Episodios

  • Ask The Expert: Dog Grooming for Canicrossers (Episode 182)

    Ask The Expert: Dog Grooming for Canicrossers (Episode 182)
    Nov 7 2025

    In this episode, Louise and Michelle are joined by Anna Pollard of The Dog House Canine Spa in Leicestershire to explore how best to care for your dog’s coat, especially when you’re into canicross and other active dog sports.

    Anna shares her insights from years of grooming experience, explaining why proper maintenance of the coat and skin isn't just cosmetic but a key part of your dog’s wellbeing and performance.

    The conversation covers coat types (single vs double coat), grooming routines for active dogs, the role of brushing and bathing, pad and nail care, seasonal changes, and much more.

    Whether you’re a seasoned canicrosser or just beginning to run with your dog, this episode offers practical tips to help your canine companion feel and perform at their best — and maybe convert a non‑groomer into a regular brusher! Expect to learn how coat condition affects temperature regulation, how friction from harnesses can lead to matting, and how pad health and nails tie into overall musculoskeletal wellbeing.

    Timings
    • 0:00 – Introduction
    • 1:40 – Why grooming is important for active/canicross dogs
    • 3:15 – How a coat works: insulation, heat regulation
    • 5:45 – Brushing vs clipping: which to choose?
    • 7:50 – Harness friction and matting danger zones
    • 10:00 – Coats types: single vs double vs hybrid
    • 12:30 – What is hand‑stripping and when to consider it
    • 16:15 – How often should you brush and bathe?
    • 20:20 – Choosing shampoos & avoiding human products
    • 22:50 – After muddy runs: rinse or bathe?
    • 24:30 – Nail length, pad health & impact on joints/gait
    • 28:10 – Seasonal coat length and shedding challenges
    • 31:00 – Heating, fleas and indoor environment effects
    • 33:40 – Harness the expert: starting canicross: gear, pace, where to train
    • 37:10 – Closing discussion & guest contact info
    • 40:00 – Outro and call for reviews
    Links
    • The Dog House Canine Spa website thedoghouseleicester.co.uk
    • Instagram: @thedoghouse_spa
    • Facebook: The Dog House Canine Spa
    Más Menos
    47 m
  • Canicross Story: Ray and her rescue pack (Episode 181)

    Canicross Story: Ray and her rescue pack (Episode 181)
    Oct 31 2025
    In this episode, Michelle and Louise chat with Ray, a canicross enthusiast with a pack of rescue dogs. Ray shares her journey from returning to the UK after seven years abroad, feeling isolated and looking for a way to connect socially and physically. She found the sport of canicross through her local club (Tees Valley Canicross), which offered both community and motivation. She gives a warm, honest account of the challenges of running with Cloud, who is a mixed‑breed street dog rescue from China. She also shares how she is building up a new puppy‑rescue, Nomad from Cyprus, to join the team. Ray covers the realities of canine health, the importance of harness and gear fit, inclusive club culture, and advice for people with reactive dogs. She encourages anyone who thinks “I’m not a runner” to still give canicross a try, highlighting that the real reward is the bond with the dog and the community around it. Timings
    • 00:00 – 02:00 ­ Introduction & Ray’s background
    • 02:00 – 05:00 ­ Meet Ray’s dogs: Cloud, Nomad, older dogs
    • 05:00 – 08:00 ­ Training and challenges with Nomad (harness anxiety, grass obsession)
    • 08:00 – 11:00 ­ First races, social aspect of the club
    • 11:00 – 14:00 ­ Why Ray doesn’t consider herself a “runner” & what changed post‑COVID
    • 14:00 – 18:00 ­ Dog health story (dehydration, vertigo) and hydration lesson
    • 18:00 – 22:00 ­ Season goals, 10K aim, Cloud’s future, balancing veteran dog
    • 22:00 – 27:00 ­ Advice for new canicrossers: non‑runners, reactive dogs, using muzzles, equipment tips
    • 27:00 – 30:00 ­ Harness The Expert: How to strengthen Achilles in pain from a pulling dog
    • 30:00 – 31:00 ­ Final reflections & how to follow Ray (Instagram Fluffy Multipack)
    Más Menos
    43 m
  • Ask the Expert: Renee McGregor (Episode 180)

