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

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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 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 confidence takes a hit? How do we keep showing up for our dogs, our families, and ourselves when life throws us a curveball?
In this honest and personal episode, Lauren and Justin share experiences of navigating major life challenges, including divorce, grief, prolonged stress, and those moments that leave even the most confident people questioning themselves. Together, they explore the difference between confidence built on external validation and confidence that comes from a deeper sense of self-trust, purpose, and resilience.
You'll hear practical ideas for strengthening confidence in everyday life, from tracking small daily wins and practising gratitude, to celebrating progress, creating momentum, and recognising just how much you've achieved when it feels like you're standing still. Lauren and Justin also discuss the role of movement, exercise, nutrition, self-care, and community, and why confidence often grows through consistent actions rather than dramatic breakthroughs.
Along the way, they explore some of the surprisingly simple tools that can help shift your state when you're struggling, including music, humour, connection, pattern interrupts, and even the power of a favourite outfit, scent, or ritual to help you step into your best self.
Whether you're working through a difficult season, rebuilding after a setback, or simply looking for ways to feel more capable and grounded, this episode is packed with practical ideas and honest reflections that will leave you feeling encouraged and empowered.
Ready to build your confidence muscle? Press play, share this episode with a friend who could use a boost, and leave us a review to help more people discover the podcast. 
And if you'd like to build confidence with your dog too, check out the £1 Games Club trial and start playing your way to a more optimistic future together.
https://absolutedogs.me/7daytrial
Support the show
If you’re loving the podcast, you’ll love our NEW Sexier than a Squirrel Dog Training Challenge even more! Get transformational dog training today for only £27!

Want even more epic dog training fun and games and solutions to all your dog training struggles? Join us in the AbsoluteDogs Games Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/gamesclub

Want to take your learning to the next level? Jump into the games-based training membership for passionate dog owners and aspiring trainers that know they want more for themselves and their dog -  Pro Dog Trainer Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/prodogtrainerclub 

And while you’re here, please leave a review for us and don’t forget to hit share and post your biggest lightbulb moment! Remember, no matter what struggles you might be facing with your dog, there is always a game for that!

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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 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 creating a Border Collie with endless intensity and no off switch, to teaching a reactive dog to scan the environment for trouble, they explore how easy it is to accidentally reinforce the very behaviours you're trying to avoid. Along the way, they discuss the hidden cost of drive, arousal and obsession, and why some of the things that look impressive in training can become problematic in everyday life.
The conversation also turns to physical wellbeing and the lessons that come with experience. Lauren and Linda share stories of sport dogs who pushed through discomfort, injuries that taught them to look more carefully, and how their views on repetitive ball throwing, impact and canine fitness have evolved over time. You'll hear why high-drive dogs can be particularly difficult to read, and why enthusiasm doesn't always mean a dog's body is coping well.
Alongside the serious lessons are plenty of lighter moments too. Runaway dogs, stolen sandwiches, Christmas turkey theft, unexpected chinchillas and the kinds of stories that are funny now, but perhaps weren't quite so funny at the time. Because if you've lived with dogs for long enough, you'll know that some of your greatest learning comes wrapped in chaos.
Most importantly, this episode is a reminder that nobody ever knows it all. No matter how many dogs you've owned, how many qualifications you hold, or how much experience you've built, dogs have a remarkable way of keeping you humble. The best trainers aren't the ones who never make mistakes - they're the ones who keep learning from them.
Ready to listen in? Press play, and let us know: what's the biggest lesson a dog has ever taught you?
Support the show
If you’re loving the podcast, you’ll love our NEW Sexier than a Squirrel Dog Training Challenge even more! Get transformational dog training today for only £27!

Want even more epic dog training fun and games and solutions to all your dog training struggles? Join us in the AbsoluteDogs Games Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/gamesclub

Want to take your learning to the next level? Jump into the games-based training membership for passionate dog owners and aspiring trainers that know they want more for themselves and their dog -  Pro Dog Trainer Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/prodogtrainerclub 

And while you’re here, please leave a review for us and don’t forget to hit share and post your biggest lightbulb moment! Remember, no matter what struggles you might be facing with your dog, there is always a game for that!

