Georgie Bleza is a dog trainer, self-taught artist, and the creative mind behind Trick Woofs, a body of work that uses comics and illustrations to make dog behaviour accessible, relatable, and genuinely joyful.

In this episode, Nathan chats with Georgie about the power of visual learning, what consent-based training really looks like in everyday life, and why trick training is far more useful than most people think.

If you've ever struggled to explain what you know about dogs to someone else, Georgie's work might just do it for you.

What you'll learn in this episode:

✅ Why visual resources help dog guardians understand behaviour in a way that words often can't

✅ What consent-based training actually means and how to start building it into daily life

✅ How to read when your dog is giving or withdrawing consent, from grooming to walks

✅ Why trick training builds confidence in anxious and nervous dogs

✅ How to slow down and give your dog processing time and why it makes all the difference

✅ What the "hold" trick can do for resource guarders and why a hand touch is one of the most versatile skills you can teach

Key takeaways:

• Consent isn't just a buzzword; it's about opening up a conversation with your dog and giving them a genuine stop/start button in situations they find difficult
• Slowing down is one of the simplest and most powerful things you can do, whether that's with a harness, a vet visit, or a training session
• Trick training gives dogs a sense of purpose and confidence, and there's a practical use for almost every trick you can teach
• Your dog feels your emotional state. If you're frustrated, they notice. A calm handler makes for a calmer dog
• Science-based trainers are stronger together division creates noise that confuses dog guardians who are just trying to do right by their dogs

🐾 Find ethical, qualified pet professionals near you at Yappily, the directory for dog guardians who care about doing right by their dog.

🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Yappy Hour and leave us a review it helps more dog guardians find us!

Welcome back to The Yappy

Hour, powered by Yappily.

2

I'm your host, Nathan Dunleavy,

and I'm so excited to bring you

3

another episode of The Yappy Hour.

4

Today the podcast is for dog

guardians who want to feel

5

informed, empowered, and connected.

6

And today I'm joined by someone

who brings dog training.

7

To life in the most creative way.

8

She's a trainer an illustrator, and

a passionate advocate for consent

9

based positive reinforcement methods.

10

It's the brilliant Georgie

Bleza from Trick Woofs.

11

We'll be chatting all about how

visual education can make learning

12

easier for both people and pups.

13

What consent based training really looks

like and how illustrations can break down

14

complex behavior concepts into something

fun, digestible, and beautifully simple.

15

So grab a cup of tea, settle

in, and let's get started.

16

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Welcome back to The Yappy

17

Hour, powered by Yappily.

18

I'm your host, Nathan Dunleavy,

and I'm so excited to bring you

19

another episode of The Yappy Hour.

20

Today.

21

Joining me is my guest,

Georgie Bleza from Trick Woofs.

22

Welcome to the Yappy Hour.

23

Georgie, how are you doing?

24

Georgie: Thank you so much.

25

Thank you so much for having me.

26

I'm doing really well.

27

It's lovely, lovely and warm today.

28

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

So let's start Georgie with a

29

little intro about you, if we may.

30

Tell us about you, your

dogs, if you've got any.

31

And what inspired you

to start Trick Woofs.

32

Georgie: Yeah.

33

So, yeah, I'm a dog trainer and an

artist, so a self-taught artist and.

34

Badger is my dog.

35

He's like zonked out on the couch,

just overheating a little bit.

36

Well, he, he likes the heat,

but he is, he definitely,

37

spread eagles more in the heat.

38

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

It's funny, my chihuahuas, they

39

love the heat too, but I, I blame

it on their Mexican heritage.

40

Georgie: Such Sun Dogs.

41

Yeah, he's a Chihuahua

42

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Yeah, they are.

43

Oh, you've got a Chihuahua mix.

44

Love that.

45

Brilliant.

46

So.

47

Georgie: He's just had

his 13th birthday, so he's

48

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: oh, wow.

49

He is, he is a, he is a yeah,

he is a more mature gentleman.

50

Georgie: yeah.

51

But he's doing well

52

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

53

Georgie: a bit stiff.

54

He is actually doing really well.

55

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Oh, brilliant.

56

Great.

57

Georgie: Was inspired by, a little

bit by frustration sometimes

58

because there's a lot of stuff

in the dog training world, but.

59

It frustrates you as a trainer.

60

And, and I guess that, because I

61

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: It does.

62

Georgie: anyway and liked to put my

thoughts down in art that it, the

63

book, they merged together and, and

that's how I, how it was born really.

64

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

I think that leads us nicely

65

onto our next question actually.

66

So you combine art and dog

training, so which came first

67

and how did it all come together?

68

Georgie: I suppose the art came first

'cause I was always drawing and like as a,

69

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Oh, okay.

70

Georgie: that's liked to draw, but also

liked to draw animals, so just like we had

71

a and stuff, so I'd sit in the field and

just draw the horses and things like that.

72

And then, yeah, and I always wanted

to, even as a kid get into behavior,

73

but I went on a very different route

with work and I, I didn't get into.

74

Actually studying behavior

until sort of my late twenties.

75

So then it kind of came, came from

76

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Okay.

77

So tell us about your previous career.

78

I did have a quick look on your website.

79

What was your previous career?

80

'cause I love people's

stories 'cause I'm back.

81

My background's corporate banking.

82

And I'm fairly new into the dog

training arena, like seven years.

83

But you've got a different, you had a

different career path as well, right?

84

Georgie: so I

85

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

86

Georgie: in fashion, I worked as a model.

87

I say I'm in fashion.

88

I didn't really have the interest

in fashion, but I worked as a model

89

and get scouted quite young and,

and then it just takes you on a

90

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Wow.

91

Georgie: world.

92

So very, very different.

93

But amazing experiences.

94

I got to travel a lot and see the

world and gain some confidence 'cause

95

I was very shy and so I think that kind

of pushed me to come out of Michelle

96

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh,

97

Georgie: bit.

98

And yeah, very but definitely kept,

always feeling that draw to should

99

be doing something you love, you

100

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

the animals.

101

Georgie: Yeah.

102

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

103

Yeah, definitely.

104

Yeah, I, I find it fascinating.

105

I love people that have got a bit

of a history and, their journey

106

into the, like I say, the dog

training or dog professional world.

107

So thank you for sharing.

108

So that was part one, learning more

about Georgie, and we're gonna be

109

moving on to part two now, which

is the power of visual learning.

110

So, Georgie, why do you

think visual resources are so

111

impactful for dog guardians?

112

Georgie: I think they, I think it

simplifies a lot of things because

113

really training is pretty simple, but it

114

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Definitely,

115

Georgie: you know, be be voiced that way

it speaks to a lot of different learners.

116

So for me, I, I'm a visual learner

and I work best to see things in

117

more simple ways, which I think a

lot of people, it speaks to that way.

118

And the, the comics, I

119

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yeah.

120

Georgie: more fun.

121

A lot of dog training

stuff you have to cover.

122

Things that aren't always nice to talk

about, but it's done a bit more lightly in

123

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah,

124

Georgie: it's a bit

easier to absorb I think.

125

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: sort of

resonates more with people, doesn't it?

126

And they understand maybe a bit better.

127

Georgie: Yeah.

128

Yeah, so.

129

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

130

Brilliant.

131

Okay, so what are some examples of

how your illustrations have helped

132

people in inverted commas get it when

text or verbal ex explanations didn't?

133

Georgie: Yeah, I think,

134

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

135

Georgie: just have to go off like some

of the lovely messages I've had, like

136

that just says, oh, now I, I get my dog

and I, I'm gonna go someone, I think

137

the nicest comment I have was, I just,

your comics just make me wanna go and.

138

Had on my dog and I was like,

well, that's the best thing ever.

