In this episode, Martina shares her personal opinions and experiences regarding spaying and neutering dogs. She discusses the reasons behind her decisions, and the behavioural impacts of neutering. Martina emphasises the importance of considering each dog's individual needs and consulting with professionals before making decisions about their reproductive health. She also touches on managing hormonal changes and training intact dogs in competitive environments.
Book an assessment 1-1 with me, online or face to face
https://thatlldoacademy.thrivecart.com/dog-training-assessment/
Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:
https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls
Get in touch:
https://thatlldoacademy.com/
Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!
https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-club
To follow me on social media:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/martina_bordercollie_geek/
In this episode, Martina Miradoli discusses the importance of mental stimulation for Border Collies, focusing on effective ways to entertain them at home. She emphasizes the need for engaging activities that keep dogs occupied while their owners attend to other tasks. The conversation covers various options for chewing and licking, the role of puzzles, and the significance of training as a form of mental stimulation. Martina also shares insights on home training and activities that can be done in small spaces, concluding with a call to action for dog owners to invest time in teaching their dogs important skills.
Book an assessment 1-1 with me, online or face to face
https://thatlldoacademy.thrivecart.com/dog-training-assessment/
Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:
https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls
Get in touch:
https://thatlldoacademy.com/
Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!
https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-club
To follow me on social media:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/martina_bordercollie_geek/
Does your dog struggle to focus on you, constantly distracted by the world around them? In this episode, I dive into the truth about dog focus and engagement — and why it’s not as simple as teaching eye contact or a sit-stay.
You’ll learn:
Why focus is a decision your dog makes, not just a behaviour
How engagement keeps your dog paying attention even with distractions
The real role of motivation and food in building focus
When and how to introduce real-world distractions without frustration
If you’ve ever felt like your dog chooses the world over you, this episode will give you practical insight and strategies to start turning that around — one choice at a time.
🎧 Plus, I’ll share details about my Free Training Week: Transform Your Dog’s Focus in Just One Week, running 20th–24th October, where you can learn step-by-step how to make focus a choice your dog wants to make.
Join us:
https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/focusfreeweek
Book an assessment 1-1 with me, online or face to face
https://thatlldoacademy.thrivecart.com/dog-training-assessment/
Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:
https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls
Get in touch:
https://thatlldoacademy.com/
Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!
https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-club
To follow me on social media:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/martina_bordercollie_geek/
In this episode of Border Collie Geek, Martina explores the realities of recall training when prey drive enters the picture. While many owners succeed with recalls in calm environments, things often fall apart the moment a dog spots a rabbit, jogger, or even a blowing leaf. Martina explains why this happens, how the prey sequence (staring, stalking, chasing) impacts Border Collies in particular, and what you can do to bridge the gap between your training and your dog’s instincts.
To listen lore about recall go to episode 15:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6WxypisiLCkz8j3xFSoHfm?si=JItgaIh-QIa2fHX-OCim-Q
Use £20 off for the first month of the Collie Club until the 30th of September 2025
https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-club?coupon=20offpodcast
Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:
https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls
Get in touch:
https://thatlldoacademy.com/
Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!
https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-club
To follow me on social media:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/martina_bordercollie_geek/
Tali is officially one! In this special episode, I reflect on our first year together, from early bonding to breakthroughs in training, sensitivity challenges, sheepdog beginnings, and everything in between.
This isn’t just a personal story, it’s a deep dive into the three pillars I believe are essential in a young Border Collie’s first year:
Relationship – how connection lays the foundation for all future training
Confidence – why building emotional resilience matters more than flashy obedience
Foundation Training – what that really means (hint: it's not about precision or perfection)
I also talk about the realities of raising a sensitive dog who didn’t take treats, didn’t like luring, and shut down under pressure and how I adjusted my approach to meet her where she was.
Whether you’re raising a Border Collie puppy now, reflecting on your first year, or preparing for one in the future, I hope this episode offers perspective, reassurance, and practical ideas.
Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:
https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls
Get in touch:
https://thatlldoacademy.com/
Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!
https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-club
To follow me on social media:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/martina_bordercollie_geek/
In this episode, I dig into a training cue that's taught in nearly every puppy class, but often at the wrong time. We’re talking about “stay”and why I don’t teach it to young puppies.
Instead of pushing for stillness, I believe in building motivation, engagement, and joy in training first. I share my personal experiences with my own Border Collies and explain how I teach duration and impulse control in real-life, age-appropriate ways.
If you’ve got a young, high-energy dog and you’re struggling with training that feels too rigid or advanced, this episode is for you.
Want to learn how to teach Impulse Control Games? Join the workshop, for only £15 plus the recording of it, and it's online!
https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/live-webinar/impulse-control-workshop/register
Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:
https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls
Get in touch:
https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/
Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!
https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-club
To follow me on social media:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/martina_bordercollie_geek/
In this episode, Martina Miradoli discusses the concepts of enrichment and fulfillment in the context of dog training. She explores what constitutes enrichment for dogs, the importance of their environment, and how to balance enrichment with fulfillment.
