Canicross Conversations

Michelle and Louise chat to sports dietitian and author Renee McGregor about how to optimise fuelling across life stages - especially during perimenopause and after menopause - while also unpacking RED‑S, carbohydrate myths, and sensible supplement use.   Renee acknowledges how little conversation there has historically been about female hormonal transitions, and how women often experience a “wobbliness” in their energy, mood, and performance as hormones fluctuate unpredictably. She emphasises that menopause (and the years leading up to it) needn’t be a downhill spiral: “there’s a lot of women [who] feel they’ve reached their potential from an athletic point...

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Lauren.   Lauren recounts how her 'failed' sheepdog Pip came into her life at 13 months old, having never truly bonded with farm work, and how the two forged an extraordinary connection in a family environment. From tentative first nights indoors, to running together in canicross, Lauren shares how this strong bond became a lifeline during a difficult season in her life. She opens up about losing her father to suicide, stepping back from her former high‑pressure work, and finding solace, purpose and community through running with Pip.   Along the way, she discovered a ne...

In today's canicross story, we chat to Becky about how she tried canicross after her working dogs didn't really enjoy gundog training, and now she's hooked!

Becky chats to us about how she started out with free running, experimenting with gundog training tools (like whistle recall), and the moment she realised what canicross was all about.

In this insightful episode of Canicross Conversations, hosts Michelle and Louise are joined by Lucy Millar, founder of Rùn Dog Food, and Dr Jacqueline Boyd, an animal scientist and canine nutrition consultant. Together, they delve into the world of performance nutrition for active dogs, demystifying cold-pressed food, fuelling strategies, and how to navigate the myths of pet nutrition.   Lucy shares her journey from dog trainer to dog food entrepreneur, driven by her passion for transparency in the pet food industry.   Dr Boyd brings her scientific expertise to explore what dogs really need to thrive in sports like canicross, agility and...

In today's canicross story, we chat to Becky about how she tried canicross after her working dogs didn't really enjoy gundog training, and now she's hooked!

Becky chats to us about how she started out with free running, experimenting with gundog training tools (like whistle recall), and the moment she realised what canicross was all about.

In this episode of Canicross Conversations, Louise and Michelle are joined by Claire, better known as @theyorkshirewhippets on Instagram.   Claire shares her upside-down journey into the world of canicross when a friend convinced her to enter a race with her whippet, Pip. From her early days of social running, to training for her first half marathon, Claire brings energy, honesty and giggles.   Listeners will hear about Claire’s transition from casual runner to competitive canicrosser, how she manages training with two very different dogs, and the importance of cross-training and recovery. She opens up about the challenges of running in hot...

In this episode, Louise and Michelle catch up again with physio and ultrarunner Nicky Edwards about her recent diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis and how she's adapting her training to achieve her ultimate goal of UTMB

In this episode, Michelle and Louise chat to sports dog nutritionist Holly Barker for her no nonsense advice on feeding your dog. 

Holly shares her journey from serving as a medic in the RAF, through mental health nursing, to becoming an evidence-based practitioner focused on canine nutrition. She outlines how she educated herself in the absence of formal courses, experimented with diets in working and sport dogs, and gradually developed a full‑time practice.

The conversation addresses what good evidence means in the canine nutrition world, the differences (and similarities) between human and dog nutrition, and...

In this special summer‑'paws' episode, hosts Louise Humphrey and Michelle Mortimer share a friendly, warm chat instead of their usual guest interview. They reflect on recent adventures (including Trail Dog UK’s dog & wellness festival and holiday escapades), explain why they’re taking a break over summer, and give a peek at what’s coming up when they return. Expect updates about upcoming races and new guests, plus an invitation for listeners to engage with them over the summer on Instagram and Facebook.   Episode Highlights Our summer pause is intentional: to recharge and plan next season, keeping safety and wellbeing at...

Another of our inspiring Canicross Stories.

Please do leave us a review and share our podcast with your dog friends.

In this episode, Michelle and Louise welcome Zoe Gow from Mindspace Journey to delve into how clinical hypnotherapy can strengthen the mind–body bond for runners, with a special nod to the unique connection between runners and their dogs.