139

Because know, if it may, if it

inspires you to go and spend more

140

time with your dog and just see

them in this whole different light,

141

then I think that's the best thing.

142

It's just, and when we use human

terms, I know it was, very taboo

143

to use co to compare humans and

dogs originally and dog training.

144

And there's obviously still some negatives

to it, but I think it's actually they

145

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

146

Georgie: more like us than

particularly many other animals.

147

They live in a, a very human world.

148

They're the only, of pets that we bring

with us everywhere and they do everything

149

with us and are much more like us.

150

And I

151

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

152

Georgie: compare so many more things

to us than we originally could.

153

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Yes, definitely.

154

I love that.

155

Did you create or do you create

your graphics based on any common

156

misconceptions or is it questions

that you see in the training world?

157

How do they all come about?

158

Georgie: Yeah, lots of

common misconceptions.

159

And I think that's where the

the frustration part comes from.

160

'cause like, oh my goodness.

161

And yeah, and I, I think there's like a,

I saw a video pop up on my feed the other

162

day and it just made me so I was like, I

need to get this down on a, on something.

163

So I think it, it, I do

it because it helps me.

164

And then I think, you

165

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

166

Georgie: Obviously you then realize this

is the frustrations that other trainers

167

are having too, because, or other dog

guardians that, that know what they're

168

doing and they go, yeah, yeah, that's,

that's what I've been trying to say.

169

That, that kind of thing.

170

So it, it resonates with people,

but definitely, yeah, definitely

171

from, get inspired by questions

that come up a lot from clients and

172

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Okay.

173

Georgie: stuff that comes up

that people often misunderstand.

174

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

175

What would you say is the most common

thing that comes up then in that your

176

drawings can then help debunk that?

177

Georgie: Yeah, I think one of

the, and I, I suppose going to the

178

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: I.

179

Georgie: side of it, the part that sort of

speaks to people emotionally is a lot of,

180

clients when you first go in, they just

wanna know that they're doing a good job.

181

They, they wanna talk it out and they.

182

And that it's not all their

183

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: I do.

184

Georgie: they, they haven't caused it.

185

And the first thing they look for is a bit

of reassurance because, they are amazing.

186

They just have that, it's, it must be me.

187

It must be me that's caused this.

188

And so I think those ones

189

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

190

Georgie: to people and those are

the common questions that come up.

191

'cause it's often, I on the right track?

192

And those questions of what

could I, what am I doing wrong

193

or what could I be doing better?

194

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Mm.

195

They're seeking that

validation, aren't they?

196

Georgie: Yeah.

197

Yeah.

198

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Yeah, it's, it's quite full on though,

199

like when you first get a Yeah, we do.

200

Yeah, we do.

201

I know, I do.

202

It's quite when someone gets a puppy,

you don't realize how much hard work

203

it is, so they're often a bit sleep

deprived or just a bit stressed.

204

Georgie: is a huge thing.

205

Sometimes I'll get, like a, a 3:00 AM

message from, from a client or something,

206

or a like Christmas day one help.

207

I need to send the dog away.

208

And, and the first thing you know that's

happened is they haven't had any sleep.

209

And you're like, sleep, take

a nap, then come back to me.

210

It's always, once

211

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

212

Georgie: rest, they'll come back

with a much clearer head and,

213

and just, oh yeah, yeah, you're

214

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

215

Georgie: you know, it's fine.

216

We're all good now.

217

I love them again and it's all okay.

218

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: I was

chatting to someone the other day and

219

she's got like a 9-year-old child and

then she got a puppy and she just said

220

she was just so unprepared for the lack of

sleep in those early days and she really

221

struggled and but that, but that's okay.

222

You often need someone to hold

your hand and just say, it's okay.

223

You are, you are doing a good job.

224

Georgie: Exactly, and that, and

225

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

226

Georgie: realize is it is

like having a, a child.

227

You've gotta, you, you don't,

not as prepared for the lack

228

of sleep when you have a baby.

229

Everyone's like, yeah, yeah,

you, you, could say goodbye to

230

sleep and all this with a puppy.

231

It's just, yeah, I'm getting

a puppy, and you have no idea

232

what's, what's about to hit you.

233

And they can be just

234

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

235

Georgie: as work.

236

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: It is

full on because like, I've got seven dogs.

237

I'm the crazy dog man.

238

And I've had them all from puppies.

239

But even having a bit of a gap, you

don't realize how hard work it is.

240

And I dunno if I'd have a puppy again.

241

You just, you forget.

242

And then it's like this

big shock to the system.

243

Georgie: Yeah, I mean there

is something to be said.

244

That's why I say, people that don't

wanna work, it's like, well, don't

245

get, there is something amazing about

going and you've got, puppies are

246

great, so it's nice to raise them.

247

It's nice to know that you are

putting all the basics in and

248

it's obviously a lovely journey.

249

But there's also something to be said

about getting a rescue dog that's older

250

and you know what you're getting as well.

251

'cause with a puppy, you never

know really personality wise

252

what, what's gonna come out.

253

Whereas if you want, you know

that bombproof dog, you can

254

go and find it in in there.

255

And.

256

They're done.

257

Pretty much.

258

They're grown.

259

They're adults, they're,

you know what you're

260

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

261

Georgie: Of course things can

change, but you've got a little, an

262

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah,

263

Georgie: idea.

264

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

definitely.

265

So is it just the one dog you got?

266

You not got loads like me.

267

Georgie: I've just got one.

268

So I worked in rescue for a

long time and I fostered quite

269

a lot, and we didn't have the

270

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Oh, okay.

271

So was he a foul foster or not?

272

'cause that happens a lot.

273

Doesn't that.

274

Georgie: he wasn't failed.

275

He was, I got him at

three months and then.

276

Yeah.

277

And then worked in rescue later and

he, yeah, so he, we had some lovely

278

ones, but every dog I was like, oh,

I, I think I could take this one.

279

He was a bit like, no,

I don't want this one.

280

And whichever ones he got on with,

I was thinking, yeah, they're

281

not the perfect match for me.

282

So yeah, he, he did very well

putting out with all of them.

283

And some of them were pretty challenging

behavior cases, so now retired

284

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

285

Georgie: Yeah.

286

Just, just

287

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Brilliant.

288

Right.

289

Thank, yeah.

290

Alright, brilliant.

291

Thank you so much.

292

So let's move on to part three,

which is all about consent based

293

training and what it really means.

294

So we're seeing this word consent a

lot now in the dog training world.

295

It's, it's become a bit of a buzz

word, but can you talk us through

296

what consent based training

means to you, please, Georgie,

297

Georgie: Yeah, so there's,

298

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: I.

299

Georgie: they don't have a lot of consent

in their lives, dogs, and that's not on

300

a, on not as, we have to keep them safe.

301

We have to put 'em on lead.

302

We have to do the right thing,

and we can't always chat to them.

303

for c, for me, consent is,

is opening up a conversation.

304

And starting to have a chat.

305

We, I can't say, Hey, how's this going?

306

But we can with our hands and we

can touch them and we can take

307

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

308

Georgie: and we cannot ask,

are you happy with this?

309

And that's the most beautiful thing

you can do with a dog because you see

310

these really lovely little behaviors

that say, yeah, yeah, keep going.

311

It might be a nose nudge or a pore

or a, I'm gonna lean into you.

312

I have this lovely that was

really stranger stranger and.

313

her.

314

I, she made friends really

quickly, but I was did that

315

and she's like, yeah, come on.

316

And she was really enthusiastic

with it and I was like, how nice to.

317

such a clear conversation to

say, yes, please keep going.

318

Keep those hands on.

319

Gimme nice neck scratches, and

320

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

321

Georgie: it can be built into so much.

