The Yappy Hour

Anyone in the UK can call themselves a dog trainer or behaviourist. They could have years of study and professional experience behind them, or very little at all.So when your dog is struggling, how are you supposed to know who you can trust?In this episode of The Yappy Hour, Nathan is joined by Ainsley Procter, Chair of the UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter, to talk about the reality of choosing a dog professional in an unregulated industry.They explore why the Charter was created, what Charter Verified means, and how organisations from across the dog training and behaviour world are working together around shared standards for ethical, science-backed and welfare-led practice.They also get into what those terms actually mean for our dogs. Why should we care about the emotion behind a behaviour rather than simply trying to stop it? Why can a quick fix appear to work without addressing the underlying problem? And why has the Charter drawn a clear line around aversive training methods and equipment?Nathan and Ainsley also discuss some of the practical things dog guardians can look for when choosing a trainer or behaviourist, including qualifications, professional memberships, training methods, accountability and the questions it is absolutely okay to ask.They cover:• Why dog training and behaviour remains unregulated in the UK• What the UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter is and why it was created• What Charter Verified means for dog guardians• Why ethical training considers how a dog feels, not just what they do• The problem with quick fixes and guaranteed results• How to check a trainer or behaviourist's professional credentials• Red flags to look out for on websites and social media• Why impressive before-and-after videos don't always tell the whole story• Why a good professional should be willing to explain what they're doing and why• What to do if something doesn't feel right during a training session• Why recognising the limits of your expertise can be a sign of a good professional• How the Charter's complaints and independent oversight process works• The role the Charter hopes to play in the future of dog training and behaviour in the UKThe message throughout is simple: you are allowed to ask questions about the person you're trusting with your dog.A good professional should help you understand your dog, explain why they're recommending a particular approach and keep your dog's welfare and emotional wellbeing at the centre of the process.Connect with the UK Dog Behaviour and Training CharterUK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter websiteUK Dog Behaviour And Training Charter Facebook pageThe Charter website also includes information for dog guardians and details of its member organisations.If this episode helps you think differently about who you trust with your dog, share it with another dog guardian who might find it useful.The Yappy Hour is powered by Yappily, helping dog guardians find trusted, welfare-led dog professionals.

Herding breeds might be incredibly clever, but living with that intelligence, sensitivity and intensity isn’t always simple.Tina Kristensen, founder of Tina’s Happy Hounds, joins Nathan on The Yappy Hour to explore what it’s really like to live with and support herding breeds. They talk about German Shepherds, Border Collies, Corgis, Australian Cattle Dogs and the instincts that can still influence these dogs even when they’ve never worked with livestock.Tina explains why physical exercise alone isn’t enough, how scent work and enrichment can give these dogs meaningful outlets, and why rest, predictability and connection are so important. They also explore hypervigilance, big feelings, choosing the right breed for your lifestyle and what to do when life with an intense dog starts to feel overwhelming.What You’ll Learn✅ Why smart doesn’t necessarily mean easy when it comes to herding breeds✅ How herding instincts can appear in everyday family life✅ Why chasing, controlling movement and intense focus may have roots in instinctive behaviour✅ Why some herding breeds struggle with busy or overstimulating environments✅ How scent work, free work, tracking and simple jobs can help provide fulfilling outlets✅ Why more exercise isn’t always the answer✅ Why slowing down, building trust and prioritising rest can make such a differenceKey Takeaways• Herding breeds were bred to work, think and respond to movement, and those instincts can remain strong in family dogs.• Intelligence comes with its own challenges. These dogs can learn quickly, but they can also notice patterns, anticipate routines and sometimes stay several steps ahead of us.• Mental fulfilment matters as much as physical exercise. Scent work, tracking, free work and purposeful activities can all give these dogs valuable outlets.• Overstimulation can show up in behaviour. Slowing things down and creating opportunities for genuine rest can be just as valuable as adding more activity.• Breed traits matter, but the individual dog matters more. Pay attention to the dog in front of you rather than relying on what they “should” be like.Connect with TinaTina's Happy Hounds WebsiteTina's Happy Hounds Facebook🐾 Find ethical, qualified pet professionals near you at Yappily - the directory for dog guardians who care about doing right by their dog.🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Yappy Hour and leave us a review, it helps more dog lovers find us!

