In this powerful, science-backed episode, we dive deep into one of the most misunderstood challenges in dog training: stress.

If your dog ‘knows it at home’ but forgets everything outside, or seems to shut down, bark, lunge, or completely ignore you in the real world — there’s likely something big happening under the surface. That ‘bad’ behaviour? It’s often the result of cortisol, the stress hormone that literally hijacks your dog’s brain.

This episode is a game-changer if you want to stop feeling stuck, and start understanding your dog on a deeper level.

• What cortisol is and how it affects your dog’s brain and body
• The neuroscience behind why dogs zone out or stop listening
• How chronic stress erodes connection and blocks learning
• Real-life signs that your dog’s stress levels are too high
• Why exposure and pressure can actually backfire
• How to lower cortisol and support your dog’s nervous system
• Actionable strategies to build trust, resilience, and deeper connection

Whether you're raising a reactive dog, supporting a nervous rescue, or just want to be the best possible human for your pup — this episode will leave you informed, inspired, and totally empowered.

Explore my courses, digital products, and freebies at: 🌐 www.listendogtraining.com

📲 TikTok & Instagram: @listendogtraining

✨ Don't forget to subscribe, rate & review the show — it really helps this podcast reach more brilliant dog people like you!

In this episode of The Walk & Talk, I’m diving deep into transforming your wild, chaotic dog into a calm, focused companion - using just three daily routine tweaks. If you’ve ever felt frustrated by endless pulling on the lead or overwhelming distractions on your walks, this episode is your blueprint for change. I reveal simple, science-backed methods that not only reshape how your dog behaves, but also strengthen your bond and make every walk a joyous adventure together. Whether you're a seasoned dog owner or just starting out, these actionable insights will empower you to reclaim control and enjoy a more fulfilling life with your canine companion.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The #1 mistake dog owners make during walks (and how to fix it)
• How to use your dog’s food to build engagement and focus right from the start of the walk
• The perfect 5-part walk routine that will set your dog up for success every time
• The boundary-setting techniques you need at home to stop unwanted behaviors
• Simple, actionable steps to bring calm and connection into your everyday routine

💻 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! I’d love to hear how you’re using the dopamine trick in your own training:

Follow me on Instagram and TikTok → @listendogtraining

🎧 If this episode gave you an “aha!” moment, I’d be so grateful if you left a review 🌟 or shared the episode with a fellow dog lover—it helps the podcast grow and helps more people train with confidence, clarity, and joy!

In this episode, we’ll dive deep into one of the most popular - and misunderstood - concepts in modern dog training: relationship-based training.

Is it just another fluffy social media trend, or is it a powerful, science-backed training philosophy that can change your dog’s behaviour and your bond forever?

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What defines relationship-based training — and how it differs from other methods
• The neuroscience behind why your dog’s relationship with you matters more than you think
• How to use your bond as a training tool, not a reason to delay teaching
• Why boundaries and clarity are essential
• The difference between being present and actually engaging with your dog
• How to become more reinforcing than the environment, using smart training instead of just affection
• Five practical pillars to begin relationship-based training today — including engagement games, communication systems, and the power of play

Whether you’re a seasoned trainer or just getting started, this episode will give you fresh clarity, new tools, and a recharged sense of purpose when it comes to your connection with your dog.

💻 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

You can use code PODCAST10 for 10% off all my digital dog training packages, guides & courses!

📱 Let’s connect! I’d love to hear how you’re using the dopamine trick in your own training: Follow me on Instagram and TikTok → @‌listendogtraining

🎧 If this episode gave you an “aha!” moment, I’d be so grateful if you left a review 🌟 or shared the episode with a fellow dog lover—it helps the podcast grow and helps more people train with confidence, clarity, and joy!

Thinking about whether or not to spay your female dog? Or when the right time might be? This episode of The Walk & Talk is here to guide you through the real facts... not the outdated one-size-fits-all advice, not the guilt trips, and definitely not the fear-mongering.

We’ll explore the risks, the benefits, the behavioural impacts, and the hormonal picture, so you can make a decision that’s truly right for your individual dog.

Whether you’re navigating your first ever season with your pup, wondering about long-term health effects, or feeling pressure from outdated advice, this episode will help you feel informed, calm, and confident.

🎧 In this episode, you'll learn:

• What the spay procedure actually involves and how it differs from neutering males
• How oestrogen affects your female dog’s development, brain, joints, and behaviour
• The potential behavioural changes that may occur after spaying
• Why timing really matters—and why early isn’t always better
• The risks of mammary cancer and how that risk increases over time
• What pyometra is, why it’s so serious, and how to spot it early
• What to expect during your dog’s seasons (if you delay or opt not to spay)
• How to weigh up the decision based on breed, behaviour, lifestyle, and health
• Why there is no one-size-fits-all answer—and how to make a choice that suits you

💻 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

You can use code PODCAST10 for 10% off all my digital dog training packages, guides & courses!

