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We challenge the tired story that Huskies are untrainable and show how early game‑based work, smart reinforcement, and flexible routines create calm, reliable dogs. From recalls around deer to safe outlets for the full predatory chain, we share what works and what to skip.

• starting early with games to prevent bad rehearsal
• building motivation with ditch‑the‑bowl and animated rewards
• reframing stubbornness as perseverance and independence
• delaying cues until behaviour is reliable
• managing deer, bears and high arousal with distance and lines
• safe outlets for the predatory sequence at home
• ditching routine to reduce anticipation and arousal
• exercise myths, decompression days and mental work
• agility, canicross and variety for fitness and focus
• who Huskies suit and how to set standards

Share this podcast far and wide, it's a much needed episode that sheds light on the stereotypes around Huskies!

Join us for AD Live & Unleashed, a *FREE* Naughty but Nice Dog 2-Day Event held 8-9 November 2025. Tickets are limited, grab your ticket today + bring a friend!
https://absolutedogs.me/unleashed

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If you’re loving the podcast, you’ll love our NEW Sexier than a Squirrel Dog Training Challenge even more! Get transformational dog training today for only £27!

Want even more epic dog training fun and games and solutions to all your dog training struggles? Join us in the AbsoluteDogs Games Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/gamesclub

Want to take your learning to the next level? Jump into the games-based training membership for passionate dog owners and aspiring trainers that know they want more for themselves and their dog - Pro Dog Trainer Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/prodogtrainerclub

And while you’re here, please leave a review for us and don’t forget to hit share and post your biggest lightbulb moment! Remember, no matter what struggles you might be facing with your dog, there is always a game for that!

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The words “no pressure” can make you feel all the pressure. We pull back the curtain on how stress sneaks into training and competition, how it leaks down the lead, and what it takes to build a team that holds together when the stakes feel high. From a near‑perfect run that unravelled at the last jump to the quiet wins in everyday pet training, we share what we’ve learned about mindset, arousal, and the stories we tell ourselves.

We discuss the difference between healthy pressure that boosts performance and harmful pressure that stifles curiosity. You’ll hear simple language shifts—swapping but for and, adding yet to can’t - that reshape belief and behaviour. We break down the real‑world signs your dog is overloaded: sniffing and looking away, random behaviours, shutdown, vocalising, or trying to leave.

You’ll learn how to tailor pressure to the dog in front of you, manage your own arousal so your cues land, and set crisp session boundaries so engagement doesn’t bleed into chatter. We also explore group dynamics, why comparison is the thief of joy, and how good coaching protects both people and dogs - especially when life baggage walks into training with us.

If you’re chasing red ribbons or just hoping for calmer walks, this conversation provides a practical path: clear criteria, small steps, honest expectations, and a plan you can trust. Flow isn’t magic; it’s the result of meeting your dog where they are and managing yourself first. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a gentler grip on goals, and leave a review to tell us which mindset shift you’ll try this week.

Join us for AD Live & Unleashed, a *FREE* Naughty but Nice Dog 2-Day Event held 8-9 November 2025. Tickets are limited, grab your ticket today + bring a friend!
https://absolutedogs.me/unleashed

Support the show

If you’re loving the podcast, you’ll love our NEW Sexier than a Squirrel Dog Training Challenge even more! Get transformational dog training today for only £27!

Want even more epic dog training fun and games and solutions to all your dog training struggles? Join us in the AbsoluteDogs Games Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/gamesclub

Want to take your learning to the next level? Jump into the games-based training membership for passionate dog owners and aspiring trainers that know they want more for themselves and their dog - Pro Dog Trainer Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/prodogtrainerclub

And while you’re here, please leave a review for us and don’t forget to hit share and post your biggest lightbulb moment! Remember, no matter what struggles you might be facing with your dog, there is always a game for that!

Send us a text

The hardest part of “socialising your puppy” isn’t getting out the door—it’s knowing when to say no. We unpack the difference between ticking boxes and shaping feelings, contrasting Rupert, a sensitive dog overexposed to chaotic greetings and traditional classes, with Tokyo, a dog raised on low-drama, consistently positive experiences. The takeaway is simple and powerful: quality beats quantity. A handful of safe, well-managed exposures paired with concept games builds neutrality, optimism, and handler focus far better than a hundred random hellos in busy parks.

We talk through the pivotal moments that set behaviour in stone: off-lead sprints to unknown dogs, crowded church halls where proximity is mistaken for progress, and the one-event learning that can turn curiosity into reactivity. Then we pivot to solutions that actually transfer to the real world. You’ll hear how games like Middle and Feet-on-Toes create portable safety boundaries, letting you feel arousal shifts through contact and move your dog with calm precision. We break down what a truly safe class setup looks like—space, non-interaction, and clear lanes—and why scent work can quietly drain stress without social pressure.

Owner mindset threads through everything. Dogs read our tension, so we offer simple ways to stack the deck in your favour: pick routes with visibility, walk with trusted teams, use long lines as seatbelts, and replace chance encounters with planned, appropriate choices—or none at all. If you’ve ever felt pressured by a vet’s tick-sheet or the “socialise more” chorus at the park, this conversation gives you the language and the tools to protect your dog and build the skills that matter.

Ready to trade overexposure for smart training? Grab 10 Days to Stop Reactivity and jump into the Games Club for a library of practical games and support. If this helped, follow, rate, and share the episode with a friend who needs a calmer walk tomorrow.

Jump into Games Club
https://absolutedogs.me/jointheclub

Join us for AD Live & Unleashed, a *FREE* Naughty but Nice Dog 2-Day Event held 8-9 November 2025. Tickets are limited, grab your ticket today + bring a friend!
https://absolutedogs.me/unleashed

Support the show

If you’re loving the podcast, you’ll love our NEW Sexier than a Squirrel Dog Training Challenge even more! Get transformational dog training today for only £27!

Want even more epic dog training fun and games and solutions to all your dog training struggles? Join us in the AbsoluteDogs Games Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/gamesclub

Want to take your learning to the next level? Jump into the games-based training membership for passionate dog owners and aspiring trainers that know they want more for themselves and their dog - Pro Dog Trainer Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/prodogtrainerclub

And while you’re here, please leave a review for us and don’t forget to hit share and post your biggest lightbulb moment! Remember, no matter what struggles you might be facing with your dog, there is always a game for that!