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

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 necessari...

Transcribed - Published: 2 June 2026

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, 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 ...

Transcribed - Published: 26 May 2026

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 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 the...

Transcribed - Published: 19 May 2026

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, 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 ever...

Transcribed - Published: 12 May 2026

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 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 sprintin...

Transcribed - Published: 5 May 2026

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 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 l...

Transcribed - Published: 28 April 2026

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 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...

Transcribed - Published: 21 April 2026

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 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...

Transcribed - Published: 14 April 2026

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 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 yo...

Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2026

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, we’re diving into one of the most misunderstood topics in dog training: food. Are you bribing your dog? Creating a treat monster? Or accidentally training the very behaviours you don’t want? At absoluteDogs, we believe something simple but powerful: every piece of food has a purpose. When you start using f...

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2026

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, the wonderful Sam is back to chat to Lauren about a rather unusual training tool: a suitcase. Siri, Sam’s Jack Russell, used to find the outside world pretty overwhelming. Walks could quickly turn into moments of panic and reactivity. But a simple idea - a suitcase covered in unicorns - helped turn those t...

Transcribed - Published: 24 March 2026

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, we’re continuing our 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 ...

Transcribed - Published: 17 March 2026

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! Better performance and fewer injuries don’t start with fancy equipment. They start with the basics: a balanced stand, a square sit, and the patience to slow down. In this episode, Lauren sits down with canine physiotherapist and hydrotherapist Mel to talk about what really builds strong, capable dogs. They chat about...

Transcribed - Published: 10 March 2026

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! Ever felt like your dog’s reactivity is a life sentence you didn’t sign up for? Lauren and Linda chat frankly about the things owners rarely say out loud - relief when the pressure lifts, embarrassment on tricky walks, and the guilt that often comes with owning a challenging dog - and replace them with a manage...

Transcribed - Published: 3 March 2026

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, 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 ...

Transcribed - Published: 24 February 2026

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 once again by the amazing Alice, to kick off a new series of episodes where we’re exploring what concept training actually is and how it applies to 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, rela...

Transcribed - Published: 17 February 2026

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 Rosanne Calabrese for a conversation that switches the spotlight from our dogs back onto us. Together, they explore what happens when dog people put everyone else first – and why our own health and wellbeing is just as important. From food, energy, gut health, stress, and ...

Transcribed - Published: 10 February 2026

Send us Fan Mail Watch a mindset shift in real time as we explore how purpose-bred sports mixes are changing flyball and agility. We dive into the why and how behind crosses like the border whippet and kelpie–whippet, pairing racing-line sprint genetics with collie-style responsiveness to create dogs that explode down the lane, turn cleanly, and still curl up on the sofa by eight. If you’ve ever wondered whether speed and an off switch can live in the same dog, this is your tour through the e...

Transcribed - Published: 3 February 2026

Send us Fan Mail What if changing what’s on your plate could change how you feel, think, and even how you train your dog? We dive into a candid journey from a daunting fibroid diagnosis and surgery-first advice to a practical, food-first plan built around whole ingredients, simple prep, and flavour that sticks. Along the way, we talk about the 25% reduction that showed up on a scan, the meals that kept us going, and the mindset shifts that made healthy choices sustainable through packed train...

Transcribed - Published: 27 January 2026

Send us Fan Mail Ever felt that jolt of panic when two dogs square up at a doorway, over the sofa, or as they leap into the van? We’ve been there. Today we open the curtain on real-world scuffles in multi-dog homes and share the clear-headed systems that prevent fights, lower arousal, and protect relationships without relying on punishment or wishful thinking. We start with honest case studies: Orla, a brilliantly trained collie who still snipes when tense; Venture, a spaniel who turns fiery...

Transcribed - Published: 20 January 2026

Send us Fan Mail Think rehab is just rest and painkillers? We dig into the real toolkit—laser, PEMF, ultrasound, and shockwave—and map out exactly when each one helps, when it hinders, and how to blend them into a plan your dog actually enjoys. With Mel, an experienced canine physiotherapist, we unpack the science in plain English and keep the focus on results you can see: smoother movement, fewer flare-ups, and calmer sessions. We start with the essentials: inflammation isn’t the enemy if i...