322

I think there's also obviously

consent handling and I use that a

323

lot and I teach that a lot and I

324

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Okay.

325

Georgie: Give our dogs an actual stop

start button when we're using a procedure.

326

So that might look like a chin,

a chin target, a sustained hand

327

touch just coming on a blanket.

328

The bucket game where

they look at the bucket

329

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

330

Georgie: control so they can have

full control over that procedure

331

like we would have at the dentist.

332

And we can say, stop if we need

to, I'll put a hand up and.

333

The power of that is amazing.

334

Even for dogs that don't have handling

issues, it's so nice to teach because

335

when they get it, when you see them

click and they go, I'm controlling

336

this situation, it's so beautiful.

337

You

338

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

339

Georgie: moment where they just,

the confidence kind of grows.

340

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

341

Yeah, I love that.

342

And I was gonna say, the dentist

is the worst thing for us.

343

So, like we do have that agency and that

choice to say, right, I've had enough.

344

But, and again, that choice and

agency and consent, they're all,

345

they're all these buds words that

we're hearing a lot of the kind of

346

all similar things, aren't they given

the dog a choice, that's what should,

347

that's what it should all be about.

348

Georgie: exactly.

349

And it just it just gives, it

gives us power to, to continue with

350

stuff or, or get through stuff.

351

And I.

352

It

353

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Mm

354

Georgie: to be

355

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: mm.

356

Georgie: training.

357

It doesn't have to be a

full stop, stop button.

358

It can just be you look at me

and, and I give you space from

359

whatever you are worried about.

360

It's just, I'm, I'm gonna go with

you if you wanna go that way because

361

you're worried I will go with you.

362

And it's just, if we just start opening

up that little conversation, we can make

363

our dogs just feel so much safer in a

world where they are pretty controlled.

364

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Yeah, definitely.

365

Yeah, I love that.

366

Absolutely love that.

367

And I was just gonna say, actually I

hadn't heard consent handling before.

368

That's that.

369

I like that, that's a new one for me.

370

Really like that.

371

Georgie: Yeah.

372

Oh, it's, it's an amazing one.

373

I think if if anyone.

374

gets into it to teach it.

375

It's just so powerful and

it just completely changes.

376

I've seen dogs, I've been given sort

of time limit limits on dogs where

377

they need their vaccination and

they've been not even aggressive,

378

but that real panic where you can't

possibly get a vaccination in them or

379

anything like that just get them in, in

380

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

381

Georgie: of weeks.

382

Working really closely

with the vets on site.

383

To just them sitting and having it done

and just no, no restraint, no touching.

384

Obviously you can have safety into it.

385

The consent button can be a

nose going into a muzzle if

386

you need that for just in case.

387

But in theory, the more they have control,

the more they are less likely to bite.

388

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

389

And I think also it helps with

that relationship, doesn't it?

390

Relationship building with the dogs,

with rapport building helps, helps you

391

with your, building that bond really.

392

I think it all goes hand in hand.

393

Georgie: Yeah,

394

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

395

Brilliant.

396

How do you teach or encourage

guardians to spot when their

397

dog is given or withdrawing?

398

Consent, Georgie.

399

Georgie: Hmm.

400

I probably, probably the best

way is to talk through it

401

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

The best kind of.

402

Georgie: know?

403

And, and if there's I.

404

With their dog and their dog's doing

something, then it's just talking through

405

that and saying maybe see what they do

now if you take your hands away or if

406

you stop or if you even toss the food

away, that can be a great 'cause Dogs,

407

so, we teach 'em to stay with us all the

time so that sometimes they just don't

408

realize they have a choice to move away.

409

We often say it.

410

You hear it said with kids is, well,

they'd move away if they didn't like it.

411

But actually we spent our whole

life telling them not to do that.

412

So they're like, I can move away.

413

So sometimes we need to remind them,

give them, get outs, give them, even in

414

training sometimes I'll have free food

available, further away so that they are

415

opting in of their own accord, but they

have the option to go away and be that.

416

And that can be a nice little

more of an investigation to

417

see what they're choosing.

418

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Mm.

419

Yeah.

420

Brilliant.

421

I love that.

422

Are there some practical ways to build

more consent into everyday life with dogs

423

from grooming or to walks, for example?

424

Georgie: Yeah, I think always,

I would say the best way to

425

do it is just to slow down.

426

I think that, one of the

biggest is the harness going

427

on, or the equipment going on.

428

When you're coming out the

door, a lot of dogs will.

429

Harnesses are great, but there's

so many dogs that have a bit of

430

an aversion to their harness.

431

Because often it's not

done with taking time.

432

It's, there's a lot of harness as well

that you have to maneuver their legs

433

quite a lot to get in and stuff, and.

434

It's much better if we can choose the ones

that we can slowly click round to pause.

435

'cause I think what we, the first thing

we do, and you see this a lot with small

436

dogs as well, is they resist, we tend to

force, and that's because we're in a rush.

437

Because we have, because we're.

438

We, we've got our plan to go out,

and that's what we are doing.

439

We don't wanna sit by the door

and take our time because we

440

aren't programmed to do that.

441

We wanna keep moving.

442

But if we can just listen to that,

where they go, oh, and we go,

443

okay, just, I'll give you a second.

444

Maybe if it's really bad, we'll

bring in something nice for you

445

to, to help you get through it.

446

But it's just sometimes that

taking your time and slowing

447

down can make a huge difference.

448

And like, and like I said, on walks,

if they look like give something space.

449

Then saying, yeah, okay, we'll go.

450

And the more we do that, the

more that they're gonna ask and

451

the more we can respond to it.

452

And then we've also got a dog that

then is looking to us for questions

453

on walks rather than having to

deal with situations themselves.

454

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah,

a lot of dogs hate the harness going

455

over their head as well, don't they?

456

Georgie: Yeah.

457

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

So like you say, if we can get one

458

where we're clipping it, the two point

attachment ones or clipping it and,

459

Georgie: exactly.

460

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

going at the dog's pace.

461

Georgie: Yeah.

462

Yeah, definitely.

463

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

464

Georgie: And you

465

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

466

Georgie: a game with the, the

467

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

You can a.

468

Georgie: so it can be fun and, and

build it up and all, part of building

469

in a bit of mental stimulation too.

470

Make it something useful.

471

If you want to give your dog a

little brain work, make it that they

472

pop their head through and that's

like one of their tricks, and then

473

suddenly the harness, the head going

in becomes much, much more beneficial.

474

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah,

I'm seeing it a lot lately when I'm

475

doing these talks and these interviews

and that, that people are saying like,

476

work with a dog that's in front of you.

477

Slow down, which is a big, a big

thing because as humans we are, I.

478

Always in a rush.

479

We want the quick fixes, so

slow down and listen as well.

480

Listen to the dog and what he's,

what he or she's trying to tell you.

481

So important.

482

Georgie: Yeah.

483

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

484

Georgie: Because no

485

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: And.

486

Yeah.

487

Yeah.

488

And also like muzzle training as well.

489

You can do like the cone game, can't you?

490

So it's about building it

up in sort of little stages.

491

Georgie: yeah, definitely.

492

Yeah.

493

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Yeah, yeah.

494

Georgie: a dog that's

495

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

496

Georgie: I don't wanna see that

thing, then you can just change it.

497

Or a cup or, cups are quite fun.

498

I used to use, those in like puppy class

or also go to Starbucks and have a.

499

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

I used to say that.

500

So in my puppy classes, I always used

to introduce like muzzle training and

501

people were like, why are we doing this?

502

But it's so important.

503

But I used to use the cone or I'd

say you could use a Costa Cup.

504

So yeah, have one, have

few of those handy.

505

We, I dunno if you had.