Zoe shares her personal journey from discovering hypnotherapy in the pandemic to training as a clinical hypnotherapist and supporting endurance athletes with performance, recovery and mental wellbeing. She explains how hypnotherapy works, the power of trance and subconscious suggestion, and how it complements sports psychology.

The episode explores topics like calming pre‑race nerves, overcoming phobias (incl...

In this episode, Michelle Mortimer and Louise Humphrey welcome Professor Dawn Carnes, an expert in musculoskeletal health and chronic pain psychology. Dawn introduces a cognitive-behavioural approach to help runners and canicrossers break through mental barriers. She explains how thoughts, emotions and behaviours are interconnected and offers practical strategies: insight into automatic negative thinking, goal‑setting with SMART objectives, problem‑solving, self‑visualisation, and self‑compassion.   Through a live demonstration, Michelle and Louise explore addressing motivations, reframing “chore” workouts (e.g. running intervals) into enjoyable alternatives (like netball), and challenging negative automatic thoughts mid-run. The episode concludes with encouragement to tackle fears one small...

In this episode of Canicross Conversations, Louise and Michelle welcome rising star Matt Powell, a 16-year-old who is already a British, European, and World Champion in canicross. As if that weren’t impressive enough, Matt has   Key takeaways Matt discovered canicross at 12 and quickly rose to the top of junior ranks. He runs with two dogs and adapts training for each one's ability. Bikejoring adds variety and pace to his training regime. Mentorship has been crucial to his development and now he mentors others. The canicross community is supportive and welcoming to newcomers. Topics and timings 1.10 – how Matt got into canic...

In this episode of Canicross Conversations, hosts Michelle and Louise chat to guest Ryan McKee about the world of bikejor.

Ryan shares how he was first an ultra‑endurance mountain biker, taking a break from the sport due to burnout. His love for mountain biking reignited after adopting Rhubarb, their enthusiastic Hungarian Vizsla. What started as a behavioural solution evolved into competitive fun as the pair discovered canicross and then bikejor.

Ryan describes his first bikejor race in Chepstow, talking about his preparation, race‑day experience, and how Rhubarb’s natural instincts helped them excel beyond...

Louise and Michelle catch up with BSSF Vice-President Howard Clark once again, to see how last season went, and what the future holds for canicross in the UK.

Listen to our last chat with Howard in Episode 85

Dog selfies? Instagram and TikTok stars Fredrick and Royston, Golden Retriever brothers, are experts at them. We chat to their owner Hannah all about her Goldie social media stars. 

In today's episode we're joined by Belle from Canicross Midlands, who talks us through the rewards of marshalling at canicross races

In this deeply insightful episode of Canicross Conversations, hosts Louise Humphrey and Michelle Mortimer are joined once again by canicrosser and endurance athlete Tamara Beach to shine a spotlight on RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport).

Returning after her first appearance in Episode 133, Tamara shares her personal journey through recognising, and recovering from, RED-S. The conversation is open, informative, and immensely relatable, breaking down medical jargon into real-life experiences.

Tamara bravely discusses the physical and mental toll of under-fuelling in sport, her missteps with nutrition, and the pervasive influence of diet culture on female athletes...

In this special episode of Canicross Conversations, hosts Louise and Michelle welcome back two popular guests: Georgie Lambert from Nonstop Dogwear and Katie Kirkup, founder of Trail Dog Events. Together, they unveil an exciting new venture: "Connect and Paws"—a human and dog wellness weekend set against the breath-taking backdrop of Druridge Bay, Northumberland from 4–6 July 2025.   Born from Katie's vision, and shaped into reality with Georgie’s support, this event invites the canicross and wider dog-loving community to take a break from the high-speed pace of life. Instead, it's all about slowing down, reconnecting with nature, bonding with your dog, and form...

Louise and Michelle chat to journalists Lily Canter and Emma Wilkinson about their new book Ultra Women

Sarah Stokes shares her first experience of racing with Louise and Michelle in this episode

Louise and Michelle chat to Gabby, one of the co-founders of Bournemouth Canicross about how their community has grown over the last four years since the group was first formed. It’s an uplifting, positive episode about the power of community. 

