Why does your dog listen perfectly at home… but suddenly forget everything the moment you step outside? Why does reactivity dissolve in one environment and explode in another? And why does training sometimes feel like you’re starting from scratch every time you change location?

In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into the real reason behind inconsistent behaviour: your dog’s incredible ability to contextualise. You’ll learn how dogs form multi-sensory ‘pictures' when learning, why their brains don’t automatically generalise skills, and how emotional state and environment shape every behaviour they can (or can’t) access.

This isn’t just fascinating neuroscience… it’s transformational for real-life training. Once you understand how your dog’s brain maps the world, everything becomes easier: recall, loose-lead walking, reactivity, engagement, calmness, settling, focus… all of it!

Whether you’re raising an adolescent whirlwind, supporting a reactive dog, or simply wanting a more connected partnership, this episode will completely change how you understand & train your dog.

• How your dog’s brain uses environmental and emotional cues to encode behaviour
• Why dogs don’t generalise skills automatically - and how to teach them to
• The real neuroscience behind inconsistency and why it’s not disobedience
• What state-dependent learning is (and how it shapes your dog’s reliability)
• How to build skills that actually transfer from home to the real world
• Practical, real-life examples of contextual training in action
• How understanding context can transform reactivity, engagement and focus
• The step-by-step mindset shift that makes training feel calmer, clearer, and easier

💻 Want to dive deeper into transforming your dog’s behaviour with science-backed strategies that actually work? Check out my digital training products, freebies and online courses at www.listendogtraining.com

📱 Let’s connect! Follow me on Instagram and TikTok → @‌listendogtraining

🎧 If you found this episode helpful, I’d be so grateful if you left a review 🌟 or shared it with a fellow dog lover. It helps the podcast grow and supports more people to train with confidence, clarity, and joy!

Have you ever wondered why some training methods seem to work wonders for one dog but fall completely flat for another? Or why your terrier’s unstoppable energy feels nothing like your friend’s calm, biddable lab?

In this episode of The Walk & Talk, we’ll unpack the fascinating world of adaptive training: a science-led, deeply intuitive approach that tailors training to each dog’s breed tendencies, natural drives, and unique personality. You’ll learn how genetics, instinct, and emotional regulation all shape your dog’s learning process, and how understanding these layers can transform the way you train, connect, and communicate.

Whether you live with a high-octane herding breed, a determined terrier, or a laid-back retriever, this episode will help you see your dog in a completely new light… not as a ‘problem to fix,’ but as an individual to understand and celebrate.

• Why one-size-fits-all training often fails, and how adaptive training solves that
• How breed genetics shape drive, arousal, and motivation in training
• The neuroscience behind reinforcement and why dogs find different things rewarding
• How to work with your dog’s natural instincts instead of against them
• The difference between adapting to breed type and adapting to individual temperament
• Practical ways to tailor games, reinforcement, and expectations to your dog’s unique wiring
• How understanding your dog’s nervous system can turn frustration into calm cooperation
• The mindset shift that turns training from control-based to connection-based

💻 Want to dive deeper into transforming your dog’s behaviour with science-backed strategies that actually work?

Check out my digital training products, freebies and online courses at www.listendogtraining.com

📱 Let’s connect! Follow me on Instagram and TikTok → @listendogtraining

🎧 If you found this episode helpful, I’d be so grateful if you left a review 🌟 or shared it with a fellow dog lover - it helps the podcast grow and helps more people train with confidence, clarity, and joy!

Does your dog seem to get a sudden burst of energy just as you’re winding down for the evening? Maybe you’re craving a quiet, cosy night in… but your dog’s zooming, barking, or pacing around like it’s party time?!

In this episode, we’re unpacking the science and strategy behind creating calm, helping you understand what your dog truly needs throughout the day so that they can genuinely switch off when you do. You’ll discover how small changes in your routine, training, and environment can completely transform your evenings into peaceful, connected downtime together.

🐶 What a fulfilling day actually looks like for your dog, and why balance matters more than ‘more exercise.’ 🧠 The neuroscience of calm; how your dog’s brain learns to self-regulate and rest. 🎯 How to structure your dog’s day to set them up for evening success. 🏠 How your home environment and evening energy impact your dog’s behaviour. 🎓 What to train (and when) to promote relaxation and emotional regulation. 💬 Why your own stress levels and routine play a bigger role than you might think.

💻 Want to dive deeper into transforming your dog’s behaviour with science-backed strategies that actually work? Check out my digital training products, freebies and online courses at www.listendogtraining.com

📱 Let’s connect! Follow me on Instagram and TikTok → @listendogtraining

🎧 If you found this episode helpful, I’d be so grateful if you left a review 🌟 or shared it with a fellow dog lover; it helps the podcast grow and helps more people train with confidence, clarity, and joy!