Canicross Conversations

In this episode, Louise and Michelle are joined by Anna Pollard of The Dog House Canine Spa in Leicestershire to explore how best to care for your dog’s coat, especially when you’re into canicross and other active dog sports.
Anna shares her insights from years of grooming experience, explaining why proper maintenance of the coat and skin isn't just cosmetic but a key part of your dog’s wellbeing and performance.
The conversation covers coat types (single vs double coat), grooming routines for active dogs, the role of brushing and bathing, pad and nail care, seasonal changes, and much more.
Whether you’re a seasoned canicrosser or just beginning to run with your dog, this episode offers practical tips to help your canine companion feel and perform at their best — and maybe convert a non‑groomer into a regular brusher! Expect to learn how coat condition affects temperature regulation, how friction from harnesses can lead to matting, and how pad health and nails tie into overall musculoskeletal wellbeing.
Timings
0:00 – Introduction 
1:40 – Why grooming is important for active/canicross dogs
3:15 – How a coat works: insulation, heat regulation
5:45 – Brushing vs clipping: which to choose?
7:50 – Harness friction and matting danger zones
10:00 – Coats types: single vs double vs hybrid
12:30 – What is hand‑stripping and when to consider it
16:15 – How often should you brush and bathe?
20:20 – Choosing shampoos & avoiding human products
22:50 – After muddy runs: rinse or bathe?
24:30 – Nail length, pad health & impact on joints/gait
28:10 – Seasonal coat length and shedding challenges
31:00 – Heating, fleas and indoor environment effects
33:40 – Harness the expert: starting canicross: gear, pace, where to train
37:10 – Closing discussion & guest contact info
40:00 – Outro and call for reviews
Links
The Dog House Canine Spa website thedoghouseleicester.co.uk
Instagram: @thedoghouse_spa
Facebook: The Dog House Canine Spa

In this episode, Michelle and Louise chat with Ray, a canicross enthusiast with a pack of rescue dogs. Ray shares her journey from returning to the UK after seven years abroad, feeling isolated and looking for a way to connect socially and physically. She found the sport of canicross through her local club (Tees Valley Canicross), which offered both community and motivation.
 
She gives a warm, honest account of the challenges of running with Cloud, who is a mixed‑breed street dog rescue from China. She also shares how she is building up a new puppy‑rescue, Nomad from Cyprus, to join the team.
 
Ray covers the realities of canine health, the importance of harness and gear fit, inclusive club culture, and advice for people with reactive dogs. She encourages anyone who thinks “I’m not a runner” to still give canicross a try, highlighting that the real reward is the bond with the dog and the community around it.
 
 
Timings
00:00 – 02:00 ­ Introduction & Ray’s background
02:00 – 05:00 ­ Meet Ray’s dogs: Cloud, Nomad, older dogs
05:00 – 08:00 ­ Training and challenges with Nomad (harness anxiety, grass obsession)
08:00 – 11:00 ­ First races, social aspect of the club
11:00 – 14:00 ­ Why Ray doesn’t consider herself a “runner” & what changed post‑COVID
14:00 – 18:00 ­ Dog health story (dehydration, vertigo) and hydration lesson
18:00 – 22:00 ­ Season goals, 10K aim, Cloud’s future, balancing veteran dog
22:00 – 27:00 ­ Advice for new canicrossers: non‑runners, reactive dogs, using muzzles, equipment tips
27:00 – 30:00 ­ Harness The Expert: How to strengthen Achilles in pain from a pulling dog
30:00 – 31:00 ­ Final reflections & how to follow Ray (Instagram Fluffy Multipack)

Michelle and Louise chat to sports dietitian and author Renee McGregor about how to optimise fuelling across life stages - especially during perimenopause and after menopause - while also unpacking RED‑S, carbohydrate myths, and sensible supplement use.
 
Renee acknowledges how little conversation there has historically been about female hormonal transitions, and how women often experience a “wobbliness” in their energy, mood, and performance as hormones fluctuate unpredictably. She emphasises that menopause (and the years leading up to it) needn’t be a downhill spiral: “there’s a lot of women [who] feel they’ve reached their potential from an athletic point of view.” Key strategies she shares include replacing some cardio with strength-based work, choosing nutrient-dense whole foods (rather than rigid restriction), and listening to your body.
 
The trio discuss RED‑S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport), explaining that under‑fuelling (not eating enough to support both training and basic body function) can manifest via hormonal disruption, injury, digestive issues, mood or sleep disturbances, and stagnation in performance. Renee stresses that RED‑S affects recreational athletes too, not just elites.
 
On carbohydrates being demonised, Renee argues they are crucial: “Carbs per se are not bad … they provide your muscles with the energy you need.”
 
Finally, Michelle asks about supplements. Renee advises vitamin D (especially through UK winters), and checking iron/B12 when clinically indicated, but otherwise focusing on whole foods rather than a “pile of supplements.”
 