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Morag, a trustee of Lincs Dobermann Rescue about her experience of rehoming Dobies, and her 'failed foster' with tri-paw Trooper. We hear all about Trooper's amputation and rehabilitation, proof that amputation is not the end, and can often be the start of a new life for many dogs like Trooper.

https://dobiefest.co.uk/

Louise and Michelle chat to Gemma Knott at RAD Assistance Dogs. 

RAD provides specialised assistance dog training to UK clients living with Mental Health Disabilities and/or Autism to become qualified handlers of their own assistance dogs.

In this episode we chat to Gemma about what makes a good assistance dog, and also the disability laws the public should be aware of with regard to assistance dogs.

https://www.radassistancedogs.org.uk/

Louise and Michelle chat to vet Hannah Capon about certain breeds' predisposition to canine arthritis, how we can prevent it, how to diagnose it and treatments.

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Emily Thomas about her new book Canicross for Fitness and Fun

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Fran Hannemann about how canicross fits into her home boarding and dog walking business, and her adventures with her three dogs.

In this episode we catch up with previous guest Elli, who was halfway through hiking the entire length of Britain with her dog Otto when we chatted to her in episode 68. We find out how the rest of her epic hike went, and chat to her about her recent attempt to complete the Spine Race Challenger South, a 108 mile challenge where she faced knee deep snow and extreme sleep deprivation.

You can find Elli's videos on her YouTube channel 

Banjo was a rescue dog who was adopted by a (non-running) family, but when he escaped on his first day in his new home, fate intervened to introduce him to the canicross community, where he became a very well-loved character. We chat to his family and friends about their favourite memories of him.

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Joe Swiffen from Mynydd Sled Dog Adventures about the challenges of setting up her husky sled dog adventure trails business in Wales during COVID.

Joe is also doing great work with her Junior Sled Dog Sports Academy.

We also learn A LOT about husky breeds.

https://mynyddsleddogadventures.com/

We love bringing you canicross stories from our community, and in this episode Louise and Michelle chat to Sara McCarthy about how her second canicross season with her 'rocket dog' spaniel Logan is going. Sara has thrown herself into many cani-sports so far, to keep her working cocker spaniel Logan engaged and well exercised.

We chat about their first experience of dog triathlon at Tri Dog, as well as their training for their upcoming (first) ultra marathon.

Sara embodies the spirit of feeling the fear and doing it anyway!

Follow Sara and Logan...

In this episode, Louise and Michelle quiz podiatrist Kate Hammond about all those things you've always wanted to ask about looking after your feet, but have been too embarrassed or squeamish to ask.

We cover:

It's a fascinating episode, and we certainly learned loads!

In this episode, Louise and Michelle catch up with Duncan and Dizzy the Dalmatian about what they've been up to since we last spoke 2 years ago! There's also a new greyster, Peggy, in the family!

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@thatspottydogruns

Instagram: @thatspottydogruns

You can listen to the previous episode with Duncan here: https://www.canicrossconversations.co.uk/e/canicross-story-that-spotty-dog-runs-episode-49/

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Join Louise and Pickle at the Irchy Park canicross race on Sunday 9th February 2025. It's a 5k adventure around Irchester Country Park, and is a great event for th...

In today's special episode, we're diving back into an insightful chat we had with Karen Weir, an expert in menopause and strength and conditioning. This clip, recorded in March 2023 explores how the natural changes in our bodies during menopause affect our running. Karen breaks down the physical shifts we experience and offers advice on the way we train and eat.

You can listen to the full episode (55) here: https://www.canicrossconversations.co.uk/e/why-is-strength-training-so-important-to-runners-during-perimenopause/

In this weeks episode we chat to Georgie Lambert from Non-Stop Dogwear about dog coats when and why we should use them.  From snow, rain and racing we chat which coats work and why.