Join me live or get the recording for this special opening to the Collie Club live to non members!
https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/live-webinar/the-dopamine-box-and-its-applications/register
Do you need help with your Border Collie? Book a Discovery Call:
https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls
Get in touch:
https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/
Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners! Try it with 5 days free trial!
https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-club
To follow me on social media:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/martina_bordercollie_geek/
In this episode, I chat with Clara Hewson about how muzzles can be a game-changer not just for safety, but for a dog’s quality of life. Clara shares her journey from dog rescue to designing colorful, welfare-first muzzles that help shift public perception. We dive into why proper muzzle training matters, especially for herding breeds, and how muzzles can support behaviour work, vet visits, and daily life.
Discount for Muzzle Movement Muzzles:
https://www.themuzzlemovement.com/discount/THAT'LLDOACADEMY?ref=Thatlldoacademy
Join my Online Workshop on The Dopamine Box
https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/live-webinar/the-dopamine-box-and-its-applications/register
Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:
https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls
Get in touch:
https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/
Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!
https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-club
To follow me on social media:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/martina_bordercollie_geek/
Have you wanted to try flyball but you have a lot questions? I ask them for you to Gemma!
You can find more about Gemma's training and reach her out to learn more about flyball on her Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557027566977
Want to join my sport obedience workshop:
https://thatlldoacademy.thrivecart.com/sport-obedience-workshop/
I'm excited to be able to offer you all my favourite toys into a bundle at a special price JUST FOR YOU, my podcast listeners! Follow this link to learn more and listen back to Episode 70 to learn more about how I use these toys in my everyday training with my dogs and my students
https://www.tug-e-nuff.co.uk/pages/border-collie-geek
Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:
https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls
Get in touch:
https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/
Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!
https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-club
To follow me on social media:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/martina_bordercollie_geek/
In this episode, Martina dives into the complex relationship between dogs, especially Border Collies and household cats. Drawing from personal experiences with her own dogs, she explores the different ways obsession with cats can show up and how training and management can help shift those behaviours.
Key Takeaways:
Managing dogs and cats together can be challenging without understanding their dynamics.
Training should target impulse control and recall not just how the dog reacts to the cat.
Every dog is different; training must be tailored to the individual.
Effective training starts away from distractions like the cat.
Martina shares real-life stories and lessons from her own dogs.
New training programs are coming soon to help with recall, focus, and self-control.
Do you want to know more about these courses? You have 24 hours to sign up using the code ACCELERATOR10 for a 10%
https://thatlldoacademy.thrivecart.com/recall-accelerator/
https://thatlldoacademy.thrivecart.com/focus-motivation-accelerator/
https://thatlldoacademy.thrivecart.com/preydrive-impulsecontrol/
We will be using Tug E Nuff toys so grab your bundle:
https://www.tug-e-nuff.co.uk/pages/border-collie-geek
Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:
https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls
Get in touch:
https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/
Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!
https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-club
To follow me on social media:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/martina_bordercollie_geek/
:In this episode, I’m diving deep into my personal journey working through reactivity with my young Border Collie, Tali. From her early signs of discomfort around other dogs to a pivotal (and humbling) moment during a rushed introduction, I share the ups and downs of managing and improving her reactivity.
I’ll talk about the challenges, the mistakes I made, and the key takeaways that have helped me create a solid training plan. We’ll cover controlled exposure, pattern games, engagement strategies, and how short, positive sessions can make a big difference.
Plus, I’m excited to announce my upcoming 6-week online course focused on helping reactive dogs and their owners build confidence and calm through structured training plans. I’ll be sharing my exact step-by-step approach, practical exercises, and what’s been working with Tali. I will give you more details when it's ready to book, but in the meantime if you are interested in being informed send me an email and I will add you to the waiting list.
If you’re based in the UK, don’t miss out on my face-to-face workshop – Collie Connected – on March 9th, where we’ll explore hands-on reactivity training and give you tools to take home.
https://thatlldoacademy.thrivecart.com/cool-and-connected-managing-big-feelings/
Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:
https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls
Get in touch:
https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/
Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!
https://thatlldoacademy.com/online-academy/
To follow me on social media:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/bordercollie_geek/
What are my 5 favourite skills to teach my dogs? 🐾I'll list them here but I into details in the episode so it's worth a listen: 1. Recall 2. Focus 3. Lie Down 4. Confidence 5. Sociability
Here are some links as I promised in the episode!
Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:
https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls
Get in touch:
https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/
Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!
https://thatlldoacademy.com/online-academy/
To follow me on social media:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/bordercollie_geek/
Something about Anja:
- Involved in dogs in some capacity for the last 10+ years - Started training other people’s dogs in 2021; I now focus on helping people better understand and live more harmoniously with their “big feelings”, high energy dogs. - She doesn't really “specialise” in border collies but most of my clientele happen to be BC owners and that’s the breed I have most experience with.
Follow her on Instagram: @dognerd_uk, where Also you can check the blog on the website: www.dognerd.uk
Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:
https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls
Get in touch:
https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/
Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!
https://thatlldoacademy.com/online-academy/
To follow me on social media:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/bordercollie_geek/
This is the recording of the live video I have done on Facebook last week!