506

Sue Williamson, but she does all

of what she does is consent based

507

grooming and she talks about obviously

doing, work at the dog's pace.

508

Like some days the dog may not even go

on the table or have any grooming done.

509

It's just about de desensitization

and building that trust and

510

getting them to feel safe as well.

511

Georgie: Yeah, that is so important.

512

And I think there's such a need for

groomers like that because it's,

513

there's, there's so many times where

I'll, well, I'll be with the dog

514

that's worried about handling or

worried about strangers, and I'll say,

515

what are they like at the groomers?

516

And often they don't know,

they just drop the dog off.

517

And they say we've never heard

anything bad, but you think what

518

is, you need to know what's exactly

going on in that situation they are.

519

Okay.

520

Because I'd rather you have

feedback that, oh, you know what?

521

We couldn't do the groom today, but we did

lots of nice association or we, we haven't

522

finished it, but we've built up because

it's so important that, we do bring

523

in as much choice to that as possible.

524

Obviously, unless it's a welfare issue.

525

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah, I

used to say again to my puppy owners when

526

I was doing classes that obviously I know

that a lot of groomers do like, like puppy

527

programs, but even just taking the puppy

into the grooming environment just to

528

get them used to the noises, the smells,

get the groomer to give them a treat.

529

Same with that.

530

Clinics as well.

531

Like go to the go to the vet when it's

not a day to go for your now clips or

532

your anal clans or your vaccinations.

533

Get the receptionist to give them

some treats and just build up that,

534

again, that positive association, that

it's not always bad stuff going on.

535

Georgie: Yeah, definitely.

536

Definitely.

537

Yeah.

538

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

So important.

539

Brilliant.

540

Okay, so let's move on to part four,

which is all about accessibility

541

and education for everyone.

542

So Georgie, who do you create

your content content for?

543

Is it mainly dog, guardians,

trainers, or both?

544

Georgie: Yeah, definitely both I think.

545

I think I hope that I help.

546

While, while I help my own frustration,

I help sometimes trainers as well

547

because they validating that, okay,

yes, this is frustrating for me too.

548

Now I can share this.

549

And feeling a bit better about maybe

it, it reaching even if it just

550

reaches one person and changes their

idea, then, then that can be great.

551

But definitely also for

dog guardians because.

552

The spreading the education is

great, but on all different levels.

553

I think it's wonderful that, it

might be people that are very new to

554

it and they're just like, oh yeah,

I didn't think of it like that.

555

Or people that are already quite

advanced and, and again, agree and

556

say, yeah, yeah, that is, that's what I

found, or that's frustrating to me too.

557

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Yeah, but it's so important for the

558

dog guardians to see your content.

559

But I must admit, I didn't realize it was

your content at first, but I do see a lot

560

of your content shared until obviously

I realized who you were and obviously

561

did some research for this episode.

562

Like I do see a lot of your content

shared from other dog professionals.

563

So that must make you, that must

give you like a nice feeling.

564

Georgie: That's so nice.

565

Yeah, definitely.

566

It really, it really does 'cause for

me, they're just like my silly little

567

drawings from my head and it's really

nice that they are, they resonate with

568

people and, and they get shared and

even copied, when there's, it's really

569

frustrating when you see it copied by ai,

but I'm also like, but really flattering,

570

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh,

right, so AI started picking it up as it.

571

Georgie: Well, yeah, I guess there's

always someone behind it creating it,

572

but obviously it's very easy for them

to recreate and they'll copy the words

573

or, and the images and I guess you,

574

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Oh, okay.

575

Georgie: you have to just

be like, that's nice.

576

I'm being copied.

577

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: I

guess it's quite flattering, isn't it?

578

But as long as I'm all, as long as you're

getting some credit for it as well.

579

Georgie: Yeah.

580

Yeah.

581

Most, most people do.

582

It's, it's

583

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Most people do.

584

Georgie: loads that do that,

and I guess it comes with the

585

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

586

Yeah.

587

And like I said, it was just nice to

see it appear in my feed, so, yeah.

588

Really great.

589

What's your take on making

science-based training more access

590

more accessible, especially for the

first time, Doug Guardians, Georgie.

591

Georgie: Yeah, that's, it's a hard one.

592

I think making it available is great.

593

There's just so much noise out

there, and I think the more noise

594

is, the more sort of people are

losing trust in training altogether.

595

And even.

596

There's a whole marketing thing that

I'm seeing at the moment as well where

597

trainers with the same ethics that are all

science-based are still putting each other

598

down to get their stuff out there more.

599

And I

600

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Right.

601

Yeah.

602

Georgie: these, these trainers say

this, but this is why I would do this.

603

And I think that's what's

really starting to damage trust.

604

And I understand that it can be

a nice tactic to promote you.

605

The more we stick together and,

606

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yes.

607

Georgie: the same advice

which we all agree with.

608

There's gonna be obviously tweaks to

it, but we all pretty much are on the

609

same page in our sort of ethical group.

610

Then it's

611

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yes.

612

Georgie: provide clarity.

613

I think we need to join

forces more than divide.

614

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

You are so right, and I, I'm

615

really big on collaboration.

616

It's a shame that, for the unsuspecting

dog guardian, there is a lot of

617

old fashioned style training still

going on and aversive training, and

618

obviously you've got all the, I.

619

Force free and cause

positive reinforcement.

620

But for the, for the average dog guardian,

they're gonna be so confused, aren't they?

621

And if we're all letting, you've got all

the camps arguing amongst themselves,

622

like, education's so important,

623

Georgie: yeah, definitely.

624

And yeah, I suppose it just needs

625

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

626

I.

627

Georgie: be out there more that we put

our stuff out there more and more so that

628

people can find it over the overall, the

629

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

630

Over all the noise.

631

Yeah, that's, that's good.

632

Brilliant.

633

So have you noticed any

particular graphics that are

634

really resonating with people?

635

Georgie: Yeah, I think definitely the,

the ones that spark the emotional side,

636

the ones that deal with the, all the

637

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Definitely.

638

Georgie: kind of dog, like Your life

doesn't look the same as other dog owners.

639

You, walks don't look the same.

640

The separation

641

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah,

642

Georgie: you don't leave the

house the same way that people do.

643

You do weird stuff standing

outside the door and timing and.

644

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: I've

got an essay so I know about this.

645

Georgie: Yeah.

646

Yeah.

647

I mean it's, and I think those resonate

because, you, you have this idea of

648

what life's gonna look like with a

dog and then suddenly you're on these

649

plans or you're on these diving behind

bushes walks and you're just on edge

650

and it, and I think those resonate

because people realize they aren't

651

the only ones doing these, and that's

652

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

653

Yeah, it's nice to know, like you say,

you're not the only one, you're not alone.

654

Why do you think those specific ones

really struck a chord with people?

655

Georgie: I think it, I think it's that.

656

I think it's the.

657

It can feel really lonely and there's

not loads of, know, support out there.

658

I think there isn't now becoming more

and more support groups and stuff,

659

but pre previously there wasn't.

660

It was just so you didn't realize,

661

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Mm-hmm.

662

Georgie: what we see out on in dog

friendly places and all this is dogs that

663

can cope in dog friendly places, and we

don't see the other side because they're

664

all at home or they're all at, being built

up the time alone or something like that.

665

So I think it, it just gives

people idea that it's not just

666

them working through this.

667

There are other people out there.

668

It's not just them that have this

issue and that can, which can make

669

us feel very isolated and very, I.

670

Lonely and, and these tell them

that, ah, there's a whole community

671

out there that I haven't found.

672

Some of the comments sections of some

of the posts or videos are so lovely.

673

chats that people have and the

support they give each other is,

674

is the nicest thing about it.

675

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Yeah, it's nice.