In a new canicross story, Michelle and Louise chat to guest Beckey about running, racing and wild swimming with her lab Agatha

In the final episode of 2024, Louise and Michelle take a look back at some of their favourite canicross stories of the podcast.

What's yours?

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Lisa from Mantrailing Global all about this exciting and accessible canine activity.  

Mantrailing is a sport teaching dogs to find people by following their unique scent trail. All dog's have a natural ability to hunt and mantrailing provides them with an outlet to do this in a safe, controlled and constructive way. Lisa explains how this can have a very positive impact in other areas of a dog's life too.

One of the many amazing things about this sport is it is fully accessible to all people an...

In this Christmas-themed episode, Louise and Michelle tackle the challenges of keeping dogs safe and happy during the festive season, and chat about two important episodes they recorded last year:

Vet Nick discusses the biggest food-related hazards for dogs at Christmas. From toxic foods like chocolate, raisins, and onions to tummy-troubling treats like fatty meats and rich desserts, Nick highlights common dangers lurking in holiday celebrations. He also shares advice on recognizing symptoms of poisoning or distress, such as vomiting, drooling, and lethargy, and offers clear steps to ta...

The festive season is here, and what better way to celebrate than with a collection of inspiring reads? 🎄📚 In Episode 142 of Canicross Conversations, we’re revisiting some of the most memorable books featured on the podcast.

From captivating memoirs and training guides, to cookbooks and stories of resilience, these books offer something for everyone, whether you’re looking for inspiration or the perfect gift for a loved one.

We share highlights from:

In today's fascinating episode, Louise and Michelle chat to writer Paul Besley all about his experiences of finding and training his Mountain Rescue Search Dog, Scout. It's a fascinating episode full of insights into training a working dog, and the human-dog bond.

Paul's book, The Search: The life of a mountain rescue search dog team is out now

Those regular listeners amongst you will know the running joke that Michelle has never participated in a canicross race with her dog Poppy. She has finally found a brand new event close to her, and on this episode quizzes Trail Blazing Events Director Richard McQuilton-Morgan all about the race. It will be the first canicross event Richard has hosted too, so it makes for an interesting episode. We learn more about the challenges of putting on a canicross race, and how he’s planning to make the event a great experience for all.

We also catch up wit...

Louise and Michelle chat to Clara Hewson, founder of The Muzzle Movement, about establishing a change in people's perceptions of muzzles, and creating a muzzle which allows dogs to drink, eat and pant fully. Find out the best way to accustom a dog to being comfortable with a muzzle, and inappropriate use of muzzles.

We also ask Clara to bust a myth about muzzles in our newest feature. 

In this episode, we chat to Dr Juliet McGrattan, author, speaker and former GP, about running and alcohol.

We answer all the common questions, such as:

- is a daily glass of red wine really good for our health?

- is that post-race beer helpful?

- can you sweat out a hangover?

- how does alcohol affect sleep quality and recovery?

- is there a safe amount of alcohol consumption for athletes that won’t hinder training or performance?

- how does alcohol imp...

In this episode, Louise and Michelle welcome back journalist and business coach Rachel Spencer for a chat about how to build good habits. We chat about what a habit is (and isn't!), how to make habits stick, and how to overcome the obstacles that keep us from making long-lasting changes. We also talk about strategies to stop habits that might not be so helpful to us as well. Whether you're working to improve your fitness, build consistency with your training, or set yourself up for success in any other part of life, this episode is packed with insights that...

Louise and Michelle quiz broadcaster and fellow podcaster Anna Harding about her experience of canicrossing and running throughout pregnancy, and how she has felt getting back into it as a new parent. We also chat about introducing a new baby to the family dog.

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Nicky Edwards, a physiotherapist and experienced marathon runner. Together, they question Nicky on the key aspects we should be focusing on in training to help us prevent injury, including: strength training mobility recovery adapting training as we age the dangers of overtraining optimising training around hormonal changes, including menopause how to avoid common running injuries

We know parkrun no longer allows canicross, BUT we also know a lot of you have many happy memories of parkrun as it turns 20 years old, and we also know many of you still run with your dog there (allowing for the new rules around dogs). Canicross Conversations wants to celebrate the world of parkrun on its 20th birthday, so Louise and Michelle chat to Lucy Waterlow, author of new book The Ultimate Guide to parkrun. A great episode whether you are a brand new or regular parkrunner.

