The Yappy Hour

Yappily

Welcome to The Yappy Hour! This is the podcast all about dogs -made for dog parents. I’m Nathan Dunleavy, and with the help of the Yappily team, we’re here to make life with your dog easier and more fun. Each week, we’ll chat about the things every dog parent wants to know. Need tips on choosing the right breed? Wondering how to help a nervous or worried dog? Not sure how to get your pup comfortable with vet visits? Don’t worry, we’ve got it all covered. We’ll also have some brilliant expert guests - who’ll share their advice and stories. From puppy training to living life with a dog, we’ll talk about it all! So, why listen? The Yappy Hour is more than just tips and tricks. It’s about celebrating the special bond between you and your dog, learning together, and having a good laugh while you’re at it. Pop in your headphones and join us for some fun, simple advice to improve dog guardianship. Whether you’re walking your dog, on your way to work, or relaxing at home, The Yappy Hour is here for you. Subscribe now and join us - we’re excited to have you with us! 🐾 If you're looking for local and ethical dog service we can help with that at https://yappily.co.uk/

  1. German Shepherd dog training with Sue Kewley of The Happy Shepherd on understanding emotional needs, busting myths & building connection

    4 DAYS AGO

    German Shepherd dog training with Sue Kewley of The Happy Shepherd on understanding emotional needs, busting myths & building connection

    German Shepherd dog training with Sue Kewley of The Happy Shepherd: understanding emotional needs, busting myths & building connection Welcome to The Yappy Hour, powered by Yappily! In this episode, host Nathan Dunleavy sits down with Sue Kewley, founder of The Happy Shepherd, for an in-depth conversation about one of the world's most iconic breeds, the German Shepherd Dog (GSD). Sue has dedicated over 35 years to understanding, training, and breeding German Shepherds. She shares her expertise on what makes these dogs so special, the common misconceptions that harm them, and how to build a thriving relationship with your GSD based on connection, not control. 🎯 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: ✅ The emotional sensitivity of German Shepherds and why they need advocates ✅ Common myths about GSDs (firm handling, dominance, aggression) ✅ How their intelligence can work against them without proper guidance ✅ What a fulfilled German Shepherd's day looks like ✅ The truth about reactivity and how to address it early ✅ Why puppy classes often fail German Shepherds ✅ Activities that tap into their natural herding instincts ✅ How to choose a responsible breeder ✅ The importance of emotional needs over training drills ✅ Connection-based training approaches that actually work 🔗 CONNECT WITH SUE KEWLEY: Website: www.thehappyshepherd.com 📱 CONNECT WITH YAPPILY: Yappily - The UK’s Directory for Qualified and Kind Dog Professionals 🎙️ ABOUT THE YAPPY HOUR: The Yappy Hour is the podcast for dog guardians who want to better understand and connect with their canine companions. Each episode features expert guests discussing breed-specific insights, training approaches, and dog welfare topics.

    54 min
  2. Debby Lucken (Kids Around Dogs) on Kids & Dogs: Body Language, Boundaries, Dog Phobias & Safe Family Life

    29 JAN

    Debby Lucken (Kids Around Dogs) on Kids & Dogs: Body Language, Boundaries, Dog Phobias & Safe Family Life

    Kids and dogs living together? In this episode of The Yappy Hour powered by Yappily, Nathan Dunleavy is joined by Debby Lucken, dog trainer, behaviourist, author, and founder of Kids Around Dogs (KAD). We talk about dog body language and stress signals, consent and boundaries, active supervision, preventing problems before they start, and what to do if your child is afraid of dogs, or if your dog feels unsure around children. Whether you’re a dog parent/guardian, a parent, a teacher, or a pet professional, this conversation is packed with practical, welfare-led guidance for safer, calmer family life. What you’ll learn: ✅ Subtle signs your dog is uncomfortable (yawning, lip-licking, shaking off) ✅ Why active supervision matters with kids and dogs ✅ How to teach kids consent and respectful interaction ✅ Preventing common issues like toy snatching, jumping up, and rough play ✅ Support for fear of dogs (kids and adults) and rebuilding trust Find Kids Around Dogs KAD approved professionals on Yappily 👉 Find Debbie / Kids Around Dogs: Website: kidsarounddogs.co.uk Find Yappily / The Yappy Hour: Follow/subscribe for more dog behaviour, welfare, and real-life training conversationsIf this episode helped, leave a review and share with a parent or dog guardian

