The Yappy Hour

Yappily
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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. 3d ago

    Carrie's Canines on puppy blues, biting & bonding: what new puppy parents really need to know

    Puppyhood is magical, exhausting, and nothing like the Instagram version this episode is the honest conversation every new puppy parent needs. In this episode of The Yappy Hour, host Nathan Dunleavy talks with Carrie of Carrie's Canines and Friends, a dog trainer with a decade of experience helping first-time puppy parents navigate the toughest early months. Carrie draws on her own journey - including raising a reactive dog - to unpack sleep deprivation, biting, puppy blues, and why building relationship and bond matters more than quick obedience wins. If you're in the thick of puppyhood (or preparing for it), this one will make you feel a lot less alone. In this episode: ✅ Why "puppy blues" are completely normal and why even experienced trainers feel them ✅ The real reason your puppy is nipping, jumping, or biting (hint: it's rarely about defiance) ✅ How much sleep puppies actually need, and why overtiredness fuels bad behaviour ✅ Why your puppy isn't a "blank slate" and how genetics and breeding shape who they become ✅ How to build the relationship and bond that makes recall, lead work, and everything else easier ✅ What socialisation really means (it's not meeting every dog and every person) ✅ Why asking before letting your puppy be petted by strangers matters ✅ How to set your puppy up for the life you actually want to live with them, pub trips, cottages, and all Key takeaways: • Puppy blues are a normal part of the adjustment and it's okay to find it hard, even when you love your puppy • Don't take water away before bed to manage toilet training; work through the overnight stage humanely instead • Hold off on expensive toys and beds early on as they're likely to be chewed before your puppy grows into them • Prioritise relationship and bond above obedience and the rest follows more easily once that's in place • Socialisation is about calm, positive exposure to the world in short bursts, not overwhelming your puppy with every dog and person you meet • Training doesn't end after a six-week puppy course - it continues for life Carries Canines website Carrie's Canines & Friends Facebook page 🐾 Subscribe to The Yappy Hour for more conversations that help you understand, connect with, and care for your dog. 🐕 Find ethical and qualified pet professionals near you at Yappily.co.uk

    Carrie's Canines on puppy blues, biting & bonding: what new puppy parents really need to know

  2. Aug 21

    Hayley Miles on Chihuahua Training: What Your Small Dog's Behaviour Is Really Telling You

    In this episode, host Nathan Dunleavy sits down with Hayley Miles, founder of Halo Pups and host of the Chihuahua Podcast, to talk all things Chihuahuas and small breed dogs. Hayley shares her personal journey rehabilitating a reactive rescue Chihuahua and explains why so-called "small dog syndrome" isn't real at all. This conversation is essential listening for any dog guardian who's ever felt judged for having a "spicy" small dog. Grab a cup of tea and settle in for this one. What you'll learn in this episode: ✅ Why "small dog syndrome" is a myth, and what's really going on when small dogs growl, snap, or bark ✅ How pain and dental issues can be mistaken for behavioural problems in Chihuahuas ✅ Why over-handling and picking dogs up too often can cause fear and reactivity ✅ How to spot subtle stress signals like the "kiss to dismiss" and whale eye ✅ Simple training swaps that make a big difference for tiny dogs (treat size, lead weight, tags) ✅ Why scent work and hand targeting are two of the best tools for small dog guardians ✅ How to advocate for your dog when well-meaning strangers want to touch them Key takeaways: • Growling and snapping are communication, not defiance — they deserve the same respect as a larger dog's warning signs • A vet check should always be the first step with a reactive small dog, as pain is often the root cause • Teaching a nose-to-hand target gives you a hands-off way to move your dog and can double as an emergency recall • You are your dog's advocate — it's okay to say no when strangers want to pet or pick up your dog Connect with HayleyHalo Pups website Halo Pups Facebook page The Chihuahua Podcast 🐾 Find ethical, qualified pet professionals near you at Yappily the directory for dog guardians who care about doing right by their dog. 🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Yappy Hour and leave us a review, it helps more dog guardians find us!

