Forcefree Podcasts

Probs with cold game retrieves and a couple of questions about aversivesBy Jo Laurens

In this highly unusual episode(!), I waffle (because usually I don't, right?) about the clicker retrieve and recalls and long-lines.By Jo Laurens

In this episode, I recommend my favourite wellies, boots, coats, training vests, dummies, leashes, treat pouches and more. I also answer listener questions about pointing, marker cues and the 'Go Sniff' exercise in my book.By Jo Laurens

In this episode, I waffle freely (extremely freely) about training the HPR sequence - with an attempt to give something of an overview, instead of getting lost in how to train any one behaviour in detail.By Jo Laurens

This episode takes a look at the issue of over-population and the increasing amount of restrictions that dogs face as a result. I offer some solutions. I'm not very hopeful anything will be implemented in time to avoid the blanket 'all dogs must be on leash everywhere' outcome.By Jo Laurens

In this episode, I talk about 18 month old Roche - our weimaraner. Who is bonkers-crazy, when it comes to hunting. I give you seven tips, for training high drive gundogs.By Jo Laurens

People listening to this episode might and want to check out: Episode 61 - Adolescence and what to do about it Episode 56 - what does 'not walking the dog' look like? Episode 54 - some thoughts about food motivation Episode 38 - developing food motivationBy Jo Laurens

In this episode, I talk about chasing - and how to turn something your dog wants to chase, into a cue to stop.By Jo Laurens

In this episode, I talk about the bizarre vagaries of laws local to where I live when it comes to shooting. I answer listener questions about hardmouth, raising a puppy and how to enthuse the unenthusiastic dog.By Jo Laurens

Here are a few things to consider when choosing which type of gundog to own.By Jo Laurens

Loads of great listener questions this week! If you have a question, email jo@forcefreegundog.comBy Jo Laurens

You only really get to know the dogs you own in the deepest detail, and Ren (our GSP) is an interesting one!By Jo Laurens

I talk about how to introduce water to your young dog or puppy. And I waffle a bit about what different dogs bring to the table and the importance of understanding that there are limitations determined by what they bring.By Jo Laurens

How do we achieve reliable split retrieves whilst maintaining confidence?By Jo Laurens

I answer some questions listeners have and also chat a bit about headcollars.By Jo Laurens

In this episode, I talk in some detail about how we raised our Labrador litter in 2019 and our 'keeper' pup, Fyr. I discuss the evolution of her behavioural issues - which there was no sign of at all, before the age of 9wks and 3 days(!). And how eventually we made the difficult decision to rehome her at 6 months, to a home and a dog sport which su…

In this episode, I catch up on some listener questions about getting into trials; the value of different reinforcers and jackpots; fixing a turn whistle problem and how to introduce puppy HPRs to birds.By Jo Laurens

In this episode, I talk about the 'Baby 3-handed casting' (3HC) drill using platforms (instead of bumpers/dummies). I also chat with Emma Filby of Anglian Dog Works about platform or placeboard training - and how to make your own platforms.By Jo Laurens

In this episode, I talk about the 'drop' behaviour - and how to train it so that it functions even around high value items like dead, decomposing rabbits. That smell of death. And make you want to throw up.By Jo Laurens

By Jo Laurens

In this episode, I look at a few ideas for progressing from a behaviour indoors (like a sit or a stand) to a behaviour on cue around game and at moments of high distraction.By Jo Laurens

In this episode, I talk about how to train the first stage of the remote stop - 'Capturing Stillness'.By Jo Laurens

In this episode, I talk about some difficulties I'm experiencing with my 7 month old Weimaraner, Roche - and I go through a list of suggestions for people who are also struggling with this especially challenging time with their dog! This info will also be useful for people whose dogs are very interested in the environment, whatever their age.…

In this episode, I answer a couple of listener questions: Working with a dog which is gun-shy and dealing with a pup about the house - how to prevent them from harassing other dogs and getting into stuff they shouldn't...By Jo Laurens

In this episode, I chat with Hannah Woods and Ian Clark about a minority breed - the Stabyhoun. For more info see the website for the UK Stabyhoun Association at stabyhounuk.comBy Jo Laurens

I talk more here about the importance of developing reinforcers which are going to function in the field and in the presence of game - before introducing a pup to game. And I problem-solve (or at least waffle about) issues a listener is having with a lack of enthusiasm.By Jo Laurens

In this episode, I talk (in brief!) about attachment theory and wonder why we don't apply this to baby puppies more. And I answer some listener questions about preventing resource guarding and raising a pup which wants to hunt (whatever is available!).By Jo Laurens

A juicy episode with loads of different bits and pieces! What does exercising a gundog look like if we stop 'walking the dog'? Is it okay to play tug with a gundog or does it encourage hard mouth? How can we stop a dog visiting the dummy thrower on the way back from a mark?By Jo Laurens

