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

The Neuro-Inclusive Dog Pod | Episode 34

In this episode of the Neuro-Inclusive Dog Pod, I’m joined by Claire Harris, founder of Pets to Places, to talk about what really goes into running a pet transport and pet taxi business.

We explore the care, responsibility, and trust involved in transporting pets, the human side of supporting clients, and how Pets to Places grew from a pet taxi service into a franchise. This episode offers insight into a part of the dog industry that’s rarely talked about, but incredibly important.

This conversation is for anyone curious about alternative careers in the dog industry, pet transport services, or what it takes to build a people-focused, care-led business around animals.

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

👉 To learn more about Claire and her work:

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-harris-80780512a/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pets2placesltd/

Customer Website https://pets2places.co.uk/

Franchise Website https://pets2placesfranchise.co.uk/

Go Fund Me https://gofund.me/42ec0d777

In this episode of the Neuro-Inclusive Dog Pod, I’m joined by Rachel Spencer to talk about storytelling, visibility, and how narratives shape the dog world.

We explore whose stories get told, whose voices are trusted, and how dogs often open the door to much wider conversations about people, inclusion, and access. Rachel reflects on writing, journalism, and the responsibility that comes with shaping public understanding.

This episode is for anyone interested in the intersection of dogs, media, storytelling, and social change — and for those who believe the dog world can grow by listening more closely to different perspectives.

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

👉 To learn more about Rachel and her work:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelspenceruk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelspenceruk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelspenceruk/

Planner: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/shop/

Podcast: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/podcast/

Neuro-Inclusive Dog Pod | Episode 32

In this episode of the Neuro-Inclusive Dog Pod, I’m joined by Marta Zaremba to talk about what it really means to step away from traditional dog training approaches and build something that works for you, your dogs, and your clients.

This conversation explores why dog training doesn’t have to look the same for everyone, and how doing things differently can create calmer classes, safer learning environments, and more sustainable work for dog professionals.

We discuss:- Why traditional dog training models don’t suit everyone- The pressure to conform in the dog training industry- Running dog training classes differently and with intention- Trusting your values instead of the “rulebook”- Creating inclusive, flexible training spaces for dogs and people

This episode is especially relevant for dog trainers, behaviourists, and dog professionals who feel out of place in conventional training spaces and are looking for a more values-led, humane, and sustainable way to work.

🎧 If you’ve ever questioned the rules of dog training, this episode will resonate.

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

👉 To learn more about Marta and her work:https://www.instagram.com/green.dogs.training?igsh=MTdveWJjbnoyYXcyOQ==

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AGpPVuTNw/

https://www.greendogstraining.co.uk/

The Neuro-Inclusive Dog Pod | Series Two Episode 31Honest, compassionate conversations about dogs, people, and doing things differently, so neurodivergent dog people finally feel seen, safe, and supported!

I’m joined by Matt Donovan from Southwest Dog Skills to talk about burnout, neurodivergence, and capacity in dog training. Matt shares how his background in education shaped his approach to care and connection, his experience of burnout and compassion fatigue, and how a therapy conversation led him to explore the possibility that he may be autistic.

We reflect on navigating uncertainty, reframing past struggles through a neurodivergent lens, and what it means to work with dogs and people in a way that’s sustainable.

A thoughtful episode for dog professionals questioning capacity, care, and long-term wellbeing.

👉 Join my free Neuro-Inclusive Dog community here:https://www.facebook.com/groups/neurodoghub👉 To learn more about Matt and his work:www.southwestdogskills.comhttps://www.facebook.com/southwestdogskills

The Neuro-Inclusive Dog Pod | Series Two Episode 30

Honest, compassionate conversations about dogs, people, and doing things differently, so neurodivergent dog people finally feel seen, safe, and supported!

In this episode, I’m joined by Jemma for an honest conversation about neurodivergence, dog training, and choosing to do things differently in the dog world.

Jemma shares what first drew her into dog training alongside her career as a solicitor, and why she is considering making the leap into building a values-led dog training business. We explore how neurodivergence can shape the experience of starting a business, including rejection sensitive dysphoria, imposter syndrome, and the pressure many neurodivergent professionals feel to people please.

We also talk about the strengths neurodivergent trainers bring to their work, how boundaries, pricing, and business structure can protect wellbeing, and why Jemma has chosen to focus on puppies and early prevention work.

This episode looks at the current rescue crisis, why so many dogs struggle later in life, and how better early support for puppy owners could reduce stress, cost, and heartache for both dogs and humans.

A thoughtful listen for neurodivergent dog professionals, puppy owners, and anyone interested in creating a more compassionate and sustainable dog world.

👉 Join my free Neuro-Inclusive Dog community here:https://www.facebook.com/groups/neurodoghub👉 To learn more about Jemma and her work:https://www.jemmaland.com/Grab Her Freebie here:https://jemmaland.com/puppyteething