Do you ever lie awake at night replaying the day with your dog, thinking of the walk that went wrong, the snapping when you were stressed, or the fact you didn’t “do enough”?

😔 The exhaustion.

😔 The guilt.

😔 The feeling of being completely stuck.

If this is you, today’s episode of The Mindful Dog Parent is for you.

I’m diving into why these emotions show up so strongly for dog parents, and how they silently shape the way your dog responds to you. More importantly, I’ll share gentle shifts that can help you move from a cycle of guilt and burnout into one of connection and calm.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

✔️ Why “trying harder” with training doesn’t work when you’re running on empty

✔️ How guilt quietly creates distance between you and your dog

✔️ Why overwhelm and anxiety in you show up as reactivity, tension, or shut-down in them

✔️ The one perspective shift that brings relief straight away

✔️ A simple way to take pressure off without giving up on progress

💡 This episode connects with themes we explored back in:

• Episode 7: Why Tips Aren’t Fixing Your Dog’s Behaviour (And What to Do Instead)
• Episode 12: When Dog Behaviour Becomes Overwhelming: A Call for Compassionate Reflection

If you’ve been feeling like nothing is working, that you’re too tired, too guilty, or too behind, this is the reminder you need: you’re not failing. You’re human. And both you and your dog deserve a calmer foundation.

✨ Next Step: Want to go deeper? Join me for my free Masterclass:

From Overwhelm to Calm: 3 Shifts Every Dog Parent Needs to Finally Feel Confident

JOIN HERE

We start on Monday 22nd September, and it’s the perfect way to build on what you’ll hear in this episode.

Work with me: lavendergardenanimalservices.co.uk

If you’ve ever felt like no matter how many training tips you try, recall hacks, loose lead tricks, or reactivity fixes, nothing seems to work, you’re not failing. You’re missing the foundation.

In this episode of The Mindful Dog Parent, I explain why calm has to come before training, what calm really means, and how to start creating calm connection with your dog today.

Calm isn’t about being zen all the time or never losing your temper. It’s about creating shared safety - the moment your nervous system tells your dog’s nervous system, we’re safe here. From that place, training actually works.

• Why dogs (and humans) can’t learn in survival mode
• What “calm connection” really means - and why it’s the missing piece in most training plans
• How your emotional state directly impacts your dog’s behaviour
• Three simple ways to start building calm today:

1. Keep one anchor routine consistent
2. Add micro pauses before cues
3. Spot the small wins and track progress

• Choose one anchor routine for you and your dog
• Create one reset point daily
• Write down one micro win every day

Takeaways:

• Calm is foundational in dog training, as it creates a state of shared safety between the owner and the dog, facilitating learning and connection.
• Behaviour change in dogs is not merely about adding more cues, but rather about achieving a calm emotional state for both the owner and the dog.
• Implementing predictable routines, taking micro pauses, and recognizing small wins are essential practices for building calm and connection with your dog.
• Calm connection is achieved through co-regulation and is not about perfection; it is about fostering a safe environment for both the dog and the owner.

And if this episode resonated, join my free Calm Connection Challenge starting Monday. Over 4 days, we’ll reset together and build the calm foundation that makes training easier, lighter, and more effective:

Join here: lavendergardenanimalservices.co.uk/calm-connection-challenge

🎧 Listen on your favourite podcast app

🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/q0o5QFQnmkk

Follow me on Instagram: @lavendergardenanimalservices

Feeling like you’re at breaking point with your dog? You’re not alone. Many overwhelmed dog parents and anxious dog owners reach a stage where guilt, frustration, and exhaustion collide, making even simple training feel impossible.

In this episode of The Mindful Dog Parent, I’m diving into the reality of dog training burnout: why it happens, how it shows up in both you and your dog, and most importantly, how to reset without giving up.

Inside this episode you’ll hear:

• Why burnout looks different from everyday stress
• The hidden link between your state and your dog’s behaviour
• Practical steps for recovery (without adding more pressure)
• How to notice small wins so progress doesn’t get lost in frustration

If you’ve been searching “why isn’t my dog’s behaviour changing” or “I feel overwhelmed by my reactive dog,” this episode will give you hope and tools you can use today.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite app.

🐾 Join the free Calm Connection Challenge to reset with your dog in just 4 days: lavendergardenanimalservices.co.uk/calm-connection-challenge

Related Episodes:

• Episode 7: Why Tips Aren’t Fixing Your Dog’s Behaviour (And What to Do Instead)
• Episode 10: Dog Training Advice Overload: How to Cut Through the Noise

Takeaways:

• Experiencing overwhelming feelings as a dog parent does not equate to a lack of love for your dog; it reflects the human condition of carrying too much emotional weight.
• The cumulative stress stemming from daily challenges, like barking and pulling, can accumulate, leading to a breaking point where the situation feels unbearable.
• Isolation is a common feeling among dog parents, particularly when social media portrays an unrealistic image of perfect dogs, contributing to feelings of inadequacy.
• Recognizing moments of rising frustration and allowing oneself to pause can prevent emotional outbursts and help maintain a calm connection with one's dog.