Has your once-responsive puppy suddenly stopped listening? Dog trainer Juanita Rogers explains what is really happening during canine adolescence and how to help your teenage dog through it.Canine adolescence can catch even experienced dog guardians off guard. Recall disappears, lead pulling returns, focus goes out the window and your previously confident puppy might suddenly become worried about things they never noticed before.In this episode of The Yappy Hour, Nathan is joined by dog trainer Juanita Rogers from K9 Klass to unpack what is actually happening inside the adolescent dog's brain and body. They explore hormones, brain development, fear periods, breed-specific behaviours and why your dog really hasn't forgotten everything you've taught them.Most importantly, Juanita shares practical ways to make this stage easier for both you and your dog, from going back to training basics and lowering expectations to enrichment, sniffing, decompression days and knowing when to ask for professional help.What you'll learn✅ When canine adolescence begins, how long it can last and why it varies between individual dogs✅ Why your teenage dog can suddenly seem to forget their recall, stop responding to their name or start pulling on the lead again✅ What's happening in the adolescent brain, including neural pruning, brain development and those frustrating moments of apparent "brain fog"✅ How hormones, emotional development and fear periods can affect your dog's behaviour and confidence✅ Why breed-specific behaviours such as herding and chasing can become more noticeable during adolescence✅ How short training sessions, enrichment, scent work, play and decompression days can help an adolescent dog cope✅ When to seek professional support and why choosing a qualified, force-free professional mattersKey takeaways• Your dog isn't doing it to spite you. Adolescence is a major developmental period involving physical growth, hormonal changes and changes within the brain.• Going backwards is sometimes exactly what your dog needs. Bring back the long line, practise recall at an easier level and keep training sessions short rather than expecting your dog to perform at their previous level.• Consistency gives your dog stability. Everyone involved with your dog needs to be working in roughly the same way, particularly while so much else is changing for them.• Enrichment isn't just about keeping your dog busy. Scent work, play and activities that give your dog an appropriate outlet for breed-specific behaviours can help with arousal, confidence and your relationship.• A walk isn't always what your dog needs. Sometimes a decompression day at home, with sniffing, enrichment and gentle training, can be more beneficial than adding another potentially stressful walk.• Adolescence doesn't last forever. Your dog needs support and guidance while they move through it, and struggling during this stage doesn't mean you've failed.Connect with JuanitaK9 Klass websiteK9 Klass Facebook🐾 Find ethical, qualified pet professionals near you at Yappily, the directory for dog guardians who care about doing right by their dog.🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Yappy Hour and leave us a review, it helps more dog lovers find us!

Jeanette Muldoon is a trainer and behaviourist, and co-founder of Easy Peasy Puppy Training and the Family Dog Club, known for her calm, kind approach to raising confident, connected puppies. In this episode she talks through the reality of the first few weeks home, why puppy biting and barking are completely normal, and how to socialise a puppy without overwhelming them.Whether you're mid puppy-blues or preparing for a future arrival, this conversation is full of reassurance and practical, force-free advice. Settle in with a cuppa and give it a listen.What you'll learn in this episode:✅ Why the gap between puppy expectations and reality catches so many new dog guardians off guard✅ How to shift from "fixing problems" to building connection with your puppy✅ What actually matters in the crucial first week at home✅ Why puppy biting is normal, and how tiredness and arousal drive it✅ How to handle barking by understanding the reason behind it, not just stopping the noise✅ How to socialise a puppy calmly, on their own timeline, without overwhelm✅ How to lay the groundwork for home-alone confidence and healthy enrichmentKey takeaways:Puppyhood is joyful, but it's also a real adjustment. Puppy blues are common, you're not failing, you're just humanFocus on connection, not perfection. The relationship matters more than how many cues your puppy knows in month oneSocialisation is about calm, positive experiences. Confidence is built through gentle exposure and thoughtful support, not meeting every dog and every personArousal affects sleep and behaviour. An overtired puppy is a bitier, bouncier puppy, so watch their body language and let them restYou don't have to figure it all out alone. Support from a trainer or community like the Family Dog Club makes a real differenceConnect with JeanetteEasy Peasy Puppy Training websiteThe Family Dog Club websiteEasy Peasy Puppy Training FacebookThe Family Dog Club Facebook🐾 Find ethical, qualified pet professionals near you at Yappily the directory for dog guardians who care about doing right by their dog.🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Yappy Hour and leave us a review, it helps more dog lovers find us!

