In this episode, we dig into what safe, effective exercise really looks like. Mel explains what the canine body actually needs, and why those first 10–15 minutes of on-lead walking can completely change the picture. Together, Lauren and Mel explore how simple management choices - like using pathways, long lines, and food scattering - can prevent that explosive first sprint and reduce injury risk before it even starts.

They also talk through real-life scenarios, including multi-dog households and dogs returning to ‘normal’ walks following an injury. You’ll hear how to safely reintroduce off-lead time, when play together is helpful (and when it’s not), and how to step in before fun turns into a crash. This is all about understanding arousal, movement, and giving your dog the best chance to move well and stay sound.

We also explore the hidden risks in everyday environments, from wet ground and deep sand to pebble beaches and even different types of astroturf. Plus, we cover how exercise should change across your dog’s life, from older dogs with arthritic changes to fit, active sports dogs, and why nutrition needs to support increased training load.

If you want to exercise your dog in a way that builds strength, protects their body, and supports long-term health, this episode is for you.

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Window Barking Solved: From Chaos to Calmness ft. Linda Hughes Apr 28, 2026

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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 like a habit that’s impossible to break.

In this episode, we dig into what’s really going on behind the barking. Because this isn’t about a “naughty” dog - it’s about a behaviour that’s been well practised and, in many cases, accidentally reinforced. With the perfect vantage point and a constant stream of passers-by, your dog is essentially rehearsing the same high-arousal response again and again.

Lauren and Linda walk through a real-life case study, sharing exactly how Linda turned things around for a dog who was making daily life stressful for the entire household. You’ll hear how small, practical changes - like adjusting the environment to reduce visual triggers - and simple, positive training techniques can make a huge difference. From using window film to limit rehearsal, to transforming a familiar “uh-uh” into a powerful, reward-based attention cue, this is all about changing the picture, not battling the behaviour.

We also explore why telling your dog off often backfires, and what to do instead. By focusing on rewarding the behaviours you do want - like choosing to move away from the window and settle calmly - you can build habits that stick, without conflict or frustration.

If you’re dealing with barking at windows, TVs, or anything that triggers that launch-and-lunge response, this episode will give you a clear, practical plan you can start straight away.

Ready for solutions for every struggle - including barking? Grab the £1 Games Club trial and get started right now!

https://absolutedogs.me/7daytrial

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The Power of Connection ft. Justin Prust Apr 21, 2026

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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 relationships) together.

Together, Lauren and Justin get real about what makes connection last: effort, consistency, and the courage to show up as your true self, even when it would be easier to stay polished and distant. From years of friendship to long-distance family life, they share honest stories that prove just how powerful a genuine “hello” can be.

You’ll hear practical tips for building stronger relationships in your everyday life, from sending voice notes that actually feel like you, to handwritten letters which add a personal touch that can mean the world, especially in our fast, digital world. They also explore why the idea of being “self-made” is a myth, and how connection grows when you give first, show up without judgement, and let people see the real human behind it all.

And because this is a dog training podcast, we bring it back to our dogs too. From the communities built around training and shared interests, to those unexpected, sometimes shocking moments (yes… even the rabbit-catching kind), we talk about how connection with your dog can wobble, grow, and ultimately become stronger through understanding, training, and trust.

If you’ve been craving deeper relationships, a stronger sense of community, or a better connection with your dog, this episode will leave you thinking differently about the small things that really matter.

Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share it with someone you’d love to stay connected with, and leave us a review telling us the one connection habit you’re going to start today.

Ready to connect with a community of like-minded dog owners and feel supported in your training journey? Grab the £1 Games Club trial and get started right now!

https://absolutedogs.me/7daytrial

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Exercise Not Walks: Flexible Fitness for Dogs Who Find the World Hard Apr 14, 2026

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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”. Together, Lauren and Sam unpack why the traditional daily walk can actually be the hardest possible exercise plan for some dogs, especially those who are reactive, worried, or easily tipped into over-arousal. When a dog is in a state of panic, learning simply isn’t possible, and busy environments can quickly become a daily rehearsal of stress for both you and your dog.

So instead, we give ourselves permission to do it differently: think exercise, not walks

This episode explores practical, flexible alternatives that meet dogs where they are. From strength-building and slow, intentional movement at home, to Cavaletti work, Confidence Circuits, and fun food-based games that burn energy quickly, Lauren and Sam share ideas that are both achievable and effective. They also talk about how to make outdoor exercise work for your dog, including choosing quieter locations, using enclosed fields, and understanding how timing and space can make all the difference.

Along the way, they dive into the kinds of movement that really support behaviour change - including proprioception work and simple core exercises that help dogs feel more balanced and in control of their bodies.

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Raising a Superstar Sports Dog: The Foundations that Matter Apr 07, 2026

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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 your dog’s attention, you don’t have training. Lauren and Nichol share the games and reinforcement strategies that help your dog choose you, even when the environment is full of distractions.

From there, they get into arousal and overstimulation; why shorter sessions build more success, how to introduce busy environments without overwhelming your dog, and why sometimes the best decision you can make is two minutes of great work… then leave.

They also talk about building strong foundations at home, where your puppy can win; developing play, building reliable tug, and creating skills you can take anywhere - especially when food isn’t enough in high-energy environments.

You’ll hear how to proof behaviours in new places, prevent rehearsal of unwanted habits, and help your dog feel safe and confident around the realities of competition spaces.

And finally, they touch on early retrieves, body awareness, and the mindset that keeps your training moving forward with every puppy you raise.

If you’re building a future sports dog - or just want a dog who can stay with you when life gets busy - this episode is packed with practical ideas.

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