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to canicrosser Tamara Beach, who tells us about how she manages to fit in a high volume of training by training like a triathlete. It's a fascinating episode about finding the right training methods for you, and Tamara certainly has her sights on some big goals! 

In this episode, we follow on from our last episode with Gail Irvine, and chat to Susan Fraser who has been helping Gail's boys, Robert and William to get into the sport of canicross, by loaning dogs to race, and accompanying them to competitions. 

In this episode of Canicross Conversations, Louise and Michelle chat to Gail Irvine of Team Irvine

Gail shares her own journey, and her family’s involvement in canicross, particularly her experiences in the sport with her young sons. Tune in as Gail provides valuable tips for getting youngsters involved in canicross and competing. From choosing the right dog to managing the demands of training, she offers insights to help parents encourage their kids to enjoy the sport.

In this unique episode of Canicross Conversations, we switch things up as Tracey Powiesnik from No Fuss Fill asks Louise and Michelle the questions! Tracey is eager to start her canicross journey with her Springer Spaniel, Harvey, and she’s come prepared with all the questions beginners need to know.

Find out:

In this insightful episode of Canicross Conversations, Louise and Michelle chat to dog behaviourist Alex Cooper, from Coxhill Behaviour.

Alex shares her wealth of knowledge on managing reactive dogs, and effective muzzle training.

This episode covers:

Whether you're de...

This podcast episode focuses on the importance of dog safety while travelling.

Sharon from TransK9 discusses the benefits of using secure dog boxes, designed to keep dogs safe during travel. 

The conversation delves into the design and manufacturing process of TransK9 boxes, which are all made in Scotland to high standards. The boxes are crafted to fit specific vehicles and include features like a rear escape door for emergencies, something unique to TransK9.

This episode is sponsored by Non-stop Dogwear

Join Non-stop in London for a fun and active da...

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Furr Boost creator Louise Toal about how her background in the food industry helped her to find a way to help her dog stay hydrated through illness. Find out her top tips for hydration, and also the insider info on what it's like working with a real life Dragon!

This episode is sponsored by Non-stop Dogwear

Join Non-stop in London for a fun and active day with your dog together with hundreds of other dogs and their owners.

Support animal welfare with every s...

In this episode, Michelle and Louise chat to Hannah Kent, dog walker and canicross coach, about how her "difficult" dogs being kicked out of training inspired her to look at canicross, and she's never looked back. This episode is a real celebration of how canicross is for everyone, even - and perhaps, especially - those dogs labelled as "difficult".  

In this episode, Michelle and Louise learn about the roots of Non Stop Dogwear from co-founder Fredrik. It's a fascinating episode into research and development of new products, and we're interested to learn about the rising popularity of canicross in Asia and South Afrria, and how Non Stop are helping with education about dog welfare.

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to World Champion dog sledder Vicki Pullin. This is a fascinating dive into the training, mindset and determination of an elite athlete. 

In today's episode, Louise and Michelle chat to veterinary surgeon and orthopaedic specialist, and fellow podcaster, Rob Adams, to bust some myths about running with dogs.

We chat about:

It's a fascinating episode with lots of surprising information in there. Let us know what you think.

In this episode, Michelle and Louise chat to ultrarunner Susie Chan all about her dogs, and ultra running. We find out why her dog Roy is so named in an exclusive story never told before, and hear about a dog she encountered in the desert who joined in the multi-day race with the competitors. 

Susie's new book, Trails and Tribulations, is out now

Want to stay active over summer while keeping your dog safe in the heat? Peter Howse of Devon Howlers has just the challenge for you, with his Newnham Bark Sprint Challenge. Tune in for all the details and join the Newnham Bark Sprint Challenge Facebook page here

In today's episode, Michelle and Louise chat to Merili Freear about how she went from lockdown runner to ultra marathoner in the space of just a few years, and how running with her schnauzer Jack brings her lots of joy.

