The Labrador Podcast - From Tails of Success Labrador Training

Welcome to Episode 35, where we're diving into one of the most common challenges Labrador owners face—how your dog reacts to the doorbell and visitors.

Chaos when the doorbell rings? You're not alone!

Listen in as we delve into the reasons behind this behaviour and how to manage it effectively. We'll explore everything from emotional triggers to learned behaviours and arm you with short-term and long-term strategies to create a calmer household for you and your four-legged family member. Whether it's an Amazon delivery or unexpected guests, discover how to make the doorbell an event you can both look forward to.

I hope you find this episode as enlightening as it is practical. And remember, every dog is different, so take what resonates with you and leave the rest.

Enjoy listening!

In this episode of "The Labrador Podcast," our guest Ashleigh shares her story about her beloved 15-month-old Labrador, Baxter.

Ashleigh was initially convinced to get a dog after witnessing the endearing cheekiness of a Labrador at work. When Baxter's litter arrived, she knew it was the perfect time to bring a dog into her life. However, she soon realized that her expectations were far from reality.

Despite reading books and watching videos about dog care, Ashleigh quickly learned that dogs are not preprogrammed and each is different.

The first few weeks of Baxter's nighttime routine were traumatic and stressful for both. With her firsthand knowledge, Ashleigh knows that she would do things differently if she had her time again.

Training Baxter at the local town hall proved challenging, as he was larger and more enthusiastic than the other breeds there. You'll also hear thoughts about the immense pressure on large-breed dog owners compared to small-breed owners.

Ashleigh shares her strategies for keeping Baxter engaged when off-leash, including using scent detection skills outdoors and allowing him to explore and sniff his surroundings. Ashleigh emphasizes the importance of training and routines for a dog's well-being and reflects on how tough life would be for Baxter without these aspects.

Understanding Baxter's emotional feelings and needs has influenced Ashleigh's life to the point where she changed her job to accommodate her furry companion better. This change allowed her to truly get to know Baxter, learn about his personality, and provide the best possible care for him.

Finally, Ashleigh offers valuable advice to listeners based on her experiences. She encourages others to be prepared for the challenges of owning a dog, to recognize that every dog is unique, and to prioritize understanding their emotional needs. Ashleigh's journey with Baxter has taught her the importance of adapting to her dog's personality and providing him with the best life possible.

Tune in to "The Labrador Podcast" to hear more about Ashleigh's inspiring story and deep bond with her Labrador, Baxter.

Need some training support, check out www.tailsofsuccess.com

In this episode of "The Labrador Podcast," host Vikki Sharpe invites Karen to share her experiences with her young fox red lab, Bo.

The discussion revolves around Bo's anxieties and sound sensitivity, which have posed unique challenges for Karen as they navigate their urban town environment.

Karen opens up about Bo's challenges, explaining how she can be nearly crippled by sudden noises like cars or motorbikes, making it difficult for them to enjoy outdoor activities. Despite the challenges, Karen displays an admirable level of acceptance and dedication to Bo's well-being. While Bo may not be the dog she expected, Karen remains committed to helping her and ensuring the best possible life for her furry friend.

Throughout the episode, Karen reflects on the struggle of knowing whether she's doing the right thing for Bo while also dealing with unsolicited advice from strangers who don't fully understand the situation. She highlights the importance of understanding that every dog is different and that getting to know your dog's unique personality and quirks is crucial.

To address Bo's anxieties and sound sensitivity, Karen has incorporated daily training sessions into their routine. These training sessions focus on recall, building a solid relationship with Bo, and having fun together. Additionally, they engage in Scent Detection activities, which help stimulate Bo mentally and provide a positive outlet for her energy.

Karen concludes the episode by sharing her insights and tips on socializing dogs, emphasizing the significance of recognizing and adapting to each dog's individual needs. By understanding their dog's personality and quirks, owners can tailor socialization experiences to suit their furry companion's comfort level and help them thrive.

Join Vikki Sharpe and Karen in this heartfelt and informative episode as they explore Bo's journey with sound sensitivity, anxiety, and the dedication required to support a dog with unique challenges.

Show some support to Bo and Karen on their Instagram account @redfoxlab_bo

Find more about Tails of Success at www.tailsofsuccess.com

Many of us make New Years Resolutions, and they fail, often because we don't have a decent plan.

Don't let your dog training goals fail in the same way as your New Years Resolutions... your dog deserves better than that!

In this episode, Vikki talks about the four specific steps to consider when training your Labrador in the year ahead. 

1. Set a goal
2. Make a plan 
3. Do the work
4. Celebrate your success

Get these steps right, and your dog training will take off.

Share your success with us on Instagram or Facebook @tailssuccess

Fireworks can be a traumatic experience for many Labradors. 

From October to January, Fireworks are a big consideration if you have an anxious or noise-sensitive dog, so this episode delves into how you can prepare, the signs of stress and how to help your Labrador recover.

Don't wait until just before bonfire night to listen, tune in and start preparing your dog right now.

Rosco is a 2-year-old gorgeous black Labrador living on the outskirts of London. 

Carla, Rosco's human staff member joins us for this episode to talk about some of the challenges of Adolescence, a decision not to have Rosco Neutered just yet, the importance of training and an amazing Road-trip around Scotland.

It's a good one... enjoy it!

Follow Rosco over on Instagram @roscos.labrador.life

Anna is the human to Millie, a gorgeous Fox Red Labrador. Millie has recently given birth to a stunning litter of Labrador puppies, one of which has come to live at Tails of Success HQ.

In this episode, Anna joins us to talk about her experiences as a home breeder and gives us a great insight into what's involved.

It's a great listen, even if you don't plan on breeding yourself.