    1h 8m
  3. Discover the English Toy Terrier with Nikki Cole: Vulnerable Breeds, Responsible Breeders & Choosing a Dog Responsibly

    14 JAN

    Discover the English Toy Terrier with Nikki Cole: Vulnerable Breeds, Responsible Breeders & Choosing a Dog Responsibly

    English Toy Terriers (ETTs) are loyal, funny, elegant little dogs and they’re also one of the UK’s vulnerable native breeds. In this episode of The Yappy Hour (powered by Yappily), host Nathan Dunleavy chats with Nikki Cole from Delightful Dogs Dog Training about what makes the English Toy Terrier so special, how dog trends affect breed visibility, and how to choose a dog responsibly and ethically. We cover: ✅ English Toy Terrier temperament, lifestyle fit + coat care ✅ Why ETTs get mistaken for Doberman puppies or Miniature Pinschers ✅ What “vulnerable breed” means (and why awareness matters) ✅ How to find a responsible breeder (health testing, paperwork, red flags) ✅ Advice for guardians moving from large breeds to small dogs ✅ Enrichment for terriers: scent work, trick training + safe shredding outlets ✅ Under-the-radar UK breeds worth exploring Connect with Nikki Cole (Delightful Dogs Dog Training): 📍 Website: DelightfulDogsDogTraining.co.uk 📍 Facebook: Delightful Dogs Dog Training Ethical qualified pet business or Dog Pro? Join us at Yappily! ⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share with a fellow dog lover.

    48 min
  4. Shelina Duke: Poodle Training Tips & Techniques for Toy, Miniature & Standard Poodles

    22/12/2025

    Shelina Duke: Poodle Training Tips & Techniques for Toy, Miniature & Standard Poodles

    Welcome to The Yappy Hour, powered by Yappily, the podcast for dog lovers who want to better understand and connect with their canine companions. I’m your host, Nathan Dunleavy, and today we’re talking all things poodle behaviour and training. In this episode, Nathan is joined by Shelina Duke, founder of Go With The Flo and creator of The Poodle Training Space. Shelina shares poodle-specific training insights, including barking, calmness, enrichment, grooming, handling, and why poodles need a different approach than many other “smart” breeds. In this episode we cover: Poodle personality: sensitive, intelligent, emotionally tuned-inWhy repetition backfires for many poodlesBarking, overstimulation, and “always on” behaviourFOMO vs separation anxietyCalm enrichment vs high-arousal “puzzle toys”Toy vs miniature vs standard poodlesGrooming handling, coat changes, and early prepThe poodle myth that keeps causing training problems Follow Shelina Duke: Website: Go With The FloSocials: Shelina, The Poodle Trainer (Facebook + Instagram + YouTube)Community: The Poodle Training Space (Facebook group) 🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share with a fellow poodle person.

    1h 4m

  5. 09/12/2025

    Danielle Beck Trauma-Informed Dog Behaviourist on trauma, “aggressive dogs” & helping sensitive dogs feel safe

