Tuesday Talks with Ruby Reese

In this episode of Tuesday Talks with Ruby Reese, Killian is joined in the studio by Chris O'Keeffe, dog nutritionist and co-founder of dognutrition.ie, for a practical guide to decoding dog food labels.
Chris explains why the front of a packet is largely marketing, and why the ingredients list on the back is where the real information lies. He walks through how ingredients are ordered by weight in their pre-dried state - and why this can be misleading - before breaking down the difference between terms like chicken, poultry and meat derivatives, and what ingredient splitting really means.
The conversation also covers regulated terms such as organic, complete, complementary and life stage claims, contrasted with unregulated buzzwords like natural, holistic, premium and grain free. Chris shares the red flags he looks out for as a nutritionist, the most common mistakes dog owners make when reading labels, and what he would like to see changed in pet food regulation.
An essential listen for anyone who wants to make more confident choices at the pet food aisle.

Want to learn more? Use the discount code Podcast30 to save 30 on our canine nutrition course at ruby-reese.ie.

Websites & Social Media
Ruby Reese
Website: ruby-reese.ie
Instagram: @rubyreeseofficial

dognutrition.ie
Website: dognutrition.ie
Instagram: @dognutrition.ie

Please Note: In the interest of keeping episodes conversational and entertaining we will make broad generalisations that may not reflect you, your situation or your pet. If you have any concerns please consult a certified professional who will assess your individual needs.

Chapter List
00:16 Introduction and episode overview
01:26 Welcome to Chris O'Keeffe, dog nutritionist and co-founder of dognutrition.ie
01:40 Why the front of the packet is just marketing
03:03 The ingredients list - the most important part of any label
03:37 How ingredients are ordered by weight
04:16 How ingredients lists can be misleading
05:39 The mixing bowl stage and water weight explained
07:16 Why fresh and natural do not always mean what we think
07:50 The case for dry matter labelling
09:56 When percentages have to be declared
10:24 Dog nutrition course mention and discount code
11:37 Chicken, poultry and meat derivatives - what is the difference?
13:20 Vague ingredient terms and food intolerances
14:15 Does a longer or shorter ingredients list mean better quality?
15:44 Ingredient splitting explained
17:32 FEDIAF, AAFCO and what certifications actually mean
18:38 Complete and balanced - what it really means
20:28 Complete versus complementary for raw feeders
21:13 Regulated versus unregulated buzzwords
23:57 Grain free - what it does and does not tell you
25:40 Fillers, byproducts and other unregulated terms
28:16 The biggest label reading mistakes dog owners make
29:44 Red flags to look out for on pet food packaging
32:21 What Chris would change about pet food labelling
33:07 Closing thoughts

In this episode of Tuesday Talks with Ruby Reese, Killian is joined by Claire O'Donnell, veterinary physiotherapist and owner of the Canine Clinic in Cork, for a deep dive into clinical hydrotherapy for dogs.
Claire explains how hydrotherapy differs from ordinary swimming, breaking down the properties of water - buoyancy, resistance, hydrostatic pressure and warmth - that make it such a powerful rehabilitation environment. She covers the most common conditions she treats, from cruciate repairs and hip dysplasia to spinal conditions, soft tissue injuries, weight management and age-related mobility issues, and walks through what a typical session looks like from start to finish.
The conversation also explores the growing case for preventative care, the parallels between human and canine rehabilitation, and how hydrotherapy can sometimes help dogs avoid surgery altogether - as it did for Killian's own dog, Ruby.
A practical and eye-opening episode for any dog guardian curious about what hydrotherapy really involves.

Websites & Social Media
The Canine Clinic
Website: thecanineclinic.com
Instagram: @thecanineclinicandspa

Ruby Reese
Website: ruby-reese.ie
Instagram: @rubyreeseofficial

dognutrition.ie
Website: dognutrition.ie
Instagram: @dognutrition.ie

Please Note: In the interest of keeping episodes conversational and entertaining we will make broad generalisations that may not reflect you, your situation or your pet. If you have any concerns please consult a certified professional who will assess your individual needs.

