Guns and Noses

Helen Taylor
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Hosted by Helen, a force-free gundog and pet-dog trainer, this podcast is a place to slow down, reflect, and feel supported on your training journey. Through real stories from the field, honest observations, and the occasional cheeky Labrador moment, we talk about what dog training really looks like - the wins, the wobbles, and everything in between. For owners of enthusiastic dogs who want kind, evidence-based training without judgement. No shame. No force. No perfection - just learning, laughter, and a community that gets it.

  1. 2h ago

    🎧 Shooting and Fireworks Season Is Approaching: What You Can Do to Help Your Dog

    Shooting and fireworks season is nearly here, but is your dog ready for the bangs, flashes and unexpected noises? In this episode of the Guns & Noses podcast, we’re talking about how to prepare your dog for the months ahead, whether you have a confident Labrador, an enthusiastic spaniel, a young dog who is still learning about the world, or a dog who finds loud noises frightening. 🐾 We’ll cover: Planning walks around daylight, local fireworks displays and shooting activity. Why a good day of exercise and enrichment can help, without exhausting your dog. Creating a cosy, safe space at home. What to do when your dog is frightened (and why comforting them doesn't reinforce fear!). Using sound recordings carefully and recognising when professional help is needed. Introducing gundogs to shooting sounds safely and appropriately. Keeping your dog secure and reducing the risk of them bolting when startled. When to speak to your vet about additional support. We'll also talk about why a dog who coped perfectly well last year might feel differently this year, and why being a gundog doesn't automatically mean being comfortable with gunfire or fireworks. The most important thing? Preparation is kindness. We can't always control the noises around us, but we can help our dogs feel safer, more supported and better understood. Because your dog isn't giving you a hard time. They may be having a hard time. ❤️ 🐶 Guns & Noses — No force. Just focus. If you find this episode helpful, share it with another dog owner who could use a little preparation before the bangs begin! Helen xx

  2. Oct 13

    Training for the moments we need it most! 🐾

    Red has been spayed this week, and in this episode, I'm sharing how preparing our dogs for handling and veterinary visits can help make potentially stressful experiences a little easier. From arriving early for Red's pre-op appointment and practising familiar tricks in the waiting room, to using a position I'd taught her beforehand to help the vet remove some very sticky post-op plaster, I'll explain how everyday training can have benefits far beyond our usual sessions. I'll also share the story of my late dog Shadow, whose handling preparation helped the vet carry out biopsies without sedation on that occasion. We'll explore cooperative handling, building positive associations, and why it's so important to think about the bigger picture when training our dogs. We can't predict every situation our dogs will face, but we can give them skills that may help when they need veterinary care. Training doesn't replace veterinary treatment, pain relief or sedation when needed, but it can be a valuable part of preparing our dogs for the unexpected. Because training isn't just for everyday life. It's for the moments when we need it most! 🎧 Tune in and discover what you can start practising with your dog today. Helen xx

  3. Oct 11

    Sky Turns 10! What a Life We’ve Had Together

    Sky is 10! 🎉🐾 Ten years of adventures, scurries, shoot days, training, and a whole lot of memories. In this episode, I'm celebrating my wonderful Sky and reflecting on the life we've shared, including the fact that she gave me Jack from her second litter of puppies! But as our dogs get older, their needs change, and we need to change with them. Sky still loves training, helping me in classes and having the occasional zoomie, but these days she does things at her own pace. I make sure she has the freedom to enjoy what she loves without pushing her beyond her limits. I'm also chatting about life in a multi-dog household, why treating our dogs as individuals is so important, and how we can support them both physically and mentally as they get older. Because older doesn't mean finished! It's about adapting, observing and making sure our dogs can still enjoy life on their own terms. 🐾 Want to learn more about training your dog? Come and join the Guns & Noses Insider Club! It's a place for dog owners who want to learn more, build their skills and have fun with their dogs. You'll find training resources, a video library, a supportive community, live Q&As and expert guest speakers to help you get the best out of life with your dog. Whether you've got a bouncy young gundog, a puppy or an older dog who's still keen to learn, there's always something new to discover. Find out more and join us here: Become an Insider | Guns and Noses So join me in celebrating ten wonderful years of Sky, with a reminder that fair doesn't always mean identical, and getting older certainly doesn't mean stopping living! ❤️🐾 Helen xx

  4. Sep 29

    You Don’t Need More Time, You Need to Use the Time You Have

    🎙️ Let’s Talk Dogs — with enthusiasm… and the humans trying to keep up! 🐾 This week’s episode is a little more reflective. Over the summer holidays, I made a conscious effort to slow down and spend more time with my daughter. And, as these things often do, it got me thinking about something else… Time with our dogs. We’re all busy. Work, family, school runs, chores, life… and sometimes dog training can feel like yet another thing we need to squeeze into an already packed day. But what if training didn’t always need to be a thing? What if we looked at the little moments that are already happening? ☕ While the kettle is boiling.🍽️ While you’re feeding your dog.🚪 While you’re waiting for the door to open.🐾 While you’re out on a walk.🛋️ While you’re having five minutes on the sofa. Those tiny pockets of time can become opportunities to build skills, create better habits and strengthen the relationship you have with your dog — without needing to find another hour in the diary. I also chat about the Guns & Noses Insider Club and how it can help if you want a little more support, inspiration and practical training ideas you can actually fit into real life. Because you don't need to train for hours. You just need to make the moments you already have count. ❤️ 🎧 Give this week’s episode a listen and let me know where your sneaky little training opportunities are hiding! And remember… Dogs with enthusiasm… and humans trying to keep up. 😂🐾 Become an Insider | Guns and Noses

