Poodles aren’t just pretty, they’re sensitive, smart, emotionally tuned-in dogs with big brains and even bigger feelings. In this episode, Nathan is joined by Shelina Duke (Go With The Flo) a poodle behaviourist and trainer who specialises in helping poodle guardians navigate barking, overstimulation, calmness, enrichment, and real-life training that actually works.
You’ll learn why poodles often get labelled “stubborn” (and what’s really going on), how FOMO can look like separation anxiety, why sleep is the secret weapon for calmer behaviour, and how to channel your poodle’s brain into healthier choices, whether you live with a toy, miniature, standard, or doodle mix.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ Why poodles aren’t “Border Collies in curls” and how their intelligence works differently
✅ The two “types” of poodles Shelina sees most (and why some feel “untrainable”)
✅ How FOMO can mimic separation anxiety (and what to do instead)
✅ Why sleep and calm enrichment can reduce barking fast
✅ What overstimulation and understimulation look like in poodles day-to-day
✅ The real difference between toy, miniature and standard poodles (hint: weight + impact)
✅ How to use 3-minute training games to build focus, calm, and better choices
✅ What “puppy pants” trim is, and why early grooming handling matters
Key Takeaways:
- Poodles thrive when you teach calm, not just cues.
- Mental stimulation must be regulating, not arousal-building.
- A lot of “separation anxiety” in poodles is actually FOMO + anticipation.
- Many poodle behaviour challenges improve when guardians prioritise sleep, sniffing, chewing and calm structure.
- Standards, minis and toys share similar traits, but standards often feel harder because there’s more physical power behind the behaviour.
🎙️ Thanks for tuning in! Let’s celebrate the joy and challenges of dog parenting together, because we’re all here for the dogs. 🐾
Connect with Shelina Duke
Train with the Flo Facebook page
Shelina the Poodle Trainer Facebook page
Connect with Nathan and Yappily
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