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⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of domestic abuse, coercive control, trauma, and animal abuse. Listener discretion is advised.

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of We Love Dogs, I’m joined by Maya Badham, founder of Loop Safeguarding and a specialist in animal-inclusive safeguarding.

Together, Cheryl and Maya explore the often-overlooked connection between dogs, animal welfare, and domestic abuse. Maya shares her expertise on how animals can become part of coercive and controlling relationships, the links between animal abuse and interpersonal violence, and why understanding these connections is so important for dog owners, trainers, behaviourists, and animal professionals.

We discuss how a dog’s behaviour can sometimes reflect the environment they’re living in, the signs that may be missed, and the role that awareness and education can play in safeguarding both people and animals.

This episode contains discussion of domestic abuse, coercive control, trauma, and animal harm. While some listeners may find these topics difficult, they are important conversations that deserve greater awareness and understanding.

If you are affected by anything discussed in this episode, support is available through the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, available 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247.

This is an honest, compassionate, and eye-opening conversation about a side of the dog world that many people never see—but one that has the potential to make a real difference.

To find out more about Maya’s work, visit Loop Safeguarding and follow Maya on social media.

Thank you for listening to We Love Dogs.

National Domestic Abuse Helpline, available 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247.

Want to connect with Maya? Details below:

Website & Mailing List: www.loop-safeguarding.org

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LoopSafeguarding/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayabadham/

For questions or to work with Cheryl, you can reach her via:
Website: Chel's Tails | Dog Walking and Training
Email: cherylmarney@outlook.com
Facebook: Facebook
Instagram: Instagram
TikTok:@chelstails

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In episode 36 of We Love Dogs, Cheryl is joined by Danny Nelis-Rouse, co-owner of Tug-E-Nuff — the dog training brand known worldwide for its interactive tug toys and play-based training philosophy.

In this conversation, Cheryl and Danny explore why so many dogs disengage during training, “play drive,” and how interactive play can completely transform focus, recall, confidence, and behaviour.

Danny shares the story of how Tug-E-Nuff grew from a homemade toy designed for one dog into a global brand used by trainers and dog owners around the world. We also dive into practical advice for owners whose dogs ignore toys, struggle with motivation, or become frustrated during training sessions.

We discuss:

• Why play is such a powerful training tool

• Common mistakes owners make during play

• How toys can improve recall and engagement

• The role enrichment plays in preventing behaviour problems

• Insights from Tug-E-Nuff’s latest Play Survey and what it revealed about modern dog ownership

Whether you’ve got a puppy, rescue dog, working dog, or family pet, this episode is packed with practical tips and fascinating insights into building a better relationship with your dog through play.

Want to connect with Danny? Details below:

Tug-E-Nuff | Award Winning Dog Tug Toys | Play - Train - Bond

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Email: hello@tug-e-nuff.co.uk

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For questions or to work with Cheryl, you can reach her via:
Website: Chel's Tails | Dog Walking and Training
Email: cherylmarney@outlook.com
Facebook: Facebook
Instagram: Instagram
TikTok:@chelstails

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In episode 35 of We Love Dogs, Cheryl is joined by highly experienced dog trainer Kamal Fernandez, who many of you will know from the Channel 4 programme The Dog Academy.

Cheryl and Kamal talk all about obedience training, what it actually means, and how Kamal uses reward-based, force-free methods to build reliable behaviour and strong relationships with dogs.

Kamal explains what his training sessions look like in practice, how he teaches behaviours like heelwork, the importance of focus and engagement, and why training should be enjoyable for both dogs and their handlers.

We also discuss rewards, play, building reliability, common mistakes owners make, what to do when things don’t go to plan, and where people should start if they want to improve obedience with their own dog.

A relaxed and insightful conversation packed with practical advice for dog owners and anyone interested in modern dog training.

Want to connect with Kamal? Details below:

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Home - kamalfernandezonlinetraining.com

Email: kamalfernandez@me.com

For questions or to work with Cheryl, you can reach her via:
Website: Chel's Tails | Dog Walking and Training
Email: cherylmarney@outlook.com
Facebook: Facebook
Instagram: Instagram
TikTok:@chelstails

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In episode 34 of We Love Dogs, we’re diving into one of the most debated and often misunderstood topics in the dog world—aversive training methods.

From prong collars and e-collars to the idea of “balanced training,” there’s a lot of conflicting information out there. Many dog owners are told that these tools are necessary, especially when dealing with more serious behaviour issues like aggression or reactivity—but what does the science actually say?

To explore this properly, I’m joined by Will Bangura, a highly experienced US-based canine behaviourist with over 35 years of working with dogs, including some of the most complex behavioural cases. Will holds a Master’s degree in psychology and multiple advanced certifications in canine behaviour, and his work is grounded in evidence-based, humane training methods. He specialises in issues such as aggression, anxiety, and severe reactivity, and brings a unique perspective that combines behavioural science with real-world application. Importantly, his perspective is informed by experience across different training approaches, including earlier work using more traditional, aversive-based methods, which allows him to speak with balance and insight on how and why his approach has evolved.

In this episode, we break down some of the most common claims around aversive training—looking at whether these methods truly resolve behaviour or simply suppress it, what’s happening from a behavioural science perspective, and the potential risks involved.

We also explore what effective behaviour modification actually looks like without the use of aversive tools, and how changing a dog’s emotional response is key to long-term success.

Whether you’re a dog owner, trainer, or simply interested in understanding behaviour on a deeper level, this episode aims to cut through the noise and give you a clearer, evidence-based perspective on what really works—and what it means for the dogs we live with.

