This week we chat to Taylor Gathercole, founder of Fettle Pets, a Suffolk company making whole food supplements for active and working dogs.

Taylor tells us how Fettle started out making supplements for every dog, then switched a year ago to focus on active, sporting and working dogs: canicross, bikejor, agility, flyball, gun dogs and big hiking dogs. He trains his flat-coated retriever Inca for the shooting field, and his partner Amber does canicross, so he lives in both worlds. Fettle uses whole foods rather than synthetic extracts, and Taylor explains what "nutrient synergy" means for your dog

It asks about your dog's diet, activity, age and any niggles, then gives you a score out of 100 and the top three things to focus on. Michelle and Louise are doing it too.

Take the quiz here

Share your dog's score with us on Instagram or Facebook!

Fettle are hosting their own canicross race in February 2027 in Norfolk, with 5k and 10k routes through parkland and woodland around a lake.

Race details

15% off for listeners Code: CANIXPOD15

Or click here to visit the Fettle Pets website and apply the code automatically

A free guide on fuelling and recovery for canicross dogs (free with email sign-up)

Website: fettlepets.com

Instagram and Facebook: @fettlepets

Also stocked in around 300 independent pet shops. Use the stockist finder on their website to support your local one.

As always, check with your vet before you change your dog's diet or start a supplement, especially if they're on medication or have a health condition.

This week is something completely different. Lisa McCabe, known as The Dog Witch, is a holistic dog wellbeing consultant. She looks at nutrition, exercise, environment and health, and at how they all shape your dog's day-to-day wellbeing.

It all started with Zane. He was a rescue dog who was scared of the world and reactive with other dogs, and Lisa was the owner who felt embarrassed every time he kicked off. Then someone suggested giving him a job. That job was canicross, and it changed everything for them both.

Lisa talks about how she went from dog walker to holistic consultant. She covers Reiki and massage, the silent pain dogs carry, fresh feeding on a budget, golden paste, and the two essential oils she uses ahead of bonfire night.

Timings

- 02:22 Who is The Dog Witch?

- 03:16 Zane, reactivity and how canicross gave him a job

- 06:00 From dog walker to holistic consultant

- 08:07 Zane's rescue story

- 10:44 Reading body language and scoping out venues

- 13:22 What is Reiki?

- 16:21 Silent pain and what X-rays can miss

- 17:33 Teaching owners dog massage

- 19:40 Nutrition: the best food you can afford

- 22:34 Golden paste explained

- 25:04 Natural remedies vs shop-bought supplements

- 29:25 Batch cooking for your dog

- 31:11 Essential oils and firework anxiety

- 33:41 Why Zach the cocker spaniel doesn't canicross

Where to find Lisa

Ever felt like you're the only person in your area who does canicross? Katrine knows exactly how that feels.

Originally from Denmark and now living in Norway, Katrine had never heard the word canicross until she adopted Saxo, a gentle black Labrador who came to her at 10 months old, barely used to walking on a lead. With no club, no running buddies and no one to ask, she researched it all herself and just got going.

Three and a half years later, she's racing, building her own local canicross group from scratch, and training for a half marathon across a frozen Swedish lake.

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Katrine about:

• Why canicross is surprisingly small in Norway, even though it's home to Non-stop dogwear
• Starting out alone with a FreeMotion harness and a lot of online research
• Her first proper canicross race: first off the line, the only Lab among a row of hounds, and a 3K PB
• The moment she realised Saxo wasn't a "non-pulling dog." If she picks up the pace, he goes. If she backs off, so does he.
• How listening to the podcast inspired her to add strength training, a weekly solo interval session and a look at her nutrition
• Starting a Facebook canicross group, running an info evening and getting the local paper interested
• Why newcomers find canicross scary, and how she reassures nervous runners and owners of reactive dogs
• Running through Norwegian winters at minus 20, using dog boots, and plans for snowshoe cani-trekking
• Her next big goal: the Sollentuna Winter Marathon half marathon for dogs, near Stockholm
• Why she's joining the Great British Dog Jog and planning group runs around it. (Join us and run 5K with your dog any time between 12 and 31 October)

Follow Katrine and Saxo

Follow @saxothelab on Instagram

Join Katrine's Canicross Bø og omegn page on Facebook.