Chapter List
00:00 Introduction and summer update 
03:55 Welcome back to Claire O'Donnell of the Canine Clinic 
04:11 Guest introduction - physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and the therapeutic dog spa 
05:03 What is clinical hydrotherapy and how does it differ from swimming? 
08:14 The properties of water that make it an effective rehabilitation environment 
11:02 Growing awareness of canine physiotherapy and hydrotherapy 
12:14 The parallels between human and canine rehabilitation 
14:24 The most common conditions treated with hydrotherapy 
18:12 Hydrotherapy for senior dogs and weight management cases 
18:50 The value of pre-operative hydrotherapy 
19:45 Ruby's story - avoiding knee surgery through hydrotherapy 
23:07 What a typical hydrotherapy session looks like from start to finish 
30:21 Electrotherapies - laser and pulsed electromagnetic therapy 
32:34 Common misconceptions about hydrotherapy 
34:50 Hydrotherapy as strength and conditioning, not just rehabilitation 
35:20 Closing thoughts and thank you

In this episode of Tuesday Talks with Ruby Reese, Killian sits down with Claire O'Donnell of the Canine Clinic in Cork and Alex Daly, co-founders of supplement company Truffle Hound, to explore the world of functional mushrooms for dogs.
Claire and Alex explain how their backgrounds in veterinary physiotherapy and human naturopathy led them to spot a gap in the canine supplement market, and how that inspired Truffle Hound. They break down what makes functional mushrooms different from culinary varieties, the bioactive compounds involved, and the specific benefits of mushrooms like reishi (liver support), lion's mane (cognitive and gut health) and turkey tail (immune support).
The conversation also touches on the wider shift towards preventative, holistic care in the dog world, the parallels between human and canine wellness, and why it's so important for dog guardians to look beyond flashy packaging and check what's actually in their supplements.
A thoughtful, practical discussion for anyone interested in natural approaches to canine wellbeing.
The Truffle Hound products are also available in our online shop: https://ruby-reese.ie/search?q=truffelhound 

Websites & Social Media
Truffle Hound
Website: trufflehound.ie
Instagram: @trufflehoundco
Ruby Reese
Website: ruby-reese.ie
Instagram: @rubyreeseofficial
dognutrition.ie
Website: dognutrition.ie
Instagram: @dognutrition.ie

Please Note: In the interest of keeping episodes conversational and entertaining we will make broad generalisations that may not reflect you, your situation or your pet. If you have any concerns please consult a certified professional who will assess your individual needs.

Chapter
00:00 Introduction and podcast update
03:00 Welcome to Claire and Alex from Truffle Hound
03:13 Guest introductions: veterinary physiotherapy and human naturopathy backgrounds
04:14 The gap in the market and the idea behind Truffle Hound
08:00 The story behind the Truffle Hound name
09:47 What are functional mushrooms and how do they differ from culinary mushrooms?
12:17 Common misconceptions about mushrooms
14:00 Mushrooms in pharmaceutical history
14:39 Truffle Hound's product range and key mushrooms (reishi, lion's mane, turkey tail)
18:42 Canine nutrition course - special listener offer
19:25 The shift towards proactive, preventative dog care
22:21 Parallels between human and canine wellness
24:03 Joint health and early intervention in younger dogs
25:43 Frustration with poor-quality supplements on the market
26:42 Reading ingredient labels and avoiding marketing fillers
30:27 Working with veterinary nutritionists to develop the range
31:18 Closing thoughts and where to find Truffle Hound

In this episode of Tuesday Talks with Ruby Reese, host Killian is joined by Lea Chevalier from Calm That Snout to discuss the complex and emotional topic of pain in dogs.

Lea shares both professional insights and personal experiences of living with dogs affected by chronic pain. Together, Killian and Lea explore how pain can change a dog’s behaviour, from increased sensitivity and lower tolerance to restlessness, bite behaviour, reactivity, or changes in mobility. They also discuss why signs of pain are often mistaken for quirks, habits, or training issues.

A key part of the conversation focuses on the guilt many dog guardians feel when they realise their dog may have been in pain. Lea highlights that this guilt is understandable, but that owners can only act on what they know. The episode also covers gastrointestinal issues, musculoskeletal pain, exercise changes, professional collaboration, and the importance of finding a good vet, behaviour consultant, physiotherapist, nutritionist, or wider care team to create a clear plan forward.