    Welcome to The Yappy Hour, powered by Yappily – the podcast for dog guardians who want to better understand and support their canine companions. In this episode, host Nathan Dunleavy is joined by Danielle Beck – trauma-informed behaviourist, aggression case specialist and creator of Control The Meerkat. Together they dive into: What trauma in dogs really is (and what it isn’t) How fear, reactivity and “aggression” are often signs of emotional overwhelm Why aggression is communication, not a personality trait How trauma can develop even in kind, well-intentioned homes The difference between a reactive dog and a trauma-impacted dog Where to start with a dog who is shut down, fearful or over-aroused The role of safety, consent, agency and choice in helping dogs heal How enrichment, free work and pattern games support recovery What happens when an assistance dog develops behaviour struggles The emotional impact on guardians and how to balance both ends of the lead If you live with a sensitive, reactive or traumatised dog, this conversation will help you reframe what you’re seeing, take the pressure off, and focus on safety, connection and small, meaningful steps forward. 💡 Episode HighlightsTrauma in dogs = ongoing emotional overwhelm, not just one bad momentAggression and reactivity are often the loudest form of communicationShut-down dogs and appeasing dogs are frequently overlooked in behaviour supportYou can’t “train trauma out” – but you can create conditions where healing is possibleAssistance dogs are not robots; they can experience trauma and need decompression too 🔍 About Our Guest – Danielle BeckDanielle Beck is a trauma-informed clinical animal behaviourist, aggression case specialist and creator of Control The Meerkat. She works with complex behaviour cases, trauma-impacted dogs and assistance dogs, with a focus on emotional safety, consent and welfare-first support. 🌐 Website: daniellebeck.co.uk 🐾 Project: Control The Meerkat 🐶 About The Yappy Hour & Yappily The Yappy Hour, powered by Yappily, is the podcast for dog lovers who want ethical, science-based advice they can trust. Yappily is the UK’s directory for qualified, kind and ethical dog professionals – from dog trainers and behaviourists to groomers, walkers, licensed boarders and doggy daycare providers. 🔎 Find local and ethical dog care near you: yappily.co.uk

    1h 18m
  6. Helen Motteram from Pet Professional Network (PPN) on how to help anxious and nervous dogs thrive

    25/11/2025

    Helen Motteram from Pet Professional Network (PPN) on how to help anxious and nervous dogs thrive

    Struggling with an anxious or nervous dog? In this episode of The Yappy Hour, powered by Yappily, host Nathan Dunleavy talks with canine behaviourist Helen Motteram, founder of the Pet Professional Network (PPN). Helen shares the emotional story of her rescue dog Sally and how that difficult, life-changing journey led her into behaviour work. They dive into understanding dog anxiety, spotting subtle stress signals, and how to support dogs who find the world overwhelming. Perfect for guardians of nervous dogs, rescue dogs with difficult histories, or anyone who wants a kind, welfare-led understanding of canine behaviour. In this episode you’ll learn: How rescue dog Sally inspired Helen’s behaviour career What anxiety really looks like in dogs (beyond barking or lunging) Early stress signals you should never ignore The everyday triggers that overwhelm sensitive dogs Why anxious dogs benefit from shorter, calmer walks How enrichment, sniffing and cone-work create safety The role of choice, agency and consent in reducing anxiety How guardians can cope emotionally and feel less alone Practical advice for anyone welcoming a nervous rescue dog About Helen Motteram Helen is a canine behaviourist and founder of the Pet Professional Network (PPN). She specialises in helping anxious and nervous dogs feel safer and more understood. She also works with corvids (crows, rooks and ravens) and mentors pet professionals worldwide. Search online for: “Helen Motteram PPN” or “Helen Motteram behaviourist”. About The Yappy Hour (powered by Yappily) The Yappy Hour is the podcast for dog lovers who want to better understand and support their canine companions. Powered by Yappily, the ethical UK directory for trusted pet professionals. If you enjoyed this episode, please: 🔗 Share it with a fellow dog guardian 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode! Find local and ethical dog trainers, dog behaviourists, dog walkers, groomers, dog pros and pet businesses near you.  Yappily is the UK directory built to help you find trusted pet care professionals you can feel good about working with. 📍 Search verified and trusted listings on Yappily

    49 min
  7. All About Whippets: Training, Temperament & Living with This Sensitive Breed with Jack’s Mum Dog Training

