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 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 pulling works so well for our dogs – and how every successful repetition can make the behaviour stronger. Whether pulling gets your dog to the park faster, closer to an irresistible smell or simply towards whatever exciting thing comes next, they're learning all the time. Add in the opposition reflex that encourages dogs to push against pressure, and it's easy to see how walks can quickly turn into a tug of war.
Lauren and Alice also unpack the role that arousal and emotion play in pulling, and why changing the behaviour means looking beyond what's happening at the end of the lead. You'll hear stories from their own dogs, including Skittle and Bonnie, and discover why spotting the early signs – from a head dropping into hunting mode to an intense visual stare – gives you the opportunity to change what happens next.
Most importantly, they explore how to interrupt the rehearsal loop and start building something different. From disengagement and re-engagement to check-ins, reinforcement and simple games you can practise before you ever tackle a challenging walk, you'll discover how small, intentional repetitions can build the skills you actually want your dog to rehearse.
This isn't about finding a quick trick to stop your dog pulling. It's about understanding the dog in front of you, changing what the walk predicts, and building the confidence, connection and skills that make walking together feel completely different.
Ready to transform your walks? The Stress Free Walks Blueprint is here.
We'll guide you step by step through the games, strategies and foundations that help you move from pulling, frustration and stressful walks towards calmer, more connected adventures together.
Discover the Stress Free Walks Blueprint:
absolutedogs.me/blueprint 
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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 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 - this episode is for you.
Together, they explore why dogs don't automatically transfer skills from one environment to another, and why expecting them to do so can leave both ends of the lead feeling frustrated. You'll discover why training for the situation is so much more effective than trying to train in the situation, and how building the right foundations before heading into busy environments can completely change the outcome.
Lauren and Alice also share the practical progression they use to help dogs succeed in the real world. From your living room and garden to quiet public spaces, secure fields, industrial estates and even car parks, they explain how carefully choosing your training environments gives your dog the chance to practise the right behaviours before distractions become overwhelming. You'll hear why these often-overlooked locations can be some of the very best places to build loose lead walking, engagement and confidence.
Along the way, they discuss why taking a short break from traditional walks can sometimes be the kindest thing you can do, how to prevent unwanted rehearsal before it becomes a habit, and why setting your dog up to succeed is one of the fastest ways to build skills that genuinely stick. Whether you're raising a puppy, living with a reactive dog or simply dreaming of calmer, more connected walks, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can start using straight away.
Ready to take those brilliant skills from your living room out into the real world? Inside our Stress Free Walks Blueprint we'll show you exactly how to bridge that gap, build confidence in real-life environments, and set your dog up for success on walks.
https://absolutedogs.me/blueprint
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 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.
Together, they explore why the environment is so incredibly rewarding for our dogs. From irresistible smells and moving wildlife to the unpredictability of everyday life, you'll discover why dogs naturally find the world so hard to resist - and why it isn't because they're stubborn, disobedient or "don't care" about you. Lauren explains why trying to compete with a squirrel using a biscuit is rarely a winning strategy, and how building value in your relationship changes everything.
Lauren and Karen also dive into the practical ways you can start becoming part of the adventure instead of competing with it. You'll hear why changing direction at the right moment, varying your rewards, using play and sniffing intentionally, and creating opportunities for connection can all make a huge difference when you're out and about. They also discuss why the walk starts long before you ever clip the lead on, how rehearsal shapes future behaviour, and why preventing unwanted habits is often far easier than trying to undo them later.
The conversation also takes a thoughtful look at puppies and reactive dogs, exploring why building emotional skills before diving into busy environments can have a lasting impact. Karen shares Rupert's story and reflects on how one difficult experience changed not only her dog, but also the way she felt on every walk afterwards. Together, they discuss why feeling safe matters just as much for the person holding the lead as it does for the dog, and how thoughtful preparation can help both ends of the lead enjoy walking together again.
Whether your dog is distracted by squirrels, other dogs, discarded food or simply the excitement of being outdoors, this episode will help you understand what's really going on - and why changing the way you think about walks can be the first step towards changing the walks themselves.
Ready to discover the foundations of calmer, happier, more connected walks? We'd love you to check out our Stress Free Walks Blueprint, where we'll show you the games, strategies and mindset that make that possible.
https://absolutedogs.me/blueprint
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, 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 spot opportunities before Lauren even knew they existed, whether that was disappearing into a bog, rolling in fox poo, hunting wildlife or pulling so hard she left Lauren in pain. Together, Lauren and Karen unpack how those behaviours developed, why even experienced trainers can get caught out by rehearsal, and how life, grief and loving a dog "just a little bit too much" can sometimes blur the boundaries that dogs really need.
Most importantly, Lauren shares how everything changed. Listen in as she talks through the two principles that transformed Skittle's walks: stopping rehearsal of the behaviours you don't want, and investing consistently in the behaviours you do. You'll hear why taking a break from normal walks can sometimes be the kindest decision, how relationship was the missing piece of the puzzle, and why building real-life skills mattered far more than chasing flashy training goals.
Karen and Lauren also dive into the practical games that made the difference, including Skittle's Game, designed to flip the value from charging forwards to choosing connection instead. Along the way they explore the importance of starting walks well, preventing pulling before it begins, creating consistency between handlers, and using reinforcement strategically so food becomes a safety tool rather than a lifelong dependency. Whether your dog pulls, reacts, hunts or simply makes walks feel exhausting, the underlying principles remain the same.
Ready to build walks you actually enjoy again? The Stress Free Walks Blueprint is now available. Inside, we guide you through the same games and strategies that transformed life with Skittle. 
https://absolutedogs.me/blueprint
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 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 dog comes with its own unique set of considerations, and in this episode we explore what really changes when your newest family member is small enough to disappear beneath a Border Collie. From carefully managing play with bigger dogs and adding sofa steps to protect tiny joints, to resisting the temptation to accidentally create a dog who expects breakfast to arrive on a spoon, Lauren and Linda share the funny moments and practical lessons that have come with life alongside Bobble.
The conversation also turns to training and day-to-day life. You'll hear why small dogs still need great recall, how easy it is to overlook the "easy" dog while managing everyone else, and why that could quickly lead to a tiny dog who thinks the rules don't apply. Linda also shares how she approaches grooming, clipping and coat care, including building positive associations with a dedicated grooming station so handling becomes just another part of life rather than something to dread.
We also chat about toy breed fitness, supporting dogs with patella concerns, choosing toys that suit tiny mouths, and teaching a simple cue that helps manage breed-typical barking. And of course, no episode about Bobble would be complete without the story of how a firm "no dogs on the bed" rule quietly disappeared the moment one impossibly cute toy poodle curled up between the pillows.
Whether you already share your home with a toy dog, you're thinking about welcoming one into your family, or you simply love hearing about the realities of life with dogs of every shape and size, this episode is guaranteed to leave you smiling. Subscribe, share it with a fellow dog lover, and don't forget to leave us a review.
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!