    Hayley Miles on Chihuahua Training: What Your Small Dog's Behaviour Is Really Telling You

  3. Aug 7

    Toni Shelbourne on Tellington TTouch for Dogs: Calming Anxious & Reactive Dogs Through Touch

    Toni Shelbourne on Tellington TTouch for Dogs: Calming Anxious & Reactive Dogs Through Touch What if a few simple circles of your hand could help your anxious dog feel safe again? In this episode, host Nathan Dunleavy sits down with Toni Shelbourne, a Tellington TTouch practitioner, behaviourist and author with nearly 30 years of experience working with everything from family pets to socialised wolves. Toni explains how TTouch uses gentle, non-habitual touch to release tension patterns, calm the nervous system, and put dogs into a "thinking" state where real learning and change becomes possible. From helping dogs recover from injury to supporting those with separation anxiety, noise phobias, and chronic pain, this episode shows just how far a little intentional touch can go. In this episode: ✅ What Tellington TTouch actually is, and how it differs from massage ✅ Why posture affects behaviour, and how tension patterns show up as fear or reactivity ✅ How to read calming signals so you can support your dog before they reach a fear response ✅ Why the right harness and lead setup can transform how your dog walks and feels ✅ Simple techniques anyone can try at home, starting with ear strokes ✅ How TTouch can help dogs eat and learn even when they're too anxious for traditional training ✅ Why TTouch can support recovery alongside physiotherapy and vet care Key takeaways: • TTouch works by moving the skin, not the muscles, to access neural pathways and calm the nervous system • You don't need to be an expert. Simple techniques done with the right intent can create real change • Recovery time from fear or stress often shortens with regular TTouch, building resilience over time • Dogs that mask pain often show it first through behaviour change, and TTouch can help guardians notice • It works best as one piece of the puzzle, alongside training, enrichment, and veterinary support Toni's website Toni's Facebook page 🐾 Subscribe to The Yappy Hour for more conversations that help you understand, connect with, and care for your dog. 🐕 Find a Tellington TTouch practitioner in your area on Yappily 📧 Curious whether TTouch could help your dog? Start with a single ear stroke tonight and see what happens.

    Toni Shelbourne on Tellington TTouch for Dogs: Calming Anxious & Reactive Dogs Through Touch

  4. Jul 25

    Tracey Ordish of Dishys K9 Care on Living With an Anxious Dog: Hope, Confidence & Small Wins

    Tracey Ordish of Dishy's K9 Care on Living With an Anxious Dog: Hope, Confidence & Small Wins If you've ever felt alone caring for a dog who finds the world overwhelming, this episode is the reassurance you've been waiting for. In this episode, host Nathan Dunleavy talks with Tracey Ordish, canine behaviour trainer and founder of Dishys K9 Care, about the emotional reality of living with an anxious dog. Tracey draws on her own background supporting her son through social anxiety to explain why she puts the guardian's wellbeing at the centre of her training approach, and shares a real client transformation story that shows just how much progress is possible with patience and the right support. In this episode: ✅ How to recognise the subtle signs of anxiety in your dog, long before it escalates ✅ Why supporting the guardian's emotional wellbeing is the real foundation of helping an anxious dog ✅ A simple traffic light system to map out your dog's triggers and progress ✅ Why comforting a fearful dog does not "reward" the fear, and what to do instead ✅ How family inconsistency can unintentionally set back your dog's progress ✅ Why progress with an anxious dog is rarely linear, and how to keep going through setbacks ✅ How reframing success around your own dog's small wins builds real, lasting confidence Key takeaways: • Anxiety in dogs shows up in small, everyday ways many guardians miss until it builds up • You are not failing your dog. You just haven't learned what he needs yet • Building the guardian and dog relationship comes before fixing any specific behaviour • Small, consistent wins matter more than chasing a perfect end result • With patience and the right support, anxious dogs and their people can thrive together 📧 Feeling like you're the only one struggling with an anxious dog? You're not. Get in touch with Tracey and start where you are. Dishys K9 Care 🐾 Subscribe to The Yappy Hour for more conversations that help you understand, connect with, and care for your dog. 🐕 Find ethical and qualified pet professionals near you at Yappily.co.uk

