Listen Dog Training: The Walk & Talk

👉 Join here: The Listen Dog Training Online Club Your dog isn't just learning when you're actively training them. They're learning all day long… and some of the behaviours they're practising are probably not the ones you intended to teach. In this episode, we're going inside the canine brain to explore how habits actually form, including the role of the basal ganglia, dopamine, reinforcement and...

Why does your dog completely forget you exist the second they spot a pigeon, squirrel, rabbit or another dog? In this episode, we’re getting properly into the behavioural science behind motivation, dopamine, reinforcement, anticipation and reward prediction, and looking at why certain environmental triggers can become so compelling for dogs. We’ll explore why dopamine is about far more than simply...

In this episode of The Walk & Talk, we’re diving deep into the fascinating world of canine scent: exploring the idea of the umwelt, why your dog’s sensory experience of the world is fundamentally different from yours, what is actually happening when they stop to sniff, and why that seemingly insignificant sniff at the lamppost might be one of the most cognitively rich things they do all day. A...

September isn’t just a time for new school terms and fresh stationery… it’s also a brilliant opportunity to bring a little more structure and focus to life with your dog. As summer winds down and autumn begins, why not use that fresh-start feeling to reset your training routine? In this episode, we’re looking at why this time of year can be so effective for getting back into training, including th...

Sometimes, the biggest transformation in dog training doesn’t come from finding the perfect technique… It comes from changing the way you see your role. In this episode, we’re exploring the powerful identity shift from being your dog’s corrector to becoming their coach. We’ll dive into why behaviour is communication, how to become more proactive in your training, why outdated ideas around dominanc...

What if the things you think are going wrong in your dog’s training… are actually just part of the process? In this episode, we’re diving into one of the biggest mindset shifts you can make as a dog owner: understanding that progress isn’t a straight line, and that the challenges you experience along the way don’t mean you’re failing. We’ll explore how learning really happens, why dogs don’t simpl...

Does your dog seem to find the world a little bit harder than others? Maybe they’re nervous around new people, overwhelmed in busy environments, reactive to dogs, worried by sounds, sensitive to changes at home, or you’ve noticed they seem to just be constantly on alert. If so, this episode is for you. We’re diving deep into the fascinating behavioural science behind sensitive, anxious, and fearfu...

Have you ever thought about trying a dog sport… but immediately assumed it wasn’t for you because you don’t want to compete, your dog isn’t ‘that type’ of dog, or you’re not sure where to start? In this episode, we’re completely reframing what dog sports are really about! Because they aren’t just about trophies, competitions, or elite-level training; they’re about creating a shared hobby, building...

When we think about keeping our dogs healthy, we often focus on physical exercise, nutrition, and veterinary care. But what about their brain? In this episode of Walk & Talk, we're diving into the fascinating world of canine cognition and exploring what we can do throughout our dogs' lives to support their brain health, build resilience, and help them stay curious, adaptable, and engaged for y...

Have you accidentally stopped enjoying life with your dog? In this episode, we’re diving into the idea of a Summer of Side Quests - a completely different way of approaching dog training that brings back the joy, adventure, connection, and excitement so many dog owners lose when behaviour struggles take over. Because sometimes the biggest breakthrough doesn’t come from obsessing harder over the pr...

In this episode, we’re diving into the hidden psychological side of dog training - the part no one really talks about. From imposter syndrome and second-guessing yourself, to emotional overwhelm and decision fatigue, we’re unpacking why training can feel so hard even when you know what to do. More importantly, I’m showing you how to shift out of that stuck, reactive state and into one where you fe...

If you’ve ever felt like your dog’s behaviour is getting worse just as you start training properly… this episode will completely change how you see that moment. Because what most people interpret as regression or stubbornness is often something very different... It’s an extinction burst. And understanding this phenomenon properly is one of the most important shifts you can make if you want to crea...

