We’re often told that if a dog is full-on, intense, or hard to live with, the answer is simple: exercise them more.

In this episode, I unpack why that well-meaning advice can quietly make life harder, especially if you’re living with a high-drive gundog, and why more walks, more running, and more “doing” doesn’t automatically lead to a steadier dog.

I talk about the moment many handlers recognise: when your dog feels fast, sharp, and always one step ahead, and you start to feel like you’re reacting rather than leading. Not because you’re doing nothing, but because you’re doing everything, without the right handling system underneath it.

We explore the idea of the supercar on a shoestring, a powerful, capable dog with an engine that’s far bigger than the structure supporting it. I explain why exercise builds fitness, not self-control, and why high-drive dogs don’t come with internal brakes already fitted.

This episode also looks at what’s really draining handler confidence: guessing under pressure, repeating cues, changing your mind mid-moment, and trying to wrestle control instead of steering it. I share why effort alone can’t replace structure, and why following through matters more than piling more on.

If you’ve ever felt like your dog has suddenly changed overnight, or that what worked yesterday doesn’t work today, you’re not imagining it. Dogs don’t walk out with the same brain every day, and understanding that changes how you train and handle them.

Most of all, this episode is here to reassure you: you don’t have a problem dog.

You have a powerful one, and once the handling matches the engine, everything feels lighter.

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

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. 💛

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. 💛

Ever scroll through social media, see a perfectly trained 10-month-old dog, and feel a knot of pressure in your stomach? If you've ever felt behind, second-guessed your progress, or worried that you're "failing" your young dog, this episode is for you.

The pressure to rush our dogs from puppyhood to polished working partner is immense. But the truth is, your dog's development is a biological process, not a competition. Pushing them too fast, too soon, doesn't just create training problems—it can risk their long-term health and your partnership.

In this honest conversation, Jo, Claire, and Jemma pull back the curtain on the "working dog age race." We give you permission to slow down, ignore the noise, and become the most important advocate for your dog's unique timeline.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The hidden pressure of the "perfect" young dog on social media and how it fuels our self-doubt.
• Why your dog's physical and mental timeline is non-negotiable (and what's really happening with growth plates and hormones).
• Navigating the messy, unpredictable, and completely normal stage of adolescence—seeing it as a phase, not a failure.
• The crucial link between patience in their first two years and a longer, healthier working life for your dog.
• The real reason a shoot day is the worst place to train your dog, and how to prepare them for the real world without pressure.

Join the Conversation

If this conversation resonated with you, and you're ready to trade pressure and second-guessing for steady support, we'd love to welcome you into our community. The LWDG is a space for women handlers to share the real, messy moments of training, get expert guidance, and build unshakable confidence alongside their dogs.

• Join the LWDG Membership: www.thelwdg.com
• Find us on Instagram: @ladiesworkingdogs
• Follow us on Facebook: @ladiesworkingdoggroup

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. 💛

STOP WORRYING: Your gundog doesn’t need to hunt live game to be happy! Are you the devoted dog woman who constantly frets that you're not meeting your working breed’s full needs? You are absolutely not alone. This week on Found It, Fetched It, Jo and LWDG expert Claire Denyer demystify the pressure surrounding breed instincts and fieldwork. We dive into why it’s crucial to provide an outlet for your gundog’s natural drives (hello, ‘self-employed’ dogs!), and why tapping into those instincts in a controlled way actually leads to more control, not less. We talk about the "Pandora's Box" myth, the difference between letting your dog chase a squirrel and teaching true self-control, and why turning a naughty sock thief into a helpful laundry loader is the ultimate partnership goal.

This episode is packed with warmth and practical advice to help you build a stronger bond, prevent behavioural issues, and celebrate the incredible dog you have.Ready to stop worrying and start training with clarity? Join the thousands of women gaining confidence in their training journey! Click the link below to explore the LWDG Society membership and get a complete plan to follow.

➡️ Visit us: www.thelwdg.com

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. 💛

Ever found yourself totally confused by the conflicting training advice buzzing around online? It feels like you’re constantly being told to aim for this impossible ideal, a kind of training perfection, that just doesn't seem to work with your chaotic, high-drive gundog. You’re trying to be kind, but your dog is eating the doormat and ignoring your existence. I get it. We’ve been there. This week on Found It, Fetched It, Claire and I are laying it all out: the whole concept of "force free" as it's often peddled online cannot and does not exist in the real world. We champion kindness and reward-based training all day long, but we also live with real dogs who need real boundaries. We want you to feel safe, supported, and confident in saying, "Uhuh, no," when it matters most. Boundaries are not the opposite of kindness; they are the foundation of a safe, happy life for your dog.

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. 💛

Feeling the winter wobble with your gundog training? You are not alone. This episode is a warm hug for anyone feeling guilty that their dog (and their own motivation) has taken a seasonal dip. Join Jo as she explains why both dogs and handlers change in the winter, and how you can adapt your training to be shorter, calmer, and more connected. It’s time to stop fighting the season and start working with it. Listen to the full episode on your favourite podcast app and don't forget to subscribe for more real-life gundog chat!

FREE Workshop 18th Nov : From Mixed Messages to Magic Results

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. 💛

Have you ever watched a friend train their gundog and thought, “Why am I reacting like this, and they’re so calm about the exact same thing?” It’s easy to fall into the comparison trap, feeling like you’re doing it all wrong simply because your approach is different. But what if that difference wasn’t a weakness, but a key to unlocking your most effective training style?

We recently sat down with our brilliant LWDG mindset coach, Emma Liddell, a trained psychotherapist, who has noticed powerful patterns in the way we women handle and train our dogs. Her new framework, The Dog Handler Archetypes, is a self-awareness tool designed to help you understand your core drivers, work with your strengths, and finally soften the edges that might be holding you back. It’s a game-changer that goes beyond obedience and straight to the heart of why you train the way you do.

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. 💛