676

And the thing is this word reactivity

in inverted commas, like it's such

677

a buzz word, but unfortunately it's

what most people know what it is.

678

But there's a lot of reasons

a dog can be reactive, like

679

sensitive, nervous, anxious.

680

Obviously you've got all the work

that my anxious dog's doing with

681

the yellow sort of wearing yellow.

682

So that, I think that's really helping

to educate people a lot better as well.

683

Georgie: Yeah, definitely.

684

And it, it's really nice when you

see somebody who, I think, when

685

you see someone who knows what that

means, they make a huge effort.

686

Like especially in the UK where, we, we

walk across the road, the crossing really

687

fast and say thank you eight times over.

688

So people, when they see the yellow,

they'll be like, get their dog lead and

689

put it on and, and give you a big gap.

690

And you're like, that's so nice.

691

And it's more

692

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: So.

693

Georgie: and people are starting

to realize what that means.

694

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Yeah, definitely.

695

It's so funny.

696

I, I it's, it's, and it's so important.

697

It's all about raising

awareness and education.

698

Again, like you said, it's so

nice to see that people are

699

starting to understand it now.

700

I, a bulk of what I do is.

701

Dog walking.

702

I've gone back to like my first loving,

first passion when I set up my business

703

sort of seven years ago and like I've

got like two little dogs I walk and one's

704

absolutely fine when he sees other dogs.

705

But the other one I'd say is

more of a frustrated greeter.

706

So we start seeing dogs like walking our

way and then I'm running behind bushes

707

or into people's gardens so he, so he

just doesn't have a meltdown because I

708

don't like him to be feeling that way.

709

The other one's like,

what the, how's going on?

710

And the people that are

walking towards thinking like.

711

What the hell's, what's going on?

712

What's this guy doing?

713

But I don't care.

714

As long as, as long as little

Hu little Hugo feels safe and he

715

doesn't feel he has to get so worked

up and start going barking mad.

716

Georgie: Yeah.

717

And that's what it's all about.

718

It's just about you, you two, and

making sure you are, having a good,

719

a good walk and a low stress walk.

720

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Definitely right?

721

Part five is all about trick

training, fun and engagement.

722

So let's talk trick wfs.

723

What role do tricks and enrichment

play in your training philosophy?

724

Georgie: Yeah.

725

I love, I love tricks 'cause

that was Badger's choice of,

726

of things that he loved to

727

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Ah

728

Georgie: I always.

729

I think when

730

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

love that.

731

Georgie: With any dog, our dogs

are, technically captive animals.

732

We, they, we take them in our homes

and really, even if we take them

733

out for one or two hour walks a day.

734

It's just one or two hours in a

whole day that they get to be off

735

and do what they want to do and

736

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Long time.

737

Georgie: not even have that.

738

So I love to find what their purpose is.

739

So some dogs will definitely love the

nose works, some dogs will, definitely

740

agility or sort of movement games.

741

Sometimes it's just really simple

little games that you can build in.

742

But Badger definitely chose tricks.

743

so that got trick training.

744

Yeah, he loves him.

745

So he is even now.

746

'cause I always think, well, I'll, I

could do a little bit less with him.

747

He is 13, but even now, if I'm playing

with my daughter, with her sort car set,

748

he's, he could come and put the car on

the, on the ramp and make it go down.

749

He's like, somebody did tricks with me.

750

So

751

it hugely helped his reactivity.

752

So he's

753

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Oh, okay.

754

Georgie: Yeah.

755

Reactive to people and reactive

dogs, particularly people that

756

stare and come towards him.

757

And he is very cute.

758

So a lot of people wanna do that and

759

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Ah,

760

Georgie: just is a real

confidence booster.

761

So, he loves doing it.

762

We wanna obviously teach it with lots

of clarity and, and not frustration.

763

But he loves to do it.

764

He loves learning the next

765

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yeah.

766

Georgie: and next thing.

767

'cause he's a fast mover.

768

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Okay.

769

Georgie: has been the biggest challenge

for him teaching anything is stillness.

770

But it's just huge for their confidence.

771

They, you ask them to do something

and they get it right, and you

772

see them go, yeah, I did it.

773

I got it.

774

It's so good.

775

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

That's brilliant.

776

Is there any particular tricks

that is like, has he got a

777

favorite one he likes to do, or,

778

Georgie: He likes to put

stuff in stuff or on stuff.

779

So that's probably his

780

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

oh, okay.

781

Georgie: So that was one that

two games used to teach actually.

782

But it's a bit like the consent handling

in, when they get the concept, it's

783

really beautiful because you actually

see that they, if they don't get it in

784

the, say you're putting a toy away in

a box or something, if they miss and

785

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

786

Georgie: outside box,

you know they've got it.

787

'cause they go, oh, and they pick

the toy up and put it back in and

788

then go, okay, now I've got it.

789

My, where's my tree?

790

yeah, he likes that We.

791

That one.

792

And, and from that he puts

anything into anything now.

793

So I taught him to put like a pretend

spider in a glass or you can use that to

794

do painting or drawing or put magnets on

a board 'cause you are just putting it on.

795

So, yeah, really I like that one.

796

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Oh, I love that.

797

I guess there might be some similarities

like, 'cause like people that have got

798

assistant dogs, I saw a demonstration

where he was putting in like her daddy

799

washing into the washing machine.

800

I just think it's amazing.

801

Georgie: Yeah.

802

Yeah, exactly like that.

803

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: how,

how clever and like got, got the keys

804

out the drawer and things like that.

805

I just found it fascinating.

806

Georgie: it's.

807

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

808

We might have touched on it a little

bit, but how can tricks help builds

809

that confidence, especially in our

anxious and unsure nervous dogs?

810

Georgi.

811

Georgie: Yeah.

812

So it is that, is that kind of giving

them something to do so, know, a purpose,

813

I think we all benefit from having a

purpose, and our dogs really do too.

814

I think if they know what they love to

do and that's their activity, it almost,

815

maybe, maybe even meditative for them.

816

And that's what I do.

817

That's my job.

818

That's what I, I I like to.

819

Do with my person, then that's just

giving them something else to do.

820

And it's also so confidence boosting,

like I said before, when they get it

821

right, you really see them of build

that, you can see that confidence

822

build and the happiness build.

823

It's like, yeah, I got praise.

824

I did it.

825

I,

826

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah,

827

Georgie: good.

828

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: I

bet they love that praise as well.

829

'cause like us in it as humans, if

someone says, oh wow, done, or Great job,

830

instantly lifts your mood and spirit.

831

Doesn't that So I expect

the dogs are the same.

832

Georgie: Yeah, and it's, yeah,

833

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Oh, I love that.

834

Georgie: telling me I was a good

girl and it felt really good.

835

I,

836

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Was it be, was it because you

837

were saying she was a good girl?

838

So she's just started reciprocating.

839

Georgie: Probably, yeah,

840

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Oh, bless.

841

Georgie: I was a good

842

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Does your daughter do any tricks

843

of badger or is she too young or?

844

Georgie: No, she does, she,

she loves doing tricks with

845

him, so she's really, she

846

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

That's cute.

847

Georgie: bits preparing him

enrichment when she was very

848

young and things like that.

849

So she's, she does a lot

of trick training with him.

850

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

That's amazing.

851

Oh, I just brought up, brought

in my next word about cute.

852

So what would you say to guardians

who think trick training is cute

853

and inverted commas, but not useful?

854

Georgie: Yeah, I think there is a lot of

855

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

856

Georgie: that comes against trick

training or that it's there's a, a idea

857

that maybe it's cruel or we're making

them into performing seals by doing it.

858

Yeah, there's definitely a,

a lot of thoughts and, and

859

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

That's a shame.

860

Georgie: that.

