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Will Hodgetts | Sit, Paws & Listen

@sitpawsandlisten

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🎙️ Home of Sit, Paws & Listen
Exploring what it really takes to raise happy, healthy dogs.
Dog education • Socialisation • Welfare

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Do most dogs really pass away peacefully in their sleep? 💛

Jennie Johnson MBE challenges this common misconception on Sit, Paws and Listen.

#PetLoss #DogWelfare #ResponsibleDogOwnership #SitPawsAndListen #Dog by @sitpawsandlisten

What if the certainty we're waiting for never comes? 💛

Jennie Johnson MBE discusses one of the hardest decisions we'll ever make for our dogs on Sit, Paws and Listen.

#PetLoss #DogWelfare #ResponsibleDogOwnership #SitPawsAndListen #Dog by @sitpawsandlisten

“You'll just know when it's time.”

But will you?

Jennie Johnson MBE challenges this familiar phrase on Sit, Paws and Listen. 💛

#PetLoss #DogWelfare #ResponsibleDogOwnership #SitPawsAndListen by @sitpawsandlisten

It's a conversation none of us want to have, but one every dog owner should be prepared for. 💛

Jennie Johnson MBE joins me on Sit, Paws and Listen to discuss end-of-life care, difficult decisions and the choices available to our dogs.

🎙️ Full episode available now.

#PetLoss #DogWelfare #ResponsibleDogOwnership #SitPawsAndListen by @sitpawsandlisten

“It's the scars that you don't see that hurt the most.” 💛

This was one of the most moving moments of my conversation with Sarah Jones from My Anxious Dog.

Sarah shared how, following her husband's serious accident in 2019, she found herself becoming his full-time carer.

During an incredibly difficult period, the work she was doing for Bella and My Anxious Dog became something of a lifeline. And through her own experiences, Sarah began to understand trauma in a completely different way.

As she put it, you can learn to deal with it, but you never forget it.

It's a thought that stayed with me long after we'd finished recording. We don't always know what someone has experienced, and the same is true of the dogs we encounter. Perhaps that's why kindness and understanding are so important.

To the dogs who need a little extra space, and to the people doing everything they can to support them.

💛 Sometimes the things we can't see are the things we most need to understand.

🎙️ My full conversation with Sarah Jones, Dogs in Yellow, is available now on Sit, Paws and Listen.

🌐 mydogpodcast.com

#MyAnxiousDog #DogsInYellow #DogWelfare #MentalHealthAwareness #SitPawsAndListen by @sitpawsandlisten

Don't be embarrassed. Be proud. 💛

I absolutely loved this message from Sarah Jones during our conversation on Sit, Paws and Listen.

There's still a real stigma around owning an anxious dog. People can be quick to judge when a dog growls, hides or reacts to someone approaching them. But as Sarah explains, these dogs are communicating something important.

They're asking for space. And sometimes, they need us to be their voice.

If your dog is uncomfortable with someone approaching, touching them or allowing another dog too close, there's absolutely nothing wrong with speaking up.

In fact, it's exactly what responsible dog ownership should look like.

Sarah makes a wonderful comparison. We'd stand up for our children without a second thought, so why should advocating for our dogs be any different?

💛 Don't be embarrassed to advocate for your dog. Be proud.

🎙️ Watch or listen to my full conversation with Sarah Jones from My Anxious Dog on Sit, Paws and Listen.

🌐 mydogpodcast.com

Have you ever felt judged for asking someone to give your dog space?

#DogsInYellow #MyAnxiousDog #DogAnxiety #DogWelfare #ResponsibleDogOwnership by @sitpawsandlisten

Dogs whisper before they shout. 💛

It's a phrase that really stayed with me after my conversation with Sarah Jones from My Anxious Dog.

Sarah explained how her dog Bella began associating strangers touching her with pain. And although Bella was communicating that she was uncomfortable, those early signs weren't always understood. Eventually, the quieter signals became lunging and snapping. And that's something I think we all need to understand.

A dog that growls, lunges or snaps isn't necessarily being difficult or deliberately aggressive. Sometimes they're frightened, uncomfortable or desperately trying to create some space.

Our responsibility is to learn to recognise those quieter signals before a dog feels the need to shout.

💛 If you see a dog wearing yellow, please give them space.

🎙️ My full conversation with Sarah Jones is available now on Sit, Paws and Listen.

🌐 mydogpodcast.com

Have you ever missed a signal your dog was trying to give you?

