Canicross Conversations

Most of us found canicross as adults. Daisy has been at races since she was a toddler, and now she's lining up at the Nationals with a 30kg dog of her own. This week we hear what junior racing is really like, from start line chaos to sore legs on the downhills.
Daisy is 13 and has grown up in the canicross world. She did her first race at around 4, attached to her mum, and now races in the junior category with Wizzy, a dog her family bred themselves. She came second at the Nationals.
Timings
- 00:01:27 Growing up watching her mum race, and her first race at about 4 years old
- 00:02:57 Her dogs: Sky, the German Shorthaired Pointer she started with, and Wizzy, Sky's grandson, picked from the litter for being "a bit spicy"
- 00:05:53 Racing a 30kg dog: wild on the start line, brilliant once he's going, and tough on her legs downhill
- 00:08:15 How she trains: 3K to 5K runs after school, strength work with her mum, and swimming
- 00:09:27 Why strength training made her knees feel better, and what that means for older runners listening
- 00:12:01 Racing the Nationals, coming second, and how few juniors there are right now
- 00:15:29 Why junior racing is fun: racing friends, hanging out after, and growing in confidence
- 00:20:18 Fitting training around school, and running in the dark with a head torch and a light-up collar
 
Tiktok @daisy.od00
Instagram @daisy.uk.canicross
 

Vickie Pullin is back, fresh from the IFSS European Championships in Sweden, with three medals and a lot of honest reflection. We talk about getting dogs race ready through a scorching summer, the injury that kept her fastest hound at home, and the nutrition changes making a difference for her dogs and for Vickie herself.
About VickieVickie owns 46 sled dogs and races them around the world. She runs husky rides in the UK through her sled tour company, takes educational programmes into schools and coaches other athletes in the sport. She mostly races bikejor, scooter and dog teams on dry land, and races on snow with the sled.
What we talked about
00:02:11 Feeding the whole kennel raw and dry food, and why retired and older dogs deserve premium nutrition too
00:04:03 The lack of independent science on canine nutrition, why breeds differ, and being dope tested as a musher
00:06:17 A packed pre-Christmas calendar: IFSS Europeans, ICF Worlds, WSA Worlds and Nationals
00:08:00 Training through the heat: a May break, then short, early blasts that keep the dogs hungry for it
00:10:05 Arnie’s hamstring injury, his rehab, and the decision to leave him at home
00:16:01 Entering six classes in Sweden, the bike mistakes, and a gold, silver and bronze
00:26:06 Vickie’s own training: triathlon, Ironman and why she went back to having a coach
00:28:54 What changed in her own race nutrition, from white rice to a well timed jelly baby
00:37:11 Why she doesn’t canicross
00:39:17 The A100, a 100km triathlon in Antarctica, and her search for a corporate sponsor to raise money for Cancer Research
Links mentioned
Arctic Quest: ArcticQuest.co.uk
Vickie on Facebook and instagram: Vickie Pullin
Find Canicross Conversations wherever you get your podcasts, with new episodes every week. If this one got you thinking, share it with a running buddy, two-legged or four.

This week we chat to Taylor Gathercole, founder of Fettle Pets, a Suffolk company making whole food supplements for active and working dogs. 
Taylor tells us how Fettle started out making supplements for every dog, then switched a year ago to focus on active, sporting and working dogs: canicross, bikejor, agility, flyball, gun dogs and big hiking dogs. He trains his flat-coated retriever Inca for the shooting field, and his partner Amber does canicross, so he lives in both worlds. Fettle uses whole foods rather than synthetic extracts, and Taylor explains what "nutrient synergy" means for your dog
Fettle have just launched a free quiz called What Does Your Dog Need?
It asks about your dog's diet, activity, age and any niggles, then gives you a score out of 100 and the top three things to focus on. Michelle and Louise are doing it too.
Take the quiz here
Share your dog's score with us on Instagram or Facebook!
Fettle Trails canicross race
Fettle are hosting their own canicross race in February 2027 in Norfolk, with 5k and 10k routes through parkland and woodland around a lake.
Race details
Listener offer
15% off for listenersCode: CANIXPOD15
Or click here to visit the Fettle Pets website and apply the code automatically
Free Nutrition for Canicross Guide
A free guide on fuelling and recovery for canicross dogs (free with email sign-up)
Find Fettle
Website: fettlepets.com
Instagram and Facebook: @fettlepets
Also stocked in around 300 independent pet shops. Use the stockist finder on their website to support your local one.
 
As always, check with your vet before you change your dog's diet or start a supplement, especially if they're on medication or have a health condition.