Puppyhood is magical, exhausting, and nothing like the Instagram version this episode is the honest conversation every new puppy parent needs.In this episode of The Yappy Hour, host Nathan Dunleavy talks with Carrie of Carrie's Canines and Friends, a dog trainer with a decade of experience helping first-time puppy parents navigate the toughest early months. Carrie draws on her own journey - including raising a reactive dog - to unpack sleep deprivation, biting, puppy blues, and why building relationship and bond matters more than quick obedience wins. If you're in the thick of puppyhood (or preparing for it), this one will make you feel a lot less alone.In this episode:✅ Why "puppy blues" are completely normal and why even experienced trainers feel them✅ The real reason your puppy is nipping, jumping, or biting (hint: it's rarely about defiance)✅ How much sleep puppies actually need, and why overtiredness fuels bad behaviour✅ Why your puppy isn't a "blank slate" and how genetics and breeding shape who they become✅ How to build the relationship and bond that makes recall, lead work, and everything else easier✅ What socialisation really means (it's not meeting every dog and every person)✅ Why asking before letting your puppy be petted by strangers matters✅ How to set your puppy up for the life you actually want to live with them, pub trips, cottages, and allKey takeaways:• Puppy blues are a normal part of the adjustment and it's okay to find it hard, even when you love your puppy• Don't take water away before bed to manage toilet training; work through the overnight stage humanely instead• Hold off on expensive toys and beds early on as they're likely to be chewed before your puppy grows into them• Prioritise relationship and bond above obedience and the rest follows more easily once that's in place• Socialisation is about calm, positive exposure to the world in short bursts, not overwhelming your puppy with every dog and person you meet• Training doesn't end after a six-week puppy course - it continues for lifeCarries Canines websiteCarrie's Canines & Friends Facebook page🐾 Subscribe to The Yappy Hour for more conversations that help you understand, connect with, and care for your dog.🐕 Find ethical and qualified pet professionals near you at Yappily.co.uk

In this episode, host Nathan Dunleavy sits down with Hayley Miles, founder of Halo Pups and host of the Chihuahua Podcast, to talk all things Chihuahuas and small breed dogs. Hayley shares her personal journey rehabilitating a reactive rescue Chihuahua and explains why so-called "small dog syndrome" isn't real at all.This conversation is essential listening for any dog guardian who's ever felt judged for having a "spicy" small dog. Grab a cup of tea and settle in for this one.What you'll learn in this episode:✅ Why "small dog syndrome" is a myth, and what's really going on when small dogs growl, snap, or bark✅ How pain and dental issues can be mistaken for behavioural problems in Chihuahuas✅ Why over-handling and picking dogs up too often can cause fear and reactivity✅ How to spot subtle stress signals like the "kiss to dismiss" and whale eye✅ Simple training swaps that make a big difference for tiny dogs (treat size, lead weight, tags)✅ Why scent work and hand targeting are two of the best tools for small dog guardians✅ How to advocate for your dog when well-meaning strangers want to touch themKey takeaways:• Growling and snapping are communication, not defiance — they deserve the same respect as a larger dog's warning signs• A vet check should always be the first step with a reactive small dog, as pain is often the root cause• Teaching a nose-to-hand target gives you a hands-off way to move your dog and can double as an emergency recall• You are your dog's advocate — it's okay to say no when strangers want to pet or pick up your dogConnect with HayleyHalo Pups websiteHalo Pups Facebook pageThe Chihuahua Podcast🐾 Find ethical, qualified pet professionals near you at Yappily the directory for dog guardians who care about doing right by their dog.🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Yappy Hour and leave us a review, it helps more dog guardians find us!