Be sure to check out Millie's Instagram account at @milliefoxredlab

In this episode, Vikki is joined by Tails of Success Labrador Nutritionist Sam Raggatt.

Changing your dogs food overnight can lead to all sorts of problems, so you must take it slowly to ensure their body has time to adjust.

If you've plans to change your dog's food in the future, this episode will guide you through the safest way to do it. 

If you would like to try the food that Sam mentioned, you can get a 10% discount by entering code DENNIS10 at www.edenpetfoods.com

In this episode, Vikki is joined by the Tails fo Success Labrador Nutrition expert, Sam Raggatt to talk about Kibble feeding.

We discuss:

• Why it is so important to feed the right food
• The benefits of feeding kibble
• The negatives of feeding kibble
• Find out what Sam feeds her two Labradors
• Where to go to compare kibbles
• What kibble we recommend for Puppies
• What kibble we recommend for adults

Because Eden food is featured heavily in our recommendations, you'll even be able to enjoy a discount on their food if you listen carefully.

We hope this one helps you make informed decisions about what kibble is best for your Labrador.

Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast to be kept up to date with. new episodes as they are released.

Want to learn more about Labrador Nutrition? Check us out at TailsofSuccess.com

What do you do when you realise your dog has gone blind?  

Eve Welton experienced that exact question when her dog went blind unexpectedly. 

Eve took it upon herself to educate herself so she could give Poppy the best life and even went a step further... she adopted another blind dog from a kill shelter and gave him the best home.  

Eve now has two blind dogs who live an amazing life with her. 

With a desire to help others in a similar situation, Eve created The Underdogs Training to help other blind dog families train and care for their blind dogs.  Listen to her story here and pick up a few hints and tips along the way

Dogs don't want to annoy you.... what would they achieve from that?

Recently I have seen several Facebook posts about putting muzzles on young pups to stop them from exploring the world using their mouth and chewing items in the house.

It troubled me because I felt that the owners were reliant on a piece of equipment to stop a natural behaviour that they felt was undesirable. But if we take time to understand our Labradors better and what causes their behaviours, we can help them overcome it and be the best pets.

This unscripted episode gives an insight into how you can establish what motivates your dog to do what they do..... good and bad!

There is even an offer of FREE training for anyone struggling to cope with puppy nipping, biting and chewing.

We love hearing your feedback, let us know what you think by leaving a review in your podcast store or email me at hello@tailsofsuccess.com

In this episode, Vikki discusses training and caring for Labradors with Amy, the proud owner of two fantastic working line Labradors.

Amy talks to us about what is involved in keeping two working line, pet labradors busy. 

Working line Labradors are highly intelligent; they thrive on having a sense of purpose and love having a job to do. Amy gives us a great insight into what works really well for her dogs, Frankie and Elsa. 

In this honest conversation, she also lets us know about some of the things that could have been better.

There are many nuggets of wisdom in this episode that we're sure you will relate to... enjoy it, and we hope it helps with your dog training journey.

You can follow Amy's training journey on Instagram at frankie.elsa.adventures

It's that time of year when our Labradors start to wake up early, and in turn, they then wake the rest of the house too! Sound familiar?

As summer approaches, the sun starts streaming through the windows, and the birds start singing earlier than your dog has become used to 

Nature's alarm clock tells them that their day has started... but it doesn't mean they need to wake you up too.

This episode looks at how you can help your dog sleep for longer by providing the right environment and showing your dog that they don't need your attention first thing in the morning.

Following this process meant that the resident Labrador at Tails of Success HQ woke up at 10am today, despite it being a sunny morning. 

We hope you can achieve the same success with your Labrador.

If you need some extra support you can find us at www.tailsofsuccess.com or visit our socials @tailssuccess

Vikki is joined by fellow Labrador Trainer, Chloe Daws in this episode to talk about some of the most common body language signals that your Labrador may display.

As Labradors can't speak, it's important to know what their non-verbal communications are telling you.

Chloe has a keen interest in Canine Body Language and behavioural issues and also teaches puppies from around the world at the Tails of Success Online Puppy School.

Training can be used as a way to develop strong bonds and build trust with your Labrador. But if you get it wrong, you could be killing the chance of having a positive relationship with your Labrador. 

We live in a world where convenience is king, we seek perfection, and we want things to happen quickly.

Although we've become accustomed to quick, convenient results in our everyday life, this should not apply to training a Labrador of any age.

The road to a great family pet is long, and you will hit some bumps along the way, but with a plan and the proper support, you can make the journey as smooth and straightforward as possible for your Labrador.

Enjoy the training journey.

Resident Labrador Nutrition Expert, Sam Raggatt joins Vikki Sharpe to guide you through Supplements for Labradors.  

Learn why it's important to supplement your Labradors diet and what products we recommend for nose to tail health in your Labrador, whatever their age.

If you have a Labrador, you'll probably have received lots of advice about how long the walks should be, how far you can travel and how often.

In this episode, Vikki Sharpe talks about the "5 minute rule" and why it may not be right for your Labrador.

Whatever skill or behaviour you are teaching your Labrador, there are three elements that must work together, in harmony for you to achieve success. In this episode, Vikki talks about the importance of the 3 elements, particularly for loose leash walking.

Separation issues, otherwise known as separation anxiety can impact the lives of many Labradors.

Vikki Sharpe from Tails of Success Labrador Training talks about this topic, how to spot separation issues, what to do to prevent it, and how to develop a predictable routine for your Labrador.

Vikki Sharpe from Tails of Success Labrador Training talks about the 5 essential skills to focus on when training your pet Labrador

Vikki Sharpe talks about chewing, nipping and biting and gives advice on overcoming the common challenges experienced during this stage