The Labrador Podcast - From Tails of Success Labrador Training

Reactive Dogs & Why Every Labrador Should Use Their Nose | Gareth & Lyra
Gareth’s journey into dog training didn’t begin with plans for a new career. It began with Bear, his working line German Shepherd, and a determination to understand why his own dog was struggling.
As Bear reached adolescence, his behaviour around other dogs and fast-moving things became increasingly difficult to manage. Gareth sought help from trainers, attended classes and tried the advice he was given, but was left wanting to understand more about why Bear was reacting rather than simply being given techniques to manage the behaviour.
That search for answers eventually led Gareth to learn more about dog behaviour and establish Forever Home Dog Training, where helping owners of reactive dogs now forms a large part of his work.
Then came Lyra.
Lyra is Gareth’s three-year-old working line Labrador. Relaxed, optimistic, eager to learn and, in Gareth’s words, “everyone’s friend”, she’s also become part of his work as a dog trainer. She helps alongside nervous dogs, demonstrates training exercises and has developed an impressive set of scent detection skills.
In this episode, we talk about:
🐾 Gareth’s experience of living with a reactive dog
🐾 How Bear completely changed his understanding of dog behaviour
🐾 Why reactivity isn’t necessarily aggression
🐾 The realities of training and managing a reactive dog
🐾 Why progress can take time and why the small wins matter
🐾 How Gareth approached raising Lyra differently
🐾 The role Lyra now plays alongside him as a dog trainer
🐾 Why giving dogs a job can be so valuable
🐾 The benefits of scent work for Labradors
🐾 Simple ways to get your Labrador using their nose
🐾 Why mental exercise can be just as important as physical exercise
Gareth and Lyra’s story is a fascinating example of how much our dogs can teach us. Bear may have started Gareth on the journey into understanding dog behaviour, but those lessons have shaped the way he now works with other dogs and the life and training he shares with Lyra.
And if you’ve ever wondered what people actually mean when they say a Labrador “needs a job”, the second half of this conversation gives you plenty of ideas for something almost every Labrador already knows how to do naturally: use their nose.

The Labrador PodcastHosted by Vikki Sharpe
Train your Labrador with Vikki at www.tailsofsuccess.com
📸 Follow us
@tailssuccess
@the_labrador_podcast

Our guest for this episode is Gareth from Forever Home Dog Training.
You can find out more at www.foreverhomedogtraining.com
or find him on Instagram @foreverhome_dogtraining

When Amy brought home her first working line Labrador, Flo, she quickly discovered just how different life could be from the show line Labrador she'd owned before.

Flo was feisty, headstrong and full of energy, but she was also incredibly loved and taught Amy an enormous amount about living with and training a working line Labrador.

Tragically, Flo became seriously ill and died at just two and a half years old after spending three weeks in intensive care.

In this episode of The Labrador Podcast, Amy talks openly about losing Flo, making the decision to bring another Labrador into her life, and starting again with Nellie.

Although Nellie came from the same breeder and is also a working line Labrador, Amy quickly discovered she was a completely different dog.

Together we discuss:
🐾 The differences between show and working line Labradors
🐾 The reality of bringing home a working line puppy
🐾 Why structure, routine and boundaries matter
🐾 Losing Flo at just two and a half years old
🐾 Deciding the time was right to welcome another Labrador
🐾 Why Nellie was so different from Flo
🐾 Discovering gundog training as a complete beginner
🐾 Nellie suddenly becoming gun-shy
🐾 The 15 months Amy spent helping her overcome that fear
🐾 Why working line Labradors benefit from having a job
🐾 What three different Labradors have taught Amy

This is a conversation about the realities of sharing your life with working line Labradors, but it's also about love, loss, starting again and the relationship that can develop when you find something you and your dog love doing together.

