In this episode, Jo talks about something that quietly affects so many women training gundogs. Not failure. Not lack of effort. But that frustrating sense of being capable and committed, yet still feeling behind or unsure. Jo shares her own early experiences of training without a clear map, relying on instinct, observation, and scraps of information, while everyone else seemed to have a language she hadn’t learned yet. The dogs were doing “okay”, but the mental noise was exhausting. This episode gently unpacks why that feeling isn’t a confidence problem or an effort problem, but a structure problem.

You’ll hear about

• Why missing structure often gets mislabelled as missing ability
• Why confidence does not come before action, but from clarity and repetition
• How fear of doing it wrong once keeps handlers stuck and second guessing
• Why comparing your inside world to other people’s outside is such a trap
• How learning to read patterns, not personalise problems, changes everything
• Why asking for help is not failure, but one of the strongest forms of independence

Jo also explains why gundogs are more like high performance cars than everyday runarounds, and why trying to train them without the right framework creates unnecessary pressure for both dog and handler.This conversation is about relief, steadiness, and finally naming what’s actually missing so the self blame can ease and progress can feel possible again.

At the end of the episode, Jo invites you to a free live masterclass designed especially for owners of high drive dogs.

Holding a Supercar on a Shoestring

A free training session on how to understand, handle, and enjoy your high drive dog without feeling overwhelmed or behind.

👉 Register here

https://ladiesworkingdoggroup.com/supercar-registration

If this episode landed for you, you are not alone. You are not behind. And you are very welcome in this space with Ladies Working Dog Group

Thanks for joining us for this episode of Found It, Fetched It. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve got muddy boots and a seasoned dog by your side, we’re here to walk the journey with you. We’re all about real talk, practical tips, and celebrating every little win—because in this world, progress isn’t always perfect, but it’s always worth it.

💬 We’d love to hear from you

Got a story to share, a question to ask, or just fancy saying hi? Come chat with us on socials or pop over to the website.

📚 Want to go further with your training?

Holding a Supercar by a Shoestring

A Free Masterclass for Owners of High-Drive Dogs on How to Finally ‘Speak Gundog’ even if You Never Plan to See a Shooting Field. When you sign up, I’ll send you a short reflection, Are You Driving or Just Hanging On, to help you notice whether you’re leading or reacting before the session. Jan 29th 2026 7.30pm

🎓 The LWDG Society

Expert-led courses, community support, and the kind of training that actually makes sense.

📱 Stay connected with the pack:

Website: ladiesworkingdoggroup.com

Facebook: Ladies Working Dog Group

Instagram: @ladiesworkingdogs

✨ And remember… Every session, every stumble, every breakthrough, it all counts. You’re not just training a dog. You’re building trust, confidence, and a community that’s right behind you.

Keep going. We see you. 💛