You are still in time to grab a Black Friday discount on the 3 month membership, you will find the link under the live video on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bordercolliegeekcommunity
Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:
https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls
Get in touch:
https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/
Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!
https://thatlldoacademy.com/online-academy/
To follow me on social media:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/bordercollie_geek/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebordercolliegeek
Today's episode is about your dog behaviour and how to recognise if it's just a behaviour and training problem or if there is something else underlying and if a dog trainer is really the professional you need?
Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:
https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls
Get in touch:
https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/
Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!
https://thatlldoacademy.com/online-academy/
To follow me on social media:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/bordercollie_geek/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebordercolliegeek
In this conversation, we discuss the critical role of arousal in dog training with Helen. We emphasise the importance of understanding both the dog’s and handler’s arousal levels to achieve optimal performance in dog sports. We talk about the complexities of canine behaviour, particularly focusing on the concept of over-arousal in dogs, especially working breeds like Border Collies. We explain how over-arousal can affect a dog's ability to perform tasks and how it is often linked to their genetic programming. We also highlight the importance of physical health, right exercise outlets and handler awareness to support dogs effectively. We stress the significance of understanding a dog’s behaviour in the context of their physical and emotional well-being, advocating for a compassionate approach to training and handling.
In this conversation, we also explore the complexities of dog ownership, focusing on the expectations that owners have versus the reality of training and living with dogs. We emphasise the importance of understanding the dog’s behaviour, the handler’s mindset, and the need for proper skills in dog training. We cover the differentiation between arousal and reactivity in dogs, the significance of mental stimulation and free movement, and the role of medication in managing dog behaviour. Throughout the conversation, we share insights on creating a positive and effective training environment for both dogs and their owners.
Do you want to know ore about Hélène work?
Follow her on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/helenelawlercoaching
Join my Puppy Training Diary Membership today:
https://thatlldoacademy.thrivecart.com/puppy-training-diary/
Tug e Nuff Toys!
I'm excited to be able to offer you all my favourite toys into a bundle at a special price JUST FOR YOU, my podcast listeners! Follow this link to learn more and listen back to Episode 70 to learn more about how I use these toys in my everyday training with my dogs and my students
https://www.tug-e-nuff.co.uk/pages/border-collie-geek
Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:
https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls
Get in touch:
https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/
Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!
https://thatlldoacademy.com/online-academy/
To follow me on social media:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/bordercollie_geek/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebordercolliegeek
You can find more of Kat work follow these links
https://www.facebook.com/K9BehaviourConsultancy
https://www.facebook.com/k9detectionsolutions
Takeaways from this episode:
Sound Bites
Do you want to join my Facebook Puppy Diary Week?
https://thatlldoacademy.com/puppy-training-facebook-challenge/
I'm excited to be able to offer you all my favourite toys into a bundle at a special price JUST FOR YOU, my podcast listeners! Follow this link to learn more and listen back to Episode 70 to learn more about how I use these toys in my everyday training with my dogs and my students
https://www.tug-e-nuff.co.uk/pages/border-collie-geek
Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:
https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls-clone
Get in touch:
https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/
Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!
https://thatlldoacademy.com/online-academy/
To follow me on social media:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/bordercollie_geek/
Ever wondered if it’s good to let your Border Collie stare at things? In this episode, I dive into the natural instincts of Border Collies and whether it’s healthy to encourage or manage their staring behaviour.
Here’s what we cover:
Book your CPD day with me:
https://thatlldoacademy.thrivecart.com/collie-traits-petpro/
Learn more and listen back to Episode 70 to learn more about how I use these toys in my everyday training with my dogs and my students, buy my favourite toys with a discount following this link:
https://www.tug-e-nuff.co.uk/pages/border-collie-geek
Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:
https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls-clone
Get in touch:
https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/
Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!
https://thatlldoacademy.com/online-academy/
To follow me on social media:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/bordercollie_geek/
This overdue episode is about Kite, his water obsession, his focus and recall, his hyperactivity and how I improved our relationship!
Would you like to sign up to the FREE Reactivity Webinar?
I'm excited to be able to offer you all my favourite toys into a bundle at a special price JUST FOR YOU, my podcast listeners! Follow this link to learn more and listen back to Episode 70 to learn more about how I use these toys in my everyday training with my dogs and my students
https://www.tug-e-nuff.co.uk/pages/border-collie-geek
Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:
https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls-clone
Get in touch:
https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/
Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!
https://thatlldoacademy.com/online-academy/
To follow me on social media:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/bordercollie_geek/
Here some links for you from the episode:
Get your holiday Tug-E-Nuff toys:
https://www.tug-e-nuff.co.uk/pages/border-collie-geek
Find the perfect accommodation for multiple dog households
https://www.facebook.com/groups/236903123501722
Adder Packs
Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:
https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls-clone
Get in touch:
https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/
Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!
https://thatlldoacademy.com/online-academy/
To follow me on social media:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/bordercollie_geek/