Follow Amy & NellieInstagram: @nellie_labrador1

🎙️ The Labrador Podcast
Hosted by Vikki Sharpe

🐶 Training for you and your Labradorwww.tailsofsuccess.com

📸 Follow us@tailssuccess@the_labrador_podcast

When Mairi brought Oscar home, she thought she'd done everything right.
She'd spent a long time researching breeders, carefully prepared for life with a Labrador puppy and was looking forward to years of hiking, camping and adventures together.
But when Oscar was diagnosed with elbow dysplasia at just five months old, everything changed.
In this episode of The Labrador Podcast, Mairi shares the emotional journey that followed, from surgery and months of rehabilitation, to learning how to let go of expectations and focus on giving Oscar the happiest life possible.

Together we discuss:
🐾 The first signs that something wasn't right
🐾 Diagnosing elbow dysplasia in a young Labrador
🐾 Surgery, rehabilitation and recovery
🐾 Managing arthritis and future flare-ups
🐾 The emotional impact of a life-changing diagnosis
🐾 Choosing a breeder and the questions she'd ask today
🐾 Why Oscar still lives a full, happy and adventurous life

Whether your Labrador has been diagnosed with elbow dysplasia, you're researching the breed before bringing a puppy home, or you're supporting a dog through recovery, I hope Oscar's story offers reassurance, perspective and hope.

Follow Mairi & Oscar
📸 Instagram: @mairibabb

Organisations mentioned in this episode
Toronto Animal Health Partners – The specialist referral hospital that cared for Oscar throughout his diagnosis and surgery.
Toronto Veterinary Rehabilitation – The rehabilitation team that supported Oscar's recovery following surgery through physiotherapy and tailored rehabilitation.

Mairi speaks very highly of both organisations and the care they provided throughout Oscar's journey. If you're local to the Toronto area and ever find yourself facing a similar diagnosis, they're well worth knowing about.

🎙️ The Labrador Podcast
Hosted by Vikki Sharpe

🐶 Training for you and your Labrador
Visit https://tailsofsuccess.com/

📸 Follow us on social media
@tailssuccess
@the_labrador_podcast

When Pete brought Bonnie, his Labrador x Golden Retriever (Goldador), home, he thought he'd done everything right.

He'd researched the breed, found a reputable breeder, attended puppy training classes and was determined to give Bonnie the best possible start in life.

But despite all that preparation, raising a young working-line dog quickly became overwhelming.

In this episode of The Labrador Podcast, Pete shares the emotional reality of living with an energetic young dog, the pressure he put on himself, and how changing his own mindset completely transformed life with Bonnie.

Together we discuss:
• Choosing a Labrador or Goldador as a first dog
• Puppy classes and early training
• Living with prey drive and over-excitement
• Gundog training and why it changed everything
• Mental stimulation versus physical exercise
• Building trust, confidence and engagement
• Why adolescence isn't forever

If you're raising a Labrador puppy, living with an adolescent that's testing your patience, or wondering whether things will ever get easier, this episode is full of honest experiences, practical insights and reassurance that you're not alone.

🐾 Follow Pete & BonnieInstagram: @petecampbell606

🎙️ The Labrador PodcastHosted by Vikki Sharpe

🐶 Training for you and your Labradortailsofsuccess.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram@tailssuccess@the_labrador_podcast

Does your Labrador drag you down the street, zig-zag across the pavement, or pull towards every distraction?

Lead walking struggles are one of the biggest training challenges owners face - often, the easiest way to stop the challenges is by focusing on positioning.

In this episode, I’m diving into why WHERE your dog walks on lead makes all the difference.

We’ll cover:
✔️ Why your dog’s position affects their pulling, focus, and confidence
✔️ The common mistakes that make lead walking worse
✔️ Practical steps to teach your dog to walk by your side
✔️ How to be consistent so your Labrador knows exactly where to be

If you’ve tried every harness, lead, or training tool with no success, this could be the missing piece of the puzzle!
🎧 Listen now and start making your dog walks enjoyable again!

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If you need personalised training, find us at www.tailsofsuccess.com