Guns and Noses

Helen Taylor

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. 3d ago

    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

    12 min

  2. Jun 16

    Too Many Cooks: Why Consistency is the Secret to Dog Training Success

    Is your dog getting mixed messages from different family members? In this episode, we're talking about one of the biggest reasons dogs struggle to learn new behaviours: inconsistency. From using different cues for the same behaviour to changing equipment from one walk to the next, we'll explore how mixed messages can slow your dog's progress and create confusion. We'll also dive into the concept of the opposition reflex — the natural tendency for dogs to push against pressure. This can become particularly noticeable when different family members handle the dog differently, especially if one person allows pulling while another tries to stop it. If you want a dog that understands what's expected of them, the whole family needs to be speaking the same language.

    14 min

  3. Jun 9

    The Jump-Sit Cycle: Why Your Dog Keeps Jumping Up

    One of the most common training mistakes I see isn't a lack of training—it's accidentally rewarding the very behaviour people are trying to stop. Picture the scene. Your dog jumps up at you. You tell them to sit. They sit. You reward them. Sounds reasonable, doesn't it? The problem is that your dog doesn't necessarily see it the same way. What many dogs see is: Jump up → Sit down → Get rewarded The jumping up becomes part of the chain that leads to the reward. So next time they want a reward, attention, or interaction, what do they do? They jump up again. After all, that's how the sequence starts. This is what I call the Jump-Sit Cycle. Owners often think they're rewarding the sit because that's the behaviour happening immediately before the reward. But from the dog's perspective, the entire sequence may be linked together. Imagine if every time you wanted a biscuit, you had to touch the wall first. Before long, touching the wall would become part of the process of earning the biscuit. Dogs are no different. The answer isn't to stop rewarding sits. The answer is to stop making the sit happen after the unwanted behaviour. Instead, look for opportunities to reward before the jump occurs. Approach your dog when all four paws are on the floor and reward that. Ask visitors to only interact when the dog remains grounded. Reward calm approaches. Reward standing politely. Reward the behaviours you actually want to see repeated. If your dog does jump up, avoid turning it into a training exercise where jumping is the first step and sitting is the second. Simply remove attention, reset the situation, and wait for the behaviour you'd like before rewarding. Remember, dogs learn in sequences. The question isn't just "What am I rewarding?" It's "What behaviour does my dog think earned the reward?" Understanding that difference can completely change your training results. Helen x

    13 min

  4. Jun 2

    Why I sometimes put dogs on a lead indoors 👀

    Visitors arriving can send some dogs into complete overdrive — jumping, barking, spinning, grabbing toys, or racing around the house. In this episode, we talk about why using a lead indoors can be an incredibly helpful management tool, how it prevents unwanted behaviours being rehearsed, and why calmer greetings help dogs succeed long term.

    11 min

  5. May 26

    Wait vs Stay — Are They Different?

    Do you use “wait” and “stay” interchangeably? Many owners do — but they can actually mean very different things. In this episode, we break down how to use each cue effectively, why release cues matter, and how clear communication helps your dog succeed.Use code Founder at checkout to get 25% off your subscription for the duration of your subscription Insider Club | Guns and Noses

    11 min

  6. May 19

    The Word “No” — What DO You Want Instead?

    “No” is one of the most overused words in dog training — but does your dog actually know what it means? In this episode, we explore why simply saying “no” often isn’t enough, and how teaching your dog what TO do instead creates clearer communication, faster learning, and better behaviour overall.Use code Founder at checkout for 25% off your monthly subscriptionInsider Club | Guns and Noses

    14 min

  7. May 12

    Down Means Down… Off Means Off

    Does your dog sometimes stare at you when you say “down”? They might not be ignoring you — they might genuinely be confused. In this episode, we talk about why “down” and “off” should mean different things, how mixed cues affect learning, and how clearer communication creates better results.Use code: Founder at checkout for 25% off your monthly subscription Insider Club | Guns and Noses

    12 min

  8. May 7

    Leave It… Not Drop It

    Teaching your dog “leave it” and “drop it” correctly can make life so much easier — but only when we use the right cue at the right time. In this episode, we break down the difference between the two, why clarity matters, and how using consistent language helps your dog learn faster and feel more confident.Use code Founder at checkout for 25% discount on your recurring payments Insider Club | Guns and Noses

    12 min
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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
    2K
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Helen Taylor
  • Show Website
    Guns and Noses

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