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 the floor, or simply something unfamiliar appearing in the environment, some dogs find the world a much bigger and scarier place than others. In this episode, Lauren and Sam explore why confidence building isn't about following a game exactly as it's demonstrated, but about finding the right starting point for the dog in front of you.
Together, they discuss how to break optimism games down into tiny, achievable steps. For some dogs, that might mean playing Cardboard Chaos. For others, it might simply mean being comfortable in the same room as a cardboard box. You'll hear why progress often comes from looking for the smallest possible win and building from there, rather than pushing for the finished picture too quickly.
Lauren and Sam also chat about the role of movement, choice, and pressure release when working with nervous dogs. They explore why giving a dog the option to leave can actually help them become braver, how owner pressure can unintentionally make confidence struggles harder, and why keeping training light, playful, and enjoyable often creates the biggest breakthroughs.
The conversation also highlights the importance of reinforcement. From food motivation and toy play to everyday opportunities for earning rewards, you'll hear why "trainability is susceptibility to reinforcement" and how building a stronger reinforcement history can transform what is possible for a worried dog. Lauren shares examples from her own dogs, while Sam talks about helping a noise-sensitive dog learn that sounds and novelty can predict fun rather than worry.
Most importantly, this episode is a reminder that there is no single blueprint for confidence building. The best training plan is always the one that works for the dog standing in front of you.
If you're living with a nervous, cautious, or pessimistic dog, this episode is packed with practical ideas, encouragement, and simple next steps to help you build confidence one small win at a time.
Looking for your dog's starting point? Grab the £1 Games Club trial and explore confidence-building games, guided tracks, and a community that understands exactly what it's like to live with a worried dog.
https://absolutedogs.me/7daytrial
Support the show
If you’re loving the podcast, you’ll love our NEW Sexier than a Squirrel Dog Training Challenge even more! Get transformational dog training today for only £27!

Want even more epic dog training fun and games and solutions to all your dog training struggles? Join us in the AbsoluteDogs Games Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/gamesclub

Want to take your learning to the next level? Jump into the games-based training membership for passionate dog owners and aspiring trainers that know they want more for themselves and their dog -  Pro Dog Trainer Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/prodogtrainerclub 

And while you’re here, please leave a review for us and don’t forget to hit share and post your biggest lightbulb moment! Remember, no matter what struggles you might be facing with your dog, there is always a game for that!

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 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.
Support the show
If you’re loving the podcast, you’ll love our NEW Sexier than a Squirrel Dog Training Challenge even more! Get transformational dog training today for only £27!

Want even more epic dog training fun and games and solutions to all your dog training struggles? Join us in the AbsoluteDogs Games Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/gamesclub

Want to take your learning to the next level? Jump into the games-based training membership for passionate dog owners and aspiring trainers that know they want more for themselves and their dog -  Pro Dog Trainer Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/prodogtrainerclub 

And while you’re here, please leave a review for us and don’t forget to hit share and post your biggest lightbulb moment! Remember, no matter what struggles you might be facing with your dog, there is always a game for that!

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 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
Support the show
If you’re loving the podcast, you’ll love our NEW Sexier than a Squirrel Dog Training Challenge even more! Get transformational dog training today for only £27!

Want even more epic dog training fun and games and solutions to all your dog training struggles? Join us in the AbsoluteDogs Games Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/gamesclub

Want to take your learning to the next level? Jump into the games-based training membership for passionate dog owners and aspiring trainers that know they want more for themselves and their dog -  Pro Dog Trainer Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/prodogtrainerclub 

And while you’re here, please leave a review for us and don’t forget to hit share and post your biggest lightbulb moment! Remember, no matter what struggles you might be facing with your dog, there is always a game for that!