Transcribed - Published: 13 January 2026

Send us Fan Mail Holidays shouldn’t feel like a gauntlet of barking, lunging, and white-knuckle car rides. We dig into the real reasons dogs struggle when routines change and show how a clear plan, games-based training, and smart logistics turn stressful trips into confident adventures. From the first few minutes at a new training centre to that important “second time in” when food finally starts to matter, we break down simple steps that lower arousal and build focus where it counts. We wal...

Transcribed - Published: 6 January 2026

Send us Fan Mail What if the keys to calmer, clearer dog training are hiding in a muddy field at dawn? In this episode, we sit down with a farm-animal vet who swapped spotless theatres for open skies and on-call chaos. She walks us through the reality of rural practice - live calves at sunrise, emergency lambings, tea-stop triage, and the quiet skill of handling animals without force or fear. From those stories come the lessons every dog owner needs: • How reading body language becomes seco...

Transcribed - Published: 30 December 2025

Send us Fan Mail What if one of your most effective training sessions happens on a chair? In this episode, we dig into “glass of wine” games: short, calm, indoor training sessions that turn bad weather, busy days, pain flare-ups, or limited mobility into genuine progress. Anchoring yourself in a chair strips out all the noise. No over-helping. No micromanaging. Just clear information, steady reinforcement, and a dog who suddenly understands exactly what you mean. That simplicity builds conf...

Transcribed - Published: 23 December 2025

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Lauren Langman and Bill break down practical, real-world ways to create more joy on busy, messy, unpredictable days… and how that same mindset transforms your dog training. You’ll learn how tiny resets shift everything: a five-minute step outside, noticing the birds, watching the rain, opening that letter you’ve been avoiding, or running one short training game. Small wins compound fast - and they change the tone of your day, the energy you bring to your dog,...

Transcribed - Published: 16 December 2025

Send us Fan Mail Travelling with your dog shouldn’t feel like a gamble. In this episode, we break your holiday prep into simple, stress-proof steps that work in real cottages, hotels, rentals, and road trips across the UK and beyond. You’ll learn how to rehearse car comfort before you ever start the engine, teach toileting on cue in new environments, and set up your holiday cottage so your dog walks in and instantly knows what to do. We even share the story of a dog who arrived car-sic...

Transcribed - Published: 9 December 2025

Send us Fan Mail Flyball is loud. Barking. Gates slamming. Paws pounding turf. Behind it all - pure skill. In this episode, Nicole - a force-free flyball trainer and vet - breaks down how elite teams turn raw arousal into laser-focused speed and rock-solid safety, even under the pressure of Crufts. What We Cover (Fast + Clear): • How to fix box turns without frying your dog’s brain • When food beats toys for technical flyball work • Why the fixed nine-inch Crufts jump changes stride...

Transcribed - Published: 2 December 2025

Send us Fan Mail Vet days don’t have to feel like a battle. We break down a calmer, smarter way to get great care for your dog by preparing the right evidence, shaping the environment, and training simple skills that pay off when it matters. From short videos of movement and wound healing to clear photos of stool or vomit, we show how to brief your vet with exactly what they need to see so a ten-minute consult becomes targeted, not rushed. You’ll hear how waiting in the car, asking for outdoo...

Transcribed - Published: 25 November 2025

Send us Fan Mail A normal training day. A happy cocker spaniel. Then a sudden shift - arched back, tucked tail, fever, vomiting - and a rush into a world of labs, ultrasound, and impossible choices. We sit with Debbie as she relives Marley’s final hours, from the first quiet signs to an emergency diagnosis of gallbladder mucocele, a condition that often hides. Beyond medicine lies the heart. Debbie names the shock few dare to say out loud: when a heart dog dies young, grief can break the bod...

Transcribed - Published: 19 November 2025

Send us Fan Mail Grief is heavy; choice is heavier. We open the door to a conversation many avoid: how to make humane, timely end-of-life decisions for our dogs and other animals without surrendering dignity to fear or delay. Through real stories—a goat with Johne’s disease, a Labrador remembered with regret, a joyful dog named Eazy whose last morning was full of play ... we map the emotional terrain and the practical steps that lead to a kinder farewell. We talk about the hard calls that ve...

Transcribed - Published: 11 November 2025

Send us Fan Mail Responsibility isn’t a vibe—it’s a skill set that protects your dog, your community, and your peace of mind. We open with a frank look at UK law and why “friendly” doesn’t matter if someone feels scared, especially when your dog is big and loud. Then we share Bonnie’s transformation from high-stakes history to steady, social companion, using practical tools any owner can apply: games-based training, thoughtful management, and stepwise freedom. We break down the real differen...

