The Dog Mum

Spring Flare-Ups: Why Your Dog is Itching and What to Do

Spring is finally here, but for many of us, the warmer weather brings more than just sunshine—it brings the dreaded "itchy season." If you’ve spent your weeks at the vet or watching your dog constantly lick their paws, you aren't alone. Today, we’re revisiting a game-changing conversation about the science of canine skin and why we’ve been looking at dog allergies all wrong. It turns out, dog and human skin are nearly identical at the level of dermatitis pathology. We discuss why moisturisation is the "foundation of care" we’ve been missing and how simple habits—like wiping down paws and bellies after walks—can prevent massive flare-ups. From the emotional shift in how we view our dogs as children to the practical steps of fortifying the skin barrier, this episode is a must-listen for anyone wanting to improve their dog's quality of life this season. Key Takeaways The Skin Similarity: Dogs and humans share the same skin pathology when it comes to dermatitis, meaning hydration is just as vital for them as it is for us. Maintenance is Foundation: Skincare shouldn't just be reactive; moisturisation serves as the foundation of care to fortify the skin barrier against allergens like pollen and dust. Environmental Triggers: Dogs are low to the ground and constantly pick up debris; simple habits like wiping paws after walks can significantly reduce irritation. Redefining "Normal": While some scratching is normal, it should never disrupt a dog’s sleep, meals, or overall quality of life. The Cultural Shift: Dogs are increasingly being viewed as children or family members, leading to a demand for higher-quality, science-backed care. Quotes "Dogs and humans have the same skin at the level of pathology of dermatitis." "We still have people who think that you shouldn't wash your dog more than once a month... that’s changing." "The quality of life shouldn't be affected because of itching." "In human guidelines, skincare and moisturisation is the foundation of care... we should be able to apply that to dogs." "People are not having children anymore... they’re more likely to have a dog." VALUABLE LINKS @anekajohnsonofficial ⁠https://thecuddleclubuk.com/⁠ [https://thecuddleclubuk.com/]  ABOUT THE HOST Aneka Johnson, founder of The Cuddle Club and co-founder of London Dog Week, is a purpose-driven entrepreneur and devoted dog mum to her French bulldog, Chubbs. Her journey as a ‘pet-preneur’ began while battling health challenges, anxiety, and depression - until Chubbs changed her life. Aneka now inspires others through her relatable, uplifting approach to dog parenthood and therapy. Under Aneka's guidance, the Cuddle Club has been featured in prominent media outlets like London Live, The Lorraine Show, Forbes, Evening Standard, Marie Claire, Daily Mail, and BBC Radio London.

Dognappings, Surprise Puppies, and Healing: Annabel Karmel’s Journey as a Dog Mum

In this deeply moving and inspiring episode, Aneka Johnson sits down with the incredible Annabel Karmel, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and devoted mum to five dogs. Annabel opens up about her profound journey of turning unimaginable personal tragedy into a lifelong purpose, detailing how the loss of her first child inspired her global children's food empire. KEY TAKEAWAYS Dogs act as incredible therapists, sometimes even better than the human kind. They offer unmatched, selfless love that can help us navigate the darkest and most difficult periods of our lives, acting as quiet, comforting companions when we need them most. Annabel channeled the tragic loss of her daughter, Natasha, into a global mission to help other parents feed their children healthy, nutritious food. Her story is a testament to how immense grief can be transformed into a legacy that helps millions. Just like babies and toddlers, dogs thrive on fresh, nutritious, and minimally processed ingredients. Annabel advocates for feeding dogs whole foods over long-life, highly processed options, noting the direct link between diet and longevity. Annabel's terrifying experience of having her dogs stolen from a dog walker's van highlights the devastating reality of dog theft. It brings to light the difficult moral conundrum owners face regarding reward money. Whether it's advocating for child health, writing a dog cookbook, or starting a completely new business venture, true success comes from pursuing what you authentically love and care about.  BEST MOMENTS "I always say that everyone thinks they've got the best dog, and none of them are wrong. Because they are all the best dogs." "It's like a weight on your head. I can't explain it. It's not like a normal unhappiness; it's like you cannot even function."  "I don't think I could ever live without a dog now. Never... they give you so much love. You feel so happy with your dog and he's sort of... I mean, dogs are like your therapists, but better. A lot better." "The thing is, like, if you don't give a reward, you probably wouldn't get your dog back. But you feel bad about giving a reward, because why should you reward somebody who stole the dogs? It's a very difficult conundrum." "If you have a passion and you believe in it, and you believe in yourself, you should go for it. Because eventually, people took me seriously." To Connect with Annabel Karmel: Recipe App: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/annabel-karmel-kids-recipes/id409157308 [https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/annabel-karmel-kids-recipes/id409157308] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annabelkarmel/ [https://www.instagram.com/annabelkarmel/] Website: https://www.annabelkarmel.com/ [https://www.annabelkarmel.com/] VALUABLE LINKS @anekajohnsonofficial https://thecuddleclubuk.com/ [https://thecuddleclubuk.com/]  Website: https://www.woofabout.uk/ [https://www.woofabout.uk/]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woofabout [https://www.instagram.com/woofabout]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the4leggedfoodies/ [https://www.instagram.com/the4leggedfoodies/]  ABOUT THE HOST Aneka Johnson, founder of The Cuddle Club and co-founder of London Dog Week, is a purpose-driven entrepreneur and devoted dog mum to her French bulldog, Chubbs. Her journey as a ‘pet-preneur’ began while battling health challenges, anxiety, and depression - until Chubbs changed her life. Aneka now inspires others through her relatable, uplifting approach to dog parenthood and therapy. Under Aneka's guidance, the Cuddle Club has been featured in prominent media outlets like London Live, The Lorraine Show, Forbes, Evening Standard, Marie Claire, Daily Mail, and BBC Radio London.

