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.

Becky Forman joins Louise and Michelle once again on Canicross Conversations, this time with a very personal update.

Her German Shorthaired Pointer, Bronson, has been diagnosed with epilepsy, and Becky talks openly about the confusion, the fear, the medication merry-go-round, and the change that finally gave the family some breathing space.

Bronson's episodes started at around 14 months old. At first he just seemed "drunk", wobbly and a bit unwell. Over time they became more frequent and more severe, until a specialist confirmed they were seizures. Becky shares what they've learned about triggers, how they managed day to day, what to do during a seizure, and why she wishes they'd started medication sooner.

Since switching Bronson to a raw diet on 1st June, he hasn't had a seizure. Becky is clear this isn't a cure and it won't work for every dog, but it has given them their life back.

NB This is Becky's own experience and not veterinary advice. If your dog is having seizures, please speak to your vet or a specialist.

- 01:16 How it all started

- 06:02 The medication "honeymoon period"

- 07:16 Triggers and the gentle wake-up routine

- 11:02 Seizures after sedation

- 12:10 Why every seizure matters

- 14:05 How long is too long, and cluster seizures

- 16:25 Ten tablets a day and the side effects

- 18:50 The diet change

- 21:15 Why keto is the key

- 24:13 What happened with Lexi

- 27:46 What the vet thinks

- 30:28 Is it hereditary?

- 32:33 Why you should report it to your breed coordinator

- 35:38 Is Bronson still running?

- 38:42 Vaccines and flea treatments

- 39:57 Becky's advice if you're at the start of this journey

- 41:09 Where to find Becky

Follow @lexi_and_bronson on Instagram and look for the post titled Epilepsy. Becky's inbox is open if you want to share your story or just need someone who understands.

Michelle and Louise are back for their SIXTH season.

They share what they've been up to over summer, and invite listeners to support Janey in her Great British Dog Jog while she runs the length of Sri Lanka.

How to get involved in the Great British Dog Jog

• Donate £5 to Janey's fundraising page here
• Do a run of 5k or more with your dog(s) between 12th and 31st October 2026
• Tag us on Instagram when you're done at @canicrossconversations @janeythevet @wecare_srilanka

It’s just Louise and Michelle for this one a quick catch-up before Canicross Conversations breaks for the summer.

In this episode:

• Season five is a wrap and season six kicks off Friday 4th September
• Some brilliant stats: 75,000 downloads, 34,000 listeners, and 215 episodes released since launch with only 25% of listeners based in the UK
• A shoutout to the most-downloaded episodes this year, including Dr Juliet McGratton on running through menopause, Emily on canicross with a nervous dog, Annika and Felicia from the Swedish and Danish teams, and the Trailbreak episode
• Louise and Michelle’s own favourite episodes to record, including the ones with Emma and with Janie the Vet
• A call for support for JD, who’s running the length of Sri Lanka in October for her rescue and vet centre charity ideas welcome for how listeners and clubs could get involved
• A search for podcast sponsorship, plus an open call for guest suggestions (dog-related or not!) for season six

Follow along over the break: Canicross Conversations is on Instagram and Facebook. You can also find Michelle at Miles with Michelle and Louise at Studio44 Pilates, where she’s sharing regular exercises to build leg strength and help keep you injury-free before canicross season starts back up.

Back on Friday 4th September have a great summer!

Louise and Michelle chat to Katie Parker and Jack Avery from Pickles Pet Pantry, who share the story behind their independent pet shop and how their own experiences as dog owners shaped the business and canicross club they wanted to build.

At the heart of the conversation is Fred, their rescue dog. When he first arrived, he was energetic, unpredictable and highly reactive, making everyday walks a challenge. Katie and Jack explain how patience, training and discovering canicross helped channel Fred's energy, build his confidence and strengthen their relationship. Today, he's a much calmer and happier dog who loves racing.

Whether you've adopted a rescue dog, live with a reactive dog, or are simply curious about canicross, this episode is full of honest experiences and encouragement.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why Katie and Jack started Pickles Pet Pantry.
• Meeting Fred, and the realities of owning a reactive dog.
• How a behaviourist told them there was nothing they could do to help with Fred.
• How canicross gave Fred a positive outlet for his energy.
• Advice for anyone considering canicross with their own dog.

https://www.picklespetpantry.com/