Transcribed - Published: 4 November 2025

Send us Fan Mail Some animals step into the arena and you can feel it—the spark, the “cue me now” readiness, the sense that they want to win with you. We bring that feeling into focus with international dressage rider and team manager Beth Bainbridge, comparing notes across horses and high-drive dogs to show how trust, routines, and basics turn talent into stable, repeatable results. Beth takes us from the highs of elite competition—national anthems, big stages, and stallions who light up—to...

Transcribed - Published: 22 October 2025

Send us Fan Mail We challenge the tired story that Huskies are untrainable and show how early game‑based work, smart reinforcement, and flexible routines create calm, reliable dogs. From recalls around deer to safe outlets for the full predatory chain, we share what works and what to skip. • starting early with games to prevent bad rehearsal • building motivation with ditch‑the‑bowl and animated rewards • reframing stubbornness as perseverance and independence • delaying cues until behaviour...

Transcribed - Published: 7 October 2025

Send us Fan Mail The hardest part of “socialising your puppy” isn’t getting out the door—it’s knowing when to say no. We unpack the difference between ticking boxes and shaping feelings, contrasting Rupert, a sensitive dog overexposed to chaotic greetings and traditional classes, with Tokyo, a dog raised on low-drama, consistently positive experiences. The takeaway is simple and powerful: quality beats quantity. A handful of safe, well-managed exposures paired with concept games builds neutra...

Transcribed - Published: 30 September 2025

Send us Fan Mail The words “no pressure” can make you feel all the pressure. We pull back the curtain on how stress sneaks into training and competition, how it leaks down the lead, and what it takes to build a team that holds together when the stakes feel high. From a near‑perfect run that unravelled at the last jump to the quiet wins in everyday pet training, we share what we’ve learned about mindset, arousal, and the stories we tell ourselves. We discuss the difference between healthy pre...

Transcribed - Published: 30 September 2025

Send us Fan Mail The heart-stopping moment when you realise your dog has vanished is something no pet owner wants to experience. Yet when Linda's tiny toy poodle Bobble disappeared during what should have been a routine walk, it led to valuable lessons that challenge everything we think we know about finding missing dogs. This compelling episode takes you through the entire emotional journey – from the split-second accident that led to Bobble's disappearance to the counterintuitive strategie...

Transcribed - Published: 23 September 2025

Send us Fan Mail The road to recovery after canine surgery can feel overwhelming and restrictive. Between strict activity limitations, wound management, and preventing your dog from causing further damage, rehabilitation periods often leave pet owners feeling helpless and frustrated. Lauren Langman and guest Alice share their first-hand experiences navigating this challenging journey, offering practical wisdom that transforms recovery from a limitation into an opportunity. Alice's powerful s...

Transcribed - Published: 16 September 2025

Send us Fan Mail Three hundred episodes and 4.2 million downloads! What started as a simple DVD in the early days of Facebook has grown into a worldwide movement transforming dog training as we know it. In this milestone celebration, host Lauren Langman sits down with trainer Sam to reflect on their games-based training journeys. Sam shares how her relationship with her first dog was deteriorating until she discovered a training approach that emphasized fun and flexibility over rigid command...

Transcribed - Published: 11 September 2025

Send us Fan Mail When Karen's dog Rupert bit her father, it could have spelled disaster for family relationships and dog-sitting arrangements. Instead, it became a powerful learning opportunity that transformed their approach to managing challenging dog behavior. The bite occurred during what should have been a simple interaction – Karen's father attempting to put Rupert's harness on while the dog was comfortably settled on the sofa. Without understanding Rupert's need for consensual handlin...

Transcribed - Published: 2 September 2025

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how elite trainers build confidence in both sport dogs and those with behavioural challenges? Lauren Langman and Jamie dive deep into the transformative world of confidence circuits – a versatile training approach that's changing how dogs learn to navigate their environment with precision and trust. Confidence circuits combine problem-solving with physical awareness, creating a series of obstacles where dogs must thoughtfully place their paws while maintaining ...

Transcribed - Published: 26 August 2025

Send us Fan Mail When that adorable new puppy or rescue dog joins your household, the dream is harmony, but the reality often involves chaos, stress, and sometimes even conflict between your existing dogs and the newcomer. What if there was a better way? Crufts Champion, Expert Naughty but Nice Dog Trainer, Lauren Langman sits down with Linda, a competitive obedience trainer who recently introduced a tiny one-kilogram poodle puppy to her household of three Border Collies - including one part...