  5. Jul 14

    How Heat Affects Your Dog's Tolerance Levels

    We often think about warm weather in terms of keeping our dogs physically cool, but have you ever considered what it's doing to their brain? In this episode, I'm talking about how heat affects your dog's tolerance levels. Just like us, when dogs are too hot, they're less able to cope with everyday life. Their patience becomes shorter, they're more likely to feel overwhelmed, they may struggle to learn, and behaviours you've never seen before can suddenly appear. We'll explore why dogs find it so much harder to regulate their body temperature than we do, why high temperatures can lower their threshold for stress and frustration, and what that means for training, walks, visitors, other dogs and life at home. Understanding what's happening inside your dog helps you make kinder decisions, adjust your expectations, and support them through the warmer weather instead of expecting them to carry on as normal. 💜 Join the Guns & Noses Insiders Club Use code CLUB at checkout to receive 10% off your membership. Join The Insider Club | Guns and Noses Our next expert speaker is Rachel Bean RVN, who'll be sharing practical, potentially life-saving canine first aid advice. She'll cover what you can do in an emergency before you reach the vet, helping you feel more confident should the unexpected happen. If you're passionate about understanding your dog, learning from industry experts and becoming the best owner you can be, we'd love to welcome you into the Insiders Club. Enjoy the episode xx

  6. Jul 7

    Could your home be making your dog more reactive?

    Have you ever noticed that your dog seems perfectly settled out on a walk but turns into the neighbourhood watch the moment they're at home? In this episode, we're exploring something that many owners never even consider... acoustics. Your home doesn't just look different to your dog—it sounds different too. Every room reflects noise differently, from hard flooring and bare walls to high ceilings and open-plan living. Those sounds can amplify barking, increase vigilance, and make your dog feel like they need to respond to every little noise. We'll cover:• Why dogs hear things long before we do.• How echoes and sound reflections can increase arousal.• Why some rooms trigger barking more than others.• The difference between a dog being "naughty" and a dog responding to their environment.• Simple changes you can make at home to create a calmer, quieter space. If your dog seems reactive in the house but much calmer elsewhere, this episode could completely change the way you see their behaviour. Sometimes the answer isn't more training... it's changing the environment your dog is trying to cope with. If you'd like more support, join the Insiders Club for exclusive access to extra resources, expert talks, and helpful content designed to support you and your dog. And if you'd prefer tailored advice for your own home and your own dog, you can also book a Zoom consult with me for personalised support. Insider Club | Guns and NosesPrivate 1:1 Training | Guns and NosesHelen xx

  7. Jun 30

    The Power of Changing Your Approach

    The Power of Changing Your Approach We've all heard the saying, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Yet it's something many of us fall into when training our dogs. If your recall isn't improving, your dog is still pulling on the lead, or unwanted behaviours keep cropping up despite your best efforts, it may not be your dog that needs to change—it might be the plan. In this episode, I explore why repeating the same training methods often leads to the same outcomes, how dogs learn through repetition, and why being willing to adapt your approach can unlock the progress you've been looking for. Join me as we discuss the importance of setting dogs up for success, recognising when something isn't working, and having the confidence to try a different route. Because sometimes the most powerful thing you can change isn't your dog—it's your approach. If you would like to join the Insider's Club you can head here Insider Club | Guns and NosesHelen xx

  8. Jun 23

    The Power of Two Toys

    Using Two Toys to Improve Retrieves Does your dog love retrieving but seem to develop selective hearing when it's time to come back? Do they skirt around you, play keep-away, or struggle with the drop cue? In this episode, we're talking about one of my favourite training hacks: using two toys. This simple technique can help encourage your dog to return to you willingly, build value in coming back, and make retrieves more fun and rewarding for both of you. We'll cover:• Why some dogs avoid bringing toys back• How a second toy can help draw your dog in• Using toy swaps to improve the drop cue• Common mistakes handlers make during retrieves• Why grabbing your dog can damage trust and create bigger problems down the line Remember, we want dogs to choose to come back to us. If every retrieve ends with a game of rugby and an attempted tackle, your dog will quickly learn to stay further away! Training should build trust, confidence, and cooperation. Whether you're training a future gundog, a pet retriever, or simply want more enjoyable games with your dog, this episode is packed with practical advice you can start using straight away. If you would like more help you can join the insiders club hereInsider Club | Guns and NosesUntil next time Helen x

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About

Hosted by Helen, a force-free gundog and pet-dog trainer, this podcast is a place to slow down, reflect, and feel supported on your training journey. Through real stories from the field, honest observations, and the occasional cheeky Labrador moment, we talk about what dog training really looks like - the wins, the wobbles, and everything in between. For owners of enthusiastic dogs who want kind, evidence-based training without judgement. No shame. No force. No perfection - just learning, laughter, and a community that gets it.

Information

  • Creator
    Helen Taylor
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Helen Taylor
  • Show Website
    Guns and Noses

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