This week is something completely different. Lisa McCabe, known as The Dog Witch, is a holistic dog wellbeing consultant. She looks at nutrition, exercise, environment and health, and at how they all shape your dog's day-to-day wellbeing.
It all started with Zane. He was a rescue dog who was scared of the world and reactive with other dogs, and Lisa was the owner who felt embarrassed every time he kicked off. Then someone suggested giving him a job. That job was canicross, and it changed everything for them both.
Lisa talks about how she went from dog walker to holistic consultant. She covers Reiki and massage, the silent pain dogs carry, fresh feeding on a budget, golden paste, and the two essential oils she uses ahead of bonfire night. 
Timings
- 02:22 Who is The Dog Witch?
- 03:16 Zane, reactivity and how canicross gave him a job
- 06:00 From dog walker to holistic consultant
- 08:07 Zane's rescue story
- 10:44 Reading body language and scoping out venues
- 13:22 What is Reiki?
- 16:21 Silent pain and what X-rays can miss
- 17:33 Teaching owners dog massage
- 19:40 Nutrition: the best food you can afford
- 22:34 Golden paste explained
- 25:04 Natural remedies vs shop-bought supplements
- 29:25 Batch cooking for your dog
- 31:11 Essential oils and firework anxiety
- 33:41 Why Zach the cocker spaniel doesn't canicross
 
Where to find Lisa
The Dog Witch website Holistic Dog Care & Healing Therapy | Holistic Pet Care - The Dog Witch 
 
Golden Paste for Dogs : How it Can Support their Health
 
YouTube: The Dog Witch (where most of Lisa's tips live)

Ever felt like you're the only person in your area who does canicross? Katrine knows exactly how that feels.
Originally from Denmark and now living in Norway, Katrine had never heard the word canicross until she adopted Saxo, a gentle black Labrador who came to her at 10 months old, barely used to walking on a lead. With no club, no running buddies and no one to ask, she researched it all herself and just got going.
Three and a half years later, she's racing, building her own local canicross group from scratch, and training for a half marathon across a frozen Swedish lake.
In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Katrine about:
Why canicross is surprisingly small in Norway, even though it's home to Non-stop dogwear
Starting out alone with a FreeMotion harness and a lot of online research
Her first proper canicross race: first off the line, the only Lab among a row of hounds, and a 3K PB
The moment she realised Saxo wasn't a "non-pulling dog." If she picks up the pace, he goes. If she backs off, so does he.
How listening to the podcast inspired her to add strength training, a weekly solo interval session and a look at her nutrition
Starting a Facebook canicross group, running an info evening and getting the local paper interested
Why newcomers find canicross scary, and how she reassures nervous runners and owners of reactive dogs
Running through Norwegian winters at minus 20, using dog boots, and plans for snowshoe cani-trekking
Her next big goal: the Sollentuna Winter Marathon half marathon for dogs, near Stockholm
Why she's joining the Great British Dog Jog and planning group runs around it. (Join us and run 5K with your dog any time between 12 and 31 October)
Follow Katrine and Saxo
Follow @saxothelab on Instagram
Join Katrine's Canicross Bø og omegn page on Facebook. 

Becky Forman joins Louise and Michelle once again on Canicross Conversations, this time with a very personal update.
Her German Shorthaired Pointer, Bronson, has been diagnosed with epilepsy, and Becky talks openly about the confusion, the fear, the medication merry-go-round, and the change that finally gave the family some breathing space.
Bronson's episodes started at around 14 months old. At first he just seemed "drunk", wobbly and a bit unwell. Over time they became more frequent and more severe, until a specialist confirmed they were seizures. Becky shares what they've learned about triggers, how they managed day to day, what to do during a seizure, and why she wishes they'd started medication sooner.
Since switching Bronson to a raw diet on 1st June, he hasn't had a seizure. Becky is clear this isn't a cure and it won't work for every dog, but it has given them their life back.
NB This is Becky's own experience and not veterinary advice. If your dog is having seizures, please speak to your vet or a specialist.
 
- 01:16 How it all started
- 06:02 The medication "honeymoon period"
- 07:16 Triggers and the gentle wake-up routine
- 11:02 Seizures after sedation
- 12:10 Why every seizure matters
- 14:05 How long is too long, and cluster seizures
- 16:25 Ten tablets a day and the side effects
- 18:50 The diet change
- 21:15 Why keto is the key
- 24:13 What happened with Lexi
- 27:46 What the vet thinks
- 30:28 Is it hereditary?
- 32:33 Why you should report it to your breed coordinator
- 35:38 Is Bronson still running?
- 38:42 Vaccines and flea treatments
- 39:57 Becky's advice if you're at the start of this journey
- 41:09 Where to find Becky
 
Follow @lexi_and_bronson on Instagram and look for the post titled Epilepsy. Becky's inbox is open if you want to share your story or just need someone who understands.
 

