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In episode 42 of We Love Dogs, I’m joined by wildlife protection campaigner, writer and broadcaster Dominic Dyer for a conversation about one of the most difficult and upsetting animal-welfare issues currently facing dogs in Turkey.

You may have seen some of the videos and photographs circulating online showing the treatment of Turkey’s street dogs. Some of the footage is incredibly distressing, but with so much information, footage and claims being shared online, it can be difficult to know exactly what is happening, what has been documented and what can actually be verified.

So in this episode, I wanted to go beyond the social-media headlines and ask Dominic some difficult questions.

We talk about the history of Turkey’s street-dog population and the culture of community dogs, what has changed in recent years, and the legislation affecting street dogs.

Dominic explains what he has seen and learned through his campaigning, the evidence surrounding reports of dogs being removed and killed, and some of the disturbing claims involving poisoning, shooting and mass graves.

We also discuss the importance of separating verified evidence from allegations and unverified information, and how people can be more careful when sharing upsetting content online.

But this isn’t simply a conversation about the horrific side of the situation.

We also look at the public-safety argument, whether Turkey genuinely has a street-dog population problem, and whether there are more humane and effective ways of managing the population.

Dominic explains the potential role of:

🐾 Neutering and spaying
🐾 Vaccination and microchipping
🐾 Catch-neuter-vaccinate-return programme
🐾 Properly funded shelters
🐾 International pressure and campaigning

We also talk about the Turkish rescuers and ordinary people trying to help these dogs, and what people in the UK can realistically do if they want to support animals affected by the situation.

And, because this is We Love Dogs, we look at the bigger question behind all of this:

What happens when dogs become inconvenient to humans, and where should the balance lie between protecting people and protecting animals?

This is an emotional and difficult subject, but the aim of this episode is to have an informed conversation — to ask questions, examine the evidence and allow Dominic to explain what he knows from his experience as a long-standing animal and wildlife campaigner.

Want to connect with Dominic? Details below:

Email: dominicdyer@aol.com

For more information about Dominic’s work, you can also visit Born Free and Wildlife and Countryside Link.

A note from Cheryl

Some of the material discussed in this episode is extremely upsetting.

The purpose of this conversation isn’t to sensationalise what is happening, but to understand the situation, ask difficult questions and look at the evidence and potential solutions.

Listener discretion is advised.

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: Chel's Tails Canine Coaching
Instagram: @chelstails
TikTok:@chelstails
Podcast Facebook: We Love Dogs

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This episode is sponsored by Lorraine Tester, Dynamic Dog Practitioner.

As a listener of the We Love Dogs Podcast, you can book a Dynamic Dog Assessment for the exclusive listener price of just £150.

Find out more at Dynamic Dog Assessment and quote WELOVEDOGS150 when booking

Have you ever found yourself wondering why your dog still pulls on the lead, ignores your recall, jumps up at visitors or seems to “forget” everything you’ve been working on?

In this solo episode of We Love Dogs, Cheryl is sharing the biggest training mistakes she see's every single week as a dog trainer—and don’t worry, this isn’t about judging owners. In fact, many of these are mistakes we’ve all made, herself included.

she will explore why dogs don’t come pre-programmed to live in our world, how our expectations can sometimes get in the way of progress, and why things like age, environment, consistency and even our own mindset can have such a huge impact on training.

she'll also talk about:

• Why repeating cues can slow your dog’s learning.
• The importance of rewarding the behaviours you want to see.
• How distractions and different environments affect your dog’s ability to learn.
• Why consistency matters so much.
• How we can accidentally reinforce unwanted behaviours.
• Why comparing your dog to others can hold you both back.
• The importance of celebrating progress, rather than chasing perfection.

Whether you’ve got a new puppy, an adolescent dog testing your patience, or an older dog whose training has hit a plateau, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you understand your dog better and make training feel more enjoyable for both of you.

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: Chel's Tails Canine Coaching
Instagram: @chelstails
TikTok:@chelstails
Podcast Facebook: We Love Dogs

Send us Fan Mail

This episode is sponsored by Lorraine Tester, Dynamic Dog Practitioner.

As a listener of the We Love Dogs Podcast, you can book a Dynamic Dog Assessment for the exclusive listener price of just £150.

Find out more at Dynamic Dog Assessment and quote WELOVEDOGS150 when booking

In Episode 40 of We Love Dogs, Cheryl is joined by Shelina Duke, better known as The Poodle Trainer, for a deep dive into one of the world’s most popular and misunderstood breeds.

Cheryl and Shelina explore what makes poodles so unique, including the differences between toy, miniature and standard poodles, their original working history, and what their famous intelligence really means in everyday life. Shelina also shares practical advice on raising a confident puppy, when training should begin, introducing grooming, and the common behaviour challenges she sees most often in poodle owners.

Whether you already share your life with a poodle or you’re thinking about getting one, this episode is packed with helpful insights to help you better understand your dog and build a happier, more confident relationship together.

Want to connect with Shelina? Details below:

(3) Facebook

(1) Instagram

Home - withtheflo

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: Chel's Tails Canine Coaching
Instagram: @chelstails
TikTok:@chelstails
Podcast Facebook: We Love Dogs

Lorraine Tester Details:

Lorraine Tester - Dog Trainer and Behaviourist Galen canine myotherapist Norwich

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