Merili's book, Just Run, is out on 2nd July

Follow Merili on Instagram 

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Ben Skinner who is the 7th generation of his family to work in the business, and Nutrition Officer Zoe Russell, who gives us the lowdown on the Skinner's Get Out and Go! range. A family-run dog food business based in Suffolk, we learn all about Skinner's ethos, and history of feeding working dogs. A fascinating episode about what goes into dog food.

Poppy and Pickle certainly love their energy and recovery bars for fuel during and after a run!!

https://www.skinners.co.uk...

Have you found the perfect dog friendly cottage to take your dog away on holiday in?

In this episode we chat to Rachel Spencer about what makes the perfect dog friendly cottage, and hear about how she has created on in Robin Hood's Bay in North Yorkshire.

Sunnyside cottage: https://baytownholidaycottages.co.uk/our-cottages/property?s=sunnyside-cottage-robin-hoods

Dog owner’s guide to the cottage and RHB: https://thepawpost.co.uk/travel/dog-owners-guide-robin-hoods-bay/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunnysidecottagerhb

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnysidecottagerhb

https...

Michelle and Louise chat to James Maiden about his love of running ultra marathons with his Siberian Husky, Gunnar

From a body builder and weightlifter who had never run until lockdown, to adopting a rescue dog and discovering canicross, Michelle chats to Helen Milton who tells us about her Egyptian rescue spaniel Riley. 

Louise and Michelle chat to Sue Round about canicrossing in her fifties

Louise and Michelle chat to BBC newsreader and runner Sophie Raworth about her first canicross race with her cavapoo Luna.

Sophie's reveals how running with Luna has added a new dimension to her life, blending her love for running with the joy of being active with her dog, Luna. 

For Sophie, running with Luna has become a part of her daily routine, fitting seamlessly into her busy life and marathon training. “I run with the dog,” she explained. “I’m in charge of walking the dog in the morning, so I run with the dog. I got up...

Louise and Michelle interview Reece Maltby about canicrossing with a small dog breed 

Chloe discovered canicross by accident when she was competing in agility at a dog show and was asked to take part in a canicross taster session - she soon discovered a talent for racing and a love of mud and is currently ranked 4th in Great Britain. Louise and Michelle chat to Chloe about her training, and her goals for the future. 

In this episode of Canicross Conversations, the spotlight is on a crucial topic that many dog owners face: understanding and supporting anxious and reactive dogs. The episode features Sarah, the founder of the "Dogs in Yellow" initiative, who shares insights into her work and the importance of raising awareness for dogs that need a little extra space.

Sarah's journey began with her own dog, Bella, who displayed signs of anxiety and reactivity when interacting with other dogs and people. Recognizing the need for a way to communicate Bella's needs to others, Sarah came up with the idea...

Michelle has a frank conversation with author and runner Rachel Ann Cullen about running for mental health, body image, strength training, challenging oneself, owning a dog (who doesn't run), and writing books.

Back in October 2021, Louise and Michelle chatted to journalist Lily Canter about her experience of borrowing Pickle to try canicross (Episode 5). In this episode we find out how she's adjusting to life - and canicross - with her own dog, Zippy.

If you have enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, and leave us a review.

You can find Lily on X/Twitter @lilycanter and Instagram @lilycanter

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to dog trainer Niki French about her book, Stop Walking Your Dog. Niki works with a lot of nervous and reactive dogs, and her training philosophy is to stop doing those things that can be stressful to your dog until you can learn how to overcome them with patience and training. It's a radical approach that goes beyond what humans feel conditioned to do with their dogs, and Niki's interview is well worth a listen, as she gears up for #DontWalkYourDogDay on 2nd April, and gives listeners plenty of tips on how...

Today, Louise and guests give a rundown of all the action at Crufts over the past weekend

Louise and Michelle chat to Kate Percy, a nutritionist with three best-selling cookbooks who helps people discover that magic link between what you eat, good energy, vitality and happiness. Lots of great information in this episode for runners, those experiencing menopause, and those finding cooking for a family challenging!