    Ask the Expert: Renee McGregor (Episode 180)
    Oct 24 2025
    Michelle and Louise chat to sports dietitian and author Renee McGregor about how to optimise fuelling across life stages - especially during perimenopause and after menopause - while also unpacking RED‑S, carbohydrate myths, and sensible supplement use. Renee acknowledges how little conversation there has historically been about female hormonal transitions, and how women often experience a “wobbliness” in their energy, mood, and performance as hormones fluctuate unpredictably. She emphasises that menopause (and the years leading up to it) needn’t be a downhill spiral: “there’s a lot of women [who] feel they’ve reached their potential from an athletic point of view.” Key strategies she shares include replacing some cardio with strength-based work, choosing nutrient-dense whole foods (rather than rigid restriction), and listening to your body. The trio discuss RED‑S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport), explaining that under‑fuelling (not eating enough to support both training and basic body function) can manifest via hormonal disruption, injury, digestive issues, mood or sleep disturbances, and stagnation in performance. Renee stresses that RED‑S affects recreational athletes too, not just elites. On carbohydrates being demonised, Renee argues they are crucial: “Carbs per se are not bad … they provide your muscles with the energy you need.” Finally, Michelle asks about supplements. Renee advises vitamin D (especially through UK winters), and checking iron/B12 when clinically indicated, but otherwise focusing on whole foods rather than a “pile of supplements.”

    Links
    • Renee McGregor’s latest book Fuel for Thought
    • reneemcgregor.com
    • Renee’s Instagram: @r_mcgregor
    • Renee’s Substack newsletter: The Fuel Line
    Más Menos
    1 h y 10 m
  • Canicross Story: Lauren and Pip (Episode 179)

    Canicross Story: Lauren and Pip (Episode 179)
    Oct 17 2025
    In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Lauren. Lauren recounts how her 'failed' sheepdog Pip came into her life at 13 months old, having never truly bonded with farm work, and how the two forged an extraordinary connection in a family environment. From tentative first nights indoors, to running together in canicross, Lauren shares how this strong bond became a lifeline during a difficult season in her life. She opens up about losing her father to suicide, stepping back from her former high‑pressure work, and finding solace, purpose and community through running with Pip. Along the way, she discovered a new passion, launched Me and My Dog Running Club, creating personalised apparel. A heart-warming episode, showing that healing and connection can take unexpected and wonderful forms. We also chat about warm ups in our new feature Harness the Expert Timings
    • 0.00 – introduction & backstory: meeting Pip
    • 3.50 – Pip’s personality, calm indoors vs energetic outdoors
    • 5.20 – herding instinct & family dynamics on walks
    • 7.00 – settling into house life, first nights indoors
    • 9.00 – impact on child allergies & kids bonding with dog
    • 10.30 – discovering canicross & first parkrun experience
    • 13.00 – joining clubs, recce runs, community
    • 16.00 – learning about kit, harness choices
    • 18.00 – Pip’s running style, working as a team
    • 20.30 – running without Pip, ultra training decisions
    • 24.00 – doing the 50K ultra with Into Ultra support
    • 28.30 – goals together: longer distances, exploring events
    • 32.00 – how canicross changed Lauren’s life after loss
    • 36.00 – starting Me & My Dog Running Club and personalised apparel
    • 40.30 – Harness The Expert: How to warm up (you + dog) for a club run
    • 45.00 – closing, social handles & where to find Lauren online
    Links & social
    • Me and My Dog Running Club on Instagram
    • Me and My Dog Running Club on Facebook
    • Lauren’s personalised apparel website
    • Into Ultra
    Más Menos
    50 m
  • Canicross Story: Becky, Lexi and Bronson (Episode 177)

    Canicross Story: Becky, Lexi and Bronson (Episode 177)
    Oct 13 2025

    In today's canicross story, we chat to Becky about how she tried canicross after her working dogs didn't really enjoy gundog training, and now she's hooked!