861

Yeah, it is because I think if

we are not forcing the dogs to do

862

it, which we are not, obviously

there are ways that people do that.

863

But if we are asking them to

do it by choice, enjoyment.

864

we can see, I think perhaps they

haven't taught stuff to their

865

dogs in that way, because I can

really see it that they love it.

866

And if you find that motivation

in the dog, I think it, it's huge.

867

And tricks are so useful.

868

I can think of a use for every

trick, if you're teaching a dog a

869

halt, that's amazing with resource

gardeners, because the amount of times

870

I've seen this sort of be a bit funny

of resources and you start teaching

871

them a whole, and they're like, oh.

872

I, I don't even know if I'm

that into this thing anymore.

873

That can be huge.

874

Target training

875

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: So

876

Georgie: Send aways and stuff.

877

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

sorry, Georgie, just talk me for a hold.

878

I'm not, I'm not, not sure I'm

familiar with this and what's,

879

what's involved with that then

880

Georgie: an item so.

881

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: I see.

882

Georgie: with.

883

Yeah, so you can start with anything.

884

So it can be hold a toy, retrieve

a toy, or it could be like

885

a trick, holding up a sign.

886

I used to teach dogs in rescue to

hold up a sign saying Adopt me, or,

887

have something cute and you a little

social media video to, to push them.

888

And it worked

889

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

890

Georgie: There was a, a dog

that got re-homed from tricks.

891

There used to be a course that was run.

892

Called Unadoptable.

893

So we would take the dogs that weren't

getting much interest and teach them

894

cool things to do to try and get them

a home, and there was one that was

895

very barky, so he was demand barking.

896

The door, obviously very

bored, very stressed.

897

So we taught him on the queue of

a person coming to his kennel.

898

He would go off and he would

either ring a bell or he would go

899

off and hold a bunch of flowers.

900

Those were his two

tricks that he would do.

901

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh

902

Georgie: home 'cause it stopped him from

903

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yeah.

904

Georgie: because,

especially the flower one.

905

'cause obviously he picked up the

flowers and he had something in

906

his mouth rather than shouting.

907

So gonna be a crazy barky dog in the home.

908

He was just stressed.

909

So it just showed his side that

they're gonna see romantic side

910

and then he would come to the,

911

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: So,

912

Georgie: him the flowers.

913

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: so it

sounds like you've just given him some

914

else to do then obviously stop the barking

because he is got something in his mouth,

915

so you're giving him another job to do.

916

Mm-hmm.

917

Georgie: exactly.

918

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

919

Georgie: And the kind of

920

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: And

921

Georgie: to express.

922

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yeah.

923

And did you say that the hold

one house of resource Guarders.

924

Georgie: Yeah, it definitely can do.

925

So if you've got a dog that

likes to guard items, obviously

926

you have to be careful when

927

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Okay.

928

Georgie: Depending on the level of the

resource guarding, but particularly

929

if they're a bit low level, this

can be a really nice one to teach.

930

'cause you are working a lot on that,

putting it on queue to hold it and

931

you are having the drop as well.

932

So yeah, it

933

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

934

Georgie: be a good one

for resource guarders.

935

Definitely.

936

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

937

That's so interesting.

938

Yeah, I'm loving learning more about it.

939

'cause I don't know much

about sort of trick training,

940

so it is really interesting.

941

Brilliant.

942

Okay.

943

So let's move on to part six,

which is all about the creative

944

process and behind the scenes.

945

So Georgie, what's the process like

from an idea to then final illustration?

946

Georgie: Yeah, so I think

I have a lot of ideas.

947

They tend to,

948

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Mm-hmm.

949

Georgie: come up all, I have

about 30 notebooks and, you

950

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Oh my God.

951

Fatty was really,

952

Georgie: All over the place.

953

Just crazy.

954

And

955

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

just so you can jot it down

956

when an idea pops in your head.

957

Georgie: Yeah.

958

And to get them outta my head

because it's quite full in there

959

sometimes with all this madness

of thoughts and ideas and yeah.

960

Things I wanna get on paper.

961

I think sometimes one just

speaks to me and I'm like, no,

962

I have to get this one down.

963

And, and from.

964

From that, which people have probably

noticed, one thing that helps me do

965

it quickly is I'm not a perfectionist,

which nothing shows in my work.

966

I just tend to get it out there.

967

So it will take, maybe a day or two the

images if I don't have, massive load

968

on I'll work in the night a lot and

then yeah, get it down and, and then on

969

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Mm.

970

Georgie: quickly.

971

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

I'm being perfect is boring anyway.

972

I think the fact that they may not be like

too perfect is more relatable to people

973

and probably attracts pe gets people's

974

Georgie: so.

975

Yeah.

976

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

attention more.

977

I.

978

I am often saying to like some of

my mentees, 'cause I've got a mentor

979

inside of my business that pro

progression is better than perfection.

980

So,

981

yeah, I, I love 'em.

982

They're just really relatable.

983

So I think if I, I honestly think

if it was, if it was too perfect

984

or pristine, I'm not sure it'd

have the same effect Georgie.

985

Georgie: That's good for me.

986

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

So do you ever feel pressure to

987

constantly be creating new content

or responding to trends at all?

988

Georgie: Yeah, all the time.

989

I think

990

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: really,

991

Georgie: there's a lot, a lot of pressure

on, on social media, and I try to

992

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: oh.

993

Georgie: of.

994

I try to be casual about it sometimes,

but if it, I think also it's very

995

reinforcing social media, even though,

it's not, it doesn't equal money.

996

It's almost more reinforcing 'cause

the likes or the shares and stuff.

997

So

998

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Okay.

999

That's interesting.

00:42:48,760 --> 00:42:49,540

Georgie: I think so.

00:42:49,540 --> 00:42:52,440

And when, when I first started

growing, I remember I felt

00:42:52,440 --> 00:42:54,450

really pressured for every post.

00:42:54,450 --> 00:42:56,790

'cause I was like, wow,

there's more people here.

00:42:56,875 --> 00:42:58,260

What, what if I put out a post?

00:42:58,260 --> 00:43:00,030

They don't like what if,

I don't impress them.

00:43:00,030 --> 00:43:01,230

What if this one doesn't do well?

00:43:01,830 --> 00:43:05,340

Originally, yeah, I felt very,

I think I've got better at it.

00:43:06,090 --> 00:43:09,090

But yeah, I think there was a comment

on one of my posts 'cause I redo a lot

00:43:09,090 --> 00:43:10,680

now because there's a lot of them there.

00:43:10,680 --> 00:43:11,880

And timing

00:43:12,101 --> 00:43:12,391

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: okay.

00:43:12,510 --> 00:43:12,570

Georgie: I.

00:43:13,350 --> 00:43:14,370

And I think someone put

00:43:14,381 --> 00:43:14,671

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

00:43:14,880 --> 00:43:18,210

Georgie: one or something

and I was like, oh, mean?

00:43:19,026 --> 00:43:19,206

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh,

00:43:19,395 --> 00:43:20,850

Georgie: It's like, yeah, I have to

00:43:20,886 --> 00:43:21,186

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: really?

00:43:21,186 --> 00:43:22,266

They actually went see,

00:43:24,486 --> 00:43:26,886

well, we always go on

about repurpose and stuff.

00:43:26,886 --> 00:43:27,996

There's nothing wrong with that.

00:43:29,190 --> 00:43:29,670

Georgie: Yeah.

00:43:29,730 --> 00:43:30,210

Yeah.

00:43:30,330 --> 00:43:30,480

I.

00:43:30,756 --> 00:43:32,616

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

I bet you've got some diehard fans.

00:43:32,616 --> 00:43:35,766

Then they're dying to see

the next new illustration.