#DogsInYellow #MyAnxiousDog #DogBodyLanguage #DogBehaviour #ResponsibleDogOwnership by @sitpawsandlisten

From red carpets to mental breakdowns it’s all been going on 😂

For anyone who’s been in the studio recently will know just how tough this past month has been, my Mums been incredibly poorly so I just wanted to say a huge thank you for everyone’s patience 💙

Huge shoutout to @spaghetti_agency for an incredible event and for the kick I needed to start posting again 🙏🏼 by @sitpawsandlisten

“You've got an aggressive dog.” 💔

It's something owners of anxious or reactive dogs hear far too often.

But as Sarah Jones from My Anxious Dog explains, sometimes what looks like aggression is actually a dog desperately trying to communicate that they're uncomfortable.

We can tell someone when we need a little space. We can ask to be left alone.

Our dogs don't have that luxury.

They rely on us to recognise their signals, respect their boundaries and advocate for them when they need us most.

And that's exactly why the Dogs in Yellow campaign matters. 💛

A dog wearing yellow is asking for space, not judgement.

🎙️ Hear my full conversation with Sarah Jones in the latest episode of Sit, Paws and Listen, available wherever you get your podcasts.

🌐 mydogpodcast.com

Have you ever had someone misunderstand your dog's behaviour?

#DogsInYellow #MyAnxiousDog #DogBehaviour #DogCommunication #SitPawsAndListen by @sitpawsandlisten

A rather special evening at the Palace of Westminster. 🏛️🐾

Last night, I had the privilege of attending APDAWG's The Link Between Domestic & Animal Abuse event, and what an evening it was.

Being inside such an iconic building was an experience in itself, but it was the conversations taking place within those walls that really stayed with me.

Hearing the stories of those affected, learning more about the connection between domestic abuse and animal abuse, and listening to ideas for changing legislation was both moving and inspiring.

It's a difficult subject, but such an important one.

If we're serious about improving animal welfare, we need to be willing to have these conversations, even when they're uncomfortable.

A huge thank you to @apdawg.official for organising the event and to the lovely team at @agriapetinsurance for inviting me along and hosting the food and drinks afterwards. It was wonderful to meet so many people who are passionate about making a difference.

I came away with plenty to think about, some lovely new connections and an even greater appreciation for the work being done to protect both people and animals.

And I must admit, walking past Big Ben and Westminster Abbey in the evening was rather spectacular too! 💜🐾

#AnimalWelfare #APDAWG #ResponsibleDogOwnership #SitPawsAndListen #education by @sitpawsandlisten

“I've had people tell me that I should put her down.” 💔

I wasn't expecting to hear those words when I sat down with Sarah Jones from My Anxious Dog.

Sarah has spent years advocating for her beloved Bella and helping people understand that a dog who reacts out of fear isn't necessarily an aggressive dog.

Sometimes they're simply struggling, and they need us to listen.

What stayed with me most from our conversation was Sarah's message about kindness.

Kindness towards dogs who need a little more space. Kindness towards the owners doing everything they can to support them. And kindness from the rest of us when we encounter a dog wearing yellow.

Because a little understanding can make an enormous difference. 💛

🎙️ Our latest episode, Dogs in Yellow with Sarah Jones, is available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts.

🌐 mydogpodcast.com

Did you know what it meant when you saw a dog wearing yellow?

#DogsInYellow #MyAnxiousDog #DogBehaviour #DogWelfare #SitPawsAndListen by @sitpawsandlisten

What a weekend! 🐾🥂

A brilliant day at Edition Dog Live, followed by a lovely birthday meal. Not a bad way to spend a weekend!

It was fantastic to meet so many wonderful people (and dogs!) who share a passion for improving the lives of our four legged friends.

I had some really exciting conversations, made some brilliant new connections and, hopefully, lined up a few more fascinating guests for Sit, Paws and Listen. There are some conversations I'm particularly looking forward to sharing with you!

It was also lovely to meet the wonderful Laura Crombie, and I couldn't resist picking up a Dorwest Herbs tennis ball for our Irish Red and White Setter. Although I'm not entirely convinced the ball will last very long! 😂🎾

One of the things I'm enjoying most about this journey is getting out, meeting people and discovering just how many are doing incredible things for dogs and their owners.

And, of course, there was just enough time to swap the exhibition hall for a rather nice birthday dinner. 🥂

A wonderful weekend, some exciting things on the horizon and plenty more to come!

#EditionDogLive #SitPawsAndListen #ResponsibleDogOwnership #DogLovers #DogPodcast by @sitpawsandlisten