    Becky chats to us about how she started out with free running, experimenting with gundog training tools (like whistle recall), and the moment she realised what canicross was all about.

    She reflects on how both her dogs — Lexi the cautious Vizsla and Bronson the bold GSP — have adapted differently, and shares insights on training, strength work, confidence building, and managing your body as you join the sport. This episode is ideal for anyone curious about stepping into canicross (or already doing it) who wants a relatable story, practical tips, and encouragement to take that first tethered run. Topics & timings
    • 00:00:35 – Becky introduces herself, Lexi & Bronson
    • 00:03:47 – complementing personalities of two working dogs
    • 00:04:24 – attempt at gundog training and use of whistle
    • 00:06:20 – Becky’s transition from CrossFit to biking to running
    • 00:07:57 – first real canicross experience at Connect & Paws
    • 00:09:10 – advice for beginners: take the first step
    • 00:14:53 – changes seen in Lexi and Bronson from canicross
    • 00:17:56 – recap of Becky’s recent Trail Dog 5K with obstacles
    • 00:22:45 – Becky’s race plans and strategy with Lexi/Bronson
    • 00:28:23 – preparing body: strength, stretching, cadence
    • 00:32:33 – longevity in canicross, dealing with niggles
    • 00:37:50 – balancing training vs resting days
    • 00:38:56 – Becky teases a new project

    Follow Becky's beautiful Instagram page @lexi_and_bronson
    Más Menos
    42 m
  • Ask The Expert: Rùn Dog Food and Dr Jacqueline Boyd (Episode 178)

    Ask The Expert: Rùn Dog Food and Dr Jacqueline Boyd (Episode 178)
    Oct 10 2025
    In this insightful episode of Canicross Conversations, hosts Michelle and Louise are joined by Lucy Millar, founder of Rùn Dog Food, and Dr Jacqueline Boyd, an animal scientist and canine nutrition consultant. Together, they delve into the world of performance nutrition for active dogs, demystifying cold-pressed food, fuelling strategies, and how to navigate the myths of pet nutrition. Lucy shares her journey from dog trainer to dog food entrepreneur, driven by her passion for transparency in the pet food industry. Dr Boyd brings her scientific expertise to explore what dogs really need to thrive in sports like canicross, agility and working gundog roles. They cover everything from how to do an energy audit for your dog, to how joint health and digestion change with age, and why not all dogs benefit from simply eating more food. You’ll come away with practical advice and a better understanding of how to support your dog’s performance and recovery. Whether you're feeding raw, kibble, or cold-pressed, this episode encourages a balanced, informed approach. Plus, Lucy shares exciting insights into what’s next for the Rùn brand. Topics and timings 1.10 – why Lucy started Rùn Dog Food 4.30 – cold-pressed vs traditional kibble 8.45 – Jacqueline’s journey into canine nutrition 12.30 – do dogs need snacks like energy bars? 18.00 – energy bars for performance and recovery 25.15 – tailoring food quantity to activity levels 32.00 – how age affects digestion and nutrition 40.20 – feeding routines and fuelling strategies 48.10 – coprophagia and scavenging explained 53.00 – supplements, probiotics and joint support 59.30 – what’s next for Rùn Dog Food Resources mentioned
    • Rùn Dog Food website: https://rundogfood.com Use CONVERSATIONS10 for 10% off
    • Instagram: @rundogfood
    • Dr Jacqueline Boyd: Facebook and @dogtorboyd on Instagram
    • CROWOOD10 provides 10% discount off Dr Boyd's books - Canine Nutrition and Feeding AND The Spaniel Survival Guide
    • Dr Boyd's Nutrition Consultancy booking form
    • Energy audit equations: basic ones are found on pages 54 and 55 of https://europeanpetfood.org/self-regulation/nutritional-guidelines/ and this is also a hugely useful resource recommended by Dr Boyd.
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    1 h y 7 m
  • Canicross Story: Becky, Lexi and Bronson (Episode 177)

    Canicross Story: Becky, Lexi and Bronson (Episode 177)
    Oct 3 2025

    In today's canicross story, we chat to Becky about how she tried canicross after her working dogs didn't really enjoy gundog training, and now she's hooked!