September doesn’t just change routines for kids, it shifts everything for dog parents too. If you’ve been feeling the back-to-school stress with your dog, you’re not alone. Many overwhelmed dog parents notice guilt creeping in when walks get shorter, routines change, or patience runs thin.

In this episode of The Mindful Dog Parent, I’ll share how to bring calm and connection back during seasonal transitions, so you and your dog both feel more grounded.

Inside this episode you’ll learn:

• Why your dog feels stress when your schedule changes
• How guilt shows up for anxious dog owners in September
• 3 practical ways to create “reset points” in your daily routine
• Why one small, consistent anchor routine makes a huge difference

This episode is for dog parents balancing school runs, busy jobs, and training struggles — who just want to feel like they’re not failing their dogs.

🔗 Mentioned in this episode:

🐾 Join the free Calm Connection Challenge (starts soon!): lavendergardenanimalservices.co.uk/calm-connection-challenge

🎧 Related episodes:

• Episode 2: Carrying Dog Mum Guilt? Let’s Talk About It
• Episode 13: Dog Training Starts With Calm: How Overwhelmed Owners Can Reset



If you’ve been searching “dog behaviour problems during back-to-school” or “help for overwhelmed dog parents,” this episode will give you tools to reset and reconnect.

Takeaways:

• Routine changes can profoundly impact both dog owners and their pets, leading to feelings of stress and anxiety.
• Maintaining a single consistent routine can provide stability for both you and your dog during transitional periods.
• Small, intentional reset breaks can significantly enhance emotional regulation for both you and your dog.
• Focusing on one specific training goal at a time can alleviate the pressure of managing multiple behaviors simultaneously.

very scroll gives you another dog training tip. One expert says treats. Another says never use them. Someone tells you to turn left when your dog pulls. Someone else says stop altogether. Before you know it, you have ten voices in your head and no idea what to do next.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by dog training advice, or guilty that you can’t stay consistent, this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Mindful Dog Parent, I’m breaking down:

• Why there’s so much conflicting dog training advice online
• The hidden cost of advice overload for both you and your dog
• A simple 4-step filter to cut through the noise
• The “Focus Five” plan to help you stay calm and consistent

This episode is part of the Calm Connection series — designed for anxious dog owners and overwhelmed dog parents who love their dogs but feel stuck in cycles of guilt, burnout, and frustration.

🔗 Mentioned in this episode:

🐾 Free guide: Practical Strategies for Overwhelmed Dog Parents: https://lavendergardenanimalservices.myflodesk.com/strategies-for-overwhelmed-dog-parents

🎧 Related episodes:

• Episode 7: Why Tips Aren’t Fixing Your Dog’s Behaviour (And What to Do Instead)
• Episode 12: Dog Training Burnout: What to Do When You’re at Breaking Point

Takeaways:

• The plethora of dog training advice can lead to confusion, resulting in decision fatigue for dog parents.
• Advice overload can cause inconsistency in training, negatively impacting the dog’s ability to learn and adapt.
• A four-step filter can help dog parents choose advice that aligns with their values and their dog's needs.
• The Focus Five plan allows dog owners to concentrate their efforts on one specific goal, cue, context, and metric for measurable progress.

Why Your Dog’s Behaviour Isn’t Changing (and How to Turn It Around)

You’ve read the books. You’ve saved the Instagram reels. You’ve tried every recall trick, loose lead hack, and reactivity tip you can find.

But nothing seems to work, at least not for long. And the more you try, the more stuck you feel.

If that’s you, this episode of The Mindful Dog Parent is here to give you relief. Because it’s not that you’re a bad dog parent, and it’s not that your dog can’t learn. There are deeper reasons why the right advice still isn’t bringing the results you hoped for, and we’re going to unpack them together.

You’ll learn:

• The pattern loops that keep you and your dog stuck in the same behaviour cycle
• Why training fatigue makes it harder to be consistent
• The invisible wins you might be missing
• How to use the Reset Point method to break the cycle and make progress faster
• A practical 7-day challenge to create more calm and connection with your dog

If you’ve been running on frustration, doubt, or emotional exhaustion, this episode will help you slow things down, reset, and start seeing the small wins that lead to big change.

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

Join the Calm Connection Challenge (September 2025) → https://lavendergardenanimalservices.co.uk/calm-connection-challenge

Learn more about ethical, science-based dog training → lavendergardenanimalservices.co.uk

Subscribe & Follow:

Don’t miss future episodes that combine practical training advice with the emotional support you need as a dedicated dog parent. Hit follow on your favourite podcast app, or subscribe on YouTube to watch the face-to-camera versions.

