In this final episode of Series 2 of the Neuro Inclusive Dog Pod, I’m joined by Dawn Melbourne to talk about something many dog professionals struggle with… making connections in your dog business without the overwhelm.

Because building a dog business isn’t just about working with dogs! It’s about people, relationships, visibility, and putting yourself out there… and that can feel incredibly uncomfortable, especially if you’re neurodivergent.

In this honest and relatable conversation, we explore:

• Why networking can feel so overwhelming for dog professionals

• The pressure to “show up” in ways that don’t always feel natural

• How connection doesn’t have to mean burnout or masking

• The role of community and support in building a sustainable business

• Why you don’t have to do everything alone

This episode is a gentle reminder that there are ways to build meaningful connections in your business that actually feel right for you.

👉 Join my free Neuro-Inclusive Dog community here:https://www.facebook.com/groups/neurodoghub

👉 To learn more about Dawn and her work:https://unleashednetworking.systeme.io/unleashednetworking

@unleashednetworking on Instagram and FB

https://www.facebook.com/unleashednetworking

Dawn's VA business is www.wildpawadminservices.co.uk

@wildpawadminservices on Instagram.

https://www.facebook.com/wildpawadminservices

Neuro-Inclusive Dog Pod | Episode 36In this episode of the Neuro Inclusive Dog Pod, I’m joined by Heather Stevens to explore a concept that could completely change the way you understand your dog… functional characters.

If you’ve ever felt like your dog is being misunderstood, labelled as difficult, or not responding to training in the way you expected, this conversation is for you.

Heather shares how functional characters help us understand dogs as individuals, not just as “dogs,” and how this deeper insight can explain behaviour, social dynamics, and why some dogs just don’t “fit the mould.”

We also dive into:• Why behaviour isn’t as simple as it seems• How dogs interact differently depending on the environment and other dogs• The importance of looking beyond labels• Understanding the dog in front of you, not the expectation

This episode is a powerful reminder that better understanding leads to better outcomes, for both dogs and their humans.

If you’re passionate about doing right by your dog and creating a more inclusive, thoughtful approach to training, you’re going to love this one.

👉 Join my free Neuro-Inclusive Dog community here:https://www.facebook.com/groups/neurodoghub

👉 To learn more about Heather and her work:YouTube: @heatherstevens_beyondthebreed FB: https://www.facebook.com/heather.stevens.520562 Inst: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthebreed/ Threads: https://www.@beyondthebreed@threads.net Email address: woof@beyondthebreed.co.uk

Neuro-Inclusive Dog Pod | Episode 35

In this episode, I’m joined by Vanessa Barber, founder of Wag-Wagatha Christie, to talk about behaviour-led holistic dog grooming and why trust should come before the haircut.

Vanessa specialises in supporting nervous, sensitive and reactive dogs through calm, animal-centred grooming. Instead of focusing purely on appearance, her work prioritises emotional wellbeing, communication and helping dogs feel safe during what can often be a stressful experience.

We explore what behaviour-led grooming really means, how groomers can adapt their approach for more sensitive dogs, and why building trust with both dogs and their owners is such an important part of the process.

If you work with dogs, own a sensitive dog, or are curious about how grooming can support wellbeing as well as appearance, this episode offers a thoughtful and practical perspective.

👉 Join my free Neuro-Inclusive Dog community here:https://www.facebook.com/groups/neurodoghub

👉 To learn more about Vanessa and her work:

https://www.facebook.com/wagwagathachristie/

https://wagwagathachristie.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/wag_wagatha_christie/

https://www.skool.com/theholisticgroomingacademy/about?ref=7a6714d388c1426087a1c03469b96de1