We also want to know: does your dog eat a healthier diet than you?! 

https://www.katepercys.com/

In this heart-warming episode, Louise and Michelle find out more about ultra-runner Allie and her rescue dog, Pickle, and her new book, There Is No Wall.

Allie Bailey is an ultrarunner, coach, speaker and podcaster who has run in some of the most extreme places in the world. She was the first woman to run 100 miles across frozen Lake Khövsgöl in Mongolia and to run the full length of the Panama Canal. She has crossed the inhospitable Namib Desert three times, run the length of the Outer Hebrides and completed a 1,000-mile off-road version of the...

Today's planned guest has lost her voice, so Louise and Michelle chat about the one thing that is missing from many runners' training: accountability!

Could accountability be the one thing that takes your running to the next level?

Louise and Michelle chat to veterinary nurse Beth Morris all about her love of canicross and agility with her 3 dogs, and how ultramarathon training is going.

Follow Team @ExploreWithPaws.UK on Instagram

It's been a while since we brought you a canicross story, and in this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to presenter, and comedy actress, Leanne Stott whose voice you may well recognise from Goodwoof. 

Leanne chats about the joy of running with her dog, and how she is tackling the challenges of perimenopause with Pilates!

Follow Leanne on Instagram and TikTok

Louise and Michelle chat to Marc Soley from CXRC about setting up the growing canicross club with members all over the UK. Marc originally aspired to create a comprehensive list of canicross races, which has now become a community of runners who meet up at events all over the UK.

Join the CXRC on Facebook and Instagram 

Louise and Michelle chat about their favourite and funniest moments over the first 100 episodes of Canicross Conversations, and hear from some previous guests on the podcast.

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Emma, founder of Geordie Cani-sports all about setting up and running a canicross club.

Follow @geordie_canicrosser on Instagram and Geordie Cani-Sports on Facebook

In today's episode, Louise and Michelle chat about the importance of goals, sharing their own goals for the year, and challenging you to set yourself some goals, whether they be long term or short term one, pace related, or something completely different.

Goals are crucial for runners as they provide direction, motivation, and a sense of purpose. Here are some key reasons why you should think about setting yourself some goals:

Motivation: Goals serve as powerful motivators, giving you a clear target to strive for during your training. Knowing there's a specific objective, such as...

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Nick Hewer, best known as Alan Sugar's adviser in The Apprentice. Nick has owned dogs all his life, and chats to Louise and Michelle about his memories of growing up with dogs, and his love of hunting with his black lab, Molly which leads to an interesting discussion about working dogs. 

This episode is sponsored by Non Stop Dogwear, releasing your dog's potential through robust, reliable and ergonomically designed gear. Whether your dog is small or big, pure bred or a mix, a world champion or a family dog, d...

It's the episode you've all been waiting for!

The eagle-eyed amongst you will have noticed an absence of Pickle on social media recently, and that's because she's taken a break from canicross to have a litter of puppies. In this episode, Michelle interviews Louise all about the process of breeding, from selecting a stud, to pregnancy, to whelping, to exactly how tiring it is looking after 5 pups. Louise also chats about getting Pickle's fitness back after pregnancy.

This episode is sponsored by Non Stop Dogwear, releasing your dog's potential through robust, reliable and e...

Today, Michelle and Louise chat about keeping you and your dog fit over Christmas, and how to find that motivation and accountability to achieve some consistency in your training over the holidays.

In this episode, Jason Pascoe from Non Stop Dogwear gives us the lowdown on dog coats and jackets, as they get ready to launch their new range. Jason takes us through fitting a coat, when dogs should wear a coat, and how to look after your coat  

This episode is sponsored by Non Stop Dogwear, releasing your dog's potential through robust, reliable and ergonomically designed gear. Whether your dog is small or big, pure bred or a mix, a world champion or a family dog, does not matter. All dogs are equal and deserve nothing bu...

Today's bonus episode is brought to you by a variety of guests helping you decide what to buy your beloved dog for Christmas. Louise and Michelle also chat about their own Christmas traditions.