Mentioned in this episode:

Something New Is Coming: The Calm Connection Challenge

Ready to feel calmer and more connected with your dog — and yourself? In this short teaser, I’m letting you in on something exciting coming at the end of September… a free 4-day challenge created especially for overwhelmed, anxious dog parents who are craving more peace, ease, and confidence. ✨ Think of it as a gentle reset — no pressure, no perfect dog required. Make sure you’re following the podcast and keep your eyes on your inbox so you don’t miss when the doors open. You’ll get daily support, calming tools, and simple ways to show up differently for your dog… and for yourself. Not on my email list yet? Sign up to my free Strategies for Overwhelmed Dog Parents download so you’re the first to hear all the details: https://lavendergardenanimalservices.myflodesk.com/strategies-for-overwhelmed-dog-parents

Have you ever felt like your dog’s behaviour is aimed directly at you?

Maybe they pull on the lead, bark at another dog, ignore your recall - and suddenly you feel embarrassed, frustrated, or even hurt.

You know logically they’re not trying to make your life harder, but it still feels personal.

You’re not alone.

In this episode of The Mindful Dog Parent, we’re unpacking why so many dog owners internalise their dog’s behaviour - and how to break free from the guilt and shame that follows.

You’ll learn:

• Why we take our dog’s behaviour personally (and the emotional patterns behind it)
• What’s actually going on in your dog’s nervous system when they “don’t listen”
• How to stop blaming yourself and start building calm, trust, and connection
• A gentle mindset shift to help you feel more confident on walks and at home
• A weekly challenge to interrupt the self-blame spiral and see your dog’s behaviour in a new light

If you’ve been dealing with reactivity, pulling, barking, or unpredictable behaviour, this conversation will help you approach training and everyday life with more compassion - for yourself and your dog.

Because here’s the truth: your dog’s behaviour isn’t a reflection of your worth as a dog parent. But how you respond can change everything.

Links and Resources:

• Free Guide: Practical Strategies for Overwhelmed Dog Parents - gentle tools to help you and your dog regulate, reset, and reconnect.
• Connect with me on Instagram: @lavendergardenanimals
• Watch this episode on YouTube: COMING SOON

Mentioned in this episode:

Something New Is Coming: The Calm Connection Challenge

Ready to feel calmer and more connected with your dog — and yourself? In this short teaser, I’m letting you in on something exciting coming at the end of September… a free 4-day challenge created especially for overwhelmed, anxious dog parents who are craving more peace, ease, and confidence. ✨ Think of it as a gentle reset — no pressure, no perfect dog required. Make sure you’re following the podcast and keep your eyes on your inbox so you don’t miss when the doors open. You’ll get daily support, calming tools, and simple ways to show up differently for your dog… and for yourself. Not on my email list yet? Sign up to my free Strategies for Overwhelmed Dog Parents download so you’re the first to hear all the details: https://lavendergardenanimalservices.myflodesk.com/strategies-for-overwhelmed-dog-parents

Tried every training hack online and nothing sticks? It’s not you. And it’s not your dog. In this episode, we explore the deeper reason tips don’t work, and the simple shift that changes everything.

You’ve scrolled Instagram, saved all the reels, watched the YouTube tutorials, and tried the “5 best recall tips”… only to feel like nothing is working.

That sinking feeling of, “Why isn’t this working? Am I just bad at this? Is my dog broken?” hits hard. And it’s exhausting.

This episode of The Mindful Dog Parent is here to tell you the truth:

It’s not because you’re failing. It’s not because your dog is stubborn. There’s a deeper reason those tips aren’t sticking, and once you understand it, things starts to shift.

• The “tip trap” cycle: Why so many dog parents end up overwhelmed and burnt out.
• Why tips don’t work on their own: The nervous system science behind behaviour and learning.
• The missing link: How calm connection changes the way tips actually work.
• A practical challenge for the week: A 60-second reset to use before any training exercise.
• A real-life story: How one client’s recall transformed when we focused on safety and calm first.

• Dog parents who feel stuck despite “trying everything”
• Anyone whose dog struggles with recall, reactivity, or loose lead walking
• Overwhelmed dog owners craving a calmer, more connected approach

Because you don’t need more tips. You need a foundation that makes those tips actually work. When you can pause, regulate, and create calm connection first, you unlock a new level of learning and trust with your dog.

Before you try any training tip, pause for 60 seconds and:

1️⃣ Ground yourself - breathe slowly, feel your feet on the ground

2️⃣ Check your dog’s state - buzzing? anxious? tuned out?

3️⃣ Connect softly - gentle name, calm touch, or let them sniff.

4️⃣ Then try the tip.

Commit to this for a week and notice the difference. Calm connection first changes how you show up and work on training with your dog.

• Free guide: Practical Strategies for Overwhelmed Dog Parents
• Connect on Instagram @lavendergardenanimalservices
• Learn more about how you can work with me: lavendergardenanimalservices.co.uk

You are not failing. You are learning.

And your dog doesn’t need you to be perfect, just present.

Mentioned in this episode:

Something New Is Coming: The Calm Connection Challenge

Ready to feel calmer and more connected with your dog — and yourself? In this short teaser, I’m letting you in on something exciting coming at the end of September… a free 4-day challenge created especially for overwhelmed, anxious dog parents who are craving more peace, ease, and confidence. ✨ Think of it as a gentle reset — no pressure, no perfect dog required. Make sure you’re following the podcast and keep your eyes on your inbox so you don’t...