Chinwag Dog Podcast

Start the year off right with realistic, meaningful goals for your dog! In this episode, we discuss how to set achievable behaviour and training objectives that fit your dog’s personality, lifestyle, and emotional wellbeing. From small daily habits to long-term milestones, Kim and Carla share practical tips for planning a positive, stress-free year that strengthens your bond and supports your dog’s growth.

In this festive episode, Kim and Carla dive into everything you need to know about keeping your dog safe, calm, and happy during the Christmas season.They start with the centrepiece of most homes this time of year—the Christmas tree. From introducing a bare tree first, to using baby gates and lucky mats, they share practical strategies to prevent curious paws from causing chaos. They also explore how emotionally overwhelming the holiday prep can be, and why being present with our pets makes such a difference.Moving on to decorations, Kim and Carla discuss how to create a beautiful but dog-safe tree. They cover the risks of breakable ornaments, toxic baubles containing antifreeze, and the hidden dangers of edible gifts left under the tree. Kim even shares a few personal stories about her own dogs’ cheeky interactions with decorations and food, reminding us that dogs will always keep us on our toes!Finally, they tackle Christmas dinner. From foods to avoid (like onions, fatty meats and salty leftovers) to how to manage mealtimes in busy homes, this episode is packed with guidance to help you navigate the big day safely. Kim’s story about a Christmas-day dog escape offers a lighthearted yet important reminder: even well-trained dogs can surprise us.Whether you’re hosting, travelling, or keeping things low-key this year, this episode will leave you feeling confident, prepared, and ready to create a calm, dog-friendly Christmas for the whole family.

In this episode, Kim and Carla dive into one of the most common challenges new puppy owners face — puppy biting. They unpack the real reasons behind those needle-sharp nips, with Kim highlighting the number one cause that often gets overlooked: lack of sleep.Together, they explore how overtired puppies struggle to regulate themselves, why proper rest is essential for emotional stability, and how simple management tools like pens and baby gates can support both puppies with separation anxiety and overwhelmed owners.Kim and Carla also discuss practical, positive solutions for redirecting biting, including natural chew options like frozen carrots and soaked rope toys, breed-appropriate outlets, and the importance of meeting a puppy’s nutritional needs. Kim explains why underfeeding — or relying too rigidly on packaging feeding guides — can increase biting behaviours in growing puppies.Throughout the episode, they emphasise positive reinforcement, understanding breed traits, and steering clear of punishment.They wrap up by teasing their next topic: How to prepare your puppy for the Christmas season.Perfect for new puppy parents and trainers looking for science-based, compassionate guidance.

In this episode, Kim and Carla dive deep into one of the most misunderstood stages of a dog’s life — adolescence. Often arriving between 6 and 14 months, this phase brings big feelings, big behaviours, and, for many owners, big challenges. It’s also the age when dogs are most frequently relinquished to shelters, highlighting just how important support during this time really is.Kim and Carla break down why adolescence is nothing like puppyhood, despite many owners expecting it to get easier. From sudden “naughtiness” to lead pulling, reduced focus, and increased independence, they explain why this developmental stage mirrors human teenage behaviour and why patience and consistency are key.They discuss the common gap between completing a puppy course and the ongoing training adolescents desperately need — sharing personal stories with their own dogs, Millie and Sam. Together, they explore fear phases, training dips, and why neutering during adolescence can sometimes make things worse.Listeners will learn practical, positive tools including the Counting Game, Middle position, and hand targets, along with how to use breed-appropriate outlets, long lines, and sniffing freedom to support adolescent dogs.Whether you’re a dog owner or trainer, this episode will help you understand the why behind adolescent behaviours — and give you the guidance to support dogs through this turbulent but temporary stage.

Send us a textIn this episode, Kim and Carla dive into the real-world challenges of fitting dog training into busy, unpredictable lives. From juggling work shifts and family commitments to managing the routines of reactive or anxious dogs, they explore how flexibility—not rigid schedules—is the key to long-term success.Kim shares how she adapts training plans to fit seamlessly into her clients’ existing lifestyles rather than adding more structure, while Carla highlights the benefits of short, frequent sessions over long training blocks. Together, they discuss how to generalize skills across different environments, prepare dogs for life transitions (like new babies or moves), and strike the perfect balance between consistency and adaptability.Whether you’re a professional trainer or a devoted dog owner, this episode offers practical strategies to help you build routines that work for both ends of the lead. 🐾Support the showDon't forget to rate and reviewFollow me on instagram: pooches.galore