Listeners are advised they may need tissues as Gwen Covey-Crump and Hannah Capon discuss caregiver burden! This is something that is not often discussed, but is an important topic as many caregivers silently suffer the effects of caregiver burden whilst attempting to put on a brave face. It can be very lonely when looking after any dependant with a long-term condition. The impact can affect you emotionally, physically and financially. Over time it can take its toll and lead you to alienating yourself from your support network. Gwen and Hannah discuss the topic with reference to their own struggles when caring for their much loved and sadly passed best buds!

5 Key Take Home Points:

1. Caregiver burden is real: Caring for a dog with a chronic condition can be emotionally, physically and financially exhausting.

2. It's more than just worry: Caregivers may experience guilt, frustration, overwhelm and loneliness alongside their love and dedication.

3. The impact extends beyond the dog: Long-term caregiving can affect mental health, physical wellbeing, relationships and social support networks.

4. Caregivers need support too: Recognising when you are struggling and asking for help is important, not something to feel guilty about.

5. Veterinary professionals have a role to play: Supporting the people behind the pets is an important part of providing compassionate, holistic care.

Guest bio:

Gwen Covey-Crump qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 2001 and spent 3 years in small animal practice before commencing a residency in Veterinary Anaesthesia at the University of Bristol in 2004. After completion she spent a year in clinical anaesthesia practice at the Queen's Veterinary Hospital, University of Cambridge, returning to Bristol Vet School as the team lead Clinical Anaesthetist for the then newly formed Langford Veterinary Services (University of Bristol School of Veterinary Sciences teaching hospital) in 2009. She obtained the European Diploma in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia in 2012. Gwen now focuses her energies in chronic pain management, working with a team of physiotherapists in the Small Animal Rehabilitation and Pain Management Service at Langford Vets, and collaborating with specialist colleagues in surgery, neurology, oncology and medicine. She has a particular interest in established and emerging pharmacological therapies for pain, the influence of the environment on pain, and the links between pain and behaviour.

Learn more about CAM

CAM website - CAM Education Centre - The Pain Vet

Chronic Pain Symposium - CAM Shop - CAM Podcast

Socials for Professionals:

Facebook pro - LinkedIn - Instagram

Socials for Caregivers:

Facebook - Instagram - Holly's Army

Have questions send them to: podcast@caninearthritis.co.uk

Keep the tissues handy for next week when Hannah will be discussing difficult decisions and knowing when it’s time to say goodbye, with Nicky and Amy

In this episode of Canine Arthritis Matters, Hannah speaks with Sarah Jones, founder of My Anxious Dog, about canine anxiety, reactivity and the often-overlooked role of pain. Sarah shares how her experiences with Bella inspired her to create products that help dogs communicate their need for space. They discuss how trauma, physical discomfort and chronic pain can influence behaviour, and why anxious or reactive dogs should not simply be labelled as aggressive. The conversation highlights the importance of recognising subtle signs of pain, investigating underlying causes and improving public understanding. Sarah explains how yellow warning equipment can help protect vulnerable dogs and support their wellbeing. Hannah also shares her experiences as a caregiver since using a My Anxious Dog harness with Elsie (the Moroccan street dog that often “guest” stars in the CAM podcast!).

5 Key Take-Home Messages

1. Anxiety is a welfare concern: Anxious and reactive dogs need understanding, patience and support, not judgement.

2. Pain can influence behaviour: Physical discomfort and chronic pain may contribute to anxiety or reactivity, so underlying causes should always be considered.

3. Look beyond the label: Dogs should not simply be labelled as aggressive without investigating what may be driving their behaviour.

4. Give dogs space: Yellow warning equipment can help communicate when a dog needs distance, reducing unwanted interactions and helping keep vulnerable dogs safe.

5. Supporting an anxious dog can be challenging: Owners need empathy and understanding, while carefully observing their dogs for changes in behaviour that may indicate pain or other underlying problems.