    Tracey Ordish of Dishys K9 Care on Living With an Anxious Dog: Hope, Confidence & Small Wins

  5. Jul 8

    Dr Charlotte Gray from Vetsy. Online Vet Consults Mean Calmer Care for Anxious Dogs

    If vet visits stress your dog out, this conversation will show you a calmer, kinder way to access trusted veterinary care. Nathan is joined by Dr Charlotte Gray, qualified vet and founder of Vetsy, the online vet consultation service. Charlotte explains how video vet consults work, who they help most — anxious dogs, busy households, guardians with mobility challenges, and anyone wanting an affordable second opinion — and how to prepare your dog for stress-free vet visits with early desensitisation and happy visits. A practical, reassuring listen for every dog guardian. In this episode: ✅ What actually happens in an online vet consult — from visual exams to gait analysis and aftercare plans ✅ Why online vets complement (not replace) your regular practice, and how they keep your vet in the loop ✅ How to desensitise your puppy or rescue dog to handling at home, nose to tail ✅ Why "happy visits" to the clinic build lifelong confidence — and how to do them ✅ How your own anxiety affects your dog at the vet, and simple ways to stay calm ✅ The "they're just getting old" myth — and the subtle signs of chronic pain guardians often miss ✅ Why preventative care like dental brushing and weight management saves money and heartache later Key takeaways: • Online consults suit chronic pet care, pain management, skin issues, second opinions, and anxious dogs — not emergencies • Vetsy's promise: if an appointment isn't right for your pet, it's cancelled and refunded, and you're sent straight to your clinic • Five minutes of gentle handling practice a week — paws, ears, mouth, tail — makes vet and groomer visits dramatically easier • Dogs read our stress; calming yourself (try box breathing) directly helps them cope • Stiffness, hesitating at stairs, or reluctance to jump into the car are signs of pain, not "just age" — speak to your vet • Be open and honest with your vet; if you can't have frank conversations, it may be time to find one you can Visit the Vetsy website 🐾 Subscribe to The Yappy Hour for more conversations that help you understand, connect with, and care for your dog. 🐕 Find ethical and qualified pet professionals near you at Yappily.co.uk

    Dr Charlotte Gray from Vetsy. Online Vet Consults Mean Calmer Care for Anxious Dogs

  6. May 17

    Caroline Griffith creator of Canine Flow on soul dogs, energy healing and how your emotional energy shapes your dog's behaviour

    In this episode, Nathan is joined by Caroline Griffith, holistic canine expert, retreat facilitator and creator of Canine Flow, a transformational approach that explores the emotional and energetic bond between dogs and their guardians. Caroline shares why she believes dogs are feeling beings first and foremost, and how our subconscious emotional state can directly shape the way our dogs behave. If you've ever sensed something deeper at play in your relationship with your dog, this conversation will give you a whole new way of seeing it. What you'll learn in this episode: ✅ What Canine Flow is and why Caroline calls it "the missing half of the story" in dog care ✅ What a soul dog is and how to recognise if you've had one ✅ How your subconscious emotional energy can drive your dog's behaviour, reactivity and anxiety ✅ Why dogs are drawn to our feet, our worn socks, and the energy we carry in our hearts ✅ What happens on a Canine Flow retreat and why every single dog settles ✅ How to begin tuning into your dog's emotional world through mindfulness and daily practice ✅ The role grief plays in the human-dog bond and how dogs help us process it Key takeaways: Dogs don't think their way through life, they feel and sense their way through it, responding to emotional frequencies we may not even be aware ofBehaviours we label as problems (separation anxiety, reactivity, barking) may be your dog's way of responding to stuck or stagnant emotional energyYou don't have to be spiritual to benefit from this work, presence, calm and emotional awareness help every dog guardianDogs seek to "ground" our energy, which is why they take your seat, lick your feet, and want to be near you. It's connection, not habit Connect with CarolineThe Canine Flow website Spiritual Dogs Instagram Love, Woof and Wonder Facebook page 🐾 Find ethical, qualified pet professionals near you at Yappily the directory for dog guardians who care about doing right by their dog. 🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Yappy Hour and leave us a review — it helps more dog lovers find us!