You can save 10% on No Fuss Fill with the code CC

Save 9% at K9 Trail Time with code michellek9

Thank you also to Inner Wolf for contributing to this episode

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Pamela Dempsey from Impackt Behaviour about how Christmas and New Year could be challenging for dogs, and how we can keep this period as stress-free as possible. 

Find Impackt Behaviour on Instagram and Facebook

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to vet Nick again, in our popular Ask the Vet Series, to find out about the biggest food-related dangers for dogs over Christmas.

Nick lists foods that are both toxic for dogs, as well as those that can cause tummy distress if consumed in large quantities, and there are some surprises in there! Nick advises what symptoms to look out for, and what to do in an emergency. 

Have you tried running with your dog? It's the perfect way to fit in exercise for both you and your dog. But before buying a cheap running belt from Amazon, consider our tips for how to get started in a safe way.

On November 23rd, an article was published in The Times titled "Why I'll Never Be a Dog Jogger Again", about a bad experience the writer had about trying to run with her dog. She broke a rib which meant she couldn't run or exercise to her normal level. It's frustrating, and in this episode, we...

In this episode, Louise and Michelle interview Chris Smart, who has recently returned from racing in Leipa at the ICF with his Eurohound Chili. He gives us a unique insight into international racing, and tells us how it motivates him to improve more than racing in the UK. Chris is also new to bikejor. 

In this week's episode, Louise and Michelle speak with Dan Floyd, for our Canicross Stories segment. As regular listeners know, we've been doing this series for a while to highlight unique experiences from our Canicross community.

Dan is an especially interesting guest because he does a lot of running by himself and with his dog Mylo, but not always in the typical canicross style. For example, he still participates in parkruns with Mylo on a handheld lead, which sparked an intriguing discussion since parkrun's recent rules changes. It's rare we get to talk to guests who still...

Staying active with your Canicross dog during the off season can be a challenge. Joining hosts Louise and Michelle in this week's episode is expert agility trainer Sue from Hare and Hounds training, who shares expert tips on the many benefits of agility for high-energy dogs. Discover how it can improve focus, recall, and provide much needed mental stimulation between races. 

We also chat about our own experiences getting started in agility and the lessons we've learned along the way. Whether you're looking to tire out a reactive dog or simply keep your canicross partner fit, this e...

We continue our series on exciting sporting events by featuring a company doing things a bit differently. This Cornwall-based events organiser, Purple Gecko, started out hosting standard trail races, and has since responded to demand to include canicross.

Purple Gecko sought expertise from the canicross community to develop a Canicross Championship Series, and now have eight, possibly more, canicross races on the calendar for the 2023-24 season.

Where else would you want to canicross than in the beautiful county of Cornwall. Most races avoid the coastal paths for safety, but all the courses take advantage...

As part of the Event Series, Louise and Michelle interview BSSF Vice-President Howard Clark about their races.

The interview raised a lot of important issues about sled dog sports in Britain however, and we chat through hopes and aspirations for the future of the British Sled-dog Sports Federation. We delve into international qualification, age categories, the challenges of finding suitable locations to race, and lots more.

NEW: We discuss changes to vaccination rules for competition

DID YOU KNOW? BSSF membership provides insurance which covers you to race.

More info on the...

Back on Episode 60, you may remember we interviewed Ellie, who had just completed the first ever edition of the Ultra Cani-Trail. In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to organiser Johnny Fletcher as he prepares for the next edition.

https://www.canitrailuk.co.uk/ultra-cani-trail

Continuing with our exciting event series, Louise and Michelle chat to Emily Thomas about what inspired her to set up this exciting event which happens annually, early on in the canicross season.

The disciplines of canicross (running with dogs) and bikejor (biking with dogs) have been growing rapidly in the UK for the last 10 years, so Emily and her colleagues organise a canicross run, an aquathlon (running and swimming), a duathlon (biking and running) and a full triathlon.

Next year's event in September 2024 will be on sale in Spring 2024, and you can find out more...

In this episode, continuing our event series, Michelle and Louise chat to Katie from Trail Dogs