Michelle and Louise are back for their SIXTH season.
They share what they've been up to over summer, and invite listeners to support Janey in her Great British Dog Jog while she runs the length of Sri Lanka.
How to get involved in the Great British Dog Jog
Donate £5 to Janey's fundraising page here
Do a run of 5k or more with your dog(s) between 12th and 31st October 2026
Tag us on Instagram when you're done at @canicrossconversations @janeythevet @wecare_srilanka

It’s just Louise and Michelle for this one a quick catch-up before Canicross Conversations breaks for the summer.
In this episode:
Season five is a wrap and season six kicks off Friday 4th September
Some brilliant stats: 75,000 downloads, 34,000 listeners, and 215 episodes released since launch with only 25% of listeners based in the UK
A shoutout to the most-downloaded episodes this year, including Dr Juliet McGratton on running through menopause, Emily on canicross with a nervous dog, Annika and Felicia from the Swedish and Danish teams, and the Trailbreak episode
Louise and Michelle’s own favourite episodes to record, including the ones with Emma and with Janie the Vet
A call for support for JD, who’s running the length of Sri Lanka in October for her rescue and vet centre charity ideas welcome for how listeners and clubs could get involved
A search for podcast sponsorship, plus an open call for guest suggestions (dog-related or not!) for season six
Follow along over the break: Canicross Conversations is on Instagram and Facebook. You can also find Michelle at Miles with Michelle and Louise at Studio44 Pilates, where she’s sharing regular exercises to build leg strength and help keep you injury-free before canicross season starts back up.
Back on Friday 4th September have a great summer!

This week Louise and Michelle are joined by Emma Stuart, farm animal vet, ultra runner, dog owner, and the woman behind @the_running_vet on Instagram. Emma spends her days working with cattle and her weekends running big miles through fields full of them, so she's the perfect person to answer the question every runner and dog walker has thought at some point: what do I actually do when I'm surrounded by cows?
 
Emma breaks down the psychology of cattle behaviour — why most "aggressive" cows are actually just curious youngsters, why running through a field is the worst thing you can do, and the one situation where you should never hesitate to move fast. She also talks through how to read a herd, when to let your dog off the lead (and when absolutely not to), the difference between dairy and beef cattle, and shares a genuinely hair-raising story or two from her own running and farming life.
 
If you've ever stood at a gate with your heart in your mouth, wondering whether to walk on or turn back, this episode is for you.
 
Meet Emma Emma is a farm animal vet based in the Lake District, an ultra runner of 7–8 years, and owner of two collies, Moss and Skye, the latter a rescue with a remarkable turnaround story. She swapped small animal practice for farm work because she couldn't bear seeing pets frightened of her, and found she loved working with cattle instead.
 
Why cows aren't actually out to get you Most of the cattle runners and walkers encounter in fields are young, curious animals rather than aggressive ones. Emma explains that a lot of "intimidating" behaviour is simply cattle investigating something new — which is exactly why a 600kg animal jogging over to say hello can still feel (and be) dangerous.
 
The one group to genuinely watch for Cows with very young calves are the exception. These mothers can be properly protective, and the golden rule is simple: never put yourself between a cow and her calf, even if it means a long detour.
 
Why running through a field is the worst move Cattle see fast movement far more easily than slow movement. Running through a field is more likely to draw a herd's attention and get them chasing — not out of aggression, but because a good sprint looks like the most exciting thing that's happened to them all day. Walking slowly and steadily is always the safer option.
 
What to do if they do come for you Stop. Turn. Make yourself big. Shout. Emma's advice runs counter to instinct — most people want to get away as fast as possible — but standing your ground and making noise is what actually gets a herd to back off. The exception: if it's a single aggressive cow with a calf, that's the one time to run.
 
Dogs change everything A dog on a lead, walked calmly and kept close, is far safer around cattle than one running loose and panicking — loose, frightened dogs can send a herd scattering unpredictably. Whether to let a dog off the lead depends entirely on knowing how that individual dog will react; Emma's two dogs behave completely differently in the same situation.
 
Reading the herd A cow chewing the cud is a relaxed cow. It's one of the simplest, most reliable signs that a herd isn't bothered by you at all.
 
Dairy vs beef, and the bulls to actually worry about Dairy cattle are used to people daily and are generally unbothered. Beef cattle with calves are the ones to be more cautious around. Dairy bulls are the one class of animal Emma is genuinely wary of, and the reason they're legally not allowed on public footpaths.
 
Bonus: horses Even a vet and farm animal expert admits horses are a different story entirely: a topic for a future episode.
 
Follow Emma on Instagram

Louise and Michelle chat to Katie Parker and Jack Avery from Pickles Pet Pantry, who share the story behind their independent pet shop and how their own experiences as dog owners shaped the business and canicross club they wanted to build.
At the heart of the conversation is Fred, their rescue dog. When he first arrived, he was energetic, unpredictable and highly reactive, making everyday walks a challenge. Katie and Jack explain how patience, training and discovering canicross helped channel Fred's energy, build his confidence and strengthen their relationship. Today, he's a much calmer and happier dog who loves racing.
Whether you've adopted a rescue dog, live with a reactive dog, or are simply curious about canicross, this episode is full of honest experiences and encouragement.
In this episode we discuss:
Why Katie and Jack started Pickles Pet Pantry.
Meeting Fred, and the realities of owning a reactive dog.
How a behaviourist told them there was nothing they could do to help with Fred.
How canicross gave Fred a positive outlet for his energy.
Advice for anyone considering canicross with their own dog.
https://www.picklespetpantry.com/