 
 
Links
Renee McGregor’s latest book Fuel for Thought
reneemcgregor.com
Renee’s Instagram: @r_mcgregor
Renee’s Substack newsletter: The Fuel Line

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Lauren.
 
Lauren recounts how her 'failed' sheepdog Pip came into her life at 13 months old, having never truly bonded with farm work, and how the two forged an extraordinary connection in a family environment. From tentative first nights indoors, to running together in canicross, Lauren shares how this strong bond became a lifeline during a difficult season in her life. She opens up about losing her father to suicide, stepping back from her former high‑pressure work, and finding solace, purpose and community through running with Pip.
 
Along the way, she discovered a new passion, launched Me and My Dog Running Club, creating personalised apparel. A heart-warming episode, showing that healing and connection can take unexpected and wonderful forms.
 
We also chat about warm ups in our new feature Harness the Expert
 
Timings
0.00 – introduction & backstory: meeting Pip
3.50 – Pip’s personality, calm indoors vs energetic outdoors
5.20 – herding instinct & family dynamics on walks
7.00 – settling into house life, first nights indoors
9.00 – impact on child allergies & kids bonding with dog
10.30 – discovering canicross & first parkrun experience
13.00 – joining clubs, recce runs, community
16.00 – learning about kit, harness choices
18.00 – Pip’s running style, working as a team
20.30 – running without Pip, ultra training decisions
24.00 – doing the 50K ultra with Into Ultra support
28.30 – goals together: longer distances, exploring events
32.00 – how canicross changed Lauren’s life after loss
36.00 – starting Me & My Dog Running Club and personalised apparel
40.30 – Harness The Expert: How to warm up (you + dog) for a club run
45.00 – closing, social handles & where to find Lauren online
Links & social
Me and My Dog Running Club on Instagram
Me and My Dog Running Club on Facebook
Lauren’s personalised apparel website
Into Ultra

In today's canicross story, we chat to Becky about how she tried canicross after her working dogs didn't really enjoy gundog training, and now she's hooked!
Becky chats to us about how she started out with free running, experimenting with gundog training tools (like whistle recall), and the moment she realised what canicross was all about.
She reflects on how both her dogs — Lexi the cautious Vizsla and Bronson the bold GSP — have adapted differently, and shares insights on training, strength work, confidence building, and managing your body as you join the sport. This episode is ideal for anyone curious about stepping into canicross (or already doing it) who wants a relatable story, practical tips, and encouragement to take that first tethered run.
 
 
Topics & timings
00:00:35 – Becky introduces herself, Lexi & Bronson
00:03:47 – complementing personalities of two working dogs
00:04:24 – attempt at gundog training and use of whistle
00:06:20 – Becky’s transition from CrossFit to biking to running
00:07:57 – first real canicross experience at Connect & Paws
00:09:10 – advice for beginners: take the first step
00:14:53 – changes seen in Lexi and Bronson from canicross
00:17:56 – recap of Becky’s recent Trail Dog 5K with obstacles
00:22:45 – Becky’s race plans and strategy with Lexi/Bronson
00:28:23 – preparing body: strength, stretching, cadence
00:32:33 – longevity in canicross, dealing with niggles
00:37:50 – balancing training vs resting days
00:38:56 – Becky teases a new project
Follow Becky's beautiful Instagram page @lexi_and_bronson

In this insightful episode of Canicross Conversations, hosts Michelle and Louise are joined by Lucy Millar, founder of Rùn Dog Food, and Dr Jacqueline Boyd, an animal scientist and canine nutrition consultant. Together, they delve into the world of performance nutrition for active dogs, demystifying cold-pressed food, fuelling strategies, and how to navigate the myths of pet nutrition.
 
Lucy shares her journey from dog trainer to dog food entrepreneur, driven by her passion for transparency in the pet food industry.
 
Dr Boyd brings her scientific expertise to explore what dogs really need to thrive in sports like canicross, agility and working gundog roles. They cover everything from how to do an energy audit for your dog, to how joint health and digestion change with age, and why not all dogs benefit from simply eating more food.
 
You’ll come away with practical advice and a better understanding of how to support your dog’s performance and recovery.
 
Whether you're feeding raw, kibble, or cold-pressed, this episode encourages a balanced, informed approach.
 
Plus, Lucy shares exciting insights into what’s next for the Rùn brand.
 
