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 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 these products actually doing to our dogs, our homes, and the environment around us?
In this episode, we talk through the pros, cons, and wider impact of common flea and tick treatments, including why many products only work once a tick or flea bites, and what that means when we’re talking about tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease and babesiosis. We also explore some of the side effects owners report seeing, from nausea and digestive upset to neurological wobbliness, and why dosage can become especially tricky for very small dogs.
Lauren and Michelle also talk through a different approach: prevention through consistency, daily habits, and supporting the dog as a whole. You’ll hear why they choose natural ingredients, how gut health plays a surprisingly important role in resilience, and why they prefer testing before treating wherever possible. From worm counts to stool testing, this episode challenges the idea of broad-brush “just in case” treatments and looks at the growing issue of resistance over time.
We also get practical. You’ll learn how to check your dog properly for fleas and ticks, where ticks commonly hide, how to spot flea dirt with a comb, and easy ways to feed preventative powders consistently, including a simple kefir ice cube hack your dog will probably love.
Along the way, there’s a wider conversation too, about waterways, bees, environmental impact, and why one spot-on treatment on a large dog can reportedly kill up to 25 million bees. It’s a huge topic, and whether you’re already using a natural approach or just starting to question the status quo, this episode will give you plenty to think about.
If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s another way to approach flea, tick, and worm prevention, this episode is for you.
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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!

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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, 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 every journey feel like hard work.
So what’s really going on? For so many dogs, the car is loaded with meaning. Walks, vet visits, new places… It all builds anticipation fast. And that anticipation can tip into over-arousal or stress before you’ve even left the drive.
Listen in as Lauren and Sam share practical strategies to help you change that picture. From creating “non-event” car journeys that lead to nothing, to simply hanging out in a parked vehicle, you’ll learn how to remove the hype and help your dog switch off. They also explore why crate training can be a game-changer for calm travel, creating safety, structure, and reducing visual triggers that often keep dogs on edge.
As the conversation continues, Lauren and Sam get into the detail of reinforcement too, because if calmness in the car is your current struggle, that’s where your training focus needs to be. From hand feeding and using daily food to build positive associations, to scatter feeding and long-lasting chews, this is all about changing how your dog feels about the car.
If your dog struggles with car travel, this episode will give you a clear, practical plan you can start straight away.
Ready to connect with a community of like-minded dog owners and feel supported in your training journey? Grab the £1 Games Club trial and get started right now!
https://absolutedogs.me/7daytrial
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 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 sprinting cold, to high-speed chases, collisions, and endless ball throwing, many “normal” routines are actually putting dogs at risk.
In this episode, we dig into what safe, effective exercise really looks like. Mel explains what the canine body actually needs, and why those first 10–15 minutes of on-lead walking can completely change the picture. Together, Lauren and Mel explore how simple management choices - like using pathways, long lines, and food scattering - can prevent that explosive first sprint and reduce injury risk before it even starts.
They also talk through real-life scenarios, including multi-dog households and dogs returning to ‘normal’ walks following an  injury. You’ll hear how to safely reintroduce off-lead time, when play together is helpful (and when it’s not), and how to step in before fun turns into a crash. This is all about understanding arousal, movement, and giving your dog the best chance to move well and stay sound.
We also explore the hidden risks in everyday environments, from wet ground and deep sand to pebble beaches and even different types of astroturf. Plus, we cover how exercise should change across your dog’s life, from older dogs with arthritic changes to fit, active sports dogs, and why nutrition needs to support increased training load.
If you want to exercise your dog in a way that builds strength, protects their body, and supports long-term health, this episode is for you.
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 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 like a habit that’s impossible to break.
In this episode, we dig into what’s really going on behind the barking. Because this isn’t about a “naughty” dog - it’s about a behaviour that’s been well practised and, in many cases, accidentally reinforced. With the perfect vantage point and a constant stream of passers-by, your dog is essentially rehearsing the same high-arousal response again and again.
Lauren and Linda walk through a real-life case study, sharing exactly how Linda turned things around for a dog who was making daily life stressful for the entire household. You’ll hear how small, practical changes - like adjusting the environment to reduce visual triggers - and simple, positive training techniques can make a huge difference. From using window film to limit rehearsal, to transforming a familiar “uh-uh” into a powerful, reward-based attention cue, this is all about changing the picture, not battling the behaviour.
We also explore why telling your dog off often backfires, and what to do instead. By focusing on rewarding the behaviours you do want - like choosing to move away from the window and settle calmly - you can build habits that stick, without conflict or frustration.
If you’re dealing with barking at windows, TVs, or anything that triggers that launch-and-lunge response, this episode will give you a clear, practical plan you can start straight away.
Ready for solutions for every struggle - including barking? Grab the £1 Games Club trial and get started right now!
https://absolutedogs.me/7daytrial
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 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 relationships) together.
Together, Lauren and Justin get real about what makes connection last: effort, consistency, and the courage to show up as your true self, even when it would be easier to stay polished and distant. From years of friendship to long-distance family life, they share honest stories that prove just how powerful a genuine “hello” can be.
You’ll hear practical tips for building stronger relationships in your everyday life, from sending voice notes that actually feel like you, to handwritten letters which add a personal touch that can mean the world, especially in our fast, digital world. They also explore why the idea of being “self-made” is a myth, and how connection grows when you give first, show up without judgement, and let people see the real human behind it all.
And because this is a dog training podcast, we bring it back to our dogs too. From the communities built around training and shared interests, to those unexpected, sometimes shocking moments (yes… even the rabbit-catching kind), we talk about how connection with your dog can wobble, grow, and ultimately become stronger through understanding, training, and trust.
If you’ve been craving deeper relationships, a stronger sense of community, or a better connection with your dog, this episode will leave you thinking differently about the small things that really matter.
Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share it with someone you’d love to stay connected with, and leave us a review telling us the one connection habit you’re going to start today.
Ready to connect with a community of like-minded dog owners and feel supported in your training journey? Grab the £1 Games Club trial and get started right now!
https://absolutedogs.me/7daytrial
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!