Find out more about Lea and Calm That Snout:
Instagram: @calm_that_snout
Website: https://dog-training.ie/https://dog-training.ie/

Find out more about Ruby Reese:
Instagram: @rubyreeseofficial
Website: www.ruby-reese.com

Find out more about dognutrition.ie:
Instagram: @dognutrition.ie
Website: dognutrition.ie

Please Note: In the interest of keeping episodes conversational and entertaining we will make broad generalisations that may not reflect you, your situation or your pet. If you have any concerns please consult a certified professional who will assess your individual needs.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Lea Chevalier and her work
01:01 - Why dog pain is such an emotional topic
02:46 - How chronic pain can change a dog’s behaviour
06:23 - Pain, quirks, habits, and missed signs
07:36 - Pain as a stressor and lowered tolerance
08:42 - Why guardians often feel guilt around dog pain
12:57 - Good intentions, guilt, and doing the best with what we know
14:34 - The human emotional impact of living with a dog in pain
16:07 - Why having a plan can bring relief
17:20 - When pain explains challenging puppy behaviour
21:57 - How pain can affect the human-dog relationship
23:59 - Simple changes that can make a big difference
24:54 - Gastrointestinal issues, giardia, and behaviour changes
26:43 - Musculoskeletal pain and exercise adjustments
28:09 - Working with vets, physios, nutritionists, and other professionals
31:13 - How to advocate for your dog when pain is suspected
32:34 - Pain trials and what they can help identify
38:22 - Low-impact exercise and enrichment ideas
41:14 - Grieving the dog you thought you would have
43:29 - Advice for guardians who suspect their dog is in pain
46:27 - Why professional collaboration matters
47:55 - Turning knowledge into action
50:48 - Final thoughts and where to get support

In this episode of Tuesday Talks with Ruby Reese, host Killian is joined by returning guest Darina Strong from Polaris Dog Training to talk about management as a dog training tool.
Darina explains that management means controlling the environment as much as possible to prevent unwanted behaviours from being practised. This might include using a long line while recall is still being trained, putting frosted film on windows to reduce barking, keeping food off counters, using baby gates, tidying away shoes, or offering appropriate chewing outlets.
Killian and Darina explore why management is often undervalued, even though many training plans are unlikely to succeed without it. They also discuss safety, especially around children, resource guarding, bolting out doors, or dangerous household behaviours. The conversation highlights how management can work alongside training, enrichment, scent work, routines, and realistic expectations to help dogs succeed in a human-centred world.

Course: The Basics of Dog Food and Nutrition - for Dog Professionals
Exclusive Discount: For your loyal podcast listeners we created a special €30 off discount code to save on the course. Use Podcast30 at checkout or click on the link above and the discount will be added automatically at checkout.

Find out more about Darina and Polaris Dog Training:
Instagram: @polarisdogtraining
Website: https://polarisdog.training/

Find out more about Ruby Reese:
Instagram: @rubyreeseofficial
Website: www.ruby-reese.com

Find out more about dognutrition.ie:
Instagram: @dognutrition.ie
Website: dognutrition.ie

Please Note: In the interest of keeping episodes conversational and entertaining we will make broad generalisations that may not reflect you, your situation or your pet. If you have any concerns please consult a certified professional who will assess your individual needs.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and episode overview
01:40 Introducing Darina and her dog training background
02:37 Defining management in dog training
03:46 Using management alongside training for effective results
05:03 Managing counter-surfing and resource guarding behaviours
06:44 Why management is often undervalued by dog owners
08:57 The importance of environment management for long-term success
11:08 Can management alone resolve behavioural issues?
13:03 Management in dangerous or high-risk situations
15:28 Practical management tools: baby gates, leashes, and environment control
20:31 Managing natural behaviours like digging and chewing
26:38 Management in public settings and social environments
34:34 Overcoming resistance to management strategies
37:19 Handling opinions and societal judgments about dog management
43:20 Preemptive management and planning for safety
44:26 Closing remarks and thanks