00:43:35,766 --> 00:43:38,376

Then next thing you send out,

one you put out like a year ago.

00:43:38,406 --> 00:43:38,616

How,

00:43:40,760 --> 00:43:41,290

Georgie: Yeah, I.

00:43:43,716 --> 00:43:46,086

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Have

you like, I, I hate, social medias.

00:43:46,866 --> 00:43:50,646

Got its positives, obviously, but it

also has a lot of negatives and can

00:43:50,646 --> 00:43:52,836

be quite a non, not very nice place.

00:43:52,836 --> 00:43:55,866

But do you get much negativity

on your drawings or do you

00:43:55,866 --> 00:43:57,156

try and ignore 'em or what?

00:43:57,161 --> 00:43:57,411

What?

00:43:57,576 --> 00:43:58,251

How's that go?

00:43:59,385 --> 00:44:02,385

Georgie: Yeah, I definitely

get a lot of negative comments.

00:44:02,445 --> 00:44:03,135

Someone asked me that

00:44:03,701 --> 00:44:03,921

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh.

00:44:03,975 --> 00:44:05,025

Georgie: and was surprised.

00:44:05,130 --> 00:44:06,330

I, but there's, there's a lot.

00:44:06,610 --> 00:44:10,210

I always say, that you just, people

are on there spoiling for a fight.

00:44:10,210 --> 00:44:14,260

I feel like social media is like road,

road rage or in dog terms like barrier

00:44:14,560 --> 00:44:18,730

guarding, like the, everybody's confident

when there's a, a barrier in between.

00:44:18,730 --> 00:44:19,900

So people get more.

00:44:22,120 --> 00:44:22,750

Yeah.

00:44:22,840 --> 00:44:23,320

Yeah.

00:44:23,980 --> 00:44:28,310

And some of it's, I might take on

board and I might be like, okay,

00:44:28,310 --> 00:44:29,840

so that really offended someone.

00:44:29,840 --> 00:44:30,770

Let's look at why.

00:44:30,770 --> 00:44:32,480

I think always looking at why behind.

00:44:32,480 --> 00:44:35,720

So there was a reel that I put

out about cropping and docking.

00:44:36,630 --> 00:44:41,130

And that got like so much hate.

00:44:41,130 --> 00:44:45,780

or something arguing, and

00:44:45,816 --> 00:44:46,326

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Oh my word.

00:44:46,500 --> 00:44:46,620

Georgie: the.

00:44:47,430 --> 00:44:51,225

It was on TikTok then people, 'cause

I closed the comments, people actually

00:44:51,225 --> 00:44:55,455

found me on Instagram and started

sending me private messages like,

00:44:55,455 --> 00:44:58,725

oh, all this sort of, you turn the

comments off, you are, no, you're wrong.

00:44:58,725 --> 00:45:01,155

And, and I was like, wow, this is crazy.

00:45:01,326 --> 00:45:02,046

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh my.

00:45:02,055 --> 00:45:06,315

Georgie: But I tried to

see it from, they are.

00:45:06,675 --> 00:45:09,315

All coming from the place where

we're all coming from, right?

00:45:09,315 --> 00:45:11,955

They, these people,

you have a cropped dog.

00:45:11,955 --> 00:45:14,235

Dog, and they love that dog.

00:45:14,235 --> 00:45:17,415

And I'm here saying that it can

cause issues with, communication.

00:45:17,715 --> 00:45:18,315

And they're like, my

00:45:18,426 --> 00:45:18,456

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Mm.

00:45:18,585 --> 00:45:19,575

Georgie: has no issues with,

00:45:19,691 --> 00:45:19,911

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Can.

00:45:20,025 --> 00:45:22,305

Georgie: and they take it

personally because they love their

00:45:22,511 --> 00:45:22,801

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

00:45:23,115 --> 00:45:24,915

Georgie: So I try to see it like that

00:45:24,966 --> 00:45:25,026

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

00:45:25,755 --> 00:45:29,565

Georgie: their, their anger is

coming from love they have for their

00:45:29,565 --> 00:45:30,795

dog, which is what we all have.

00:45:30,825 --> 00:45:32,445

So we might disagree

00:45:32,451 --> 00:45:33,021

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

00:45:33,735 --> 00:45:35,265

Georgie: but I can see why they're angry.

00:45:36,705 --> 00:45:38,240

So I think looking behind behind it

00:45:38,371 --> 00:45:38,431

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh.

00:45:40,606 --> 00:45:42,646

Yeah, there's more going on, isn't there?

00:45:42,646 --> 00:45:45,736

I think with a lot of time when people

are like that, there's, there's says

00:45:45,736 --> 00:45:47,866

more about them, but that's a shame.

00:45:47,866 --> 00:45:51,736

I'm surprised you do get like some

negative, but I guess we all do, don't we?

00:45:51,736 --> 00:45:53,446

On stuff we put out there.

00:45:53,446 --> 00:45:55,276

You're quite vulnerable

sometimes, aren't you?

00:45:55,276 --> 00:45:57,586

When you put, put stuff out there online.

00:45:57,636 --> 00:46:00,216

But it's nice that you get a

lot of positive stuff as well.

00:46:00,276 --> 00:46:01,056

I do like that.

00:46:01,455 --> 00:46:02,385

Georgie: Yeah, definitely.

00:46:02,385 --> 00:46:05,620

I think if you're go, if you're going

out there and if things are, are are

00:46:05,625 --> 00:46:10,035

challenging thoughts or ideas, then you

are gonna have some negative comments.

00:46:10,035 --> 00:46:12,645

It's, it's usually a good

sign rather than a bad one.

00:46:14,461 --> 00:46:14,961

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

00:46:15,111 --> 00:46:15,531

Yeah.

00:46:15,881 --> 00:46:16,931

No, I think it's great.

00:46:16,931 --> 00:46:18,996

You're putting yourself out there

and you are, you are doing this,

00:46:18,996 --> 00:46:22,201

like you said, it's for you, it's

quite reinforcing, so it's obviously

00:46:22,261 --> 00:46:24,391

rewarding and reinforcing as well,

00:46:25,411 --> 00:46:25,471

Georgie: yeah.

00:46:27,157 --> 00:46:27,727

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Brilliant.

00:46:28,397 --> 00:46:31,907

How do you, I'm really big on, in my

mentoring business, I'm really big on

00:46:31,957 --> 00:46:36,967

wellbeing, so how do you look after your

own wellbeing while running a creative

00:46:37,207 --> 00:46:39,367

and emotionally invested business?

00:46:41,821 --> 00:46:45,481

Georgie: This is, this is a tricky

one because I also, promote wellbeing

00:46:45,481 --> 00:46:49,201

and self care, and then I'm not always

the best at doing it myself, so.

00:46:55,586 --> 00:46:57,751

So I am trying to get better at this.

00:46:57,751 --> 00:47:01,971

I I have a 5-year-old and she's quite,

she's got some behavior challenges too.

00:47:02,031 --> 00:47:06,021

A nice gift for me 'cause I like

working with behavior, I have to

00:47:06,071 --> 00:47:11,531

figure out the times that I can take

for me and try and definitely do them.

00:47:11,531 --> 00:47:13,061

I've just started this

new thing, which is great.

00:47:13,061 --> 00:47:14,501

I dunno if you've heard of Mel Robbins.

00:47:14,501 --> 00:47:16,541

She's like a, a sort of, speaker.

00:47:16,562 --> 00:47:18,782

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: I

have, I have heard of, heard of Mao.

00:47:18,782 --> 00:47:20,642

Got a couple of her books.

00:47:21,032 --> 00:47:22,383

Listen to her podcast,

00:47:23,516 --> 00:47:26,156

Georgie: This one, then I started

doing a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 in the

00:47:26,156 --> 00:47:27,986

morning because I'm like, I

00:47:28,292 --> 00:47:28,352

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: have.