Toni Shelbourne on Tellington TTouch for Dogs: Calming Anxious & Reactive Dogs Through TouchWhat if a few simple circles of your hand could help your anxious dog feel safe again?In this episode, host Nathan Dunleavy sits down with Toni Shelbourne, a Tellington TTouch practitioner, behaviourist and author with nearly 30 years of experience working with everything from family pets to socialised wolves.Toni explains how TTouch uses gentle, non-habitual touch to release tension patterns, calm the nervous system, and put dogs into a "thinking" state where real learning and change becomes possible. From helping dogs recover from injury to supporting those with separation anxiety, noise phobias, and chronic pain, this episode shows just how far a little intentional touch can go.In this episode:✅ What Tellington TTouch actually is, and how it differs from massage✅ Why posture affects behaviour, and how tension patterns show up as fear or reactivity✅ How to read calming signals so you can support your dog before they reach a fear response✅ Why the right harness and lead setup can transform how your dog walks and feels✅ Simple techniques anyone can try at home, starting with ear strokes✅ How TTouch can help dogs eat and learn even when they're too anxious for traditional training✅ Why TTouch can support recovery alongside physiotherapy and vet careKey takeaways:• TTouch works by moving the skin, not the muscles, to access neural pathways and calm the nervous system• You don't need to be an expert. Simple techniques done with the right intent can create real change• Recovery time from fear or stress often shortens with regular TTouch, building resilience over time• Dogs that mask pain often show it first through behaviour change, and TTouch can help guardians notice• It works best as one piece of the puzzle, alongside training, enrichment, and veterinary supportToni's websiteToni's Facebook page🐾 Subscribe to The Yappy Hour for more conversations that help you understand, connect with, and care for your dog.🐕 Find a Tellington TTouch practitioner in your area on Yappily📧 Curious whether TTouch could help your dog? Start with a single ear stroke tonight and see what happens.

Tracey Ordish of Dishy's K9 Care on Living With an Anxious Dog: Hope, Confidence & Small WinsIf you've ever felt alone caring for a dog who finds the world overwhelming, this episode is the reassurance you've been waiting for.In this episode, host Nathan Dunleavy talks with Tracey Ordish, canine behaviour trainer and founder of Dishys K9 Care, about the emotional reality of living with an anxious dog. Tracey draws on her own background supporting her son through social anxiety to explain why she puts the guardian's wellbeing at the centre of her training approach, and shares a real client transformation story that shows just how much progress is possible with patience and the right support.In this episode:✅ How to recognise the subtle signs of anxiety in your dog, long before it escalates✅ Why supporting the guardian's emotional wellbeing is the real foundation of helping an anxious dog✅ A simple traffic light system to map out your dog's triggers and progress✅ Why comforting a fearful dog does not "reward" the fear, and what to do instead✅ How family inconsistency can unintentionally set back your dog's progress✅ Why progress with an anxious dog is rarely linear, and how to keep going through setbacks✅ How reframing success around your own dog's small wins builds real, lasting confidenceKey takeaways:• Anxiety in dogs shows up in small, everyday ways many guardians miss until it builds up• You are not failing your dog. You just haven't learned what he needs yet• Building the guardian and dog relationship comes before fixing any specific behaviour• Small, consistent wins matter more than chasing a perfect end result• With patience and the right support, anxious dogs and their people can thrive together📧 Feeling like you're the only one struggling with an anxious dog? You're not. Get in touch with Tracey and start where you are.Dishys K9 Care🐾 Subscribe to The Yappy Hour for more conversations that help you understand, connect with, and care for your dog.🐕 Find ethical and qualified pet professionals near you at Yappily.co.uk