Guest bio

Sarah founded My Anxious Dog in 2012. The inspiration was Bella, the 8 week old Cocker Spaniel puppy who was always a little shy and reserved. Sarah understood that the aftermath of Bella’s traumatic birth is likely to have contributed to Bella’s anxious behaviour, but this became even more apparent after Bella suffered two dog attacks at a young age. Both experiences left Bella sore and in pain but of course, being a beautiful Cocker Spaniel puppy, everyone she met still wanted to say hello to her! This resulted in Bella associating meeting new people with a painful experience. Looking for products that would help people understand that Bella needed space and didn’t want to be touched, Sarah could only find poor quality offerings and decided to set up her own range. After a long career in electronics, Sarah dramatically changed her own life to support her husband, Matt, and got to work on the My Anxious Dog range full time.

Visit the My Anxious Dog website

Walk with confidence: Helping you to let others know your dog needs space - join our yellow army #dogsinyellow

Learn more about CAM

CAM website - CAM Education Centre - The Pain Vet

Chronic Pain Symposium - CAM Shop - CAM Podcast

Socials for Professionals:

Facebook pro - LinkedIn - Instagram

Socials for Caregivers:

Facebook - Instagram - Holly's Army

Have questions send them to: podcast@caninearthritis.co.uk

Join Hannah and Gwen Covey-Crump next week to learn about caregiver burden; how to recognise it and how to understand the impact on your emotional wellbeing.

In this episode of Canine Arthritis Matters, Nikki welcomes Grisha Stewart, internationally renowned dog trainer, author and creator of Behaviour Adjustment Training (BAT), to explore canine empowerment and the importance of listening to our dogs. They discuss how secure attachment influences behaviour and training, and how giving dogs greater choice and control can improve their wellbeing. Grisha explains how force-free approaches can help dogs experiencing fear, frustration and aggression, while sharing five practical tips for empowering dogs in everyday life. From using long leads to understanding where dogs choose to direct their attention, this episode offers valuable insights into meeting dogs’ individual needs and supporting happier, more confident lives.

5 Key Take-Home Messages

1. Give dogs choice and control – Allowing dogs to make their own choices helps build confidence and supports their emotional wellbeing.

2. Build secure attachment – A trusting, secure relationship provides a foundation for positive behaviour and effective training.

3. Use force-free training – Support dogs experiencing fear, frustration or aggression through kind, reward-based approaches that respect their needs.

4. Make the most of long leads – Give dogs more freedom to explore and make decisions safely, allowing them greater independence.

5. Listen to what dogs are telling us – Pay attention to where dogs direct their attention and the choices they make to better understand their needs and find ways to meet both their needs and our own.

Guest bio

Grisha Stewart is an author, international speaker and professional dog trainer who specialises in dog reactivity and canine empowerment. She is the creator of The Grisha Stewart Dog School for Professional Dog Training Education Online. In 2003, Grisha founded and ran the Ahimsa Dog Training school in Seattle for 13 years. ‘Ahimsa’ is a Buddhist doctrine of non-violence to all living things, which reflects Grisha's focus on force-free methods to promote the well-being of dogs and their humans. Her Ahimsa team earned many awards, including 'Best of Seattle' and 'Best of Western Washington'. Canine behaviour fascinates Grisha and she is highly motivated to help improve techniques for rehabilitating and training dogs. Her professional interest in dog reactivity, along with the need to find an effective rehabilitation technique that would work with her own dog's fear issues, led Grisha to develop BAT - Behaviour Adjustment Training, a humane technique for dog aggression, frustration, and fear.

Find all of Grisha’s course, and the back catalogue at the Academy here

Visit Grisha’s website grishasteward.com

Grisha on YouTube

Learn more with Grisha’s books here

Learn more about CAM

CAM website - CAM Education Centre - The Pain Vet

Chronic Pain Symposium - CAM Shop - CAM Podcast

Socials for Professionals:

Facebook pro - LinkedIn - Instagram

Socials for Caregivers:

Facebook - Instagram - Holly's Army

Have questions send them to: podcast@caninearthritis.co.uk

Join us next week as we move in to the Emotional Wellness month, we’re joined by Sarah Jones from the Yellow Dog Project