Pacing for Two: How a Dachshund Changed an Olympian’s World

In this heartwarming episode, Aneka sits down with British Olympic sprinter Deseree to explore the profound bond she shares with her seven-year-old Dachshund, Henry. Deseree opens up about bringing Henry home during a difficult recovery from knee surgery and how he provided the emotional grounding she needed to navigate the pressures of elite athletics. From the challenges of international travel with a whining sausage dog to the joy he brings to her family, Deseree illustrates how being a ‘dog mom’ has taught her patience and discipline in ways the track never could. It’s an inspiring look at how unconditional love can fuel professional greatness. KEY TAKEAWAYS Deseree got Henry while recovering from knee surgery in the Netherlands; he helped her overcome the depression and loneliness of being unable to train. The patience and discipline required for potty training and teaching tricks to a stubborn Dachshund have directly mirrored and supported the discipline Deseree needs as an Olympic athlete. Traveling internationally with a pet is far more complex and expensive than most realise, involving specialised passports, medical records, and significant fees. Deseree prioritises Henry’s schedule, including raw food diets and dog dates, to ensure he has a full social life, which in turn helps her stay grounded. Seeing Henry’s excitement when she returns home from a race, regardless of her result, provides a unique emotional safety net that shields her from the high-pressure world of sports. BEST MOMENTS "Henry is the star of the show today. He's in his element, I'm in my element." "If I can stand in the rain to look after this dog, I can be patient when it comes to results that may come [on the track]." "I work so hard to provide a life that my dog can enjoy. My baby likes nice things!" "He doesn’t know his mom is an Olympian, and I don't even think he cares." "It’s okay to be a dog mom. Don’t let anyone convince you you’re saying it wrong. Own it." VALUABLE LINKS @anekajohnsonofficial https://thecuddleclubuk.com/ Website: https://www.woofabout.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woofabout Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the4leggedfoodies/ ABOUT THE HOST Aneka Johnson, founder of The Cuddle Club and co-founder of London Dog Week, is a purpose-driven entrepreneur and devoted dog mum to her French bulldog, Chubbs. Her journey as a ‘pet-preneur’ began while battling health challenges, anxiety, and depression - until Chubbs changed her life. Aneka now inspires others through her relatable, uplifting approach to dog parenthood and therapy. Under Aneka's guidance, the Cuddle Club has been featured in prominent media outlets like London Live, The Lorraine Show, Forbes, Evening Standard, Marie Claire, Daily Mail, and BBC Radio London.

