The Border Collie Geek Podcast

In this episode I will be chatting to you about how I'm managing resting Kes, my 6 months old Border Collie while on a 3 long week rest!I'm also running a workshop to show you exactly how to teach these exercises I'm talking about!https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/live-class/productive-rest-mental-activity-static-training-for-the-active-dog-on-a-break/registerGet in touch:⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/⁠⁠Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-clubTo follow me on social media:Facebook : ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/⁠⁠Instagram : ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/martina_bordercollie_geek/

Border Collies are often described as “high-energy dogs”, but in reality their behaviour is usually shaped by something much deeper: whether their core needs are being met.In this episode, I talk about the five needs that I believe are essential for Border Collies to feel balanced and fulfilled. These include their need to use their brain, their need to run and move freely, their need to properly switch off and rest, their need for social connection, and their need for routine and predictability.When one of these needs is missing, behaviour often starts to wobble. What many people interpret as “too much energy” is often simply an unmet need.In this episode, I break down each of these five areas and explain why understanding them can completely change the way you look at your dog’s behaviour and daily life.If you live with a Border Collie, this episode will help you better understand what your dog may actually be missing.Join My New Class Here:https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/training-skills-for-busy-brainsJoin the Collie Club with Crufts Discount:https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-club?coupon=CruftsCollieDiscountLearn More About The Collie Club:https://thatlldoacademy.com/online-academy/To follow me on social media:Facebook : ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/⁠⁠Instagram : ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/martina_bordercollie_geek/

n this episode, Martina speaks with Anna Herzog about FCI obedience and why it’s growing in the UK.They discuss:What FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) isHow FCI obedience differs from KC obedienceWhy the sport suits more than just Border ColliesThe balance between motivation, precision and handlingWhy you compete against the round, not just other handlersHow beginner-friendly UK intro classes are being developedThey also talk about training practicality, minimal equipment, and the long-term goal of building a UK team for the FCI World Championships.If you’ve ever loved obedience but wanted more variety and movement, this episode is for you.To learn more about what Anna is doing and all the FCI obedience events, check her Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/annaherzogdogsportsBook a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-callsGet in touch:⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/⁠⁠Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-clubTo follow me on social media:Facebook : ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/⁠⁠Instagram : ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/martina_bordercollie_geek/

In this first episode of 2026, Martina shares a short update on welcoming an unexpected litter and keeping one of the puppies, Kestrel (Kes). From there, the episode focuses on a key training concept: the difference between life skills and training skills.Martina explains why behaviours like recall, loose lead walking and settling often look easy in puppies but fall apart as dogs grow, and why this usually happens when the underlying training skills haven’t been developed. The episode breaks down how reliable everyday behaviour is built through smaller foundational skills rather than training life skills in isolation.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-callsGet in touch:⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/⁠⁠Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-clubTo 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 fascinating and sometimes frustrating topic of water obsession in Border Collies. From playful splashing to full-on fixation, she explains what this behaviour looks like, where it may come from, and how to work through it with empathy and structure.What You’ll Hear: What water obsession looks like: Digging, biting, drinking, or fixating on moving water — and when it becomes a problem.Why it happens: The role of excitement, movement, genetics, and even early pain or discomfort. Inherited tendencies: How Kite’s fixation connects to his family line and what that tells us about genetic predispositions. Kite’s training journey: Step-by-step on how Martina used the Premack Principle to build control and recall around water. Managing vs fixing: How to set realistic expectations when working through obsessions in high-drive breeds.Other dogs’ stories: Moss, Tay, and Jock — each with their own take on water and how Martina managed their quirks.🗣️ When to seek help: Why professional guidance can help you identify if the behaviour stems from excitement, pain, or compulsion.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-callsGet in touch:⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/⁠⁠Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-clubTo follow me on social media:Facebook : ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/⁠⁠Instagram : ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/martina_bordercollie_geek/

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-callsGet in touch:⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/⁠⁠Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-clubTo 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-callsGet in touch:⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/⁠⁠Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-clubTo 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 behaviourHow engagement keeps your dog paying attention even with distractionsThe real role of motivation and food in building focusWhen and how to introduce real-world distractions without frustrationIf 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/focusfreeweekBook an assessment 1-1 with me, online or face to face⁠https://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-callsGet in touch:⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/⁠⁠Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-clubTo 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-QUse £20 off for the first month of the Collie Club until the 30th of September 2025https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-club?coupon=20offpodcastBook a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-callsGet in touch:⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/⁠⁠Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-clubTo 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 trainingConfidence – why building emotional resilience matters more than flashy obedienceFoundation 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-callsGet in touch:⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/⁠⁠Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-clubTo 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/registerBook a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-callsGet in touch:⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-clubTo 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/registerDo you need help with your Border Collie? Book a Discovery Call:https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-callsGet 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-clubTo 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=ThatlldoacademyJoin my Online Workshop on The Dopamine Boxhttps://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/live-webinar/the-dopamine-box-and-its-applications/registerBook a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-callsGet in touch:⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-clubTo 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=61557027566977Want 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 students⁠https://www.tug-e-nuff.co.uk/pages/border-collie-geek⁠Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-callsGet in touch:⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-clubTo 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-geek⁠Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-callsGet in touch:⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.com/contact/⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!⁠⁠https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-clubTo 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-callsGet 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

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! My workshops for 2025 My Recall Online Course 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

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/ TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thebordercolliegeek⁠

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