    Caroline Griffith creator of Canine Flow on soul dogs, energy healing and how your emotional energy shapes your dog's behaviour

  7. May 17

    Kay Attwood, Author of Canine Cognitive Skills, on teaching your dog to think for themselves

    In this episode, Nathan is joined by Kay Attwood, founder of K9 Services and author of Canine Cognitive Skills, to explore a genuinely fascinating approach to dog training: Canine Cognitive Behaviour Training (CCBT). Kay explains how giving dogs the freedom to think, problem-solve, and make choices can transform behaviour from the inside out, particularly for anxious and reactive dogs. Whether you are a seasoned dog guardian or just starting out, this conversation will change the way you see what is going on behind your dog's eyes. What you'll learn in this episode: ✅ What Canine Cognitive Behaviour Training (CCBT) actually is and how it differs from conventional reward-based training ✅ The difference between the "play brain" and the "reactive brain" and why it matters for your dog's behaviour ✅ Why giving dogs real choices builds confidence and reduces stress hormones ✅ Simple, low-cost games you can try at home using everyday household items ✅ How cognitive enrichment can support anxious and reactive dogs without medication ✅ Why slowing down and letting your dog think is one of the most powerful things you can do as a guardian Key takeaways: Dogs are continually looking for solutions; they are not trying to be difficultEnrichment is not just about keeping dogs busy. It is about giving them meaningful mental engagement and genuine downtimeYou do not need expensive equipment. A bag of plastic cups or empty water bottles can be the start of a cognitive training journeyThe relationship between dog and guardian improves dramatically when both learn to communicate, not just instruct Connect with Kay AttwoodKay's website Cognitive Canine Skills book on Amazon Kay's Facebook page 🐾 Find ethical, qualified pet professionals near you at Yappily the directory for dog guardians who care about doing right by their dog. 🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Yappy Hour and leave us a review — it helps more dog lovers find us!

    Kay Attwood, Author of Canine Cognitive Skills, on teaching your dog to think for themselves

  8. May 16

    Georgie Bleza from Trick Woofs talks about how simple dog training illustrations help dog guardians finally "get" their dogs

    Georgie Bleza is a dog trainer, self-taught artist, and the creative mind behind Trick Woofs, a body of work that uses comics and illustrations to make dog behaviour accessible, relatable, and genuinely joyful. In this episode, Nathan chats with Georgie about the power of visual learning, what consent-based training really looks like in everyday life, and why trick training is far more useful than most people think. If you've ever struggled to explain what you know about dogs to someone else, Georgie's work might just do it for you. What you'll learn in this episode: ✅ Why visual resources help dog guardians understand behaviour in a way that words often can't ✅ What consent-based training actually means and how to start building it into daily life ✅ How to read when your dog is giving or withdrawing consent, from grooming to walks ✅ Why trick training builds confidence in anxious and nervous dogs ✅ How to slow down and give your dog processing time and why it makes all the difference ✅ What the "hold" trick can do for resource guarders and why a hand touch is one of the most versatile skills you can teach Key takeaways: Consent isn't just a buzzword; it's about opening up a conversation with your dog and giving them a genuine stop/start button in situations they find difficultSlowing down is one of the simplest and most powerful things you can do, whether that's with a harness, a vet visit, or a training sessionTrick training gives dogs a sense of purpose and confidence, and there's a practical use for almost every trick you can teachYour dog feels your emotional state. If you're frustrated, they notice. A calm handler makes for a calmer dogScience-based trainers are stronger together division creates noise that confuses dog guardians who are just trying to do right by their dogs 🐾 Find ethical, qualified pet professionals near you at Yappily, the directory for dog guardians who care about doing right by their dog. 🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Yappy Hour and leave us a review it helps more dog guardians find us!

    Georgie Bleza from Trick Woofs talks about how simple dog training illustrations help dog guardians finally "get" their dogs
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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
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Yappily
  • Show Website
    The Yappy Hour