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Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too!

This week, we’re continuing our series of episodes exploring what concept training actually is and how it shows up in real life with your dog. We’re taking the concepts you hear us talk about all the time, breaking them down, and making them practical, relatable, and easy to spot in your everyday training. This time, Lauren is joined by the brilliant Alice to explore one of the most important foundations for calm, connected walks: proximity.

Ever feel like the moment your dog spots something interesting, you stop existing? Whether it's another dog, a squirrel, a jogger or an exciting scent, so many everyday struggles - from pulling on the lead to unreliable recall - come back to one simple question: where does your dog believe the value is? In this episode, Lauren and Alice explore why proximity isn't about keeping your dog glued to your side, but about building a dog who genuinely wants to stay connected because that's where the good stuff happens.

Along the way, they share real-life stories that highlight just how much emotion can sit behind proximity. From a dog unexpectedly disappearing after deer to a young Border Collie finding human closeness overwhelming because it predicted restraint, you'll discover why some dogs naturally avoid being close, how we can accidentally poison proximity by making it signal "the fun's over", and how to change that picture.

You'll also hear plenty of practical games you can start using straight away. From Middle, Middle Toes and Leg Weaves to Magic Hand, Two Feet On and simple collar-grab exercises, Lauren and Alice explain how these games build value for being near you, make handling feel positive, and create a dog who happily checks in both on and off lead. They also explore why proximity becomes such a powerful safety skill for reactive dogs, nervous dogs, and any dog learning to navigate busy environments with confidence.

Ready to build a dog who chooses to stick with you? Grab the £1 Games Club trial, explore Proximity games and guided training tracks, and discover how a few simple games can transform your walks.

https://absolutedogs.me/7daytrial

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Want even more epic dog training fun and games and solutions to all your dog training struggles? Join us in the AbsoluteDogs Games Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/gamesclub

Want to take your learning to the next level? Jump into the games-based training membership for passionate dog owners and aspiring trainers that know they want more for themselves and their dog - Pro Dog Trainer Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/prodogtrainerclub

And while you’re here, please leave a review for us and don’t forget to hit share and post your biggest lightbulb moment! Remember, no matter what struggles you might be facing with your dog, there is always a game for that!