Want to connect with Will? Details below:

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DOG TRAINING PHOENIX | DOG TRAINERS PHOENIX | BEHAVIORIST

Dog Training Today with Will Bangura for Pet Parents, Kids & Family, Pets and Animals, and Dog Training Professionals. This i - Podcast - Apple Podcasts

Book: SNIFF TO SOOTHE: Rewiring Neurobehavioral Patterns of Aggression, Anxiety, and Reactivity Through Structured Scent Work - Kindle edition by Bangura, Will, Parsons, Emma. Crafts, Hobbies & Home Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

For questions or to work with Cheryl, you can reach her via:
Website: Chel's Tails | Dog Walking and Training
Email: cherylmarney@outlook.com
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TikTok:@chelstails

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In Episode 33 of We Love Dogs, I’m joined by Natasha Underwood—ecologist, detection dog handler, and founder of NHU Ecology & Detection Dogs.

Natasha has an impressive background in environmental science, with a BSc in Biology/Conservation, an MSc in Environmental Consultancy, and a PhD focused on wetlands, biodiversity, and water quality. Alongside this, she is a certified detection dog handler, trained in conservation detection and scentwork instruction.

In this episode, Cheryl and Natasha explore the fascinating world of detection dogs and the vital role they play in conservation. Natasha shares how she built her business from the ground up, what her day-to-day work looks like, and the wide range of tasks her dogs are trained to detect—from wildlife and ecological targets to specialist scent work.

We also dive into her passion for reward-based, play-driven training, and hear all about her incredible dogs—River, Wren, Molly, and Addie—and the journey of training them to a professional level.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in dogs, training, or the powerful impact dogs can have in the world of science and conservation.

Want to connect with Natasha? Details below:

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Home | NHU Ecology Dogs

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For questions or to work with Cheryl, you can reach her via:
Website: Chel's Tails | Dog Walking and Training
Email: cherylmarney@outlook.com
Facebook: Facebook
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TikTok:@chelstails

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In this solo episode, Cheryl shares essential advice for dog owners as the warmer weather approaches.

As temperatures rise, it’s important to understand how heat affects dogs and what simple steps you can take to keep them safe, comfortable, and healthy.

Dogs regulate heat very differently to humans, which means they are more vulnerable to overheating, especially during walks and outdoor activity.

In this episode, Cheryl covers:

• Why dogs are more at risk in warm weather

• How dogs cool themselves and why it’s less effective than humans

• Practical ways to prevent overheating

• The signs of heat stroke every dog owner should know

• What to do if your dog shows signs of heat stroke

This episode is a simple, practical guide to help you enjoy the warmer months while keeping your dog safe.

For questions or to work with Cheryl, you can reach her via:
Website: Chel's Tails | Dog Walking and Training
Email: cherylmarney@outlook.com
Facebook: Facebook
Instagram: Instagram
TikTok:@chelstails

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In this episode of We Love Dogs, I’m joined once again by Tanya Sprunks MPA, BSc (Hons), PgDip, IAAT, an experienced Veterinary Physiotherapist and Canine Arthritis Management (CAM) Advisor, to discuss a topic that might challenge how many of us play with our dogs — ball throwing.

For many dog owners, throwing a ball is one of the most common ways we exercise and entertain our dogs. But what impact does repetitive fetch actually have on their bodies and minds?

In this conversation we explore the physical risks of repeated ball chasing, including the strain it can place on joints, muscles, and ligaments, and how it may contribute to injuries and long-term mobility issues. We also talk about the behavioural side of the game, looking at how high-intensity play can affect a dog’s arousal levels, stress, and ability to switch off.

This is an honest and thought-provoking discussion designed to help owners better understand their dogs’ needs and make more informed choices about exercise and play.

If you’ve ever played fetch with your dog — and most of us have — this episode may change the way you think about it

Want to connect with Tanya? Details below:

TES Veterinary Physiotherapist

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Email: tes@vetphysiodevon.com

For questions or to work with Cheryl, you can reach her via:
Website: Chel's Tails | Dog Walking and Training
Email: cherylmarney@outlook.com
Facebook: Facebook
Instagram: Instagram
TikTok:@chelstails

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Cockapoos are one of the UK’s most popular crossbreeds, loved for their cute looks, affectionate nature and reputation as the “perfect family dog.” But what are they really like to live with?

In this episode of We Love Dogs, I’m joined by experienced canine behaviourist Victoria Cooper for an honest and informative conversation about Cockapoos, the good, the challenging, and everything in between.

We talk about typical Cockapoo personality traits, why their behaviour isn’t always as predictable as people expect, and some of the most common struggles owners face, including separation anxiety, over-excitement, reactivity and emotional sensitivity.

We also cover:

• What you should know about training a Cockapoo
• Why early independence-building is so important
• Grooming realities (and why it’s often underestimated)
• Common health considerations
• Whether Cockapoos are truly suited to every home
• What to look for if you’re thinking about getting one

If you already share your life with a Cockapoo, or you’re considering bringing one home, this episode will help you make informed, realistic decisions and better understand what these clever, sensitive dogs really need to thrive.

As always, this is a straight-talking, practical conversation designed to support you in raising a happy, well-balanced dog.

Want to connect with Victoria? Details below:

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Dog Behaviourist | Sheffield, Chesterfield & Online | Victoria Cooper

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For questions or to work with Cheryl, you can reach her via:
Website: Chel's Tails | Dog Walking and Training
Email: cherylmarney@outlook.com
Facebook: Facebook
Instagram: Instagram
TikTok:@chelstails