The Feral Behaviourist

“Dog behaviour without the sugar-coating (or the shock collars).”
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Welcome to The Feral Behaviourist—the podcast for anyone who’s ever muttered, “My dog’s not broken, but something’s definitely… feral.” Hosted by Tasha Attwood, a holistic behaviourist with zero tolerance for outdated nonsense, we get real about what life with dogs is actually like. No quick fixes and definitely no whispering—just honest chats about the chaos, the science, and the laughs that come with raising, training, and sometimes just surviving our four-legged companions. Each episode serves up myth-busting, unfiltered advice, weird science (that actually helps), and stories that prove you’re not the only one whose dog just stole a baguette from a stranger’s shopping bag. Whether you’re a guardian, trainer, or just here for the feral tales, pull up a chair—because perfection is overrated, and dogs (and humans) are messy by nature. muttsandmischief.substack.com

  1. 2d ago

    When AI Becomes an Accusation

    After having my own work labelled as AI — and even being called “ChatGPT” online — I started looking more closely at where assistance ends and authorship begins. In this episode, I explore AI, accessibility, social-media detection, professional use and why “used AI” is often far too simplistic a description. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit muttsandmischief.substack.com/subscribe

    When AI Becomes an Accusation

  2. Jul 16

    The Feral Behaviourist – Episode 10: When “Normal” Isn’t Normal

    Healing isn’t always the moment you discover something new. Sometimes it’s the moment you realise something you’ve always believed wasn’t true. In this episode of The Feral Behaviourist, I talk about leaving a two-hour counselling session and the emotional weight of understanding my childhood, my late autism diagnosis, neuroplasticity, and why those experiences have profoundly shaped the way I work with both people and dogs. TW; talk of child abuse. One thought stayed with me throughout the episode: People rarely grow because they’ve been shamed. They grow when they feel safe enough to become curious. If we ask guardians to rethink everything they’ve believed about dog training, we also have a responsibility to recognise the emotional impact that can have. If someone genuinely believed they were helping their dog, discovering that a tool or technique may instead have caused fear, pain or distress can be heartbreaking. If we call ourselves ethical professionals, our responsibility doesn’t end with saying, “Don’t use that.” It continues with creating enough safety to say: “I’m here. Let’s work through this together.” Education without compassion can leave people overwhelmed. Compassion creates space for change. I’d love to know your thoughts after listening. 🎙️ The Feral Behaviourist – Episode 10: When “Normal” Isn’t Normal This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit muttsandmischief.substack.com/subscribe

    The Feral Behaviourist – Episode 10: When “Normal” Isn’t Normal

  3. Jun 17

    Just Because They Can, Doesn't Mean They Should

    “Have you ever felt like your dog should be able to cope with a group class because everyone else seems to?” In this episode of The Feral Behaviourist, I’m joined by Becky Walker of BPawsitive Grantham to discuss why group classes are not the right fit for every dog—and why that’s perfectly okay. Together we explore the many reasons a dog may struggle in a class environment, from sensory sensitivities and emotional challenges to health concerns, previous experiences, and individual learning preferences. We also discuss alternative ways to learn, build skills, and strengthen the relationship between dogs and their guardians without pressure or judgment. Because training isn’t about fitting dogs into a box—it’s about understanding the dog in front of us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit muttsandmischief.substack.com/subscribe

    Just Because They Can, Doesn't Mean They Should

  4. Apr 23

    Trust Isn't an Insult

    Your dog can love you… and still not feel safe in every situation. This week’s podcast explores why trust isn’t an insult, what building trust really looks like, and why listening to communication matters more than obedience ever will. 🩵🐾 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit muttsandmischief.substack.com/subscribe

    Trust Isn't an Insult

  5. Apr 16

    Good Dogs and the Performance of Safety

    We’re often taught that a “good dog” is one who is quiet, still, and compliant. But what if that quietness isn’t calmness…but coping? In this episode of The Feral Behaviourist, we explore the difference between: * Safety vs suppression * Calmness vs inhibition * Behaviour vs emotional state And why some of the “goodest” dogs are the ones we need to look at more closely. This episode introduces the concept of the performance of safety, and how shifting our perspective can transform how we support our dogs. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit muttsandmischief.substack.com/subscribe

    Good Dogs and the Performance of Safety

  6. Mar 19

    You’re Allowed to Feel This: The Emotional Side of Dog Guardianship

    This one’s a bit… feral. Not in the loud, chaotic way—but in the honest, emotional, slightly unfiltered way. We’re talking about the side of dog guardianship that doesn’t always get said: The frustration.The guilt.The grief.The exhaustion of holding everything together for a dog who needs more. I didn’t polish this one too much. I just spoke. And afterwards… I actually felt pretty drained. Which I think says a lot about how much this part of the journey holds. So if this episode feels a bit heavier… That’s okay. Take it slowly.Pause it if you need to.Come back to it. You’re allowed to feel this too 🩵 🎧 Listen now📖 Blog coming tomorrow morning This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit muttsandmischief.substack.com/subscribe

    You’re Allowed to Feel This: The Emotional Side of Dog Guardianship

  7. Mar 3

    Regulation First, Training Second: Rethinking How We Help Dogs

    In this episode, I explore why we can’t cue a dog into calmness, and why regulation must come before repetition, obedience, or skill-building. We look at:• What regulation actually means• Why arousal is often misunderstood• How “stubbornness” is frequently stress• Why training only sticks when the nervous system feels safe When we shift from control to co-regulation, everything changes. Training becomes clearer.Progress becomes steadier.And dogs feel understood, not managed. If this resonates, you’ll love the deeper nervous system work inside my memberships and resources. Regulation first. Always. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit muttsandmischief.substack.com/subscribe

    Regulation First, Training Second: Rethinking How We Help Dogs

  8. 11/14/2025

    Fear & Facts: What the Statistics Really Say about Animals, People & Fireworks

    Tonight’s episode walks through:💥 Real-time emotional first aid💥 Why sudden fear can develop even after years of stability💥 Koda’s experience this year💥 Practical things you can do immediately💥 How to support yourself, too Mutts and Mischief is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit muttsandmischief.substack.com/subscribe

    Fear & Facts: What the Statistics Really Say about Animals, People & Fireworks
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About

Welcome to The Feral Behaviourist—the podcast for anyone who’s ever muttered, “My dog’s not broken, but something’s definitely… feral.” Hosted by Tasha Attwood, a holistic behaviourist with zero tolerance for outdated nonsense, we get real about what life with dogs is actually like. No quick fixes and definitely no whispering—just honest chats about the chaos, the science, and the laughs that come with raising, training, and sometimes just surviving our four-legged companions. Each episode serves up myth-busting, unfiltered advice, weird science (that actually helps), and stories that prove you’re not the only one whose dog just stole a baguette from a stranger’s shopping bag. Whether you’re a guardian, trainer, or just here for the feral tales, pull up a chair—because perfection is overrated, and dogs (and humans) are messy by nature. muttsandmischief.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    “Dog behaviour without the sugar-coating (or the shock collars).”
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Tasha Attwood ACB.KSA
  • Show Website
    The Feral Behaviourist