In this episode, Carla and Kim dive into one of the most underrated yet powerful training tools available to dog owners: scent work.

They share their own experiences of introducing scent work into training and behaviour cases, highlighting how simple it is to start — and how transformative it can be. From using smelly treats and easy beginner hides to gradually progressing to more complex searches, they break down exactly how to get started at home.

But this conversation goes beyond enrichment.

Carla and Kim explore how scent work taps into a dog’s natural abilities, promoting calm, focus, and confidence. They discuss its role in pre-MAC training, gundog foundations, and how it can be used strategically to support reactive or easily overwhelmed dogs.

If you’re looking for an activity that strengthens your bond, builds regulation, and works with your dog’s biology instead of against it — this episode is for you.

Grab some smelly treats and let them sniff.

In this episode, Carla and Kim unpack one of the most common — and most misunderstood — questions in dog training: how do you tell the difference between anxiety and excitement when the behaviours look the same?

Using real-world scenarios such as lead walking, social greetings, eating, and everyday outings, they explore the subtle body language cues and contextual clues that help distinguish an anxious dog from an over-excited one. From pulling on the lead to jumping, mouthing, avoidance, and hyper-alertness, they explain why what a dog is doing isn’t enough — context is everything.

The conversation also dives into practical management strategies for anxious and reactive dogs, including creating space, adjusting walking routes, using home management tools like gates, and knowing when to keep walks short rather than trying to “train everything at once.” Carla and Kim highlight why anxiety-based behaviours often take longer to resolve than excitement-based reactions and why early recognition and intervention, especially in puppies, is so important.

In this episode, Kim and Carla dive into the often-overlooked reality of supporting the human behind the dog. They explore the emotional weight carried by owners of dogs with challenging behaviours — including guilt, embarrassment, fear, and isolation — and why these feelings can be just as important to address as the behaviour itself.

The conversation looks at how trust, empathy, and open communication form the foundation of effective dog training, whether through agility, behaviour modification, or everyday management strategies. Kim and Carla discuss how personal circumstances, relationship dynamics, and confidence levels between owners can influence training outcomes, and why validating emotions while setting realistic expectations is key.

They also unpack the harm caused by outdated concepts like “alpha” and “pack leader”, the pressure of social media comparisons, and the importance of normalising common (but often misunderstood) dog behaviours. Throughout the episode, they highlight the power of checking in, celebrating small wins, and creating safe spaces for owners to voice fears they may feel ashamed to admit.

This episode is a reminder that good dog training is as much about people as it is about dogs — and that compassion, science, and support go hand in hand.