00:47:30,981 --> 00:47:32,401

Georgie: so I need my time in the morning.

00:47:33,131 --> 00:47:35,111

So that I can just be with my thoughts.

00:47:35,111 --> 00:47:37,961

I can do my exercise, I

can do what, what helps me.

00:47:38,411 --> 00:47:40,271

So, but that getting up is hard.

00:47:40,271 --> 00:47:45,761

So that, she obviously says that have to

get to do the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and get up.

00:47:45,821 --> 00:47:47,201

And you, that's before you

00:47:47,202 --> 00:47:47,492

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

00:47:47,561 --> 00:47:49,841

Georgie: doing this, oh,

but I need a bit more sleep.

00:47:49,841 --> 00:47:50,711

Oh, I'll just lay in.

00:47:50,711 --> 00:47:53,171

Or I just hit the snooze button

for five minutes and then when

00:47:53,171 --> 00:47:55,931

we start this conversation with

ourselves, we aren't gonna get up.

00:47:55,961 --> 00:47:58,811

So tried, started trying that and then.

00:47:59,231 --> 00:48:04,271

That makes me feel so great by the

time everyone wakes up, because I've

00:48:04,271 --> 00:48:06,011

already had that time to myself.

00:48:06,341 --> 00:48:07,241

I'm like, I've done it.

00:48:07,241 --> 00:48:08,291

I've taken care of myself.

00:48:08,291 --> 00:48:12,221

I come in with a nice calm head and

I'm like, ready to take on the day

00:48:12,221 --> 00:48:17,691

and, and get everyone ready and, and

school and walks and food and stuff.

00:48:19,557 --> 00:48:20,247

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

No, I love that.

00:48:20,247 --> 00:48:20,757

I love that.

00:48:20,817 --> 00:48:25,497

Ma Robins and the high fiving

yourself in the mirror as well.

00:48:26,157 --> 00:48:26,367

Georgie: One.

00:48:26,367 --> 00:48:26,667

Yeah.

00:48:28,353 --> 00:48:28,563

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Hi.

00:48:28,563 --> 00:48:30,933

I'm sure it's Mel Robins, I'm sure it is.

00:48:31,053 --> 00:48:34,413

She says about high fiving yourself

in the mirror in the morning.

00:48:34,743 --> 00:48:38,313

So I've been using the 5 4 2

1 thing as well because I do

00:48:38,313 --> 00:48:39,993

struggle to get up in the mornings.

00:48:40,413 --> 00:48:48,243

And I recently read her, let them book,

so I'm all about let, let them and let me,

00:48:49,032 --> 00:48:49,322

Georgie: Yeah.

00:48:49,893 --> 00:48:50,013

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yeah.

00:48:50,352 --> 00:48:50,923

Georgie: Yeah.

00:48:51,042 --> 00:48:55,182

And I think that's a really good one

for for dog guardians, because you

00:48:55,182 --> 00:49:00,223

get a lot of that advice advice when

you're out and about or do this.

00:49:00,223 --> 00:49:03,252

And, and that idea of just let

them think what they want is

00:49:03,603 --> 00:49:03,843

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah,

00:49:04,212 --> 00:49:04,602

Georgie: nice.

00:49:04,602 --> 00:49:04,962

I do

00:49:05,313 --> 00:49:06,603

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: exactly.

00:49:07,623 --> 00:49:08,103

Yeah.

00:49:08,283 --> 00:49:11,193

So nice plug for Mal Robins

and the let them fill in.

00:49:12,093 --> 00:49:13,863

5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

00:49:14,223 --> 00:49:14,973

But no, great.

00:49:14,973 --> 00:49:16,653

If anyone's not, it's

gotta come across that.

00:49:16,653 --> 00:49:18,003

I highly recommend it as well.

00:49:18,313 --> 00:49:18,733

Brilliant.

00:49:18,793 --> 00:49:19,363

Okay.

00:49:19,393 --> 00:49:22,603

So I'm glad that you are, you are

allowing some time for your own wellbeing.

00:49:22,943 --> 00:49:23,273

Right.

00:49:23,303 --> 00:49:25,643

We've literally sailed

through this episode.

00:49:25,643 --> 00:49:26,573

It's literally.

00:49:27,173 --> 00:49:27,943

We've buzzing.

00:49:27,943 --> 00:49:28,993

It's been filled so much.

00:49:28,993 --> 00:49:29,653

Great information.

00:49:29,653 --> 00:49:34,493

So we're gonna spend the last five or

so minutes on our part seven, which

00:49:34,493 --> 00:49:39,813

is all about wrapping up some quick

fire, fun questions and thoughts.

00:49:40,143 --> 00:49:44,788

So, Georgie, a piece of training

advice you wish every dog, guardian.

00:49:47,962 --> 00:49:50,782

Georgie: The power of processing time.

00:49:50,842 --> 00:49:55,732

Like let your dogs process it in,

in every situation, let that, it

00:49:55,732 --> 00:49:58,752

comes from our slow down thing

we were talking about, but, yeah.

00:49:58,752 --> 00:50:00,192

Processing time is huge.

00:50:00,192 --> 00:50:03,882

If you ask them something,

let's go for a, sit.

00:50:04,002 --> 00:50:04,692

Let's just say sit.

00:50:04,692 --> 00:50:05,382

'cause it's an obvious one.

00:50:06,222 --> 00:50:07,872

give them a second to think about that.

00:50:07,932 --> 00:50:08,982

Don't repeat it.

00:50:08,982 --> 00:50:10,272

Don't pull away

00:50:10,478 --> 00:50:11,018

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: no set.

00:50:11,052 --> 00:50:11,352

Georgie: off and,

00:50:11,523 --> 00:50:12,093

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Set

00:50:12,732 --> 00:50:12,972

Georgie: yeah.

00:50:12,972 --> 00:50:14,142

You know that, you know what I'm talking

00:50:14,193 --> 00:50:14,313

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: I to.

00:50:15,153 --> 00:50:15,753

Yeah.

00:50:15,822 --> 00:50:16,242

Georgie: Yeah.

00:50:17,622 --> 00:50:21,852

If they go off and they're sniffing,

wait for them to come back to you rather

00:50:21,852 --> 00:50:26,022

than, just give them, they will come

back to you, but the more you nag, the

00:50:26,022 --> 00:50:29,412

more they're just gonna cut start to

switch off, switch off, switch off.

00:50:30,222 --> 00:50:30,972

And yeah, it

00:50:31,173 --> 00:50:31,743

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

00:50:32,472 --> 00:50:32,982

Georgie: response.

00:50:32,982 --> 00:50:35,442

Just them processing time.

00:50:36,978 --> 00:50:37,398

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

I love that.

00:50:37,428 --> 00:50:39,588

'cause you like, you can almost

poison the cure their name.

00:50:39,588 --> 00:50:41,718

You're like Friday fi or sit, sit, sit.

00:50:41,718 --> 00:50:44,688

You need to just give them, just

give them some thinking space.

00:50:44,688 --> 00:50:46,368

So the power to process.

00:50:46,368 --> 00:50:46,938

I love that.

00:50:46,938 --> 00:50:47,538

Georgie.

00:50:50,208 --> 00:50:50,508

Brilliant.

00:50:51,168 --> 00:50:52,098

That's a good one.

00:50:52,468 --> 00:50:56,548

What would be your favorite

trick or skill to teach?

00:50:58,462 --> 00:51:01,102

Georgie: Oh, I think it's

always gonna be a hand touch.

00:51:01,102 --> 00:51:02,927

It's just I love a hand touch people.

00:51:02,927 --> 00:51:03,687

Never, you