In this episode, I answer some listener questions about crate training, walks versus training and how to train the turn whistle. (We covered the turn whistle a few episodes ago, but here's some more info :) )By Jo Laurens

In this episode, I answer a listener's question about positive interrupters - and whether using them can actually reinforce the unwanted behaviour preceding them. When is a chain being formed? And I share some thoughts about food motivation, after battling low food motivation with our GSP for a year.…

In this episode, I address some listener questions about marked retrieves, shot, the sequence of events during a mark (how to communicate to the dog that you don't want a retrieve) and also dealing with male dogs who want to pee on everyone else's pee...By Jo Laurens

How to introduce your dog to shot, so that the shot comes to cue 'sit' (and not 'run in and Get The Thing!'). And - what exactly can you get involved with, if you're a vegetarian and you own a gundog?By Jo Laurens

In this episode, I pull out some threads from earlier interviews with Jane Ardern (Episode 39) and Leanne Smith (Episode 9) to flesh out some thinking about developing control in the presence of game...By Jo Laurens

In this episode, I answer the questions of a few newbies and also give some equipment recommendations for folks who are getting ready to start training.By Jo Laurens

I talk here about my new 5 week course, Steady! - control at the point, flush and fall - available from forcefreegundog.com I also answer a listener's question about 'happiness' in dogs trained using force-free methods and issues around walking young dogs on leash for extended periods of time.By Jo Laurens

I answer a listener's question about swapping and then I waffle, hopefully in a way which makes sense, about 3-handed casting...By Jo Laurens

The Pet Tutor is a remote treat dispenser. In this episode, I chat with Penney Baker - who participates in field work and hunt tests with her Labradors. Penney recently ran into a problem with blinds, with one of her young Labs, and she used the Pet Tutor to help solve it. If you'd like to learn more about the Pet Tutor or see some of the videos Pe…

In this episode, I introduce you to the Workbook which accompanies Force-Free Gundog Training: The Fundamentals for Success. And I answer some meaty listener questions!By Jo Laurens

In this episode I chat with Jo Lock from the organisation Nose No Limit. Nose No Limit offers trained conservation dogs for a variety of projects. Jo's background is in Search and Rescue, before she moved into conservation work. Originally from the UK, she moved across to the US in 2011. She has two Labradors - and is currently on the search for a …

In this episode, I talk about the turn whistle and using flirt poles and tugs to train steadiness and a flush on cue.By Jo Laurens

Yes, finally I got my ass in gear and created an online site where you can purchase courses showing you how to train your dog using force-free methods. Hurrah! It's called forcefreegundog.com Even better, there's a 10% discount code for podcast listeners for any course purchased on the site this month. The code is HOLDTHELINE10 In this episode, I a…

In this episode, I chat with photographer, researcher and author Craig Koshyk about the history and culture of working gundog breeds. Check out Craig's podcast, Hunting Dog Confidential, the magazine he's behind - Project Upland - and his book 'Pointing Dogs: Volume 1 - The Continentals'.By Jo Laurens

In this episode, I answer a listener's question about maintaining straight lines across water and give some training suggestions for approaching this.By Jo Laurens

If you want to catch up with the interview with me in the great podcast Sporting Dog Talk, you can find it in episode 87 - here. In this episode, I talk about canine fitness during the shooting season (not that I am an expert on fitness, I hasten to add!) and give some preliminary thoughts about a concept I call 'triangulation'.…

In this episode, I talk with Jane Ardern of Waggawuffins Canine College in Bury (Manchester, UK). Jane is Full Member of the APDT(UK) and a member of the COAPE Association of Pet Behaviourists and Trainers. She is an Accredited Animal Behaviourist with ICAN and a Gundog Club Accredited Instructor/Assessor. Jane works and breeds cocker spaniels and …

Here are the sources I mention in this episode: Housing and exercise-related risk factors - Krontveit et al, 2012 Avidog - How much exercise do puppies need? Puppy Culture - Puppy Fitness that Fits the PuppyBy Jo Laurens

Two listener questions...By Jo Laurens

Here is a link to the video from Fanny Gott where a dog learns to work around a female in season. Or: http://www.fannygott.com/epic-learning-a-big-lesson?fbclid=IwAR1FStZ8xbccKrNItRB7tI7H2RcPTVA7_4WRn2rYfZ4-Z05ojcJUisyOWHkBy Jo Laurens

I ponder the options available when we are disappointed by a dog which fails to live up to our expectations in some way.By Jo Laurens

Today I answer questions about biting puppies and recall problems in hunting dogs. I also describe another great lining drill, the 3-in-a-row drill.By Jo Laurens