Does your dog completely lose their mind on the way to the park, the field, daycare, agility, or anywhere exciting? Think whining... barking... pulling... frantic energy... A dog who seems SO overstimulated by the anticipation of where they’re going that they just can’t cope?! This is about arousal, anticipation, nervous system regulation, dopamine-driven behaviour, and the emotional patterns that...

🚀 Ready to take this work to the next level? The Listen Dog Training Membership is now OPEN - and this is where we put everything you’ve learned in this episode into action. Inside, you’ll get structured training, ongoing guidance, and a supportive community where you can grow your skills, get feedback, and truly master your dog’s behaviour. 👉 Join here: https://listendogtraining.com/online-dog-...

Struggling with recall? Feeling like your dog knows it… but just doesn’t do it when it actually matters? This episode is going to change the way you think about recall training completely. Because reliable recall isn’t about shouting louder, repeating yourself, or hoping your dog chooses you over the environment. It’s about understanding why your dog makes the decisions they do… and learning how t...

At what point should you stop using treats in dog training? If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re relying too much on food, or worried that your dog will only listen if you’ve got snacks in your pocket… this episode is going to completely shift how you think about reinforcement. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the science - unpacking when it’s essential to keep using food (especially with...

If dog training has started to feel heavy, frustrating, or like something you’re constantly getting wrong… this episode is going to feel like a breath of fresh air. Inspired by the powerful ideas in Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal, I’m breaking down how shifting your emotional approach to training - away from urgency and towards enjoyment - can completely transform your results. This isn’t ab...

If you’ve ever felt like your reactive dog can only cope when you’re fully switched on, armed with treats, and managing every second - you are not imagining it. In this episode, we’re diving into a powerful (and slightly uncomfortable) question: what if treats alone aren’t creating the kind of lasting change you’re hoping for? Inspired by Grisha Stewart’s BAT, we explore the difference between tra...

In this episode of The Walk & Talk, we’ll explore the hidden reason many training plans fall apart: cognitive overload. When owners are trying to remember too many techniques, rules, and instructions at once, the brain simply can’t execute them reliably in real-life situations. This episode dives into the psychology of habit formation, the neuroscience of overwhelm, and why simple systems outp...

Have you ever felt like your dog suddenly ‘forgot’ all their puppy socialisation? One minute they were happily greeting strangers, confidently exploring the world, and strolling through busy environments without a care… and the next, they’re barking at people, hesitating in places they used to love, or acting unsure about things that were never a problem before. If you’re living with a teenage dog...

If your dog steals everything in sight -  food off the counter, socks from the laundry, tea towels, remote controls, or anything they can grab - you are absolutely not alone. In this episode of The Walk & Talk, we dive deep into the science behind stealing and counter surfing so you can finally understand why this behaviour happens, why it becomes such a persistent habit, and how to solve it....

In this episode of The Walk & Talk, we’re diving into one of the most overlooked (and most powerful) skills in dog training: observation. You’ll learn why timing feels so hard, why your dog seems to ‘ignore’ you, and why two people can follow the exact same training plan… and get completely different results. This isn’t about doing more. It’s about noticing more. And once you unlock this skill...

What if the goal of dog training isn’t to eliminate your dog’s emotions… but to help them function better within them? In this episode, I’m challenging one of the most widely accepted ideas in modern dog training: that we should always aim to completely change how our dogs feel about things in order to change their behaviour. Because while emotional change absolutely matters… it’s not always the f...

Have you ever searched your dog’s behaviour online, hoping for reassurance… only to come away feeling more confused, overwhelmed, or unsure than before? In this episode of The Walk & Talk, I’m unpacking why Googling your dog’s behaviour so often makes things feel harder rather than easier. We’ll explore how behaviour advice gets stripped of context online, why dogs don’t fit neatly into quick...

So often, dog behaviour struggles are treated as training problems - something to fix with better cues, more reps, or stricter consistency… but behaviourists know that behaviour is never just about training. In this episode of The Walk & Talk, I’m taking you deep into the whole-dog picture: the full range of factors professional behaviourists assess when working with behaviour challenges like...