The Reality of Dog Grooming and Building a Community: More Than Just Puppy Spas

Today, Aneka sits down with Gaynor Jackson, the visionary behind Woofabout, to trace her inspiring evolution from a corporate HR career to becoming a cornerstone of London’s dog community. Gaynor shares the raw reality of the grooming industry, correcting the misconception that it's a ‘puppy spa day’, and discusses the physical toll that eventually led her to event planning. From the first social gathering in Fulham to the massive Big Woof festival at King’s Cross, Gaynor explains how her passion for supporting independent pet brands and fostering genuine human-canine connections has built a loyal, thriving community of Dog Mums and Dads. KEY TAKEAWAYS Gaynor transitioned from a 20-year corporate career in HR and recruitment to dog grooming at age 40, proving it’s never too late to follow a passion. Professional grooming requires immense patience and physical stamina; it is often stressful for dogs, and ‘four-week courses’ are rarely enough to master the craft. Post-pandemic, there has been a surge in ‘Dual Income, No Kids, With a Dog’ households, shifting the demand for high-quality, dog-friendly social events. A core mission of Woofabout and Big Woof is providing a platform for small, independent pet businesses that typically only exist online. Beyond the dogs, these events serve as a vital social fabric for humans, helping people (especially those new to the city) integrate into a supportive community. BEST MOMENTS “I can say for sure that that is not enough experience to do like a four-week course and say you're a dog groomer." "No dog likes being groomed. They leave the dogs there sometimes and I've had all sorts of comments like, 'Oh, you'll have a lovely time, you're having a day at the spa,' and it's like, no. That is not how the dog sees it." "London can be a lonely place. If you don't find your people and you don't find your community, it can become very isolating." "I noticed on the tube, the only time anybody would make any sort of eye contact with you or engage with you at all is if the dog was with you." "I could not love that dog any more than you love your children. It is exactly the love was exactly the same." VALUABLE LINKS @anekajohnsonofficial https://thecuddleclubuk.com/ Website: https://www.woofabout.uk/ [https://www.woofabout.uk/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woofabout [https://www.instagram.com/woofabout] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the4leggedfoodies/ [https://www.instagram.com/the4leggedfoodies/] ABOUT THE HOST Aneka Johnson, founder of The Cuddle Club and co-founder of London Dog Week, is a purpose-driven entrepreneur and devoted dog mum to her French bulldog, Chubbs. Her journey as a ‘pet-preneur’ began while battling health challenges, anxiety, and depression - until Chubbs changed her life. Aneka now inspires others through her relatable, uplifting approach to dog parenthood and therapy. Under Aneka's guidance, the Cuddle Club has been featured in prominent media outlets like London Live, The Lorraine Show, Forbes, Evening Standard, Marie Claire, Daily Mail, and BBC Radio London.

Healing Paws and Human Posture: An Osteopath’s Guide to Thriving with Your Dog

In this episode, Aneka sits down with James Davies, a premier osteopath who has worked with stars like David Beckham and Pink, dive into his transition from a professional 100m runner to a ‘magic-handed’ healer for both humans and dogs. James shares his heartwarming ‘convert story’ of going from a dog-skeptic to a devoted ‘dog dad’ to his miniature poodle, Justin Bobby.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Dogs offer a unique, non-verbal communication of love and energy that can significantly improve mental health and provide emotional grounding during low moments. The principles of healing, muscles, ligaments, and bones, apply to both humans and dogs; therapeutic touch and palpation can help pets recover from physical discomfort just as they help people. Frequent dog walking often leads to lower back, neck, and shoulder pain due to improper posture, looking down, or being pulled on a lead. Health doesn't require hours at the gym; focusing on your body for just 10 minutes a day (even in small 20-second bursts) can prevent chronic tension from escalating into a physical crisis. Walking on hard city streets requires supportive trainers with good shock absorbers; wearing flat shoes like Converse for long walks can lead to significant lower back and calf pain. BEST MOMENTS "I never realised that I could have so much love and affection for a dog. I’m a full convert now." "If you're good at the palpation skills, you can be therapeutic to any type of tissue. Dogs have muscles, human beings have muscles." "I feel we're all athletes, and we need to have a warm-up. Even to walk our dogs, we need to stretch." "Touch is safety and it's trust. I go into someone's house I've never met, I place my hands on an area, and they can see that I care." "Stress is a silent killer. We need to get out of the fight or flight at the end of the day and do a rest and digest, calm the body down." ABOUT THE GUEST Book: Back in Ten: The 10-Minute Method to Transform Your Back and Eliminate Pain https://amzn.eu/d/bzHWWSk [https://amzn.eu/d/bzHWWSk] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesdhealth/ [https://www.instagram.com/jamesdhealth/]  Website: www.jamesdhealth.com [http://www.jamesdhealth.com/] VALUABLE LINKS @anekajohnsonofficial [https://www.instagram.com/anekajohnsonofficial?igsh=NTQ3eTdsc2Y2aDQ1] https://thecuddleclubuk.com/ [https://thecuddleclubuk.com/] ABOUT THE HOST Aneka Johnson, founder of The Cuddle Club and co-founder of London Dog Week, is a purpose-driven entrepreneur and devoted dog mum to her French bulldog, Chubbs. Her journey as a ‘pet-preneur’ began while battling health challenges, anxiety, and depression - until Chubbs changed her life. Aneka now inspires others through her relatable, uplifting approach to dog parenthood and therapy. Under Aneka's guidance, the Cuddle Club has been featured in prominent media outlets like London Live, The Lorraine Show, Forbes, Evening Standard, Marie Claire, Daily Mail, and BBC Radio London.