    11/11/2025

    All About Whippets: Training, Temperament & Living with This Sensitive Breed with Jack’s Mum Dog Training

    All About Whippets: Training, Temperament & Living with This Sensitive Breed (with Jack’s Mum Dog Training) In this episode of The Yappy Hour (powered by Yappily), host Nathan Dunleavy chats with Vanessa from Jack’s Mum Dog Training about what makes Whippets so special and sometimes challenging! They cover breed differences, recall that works, separation-anxiety prevention, home safety, and enrichment ideas for this elegant, soulful sighthound. Topics covered: Whippet temperament & sensitivity Show vs working vs racing lines Safe puppy setup: floors, gates, leads Recall games & chase-play for sighthounds Separation anxiety & home-alone training Enrichment ideas & energy management Living with kids, cats & other dogs Comfort, coats & cosy living Positive training & avoiding overwhelm Vanessa’s mentoring journey & lessons learned Subscribe & Review If you love Whippets (or just dogs!), hit Subscribe and leave a review. It helps more pet parents find us. Chapters 00:00 Intro 03:00 Meet Vanessa & Jack’s Mum Dog Training 10:00 What Defines a Whippet 18:00 Show vs Working Lines 26:00 Puppy Safety Tips 33:00 Recall for Sighthounds 40:00 Separation Anxiety Support 48:00 Daily Enrichment 55:00 Kids & Cats 01:02:00 Comfort and Care 01:07:00 Mentoring Insights & Wrap-Up Find local and ethical dog trainers, dog behaviourists, dog walkers, groomers, dog pros and pet businesses near you.  Yappily is the UK directory built to help you find trusted pet care professionals you can feel good about working with. 📍 Search verified and trusted listings on Yappily

    1h 3m
  8. Maya Badham on the Partnership Planet Model: Building True Dog–Human Connections

    10/09/2025

    Maya Badham on the Partnership Planet Model: Building True Dog–Human Connections

    In this episode, host Nathan Dunleavy speaks with Maya Badham, founder of S-A-H-S-D-A and creator of the Partnership Planet Model. Maya shares her powerful journey from supporting trauma survivors to reimagining how we live with dogs — not as projects to train, but as partners to respect. 💡 What you’ll discover: The roots of the Partnership Planet Model Why control and compliance limit connection with dogs How co-regulation, autonomy, and stewardship transform relationships Practical examples of responding through partnership, not obedience Redefining what “success” as a dog guardian really means If you’ve ever wondered what true partnership with your dog could look like, this episode is a must-listen. Find local and ethical dog trainers, dog behaviourists, dog walkers, groomers, dog pros and pet businesses near you.  Yappily is the UK directory built to help you find trusted pet care professionals you can feel good about working with. 📍 Search verified and trusted listings on Yappily

    1h 5m
See All (29)

About

Welcome to The Yappy Hour! This is the podcast all about dogs -made for dog parents. I’m Nathan Dunleavy, and with the help of the Yappily team, we’re here to make life with your dog easier and more fun. Each week, we’ll chat about the things every dog parent wants to know. Need tips on choosing the right breed? Wondering how to help a nervous or worried dog? Not sure how to get your pup comfortable with vet visits? Don’t worry, we’ve got it all covered. We’ll also have some brilliant expert guests - who’ll share their advice and stories. From puppy training to living life with a dog, we’ll talk about it all! So, why listen? The Yappy Hour is more than just tips and tricks. It’s about celebrating the special bond between you and your dog, learning together, and having a good laugh while you’re at it. Pop in your headphones and join us for some fun, simple advice to improve dog guardianship. Whether you’re walking your dog, on your way to work, or relaxing at home, The Yappy Hour is here for you. Subscribe now and join us - we’re excited to have you with us! 🐾 If you're looking for local and ethical dog service we can help with that at https://yappily.co.uk/

Information

  • Creator
    Yappily
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Yappily
  • Show Website
    The Yappy Hour

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