Barks from the Bookshelf

In this episode, Steve is joined (for the third time!) by the brilliant Carrie-Anne Selwyn. They dive into the reality of moving a city-dwelling Malinois to the countryside, the nuances of high-level sports, and the "safety vs. training" equipment debate.
Topics Covered:
The Country Move: Living in a barn renovation, "zombie fences," and the weight of land management.
Crufts 2026: A look behind the scenes of qualifying Viper the Malinois for the show ring and how to prioritise welfare over competition.
Managing the "Ferrari": Learning agility with a high-speed breed and the importance of arousal management.
The "Why" of Behaviour: Moving beyond "bad dog" labels to understand displacement behaviors and the human role in the training team.
Positive is Not Permissive: A candid discussion on the being human, and why boundaries are essential for trust.
Find Out More About Carrie-Anne:
Facebook: Carrie-Anne Selwyn
Canine Hoopers World: www.caninehoopersworld.com
TikTok: Join some excellent Malinois noise over @caninehoopersworld

Hey. Hey, Hey Bookshelvers!
In this very special episode, Nat and Corrin "fly solo" to sit down with a true icon of the dog world, Suzanne Clothier. While Steve was away, the team dove deep into a conversation that spans far beyond traditional training, touching on the raw reality of farming life, the hilarity of animal antics, and the wisdom that comes from a lifetime dedicated to understanding other species.
We delve into:
The Reality of Farm Life: From Highland cattle forming protective circles against coyotes to the stark difference between "suspicious" sheep and "troublemaking" goats.
Winter Wonderland vs. Mud Season: A playful look at the environmental challenges of rural life and the joy of watching happy cows frolicking in the snow.
Training Through the Ages: Suzanne reflects on her extensive career and the evolution of the industry—sharing how it feels to be the "ancient" wisdom for a new generation of trainers.
The "Pantyhose" Incident: One of the most hilarious animal stories ever told on the pod!
Community and Connection: Why sharing our failures and funny stories is the secret ingredient to building a non-judgmental community of dog enthusiasts.
Find Suzanne Clothier Online:
Website: suzanneclothier.com
Books: Find Suzanne's books and resources here

Howdy Bookshelvers!
Let's go way back together to the uncertain times of 2020. When we launched this Podcast we never would have believed that we'd get to chat with so many amazing humans and least of all we never even dreamed we'd talk to our hero Patricia McConnell THREE TIMES. In yet another "pinch me" moment we have the absolute pleasure of talking to Patricia yet again! This time , however, it's all about her first dog-centric work of fiction, Away To Me. If your passions include a love for reading about dogs, mystery, solving murders and immersing yourself in the entangled lives of incredible characters, then look no further. We chat all things writing including how Patricia built the world inside the book. We talk about how education on dogs can be spread through stories and why story telling is a magic skill for communication. We talk about the power of voice when crossing the interspecies divide and much, MUCH more! 
Away To Me is on sale from February 24th 2026 from all good booky places and we just know our audience will love it.
So kick back on a Wisconsin farm, gather your furry friends, brew yourself a cuppa, source a cowboy hat and delve on in. 
WOOF!

Hey Bookshelvers. 
It’s been a minute! We hope you all had a fabulous holiday season and have attached yourself to your new year like a beagle tracks a scent! We are continuing our tradition of New year catch up episodes and today you get the full PACT team to giggle, ponder and wonder on past, present and future. Steve asked everyone four questions to prep for this recording: 
 What did 2025 teach you? 
 What are you most looking forward to this year? 
 What was your favourite book of 2025? 
 What book are you most looking forward to reading this year? 
 Who is your hero of 2025?
 So you’ll get to hear everyone’s answers share some laughter and memories but also dive into deeper reflections on their past experiences and future aspirations. Oh… and we have an exciting announcement as well.  Settle in grab a cuppa and see you on the other side. WOOF!