Topics and timings1.10 – why Lucy started Rùn Dog Food4.30 – cold-pressed vs traditional kibble8.45 – Jacqueline’s journey into canine nutrition12.30 – do dogs need snacks like energy bars?18.00 – energy bars for performance and recovery25.15 – tailoring food quantity to activity levels32.00 – how age affects digestion and nutrition40.20 – feeding routines and fuelling strategies48.10 – coprophagia and scavenging explained53.00 – supplements, probiotics and joint support59.30 – what’s next for Rùn Dog Food
 
Resources mentioned
Rùn Dog Food website: https://rundogfood.com Use CONVERSATIONS10 for 10% off
Instagram: @rundogfood
Dr Jacqueline Boyd: Facebook and @dogtorboyd on Instagram
CROWOOD10 provides 10% discount off Dr Boyd's books -  Canine Nutrition and Feeding AND The Spaniel Survival Guide
Dr Boyd's Nutrition Consultancy booking form
Energy audit equations: basic ones are found on pages 54 and 55 of  https://europeanpetfood.org/self-regulation/nutritional-guidelines/ and this is also a hugely useful resource recommended by Dr Boyd.

In today's canicross story, we chat to Becky about how she tried canicross after her working dogs didn't really enjoy gundog training, and now she's hooked!
Becky chats to us about how she started out with free running, experimenting with gundog training tools (like whistle recall), and the moment she realised what canicross was all about.
She reflects on how both her dogs — Lexi the cautious Vizsla and Bronson the bold GSP — have adapted differently, and shares insights on training, strength work, confidence building, and managing your body as you join the sport. This episode is ideal for anyone curious about stepping into canicross (or already doing it) who wants a relatable story, practical tips, and encouragement to take that first tethered run.
 
 
Topics & timings
00:00:35 – Becky introduces herself, Lexi & Bronson
00:03:47 – complementing personalities of two working dogs
00:04:24 – attempt at gundog training and use of whistle
00:06:20 – Becky’s transition from CrossFit to biking to running
00:07:57 – first real canicross experience at Connect & Paws
00:09:10 – advice for beginners: take the first step
00:14:53 – changes seen in Lexi and Bronson from canicross
00:17:56 – recap of Becky’s recent Trail Dog 5K with obstacles
00:22:45 – Becky’s race plans and strategy with Lexi/Bronson
00:28:23 – preparing body: strength, stretching, cadence
00:32:33 – longevity in canicross, dealing with niggles
00:37:50 – balancing training vs resting days
00:38:56 – Becky teases a new project
Follow Becky's beautiful Instagram page @lexi_and_bronson

In this episode of Canicross Conversations, Louise and Michelle are joined by Claire, better known as @theyorkshirewhippets on Instagram.
 
Claire shares her upside-down journey into the world of canicross when a friend convinced her to enter a race with her whippet, Pip. From her early days of social running, to training for her first half marathon, Claire brings energy, honesty and giggles.
 
Listeners will hear about Claire’s transition from casual runner to competitive canicrosser, how she manages training with two very different dogs, and the importance of cross-training and recovery. She opens up about the challenges of running in hot weather, how yoga and horse riding have helped her canicross performance, and how she balances full-time work with a very active lifestyle.
 
The episode is packed with practical tips on kit, nutrition, and building confidence in younger dogs, especially for those working with breeds not traditionally seen as endurance runners. Claire also shares her reasons for fundraising for Stray Aid, and how this sport has become a meaningful part of her life.
 
Tune in for a heart-warming and humorous chat that celebrates the bond between dogs and humans, the joys (and face-plants) of trail running, and the importance of listening to your body and your dog.
 
Topics and timings
1.10 – Why dogs shouldn't run in the heat4.30 – Claire's canicross journey begins10.00 – Claire's first Trail Dogs experience15.40 – Training and building fitness22.00 – Whippets as endurance athletes28.30 – Running kit upgrades33.00 – Balancing life, work, and training36.10 – Nutrition and fuelling for longer distances41.50 – Funny stories and muddy mishaps46.00 – Preparing Ivy for her first race52.00 – Fundraising for Stray Aid
 
Resources mentioned
Trail Dog events
Non-stop free motion harness & trail belt
Peak2Peak energy bars
Episode 2 with Ann Carter (heatstroke and dogs)
https://www.strayaid.org.uk/

In this episode, Louise and Michelle catch up again with physio and ultrarunner Nicky Edwards about her recent diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis and how she's adapting her training to achieve her ultimate goal of UTMB

In this episode, Michelle and Louise chat to sports dog nutritionist Holly Barker for her no nonsense advice on feeding your dog. 
Holly shares her journey from serving as a medic in the RAF, through mental health nursing, to becoming an evidence-based practitioner focused on canine nutrition. She outlines how she educated herself in the absence of formal courses, experimented with diets in working and sport dogs, and gradually developed a full‑time practice.
The conversation addresses what good evidence means in the canine nutrition world, the differences (and similarities) between human and dog nutrition, and how diet should adapt according to the dog's lifestyle, breed, work load and individual response. Holly also dives deep into specific topics like protein levels for active dogs, fuelling for longer runs, hydration, antioxidants, supplements (what works, what to watch out for), and practical tips like rehydrating dry food, or using hearts for taurine.
You won't want to miss this!
Holly's Facebook Group Sport Dog Nutrition
Better Every Day Supplement