Transcribed - Published: 19 August 2025

Send us Fan Mail From anxious and reactive to calm, confident and focused — Cavaletti training is the secret tool you didn’t know your dog needed. 🐾 In this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel Podcast, world-class trainer Lauren Langman and her colleague Jamie dive into how Cavaletti builds strength, balance, focus, and emotional resilience in dogs of all breeds, ages, and training backgrounds. You’ll hear: How Cavaletti helps Lauren’s Border Collie, Brave, in her recovery from a devastatin...

Transcribed - Published: 12 August 2025

Send us Fan Mail What do you do when your massive mastiff mix - described as "half grizzly bear, half donkey" - turns into a reactive nightmare? For Alice, the journey with Bonnie began with serious doubts about whether she could provide a forever home for such a challenging dog. Most small reactive dogs get labeled "cute" despite their behaviour. But for Bonnie, a large brindle mix with impressive strength, her reactive episodes weren't just embarrassing - they triggered public concern abou...

Transcribed - Published: 5 August 2025

Send us Fan Mail Unlock your dog's problem-solving potential through the power of movement with Confidence Circuits! https://absolutedogs.me/confidencecircuits This episode reveals how these versatile training setups can transform your dog's physical abilities and mental acuity using everyday household items. Lauren and Linda share their expertise on why Confidence Circuits have become a cornerstone of their training programs for dogs of all ages and abilities. From naughty-but-nice ...

Transcribed - Published: 29 July 2025

Send us Fan Mail Could skipping your dog's daily walk be the kindest thing for them? In this paradigm-shifting episode, Lauren and Karen explore the controversial concept of "ditching the walk" and its potential to transform your relationship with your dog. Explore our diverse range of courses, including the recently released Bake Off course, for inspiration and enrichment ideas. https://absolutedogs.me/bakeoff When your dog's stress bucket is already overflowing, dragging them into p...

Transcribed - Published: 22 July 2025

Send us Fan Mail Make sure to check out Part I before you dive into Part II! https://www.buzzsprout.com/761645/episodes/17462029 What happens between competitions might be the most critical factor determining your dog's peak performance and long-term well-being. In this deep-dive conversation, Lauren Langman welcomes back small animal physiotherapist Mel Doyle to unpack the science of effective recovery for competition dogs. This eye-opening episode continues to dive into how we approach tr...

Transcribed - Published: 15 July 2025

Send us Fan Mail Every competitive dog handler faces a crucial balancing act: maximizing performance while preserving their canine athlete's long-term wellbeing. This eye-opening conversation with small animal physiotherapist Mel challenges conventional wisdom about training and recovery for sports dogs. "Your dog only has so many jumps in their lifetime." This simple yet profound statement forms the foundation of our discussion, exploring how recovery isn't just about rest, but about strate...

Transcribed - Published: 8 July 2025

Send us Fan Mail Whether you’re a seasoned dog trainer or a passionate dog owner, this episode will change how you approach training — forever. Join expert trainers Lauren Langman and Dave Hibbert as they unpack the Small Incremental Learning System (SILS) — the step-by-step method behind reliable, long-lasting behaviour change in dogs of all breeds and backgrounds. For trainers, SILS may feel familiar — a structure you've used instinctively. For dog owners, it’s a practical roadmap to transf...

Transcribed - Published: 1 July 2025

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered why your dog performs perfectly at home but seems to forget everything when you're out in public? The secret might lie in understanding the ABCs of dog training. Dave, a veteran police dog trainer with over two decades of experience, breaks down this deceptively simple framework that has revolutionized how professionals approach dog training. Rather than focusing solely on correcting behaviors, the ABC model—Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence—provides multiple l...

Transcribed - Published: 24 June 2025

Send us Fan Mail Struggling with a challenging, reactive, or overly sensitive dog? You’re not alone—and you’re not failing. In this powerful episode, top dog trainers Lauren Langman and Sam reveal the proven games-based training methods they use to transform “naughty but nice” dogs into calm, confident, and focused companions. Discover how to replace traditional obedience struggles with playful strategies that work with your dog’s emotions, not against them. This episode explores: 🔁 The ...

Transcribed - Published: 17 June 2025