    Becky chats to us about how she started out with free running, experimenting with gundog training tools (like whistle recall), and the moment she realised what canicross was all about.

    She reflects on how both her dogs — Lexi the cautious Vizsla and Bronson the bold GSP — have adapted differently, and shares insights on training, strength work, confidence building, and managing your body as you join the sport. This episode is ideal for anyone curious about stepping into canicross (or already doing it) who wants a relatable story, practical tips, and encouragement to take that first tethered run. Topics & timings
    • 00:00:35 – Becky introduces herself, Lexi & Bronson
    • 00:03:47 – complementing personalities of two working dogs
    • 00:04:24 – attempt at gundog training and use of whistle
    • 00:06:20 – Becky’s transition from CrossFit to biking to running
    • 00:07:57 – first real canicross experience at Connect & Paws
    • 00:09:10 – advice for beginners: take the first step
    • 00:14:53 – changes seen in Lexi and Bronson from canicross
    • 00:17:56 – recap of Becky’s recent Trail Dog 5K with obstacles
    • 00:22:45 – Becky’s race plans and strategy with Lexi/Bronson
    • 00:28:23 – preparing body: strength, stretching, cadence
    • 00:32:33 – longevity in canicross, dealing with niggles
    • 00:37:50 – balancing training vs resting days
    • 00:38:56 – Becky teases a new project

    Follow Becky's beautiful Instagram page @lexi_and_bronson
    Más Menos
    42 m
  • Canicross Story: Claire, Pip and Ivy (Episode 176)

    Canicross Story: Claire, Pip and Ivy (Episode 176)
    Sep 26 2025
    In this episode of Canicross Conversations, Louise and Michelle are joined by Claire, better known as @theyorkshirewhippets on Instagram. Claire shares her upside-down journey into the world of canicross when a friend convinced her to enter a race with her whippet, Pip. From her early days of social running, to training for her first half marathon, Claire brings energy, honesty and giggles. Listeners will hear about Claire’s transition from casual runner to competitive canicrosser, how she manages training with two very different dogs, and the importance of cross-training and recovery. She opens up about the challenges of running in hot weather, how yoga and horse riding have helped her canicross performance, and how she balances full-time work with a very active lifestyle. The episode is packed with practical tips on kit, nutrition, and building confidence in younger dogs, especially for those working with breeds not traditionally seen as endurance runners. Claire also shares her reasons for fundraising for Stray Aid, and how this sport has become a meaningful part of her life. Tune in for a heart-warming and humorous chat that celebrates the bond between dogs and humans, the joys (and face-plants) of trail running, and the importance of listening to your body and your dog. Topics and timings 1.10 – Why dogs shouldn't run in the heat 4.30 – Claire's canicross journey begins 10.00 – Claire's first Trail Dogs experience 15.40 – Training and building fitness 22.00 – Whippets as endurance athletes 28.30 – Running kit upgrades 33.00 – Balancing life, work, and training 36.10 – Nutrition and fuelling for longer distances 41.50 – Funny stories and muddy mishaps 46.00 – Preparing Ivy for her first race 52.00 – Fundraising for Stray Aid Resources mentioned
    • Trail Dog events
    • Non-stop free motion harness & trail belt
    • Peak2Peak energy bars
    • Episode 2 with Ann Carter (heatstroke and dogs)
    • https://www.strayaid.org.uk/
    Más Menos
    42 m