Dogs, Explained!

Does your dog turn every walk into a tug of war? In this episode of Dogs, Explained, we break down exactly how to stop your dog pulling on the lead and teach a genuine loose leash walk, no matter what breed or age you're starting with. We cover the full toolkit: leads, harnesses and collars, what each one actually does, and which setup suits which dog. We dig into leash pressure, why it's the foundation of loose leash training and how most people get it wrong without realising. Then we walk through the practical side: how to set your dog up for success before you even leave the house, what to actually do once you're outside and things start going sideways, and how to build genuine motivation so your dog wants to stay with you rather than just tolerating it. Whether you're dealing with a puppy who's never been taught, or an adult dog with years of pulling habits to unlearn, this episode gives you a clear, practical path forward. Zhani leash recommended: Zhani Dog Leads Treat Training pouch recommended: https://saltypawsdesign.com Prime 100 dog roll recommended: SPD™ Fresh Rolls UK pate dog roll: https://www.jrpetproducts.com

Your neighbour swears by it. That viral online video has 2 million views. And now you’re not sure if what you’re doing with your dog is helping or making things worse. In this episode, Alice and Jools talk through some of the most common myths, mistakes, and flat out bad advice circulating in the dog world. Does tug of war really make your dog aggressive? Will sticking your hand in their bowl stop resource guarding? And why does the advice you find online so often contradict what actually works? Alice & Jools give you the answers to questions they get every week from their clients so that you can finally know what works, from two trusted dog trainers. Including information from a 1999 study by wolf biologist Dr David Mech, he changed everything we thought we knew about “alpha” dogs and why that advice you’ve been given might be decades out of date.

In this episode, we go deeper into the good stuff most people miss. What does a happy dog actually look like? Are they really enjoying that game, that pat, that interaction, or just tolerating it? We chat through real life scenarios like dog to dog play, kids approaching dogs, why so many dogs don’t love being patted on the head, and how small changes like your body position can make a big difference. We also talk about how to tell if your dog is genuinely enjoying another dog, and how quickly things can be misread if you don’t know what to look for. Because your dog is communicating with you all the time. The question is, are you listening?

Understanding your dog’s body language can feel like learning a whole new language. And if you’re anything like most owners, you might be missing more than you realise. In this episode, we break down how dogs are constantly communicating with us through their body, long before they ever react or “blow up”. The reality is, dogs are incredibly patient. They give us signal after signal, we just don’t always know how to read them. We cover common signs you might be overlooking like whale eye, freezing, shaking off stress, head dips, tail position, and more, along with real life scenarios, especially around dogs and kids. We also touch on the concept of the 'Ladder Of Aggression', and why understanding early signals is key to preventing escalation. If you’ve ever thought “that came out of nowhere”, this episode will help you start seeing what was actually there all along. References mentioned in this episode: Canine Body Language by Brenda Aloff Shepherd, K. Ladder of Aggression. In: Horwitz, D., Mills, D.S. Can I Pat That Dog by Alice Shaw

How We Met, Where We Came From, and Why We Do This You’ve heard us talk dogs. Now here’s the story behind the humans. In this episode we properly introduce ourselves and share how we got here. Where we started. What pulled us into the dog world. The moments that shaped how we train. And the slightly unexpected way we met. We talk about the early days of building our own businesses, the doubts, the learning curves, the wins, and the reality of working with people and their dogs every day. If you’ve ever wondered why we care so much about doing things properly, why we’re passionate about education, or how two trainers ended up sitting behind microphones together, this is the episode that fills in the gaps. Whether you’re a long time listener or brand new here, this one gives you the full picture. Welcome to the humans behind Dogs, Explained.

If you’ve ever said “my dog doesn’t listen to me”, this is where we go next. Following on from our first episode, we move from understanding into 'the why'. We dive into why play is such an important part of your relationship with your dog, how to read body language and why choosing the right breed and breeder matters more than most people think. This episode is about setting you and your dog up for success from the start. Not quick fixes, not hacks, just the foundations that make everything else easier. 🐾

If you’ve ever said “my dog just doesn’t listen”, this episode is for you. In our first ever episode of 'Dogs, Explained!', we unpack what’s really going on when your dog seems to ignore you. We talk about why patience matters more than people realise, how understanding your dog changes everything, and why expecting your dog to understand English is setting everyone up to fail. This is part one of a two part series where we focus on building the foundations. Before tools, before techniques, before quick fixes. Just clarity, empathy, and realistic expectations. If you’re feeling frustrated, stuck, or like you’re doing everything “right” and still not getting results, start here. Part two coming soon. 🐾