If vet visits stress your dog out, this conversation will show you a calmer, kinder way to access trusted veterinary care.Nathan is joined by Dr Charlotte Gray, qualified vet and founder of Vetsy, the online vet consultation service. Charlotte explains how video vet consults work, who they help most — anxious dogs, busy households, guardians with mobility challenges, and anyone wanting an affordable second opinion — and how to prepare your dog for stress-free vet visits with early desensitisation and happy visits. A practical, reassuring listen for every dog guardian.In this episode:✅ What actually happens in an online vet consult — from visual exams to gait analysis and aftercare plans✅ Why online vets complement (not replace) your regular practice, and how they keep your vet in the loop✅ How to desensitise your puppy or rescue dog to handling at home, nose to tail✅ Why "happy visits" to the clinic build lifelong confidence — and how to do them✅ How your own anxiety affects your dog at the vet, and simple ways to stay calm✅ The "they're just getting old" myth — and the subtle signs of chronic pain guardians often miss✅ Why preventative care like dental brushing and weight management saves money and heartache laterKey takeaways:• Online consults suit chronic pet care, pain management, skin issues, second opinions, and anxious dogs — not emergencies• Vetsy's promise: if an appointment isn't right for your pet, it's cancelled and refunded, and you're sent straight to your clinic• Five minutes of gentle handling practice a week — paws, ears, mouth, tail — makes vet and groomer visits dramatically easier• Dogs read our stress; calming yourself (try box breathing) directly helps them cope• Stiffness, hesitating at stairs, or reluctance to jump into the car are signs of pain, not "just age" — speak to your vet• Be open and honest with your vet; if you can't have frank conversations, it may be time to find one you canVisit the Vetsy website🐾 Subscribe to The Yappy Hour for more conversations that help you understand, connect with, and care for your dog.🐕 Find ethical and qualified pet professionals near you at Yappily.co.uk

In this episode, Nathan is joined by Kay Attwood, founder of K9 Services and author of Canine Cognitive Skills, to explore a genuinely fascinating approach to dog training: Canine Cognitive Behaviour Training (CCBT). Kay explains how giving dogs the freedom to think, problem-solve, and make choices can transform behaviour from the inside out, particularly for anxious and reactive dogs. Whether you are a seasoned dog guardian or just starting out, this conversation will change the way you see what is going on behind your dog's eyes.What you'll learn in this episode:✅ What Canine Cognitive Behaviour Training (CCBT) actually is and how it differs from conventional reward-based training✅ The difference between the "play brain" and the "reactive brain" and why it matters for your dog's behaviour✅ Why giving dogs real choices builds confidence and reduces stress hormones✅ Simple, low-cost games you can try at home using everyday household items✅ How cognitive enrichment can support anxious and reactive dogs without medication✅ Why slowing down and letting your dog think is one of the most powerful things you can do as a guardianKey takeaways:Dogs are continually looking for solutions; they are not trying to be difficultEnrichment is not just about keeping dogs busy. It is about giving them meaningful mental engagement and genuine downtimeYou do not need expensive equipment. A bag of plastic cups or empty water bottles can be the start of a cognitive training journeyThe relationship between dog and guardian improves dramatically when both learn to communicate, not just instructConnect with Kay AttwoodKay's websiteCognitive Canine Skills book on AmazonKay's Facebook page🐾 Find ethical, qualified pet professionals near you at Yappily the directory for dog guardians who care about doing right by their dog.🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Yappy Hour and leave us a review — it helps more dog lovers find us!