📱 Let’s connect! I’d love to hear how you’re using the dopamine trick in your own training:

Follow me on Instagram and TikTok → @‌listendogtraining

🎧 If this episode gave you an “aha!” moment, I’d be so grateful if you left a review 🌟 or shared the episode with a fellow dog lover—it helps the podcast grow and helps more people train with confidence, clarity, and joy!

Ever wondered why your dog seems more interested in a leaf blowing down the street than your recall cue? Or why their ears perk up at the sound of the fridge but not your voice?

It all comes down to one powerful brain chemical: dopamine.

In this episode of The Walk & Talk, I’m diving deep into the science of dopamine and how you can use it to massively boost your training results, strengthen your bond, and finally become more reinforcing than literally everything else in your dog’s world.

Whether you’re working on recall, loose lead walking, or just want to be your dog’s favourite thing again—this episode is packed with insight and practical tweaks you can start using today.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

💡What dopamine actually is—and how it affects your dog’s behaviour 💡Why anticipation is just as powerful as the reward itself 💡How to make your training more engaging and brain-boosting 💡Simple ways to create dopamine spikes using rewards, patterns and movement 💡How to use surprise, variety and play to make YOU the most exciting part of your dog’s day 💡Real-life examples of tweaks that create faster, more reliable results

💻 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

You can use code PODCAST10 for 10% off all my digital dog training packages, guides & courses!

📱 Let’s connect! I’d love to hear how you’re using the dopamine trick in your own training:

Follow me on Instagram and TikTok → @listendogtraining

🎧 If this episode gave you an “aha!” moment, I’d be so grateful if you left a review 🌟 or shared the episode with a fellow dog lover—it helps the podcast grow and helps more people train with confidence, clarity, and joy!

What if everything you were told about being your dog’s ‘alpha’ was built on a misinterpretation of stressed-out wolves in captivity? In this eye-opening episode of The Walk & Talk, I take you on a deep-dive through the shaky science behind dominance theory, the myth of the ‘alpha dog,’ and the long-lasting impact this outdated ideology still has on modern dog training.

You'll learn:

🐾 The real story behind those infamous wolf studies 🐾 Why dominance-based training harms trust, learning, and safety 🐾 What leadership should look like in a healthy dog-human relationship 🐾 How to recognise stress-based behaviours and unmet needs in your dog 🐾 The empowering truth: your dog isn’t trying to rule you—they’re trying to connect with you

If you’ve ever felt torn between harsh training advice and doing what feels kind and intuitive, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to lead your dog with compassion and structure. Let’s rewrite the rules—and reclaim the joy.

💡 Want to dive deeper? Explore my digital dog training courses designed to give you the exact tools to build connection, teach essential skills, and support a truly happy life with your dog—without the confusion or conflict.

Browse all courses at www.listendogtraining.com

✨ Free training tips, tutorials & support ⬇️

→ Instagram: @listendogtraining → TikTok: @listendogtraining

In this episode of The Walk and Talk, we’re digging into why hyper-fixating on your dog’s surface-level behaviour problems — like pulling on lead or ignoring a recall — keeps you stuck in frustration. Real, lasting change doesn’t come from slapping a quick fix on the struggle you can see. It comes from identifying and addressing the bigger-picture concepts underneath — like focus, disengagement, impulse control, and proximity value.

I’ll show you how thinking bigger and targeting these core skills transforms your dog's behaviour faster, more effectively, and for the long term — and why trying to "fix" the problem in isolation is usually a dead end.

✨ Want to start tackling the real causes behind your dog’s struggles?

Check out my downloadable training plans and programmes at listendogtraining.com — whether you want a simple intro to concept training or a full design-your-own plan with all the exercises laid out for you, there’s something to get you moving forward!

💡 Follow for free tips and tutorials:

→ Instagram: @listendogtraining → TikTok: @listendogtraining

You’re not just your dog’s food dispenser or walk provider—you’re their emotional anchor, communication partner, and literal brain-shaper. This episode dives into the science of that relationship, uncovering how dogs have evolved to thrive with humans—not other dogs—and why that changes everything about how we train, raise, and relate to them.

We’re talking oxytocin spikes, brain scans, evolutionary theory, and why your dog’s wagging tail and floppy ears are hardwired evidence of thousands of years of co-evolution.

💡 Inside this episode you’ll learn:

– Why dogs know we’re not dogs—and why that matters – How they’ve developed supercharged communication skills just for us – The hormone behind your dog’s devotion – Why socialising with random dogs isn’t as natural—or necessary—as you’ve been told

🎯 By the end, you’ll see your role in your dog’s life differently—and you’ll have real, practical insight to deepen your bond and supercharge your training.

🎓 Want more?

→ Explore online courses & shop training packs: www.listendogtraining.com → Follow @listendogtraining on IG & TikTok

Whether you're a lifelong dog lover or just starting your journey, this episode will change the way you see your relationship—and leave you feeling even more in awe of your dog (if that’s possible?!)